I bought my first Safari with black nib and clip in 1986. Last year the cap got a crack. Lamy was so impressed over almost 35 years of daily use, that they sent a new pen!! That’s quality and service!!
In around 2003 I got a Lamy 200 EF in Macrolon (at the time EFs were not officially imported in Russia). In around 2008 the pen broke a bit off the metal grip. I wrote to Lamy CS but they said it was my fault. I swear I didn't hit it nor dropped it though. After a very long exchange of emails with photos etc they redirected me to a local Lamy dealer of the time (I'm not sure they still exist) and they SOLD me a NEW pen with a big discount. So... I think the problem was a strain at the place the pen broke but I cannot prove it. Anyhow, a couple of years later I sold the nib assembly (that metallic grip/casing with nib and feed) for good money thus reimbursing myself for the second purchase. But beside money the story cost me time and nervous energy that still haven't been compensated. While I hold the 2000 as a perfect pen in general I cannot say the same about Lamy as a company.
I did NOT receive such customer service. When I sent in my Accent pen for repair, they told me to get a new one, when the pen simply needed a new section. I love their pens, but their customer service is as helpful as a health insurance company.
I have an Aero. It fell out of my pocket onto my gravel driveway, under my car. I drove over it for about a week before I found it. It has a few scratches and dents, but it still writes like a champ. I definitely recommend it.
@@deanwhitehead Not as critical as you think. Thanks to brilliant design way before we were born, they can take an awful lot of use and abuse and keep on writing. Don't be misled by the fp droolers out there; remember that into the seventies--and I was around then--fp's were a daily, used possession of millions here in the US, including students like me.
Both my Parker '51' and original Chilton Wing-Flow have been writing for over 70 years. The Chilton required a new sac many years ago. Of course, the '51' has its original pli-glass sac.
I use a Rotring Artpen with a 1.1 stubnib for over 35 years. The pen still writes so nice and smooth. I am very happy with this simple nice pen, when i wrote my favourite lyrics in a small handcrafted hardcover notebook. The pen isn’t a luxury object or status symbol, simply a utility item with a high level of practical use that works reliably.
David Oscarson.. wow, thumbs up! I felt that as we go up the grail ladder, the focus is being shifted from function to form, from nib writing experience to craftsmanship, art, and aesthetic feel. But in some cases, pen companies and manufacturers still managed to balance that fine line, and create those heirloom pieces that every serious pen collector, writer, should have at least one of those!
My parents bought me a lamy safari when i graduated with honors in high school. Its been almost 10 years now and I still use the very same pen for work everyday. Truly my steadfast companion!
The first ever fountain pen I got was back in high school, and it was a charcoal colored Lamy Safari. I carried it in my pocket every single day for about 3 years, and used it every day. 10 years later and many fountain pen added to my collection and i still find myself going back to it. After years and years of using it, the nib is smooth and adapted exactly to how I write.
I am not a collector or one who would buy a pen for æsthetics. Bought my first Pelikan in a shop in Madrid in 1997, liked it so much I acquired two other Pelikans with different nibs later. They still work just like new, very high quality product.
I’m not a collector but have acquired a number of 🖋 during the last 3 years. Two Waterman Carene, two Sailors, a Pilot E95S, a Sheaffer Imperial Mk.3, but the most priced and enjoyed are the Pelikan M800 b/blk and the 2019 SE Blue Dunes. Both of these are fine nibs and wet writing instruments. I am contemplating buying an extra fine spare as a change out. They will last me a lifetime!👍👨🦳🇨🇦
See, I have to have both form AND function, but I typically do a lot of research before buying a pen, so the function is typically not a disappointment for me.
Pilot pens are definitley my favorite. When I got my decimo it wrote horribly compared to my vp but they fixed it immediately, and it became my favorite fine nib. They even gave me a free ink and converter with the repaired nib too.
Hey Brian, great ideas. And I too want them ALL!!! But of course choices have to be made.. I DO however LOVE the Vanishing point and Decimo pens, FANTASTIC writers, great quality and beautiful to boot…all for a very reasonable price! Thanks for a great video
I have a Vanishing Point that my dog got. It has some teeth marks on it and a couple scratches but still writes and functions properly. I use the pen everyday.
3:35 The Diplomat Aero "Flame" (blued steel version) can be used as a self-defense weapon. This thing is really heavy and sturdy. But sometimes it feels like you are writing with an anvil 😶
I have an Orange Aero. Yes it is heavy but I always write with it unposted and that is comfortable. Posted it is a bit heavy. Usually hold the cap in my other hand which I don't do with my other pens that I don't cap. Must be a tactile thing. The pen just feels good.
I have 3 original Parker 51 pens, one vac two aero. They have already survived more than a lifetime and show every sign of going on a lot longer. They are wonderful fountain pens. I've recently bought a pair of Wing Sung 601 copies - they may live up to the performance of the originals!
I don’t know how you knew I love fountain pens, but here you are, and so am I. New subscriber 💜Your delivery is just delightful. Your voice and pronunciation are just so pleasant. 💜
I much preferred the original of this video, as I found it to focus more on actual durability. While having some durable pens on this list, the David Oscarson (by Brian's own admission), made the list only by virtue of it being an art piece basically. Yes, it will last forever - because it will be put in a display case and left there.
Agree but not completely. In the previous list there also were such more luxury pens like Maki-e and Visconti Homo Sapiens. Of course, they will serve you lifelong as well as most pens from Montegrappa and Montblanc.
True, but in all honesty, this video is more catered towards the expensive side of things... something that in time could probably become a very expensive vintage fountain pen. I think the video is more catered towards the "heirloom" spectrum than actual durability... something that you pass on for generation within the family. Otherwise, a simple Jinhao 750 will suffice (or any new metal built fountain pen can make this list)... you can run over it with a car and will barely get a dent... that thing will outlast generations... 😆
@@mrN3w7 this is entirely true, about the Jinhao! Perhaps the video should have been titled "heirloom pens"? Because that David Oscarson wouldn't survive in my house (enamel does chip and crack, after all). That does seem to be more the focus for this video.
