I bought my first Safari with black nib and clip in 1986. Last year the cap got a crack. Lamy was so impressed over almost 35 years of daily use, that they sent a new pen!! That’s quality and service!!
In around 2003 I got a Lamy 200 EF in Macrolon (at the time EFs were not officially imported in Russia). In around 2008 the pen broke a bit off the metal grip. I wrote to Lamy CS but they said it was my fault. I swear I didn't hit it nor dropped it though. After a very long exchange of emails with photos etc they redirected me to a local Lamy dealer of the time (I'm not sure they still exist) and they SOLD me a NEW pen with a big discount. So... I think the problem was a strain at the place the pen broke but I cannot prove it. Anyhow, a couple of years later I sold the nib assembly (that metallic grip/casing with nib and feed) for good money thus reimbursing myself for the second purchase. But beside money the story cost me time and nervous energy that still haven't been compensated. While I hold the 2000 as a perfect pen in general I cannot say the same about Lamy as a company.
I did NOT receive such customer service. When I sent in my Accent pen for repair, they told me to get a new one, when the pen simply needed a new section. I love their pens, but their customer service is as helpful as a health insurance company.
I have an Aero. It fell out of my pocket onto my gravel driveway, under my car. I drove over it for about a week before I found it. It has a few scratches and dents, but it still writes like a champ. I definitely recommend it.
@@deanwhitehead Not as critical as you think. Thanks to brilliant design way before we were born, they can take an awful lot of use and abuse and keep on writing. Don't be misled by the fp droolers out there; remember that into the seventies--and I was around then--fp's were a daily, used possession of millions here in the US, including students like me.
Both my Parker '51' and original Chilton Wing-Flow have been writing for over 70 years. The Chilton required a new sac many years ago. Of course, the '51' has its original pli-glass sac.
David Oscarson.. wow, thumbs up! I felt that as we go up the grail ladder, the focus is being shifted from function to form, from nib writing experience to craftsmanship, art, and aesthetic feel. But in some cases, pen companies and manufacturers still managed to balance that fine line, and create those heirloom pieces that every serious pen collector, writer, should have at least one of those!
I am not a collector or one who would buy a pen for æsthetics. Bought my first Pelikan in a shop in Madrid in 1997, liked it so much I acquired two other Pelikans with different nibs later. They still work just like new, very high quality product.
I’m not a collector but have acquired a number of 🖋 during the last 3 years. Two Waterman Carene, two Sailors, a Pilot E95S, a Sheaffer Imperial Mk.3, but the most priced and enjoyed are the Pelikan M800 b/blk and the 2019 SE Blue Dunes. Both of these are fine nibs and wet writing instruments. I am contemplating buying an extra fine spare as a change out. They will last me a lifetime!👍👨🦳🇨🇦
See, I have to have both form AND function, but I typically do a lot of research before buying a pen, so the function is typically not a disappointment for me.
I much preferred the original of this video, as I found it to focus more on actual durability. While having some durable pens on this list, the David Oscarson (by Brian's own admission), made the list only by virtue of it being an art piece basically. Yes, it will last forever - because it will be put in a display case and left there.
Agree but not completely. In the previous list there also were such more luxury pens like Maki-e and Visconti Homo Sapiens. Of course, they will serve you lifelong as well as most pens from Montegrappa and Montblanc.
True, but in all honesty, this video is more catered towards the expensive side of things... something that in time could probably become a very expensive vintage fountain pen. I think the video is more catered towards the "heirloom" spectrum than actual durability... something that you pass on for generation within the family. Otherwise, a simple Jinhao 750 will suffice (or any new metal built fountain pen can make this list)... you can run over it with a car and will barely get a dent... that thing will outlast generations... 😆
@@mrN3w7 this is entirely true, about the Jinhao! Perhaps the video should have been titled "heirloom pens"? Because that David Oscarson wouldn't survive in my house (enamel does chip and crack, after all). That does seem to be more the focus for this video.
I use a Rotring Artpen with a 1.1 stubnib for over 35 years. The pen still writes so nice and smooth. I am very happy with this simple nice pen, when i wrote my favourite lyrics in a small handcrafted hardcover notebook. The pen isn’t a luxury object or status symbol, simply a utility item with a high level of practical use that works reliably.
