An Interview with Tom Hessin CEO Charlie Stockbridge

In an industry often dominated by established giants, it’s rare to see a new brand emerge with 150 years of history already in its inkwell. Recently, I sat down with Charlie Stockbridge, the fifth-generation steward of a pen-making legacy, to discuss the relaunch of Tom Hessin, a brand that bridges the gap between Victorian industrialism and modern artistry.

A Century-Old "Start-Up"

While the Tom Hessin name might be new to modern collectors, its roots go all the way back to 1870 in Birmingham, England. Charlie’s great-great-grandfather, Tom Hessin Charles, was a central figure in a city that was then the global capital of pen making, responsible for over 75% of the world’s pens.

"It’s a relatively new brand in terms of what your audience will consider, but actually it’s got history going back over 150 years... in terms of my family and the five generations that we’ve been making writing instruments for the global market." — Charlie Stockbridge

I couldn’t help but note how rare his family’s connection to the pen industry is. It’s one of those legacy stories that still feels like a true small business.

Forged in the Archives

The current collection isn't just inspired by history, it's directly pulled from it. Charlie explained that much of the brand's identity, including specific names and color palettes, was rediscovered in an 1896 archive brochure.

"We actually went through this old brochure from 1896 that had all these names in there... we genuinely have a library of archives of names and actual names of pens, which is where a lot of this came from." — Charlie Stockbridge

• The Thames Blue: A color inspired by rich, original tones found in the 19th-century archives

• The Five Diamonds: Every Tom Hessin pen clip features an engraved five-diamond motif, a symbol representing the five generations of the family legacy.

Charlie emphasized that this technical precision was a family affair.

"The Charles fountain pen was created in collaboration with my father... it reflects the technical precision required in pen making—from nib performance to cap and barrel tolerances."

By weaving these ancestral stories into every design detail, Charlie has ensured that each pen is a tangible piece of the Stockbridge family’s 150-year journey.

Modern Heritage: The Collections

The brand’s philosophy of "Modern Heritage" is best seen in its four distinct series, each designed to serve a different part of a writer's journey:

• The Charles Collection: High-grade resin pens like the Birmingham Noir and Castle Claret that pay direct homage to the brand's industrial roots
  

• The Rebel Series: Designed for a broader audience, these metal-bodied pens offer vibrant colors like Garrison Green and Jewellers Rouge.

• The Edinburgh Collection: A striking juxtaposition of architectural wood textures and metal, celebrating the iconic landscapes of Edinburgh

Charlie explains that the challenge lies in honoring the family's deep roots in industrial Birmingham while meeting the high performance standards of today’s enthusiasts:

"It was about taking that old name, keeping its legacy, but how do you make it more relevant to the modern audience? It’s that mixture, that mesh of fashion and function—it’s got to look good, but it’s got to work."

This commitment to function is what drives the brand's engineering process, which can take up to 14 months to move from an archival concept to a physical pen. By utilizing premium components like JoWo nibs and maintaining strict engineering tolerances, Tom Hessin ensures that every pen is a historical tribute and a dependable tool for the modern daily writer.

Accessible Luxury

Despite the high-end materials—including European resins, walnut wood, and reliably smooth JoWo nibs—Charlie remains committed to maintaining an affordable entry point for enthusiasts. Many models are positioned around the $50–$60 mark, ensuring that a high-quality writing experience is accessible to everyone from seasoned collectors to students.

For Charlie, the brand is less about simple nostalgia and more about continuous evolution:

"With over 150 years of pen-making heritage behind me, it's about combining that legacy with modernity... Tom Hessin is not just looking back; it’s writing the next chapter."

By ensuring these historic stories are paired with accessible pricing and modern reliability, Charlie has managed to turn a century-old archive into a vibrant, living brand that welcomes every kind of writer into its story.

Conclusion: Writing the Future

The resurgence of Tom Hessin is a rare story in the stationery world. It's no often that a brand that feels like a nimble start-up while standing on the shoulders of five generations of craftsmanship. By pulling forgotten names from 19th-century archives and pairing them with modern engineering, Charlie Stockbridge and his team have created a living link to the golden age of pen manufacturing.

As these pens make their way into the hands of writers today, they carry with them the spirit of industrial Birmingham and a family’s unwavering passion for the written word. Whether you are drawn to the rugged walnut of the Revolution or the archival elegance of the Charles, you’re participating in a 150-year legacy that is only just beginning its newest chapter.

Explore the full collection and find your piece of history at Goulet Pens. Write on!

Tom Hessin Fountain Pens