I have loved fountain pens ever since I was allowed to use it as a 10 year old...never in my wildest dream I could have thought of having a community of pen lovers😊😊😊
For the $10 and under (usually for the kids in my life) I gift Jinhao Sharks. You can't beat the price point and they write finer than the Pilot Varsity.
The Prussian Blue TWSBI 580 ALR in medium was my gift to myself for a new job recently, and it has become my favorite pen I've owned so far! Thanks much for such a well-informed list across these price points!
I think for anyone with a minimalist style, the Midori MD notebooks are great -- honestly not a bad match for a Lamy 2000 to go for a black/white color contrast but both with distinct but understated designs.
Of course, I'm not watching this to see what I might want to get for myself... :P I'll probably revisit this later (at home) and see if there is anything I want to add to my Wishlist on the site. :D
I purchased the shark pens during Shark Week and Goulet notebooks for some of my coworkers for Christmas. I can't wait to give them to my people! Cost around $10. (Along with some quality chocolate.) 😉
Great video. I think the Eco is a solid choice, but would also consider a Safari in that same range. Super durable, tons of color options, and super easy cartridge system for a newbie. Also, I would consider throwing in a blunt syringe and a bulb syringe. Or a coupon to clean the pen for them for their first few times?
Nice selections there. I like the turquoise Sailor, i've got two turquoise dial watches. I currently have a bottle of Diamine Grey, a bit like using black but without the strong harshness that black can sometimes feel like, but I do like black inks as well in general.
I now also use my TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR with a 1.1 stub nib for work and have often been asked about this beautiful and interesting fountain pen. Not only because it is so outstanding in this world dominated by ballpoint pens, but my writing looks very nice with the TWSBI. So i would prefer the TWSBI for gift.
My gift set is a dot grid printed on Pen+Gear printer paper because I would include a Platinum Preppy with a fine nib and a small ink sample of Noodler's Black
I think the pilot mr or the explorer are the best gifts I have ever gotten. I got a pilot mr and that's what got me into fountain pens so I maybe a little biased. Still a great pen and hope I get gifted another this year!
An excellent video, Brian, as always. I have one question: did you really want to recommend the Emerald of Chivor as a starter ink? I agree that this ink is truly sublime, but an ink with glitter? And for a Lamy 2000 or a Sailor 1911 L, no less? You’re the boss here, but I would never tell a newbie to put glitter in one of these pens.
Question - what is the blue ink that is contained in the Pilot Varsity? If it's not available independently, what would be the closest blue ink to match? I've been trying to find one that vibrant and smooth for several years and can't get close to a match...
Pilot Metro for the win under 25$ Metal build ✔️ Smooth nib ✔️ Beautiful colors ✔️ Value ✔️ ✔️ Anyone would appreciate a metal pen over a see thru plastic under 25$. It feels like a 50$ pen, tbh
I need to add for left handed writers, any notepad that has the wire binding on the left is problematic. Of course, a weird way of dealing with this is to flip it over and begin writing from the back page. 😜 it does work!
You missed Pelikan M200 and M205 Excellent classic style with a range of nibs Piston filler Excellent nib that screws out so you can send it to a nib meister at a later date $120 a presentation set with ink included
I tried clairfontaine paper 90grm and didn’t like it, ink smudges very easily and that’s quite annoying :( I used Pilot black ink, Kaweco midnight blue, Lamy blue ink and Pelikan black ink :( even when I left the paper to dry it seemed to anyways not absorb the ink and leave a layer of dry ink on top that smudges of you touch it 🥺
@@CatherinzslI second this, I use fine or medium nibs on my Clairefontaine letter pad and haven’t run into this with Diamine, De Atramentis, or Noodler’s inks. Hope that helps.
You have run into the paradox of fountain pen ink. Paper that shows off ink characteristics such as sheening and shimmer tends to stay wet and smudge much more than a more absorbent paper that doesn't show off those characteristics dries faster. Since you're not using ink with complex characteristics, like sheen/shimmer, the Clairfontaine might not be the best choice. I tend to keep a piece of J. Herbin blotting paper in a notebook in case I need to close it before it's dry, but even a paper towel cut to size, (or just a half sheet if you don't mind it poking out), works for that.
@@Catherinzslhi, yes 😢 I use 5 fine nibs pen, a platinum preppy 0.3, a pilot Kakuno fine, and a Kaweco sport in fine as well, and they all smudge 😢 (the other 2 are a Lamy Safari and a Pelikan, but I find these are on the thick side of fine)
I really don’t like saying this, but I must be honest. I wouldn’t recommend people purchase the Pilot Custom 823. The resin used on the 823 is weak, and if shattered, you will experience extremely excessive ink leakages from the grip section and barrel. The vacuum filling isn't smooth either, so that is also a downside to the 823.