Hey Brian, great ideas. And I too want them ALL!!! But of course choices have to be made.. I DO however LOVE the Vanishing point and Decimo pens, FANTASTIC writers, great quality and beautiful to boot…all for a very reasonable price! Thanks for a great video
The first ever fountain pen I got was back in high school, and it was a charcoal colored Lamy Safari. I carried it in my pocket every single day for about 3 years, and used it every day. 10 years later and many fountain pen added to my collection and i still find myself going back to it. After years and years of using it, the nib is smooth and adapted exactly to how I write.
3:35 The Diplomat Aero "Flame" (blued steel version) can be used as a self-defense weapon. This thing is really heavy and sturdy. But sometimes it feels like you are writing with an anvil 😶
I have an Orange Aero. Yes it is heavy but I always write with it unposted and that is comfortable. Posted it is a bit heavy. Usually hold the cap in my other hand which I don't do with my other pens that I don't cap. Must be a tactile thing. The pen just feels good.
My parents bought me a lamy safari when i graduated with honors in high school. Its been almost 10 years now and I still use the very same pen for work everyday. Truly my steadfast companion!
Pilot pens are definitley my favorite. When I got my decimo it wrote horribly compared to my vp but they fixed it immediately, and it became my favorite fine nib. They even gave me a free ink and converter with the repaired nib too.
I'm determined to make my jinhao shark last a life time. As with anything, if you want it to last, you have to take good care of it. I'm sure most of the pens goulet sells could last a lifetime with the right caretaker.
I wish I could say the same, but I had to toss mine out after a year and a half of use because the ink just started leaking (leaving big pools of ink) from the feed completely draining whatever was in the converter. At first I thought it was because of leaving it stored on its side for a couple months, but when I went to refill it last night, the entire pen pen just couldn't hold any ink in it anymore.
I have a Vanishing Point that my dog got. It has some teeth marks on it and a couple scratches but still writes and functions properly. I use the pen everyday.
I don’t know how you knew I love fountain pens, but here you are, and so am I. New subscriber 💜Your delivery is just delightful. Your voice and pronunciation are just so pleasant. 💜
I have 3 original Parker 51 pens, one vac two aero. They have already survived more than a lifetime and show every sign of going on a lot longer. They are wonderful fountain pens. I've recently bought a pair of Wing Sung 601 copies - they may live up to the performance of the originals!
My first Pilot Vanishing Point arrived from Goulet Pens arrived yesterday. I'm already I love with it. Great for quick note taking, and I've never had a fine nib write so smooth.
They don't last a lifetime because someone at some point steals your beloved pen, either intentionally or inadvertently. My modest but much loved and incredibly smooth Waterman Laureate that I'd had for 15 years was lifted by a friends teenage daughter who sold it at school! Her mother made her replace it but you can't replace 15 years of acquired silky smoothness. No one steals my Jinhao 250. It writes very well.
I have been using a Parker 51 and a Montblanc 149, daily, since 1964. Two great pens. The problem with the Pilot VP, is the ink supply is pretty sparse
My elementary school always made us use a fountain pen. It broke After Middle school. That's when I fell into the rabbit hole. I just recently bought a waterman hemisphere in matte black. It was £85! That's a lot of money to me.
The Dupont Olympio pens of the past with Chinese lacquer are on another level. The Vertigo 1 is by far my favorite looking pen of all time. Pelikans and others write better though! Glad to see you're promoting the current S.T. Dupont lineup. I'm a regular user of their cigar lighters, cases, and cutters -- overall no complaints and the customer service stateside has been good and fortunately, very rarely needed. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their new pens if I found one I liked.
I have twp ST Duponts. I have the Orpheo large and the L’ Atalier Line D. Both medium nibs. Both are the large versions. The nibs are extremely smooth like butter. The flow is medium wet and it a delight to write with but………The section which looks nice is a concern to me. It’s a little slippery and frankly not as comfortable as other pens eg my Orpheo which has a plastic section. Therefore, while the pen is gorgeous and built with quality, i find that i use other pens more often because of the comfort of the grip on the section.
