Top 7 Next Level Fountain Pens - 2021
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- Опубліковано 8 сер 2024
- Brian Goulet counts down his Top 7 Next-Level pens in this follow up video to his original list from 2015. If you're looking to level-up your fountain pen game, check out this video to learn about what makes the pens on this qualify as "Next Level".
TOP 7 NEXT LEVEL FOUNTAIN PENS - 2015
• Top 7 Next Level Fount...
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:00 What does "Next Level" mean?
01:40 Benu Euphoria
03:11 Platinum Procyon
04:56 Traveler's Brass Pen
08:11 Kaweco Supra
10:05 TWSBI VAC
12:12 Sailor Compass
13:40 Conklin All-American
SUBSCRIBE to our UA-cam channel: bit.ly/GP-YTsubscribe
LINKS TO PRODUCTS FEATURED:
Benu Euphoria: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Platinum Procyon: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Traveler's Brass Pen: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Kaweco Supra: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
TWSBI VAC-700R: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Sailor Compass: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Conklin All-American: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
ABOUT GOULET PENS:
Brian & Rachel Goulet started The Goulet Pen Company in 2009 and you can see the evolution of our mom and pop into a full-blown company through this channel. We run a dedicated online store with fountain pens, ink, paper, and other fine writing accessories. Our goal with this channel is to provide fountain pen fans at all levels of experience with comprehensive product reviews, round ups, and how-to videos to answer all the fountain pen questions you may have. Shop at www.gouletpens.com.
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I appreciate the updated version of this list. I would love to see updated versions of your other lists (best entry-level gold nib pens, etc.)
Make sure you're subscribed 😏
Is it weird that I haven't watched your videos for about a year now and just before I clicked the video I could already hear your voice in my head ... I was like addicted to your videos at one point
Eyo same
Oh man, i know exactly what u mean. I started in the hobbie in 2016, and just discovered brian last year. I'm still addicted to these videos lol, goulet pens is just amazing
One of us
is true... I will play all the podcast like episodes in the background or actually fully watch them all the time... Brian has a really nice voice. Like its cheerful and friendly without being too happy
It is incredible. Watching these videos is one of my main forms of relaxation
Its great to see Brian back in the office and behind the camera, its like we're back to 2012.
This was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much for putting this together 💖
Glad to see the Procyon get a shout out. Terrific value and a consistently excellent writer.
Thanks, Brian… appreciate this video… now you need to do a next-next level video that highlights 6-7 next-next level fountain pens with gold nibs in the $150-$250 range. Thanks again!
250 sounds a bit low to be called "next - next lv".
He already had a video
Pilot 74
Pilot Capless
Pilot E95
Platinum 3776
Lamy 2000
I really love updated list videos like this! Super helpful.
I went to next level by upgrading from $2 pen to $30 pen and even that was expensive for me
YES. I like to compare potential fountain pen purchases to the BiC ballpoint, which can be had for 19¢. Is this $19 pen a hundred times better than a BiC? If not, I think twice before buyng it. Or three times.
@@ichirofakename I get your point, but to me the simple fact that a fountain pen offers a more personal writing experience through different models, nibs and bottled inks adds to the value and makes the comparison to a disposable plastic pen difficult.
@@HezzaGamer Good point. Maybe a better comparison is with your favorite low-end fountain pen instead.
Actually now I see the problem with this approach: you can't compare till you use them both, so you've probably already bought them both. Nevermind. I'm gonna start over:
You can't assume that a more expensive pen will objectively write better, or that the way it writes will suit you personally better. If you are happy with your current pen, maybe you don't need a different, more expensive pen. If you need another pen at all, maybe it is one SIMILAR TO THE ONE YOU ALREADY LIKE.
For me, that jump from $2 pen to $30+ pen was worth the money I spent. I started writing and it was worth it. It helped me a lot with anxiety and stress. I simply watch fountain pen videos when I feel stressed nowadays. I do want to buy an extremely wet pen which have bigger grip section around 13mm range. This means that I need to spent some money to buy some like that. I am saving up to buy from goulet pens. I m thinking of getting a pelikan, sailor or TWSBI. I can't wait to splurge from gouletpens
I jump from $40 fountain pen to a $200 and am a newbie but you can tell the quality and how professional they make you look
Great information, Brian! Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting the TWSBI Vac, Conklin All American, and Benu Euphoria (Vodka on the Rocks is stunning).