My first Pilot Vanishing Point arrived from Goulet Pens arrived yesterday. I'm already I love with it. Great for quick note taking, and I've never had a fine nib write so smooth.
watching videos after videos on hundreds dollars' pens while I'm writing with the kakuno... it's a great pen and hasn't skipped on me once tho, I'm happy ^-^
They don't last a lifetime because someone at some point steals your beloved pen, either intentionally or inadvertently. My modest but much loved and incredibly smooth Waterman Laureate that I'd had for 15 years was lifted by a friends teenage daughter who sold it at school! Her mother made her replace it but you can't replace 15 years of acquired silky smoothness. No one steals my Jinhao 250. It writes very well.
I'm determined to make my jinhao shark last a life time. As with anything, if you want it to last, you have to take good care of it. I'm sure most of the pens goulet sells could last a lifetime with the right caretaker.
I wish I could say the same, but I had to toss mine out after a year and a half of use because the ink just started leaking (leaving big pools of ink) from the feed completely draining whatever was in the converter. At first I thought it was because of leaving it stored on its side for a couple months, but when I went to refill it last night, the entire pen pen just couldn't hold any ink in it anymore.
I think it's a distrust of twist mechanisms, a good twist is impossible to do cheaply and so early experiences with them are typically bad. It kind of reflects how our consumer culture works, if you don't know exactly what you're buying then you're buying something economically engineered to profit from your ignorance, the USA has this down to an exact science. So most USA citizens first twist pen that doesn't disengage randomly or break after 3 months is going to be them getting something like a Retro51 rollerball or something and taking a "risk" on a nice twist mechanism.
I really enjoyed this.....I am finding it very difficult to find a metalfountain-pen-like calligraphy pen that takes a converter. and has interchangeable nibs.
I have twp ST Duponts. I have the Orpheo large and the L’ Atalier Line D. Both medium nibs. Both are the large versions. The nibs are extremely smooth like butter. The flow is medium wet and it a delight to write with but………The section which looks nice is a concern to me. It’s a little slippery and frankly not as comfortable as other pens eg my Orpheo which has a plastic section. Therefore, while the pen is gorgeous and built with quality, i find that i use other pens more often because of the comfort of the grip on the section.
@@JerryBearry then you really need try before you buy. Plastic/ebony is more comfortable to me. Visconti is very comfortable. Pelikan is very comfortable. So is SAILOR. Also weight is very different for these pens.
@@dmf30 thankfully, for me, my 146 is also my most comfortable pen. Sailor pens are also on my consideration list as their dimensions seem to be nearly identical. Are the threads on Sailor pens smooth, or sharp? The Aurora Optima has the smoothest threads I have come across. Too bad, for me, that I don't care for the pronounced flare on the (Optima) grip. I have learned to be very picky!
@@JerryBearry I have the 1911 Sailor and the threads are smooth. I have the large version which is not all that large by the way. The king of pens was a little too large. Consider the Viscontis. The section is great and the nibs are silky. My Cosmos ( a numbered series they don't make anymore ) is the most comfortable in my hand. But it also has a lip at the end of the section which i personally like. It's a relatively large pen. Also consider Pineidor as their look is superb. Another pen that is really nice is the NEW Parker 51. Great price. I have an original when it first came out and i refurbished it. the section is smooth but it is a smallish diameter. Hope this helps.
The Dupont Olympio pens of the past with Chinese lacquer are on another level. The Vertigo 1 is by far my favorite looking pen of all time. Pelikans and others write better though! Glad to see you're promoting the current S.T. Dupont lineup. I'm a regular user of their cigar lighters, cases, and cutters -- overall no complaints and the customer service stateside has been good and fortunately, very rarely needed. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their new pens if I found one I liked.
I bought Lamy 2000 in 2012. Within one a half year all the threads on the barrel or ink section worn out. They started falling off like flakes. It was replaced as it was in warranty period in Dec 2014. Again in 2021 the same problem has happened and because the threads on the barrel have been damaged, the pen is not usable as the nib section and ink barrel section don't fit. No response from Lamy, Germany on the issue raised on their site. The only option now is to replace the complete barrel and wedge which is costly. I feel there is a quality issue with Lamy 2000's material used.
wow, i like that matte gray grip the Diplomat Aero has because I'm a fan of matte gray option because they glow purple in ultraviolet ( black ) light . plus, nib is also narrowing towards bottom . do u know of other matte gray grip pens ? If so , let me know or refer me to 1 of ur videos. awesome pens & awesome video. thanks for sharing .
I have been using a Parker 51 and a Montblanc 149, daily, since 1964. Two great pens. The problem with the Pilot VP, is the ink supply is pretty sparse
he already mentioned those in the 2016 video, so I think he's choosing new pens to recommend since he already gave glowing recommendations to the "more standard" pens in the old video
I got the all black Pelikan M1000 with gold trim as a gift to myself for my exiting the army with an honourable discharge and I keep it at home and use it occasionally. Need to get the EF nib ground finer
Currently own a cheapo hobby lobby pen (first pen), slightly used, about 4 ink cartridges worth. $5 My second pen wasthe TWSBI Diamond 580 al emerald green. One of the best pens I have tried. 20-30 ml of ink ran so far and plan for alot more. Very light pressure to use, medium nib drops the perfect about of in for a lefty to use, also when you write quick, you get a mist of ink that i happen to love when im signing my name. Recently the cap broke in my pocket and that led to the nib feed section to break as well. Just purchased a new nib. $20 and $65 for the base cost of the pen. 3rd is LAMY SAFARI lime green with a nedium nib. Got the converter and have ran 20-30 ml of ink through it. After a little over 2 years, the cap has a tendancy to pop off in my pocket, leading to ink spots in my work pants. My main go to when writing. At first i didnt like the triangular grip section, now i like the feel. ≈$30 Forth, LAMY SAFARI 2021 tericotta colored. Shortly after getting, dropped on concrete so have not used this fine nibed pen for a little over 4 months. Love the color but hate the painted clip. The paint chips off quickly. Aside from that, this pen has a more plesant feel to it than the lime green pen. 5th, 6th, and 7th are all LAMY SAFARI in Strawberry, 2021 OD Green, and Blue with red clip all as presents for my friends birthdays. My 8th pen is the TWSBI 580 ALR orussian blue. Love the color and am a fan of the TWSBI brand. $65 9th pen is my first gold nib, the PILOT VANISHING POINT BLACK AND WHITE. Love the concept of the click button pen with the fountain pen aspects to it. I am very excited to try this pen out and see the quality of it. $168 I hope to get a LAMY 2000 next and maybe one day be able to purchase myself a VISCONTI Homosapian one day. All of my pens aside from my first were purchased through gouletpens.com. love you guys and gals. Amazing customer service.