@@JerryBearry then you really need try before you buy. Plastic/ebony is more comfortable to me. Visconti is very comfortable. Pelikan is very comfortable. So is SAILOR. Also weight is very different for these pens.
@@dmf30 thankfully, for me, my 146 is also my most comfortable pen. Sailor pens are also on my consideration list as their dimensions seem to be nearly identical. Are the threads on Sailor pens smooth, or sharp? The Aurora Optima has the smoothest threads I have come across. Too bad, for me, that I don't care for the pronounced flare on the (Optima) grip. I have learned to be very picky!
@@JerryBearry I have the 1911 Sailor and the threads are smooth. I have the large version which is not all that large by the way. The king of pens was a little too large. Consider the Viscontis. The section is great and the nibs are silky. My Cosmos ( a numbered series they don't make anymore ) is the most comfortable in my hand. But it also has a lip at the end of the section which i personally like. It's a relatively large pen. Also consider Pineidor as their look is superb. Another pen that is really nice is the NEW Parker 51. Great price. I have an original when it first came out and i refurbished it. the section is smooth but it is a smallish diameter. Hope this helps.
Well, I first started using Sheaffer cartridge pens in grade school in the sixties, Sheaffer Triumph and Imperial pens in college in the seventies, bought my first Lamy 2000 in 1975. I have them all and none are 'urushi'/BS/silliness. ANY pen can become a lifetime pen, especially if you use it as designed and not just drool over it.
Discovered you via another TH-camr - Martin-Made TV - And WOW you're really good at giving detailed info! (Plus you're in my home state so OF COURSE, I'm gonna watch y'all! 😉) I have been eyeing the Vanishing Point since MMT mentioned it in her fountain pen video but I already have a couple old (20+ years old) Sterling Silver Duponts with gold nibs and I'm just not a fan of those nibs; they're temperamental. Maybe the Pilot would be different, MMT certainly loves them. Thanks for your informative videos - really enjoy them!
he already mentioned those in the 2016 video, so I think he's choosing new pens to recommend since he already gave glowing recommendations to the "more standard" pens in the old video
I bought Lamy 2000 in 2012. Within one a half year all the threads on the barrel or ink section worn out. They started falling off like flakes. It was replaced as it was in warranty period in Dec 2014. Again in 2021 the same problem has happened and because the threads on the barrel have been damaged, the pen is not usable as the nib section and ink barrel section don't fit. No response from Lamy, Germany on the issue raised on their site. The only option now is to replace the complete barrel and wedge which is costly. I feel there is a quality issue with Lamy 2000's material used.
I think it's a distrust of twist mechanisms, a good twist is impossible to do cheaply and so early experiences with them are typically bad. It kind of reflects how our consumer culture works, if you don't know exactly what you're buying then you're buying something economically engineered to profit from your ignorance, the USA has this down to an exact science. So most USA citizens first twist pen that doesn't disengage randomly or break after 3 months is going to be them getting something like a Retro51 rollerball or something and taking a "risk" on a nice twist mechanism.
Great video. Great selection of desirable well made pens including some grail pens. Hope to acquire a few in 2022. The Diplomat Aero, the Pilot 845 Urushi and the Pelikan 1000 are must haves.
I've got the lateral tripod grip, which is probably the worst grip for fountains. The threads of the cap dig in. So I use a very inexpensive Faber Grip. Problem solved, and the price is definitely right. These are great videos. it's so much fun to nerd out on these pens. The Dupont would be my choice. Looks very comfortable.