The Pilot Customs are available in a few colours 🙃. Fountain pens, generally speaking, are available in virtually every colour and every combination of colours. If you need to go super bespoke, you could select a pen blank (a "raw" rod of pen body material, like a block of marble for sculpting) and have a pen made from it. If you mean you need a custom colour of ink, well, these days it would be hard to find a colour that isn't already represented in ink.
I HAVE 4 YEARS WITH MINE I USE IT FOR WORK IM A SECURITY OFFICER, BY THE WAY THE XEZO NEVER LET ME DOWN AND I WISH IF YOU CAN PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT XEZO MAESTRO 18K
You absolutely can't miss with the 30 ml Diamine inks. My only issue with those is the bottle: tall + skinny + lightweight plastic = a spill waiting to happen! Plus, I think all ink deserves glass to live in. So whenever I'm ordering one of these, I also order one of your beautiful empty glass bottles.
Are you actually a fountain pen user if you don’t live with inky fingers? Haha! All jokes aside, I love those skinny little bottles. Literally just got the ancient copper in the mail as I’m typing haha!
@abrahamd514 Usually when I'm trying a new ink, I like to put it in a demonstrator, maybe one of my TWSBI Ecos. Down the road, I can see it in my palladium LAMY Studio.
Mostly solid options. For a new user, or even an experienced one, a Pilot Varsity is a good choice. I must confess being mystified by the recommendations of Emerald of Chavor and LAMY 2000. While I like the ink, it isn't great for all-around use: it doesn't play well with all paper, the particulate might influence how the pen writes, and good luck getting it all out in one cleaning. On your next refill with a different ink, you will still be finding shimmer in your writing. It's best for users with some experience. As for the 2000, I'm not sure the appeal. The nib can't be changed out because it's hooded, and its overall looks remind me of a sharpie marker. I'm not saying it's a bad pen--I'm sure it's a good pen--it just doesn't seem to have what I value. I'd need a bit of time to think of my own recommendations.
I have loved fountain pens ever since I was allowed to use it as a 10 year old...never in my wildest dream I could have thought of having a community of pen lovers😊😊😊
For the $10 and under (usually for the kids in my life) I gift Jinhao Sharks. You can't beat the price point and they write finer than the Pilot Varsity.
exactly, I have a shark & I love it.
Agree! I give them to my students. They are cheap and come with converter!
Yes!
The shark pens are awesome!
I got a pilot custom 823 last December for graduation and it is my favorite! It has been inked for 90% of the year
Just got mine this December
Pilot Metro can't never get enough love, in my opinion. It was my gateway pen and I own 3.
It was my gateway pen too. I didn't know the rabbit hole was this deep!
@@raventhelight9357 Every time I think I've found the bottom a trap door opens and I'm falling like Alice, again!
I was probably unlucky but my metro in fine is the worst writing experience ever. Literally feels like writing with a rusty nail.
@@air_ I'm so sorry that was your experience. It is a hard nib, but I find it plenty smooth. Did you ever try a larger nib to see if that helps?
Also, that Rodia A5 Dot Pad is a great gift for even the non-fountain pen users!
Sure, but would they appreciate as much as we do?
The Prussian Blue TWSBI 580 ALR in medium was my gift to myself for a new job recently, and it has become my favorite pen I've owned so far! Thanks much for such a well-informed list across these price points!
I think for anyone with a minimalist style, the Midori MD notebooks are great -- honestly not a bad match for a Lamy 2000 to go for a black/white color contrast but both with distinct but understated designs.
MD notebooks are truly fantastic
Of course, I'm not watching this to see what I might want to get for myself... :P I'll probably revisit this later (at home) and see if there is anything I want to add to my Wishlist on the site. :D
I purchased the shark pens during Shark Week and Goulet notebooks for some of my coworkers for Christmas. I can't wait to give them to my people! Cost around $10. (Along with some quality chocolate.) 😉
Best video made in this channel , it covers like 100 video of content
Great video. I think the Eco is a solid choice, but would also consider a Safari in that same range. Super durable, tons of color options, and super easy cartridge system for a newbie. Also, I would consider throwing in a blunt syringe and a bulb syringe. Or a coupon to clean the pen for them for their first few times?
If budget is not an issue, pilot custom 823 is my choice. Really looks beautiful and classy.