I love my traveller's brass pen! I did use a kaweco converter, just not filled all the way, and that does fit in there, you'll just have to refill a little more often lol! I need to use up a cartridge so I can syringe fill it with a more fun color.
Great review and list! I recently acquired a Lamy studio that I liked a lot and was under the $150 mark. Will try the Conklin now, too. Thanks for the recommendations!
Cool! Just what I was looking for. It’s time to update the beginner pens too!!! Gotta have a video to link to friends I bring into the rabbit hole with me…
Great content, thanks Brian!
Thank you for the list! I appreciate you posting things like this :) Also, you’re instructional videos are great!
Thanks for the video! I was out of the fountain pen world for quite a while and it's great to catch up :)
Alternate suggestions in the $50-100 range:
Lamy Aion - Metal body, but much bigger than the pocket pens for those with trouble gripping tiny pens.
Platinum Curidas - Interesting deployment mechanism, great for quick notes.
Diplomat Traveller - For something that would look a bit more at home in an office setting.
And I guess the Monteverde Innova if you really like the design of Pelikan pens but can't afford one.
Fabulous content. Thank you.
Great video. I like the explanation of what makes each candidates tick. I have the TWSBI 700R and another nice thing about it is that it takes a #6 nib, great for switching nibs.
I bought the Compass a while back. At $30 it's a great value. Writes really smoothly.
You had me at 'Japanese fine nib' 🤣 Travelers brass pen going on the wish list!
Same!
I just purchased the Montblanc Dostoevsky Med Nib. I only started collecting fountain pens last week and now I have 6. This was my family heirloom level purchase.
Exactly what I needed when I needed it.
Nice set. Thank you.
OMG, the Brass pen, I bought it like a week ago. Nice to see it here!!!
I have the Traveler's Brass Pen, and I use the Kaweco squeeze converter (the one that fits the Kaweco Sport and Liliput) with it. Works fine.
Brian, nice overview on the pens. As for the Sailor Compass, I think it's a great writing pen especially for the price and to top it off Sailor includes a converter.
Thanks man. Nice explanation.
Wow. I just got the all-american Courage after being into fountain pens and getting mostly cheapos for a few years. Hilarious to me that you put out this vid so soon after. What a coincidence
Thank you. This is a good list & tips for a newbie like me.🧡
I’ve written with fountain pens since primary school. 25 years after leaving I’m finding out it’s considered a hobby 😁and recently getting into pen inks. Had a lamy as a kid. Using a safari now. But definitely looking for a step up
Nice.The “hobby” part always seems strange to me also.
I’m pretty impressed with Safaris. The grip fits my fingers well, the width suits my hand size (medium), the clip I think is one of the best in the market as it folds material to secure it in place (rather than crushing material like the single prong clips do). To step up, what do you think of a gold nib for your Safari? Or if you want a different pen, the Lamy 2000, or something else in their range?
My first next-level pen was an Otto Hutt Design 01, which ran $140 -- it was also one of my first slimmer, lighter pens, whereas I normally prefer things with a little weight. It's got a really nice, simple aesthetic and is one of the smoother writing pens in my small collection.
Brass, just cannot deal with that copper smell.
You nailed it with this video. Coming from someone who is not a beginner with fountain pens but not all that experienced. Experienced enough to know that I love fountain pens. And know pens I do like and what pens I don’t really care for. So this video is actually perfect for someone like me. Let me just say that over the past weekend I ordered my first TWSBI MINI VAC. Because I 💜 love my TWSBI ECOS. And I don’t own any Sailors, but the one you talked about in this video is on my list and the Benu Euphoria is also. I just can’t decide on one I like the best. From one pen lover to another good job 👍🏻
❤️ TWISBI’s what a smooth pen
Would love to see a comparison between the traveler brass pen and the kaweco sport brass version
Getting back into fountain pens after 50-plus years of ballpoints, lol. Love my TWSBIs, etc., and am now saving up for my grail pen, the Pilot Custom 823. Sigh. Don’t know how long I can wait!