I got the all black Pelikan M1000 with gold trim as a gift to myself for my exiting the army with an honourable discharge and I keep it at home and use it occasionally. Need to get the EF nib ground finer
Currently own a cheapo hobby lobby pen (first pen), slightly used, about 4 ink cartridges worth. $5 My second pen wasthe TWSBI Diamond 580 al emerald green. One of the best pens I have tried. 20-30 ml of ink ran so far and plan for alot more. Very light pressure to use, medium nib drops the perfect about of in for a lefty to use, also when you write quick, you get a mist of ink that i happen to love when im signing my name. Recently the cap broke in my pocket and that led to the nib feed section to break as well. Just purchased a new nib. $20 and $65 for the base cost of the pen. 3rd is LAMY SAFARI lime green with a nedium nib. Got the converter and have ran 20-30 ml of ink through it. After a little over 2 years, the cap has a tendancy to pop off in my pocket, leading to ink spots in my work pants. My main go to when writing. At first i didnt like the triangular grip section, now i like the feel. ≈$30 Forth, LAMY SAFARI 2021 tericotta colored. Shortly after getting, dropped on concrete so have not used this fine nibed pen for a little over 4 months. Love the color but hate the painted clip. The paint chips off quickly. Aside from that, this pen has a more plesant feel to it than the lime green pen. 5th, 6th, and 7th are all LAMY SAFARI in Strawberry, 2021 OD Green, and Blue with red clip all as presents for my friends birthdays. My 8th pen is the TWSBI 580 ALR orussian blue. Love the color and am a fan of the TWSBI brand. $65 9th pen is my first gold nib, the PILOT VANISHING POINT BLACK AND WHITE. Love the concept of the click button pen with the fountain pen aspects to it. I am very excited to try this pen out and see the quality of it. $168 I hope to get a LAMY 2000 next and maybe one day be able to purchase myself a VISCONTI Homosapian one day. All of my pens aside from my first were purchased through gouletpens.com. love you guys and gals. Amazing customer service.
I really enjoyed this.....I am finding it very difficult to find a metalfountain-pen-like calligraphy pen that takes a converter. and has interchangeable nibs.
A girlfriend of mine gave me an Omas-557S. It's a burgundy and gold. It's a very nice pen. I've had it for many years. I'm not sure how it compares to these pens on your video. I'm drawn to the Sailor 1911 King of Pens. Very nice. I might have to give you a call. Thank you for your video.
Be very careful with the Vanishing Point, be sure to retract the nib when you stop writing with. I dropped my mine by accident with nib out and it landed on the nib and bent it. You cannot just replace the nib. You have to buy the entire nib assembly which increased the price. I did buy a replacement with a medium nib which I like a little better than the fine it came with. I don't know if the nib can be repaired, but it may cost just as much to fix it as it cost to replace it.
My Pilot Vanishing Point is one of my all-time favourites. It's spoiled me a bit though; I've gotten so used to the weight that everything else feels weird hahaha
How good are Cross pens? It was the brand my grandfather preferred, and now that he's gone, I'm trying to make sure I stay connected to him by taking on his interests.
My parents used Cross pens and pencils. Cross makes several smooth writing ballpoint and rollerball pens. I have had a Cross fountain pen since high school. I haven't inked it in a while. I still use the pens my parents left me. I would say that shows quality.
Except from the D.Oscarson and Dupont pens (they are not estethically what I like), I have and use all of these pens. The 845 and the Custom Urushi are my Edc pens at the moment. I cleaned out my green ray recently wich was in my edc case at that point. Honestly my least fave on this list is the VP. Just because of the ink capacity and it drying faster. I still use it though because it is handy and practical at times. And I absolutely love all my Aeros. It is just a phenomenal pen! I love the factory finish and the steel flamed one the most. The Aero is one those pens that perform so well with their steel nib, that - although their gold nib is great - the update to gold seems pointless. I have to say that all these pics are amazing writers right out of the box (with no tuning needed; wich is not the case for every ‘heirloom/collectible pen’) as well. And I love the fact that they don’t need to be ‘babyed’; they are easy to clean and maintain. That goes for the M1000 as well; just unscrew the nib, and cleaning it is actually quicker then a converter (definitely easier then the con70! I’m team Drew on this one 😁)… Great list that can be broadened for sure; maybe we can have a serie of such videos in the future. Thanks team Goulet
"David ... is an actual person. ... [W]ho is still around!" You joke, but it took me years to figure this out, so I'm glad you mentioned it. :) I was on my third pen show where I saw a very well-dressed, handsome fellow appear with a Mysterious Rolling Box of pens before I realized what was going on.
