Noj - since 1979

The Beginnings, 1979

Noj is a family-owned company from Slovenia, a small country in the heart of Europe. Our story began over 40 years ago, when our father, Janez Novak, started making handcrafted wooden toys. Our company name simply comes from his initials: Novak Janez. We began as toy makers before dedicating an entire decade to mass-producing furniture components like knobs and plugs, reaching a peak of over a million pieces per year.

As the years went by, we shifted our focus toward more complex products. This led to a fruitful long-standing partnership with Celje-based Vivapen, a world-renowned manufacturer of pen components. Together, we created a successful series of wooden school and office pens.

Today, custom plugs, barrels, and specialized woodturned components remain a vital part of our production range.

All the while, in the background, there was a quiet wish to one day master the making of fine Dubrovnik chessmen, which had been waiting in our father's drawer for many years.

Handmade Chessmen

In the early days, our sets were modest in both price and craftsmanship. But over the decades, through trial, patience, and a steady dedication to the craft, we kept improving our skills and raising our standards. Today, building on our father's foundation, we are proud to be recognized by collectors and players around the world as fine craftsmen of the classic Dubrovnik chessmen. Every piece we make reflects decades of family tradition, attention to detail, and a genuine respect for the art of woodworking.

Although Dubrovnik chessmen are our original love, they are not the only sets we make. Our collection also includes the »1962 Tal« set, the »Best Chessmen Ever« (BCE) line, and a number of sets by renowned Slovenian designers.

We use only the finest materials to make our chessmen: Slovenian maple, American walnut, Croatian felt, Italian weights, and German lacquers. We are just 500 km from the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, and this makes our connection to its chess heritage even more special.

We don't just make chessmen. We love every minute of the process, from your first email to the moment the pieces stand safely on your chessboard. We are proud that many people who have chosen our chess sets have become our dear friends, and we invite you to become one of them. Feel free to send us your questions, comments, or suggestions, and become part of the global Dubrovnik chessmen family!

Only the best is good enough. High-quality wood. Top finishes made in Germany. Polishing compounds made in the USA, applied with polishing wheels from a reliable store in the United Kingdom. Felt purchased in Zagreb, Croatia. Custom-made weights from Italy, as well as the materials for our handmade boxes. Our turning gouges are custom-made by a 75-year-old toolmaker in his private workshop. The Swiss company Pfeil is well known for its high-quality carving tools. Over 40 different shapes are needed to cover the entire range of knights. Different types of glue, sanding pads in several grits, presses with custom-made tools for cutting felt pads, brushes, drill bits and much more...

All of this for one goal only: the moment we receive your photos, a phone call, or just a few words by email about the new chess pieces on your chessboard. That is the moment that puts a big smile on our faces.

Handmade Fountain Pens

Creating a writing tool is a delicate art. Capturing the essence of a story in just a few centimeters of material requires a patient approach. Every stroke of ink tells a tale, and so does every part of the pen. Fountain pen or rollerball, capped or clipless, engraved accents or custom pen holders, a rugged texture or an ultra-smooth finish: the design possibilities are endless. Our journey began with high-quality components from Dayacom in Taiwan, but we are incredibly proud to have rooted our craft in Slovenian heritage. The Slovenian Situla. A pen designed by Oskar Kogoj. Through a long-term partnership with Vivapen of Celje, a world-renowned manufacturer of pen components, we have direct access to cutting-edge pen technology and internal components.