Otto Hutt, the once obscure and under-appreciated German pen company, has finally begun to receive overdue attention in today’s market, years after I first reviewed a favorite model of mine, the Otto Hutt design06. Mostly the delay was due to fits and starts with Otto Hutt’s U.S. distribution, which now rests with experienced distributor Kenro Industries. As a result, certain Otto Hutt models have started to make regular appearances at U.S. pen retailers. Today, I look at the “design07,” a sterling silver pen that pays tribute to the company’s roots in Pforzheim, Germany, a city known for its jewelry and watchmaking industries.
Appearance and Build Quality
Otto Hutt unquestionably markets the design 07 as its “flagship” pen, and the craftsmanship and attention to detail make it a worthy representative of the brand. The barrel and cap are made from 36g of polished sterling silver, clearly the key selling point. One might think that with this much metal, the design07 runs the risk of appearing “blingy”, but somehow Otto Hutt pulls it off without the pen appearing ostentatious. I think this is partly due to the company not going overboard with etchings or other adornment. The barrel and cap feature an engraved thread guilloche pattern, and the resulting design strikes a nice balance between vintage inspiration and clean, modern lines.
Like Graf von Faber-Castell, Otto Hutt uses spring-loaded clips, which make it easy to clip their pens to the inside of a pen case or shirt pocket. Given the weight of the design07, however, most people won’t bother with the shirt pocket for this particular pen. Here, I should mention that certain parts of the trim, namely the clip, cap band, and section, are platinum plated as opposed to pure sterling silver. As the silver parts of the pen (i.e., the cap and barrel) develop a patina, there will also be a bit of a mismatch in tone unless you keep the pen polished, which is a matter of personal preference. A platinum-plated brass version is also available, which has a darker look and should not tarnish like the sterling silver.
I love the flat clip on this pen. The spring is sturdy, and the clip itself is not too narrow - it’s substantial enough to match the heft of the cap.
Like others, if I had one critique about the Otto Hutt design07, it would be the laser-engravings, which don’t look particularly “clean.” While not a deal-breaker for me, it’s a puzzling choice to see at this price point, especially on sterling silver, and I perhaps expected a bit more.
A Writing Experience on Par with the Otto Hutt design06
What has repeatedly brought me back to the Otto Hutt design06 over the years is the overall quality of the writing experience. I’m a fan of understated German pen design, particularly when you pair industrial aesthetics with good ergonomics and a quality nib. As I expected, the design07 turns out to be a highly usable workhorse pen.
This pen features a lot of silver, and as a result weighs a good 2.3oz/64g capped and 1.3oz/32g uncapped. (That’s right, the cap is as heavy as the barrel.) Suffice to say, the design07 is not a pen most people can use posted, myself included. I find the design07 most comfortable unposted, with a length and balance similar to a Pelikan M800 or the Montegrappa Extra 1930. I particularly like that this pen features an 18k two-toned JoWo nib. While perhaps not exciting, you can’t dispute that JoWo nibs are reliable writers - especially the 18k variants - and the two-tone gold nicely complements the sterling silver. (Again, the Montegrappa Extra 1930, which has a sterling silver section, uses a two-tone gold nib to similar effect.)
Takeaways and Where to Buy
Who should consider this pen? I can see the Otto Hutt design07 - and the brand as a whole - gaining traction in a couple of different market segments: First, fans of German pen companies such as Montblanc, Pelikan, and Graf von Faber-Castell looking to add something different to their rotation, and second, the “workhorse pen” crowd. I proudly count myself a member of both groups, and I’ve long sung the praises of Otto Hutt pens as well-built daily writers that might cost a bit of a premium, but will hold up to heavy use and not disappoint in either comfort or build quality.
Currently, you can purchase Otto Hutt pens from my friends at Vanness, who will soon have the design07 available as well. Sterling silver pens aren’t inexpensive, so this one comes in priced at $995 retail, with a street price at around $796. What can I say? It’s obviously a luxury item, but fortunately Otto Hutt makes pens across a range of price points, and every one I have used has been high-quality. If you enjoy this style, you shouldn’t come away disappointed.
Many thanks to Cary and the team at Kenro for providing this pen to me for review purposes!