Unfortunately there are many people out here who love to write with fountain pens and use them all their lives but can't afford three for $500 for a fountain pen so they buy Conklin pens that they can afford. Conklin pens are affordable and they last forever. So you don't have to spend a fortune on a pen to have a good pen. Thank you very much for showing these beautiful items
The pilot VP might write well and last a lifetime, but Holy hell did I not want to use it ever again after 6 days. Terrible fit and finish in the base models. Ergonomics are horrible for more than 5 min of writing, and for a note-taker designed to be clipped in to a pocket, the finish gets destroyed instantly. Shame because it's a great idea and has a really nice nib.
watching videos after videos on hundreds dollars' pens while I'm writing with the kakuno... it's a great pen and hasn't skipped on me once tho, I'm happy ^-^
Great video! My wife bought me the Aero from GPC for Christmas and I love it. The Aero doesn’t get anywhere near the respect it deserves. I also have the Pilot VP and the Sailor ProGear and they’re also brilliant.
The Diplomat Aeros are amazing but dearly wish they would make a thinner model. I would own several if they ever did..... Fingers crossed in the future!
I think that's doable. If you look at the section's shoulders and the thickness of the body, I think they could cream off few millimetres of material to get it slimmer.
My question is for anybody who knows, or for Brian Goulet, if he is reading this. Are there any pens out there that are , or were , made by established watch makers? For example, are there Seiko pens? Citizen pens? Swatch pens? I am surprised I never encountered a pen or a watch by a company that makes both.
My pilot 823 cracked after about 5 years. Sadness. Plastic barrels are not as durable as metal ones. Can attest that my vanishing pilot is still going strong. It dries too fast though.
It's possible that Diplomat does some additional tuning, or has Jowo do something additional. TWSBI nibs are also Jowo, and are quite different! - Drew
I love your videos but VANISHING POINT? why don't I just go out and get a biro? Retractable? YIKES...lol I am certain that the brazenness of the design will make it popular.....! This is why I love fountain pens - one can have strong reactions to what are arguably functional works of art...
Watch out for those that wish to capitalize on the scarcity of anything due to COVID. You might end up paying double when maybe it wasn’t worth half of the original price before the price hike.🙀
Great presentation. My own list is somewhat different but I believe these will last a lifetime. Diplomat elox or Volute Pilot Custom 743 Pelikan M800 (the M1000 is just too large and expensive) Sailor King of Pen (the original ebonite) Platinum 3776 or President Sailor 1911L ēnsso Italia Leonardo Officina Italiana Furore You should do a presentation for ballpoint and rollerball pens.
Interesting that you included plastic barrels on this list. Those were the first to break for me (pilot 823's barrel cracked after 5 years, i love that pen). Maybe I carried it around too much. If kept on a desk in the house, it may have been fine.
@@ostensibly531 I have found that my lifetime pens do not have to be metal or other than plastic / acrylic materials. Ebonite pens will crack as will celluloid.
how long is a lifetime? I have my mother’s and grandfather’s Parkers from the 50s and my Osmiroid school pens from the 60s Take care of any of your pens and they will last a lifetime
Being a student means that i do ALOT of writing. I've been thinking of buying the Lamy 2000 but i don't know if the nib and the piston will last for at least 5 years of heavy writing? Or am i expected to toss the old and buy a new after some years?
I have the champagne decimo and the black/gold vp. I ADORE my decimo, and even though I’m not a big pink fan, the color is even more beautiful in person. Kind of a silvery blush pink. If you have smaller hands and light a light pen the decimo is the way to go. The VP is slightly bigger and has a bit more weight but the bibs on both are some of the smoothest I’ve even written with.
I just got the champagne decimo last week - it has been amazing 🤩 I starting looking for somewhere that have the white decimo … cause yeah it’s gonna need a few friends :)
Look, don't get me wrong, I undestand that some pens here are works of art, but the cheapest is still quite expensive for what it is, a pen! Of course they would last a lifetime, who would use a 10k pen everyday? I like my pens inked, and being used, I see no value on those things...
Is Sailor really gonna last a lifetime though...? I'd bet all it takes for it to crack is one fall from a desk. Also in my experience gold plating on modern pens rubs off quite quickly too.
![POLYCAT - ข้อความรูปยิ้ม [Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lBhIgPGCgbI/mqdefault.jpg)
I bought my first Safari with black nib and clip in 1986. Last year the cap got a crack. Lamy was so impressed over almost 35 years of daily use, that they sent a new pen!! That’s quality and service!!
