My first gold nib was accidental. I bought a 1952 Shaeffer Dolphin Touchdown for a very reasonable price not knowing that it was a gold nib. It's a great writer.
Indeed a brave one you are. A writing instrument of that caliber at a Nurses Station is an unsafe practice. Oh how I long for the days when Vendors used to walk the Units with pastries and pens. LOL
@@dyloak6450 the decimo isnt objectively better, its preference. they write exactly the same. the decimo is lighter and more slim, while the vp is a bit heavier and thicker.
It's a shame that my first ever gold nib pen, the platinum ptl-5000a, was discontinued. We did kind of know at the time that the sub 100$ price was too good to last, but still. That pen got me into the rabbit hole of the platinum 3776 in Soft Fine, and for that I will be forever grateful since it's still the only pen in my collection that is never un-inked.
I Love my Pilot E95S, surprisingly it handles shimmering ink pretty well. I have the burgundy version medium nib, paired it with Robert Oster Rose Gold Antiqua. It is an amazing writing experience.
I’m pleasantly surprised to hear this. Since the nib can’t be removed for cleaning, I’m super nervous to put a shimmering ink in mine, but I have a fine nib so it may not handle it on the page that great anyway. I may have to try that RO ink you suggested though; I’ve got mostly Diamine shimmering inks and they seem to have an insane glitter to ink ratio.
@@djryandelap have you try ultrasonic cleaner? I have a collection of vintage pocket fountain pens and my dealer recommended me to get one. It's been super easy to clean them since.
@@ChuanChiChan Not yet, but it’s been on my wish list for a few months. I really got into learning to restore vintage pens during the pandemic lockdowns, but had to back off once I was able to get back to work, so I never got around to getting some of the more advanced tools like the ultrasonic cleaner. I’ve got a couple of Duofolds waiting to be fixed up though so I think the cleaner is on my short list of purchases in the new year.
I crave the Pilot E95S so much but I need an occasion to buy myself a really nice gift before I get it. I've wanted that thing for years, my heart yearns with a fervor I had never felt before her.
My first gold-nib pen was a Pelikan Souveran 600. After I bought it I didn't even think about buying another pen for over 10 years because the pen was perfect and writing with it was like writing on butter. A heavenly experience!
My first gold nib pen was a Sailor 1911 Standard [F] and I still love it to this day. The ink I bought with it was Diamine Oxblood and they pair so well together. Sailors will always have a place in heart because of this experience :)
My first gold nib pen was a Parker 51 aero metric, a gift from my grandfather when I was 12 years old... which I lost @ school 2 weeks later! Saved my allowances for months to replace it before he noticed.
My first gold nib was my Pilot Decimo (from Goulet Pens) and it was the best investment ever, that I bought a Pilot Vanishing Point as well. I then invested in a Sailor Pro Gear Slim then another Sailor ProGear with a 21k nib. Gold nibs are my happy place!
Thanks Brian, great video. My one and only gold nib is the Pilot E95s, purchased from Goulet Pens. Wow is this a smooth writer. Because my hand hurts, I tried fountain pens and this one I can write with for long periods of time. BLESSINGS
My first gold-nibbed pen was a sterling silver Parker 75. It was given to me as a high school graduation present, and the list price back then in 1967 was $25! It's still a great pen, and I think Parker made a great mistake abandoning the 75 (and the Premier) for the Sonnet.
My daily writing pen is Platinum Kanazawa Leaf Maki-e. Writing is so smooth, yet it provides gentle sound on writing. Also, it’s an extremely beautiful pen.
My first gold nib pen was a Sailor Pro Gear Slim and I love it dearly! It’s one of my favorite pens and I recommend it to people who like a little feedback (over being completely smooth). My second gold nib pen was the Lamy 2000, which would probably be my first pick for my favorite fountain pen - it’s so smooth and is an amazing workhorse. And I have the Pilot Falcon, which is such a fantastic pen - I love it for writing letters, journaling, and wanting to be more classic with my writing in general. Thanks for the updated video on this topic, super helpful for more additions in my collection!
My Lamy 2000 was my first gold nib, and even after buying more advanced pens, it’s still one of my favorites. Love it so much. I also love my Pilot Custom 823, which is a little over $250, I think, but it’s also a fantastic pen that I still think is one of my favorite pens.
Mine is a Waterman I got from my parents when graduating from college, but unfortunatelly I don't know the model... Love the videos, it rekindled my passion for my fountain pens and I am actually using 4 at the moment!! hahah The best for me is still this Waterman, though, it must be the gold nib! (the other ones are steel or iridium) - I can't find a single video of Brian talking about Waterman pens, though! Would love to hear your thoughts on them!
Nice suggestions, but a few additional thoughts: If you are getting into fountain pens and looking to expand your selection, consider seeking out some vintage pens. I have a variety of modern gold nibbled pens, but really value the experience of writing with with a variety of older pens, almost all of which have gold nibs. Some of these were bought, but some are from the drawers of older relatives (including a very nice 1920’s Waterman No. 7). Of particular interest, and pretty available are Parker 51 pens with either the vacumatic or aeromatic fillers, the open nib Parker and Sheaffer pens, and the Sheaffer Triumph nib pens- I particularly like the plunger filling Sheaffer pens. One other option is to get a gold nib for a pen you already have. You mentioned this for the Lamy pens, but I have a very nice Pelikan 200 that has a Pelikan 250 (gold) nib.
My first gold nib was a Wahl Eversharp from the 1923s that I got off an auction. It is a flex nib, but still quite stiff. After that I just started getting the Japanese entry level ones everybody is raving about: first a Platinum #3776 EF, a Sailor PGS MF, a Pilot VP F.
