During the 1970s, The Taiwanese Economic Miracle, the previous generation had no access to the Internet or many networking channels. John, the founder of LABAN, flew around the world with only a suitcase, to build a promising future for the pen industry.

Endurance and perseverance of traversing the world, all belonged to the romance of the previous generation. Unfortunately, like many other stories’ the splendid fireworks ended in sighs of sorrow.

Due to the increased costs, outsourcing and offshoring in the industry, and fierce price competitions, what remains in Taiwan were old clients, old masters, and old crafts… All of a sudden, even writing became “old-school”.

Interestingly, there seems to be an old soul hidden in the body of those who enjoy writing. The ink flowing in the pen shaft is an endless river of emotions and memories, which crosses over mountains and through ravines with the nib and turns into a beautiful poem.
Every stroke and every single word is meaningful, each stroke of the pen
records the unique aspects of our lives.

Refilling your soul by writing; hence, we do not mind aging, for “age” is a taste accumulated through time, it is the essence refined through the brilliant sparks of youth. Hence, this exquisite beauty deserves to be preserved and shared.

The manufacturing process of a LABAN pen is an artful craft. The technique involved in hollowed carving the metal, the art of making smooth and long lasting pen nibs, meticulously and intricately crafted decorations, as well as details to the nib’s aesthetic curve and proportions.

Through pen manufacturing, LABAN has made quite a few old friends and written countless stories. The limited edition of Dragon Pen in 2004 was awarded The Best Writing Instrument by Lewis & Clark, Royal Academy of Arts in the UK.

LABAN also once built a collaborative partnership with Musei del Vaticano and became the honorary signature pen of Pope Benedict XVI, which made it internationally famous.

Even though we haven’t reached our centenary yet, LABAN would like to dedicate ourselves, as a conscientious scribe to the pen industry in Taiwan, and create a brand new chapter in writing. We are more than happy to immerse ourselves in writing and aging with everyone who finds writing enjoyable.