In around 2003 I got a Lamy 200 EF in Macrolon (at the time EFs were not officially imported in Russia). In around 2008 the pen broke a bit off the metal grip. I wrote to Lamy CS but they said it was my fault. I swear I didn't hit it nor dropped it though. After a very long exchange of emails with photos etc they redirected me to a local Lamy dealer of the time (I'm not sure they still exist) and they SOLD me a NEW pen with a big discount. So...
I think the problem was a strain at the place the pen broke but I cannot prove it. Anyhow, a couple of years later I sold the nib assembly (that metallic grip/casing with nib and feed) for good money thus reimbursing myself for the second purchase. But beside money the story cost me time and nervous energy that still haven't been compensated. While I hold the 2000 as a perfect pen in general I cannot say the same about Lamy as a company.
I did NOT receive such customer service.
When I sent in my Accent pen for repair, they told me to get a new one, when the pen simply needed a new section.
I love their pens, but their customer service is as helpful as a health insurance company.
Yes, HQ would do that.
Importers won't.
You just never know. I’ve had wonderful experience of Mont Blanc customer service, but many people complain about the company.
I just got my first fountain this past Xmas. Lamy Studio Imperial blue. I upgraded it with a gold nib because I love the color.
I have an Aero. It fell out of my pocket onto my gravel driveway, under my car. I drove over it for about a week before I found it. It has a few scratches and dents, but it still writes like a champ. I definitely recommend it.
Congratulations to your pen which survives the ups and downs as a pen.
I have two Aero's. I find the silver grip to be too slippery, the black grip is perfect.
See, THAT is what I want to hear regarding "pens to last a lifetime." Will it last MY (chaotic, ridiculous) lifetime?
Pretty impressive.
Soo, how much was the driveway repair cost? xD
All my fountain pens have lasted a lifetime so far, from the cheapest Lamy Safari to the more expensive Caran d'Ache and the Mont Blanc Meisterstuck.
Yes :) you treat them properly and thus they last :)
Are you a ghost?
The care and feeding of fountain pens is critical, I'd imagine.
@@deanwhitehead Not as critical as you think. Thanks to brilliant design way before we were born, they can take an awful lot of use and abuse and keep on writing. Don't be misled by the fp droolers out there; remember that into the seventies--and I was around then--fp's were a daily, used possession of millions here in the US, including students like me.
Question... How is the Meisterstuck? Compared to other pens in your experience :o
Both my Parker '51' and original Chilton Wing-Flow have been writing for over 70 years. The Chilton required a new sac many years ago. Of course, the '51' has its original pli-glass sac.
That diplomat aero snap cap just reached in and flicked my heartstrings
You all have gotten so good at producing these videos, I love it!
Thanks for saying that! - Drew
Yes, it's always nice to see professional-level videos.
David Oscarson.. wow, thumbs up!
I felt that as we go up the grail ladder, the focus is being shifted from function to form, from nib writing experience to craftsmanship, art, and aesthetic feel.
But in some cases, pen companies and manufacturers still managed to balance that fine line, and create those heirloom pieces that every serious pen collector, writer, should have at least one of those!
I am not a collector or one who would buy a pen for æsthetics. Bought my first Pelikan in a shop in Madrid in 1997, liked it so much I acquired two other Pelikans with different nibs later. They still work just like new, very high quality product.
I’m not a collector but have acquired a number of 🖋 during the last 3 years. Two Waterman Carene, two Sailors, a Pilot E95S, a Sheaffer Imperial Mk.3, but the most priced and enjoyed are the Pelikan M800 b/blk and the 2019 SE Blue Dunes. Both of these are fine nibs and wet writing instruments. I am contemplating buying an extra fine spare as a change out. They will last me a lifetime!👍👨🦳🇨🇦
See, I have to have both form AND function, but I typically do a lot of research before buying a pen, so the function is typically not a disappointment for me.
I much preferred the original of this video, as I found it to focus more on actual durability. While having some durable pens on this list, the David Oscarson (by Brian's own admission), made the list only by virtue of it being an art piece basically. Yes, it will last forever - because it will be put in a display case and left there.
Agree but not completely. In the previous list there also were such more luxury pens like Maki-e and Visconti Homo Sapiens. Of course, they will serve you lifelong as well as most pens from Montegrappa and Montblanc.