First off, I think you have constructed a good list. Thank you. Knowing what I know today, I would choose one of the Sailor FP's. Personal preference only. I learned to write with a fountain pen in 1958 at the age of eight. Given my time and Sitz im Leben, it was stainless steel nibs all the way. However, my dad had a marvelous Parker 51 with an accountant nib (XXXF, if such a thing existed) that I loved to "borrow." The nib was gold. And, yes, I still have the pen. After a couple years of screaming and hollering about where the pen was (located), dad finally relented and allowed me to keep the pen. (Kudos to "she who must be obeyed" for "interceding" on my behalf.) My first gold nib. Given my status as a geriatric fountain pen fanatic and my attending Swiss cheese brain, I honestly do not recall the first gold nib that I bought with my own money. At the moment, it occurs to me that it was a Parker Duofold Junior that I bought from another kid in school. It had a "F" nib point and wrote perfectly - spring, modest flex, all the positive attributes. The other kid's problem with the pen? It was "old." Again, I still have the pen.
My first gold nib was the Montblanc Noblesse my husband gave to me after our first daughter was born. Then around '01 I bought a bunch of Pens from brick and mortar (no internet back then) and my info was very limited. Last year, after being stored away, I went through them and I proceeded to get info on each (mostly gold Nibs). The thought of any being EDC was out - wow if only I kept my receipts! Since then I've purchased Pilot E95S & VP, Platinum 3776, Graf von Faber Castel Guilloche, Waterman Carene, and a Lamy 2000!. If you like a Fine I suggest a Fine in the E95S & EF in the 2000.
I have two of the Platinum Maki-e pens described in this video and can concur that they are excellent writers, beautiful, and a good value for the money. I love them. Two of my favorites from my collection.
My first gold-nib pen was a Parker Sonnet, which I got in 2007, a gift from my parents. I’ve come a long way since then. My current faves are the Yard-O-Led Viceroy Grand Victorian, Otto Hutt design 07, and the Parker Sonnet Silver Mistral. Love these!
Waiting for my Slim Pro gear purple or violet… my first ever gold nib pen .., Parker Sonnet which I lost 20 years ago also seem to be my earliest first gold nib one. But felt that it was heavy and ended up using it less.
My first gold nib was a gift given to me in 1972 when I was in the Peace Corps in Africa. A Parker Duofold Slimfold MK II made in the UK. Still have it & a good little pen that served me well for 3 years in the bush.
My first gold nib pen was a Pineider full metal jacket with a medium nib. I use that pen a lot but not as much after getting a Lamy 2000 with an oblique nib.
My first gold-nib pen was a Namiki Falcon (EF) -- yes, it was that long ago, when Falcons were branded as Namiki, not Pilot. It is still one of my favorites, along with my other Falcons, E95Ss and a few others. If I had to choose but one pen company, it would be Namiki/Pilot.. That Platinum Maki-e Cherry Blossoms looks tempting, though.
My first two gold nibs are both Sailors: a 14k 1911 Standard and a 21k Pro Gear Realo - I really enjoy the experience of writing with both. The whisper-like tactile feedback of Sailor's nibs is really just... right; they're not scratchy, and the ink doesn't feel choked or strained in its flow. The nibs are just superbly engineered and beautifully decorated - a nice marriage of form and function. I was glad when I saw that you and Sailor were working together!
I know you don’t really do the Chinese pens, but Penbbs have recently released a no. 6 14k calligraphy nib,which, by all reports, is simply magnificent. Popping that on any of the Penbbs acrylic bodies makes a truly remarkable and reasonably priced pen
Great video, I’ll have to look into some of these! The Pilot Vanishing Point was my first gold nib pen - I love everything about it (the weight, the size, that oh so satisfying click, and of course the smoothness of the writing). I’ve tried the Decimo because I do have smaller hands but somehow it just doesn’t measure up to the VP. The writing experience is similar but somehow the weight of the VP makes it feel like a smoother experience.
My first gold nib was a Platinum Bonita that I found super cheap on ebay. I wanted something with a bit of flex, like the Noodler's flex nibs, but in a smaller size. I absolutely fell in love, and I have purchased others since then, but I really love the Platinum. The pen feels very comfortable in my small hands, the ink flow is fantastic, and it's got just the right amount of flex with an awesome feel on the paper.
Each fountain pen I own has souvenirs attached with it. I love looking at them and writing with them and hope my chidren and grand children will appreciate them.
Just received my burgundy/gold E95S with a fine nib and couldn't be happier with it. I consider it a modern classic, as it is like writing with a vintage pen. The fine nib is not scratchy at all and glides across the paper with ease. Mine is paired with Diamine Oxblood ink and it's gorgeous.
My first gold nib pen was the Lamy 2000 F. I had read lots of reviews about the tiny sweet spot but I found it wasn't a problem with my writing. My second gold nib pen was the Sailor PG MF. After 5+ years this is still my favorite pen and I have it inked constantly. It is buttery smooth and is a real pleasure to write with. I have about 50 other gold nib pens (Custom 823, Pilots, Platinums, Sailors and a couple Wancher dream pens) but I find myself with the 823, Sailor MF, Kanreki, Dream pen F and 3776 F as my go-to pens and the rest are rotated in.
My first gold nib was a Pilot Falcon. I absolutely adore how buttery smooth it writes, but it doesn’t clip well in the pocket of my jeans. About to pick up a Lamy 2000 to celebrate a personal milestone.
My first gold nib was that platinum that was under 100 bucks several years ago. Dont think they import them anymore, but it was (and still is) a great pen, but it is slimmer than I'd like for long writing sessions. I've gotten several others since then like the sailor 1911 and pro gear; Pilot vanishing point; and a lamy 2000 to name a few. All are good, but my favorite is probably the pro gear.
My first gold nib is sailor pro gear slim :) then i tried platinum 3776, pilot decimo, and lamy 2000. I have to say that i really love my platinum century in uef because it’s sooo neat.
Nice video. I know Sailor has this big reputation, but I have found there is more consistency in Pilot nibs. I have not had great experience with Platinum in the past. Recently I did purchase one of Platinum's Maki-e pens. Not only is it a beautiful looking pen, but it writes great. I am happy to have this pen in my collection and would recommend it to anyone wanting a nice writing pen.