Can we see a review on the writing experience with a gold JoWo nib. Very curious about how soft the nib is, if it is at all. I thought they only made steel nibs, I’m in shock right now.
How good are Cross pens? It was the brand my grandfather preferred, and now that he's gone, I'm trying to make sure I stay connected to him by taking on his interests.
My parents used Cross pens and pencils. Cross makes several smooth writing ballpoint and rollerball pens. I have had a Cross fountain pen since high school. I haven't inked it in a while. I still use the pens my parents left me. I would say that shows quality.
Great video. Great selection of desirable well made pens including some grail pens. Hope to acquire a few in 2022. The Diplomat Aero, the Pilot 845 Urushi and the Pelikan 1000 are must haves.
I've got the lateral tripod grip, which is probably the worst grip for fountains. The threads of the cap dig in. So I use a very inexpensive Faber Grip. Problem solved, and the price is definitely right. These are great videos. it's so much fun to nerd out on these pens. The Dupont would be my choice. Looks very comfortable.
Unfortunately there are many people out here who love to write with fountain pens and use them all their lives but can't afford three for $500 for a fountain pen so they buy Conklin pens that they can afford. Conklin pens are affordable and they last forever. So you don't have to spend a fortune on a pen to have a good pen. Thank you very much for showing these beautiful items
Hi, always got enjoyment from using fountain pens but can honestly say im only starting to learn about them. Can someone explain why they are called gold nibs and supposedly they flex differently when from my experience they are just electro plated with gold which unless it has substantial plating it shouldn't affect the underlying flexibility characteristics of the base metal? I appreciate the plating may affect the frictional coefficient hence smoother feedback. Im just trying to differentiate between reality and snake oil as im looking at a few new pens and trying to decide.
Being a student means that i do ALOT of writing. I've been thinking of buying the Lamy 2000 but i don't know if the nib and the piston will last for at least 5 years of heavy writing? Or am i expected to toss the old and buy a new after some years?
My Pilot Vanishing Point is one of my all-time favourites. It's spoiled me a bit though; I've gotten so used to the weight that everything else feels weird hahaha
My question is for anybody who knows, or for Brian Goulet, if he is reading this. Are there any pens out there that are , or were , made by established watch makers? For example, are there Seiko pens? Citizen pens? Swatch pens? I am surprised I never encountered a pen or a watch by a company that makes both.
In the past I have used daily two Pilot Vanishing Point, each one for many years but after about 5-6 years they start to leak ? Now I use an Aurora Optima
Hi Brian, I have 2 Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pens and I love the EF nib to write with it. I’m really struggling, however, with refilling the ink. It has driven me to not use it at all. Can you please make a video on this? Thank you 🙏🏼
I find with a lot of my converters, I syringe fill them. It's fast and get a full fill, only down side is cleaning the syringe. But I don't have the worry of possibly spilling the bottle when trying to hold the pen in the bottle and twisting the piston. A whole bottle or even a sample can make a real mess, I know, so usually keep a paper plate around just for filling purposes. That and usually have the cleaning water out to flush the nib anyway. Once I tried a syringe on converters I now always use it on my converter pens. I'm less likely to make a mess.
My elementary school always made us use a fountain pen. It broke After Middle school. That's when I fell into the rabbit hole. I just recently bought a waterman hemisphere in matte black. It was £85! That's a lot of money to me.
Discovered you via another UA-camr - Martin-Made TV - And WOW you're really good at giving detailed info! (Plus you're in my home state so OF COURSE, I'm gonna watch y'all! 😉) I have been eyeing the Vanishing Point since MMT mentioned it in her fountain pen video but I already have a couple old (20+ years old) Sterling Silver Duponts with gold nibs and I'm just not a fan of those nibs; they're temperamental. Maybe the Pilot would be different, MMT certainly loves them. Thanks for your informative videos - really enjoy them!
A girlfriend of mine gave me an Omas-557S. It's a burgundy and gold. It's a very nice pen. I've had it for many years. I'm not sure how it compares to these pens on your video. I'm drawn to the Sailor 1911 King of Pens. Very nice. I might have to give you a call. Thank you for your video.
Well, I first started using Sheaffer cartridge pens in grade school in the sixties, Sheaffer Triumph and Imperial pens in college in the seventies, bought my first Lamy 2000 in 1975. I have them all and none are 'urushi'/BS/silliness. ANY pen can become a lifetime pen, especially if you use it as designed and not just drool over it.
i need your help... my favorit pen... for sentimental reasons.. is a pilot jotter.. but i have found the ink fades in only a few years...... i am no looking for fountain pen.. that is a size suitable for my shirt pocket.. .with a caligraphy tip... and ink... that does not vanish... can anyone advise me?
My pilot 823 cracked after about 5 years. Sadness. Plastic barrels are not as durable as metal ones. Can attest that my vanishing pilot is still going strong. It dries too fast though.