Twsbis are my favourite as well! They are what got me into fountain pens in the first place.
The Monteverde Ritma is probably on of my favorites in the 40-60 range. It's weighty and smooth writing, and the magnetic cap is fun(I got mine in a medium nib.) Gonna get another in orange next month.
1. This is a particularly well-written and informative video. It's nice to hear from a pro.
2. Another good choice in this range is Faber-Castell. Regardless of external concerns, they make the best writing steel nibs in the world, according to me and many others.
3. Some, like me, who consider pens as tools, will discover that higher priced pens do not provide concomitant higher value. Low end pens nowadays just write too well to necessarily require replacement. Not unlike cars: if you think a Honda will get you where you want to go just as well as a BMW, then perhaps a pen that writes problem-free is enough. Me, I drive a Honda.
I disagree completely with your third point. I spent twenty years writing with a fountain pen for a living, and even though I'm now officially "retired, I still use a fountain pen at least five hours per day. There's simply no comparison between a steel nib and a quality SOFT gold nib, assuming you learn how to properly use the soft gold nib.
It takes about two hours of using a steel nib to wear out my hand, but I've written as much as sixteen hours per day with a soft gold nib, and had no fatigue or cramping. Contrary to popular belief, a heavier pen works better for long writing sessions because, with a soft gold nib, you can let the pen do all the work. Just let it rest on the paper, and guide it. The soft gold nib absorbs all the little tremors and jerks we all have when we write long enough, and in doing so, it also absorbs fatigue and cramping. Again, if you use it properly.
But I see a big difference between steel nibs and soft gold nibs, even in short writing sessions.
There is, obviously, a limit where price and better writing transpose. A three to four hundred dollar pen will usually write as well as a ten thousand dollar pen, but the pen itself, independent of the nib, is going to get better and better as the price increases. To me, that also means better, longer lasting pens. Cheap pens have cheap material and cheap parts. A Honda doesn't. Neither do expensive pens. I believe pen quality starts at about five hundred dollars, though my favorite cheap pen is the Homo Sapiens Bronze Age, which is, I think, about seven hundred dollars. I bought mine a few years ago for six hundred. There is, and probably never will be, a pen like this on the cheap.
Also, to me, Maki-e pens, while expensive by almost anyone's definition, give more than what they cost. Particularly Namiki pens.
That asiide, I know from long experience that a soft gold nib on a good, well balanced pen, is simply far, far better than any steel nib pen, if you really do consider a fountain pen a tool, which I do. But there is no reason a tool can't also be high quality and beautiful.
@@jamesaritchie1 1. I cede all commentary on what it's like to use a pen for 16 hours in one day.
2. We are speaking past each other since you consider a $700 pen cheap, while I consider a $7 pen cheap.
3. Sounds like you know exactly what you like. So do I. Life is good.
These days, I drive either a Toyota Prius or a hybrid Honda Accord. Both cars "will get you where you want to go". Having owned and driven BMWs in the past, I'll declare that there is absolutely no fair comparison between the Honda and the BMW. The Honda is an off-the-rack suit while a BMW is tailor-made.
While most of the pens Mr. Goulet chose for this video are good pens, well worth the price, there is no comparison between them and the *next* next level. I like my Preppys, Metropolitans and TWSBIs but I love my gold-nibbed vintage Parker, Pilots, Platinum and Bexley.
@@jankafka7330 Seems like you are not like me. You enjoy your Bexley and I will enjoy my Petit1 and all's well in the world.
On your controversial third point: I find it varies a LOT. There are great and meh pens in every price point. It's so much easier to trial and error your way into the $50 pen that is ideal for you than the $500 pen that is ideal for you, though. My most comfortable pen that I'm happiest with for long term writing sessions is an Aurora with a gold nib, but I hyperventilate taking it outside my house, so that's a trade off as well.