My first gold nib was a Pilot Custom 74 in blue from Goulet pens. Which spiraled me into a few Pilot Vanishing points. I tend to use the Custom 74 the most and second my Custom 823. I have a pen problem lol
My first gold nibbed pen was a Montblanc 149. This was back in 1977 when this model was known as a “Bar Mitzva” pen since it was a common gift on that occasion. I didn’t actually understand what I had but I figured it out pretty quickly. I still have it. Sort of. I carried it around until about 2015, by which time it had a bent nib and other flaws. I sent it back to MB. They refurbished it. Cost more than the pen originally. All parts were broken or cracked except the clip, which still sits on the pen still.
This video was so helpful! I definitely have my eye on the Sailor Pro Gear Slim and the Platinum Maki-E you mentioned now. My biggest concern about moving up to gold nib pens: do you stop wanting to write with your steel nib pens once you’ve tried a gold nib? I really love my little collection of steel nib pens and I love that their affordability allows me to have a bunch of them in different shapes and colors and nib sizes, inked up with a variety of inks. I don’t want to spoil that by investing in a type of pen that I can’t afford to buy a bunch of.
From personal experience, you will want to write with gold over steel if you like a smoother and softer nib; if you like more feedback and less give (a "stiffer" feel), you will probably still use your steel nibs a lot. However, it's completely subjective and a lot of your opinions about it will depend on the nib(s) in question; not all nibs, even gold, are tuned out of the box. Personally I've only ever owned one gold-nibbed pen and although I loved how glassy smooth it was, I still find titanium nibs to be my favorites, and I had one steel nib (from a Lamy Safari believe it or not) that was as smooth as that gold nib, though obviously less soft/giving.
Nope, not at all! I have steel, gold plated steel, and gold and I have favorites of all types 😊 Just depends on what I feel like writing with and inking up!
My first gold nib (medium) was on a vintage Parker Duofold which I only just bought recently. It glides so smoothly across paper that I immediately fell in love - it is exactly the writing experience I have always wanted. Since that experience, I am on the lookout for another gold nib pen, and both your lists have been helpful :)
Rachel keep your eyes out for a Parker 51 if you enjoy the vintage models - it’s a hooded gold nib that really doesn’t ever dry out (well, it takes a long time to) and is super smooth. That Duofold is a good investment though!
I totally love my Pilot E95S. It is a totally sexy writing device. I just recent purchased this pen and love to grab it every time I pick up a pen. It writes so smoothly, it fits into my hand perfectly, even if I don’t post the cap. As a woman with smallish hands, it fits just beautifully. You will not go wrong with this pen. And posting the cap when you are finished writing - wow, it just slides on the pen with a suction type cap. I love it!
Go for the Custom Heritage 92. It has the same nib as other Pilots in the price range but, being a piston filler, it holds a lot more ink. I've got two, one B and one FM, and love them both.
I recommend the Kaco Master with a 14K gold schmidt nib, the pen has a springy gold nib that makes for wonderful writing and costs about only $100 usd.
Thanks, Brian, for the video I’ve been waiting for (and asked for)! My first gold nib pen was the Sailor 1911S that was scratchy and prone to hard starts until I had Mark Bacas work his magic. Now it writes like a dream! Now I’d like that Lamy Studio and Platinum Maki-e you picked for my next pens. Thanks again, love GPC!
Sailor Pro gear slim grew on me. When I first got it I thought there was a problem with the pen but after some time I really started to enjoy the feedback.
My very first gold nib pen was a vintage one. The nib is from German manufacturer Rupp, which was pretty well known in its time. The founder was an ex-employee at Kaweco. It's a 14K gold nib which writes buttery smooth, but still lets you feel the paper a little bit. It's not like writing on glass, which I dislike, but very soft and produces a beautiful line variation. It's also a nice wet writer, so all in all very happy with the purchase. I decided for this pen, because I wasn't sure what to expect from a gold nib and the pen only cost around 30 bucks.
My first gold nib fountain pens were vintage Platinum pocket pens that I bought on ebay for about $20 each. After trying them on decent paper the smooth writing experience of the 18k and 14k gold nibs had me hooked!
I have the Pilot E95S and just love it! I have a medium nib. I also have the Vanishing Point and like it too. Thanks for the info on the Sailor. I really wanted to try one of these, but I like the smooth writers, so may go for something else.
I started with a Lamy CP1 which I had a full set of steel nibs for as I loved how easy to switch them around - one pen with a box of different nibs! Once I upgraded to the Lamy Gold Nib in Broad though, I never used the steel nibs again. I now have three Lamys with the same Broad Gold nib, two CP1s and the Palladium Studio. I also upgraded a Kaweco Brass Sport to a Fine Gold nib, which was more costly than the Lamy but is always with me and has become a real pleasure to use (although not hugely different from the lovely steel EFs from Graf Von Faber Castell). The only pen I have bought that came with gold as standard was a 1911L with a 21k Zoom nib, which is not an everyday pocket pen, but extraordinarily smooth flowing.
My first gold nib pen was a Parker 51, which was my workhorse. Through the 70’s. Then I received two gifts, an early model (I assume) Lamy 2000 with troublesome metal catches which held the cap but also allowed ink to leak through and a thin profile Dunhill, gold plated, gold nib, writes well looks great even today but too thin for longer writing. In the mid nineties, I bought a not overly thick Parker Duofold…wonderful and delightful; used it today.
My first and only gold-nibbed fountain pen was a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Fountain Pen in Meigetsu (Harvest Moon). It was a stunning pen, and the nib was so smooth it was like writing on glass, which I absolutely adored. However, I found that over time I couldn't justify the price I'd paid (it didn't quite fit my hand since it was so short, so it was a tad uncomfortable to use), and I babied it more than I used it, so I decided to flip it. Every once in a while I miss the way the nib felt, but I vastly prefer titanium nibs (and they are far more affordable). If I could snag a deal on a used fountain pen that has a gold nib I might add one to my collection again, but full prices just don't make sense for me personally.