Except from the D.Oscarson and Dupont pens (they are not estethically what I like), I have and use all of these pens. The 845 and the Custom Urushi are my Edc pens at the moment. I cleaned out my green ray recently wich was in my edc case at that point. Honestly my least fave on this list is the VP. Just because of the ink capacity and it drying faster. I still use it though because it is handy and practical at times. And I absolutely love all my Aeros. It is just a phenomenal pen! I love the factory finish and the steel flamed one the most. The Aero is one those pens that perform so well with their steel nib, that - although their gold nib is great - the update to gold seems pointless. I have to say that all these pics are amazing writers right out of the box (with no tuning needed; wich is not the case for every ‘heirloom/collectible pen’) as well. And I love the fact that they don’t need to be ‘babyed’; they are easy to clean and maintain. That goes for the M1000 as well; just unscrew the nib, and cleaning it is actually quicker then a converter (definitely easier then the con70! I’m team Drew on this one 😁)… Great list that can be broadened for sure; maybe we can have a serie of such videos in the future. Thanks team Goulet
Nice review indeed, but what about the two princes of pens; Montblanc and Parker? Aren’t they well-designed and durable enough to be made a family heirlooms?
"David ... is an actual person. ... [W]ho is still around!" You joke, but it took me years to figure this out, so I'm glad you mentioned it. :) I was on my third pen show where I saw a very well-dressed, handsome fellow appear with a Mysterious Rolling Box of pens before I realized what was going on.
The pilot VP might write well and last a lifetime, but Holy hell did I not want to use it ever again after 6 days. Terrible fit and finish in the base models. Ergonomics are horrible for more than 5 min of writing, and for a note-taker designed to be clipped in to a pocket, the finish gets destroyed instantly. Shame because it's a great idea and has a really nice nib.
how long is a lifetime? I have my mother’s and grandfather’s Parkers from the 50s and my Osmiroid school pens from the 60s Take care of any of your pens and they will last a lifetime
It's possible that Diplomat does some additional tuning, or has Jowo do something additional. TWSBI nibs are also Jowo, and are quite different! - Drew
Great video! My wife bought me the Aero from GPC for Christmas and I love it. The Aero doesn’t get anywhere near the respect it deserves. I also have the Pilot VP and the Sailor ProGear and they’re also brilliant.
Take a look at the 800 series and save the difference unless you want the size increase. Both the M800 and 1000 have the brass filler mechanism. Quality!
@@richardc6932 I Have an M800, M600, M400 and a number of M200s. I even have an M120. I have been working my way up the scale for 20 plus years. You are right they are all quality. The M1000 will end my fountain pen desire for a while.
Be very careful with the Vanishing Point, be sure to retract the nib when you stop writing with. I dropped my mine by accident with nib out and it landed on the nib and bent it. You cannot just replace the nib. You have to buy the entire nib assembly which increased the price. I did buy a replacement with a medium nib which I like a little better than the fine it came with. I don't know if the nib can be repaired, but it may cost just as much to fix it as it cost to replace it.
I bought my first Safari with black nib and clip in 1986. Last year the cap got a crack. Lamy was so impressed over almost 35 years of daily use, that they sent a new pen!! That’s quality and service!!
In around 2003 I got a Lamy 200 EF in Macrolon (at the time EFs were not officially imported in Russia). In around 2008 the pen broke a bit off the metal grip. I wrote to Lamy CS but they said it was my fault. I swear I didn't hit it nor dropped it though. After a very long exchange of emails with photos etc they redirected me to a local Lamy dealer of the time (I'm not sure they still exist) and they SOLD me a NEW pen with a big discount. So...
I think the problem was a strain at the place the pen broke but I cannot prove it. Anyhow, a couple of years later I sold the nib assembly (that metallic grip/casing with nib and feed) for good money thus reimbursing myself for the second purchase. But beside money the story cost me time and nervous energy that still haven't been compensated. While I hold the 2000 as a perfect pen in general I cannot say the same about Lamy as a company.
I did NOT receive such customer service.
When I sent in my Accent pen for repair, they told me to get a new one, when the pen simply needed a new section.
I love their pens, but their customer service is as helpful as a health insurance company.
Yes, HQ would do that.
Importers won't.
You just never know. I’ve had wonderful experience of Mont Blanc customer service, but many people complain about the company.
I just got my first fountain this past Xmas. Lamy Studio Imperial blue. I upgraded it with a gold nib because I love the color.
I have an Aero. It fell out of my pocket onto my gravel driveway, under my car. I drove over it for about a week before I found it. It has a few scratches and dents, but it still writes like a champ. I definitely recommend it.
Congratulations to your pen which survives the ups and downs as a pen.
I have two Aero's. I find the silver grip to be too slippery, the black grip is perfect.
See, THAT is what I want to hear regarding "pens to last a lifetime." Will it last MY (chaotic, ridiculous) lifetime?
Pretty impressive.
Soo, how much was the driveway repair cost? xD
All my fountain pens have lasted a lifetime so far, from the cheapest Lamy Safari to the more expensive Caran d'Ache and the Mont Blanc Meisterstuck.
Yes :) you treat them properly and thus they last :)
Are you a ghost?
The care and feeding of fountain pens is critical, I'd imagine.
@@deanwhitehead Not as critical as you think. Thanks to brilliant design way before we were born, they can take an awful lot of use and abuse and keep on writing. Don't be misled by the fp droolers out there; remember that into the seventies--and I was around then--fp's were a daily, used possession of millions here in the US, including students like me.
Question... How is the Meisterstuck? Compared to other pens in your experience :o
That diplomat aero snap cap just reached in and flicked my heartstrings
Both my Parker '51' and original Chilton Wing-Flow have been writing for over 70 years. The Chilton required a new sac many years ago. Of course, the '51' has its original pli-glass sac.
I use a Rotring Artpen with a 1.1 stubnib for over 35 years. The pen still writes so nice and smooth. I am very happy with this simple nice pen, when i wrote my favourite lyrics in a small handcrafted hardcover notebook. The pen isn’t a luxury object or status symbol, simply a utility item with a high level of practical use that works reliably.
David Oscarson.. wow, thumbs up!
I felt that as we go up the grail ladder, the focus is being shifted from function to form, from nib writing experience to craftsmanship, art, and aesthetic feel.
But in some cases, pen companies and manufacturers still managed to balance that fine line, and create those heirloom pieces that every serious pen collector, writer, should have at least one of those!