Good video 👍👌
Nice selections there. I like the turquoise Sailor, i've got two turquoise dial watches. I currently have a bottle of Diamine Grey, a bit like using black but without the strong harshness that black can sometimes feel like, but I do like black inks as well in general.
For Clairefontaine notebooks, I love the A5 Neo Deco line. Gorgeous covers, lined ivory paper, will instantly class up any gift.
Hi Brian!: Thank you for all the great, gift-giving ideas!!
Great video! Really solid choices and great explanations in a quick concise format
I love your recommendations, Brian!
Pilot Custom 823 is on my wish list. Maybe a Christmas gift from me to myself 😂😂😂
Pilot Metropolitan, Conklin duragraph, opus 88, Pilot Falcon..all great pens..
I now also use my TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR with a 1.1 stub nib for work and have often been asked about this beautiful and interesting fountain pen. Not only because it is so outstanding in this world dominated by ballpoint pens, but my writing looks very nice with the TWSBI. So i would prefer the TWSBI for gift.
My gift set is a dot grid printed on Pen+Gear printer paper because I would include a Platinum Preppy with a fine nib and a small ink sample of Noodler's Black
For under 10, Shark. and I was waiting for you to recommend Lamy 2000. I was like, Classic
That's a nice video! Great timing, since I am making wish lists for myself ❤️
I think the pilot mr or the explorer are the best gifts I have ever gotten. I got a pilot mr and that's what got me into fountain pens so I maybe a little biased. Still a great pen and hope I get gifted another this year!
I love these videos every year!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND MAKE US ANOTHER FOUNTAIN PEN VIDEO HI FROM PUERTO RICO
An excellent video, Brian, as always. I have one question: did you really want to recommend the Emerald of Chivor as a starter ink? I agree that this ink is truly sublime, but an ink with glitter? And for a Lamy 2000 or a Sailor 1911 L, no less? You’re the boss here, but I would never tell a newbie to put glitter in one of these pens.
Question - what is the blue ink that is contained in the Pilot Varsity? If it's not available independently, what would be the closest blue ink to match? I've been trying to find one that vibrant and smooth for several years and can't get close to a match...
Sad to see that the notepad sampler set is not available... Love all the recommendation!
btw, > means more than, not less than! 😜
Awesome ideas!
Great list!
I'm watching this high and I found it both lolely and helpful.
I love the pilot varsity
Great choices
Great Video Brian ! Helps me narrow down My Own Xmas Choices ! 😉
Pilot Metro for the win under 25$
Metal build ✔️
Smooth nib ✔️
Beautiful colors ✔️
Value ✔️ ✔️
Anyone would appreciate a metal pen over a see thru plastic under 25$. It feels like a 50$ pen, tbh
I need to add for left handed writers, any notepad that has the wire binding on the left is problematic. Of course, a weird way of dealing with this is to flip it over and begin writing from the back page. 😜 it does work!
I love fountain pens
You missed Pelikan M200 and M205
Excellent classic style with a range of nibs
Piston filler
Excellent nib that screws out so you can send it to a nib meister at a later date
$120 a presentation set with ink included
Brian, why no love for Retro 51 fountain pens? I think they're fabulous mid price pens.
Wow, wow, wow, nicely done and spot on options. As always for what, some 13 years or so? Thanks for making my morning of what will be a difficult day.
Hoping the rest of the day goes better than you're expecting.
@@archivist17 Thank you, wife still in hospital, but yesterday’s tests came out ok.
@alanpareis734 Well that's encouraging. Let's hope she's able to come home soon.
@@archivist17 Thank you.
Ah, no wonder the Varsity multi packs are sold out! I was trying to gift my team with intro fountain pens for fountain pen day.
CAN YOU MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT THE XEZO MAESTRO 18K N601 (2019)
I tried clairfontaine paper 90grm and didn’t like it, ink smudges very easily and that’s quite annoying :( I used Pilot black ink, Kaweco midnight blue, Lamy blue ink and Pelikan black ink :( even when I left the paper to dry it seemed to anyways not absorb the ink and leave a layer of dry ink on top that smudges of you touch it 🥺
Have you tried using a finer nib (meaning less ink goes down), or some blotting paper?
@@CatherinzslI second this, I use fine or medium nibs on my Clairefontaine letter pad and haven’t run into this with Diamine, De Atramentis, or Noodler’s inks. Hope that helps.
You have run into the paradox of fountain pen ink.