The E95S is such a great pen.. I have one in each color.. both w M nibs.. this is a buttery writer with a gorgeous nib and a satisfying capping mechanism. I refill cartridges so I can use the colors I want and get a nice full fill… my first modern gold nib is a Lamy 2000 w a M nib, from Goulet pens. So fabulous.. I wish they’d make bright colors.. priced like the original black. It’s such a great writer. Took me a minute to find the sweet spot, but I’m completely smitten with it now. I just love your vids. Thanks From this vid the Kanazawa Leaf will be my next pen.
My first (and the only one so far) gold nib pen is the Pilot Elite 95S, in burgundy red with gold finish, EF nib, currently inked up with Colorverse Quasar. I chose them both at your advice. I've been educating myself with your videos since 2017, so pretty much everything I know pen-wise and ink-wise is thanks to you. My experience with both so far: heavenly! I have only recently come to buy the pen, I've had it since December last year, so I am treasuring it as a long-awaited novelty still. I had it inked up with Sailor Manyo Shirakashi at first, but then switched to Colorverse Quasar and have used it exclusively for the better part of the last two months. Thanks a lot. A fan.
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Nos. 1-4 pens are on my wishlist! Thanks for the recommendation on the entry-level maki-e. Merry Christmas!
I’m going to order a Pilot VP matte black in EF nib when I get my first paycheck from my new job. It’s my way to celebrate and I will order it from Goulet Pens 🖊
Excellent list, again, Brian! My first gold nib pen was a Pilot Custom 74, medium nib, in the gorgeous blue color usually paired with Pilot's Iroshizuku Kon Peki ink. -- Hmm. I wonder who influenced that decision, _Brian?_ Goodness I like it. I've since bought several others including Pilot 823 Broad, Pilot E95s Fine, Platinum Medium. I have to say that I am actually _extremely surprised_ at how very much I like the diminutive E95s. (It doesn't feel nearly as small as it looks!) It's a reasonably soft (bouncy) nib as you say and, for a Japanese Fine nib, it is also extremely juicy. Thank you, Goulet team for your recommendations! Merry Christmas to you all.
Modern pens are all chasing the feel of a vintage pen, which is fantastic! Once you try a 1920s Waterman 52, or a 1950s Parker 51, you won't want to try anything else.
My first gold nib pen was a Parker 45 Flighter with a medium 14K nib. Sadly, one of several terrible decisions The Parker Pen Company has made over the last 20 years was discontinuing the 45.
My first gold nibbed pen was a vintage Senator/Merz and Krell that is a beauty. I moved on into more vintages and some newer ones, including a Pilot VP among others. It's leading into penabling opportunities and the world of pen repair though.
I believe it was a parker pen to go to British boarding school in 1964! Loved it despite the abuse it must have received in a pencil case along with protractors, pencils, sharpeners and erasers! Oh, and the ink wells filled with blotting paper. I'm sure/positive we never cleaned our pens. Fountain pens and HB pencils were the only thing we were permitted to write with. Quinck (so) washable blue ink.
One can only dream... 😋🤗🤑 Thanks for another great video! Still dreamin' of the Pilot Custom 823 Amber 😍 #BrownLover Ever since you've introcduced it to us I'm in LOVE!
My first gold nib was accidental. I bought a 1952 Shaeffer Dolphin Touchdown for a very reasonable price not knowing that it was a gold nib. It's a great writer.
I should also mention my two Pilot VPs. I’m a nurse and having retractible fountain pens is a must for me.
He did, but said decimo was better. It is click retractable too.
Indeed a brave one you are. A writing instrument of that caliber at a Nurses Station is an unsafe practice. Oh how I long for the days when Vendors used to walk the Units with pastries and pens. LOL
@@dyloak6450 the decimo isnt objectively better, its preference. they write exactly the same. the decimo is lighter and more slim, while the vp is a bit heavier and thicker.
It's a shame that my first ever gold nib pen, the platinum ptl-5000a, was discontinued. We did kind of know at the time that the sub 100$ price was too good to last, but still. That pen got me into the rabbit hole of the platinum 3776 in Soft Fine, and for that I will be forever grateful since it's still the only pen in my collection that is never un-inked.
I got a PTL-5000 after I got a Kanazawa Maki-e, and the former's nib is very near as nice as the latter. Love the both of them.
Don't worry, these kind of fountain pens will become in a few years, a treasure for collectionist!
Drew's heart must be warmed by E95s getting an official place on the list! I want one, too (ofc).
I Love my Pilot E95S, surprisingly it handles shimmering ink pretty well. I have the burgundy version medium nib, paired it with Robert Oster Rose Gold Antiqua. It is an amazing writing experience.
I can agree with mine is the fine black.
I’m pleasantly surprised to hear this. Since the nib can’t be removed for cleaning, I’m super nervous to put a shimmering ink in mine, but I have a fine nib so it may not handle it on the page that great anyway. I may have to try that RO ink you suggested though; I’ve got mostly Diamine shimmering inks and they seem to have an insane glitter to ink ratio.
@@djryandelap have you try ultrasonic cleaner? I have a collection of vintage pocket fountain pens and my dealer recommended me to get one. It's been super easy to clean them since.
@@ChuanChiChan Not yet, but it’s been on my wish list for a few months. I really got into learning to restore vintage pens during the pandemic lockdowns, but had to back off once I was able to get back to work, so I never got around to getting some of the more advanced tools like the ultrasonic cleaner. I’ve got a couple of Duofolds waiting to be fixed up though so I think the cleaner is on my short list of purchases in the new year.
@@ChuanChiChan Please be cautious. I believe you can't use it for certain vintage pens
I crave the Pilot E95S so much but I need an occasion to buy myself a really nice gift before I get it. I've wanted that thing for years, my heart yearns with a fervor I had never felt before her.