My parents bought me a lamy safari when i graduated with honors in high school. Its been almost 10 years now and I still use the very same pen for work everyday. Truly my steadfast companion!
The first ever fountain pen I got was back in high school, and it was a charcoal colored Lamy Safari. I carried it in my pocket every single day for about 3 years, and used it every day. 10 years later and many fountain pen added to my collection and i still find myself going back to it. After years and years of using it, the nib is smooth and adapted exactly to how I write.
You all have gotten so good at producing these videos, I love it!
Thanks for saying that! - Drew
Yes, it's always nice to see professional-level videos.
I am not a collector or one who would buy a pen for æsthetics. Bought my first Pelikan in a shop in Madrid in 1997, liked it so much I acquired two other Pelikans with different nibs later. They still work just like new, very high quality product.
I’m not a collector but have acquired a number of 🖋 during the last 3 years. Two Waterman Carene, two Sailors, a Pilot E95S, a Sheaffer Imperial Mk.3, but the most priced and enjoyed are the Pelikan M800 b/blk and the 2019 SE Blue Dunes. Both of these are fine nibs and wet writing instruments. I am contemplating buying an extra fine spare as a change out. They will last me a lifetime!👍👨🦳🇨🇦
See, I have to have both form AND function, but I typically do a lot of research before buying a pen, so the function is typically not a disappointment for me.
Pilot pens are definitley my favorite. When I got my decimo it wrote horribly compared to my vp but they fixed it immediately, and it became my favorite fine nib. They even gave me a free ink and converter with the repaired nib too.
Hey Brian, great ideas. And I too want them ALL!!! But of course choices have to be made.. I DO however LOVE the Vanishing point and Decimo pens, FANTASTIC writers, great quality and beautiful to boot…all for a very reasonable price! Thanks for a great video
I have a Vanishing Point that my dog got. It has some teeth marks on it and a couple scratches but still writes and functions properly. I use the pen everyday.
3:35 The Diplomat Aero "Flame" (blued steel version) can be used as a self-defense weapon. This thing is really heavy and sturdy. But sometimes it feels like you are writing with an anvil 😶
I have an Orange Aero. Yes it is heavy but I always write with it unposted and that is comfortable. Posted it is a bit heavy. Usually hold the cap in my other hand which I don't do with my other pens that I don't cap. Must be a tactile thing. The pen just feels good.
I have 3 original Parker 51 pens, one vac two aero. They have already survived more than a lifetime and show every sign of going on a lot longer. They are wonderful fountain pens. I've recently bought a pair of Wing Sung 601 copies - they may live up to the performance of the originals!
Impeccable taste-all great choices. I have the Sailor Professional Gear and it will certainly last years as a daily writer. Kudos.
I audibly said "Wow" when that David Oscarson Turtle pen came up on the screen. Stunning. That's a lifetime dream pen for me.
I don’t know how you knew I love fountain pens, but here you are, and so am I. New subscriber 💜Your delivery is just delightful. Your voice and pronunciation are just so pleasant. 💜
Thanks for watching! - Drew
Holy crap, i cant believe Goulet videos are popping up in my feed this whole time and I was never subbed. Thanks for reminding me, friend!
I much preferred the original of this video, as I found it to focus more on actual durability. While having some durable pens on this list, the David Oscarson (by Brian's own admission), made the list only by virtue of it being an art piece basically. Yes, it will last forever - because it will be put in a display case and left there.
Agree but not completely. In the previous list there also were such more luxury pens like Maki-e and Visconti Homo Sapiens. Of course, they will serve you lifelong as well as most pens from Montegrappa and Montblanc.
+1
Yes. I look at my brass Kaweco Liliput and think "that thing is going to last me a lifetime, unless I loose it".
True, but in all honesty, this video is more catered towards the expensive side of things... something that in time could probably become a very expensive vintage fountain pen. I think the video is more catered towards the "heirloom" spectrum than actual durability... something that you pass on for generation within the family.
Otherwise, a simple Jinhao 750 will suffice (or any new metal built fountain pen can make this list)... you can run over it with a car and will barely get a dent... that thing will outlast generations... 😆
@@mrN3w7 this is entirely true, about the Jinhao! Perhaps the video should have been titled "heirloom pens"? Because that David Oscarson wouldn't survive in my house (enamel does chip and crack, after all). That does seem to be more the focus for this video.
The ST DuPont is my favorite on your list. It is my grail pen for 2022!
I have 3 of them. 2 large and one standard. The special edition pens are beautiful.
My first Pilot Vanishing Point arrived from Goulet Pens arrived yesterday. I'm already I love with it. Great for quick note taking, and I've never had a fine nib write so smooth.
It's the best
Does the pocket clip get in the way of your grip?
I really love the info. Do you think you can do a video on fountain pen that has triangular tripod grip pen such as Lamy Safari. Thank you
watching videos after videos on hundreds dollars' pens while I'm writing with the kakuno... it's a great pen and hasn't skipped on me once tho, I'm happy ^-^
Pilot Custom 74 - my favorite for a reasonable price. But I must also admit the Aero looks spiffy as well.
great pen.
They don't last a lifetime because someone at some point steals your beloved pen, either intentionally or inadvertently. My modest but much loved and incredibly smooth Waterman Laureate that I'd had for 15 years was lifted by a friends teenage daughter who sold it at school! Her mother made her replace it but you can't replace 15 years of acquired silky smoothness. No one steals my Jinhao 250. It writes very well.
I'm determined to make my jinhao shark last a life time. As with anything, if you want it to last, you have to take good care of it. I'm sure most of the pens goulet sells could last a lifetime with the right caretaker.
I am also looking forward to use my chinese built pens for lifetime,,,
I wish I could say the same, but I had to toss mine out after a year and a half of use because the ink just started leaking (leaving big pools of ink) from the feed completely draining whatever was in the converter. At first I thought it was because of leaving it stored on its side for a couple months, but when I went to refill it last night, the entire pen pen just couldn't hold any ink in it anymore.