Paper that shows off ink characteristics such as sheening and shimmer tends to stay wet and smudge much more than a more absorbent paper that doesn't show off those characteristics dries faster.
Since you're not using ink with complex characteristics, like sheen/shimmer, the Clairfontaine might not be the best choice.
I tend to keep a piece of J. Herbin blotting paper in a notebook in case I need to close it before it's dry, but even a paper towel cut to size, (or just a half sheet if you don't mind it poking out), works for that.
@@RobRutherford thank you for the suggestion Rob 🥰 I will try it, as I don’t want to leave the Clairfontaine notebook without use
@@Catherinzslhi, yes 😢 I use 5 fine nibs pen, a platinum preppy 0.3, a pilot Kakuno fine, and a Kaweco sport in fine as well, and they all smudge 😢 (the other 2 are a Lamy Safari and a Pelikan, but I find these are on the thick side of fine)
I really don’t like saying this, but I must be honest. I wouldn’t recommend people purchase the Pilot Custom 823. The resin used on the 823 is weak, and if shattered, you will experience extremely excessive ink leakages from the grip section and barrel. The vacuum filling isn't smooth either, so that is also a downside to the 823.
Lamy 2000 all day.🇦🇺👍
What if I need a custom color?
The Pilot Customs are available in a few colours 🙃. Fountain pens, generally speaking, are available in virtually every colour and every combination of colours. If you need to go super bespoke, you could select a pen blank (a "raw" rod of pen body material, like a block of marble for sculpting) and have a pen made from it. If you mean you need a custom colour of ink, well, these days it would be hard to find a colour that isn't already represented in ink.
I HAVE 4 YEARS WITH MINE I USE IT FOR WORK IM A SECURITY OFFICER, BY THE WAY THE XEZO NEVER LET ME DOWN AND I WISH IF YOU CAN PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT XEZO MAESTRO 18K
You absolutely can't miss with the 30 ml Diamine inks. My only issue with those is the bottle: tall + skinny + lightweight plastic = a spill waiting to happen! Plus, I think all ink deserves glass to live in. So whenever I'm ordering one of these, I also order one of your beautiful empty glass bottles.
Are you actually a fountain pen user if you don’t live with inky fingers? Haha! All jokes aside, I love those skinny little bottles. Literally just got the ancient copper in the mail as I’m typing haha!
@abrahamd514 Lucky you! That one is on my short list.
@@nancyrhm2094 what pen are you planning on using it on? I got it for my Custom 823 in Amber
@abrahamd514 Usually when I'm trying a new ink, I like to put it in a demonstrator, maybe one of my TWSBI Ecos. Down the road, I can see it in my palladium LAMY Studio.
Lamy 2000 is the greatest fountain pen ever made
Do the rest of the Goulet Pen Company staff agree with your picks; or, would they have their own picks?
Nice rocket 🚀
Good selection, unfortunately the minimum order price for shipping to the UK moves all these choices into the 'really expensive' bracket LOL
Hope your hand has healed since this was filmed.
Anyone else paused the video at 250+ and immediately guess the Lamy 2000 and Pilot Custom 823 were both going to be on there?
holy smokes people pay 250+ for pro gears? thats almost criminal
Everything combined in that area is 250+. So the pen, paper, and ink.
And a reasonable price. Goulet customer care is amazing…something for everyone at different price ranges.
Oh, I wish I could gift myself a Pilot set, you know, one of the really expensive ones. They are beautiful, but way out of my price range. (Sigh!)
"pilot varsity"
Jinhao 159, x450, x750, and jinhao shark:
You guys always call the ink “emerald de chivor” but the bottle says “emeraud”. What’s the deal here?
Emeraude De Chivor translates from the French to English as emerald of Chivor
Jacques Herbin is a French brand.
Literally anyone would enjoy a Lamy 2000. Good choice for when you want to spoil someone!
Mostly solid options. For a new user, or even an experienced one, a Pilot Varsity is a good choice.
I must confess being mystified by the recommendations of Emerald of Chavor and LAMY 2000. While I like the ink, it isn't great for all-around use: it doesn't play well with all paper, the particulate might influence how the pen writes, and good luck getting it all out in one cleaning. On your next refill with a different ink, you will still be finding shimmer in your writing. It's best for users with some experience.
As for the 2000, I'm not sure the appeal. The nib can't be changed out because it's hooded, and its overall looks remind me of a sharpie marker. I'm not saying it's a bad pen--I'm sure it's a good pen--it just doesn't seem to have what I value.
I'd need a bit of time to think of my own recommendations.
🐱🐱🐧
hexo > safari ;)