My first gold-nib pen was a Pelikan Souveran 600. After I bought it I didn't even think about buying another pen for over 10 years because the pen was perfect and writing with it was like writing on butter. A heavenly experience!
I highly recommend getting a Vanishing Point. It's not cheap no, but my god, it's sooo convenient, and the writing experience is amazing.
Oh it's almost ridiculous. They are so well made and smooth to write with.
My first gold nib pen. I don’t take it to work where there are concrete floors.
My first gold nib pen was a Sailor 1911 Standard [F] and I still love it to this day. The ink I bought with it was Diamine Oxblood and they pair so well together. Sailors will always have a place in heart because of this experience :)
My first gold nib pen was a Parker 51 aero metric, a gift from my grandfather when I was 12 years old... which I lost @ school 2 weeks later! Saved my allowances for months to replace it before he noticed.
The E95s was my first gold nibbed pen and it sold me on gold nibs. It's an absolute joy to use.
What have you gotten since then?
@@bestthingeverbyjenn Pilot Custom 823, Aurora Nera Unica, Waterman Carene, and a NOS vintage Sheaffer.
First gold nib pen was the Namiki/Pilot Falcon FS, Wow, my goodness, kinda old now but still writes a dream. Thanks Brian.
My first gold nib was my Pilot Decimo (from Goulet Pens) and it was the best investment ever, that I bought a Pilot Vanishing Point as well. I then invested in a Sailor Pro Gear Slim then another Sailor ProGear with a 21k nib. Gold nibs are my happy place!
Thanks Brian, great video. My one and only gold nib is the Pilot E95s, purchased from Goulet Pens. Wow is this a smooth writer. Because my hand hurts, I tried fountain pens and this one I can write with for long periods of time. BLESSINGS
My first gold-nibbed pen was a sterling silver Parker 75. It was given to me as a high school graduation present, and the list price back then in 1967 was $25! It's still a great pen, and I think Parker made a great mistake abandoning the 75 (and the Premier) for the Sonnet.
My daily writing pen is Platinum Kanazawa Leaf Maki-e. Writing is so smooth, yet it provides gentle sound on writing. Also, it’s an extremely beautiful pen.
My first gold nib pen was a Sailor Pro Gear Slim and I love it dearly! It’s one of my favorite pens and I recommend it to people who like a little feedback (over being completely smooth). My second gold nib pen was the Lamy 2000, which would probably be my first pick for my favorite fountain pen - it’s so smooth and is an amazing workhorse. And I have the Pilot Falcon, which is such a fantastic pen - I love it for writing letters, journaling, and wanting to be more classic with my writing in general. Thanks for the updated video on this topic, super helpful for more additions in my collection!
My Lamy 2000 was my first gold nib, and even after buying more advanced pens, it’s still one of my favorites. Love it so much.
I also love my Pilot Custom 823, which is a little over $250, I think, but it’s also a fantastic pen that I still think is one of my favorite pens.
Lamy 2000 is my first gold nib pen based on your recommendation. I’m loving the experience. Thank you.
I wish they had a more feminine version, it looks very masculine in the black. Just my opinion.
Mine is a Waterman I got from my parents when graduating from college, but unfortunatelly I don't know the model... Love the videos, it rekindled my passion for my fountain pens and I am actually using 4 at the moment!! hahah The best for me is still this Waterman, though, it must be the gold nib! (the other ones are steel or iridium) - I can't find a single video of Brian talking about Waterman pens, though! Would love to hear your thoughts on them!
Nice suggestions, but a few additional thoughts: If you are getting into fountain pens and looking to expand your selection, consider seeking out some vintage pens. I have a variety of modern gold nibbled pens, but really value the experience of writing with with a variety of older pens, almost all of which have gold nibs. Some of these were bought, but some are from the drawers of older relatives (including a very nice 1920’s Waterman No. 7). Of particular interest, and pretty available are Parker 51 pens with either the vacumatic or aeromatic fillers, the open nib Parker and Sheaffer pens, and the Sheaffer Triumph nib pens- I particularly like the plunger filling Sheaffer pens. One other option is to get a gold nib for a pen you already have. You mentioned this for the Lamy pens, but I have a very nice Pelikan 200 that has a Pelikan 250 (gold) nib.
My first (and only at the moment) gold nib pen is a Pelikan m400 and I love it.
But I have my eyes on a Sailor 1911 😁
Thank you for naming the M400. Great pen!
I've got the m400, but i casually bought a nos '80s one, it's the one i love the most
My first gold nib was a Wahl Eversharp from the 1923s that I got off an auction. It is a flex nib, but still quite stiff. After that I just started getting the Japanese entry level ones everybody is raving about: first a Platinum #3776 EF, a Sailor PGS MF, a Pilot VP F.
First off, I think you have constructed a good list. Thank you. Knowing what I know today, I would choose one of the Sailor FP's. Personal preference only.
I learned to write with a fountain pen in 1958 at the age of eight. Given my time and Sitz im Leben, it was stainless steel nibs all the way. However, my dad had a marvelous Parker 51 with an accountant nib (XXXF, if such a thing existed) that I loved to "borrow." The nib was gold. And, yes, I still have the pen. After a couple years of screaming and hollering about where the pen was (located), dad finally relented and allowed me to keep the pen. (Kudos to "she who must be obeyed" for "interceding" on my behalf.) My first gold nib.
Given my status as a geriatric fountain pen fanatic and my attending Swiss cheese brain, I honestly do not recall the first gold nib that I bought with my own money. At the moment, it occurs to me that it was a Parker Duofold Junior that I bought from another kid in school. It had a "F" nib point and wrote perfectly - spring, modest flex, all the positive attributes. The other kid's problem with the pen? It was "old." Again, I still have the pen.
My first gold nib was the Montblanc Noblesse my husband gave to me after our first daughter was born. Then around '01 I bought a bunch of Pens from brick and mortar (no internet back then) and my info was very limited.