Ahhh I need a Benu Euphoria... but I also don't, because my pen collection is plenty big enough as it is xD Dang it Benu.
My first pen was the TWSBI 580 which I would consider to fall into this category. Best buy ever. Glad I didn't limit myself to starter pens.
I recently got a Vac 700R Iris and I love it way more than my only gold nib pen.
Thanks for the updated list. I think updating the older vids is a great idea for new people just getting into the hobby.
Cool video with some facts I wasn't aware of, thank you! I have a few pens in this price range that I either bought myself or got as a gift, but I'm hesitant to spend more money than that, for the exact reason you stated in the beginning of your video: I'm just not sure, which particular pens offer the best price-value balance. So, that range from about 120 to 300 $ would be very interesting, too! : )
Great list, I did not know that the Kaweco Supra even existed.
Must admit, the Cool definitely got hard and harder to find as time went one. Thankfully tracked one down. A very good writer. Just took some effort to find.
I have the Conklin in walnut. Love it!!
I love the TWSBI Vac700r. I have three of them in different nib sizes and two of them are the Iris version. They are fantastic pens.
I might throw in some of the Waterman pens that are under $100. They are certainly metal. You are always so informative and interesting
My favorite go to next level is the Lamy Studio. A beautiful pen that sits very nicely in my hand and writes near flawlessly. Just a few grams or so heavier than what I would ideally like but certainly not a showstopper.
Seconded. I switched out my F nib for an EF and it’s great over a wide range of inks.
Awesome list!
Another option for the traveler brass pen is the kaweco al sport brass
I just jumped into it with the Pilot 823 per ur recommendation and now I'm addicted LOL
You probably saved a lot of time, aggravation, and money by jumping directly to a good pen.
@@thomashardy9994 Yea now that I think about it you are probably right. I really enjoy this pen so far. I do need to get some more tho lol
I bought an Osprey Milano last month. Nice pen at the just over $50 price point.
Thank you
This is outstanding and very informative. Not just a list of the "Top 7 Next-Level Pens" themselves, but the WHY. Learning about the additional features and offerings provided by a manufacture makes it even more tempting to reach for the wallet. It's videos like these, along with the endless laughs, that keep me coming back to The Goulet Pen Company. Thank you to the Goulet family, and to the entire staff at GP!
A little grey in the sideburns these days, Brian. I mention this not to give you a hard time, but because I think it's actually a really good look. You look freaking great, dude!
Anyway, I love the content and while all of these are great pens, I cannot say enough good things about TWSBI pens, especially their flagship stuff like the Vac or the Classic. Just incredible writers for the money!
I was looking at the VAC700R but the travelers brass looks nice too
This was excellent. However, I think the Pilot Prera deserves to make that list.
Perhaps! -Drew
Hi Brian, I bought the Supra brass with an extra fine steel nib. But I had to return it because it was too heavy for comfortably writing over long a long writing session. I wonder why there are not many people complaining about it. Also the hard starts with the extra fine nib was crazy. It didn’t write too well on a Rhodia dot pad either. Used a pilot Iroshizuku ink,
awesome
The Pilot Falcon, formerly the Namiki Falcon, is on the high end of such a list, but is a plastic FP with a gold nib in three grades: XF, F, and M, all classified as "soft", i.e., with some give to them. Also, they are cartridge/converter, which makes them exceptionally easy to clean. I have three of them; one has a B nib, no longer available. Cost sans shipping/tax is as low as $172. There is also a metal version at around $240.
I have a number of models of Benu pens. I pronounce the name "BEN-oo," supposedly derived from the Egyptian bennu god-bird, associated with the mythical phoenix. The steel nibs write well. They are sturdy, well-made pens, and I especially enjoy my Euphorias.
Hello Brian. Great video. I would appreciate a video featuring fountain pens in the $350 to $600 range. Please!
"You not gonna find basically any other pen that's gonna be a solid machined brass like this anywhere near this price point."
Well,
Traveler's Company Brass Fountain Pen - 57 euro. Fine nib only.
Kaweco Brass Sport Fountain Pen - 65 euro. Wide range of nib sizes from EF to 2.3 mm stub, nibs are easy to swap, there is a converter that fits in it.