+1
Yes. I look at my brass Kaweco Liliput and think "that thing is going to last me a lifetime, unless I loose it".
True, but in all honesty, this video is more catered towards the expensive side of things... something that in time could probably become a very expensive vintage fountain pen. I think the video is more catered towards the "heirloom" spectrum than actual durability... something that you pass on for generation within the family.
Otherwise, a simple Jinhao 750 will suffice (or any new metal built fountain pen can make this list)... you can run over it with a car and will barely get a dent... that thing will outlast generations... 😆
@@mrN3w7 this is entirely true, about the Jinhao! Perhaps the video should have been titled "heirloom pens"? Because that David Oscarson wouldn't survive in my house (enamel does chip and crack, after all). That does seem to be more the focus for this video.
I use a Rotring Artpen with a 1.1 stubnib for over 35 years. The pen still writes so nice and smooth. I am very happy with this simple nice pen, when i wrote my favourite lyrics in a small handcrafted hardcover notebook. The pen isn’t a luxury object or status symbol, simply a utility item with a high level of practical use that works reliably.
Hey Brian, great ideas. And I too want them ALL!!! But of course choices have to be made.. I DO however LOVE the Vanishing point and Decimo pens, FANTASTIC writers, great quality and beautiful to boot…all for a very reasonable price! Thanks for a great video
The first ever fountain pen I got was back in high school, and it was a charcoal colored Lamy Safari. I carried it in my pocket every single day for about 3 years, and used it every day. 10 years later and many fountain pen added to my collection and i still find myself going back to it. After years and years of using it, the nib is smooth and adapted exactly to how I write.
3:35 The Diplomat Aero "Flame" (blued steel version) can be used as a self-defense weapon. This thing is really heavy and sturdy. But sometimes it feels like you are writing with an anvil 😶
I have an Orange Aero. Yes it is heavy but I always write with it unposted and that is comfortable. Posted it is a bit heavy. Usually hold the cap in my other hand which I don't do with my other pens that I don't cap. Must be a tactile thing. The pen just feels good.
My parents bought me a lamy safari when i graduated with honors in high school. Its been almost 10 years now and I still use the very same pen for work everyday. Truly my steadfast companion!
Pilot pens are definitley my favorite. When I got my decimo it wrote horribly compared to my vp but they fixed it immediately, and it became my favorite fine nib. They even gave me a free ink and converter with the repaired nib too.
I'm determined to make my jinhao shark last a life time. As with anything, if you want it to last, you have to take good care of it. I'm sure most of the pens goulet sells could last a lifetime with the right caretaker.
I am also looking forward to use my chinese built pens for lifetime,,,
I wish I could say the same, but I had to toss mine out after a year and a half of use because the ink just started leaking (leaving big pools of ink) from the feed completely draining whatever was in the converter. At first I thought it was because of leaving it stored on its side for a couple months, but when I went to refill it last night, the entire pen pen just couldn't hold any ink in it anymore.
I have a Vanishing Point that my dog got. It has some teeth marks on it and a couple scratches but still writes and functions properly. I use the pen everyday.
The ST DuPont is my favorite on your list. It is my grail pen for 2022!
I have 3 of them. 2 large and one standard. The special edition pens are beautiful.
I don’t know how you knew I love fountain pens, but here you are, and so am I. New subscriber 💜Your delivery is just delightful. Your voice and pronunciation are just so pleasant. 💜
Thanks for watching! - Drew
Holy crap, i cant believe Goulet videos are popping up in my feed this whole time and I was never subbed. Thanks for reminding me, friend!
Impeccable taste-all great choices. I have the Sailor Professional Gear and it will certainly last years as a daily writer. Kudos.
Gosh, these video are like... galaxy brain level marketing. I want all of these pens now. ❤
Help me understand. Legit question: what is galaxy brain?
I audibly said "Wow" when that David Oscarson Turtle pen came up on the screen. Stunning. That's a lifetime dream pen for me.
Pilot Custom 74 - my favorite for a reasonable price. But I must also admit the Aero looks spiffy as well.
great pen.
I have 3 original Parker 51 pens, one vac two aero. They have already survived more than a lifetime and show every sign of going on a lot longer. They are wonderful fountain pens. I've recently bought a pair of Wing Sung 601 copies - they may live up to the performance of the originals!