Last year, after being stored away, I went through them and I proceeded to get info on each (mostly gold Nibs). The thought of any being EDC was out - wow if only I kept my receipts!
Since then I've purchased Pilot E95S & VP, Platinum 3776, Graf von Faber Castel Guilloche, Waterman Carene, and a Lamy 2000!. If you like a Fine I suggest a Fine in the E95S & EF in the 2000.
Nice list of pens. My first gold nib pen was the Pilot Vanishing Point. That E95S surely looks classy and it's on my whish list
My brother just got me my first gold nib, Sailor, as a best man gift. It is now my favorite pen!
Bought the E95s in burgundy and gave it to my husband to wrap as my Christmas present.
I have two of the Platinum Maki-e pens described in this video and can concur that they are excellent writers, beautiful, and a good value for the money. I love them. Two of my favorites from my collection.
My first gold-nib pen was a Parker Sonnet, which I got in 2007, a gift from my parents. I’ve come a long way since then. My current faves are the Yard-O-Led Viceroy Grand Victorian, Otto Hutt design 07, and the Parker Sonnet Silver Mistral. Love these!
Waiting for my Slim Pro gear purple or violet… my first ever gold nib pen .., Parker Sonnet which I lost 20 years ago also seem to be my earliest first gold nib one. But felt that it was heavy and ended up using it less.
My first gold nib was a gift given to me in 1972 when I was in the Peace Corps in Africa. A Parker Duofold Slimfold MK II made in the UK. Still have it & a good little pen that served me well for 3 years in the bush.
I alternate between my decimo and e95s as my daily writers. I love pilot nibs!
Yep that E95s is awesome I love mine. I have the burgundy one and I think it is the classiest pen I own.
Mine would be the Pilot Custom 74 pen with 14k gold nib. It just glides over paper. Just wonderful to write!
My first gold nib pen was a Pineider full metal jacket with a medium nib. I use that pen a lot but not as much after getting a Lamy 2000 with an oblique nib.
Why is the shirt not for sale on the website?
My first gold-nib pen was a Namiki Falcon (EF) -- yes, it was that long ago, when Falcons were branded as Namiki, not Pilot. It is still one of my favorites, along with my other Falcons, E95Ss and a few others. If I had to choose but one pen company, it would be Namiki/Pilot..
That Platinum Maki-e Cherry Blossoms looks tempting, though.
My first two gold nibs are both Sailors: a 14k 1911 Standard and a 21k Pro Gear Realo - I really enjoy the experience of writing with both. The whisper-like tactile feedback of Sailor's nibs is really just... right; they're not scratchy, and the ink doesn't feel choked or strained in its flow. The nibs are just superbly engineered and beautifully decorated - a nice marriage of form and function. I was glad when I saw that you and Sailor were working together!
What! No Platinum 3776?
I have 3 and love them for their so smooth nibs.
One can never have enough Platinum #3776. Favourite nib: SF. Unobtainable dream: La Rokka.
I know you don’t really do the Chinese pens, but Penbbs have recently released a no. 6 14k calligraphy nib,which, by all reports, is simply magnificent. Popping that on any of the Penbbs acrylic bodies makes a truly remarkable and reasonably priced pen
Didn't the stock sell out fairly quickly??
Great video, I’ll have to look into some of these! The Pilot Vanishing Point was my first gold nib pen - I love everything about it (the weight, the size, that oh so satisfying click, and of course the smoothness of the writing). I’ve tried the Decimo because I do have smaller hands but somehow it just doesn’t measure up to the VP. The writing experience is similar but somehow the weight of the VP makes it feel like a smoother experience.
My first gold nib was a Platinum Bonita that I found super cheap on ebay. I wanted something with a bit of flex, like the Noodler's flex nibs, but in a smaller size. I absolutely fell in love, and I have purchased others since then, but I really love the Platinum. The pen feels very comfortable in my small hands, the ink flow is fantastic, and it's got just the right amount of flex with an awesome feel on the paper.
Each fountain pen I own has souvenirs attached with it. I love looking at them and writing with them and hope my chidren and grand children will appreciate them.
Just received my burgundy/gold E95S with a fine nib and couldn't be happier with it. I consider it a modern classic, as it is like writing with a vintage pen. The fine nib is not scratchy at all and glides across the paper with ease. Mine is paired with Diamine Oxblood ink and it's gorgeous.
How does it write?
My first gold nib pen was the Lamy 2000 F. I had read lots of reviews about the tiny sweet spot but I found it wasn't a problem with my writing. My second gold nib pen was the Sailor PG MF. After 5+ years this is still my favorite pen and I have it inked constantly. It is buttery smooth and is a real pleasure to write with. I have about 50 other gold nib pens (Custom 823, Pilots, Platinums, Sailors and a couple Wancher dream pens) but I find myself with the 823, Sailor MF, Kanreki, Dream pen F and 3776 F as my go-to pens and the rest are rotated in.
My first gold nib was a Pilot Falcon. I absolutely adore how buttery smooth it writes, but it doesn’t clip well in the pocket of my jeans. About to pick up a Lamy 2000 to celebrate a personal milestone.
My first gold nib was that platinum that was under 100 bucks several years ago. Dont think they import them anymore, but it was (and still is) a great pen, but it is slimmer than I'd like for long writing sessions. I've gotten several others since then like the sailor 1911 and pro gear; Pilot vanishing point; and a lamy 2000 to name a few. All are good, but my favorite is probably the pro gear.
My first gold nib is sailor pro gear slim :) then i tried platinum 3776, pilot decimo, and lamy 2000. I have to say that i really love my platinum century in uef because it’s sooo neat.
I have a parker sonnet and absolutely love it. Definately my favourite
Pens... Yes! I also need Brian's shirt.
Nice video. I know Sailor has this big reputation, but I have found there is more consistency in Pilot nibs. I have not had great experience with Platinum in the past. Recently I did purchase one of Platinum's Maki-e pens. Not only is it a beautiful looking pen, but it writes great. I am happy to have this pen in my collection and would recommend it to anyone wanting a nice writing pen.