Delightful options for me to spend my money!
Your solo videos get more likes and love.I also like ur vids more when u r solo.
Benu is the brand that lured me into the world of fountain pen collecting XD Prior to discovering them I had a few starter pens (Varsity, Preppy, Monami Olika) that I used sporadically and liked well enough, but once I saw those sparkles I was done for. Thankfully I've never had cause to regret taking a chance on what (at the time) seemed like an insane amount to spend on a pen! I have three now, and keep them all in regular rotation. I appreciate the fact that they have such a wildly distinctive aesthetic AND are reliably solid writers.
Surprised to see so many unfavorable comments about the Conklin All-American, I have a couple and (unlike the Duragraph/Duraflex) they've never given me any trouble.
Thanks for sharing, Megan! - Drew
Dern you guys! I've gone too long without buying a new pen and that Kaweco Supra looks just to attractive to resist ha ha.
I know - I want one too! - Drew
It’s my current fav pen! I really recommend it. Beautiful balance
Don't know when you upgraded your camera setup, but it's looking great!
Thanks. Also please do a next-next level pens video. As one might save a bit but get an amazing grail ish pen...
That's a fun idea! Perhaps we should redo the "pens to last a lifetime" video! :) - Drew
What camera was used to record this video?
Well balanced and saturated colors , overall amazing video. 👍🎥
Thanks Haru! This was shot on the Canon C70!
This may be the push I need to get the Sailor Compass which I've been eyeing for the exact reason you noted (Sailor name and prestige) for a steal of $30 😍
It really is a great deal! - Drew
I ran into problems with fountain pens, like a “Ted Baker” brass pen shipped from the UK, but made in China, some of the shorter “Online” pens from Germany and some “Ystudio” pens from Taiwan where traditional converters did not fit. The converters were either too long or not narrow enough to fit into the barrel. Oddly, the Kaweco soft rubber converter fits all of these pens. I have this specific Kaweco converter (it’s designed to fit the Liliput) in my brass Ted Baker at the moment and it works great. I like the Ted Baker because the cap is almost the entire length of the barrel. I think I have an Online fountain pen like that as well. I find the style interesting + it’s small when closed & much larger when posted, thus the need for a mini-converter. The YStudio pen is too narrow for a standard converter & if there is one designed for it, I am unaware. I purchased this pen from a seller in Taiwan, then at a later date a few sellers began selling them in the United States with cartridges only. I was surprised that little squishy rubber Kaweco converter fit all 3 pens really well. It’s a small converter, but it is an option if one gets tired of cleaning out cartridges.
I know I choose to purchase some off the wall fountain pens, but I also purchase fountain pens everyone has heard of as well. Anything that catches my fancy I usually give it a try… I’m relatively new at this whole fountain pen thing, so I am having fun with older models and new too…
What ink was being used in the TWSBI VAC700R to demonstrate the vac filling style of pens.
I wish you could do an updated version once a year.
How's the nib/writing experiance on the benu pens vs twsbi ecos etc
Until when will the Lamy safari dark green pen be available for?
Do you know much about Pelican pens. I found one in the house I moved into and its quite nice looking just need to get some cartridges.
Does anyone take notes with a fountain pen like me
Sure since 1976
I do. I started taking notes for school classes back in 1981. I now use fountain pens for my grocery lists. 🙂
Can we use shimmering ink with a flex nib pen
Twsbi Vac, Lilliput and Traveler's brass on my radar
I love everything Twsbi
A great next level pen is Opus 88 demonstrator. Large ink capacity and great smooth nib
I would love to see a video where you get the maximum value for the money before the diminishing return. Like a preppy vs a plaisir. Or lamy safari vs dialog kind of stuff
Thanks for this Brian! I have been lusting for the Travelers brass pen for a while, even more so after your review on the pen cast.
My next level ended up being a Lamy Studio, as it felt like a safe bet coming from a Safari. And I do love it.