Beautiful selection! I wonder why the Fermo (which, to me, os the most attractive of the desirable VP Capless range) isn't so popular in the USA? 🤔
I think it's a distrust of twist mechanisms, a good twist is impossible to do cheaply and so early experiences with them are typically bad. It kind of reflects how our consumer culture works, if you don't know exactly what you're buying then you're buying something economically engineered to profit from your ignorance, the USA has this down to an exact science. So most USA citizens first twist pen that doesn't disengage randomly or break after 3 months is going to be them getting something like a Retro51 rollerball or something and taking a "risk" on a nice twist mechanism.
@@Suiseisexy That's a very plausible and insightful answer, thanks.
I'm pretty sure it's also more expensive than the Vanishing Point. You're right, though, it looks tremendous.
I really enjoyed this.....I am finding it very difficult to find a metalfountain-pen-like calligraphy pen that takes a converter. and has interchangeable nibs.
I have twp ST Duponts. I have the Orpheo large and the L’ Atalier Line D. Both medium nibs. Both are the large versions. The nibs are extremely smooth like butter. The flow is medium wet and it a delight to write with but………The section which looks nice is a concern to me. It’s a little slippery and frankly not as comfortable as other pens eg my Orpheo which has a plastic section. Therefore, while the pen is gorgeous and built with quality, i find that i use other pens more often because of the comfort of the grip on the section.
Pen comfort is #1 on my list for any pen. One of the first things I look at, when considering a pen, is the grip section.
@@JerryBearry then you really need try before you buy. Plastic/ebony is more comfortable to me. Visconti is very comfortable. Pelikan is very comfortable. So is SAILOR. Also weight is very different for these pens.
@@dmf30 thankfully, for me, my 146 is also my most comfortable pen. Sailor pens are also on my consideration list as their dimensions seem to be nearly identical. Are the threads on Sailor pens smooth, or sharp? The Aurora Optima has the smoothest threads I have come across. Too bad, for me, that I don't care for the pronounced flare on the (Optima) grip. I have learned to be very picky!
@@JerryBearry I have the 1911 Sailor and the threads are smooth. I have the large version which is not all that large by the way. The king of pens was a little too large. Consider the Viscontis. The section is great and the nibs are silky. My Cosmos ( a numbered series they don't make anymore ) is the most comfortable in my hand. But it also has a lip at the end of the section which i personally like. It's a relatively large pen. Also consider Pineidor as their look is superb. Another pen that is really nice is the NEW Parker 51. Great price. I have an original when it first came out and i refurbished it. the section is smooth but it is a smallish diameter. Hope this helps.
The Dupont Olympio pens of the past with Chinese lacquer are on another level. The Vertigo 1 is by far my favorite looking pen of all time. Pelikans and others write better though! Glad to see you're promoting the current S.T. Dupont lineup. I'm a regular user of their cigar lighters, cases, and cutters -- overall no complaints and the customer service stateside has been good and fortunately, very rarely needed. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their new pens if I found one I liked.
I bought Lamy 2000 in 2012. Within one a half year all the threads on the barrel or ink section worn out. They started falling off like flakes. It was replaced as it was in warranty period in Dec 2014. Again in 2021 the same problem has happened and because the threads on the barrel have been damaged, the pen is not usable as the nib section and ink barrel section don't fit. No response from Lamy, Germany on the issue raised on their site. The only option now is to replace the complete barrel and wedge which is costly. I feel there is a quality issue with Lamy 2000's material used.
That's an issue I've never heard of before! - Drew
Mine also broke off at the grip. But I do have a second pen because I really like the nib.
Seems to a common problem with Lamy 2000. Mine also broke…in storage.
The pilot VP pops up .....as I am sat writing with a VP and debating between getting the stormtrooper or matte black VP 😂😂
wow, i like that matte gray grip the Diplomat Aero has because I'm a fan of matte gray option because they glow purple in ultraviolet ( black ) light . plus, nib is also narrowing towards bottom . do u know of other matte gray grip pens ? If so , let me know or refer me to 1 of ur videos. awesome pens & awesome video. thanks for sharing .
Been using my vanishing point for 22 years. Still going strong.
I have been using a Parker 51 and a Montblanc 149, daily, since 1964. Two great pens. The problem with the Pilot VP, is the ink supply is pretty sparse
Not to mention the ink dries up fast in the nib due to the lack of a cap. I still love it though. Just needed to get used to the constant refilling.
Thanks for the video. I was surprised with Urushi - thought Custom 823 would be better value for money. Also, expected Lamy 2000, traditionally..
Dont get the Urushi!~~!!! I think the same nib is available in the other Pilot pens but i might be wrong about the nib.
he already mentioned those in the 2016 video, so I think he's choosing new pens to recommend since he already gave glowing recommendations to the "more standard" pens in the old video
@@DanielKRui Yes, I thought about that but Vanishing Point and Sailor Pro Gear have been mentioned a lot before
Gosh, these video are like... galaxy brain level marketing. I want all of these pens now. ❤
Help me understand. Legit question: what is galaxy brain?
Got my first Pelikan in 1997, two more a few years later. Still going strong, definitely lifetime pens.
I got the all black Pelikan M1000 with gold trim as a gift to myself for my exiting the army with an honourable discharge and I keep it at home and use it occasionally. Need to get the EF nib ground finer
Currently own a cheapo hobby lobby pen (first pen), slightly used, about 4 ink cartridges worth. $5
My second pen wasthe TWSBI Diamond 580 al emerald green. One of the best pens I have tried. 20-30 ml of ink ran so far and plan for alot more. Very light pressure to use, medium nib drops the perfect about of in for a lefty to use, also when you write quick, you get a mist of ink that i happen to love when im signing my name. Recently the cap broke in my pocket and that led to the nib feed section to break as well. Just purchased a new nib. $20 and $65 for the base cost of the pen.