My first gold nib was a Pilot Custom 74 in blue from Goulet pens. Which spiraled me into a few Pilot Vanishing points. I tend to use the Custom 74 the most and second my Custom 823. I have a pen problem lol
I'm on day 2 of my E95S and totally in love....a Gorgeous amazing pen.....
My first gold nibbed pen was a Montblanc 149. This was back in 1977 when this model was known as a “Bar Mitzva” pen since it was a common gift on that occasion. I didn’t actually understand what I had but I figured it out pretty quickly. I still have it. Sort of. I carried it around until about 2015, by which time it had a bent nib and other flaws. I sent it back to MB. They refurbished it. Cost more than the pen originally. All parts were broken or cracked except the clip, which still sits on the pen still.
This video was so helpful! I definitely have my eye on the Sailor Pro Gear Slim and the Platinum Maki-E you mentioned now. My biggest concern about moving up to gold nib pens: do you stop wanting to write with your steel nib pens once you’ve tried a gold nib? I really love my little collection of steel nib pens and I love that their affordability allows me to have a bunch of them in different shapes and colors and nib sizes, inked up with a variety of inks. I don’t want to spoil that by investing in a type of pen that I can’t afford to buy a bunch of.
From personal experience, you will want to write with gold over steel if you like a smoother and softer nib; if you like more feedback and less give (a "stiffer" feel), you will probably still use your steel nibs a lot. However, it's completely subjective and a lot of your opinions about it will depend on the nib(s) in question; not all nibs, even gold, are tuned out of the box. Personally I've only ever owned one gold-nibbed pen and although I loved how glassy smooth it was, I still find titanium nibs to be my favorites, and I had one steel nib (from a Lamy Safari believe it or not) that was as smooth as that gold nib, though obviously less soft/giving.
Nope, not at all! I have steel, gold plated steel, and gold and I have favorites of all types 😊 Just depends on what I feel like writing with and inking up!
My first gold nib was my pilot decimo that my husband got me for our anniversary 😌
My first gold nib (medium) was on a vintage Parker Duofold which I only just bought recently. It glides so smoothly across paper that I immediately fell in love - it is exactly the writing experience I have always wanted. Since that experience, I am on the lookout for another gold nib pen, and both your lists have been helpful :)
Rachel keep your eyes out for a Parker 51 if you enjoy the vintage models - it’s a hooded gold nib that really doesn’t ever dry out (well, it takes a long time to) and is super smooth. That Duofold is a good investment though!
@@djryandelap Thank you Ryan, I shall. It will be my first time using a hooded nib.
I totally love my Pilot E95S. It is a totally sexy writing device. I just recent purchased this pen and love to grab it every time I pick up a pen. It writes so smoothly, it fits into my hand perfectly, even if I don’t post the cap. As a woman with smallish hands, it fits just beautifully. You will not go wrong with this pen. And posting the cap when you are finished writing - wow, it just slides on the pen with a suction type cap. I love it!
My first was a Lamy 2000 with medium nib. Writes beautifully. Picking the 2nd one is harder. I'm leaning towards a Pilot Custom 74
Go for the Custom Heritage 92. It has the same nib as other Pilots in the price range but, being a piston filler, it holds a lot more ink. I've got two, one B and one FM, and love them both.
I actually love doing fountain pen sketching with my Pilot Retractable 👍🏼
I recommend the Kaco Master with a 14K gold schmidt nib, the pen has a springy gold nib that makes for wonderful writing and costs about only $100 usd.
My first pen with gold nib was a vintage parker vacumatica, absolutely wonderful pens.
I got a sailor shikiori, and it's the prettiest pen in my collection...
Thanks, Brian, for the video I’ve been waiting for (and asked for)! My first gold nib pen was the Sailor 1911S that was scratchy and prone to hard starts until I had Mark Bacas work his magic. Now it writes like a dream! Now I’d like that Lamy Studio and Platinum Maki-e you picked for my next pens. Thanks again, love GPC!
Sailor Pro gear slim grew on me. When I first got it I thought there was a problem with the pen but after some time I really started to enjoy the feedback.
My very first gold nib pen was a vintage one. The nib is from German manufacturer Rupp, which was pretty well known in its time. The founder was an ex-employee at Kaweco. It's a 14K gold nib which writes buttery smooth, but still lets you feel the paper a little bit. It's not like writing on glass, which I dislike, but very soft and produces a beautiful line variation. It's also a nice wet writer, so all in all very happy with the purchase. I decided for this pen, because I wasn't sure what to expect from a gold nib and the pen only cost around 30 bucks.
My first gold nib fountain pens were vintage Platinum pocket pens that I bought on ebay for about $20 each. After trying them on decent paper the smooth writing experience of the 18k and 14k gold nibs had me hooked!
My one and only gold nib, is my burgundy Pilot Metal Falcon in soft fine! It is a work of art
I have the Pilot E95S and just love it! I have a medium nib. I also have the Vanishing Point and like it too. Thanks for the info on the Sailor. I really wanted to try one of these, but I like the smooth writers, so may go for something else.
No Custom 74? Brian, are you feeling ok?
I started with a Lamy CP1 which I had a full set of steel nibs for as I loved how easy to switch them around - one pen with a box of different nibs! Once I upgraded to the Lamy Gold Nib in Broad though, I never used the steel nibs again. I now have three Lamys with the same Broad Gold nib, two CP1s and the Palladium Studio. I also upgraded a Kaweco Brass Sport to a Fine Gold nib, which was more costly than the Lamy but is always with me and has become a real pleasure to use (although not hugely different from the lovely steel EFs from Graf Von Faber Castell). The only pen I have bought that came with gold as standard was a 1911L with a 21k Zoom nib, which is not an everyday pocket pen, but extraordinarily smooth flowing.