But that brass pen.. guess I need a "same level but branching out" pen as my next one :]
Me realizing I completely skipped this step... I started with pilot metro, then went to lamy safari and studio, then twsbis (not the vac though) and then jumped straight to pilot decimos (the burgundy was my first one!)... and now recently i purchased a twsbi vac iris and a conklin black rainbow! But going in my order, I have tried sailors and pelikans and the higher end stuff before experiencing the "next level" but I will say the twsbi vac writes on par with them, if not better actually. The Conklin can be slightly iffy with drying out or needing the converted to be twisted to get a good ink flow sometimes.
Hey, no problem! That still works! - Drew
Damn, you got the good Kwality!
Could you do a video on hacking ink cartridges like you mentioned with the Travelers Brass fountain pen? There are numerous pens that are cartridge only that I'd love to try, but I'm far too attached to my bottled inks
Use the cartridge. Then when its empty, clean it out with water. Then take a syringe, fill a small bit with your bottled ink of choice, and inject the cartridge from the opening (it will already be open since it was punctured from first use). Then instead of pressing the cartridge into the pen, you have to press the pen onto the cartridge to avoide spilling.
@@endtimestruthrevelation1407 Agreed. Adding to this in case it is not obvious...you can also use the same syringe to clean out the used cartridge. The syringe makes it easier to shoot water in there and get all the residual ink out.
Just dropping in to heartily endorse the inclusion of the Platinum Procyon on the list. I've had mine for about a year and a half and it's such a good pen that I probably won't be upgrading to a gold nib pen for some time.
I agree. The Platinum Procyon is a great writer and an underrated pen.
Ensso Italia solid titanium pen with Bock Size 6 nib & cartridge converter included, should be well within this bracket
I have Procyon (also our dog’s name) and it’s my most expensive pen and never dries out.
Is the Sailor Compass the pen that has a feed that reflects the ink color being used? It looked like it might be from the picture ~ if so, that's another "cool" factor;)!
Hey Brian, does the brass make your hands smell funny after using it? That’s the concern that keeeps me away from brass and copper pens.
Can y’all revisit the entry level gold nib pens?
All I can say is, make sure you're subscribed 😏
I have been using fountain pens since high school, all through medical school and for the last 30 years of practice. Even prescriptions go electronically. Now with electronic medical records and everyone communicating by text & email, what do you use the pens for? Signing important documents, the occasional thank you note, the few people I correspond with using letters (& yes I use sealing wax and commemorative stamps)... I don't really need >100 (okay 200) pens any more. What do you use them for?
Lamy Studio is IMHO severely underrated. Metal and aluminum finish; good steel nib and under $100
May I give a suggestion please? If those photos on the website are clicked by someone licensed by your company then can we try to get a photo with the nib side down, so that we can see the feed? There are just way too many close up shots of the nib but none show the feed. If I am buying a better (non cheap) FP then it will help make me choose. For example, I like nib tips that are further from where the feed ends. I also like to see how many horizontal grooves the feed has. The Sailor compass definitely is pretty with it's transparent feed that picks the same color as a nice light color ink such as neon pink or turquoise.
A good list. More ‘’entry level’’ in my opinion, though. If you have a modest income, wait some more (not that much) and the satisfaction you will get from these will be worth your while.
Kaweco Mini converter dosn't fit into Travellers?! :O but it fit into shorter Supra ;) Platinum, Kaweco and Conklin are easy choices for upgrading ;) love my Pyrcon, Supra Brass and All-American Courage and i still use them even if I got more expensive pens in my collection ;)
I used a kaweco converter in my traveller's brass pen! You just can't fill it up too much but that doesn't bother me personally.
Hi, I wonder if you could give me some advice. I have a S T Dupont Liberte fountain pen. I don’t know why but the ink seems to be coming out too fast and is making the width of the writing look much bigger. I have tried cleaning it out as you suggest but it is still doing it. Any tips would be appreciated. (It is a cartridge pen.)
For longer letters I really like my big fat All Americans, I switched to Goulet nibs. I can write longer and with less cramping than with skimmer pens.
why do the opus 88 pens not make this list?
Do you plan on doing an update Beginners fountain pen list?
We have one! ua-cam.com/video/dTUnE2QQueI/v-deo.html