3rd is LAMY SAFARI lime green with a nedium nib. Got the converter and have ran 20-30 ml of ink through it. After a little over 2 years, the cap has a tendancy to pop off in my pocket, leading to ink spots in my work pants. My main go to when writing. At first i didnt like the triangular grip section, now i like the feel. ≈$30
Forth, LAMY SAFARI 2021 tericotta colored. Shortly after getting, dropped on concrete so have not used this fine nibed pen for a little over 4 months. Love the color but hate the painted clip. The paint chips off quickly. Aside from that, this pen has a more plesant feel to it than the lime green pen.
5th, 6th, and 7th are all LAMY SAFARI in Strawberry, 2021 OD Green, and Blue with red clip all as presents for my friends birthdays.
My 8th pen is the TWSBI 580 ALR orussian blue. Love the color and am a fan of the TWSBI brand. $65
9th pen is my first gold nib, the PILOT VANISHING POINT BLACK AND WHITE. Love the concept of the click button pen with the fountain pen aspects to it. I am very excited to try this pen out and see the quality of it. $168
I hope to get a LAMY 2000 next and maybe one day be able to purchase myself a VISCONTI Homosapian one day.
All of my pens aside from my first were purchased through gouletpens.com. love you guys and gals. Amazing customer service.
Can we see a review on the writing experience with a gold JoWo nib. Very curious about how soft the nib is, if it is at all. I thought they only made steel nibs, I’m in shock right now.
Hi Brian! Wow! Gorgeous pens and at least one is in my price range and on my wish list. 😊 will watch the video about the other list. Thanks. BLESSINGS
How good are Cross pens? It was the brand my grandfather preferred, and now that he's gone, I'm trying to make sure I stay connected to him by taking on his interests.
My parents used Cross pens and pencils. Cross makes several smooth writing ballpoint and rollerball pens. I have had a Cross fountain pen since high school. I haven't inked it in a while. I still use the pens my parents left me. I would say that shows quality.
They make good rollerballs. That's pretty much it.
I've been using Cross ballpoint and pencil for 42 yrs. I would love to hear about their fp
Great video. Great selection of desirable well made pens including some grail pens. Hope to acquire a few in 2022. The Diplomat Aero, the Pilot 845 Urushi and the Pelikan 1000 are must haves.
I have a silly simple question. Is one of the pens broken if dropped from the table by accident? Thanks!
Pleasantly surprised to see my beloved VP get a mention here!
I've got the lateral tripod grip, which is probably the worst grip for fountains. The threads of the cap dig in. So I use a very inexpensive Faber Grip. Problem solved, and the price is definitely right. These are great videos. it's so much fun to nerd out on these pens. The Dupont would be my choice. Looks very comfortable.
I am satisfied with my Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 with platinum trim.
What is your opinion on the Visconti Van Gogh pen - Wheatfield
Unfortunately there are many people out here who love to write with fountain pens and use them all their lives but can't afford three for $500 for a fountain pen so they buy Conklin pens that they can afford. Conklin pens are affordable and they last forever. So you don't have to spend a fortune on a pen to have a good pen. Thank you very much for showing these beautiful items
The Diplomat Aero is a work of art. A gorgeous pen!
Hi, always got enjoyment from using fountain pens but can honestly say im only starting to learn about them. Can someone explain why they are called gold nibs and supposedly they flex differently when from my experience they are just electro plated with gold which unless it has substantial plating it shouldn't affect the underlying flexibility characteristics of the base metal? I appreciate the plating may affect the frictional coefficient hence smoother feedback. Im just trying to differentiate between reality and snake oil as im looking at a few new pens and trying to decide.
Being a student means that i do ALOT of writing. I've been thinking of buying the Lamy 2000 but i don't know if the nib and the piston will last for at least 5 years of heavy writing? Or am i expected to toss the old and buy a new after some years?
Pretty sure most owners of this pen will tell you it has lasted them for years.
What are your thoughts on the Birmingham model c raven?
Pilot VP have steel nib version too. they are actually in gold plated nib colour.
My Pilot Vanishing Point is one of my all-time favourites. It's spoiled me a bit though; I've gotten so used to the weight that everything else feels weird hahaha
Thank god I’ve at least one - Pilot VP - of these lifetime lasting pens !
My question is for anybody who knows, or for Brian Goulet, if he is reading this. Are there any pens out there that are , or were , made by established watch makers? For example, are there Seiko pens? Citizen pens? Swatch pens? I am surprised I never encountered a pen or a watch by a company that makes both.
In the past I have used daily two Pilot Vanishing Point, each one for many years but after about 5-6 years they start to leak ? Now I use an Aurora Optima
What do you think of the Lamy Lady Rosenthal fountain pens?
Pelikan vs sailor which pen should I pick I need super fine smooth pib
Hi Brian, I have 2 Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pens and I love the EF nib to write with it. I’m really struggling, however, with refilling the ink. It has driven me to not use it at all. Can you please make a video on this? Thank you 🙏🏼
I find with a lot of my converters, I syringe fill them. It's fast and get a full fill, only down side is cleaning the syringe. But I don't have the worry of possibly spilling the bottle when trying to hold the pen in the bottle and twisting the piston. A whole bottle or even a sample can make a real mess, I know, so usually keep a paper plate around just for filling purposes. That and usually have the cleaning water out to flush the nib anyway. Once I tried a syringe on converters I now always use it on my converter pens. I'm less likely to make a mess.
My elementary school always made us use a fountain pen. It broke After Middle school. That's when I fell into the rabbit hole. I just recently bought a waterman hemisphere in matte black. It was £85! That's a lot of money to me.
I bet even an 15$ Lamy Safari can serve you for the rest of your life. You just have to use it...
Discovered you via another UA-camr - Martin-Made TV - And WOW you're really good at giving detailed info!
(Plus you're in my home state so OF COURSE, I'm gonna watch y'all! 😉)
I have been eyeing the Vanishing Point since MMT mentioned it in her fountain pen video but I already have a couple old (20+ years old) Sterling Silver Duponts with gold nibs and I'm just not a fan of those nibs; they're temperamental. Maybe the Pilot would be different, MMT certainly loves them.
Thanks for your informative videos - really enjoy them!