My first gold nib pen was a Parker 51, which was my workhorse. Through the 70’s. Then I received two gifts, an early model (I assume) Lamy 2000 with troublesome metal catches which held the cap but also allowed ink to leak through and a thin profile Dunhill, gold plated, gold nib, writes well looks great even today but too thin for longer writing. In the mid nineties, I bought a not overly thick Parker Duofold…wonderful and delightful; used it today.
My first and only gold-nibbed fountain pen was a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Fountain Pen in Meigetsu (Harvest Moon). It was a stunning pen, and the nib was so smooth it was like writing on glass, which I absolutely adored. However, I found that over time I couldn't justify the price I'd paid (it didn't quite fit my hand since it was so short, so it was a tad uncomfortable to use), and I babied it more than I used it, so I decided to flip it. Every once in a while I miss the way the nib felt, but I vastly prefer titanium nibs (and they are far more affordable). If I could snag a deal on a used fountain pen that has a gold nib I might add one to my collection again, but full prices just don't make sense for me personally.
I’ve been in love with my Platinum 3776 M for a year now but am thinking of the Sailor 1911MF to add to the collection…
My first gold nib was the Decimo. I love it to bits.
The E95S is such a great pen.. I have one in each color.. both w M nibs.. this is a buttery writer with a gorgeous nib and a satisfying capping mechanism. I refill cartridges so I can use the colors I want and get a nice full fill… my first modern gold nib is a Lamy 2000 w a M nib, from Goulet pens. So fabulous.. I wish they’d make bright colors.. priced like the original black. It’s such a great writer. Took me a minute to find the sweet spot, but I’m completely smitten with it now.
I just love your vids. Thanks
From this vid the Kanazawa Leaf will be my next pen.
I’m saving for a Decimo. I love those… *sigh* 😍😍😍😍 but that’s E95S is totally making me rethink the Decimo… 😆😅
My first gold nib was actually my first fountain pen ever, a Waterman Carene in amber. I still have it, and it is probably my favourite pen.
Thanks for the informative video! The Platinum Kanazawa Maki-e Sakura Fubuki was actually my first gold nib pen. :)
Just bought an E95S real beauty
My first (and the only one so far) gold nib pen is the Pilot Elite 95S, in burgundy red with gold finish, EF nib, currently inked up with Colorverse Quasar. I chose them both at your advice. I've been educating myself with your videos since 2017, so pretty much everything I know pen-wise and ink-wise is thanks to you. My experience with both so far: heavenly! I have only recently come to buy the pen, I've had it since December last year, so I am treasuring it as a long-awaited novelty still. I had it inked up with Sailor Manyo Shirakashi at first, but then switched to Colorverse Quasar and have used it exclusively for the better part of the last two months. Thanks a lot. A fan.
Nos. 1-4 pens are on my wishlist! Thanks for the recommendation on the entry-level maki-e. Merry Christmas!
I really liked the entire presentation! Interesting, entertaining, good pace, a pleasure to watch. Now I need to go shop for that platinum pen
I’m going to order a Pilot VP matte black in EF nib when I get my first paycheck from my new job. It’s my way to celebrate and I will order it from Goulet Pens 🖊
Excellent list, again, Brian! My first gold nib pen was a Pilot Custom 74, medium nib, in the gorgeous blue color usually paired with Pilot's Iroshizuku Kon Peki ink. -- Hmm. I wonder who influenced that decision, _Brian?_ Goodness I like it. I've since bought several others including Pilot 823 Broad, Pilot E95s Fine, Platinum Medium. I have to say that I am actually _extremely surprised_ at how very much I like the diminutive E95s. (It doesn't feel nearly as small as it looks!) It's a reasonably soft (bouncy) nib as you say and, for a Japanese Fine nib, it is also extremely juicy.
Thank you, Goulet team for your recommendations! Merry Christmas to you all.
My first and only gold nib is the Lamy Studio. Medium Nib. Gorgeous pen !
I am surprised how much I like these videos. And I am very much a layman.
That's great to hear! - Drew
My first gold nib pen and the one that I still consider to be the best of any gold nibbed ones I have gotten since is the 3776 Century.
First gold nib pen was the Platinum PTL-5000A. I chose it based on your first video 😅
Man, I love GPC so much, I just gave the first like/comment in this video
Also, u guys are awesooooome!
Modern pens are all chasing the feel of a vintage pen, which is fantastic! Once you try a 1920s Waterman 52, or a 1950s Parker 51, you won't want to try anything else.
My first gold nib pen was a Parker 45 Flighter with a medium 14K nib. Sadly, one of several terrible decisions The Parker Pen Company has made over the last 20 years was discontinuing the 45.
so much neglect for my precious Stargazer! The first pen I ever bought from Goulet Pens.. and still my lil'gold nibbed buddy.
I thought Drew was going to do this video, considering the pens were on his desk! Brian is good too 😂.
EDIT: Oh, I see
The first gold nib pen I had was back in 2017, a Platinum 3776. Then Sailor 1911L and Pilot CH92 joined the collection 2 weeks later lol
Thank you so much for introducing me to the Platinum Kanazawa! I just viewed your website and fell in love with the Mt Fuji and Goldfish version!!
My first gold nibbed pen was a vintage Senator/Merz and Krell that is a beauty. I moved on into more vintages and some newer ones, including a Pilot VP among others. It's leading into penabling opportunities and the world of pen repair though.
I believe it was a parker pen to go to British boarding school in 1964! Loved it despite the abuse it must have received in a pencil case along with protractors, pencils, sharpeners and erasers! Oh, and the ink wells filled with blotting paper. I'm sure/positive we never cleaned our pens. Fountain pens and HB pencils were the only thing we were permitted to write with. Quinck (so) washable blue ink.
One can only dream... 😋🤗🤑 Thanks for another great video! Still dreamin' of the Pilot Custom 823 Amber 😍 #BrownLover Ever since you've introcduced it to us I'm in LOVE!