Our Story

Hi, I’m José Luis Mietta— the founder of Brown Fox Pens, a workshop based on Buenos Aires, Argentina, dedicated to vintage fountain pen restoration and curated writing instruments. Every pen is restored 100% by me, by hand, from initial inspection to final tuning and writing tests.

My passion for fountain pens began early, but it truly reignited when my mother gifted me a Montblanc 149 Platinum. While searching for information, I discovered Richard Binder’s work—and that moment pulled me deep into the mechanics, history, and craftsmanship behind great writing instruments.

Not long after, I restored my first fountain pen—a Parker 51—and found the perfect intersection of what I love: engineering, materials, and precision workmanship. My restoration philosophy is conservation-minded: I prioritize originality, preserve components whenever possible, avoid unnecessary refinishing, and intervene only where needed—so the pen remains authentic while writing reliably for years to come.

Today, my work includes:

• Curated vintage and modern writing instruments

• Restoration services for collectors and everyday writers who want to bring their own pens back to life

• Mietta Studio: artistic interventions on vintage pens using mother-of-pearl overlays, precious woods, gemstone accents, and refined materials techniques. A recent high-end artistic path with René Bier, a respected Argentine goldsmith, featuring handcrafted metalwork using both traditional and contemporary methods

Above all, I love helping people find their pen—the writing instrument that fits their taste, hand, and story. Explore the shop, or reach out to request a restoration or a personalized recommendation.

Thanks,

Jose L. Mietta, PhD