We're glad you found us! - Drew
I was just wondering when you would update that list of lifetime pens, and you did! 👍🏽
A girlfriend of mine gave me an Omas-557S. It's a burgundy and gold. It's a very nice pen. I've had it for many years. I'm not sure how it compares to these pens on your video. I'm drawn to the Sailor 1911 King of Pens. Very nice. I might have to give you a call. Thank you for your video.
Well, I first started using Sheaffer cartridge pens in grade school in the sixties, Sheaffer Triumph and Imperial pens in college in the seventies, bought my first Lamy 2000 in 1975. I have them all and none are 'urushi'/BS/silliness. ANY pen can become a lifetime pen, especially if you use it as designed and not just drool over it.
i need your help... my favorit pen... for sentimental reasons.. is a pilot jotter.. but i have found the ink fades in only a few years...... i am no looking for fountain pen.. that is a size suitable for my shirt pocket.. .with a caligraphy tip... and ink... that does not vanish... can anyone advise me?
I definitely prefer Parker 51 SE from early 2000 and Pelikan 400 Rhodium finished F nib. Thanks for your videos.
My pilot 823 cracked after about 5 years. Sadness. Plastic barrels are not as durable as metal ones. Can attest that my vanishing pilot is still going strong. It dries too fast though.
can someone tell me about sarome fountain pens i own two and there is no review about them on youtube and nothing on internet.
for get craftsmanship what about what write's best
Ah, Brian, I'm watching you since 2014 and I'm really glad watching you grow. Thank you for your work.
You mention the Pelican M1000, but I dont see the M1000 on your website.
Sadly, we don't currently have any. - Drew
Nicely presented list. Glad I already have 5 of these 7.
Why u didn't include Lamy 2000?
Except from the D.Oscarson and Dupont pens (they are not estethically what I like), I have and use all of these pens. The 845 and the Custom Urushi are my Edc pens at the moment. I cleaned out my green ray recently wich was in my edc case at that point. Honestly my least fave on this list is the VP. Just because of the ink capacity and it drying faster. I still use it though because it is handy and practical at times. And I absolutely love all my Aeros. It is just a phenomenal pen! I love the factory finish and the steel flamed one the most. The Aero is one those pens that perform so well with their steel nib, that - although their gold nib is great - the update to gold seems pointless. I have to say that all these pics are amazing writers right out of the box (with no tuning needed; wich is not the case for every ‘heirloom/collectible pen’) as well. And I love the fact that they don’t need to be ‘babyed’; they are easy to clean and maintain. That goes for the M1000 as well; just unscrew the nib, and cleaning it is actually quicker then a converter (definitely easier then the con70! I’m team Drew on this one 😁)… Great list that can be broadened for sure; maybe we can have a serie of such videos in the future. Thanks team Goulet
ST Dupont Line D comes in a magnificent jewel box.
sailor 21k is stiffer?
Nice review indeed, but what about the two princes of pens; Montblanc and Parker? Aren’t they well-designed and durable enough to be made a family heirlooms?
He did say in the beginning that is is from the pens Goulet pen sells because that is what he is most familiar with.
They sell Parker?
You forgot the Parker pens especialy 51 model.
Excellent list!
Sadly, I do not find the M1000 on your web site. This is a pen I am looking to purchase in blue, with either a medium or a stub nib.
"David ... is an actual person. ... [W]ho is still around!"
You joke, but it took me years to figure this out, so I'm glad you mentioned it. :) I was on my third pen show where I saw a very well-dressed, handsome fellow appear with a Mysterious Rolling Box of pens before I realized what was going on.
The pilot VP might write well and last a lifetime, but Holy hell did I not want to use it ever again after 6 days. Terrible fit and finish in the base models. Ergonomics are horrible for more than 5 min of writing, and for a note-taker designed to be clipped in to a pocket, the finish gets destroyed instantly. Shame because it's a great idea and has a really nice nib.
Super video Brian.
how long is a lifetime?
I have my mother’s and grandfather’s Parkers from the 50s and my Osmiroid school pens from the 60s
Take care of any of your pens and they will last a lifetime
I didn't know that the Areo nibs were Jowo. They don't feel like any of the other Jowo nibs I own.
It's possible that Diplomat does some additional tuning, or has Jowo do something additional. TWSBI nibs are also Jowo, and are quite different! - Drew
CN an we collaborate on a custom pen for my audience and more? Or a cinematic product video ?
Great video! My wife bought me the Aero from GPC for Christmas and I love it. The Aero doesn’t get anywhere near the respect it deserves. I also have the Pilot VP and the Sailor ProGear and they’re also brilliant.
Nice selection. Pilot Urushi is fabulous. By the way, it’s pronounced ‘oorushi’ not ‘yurushi’.
I think my favourite is the jinhao 35 gold leaf matte black fountain pen
What brand offers engraving? I checked your website but most of the pens there do not offer engraving.
That's a beautiful pen. It's just my first thought is you can buy a whole lot of pens and inks for $6400!
this video is awesome!!!! I love this list!
Wowzer. The Pelican M1000 in the white abalone though, whew.
I am surpised that Lamy 2000 didn't make the cut.
It should be top of the list
The Pelikan M1000 is the last of my grail pens I have yet to acquire. Maybe later this year....
Take a look at the 800 series and save the difference unless you want the size increase. Both the M800 and 1000 have the brass filler mechanism. Quality!
@@richardc6932 I Have an M800, M600, M400 and a number of M200s. I even have an M120. I have been working my way up the scale for 20 plus years. You are right they are all quality. The M1000 will end my fountain pen desire for a while.
@@albertlecuyer6761 we all know that's a lie .- .
Be very careful with the Vanishing Point, be sure to retract the nib when you stop writing with. I dropped my mine by accident with nib out and it landed on the nib and bent it. You cannot just replace the nib. You have to buy the entire nib assembly which increased the price. I did buy a replacement with a medium nib which I like a little better than the fine it came with. I don't know if the nib can be repaired, but it may cost just as much to fix it as it cost to replace it.