The pilot VP pops up .....as I am sat writing with a VP and debating between getting the stormtrooper or matte black VP 😂😂
My first Pilot Vanishing Point arrived from Goulet Pens arrived yesterday. I'm already I love with it. Great for quick note taking, and I've never had a fine nib write so smooth.
It's the best
Does the pocket clip get in the way of your grip?
They don't last a lifetime because someone at some point steals your beloved pen, either intentionally or inadvertently. My modest but much loved and incredibly smooth Waterman Laureate that I'd had for 15 years was lifted by a friends teenage daughter who sold it at school! Her mother made her replace it but you can't replace 15 years of acquired silky smoothness. No one steals my Jinhao 250. It writes very well.
I have been using a Parker 51 and a Montblanc 149, daily, since 1964. Two great pens. The problem with the Pilot VP, is the ink supply is pretty sparse
Not to mention the ink dries up fast in the nib due to the lack of a cap. I still love it though. Just needed to get used to the constant refilling.
My elementary school always made us use a fountain pen. It broke After Middle school. That's when I fell into the rabbit hole. I just recently bought a waterman hemisphere in matte black. It was £85! That's a lot of money to me.
Been using my vanishing point for 22 years. Still going strong.
The Dupont Olympio pens of the past with Chinese lacquer are on another level. The Vertigo 1 is by far my favorite looking pen of all time. Pelikans and others write better though! Glad to see you're promoting the current S.T. Dupont lineup. I'm a regular user of their cigar lighters, cases, and cutters -- overall no complaints and the customer service stateside has been good and fortunately, very rarely needed. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their new pens if I found one I liked.
I am satisfied with my Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 with platinum trim.
Pleasantly surprised to see my beloved VP get a mention here!
I have twp ST Duponts. I have the Orpheo large and the L’ Atalier Line D. Both medium nibs. Both are the large versions. The nibs are extremely smooth like butter. The flow is medium wet and it a delight to write with but………The section which looks nice is a concern to me. It’s a little slippery and frankly not as comfortable as other pens eg my Orpheo which has a plastic section. Therefore, while the pen is gorgeous and built with quality, i find that i use other pens more often because of the comfort of the grip on the section.
Pen comfort is #1 on my list for any pen. One of the first things I look at, when considering a pen, is the grip section.
@@JerryBearry then you really need try before you buy. Plastic/ebony is more comfortable to me. Visconti is very comfortable. Pelikan is very comfortable. So is SAILOR. Also weight is very different for these pens.
@@dmf30 thankfully, for me, my 146 is also my most comfortable pen. Sailor pens are also on my consideration list as their dimensions seem to be nearly identical. Are the threads on Sailor pens smooth, or sharp? The Aurora Optima has the smoothest threads I have come across. Too bad, for me, that I don't care for the pronounced flare on the (Optima) grip. I have learned to be very picky!
@@JerryBearry I have the 1911 Sailor and the threads are smooth. I have the large version which is not all that large by the way. The king of pens was a little too large. Consider the Viscontis. The section is great and the nibs are silky. My Cosmos ( a numbered series they don't make anymore ) is the most comfortable in my hand. But it also has a lip at the end of the section which i personally like. It's a relatively large pen. Also consider Pineidor as their look is superb. Another pen that is really nice is the NEW Parker 51. Great price. I have an original when it first came out and i refurbished it. the section is smooth but it is a smallish diameter. Hope this helps.
Well, I first started using Sheaffer cartridge pens in grade school in the sixties, Sheaffer Triumph and Imperial pens in college in the seventies, bought my first Lamy 2000 in 1975. I have them all and none are 'urushi'/BS/silliness. ANY pen can become a lifetime pen, especially if you use it as designed and not just drool over it.
Discovered you via another TH-camr - Martin-Made TV - And WOW you're really good at giving detailed info!
(Plus you're in my home state so OF COURSE, I'm gonna watch y'all! 😉)
I have been eyeing the Vanishing Point since MMT mentioned it in her fountain pen video but I already have a couple old (20+ years old) Sterling Silver Duponts with gold nibs and I'm just not a fan of those nibs; they're temperamental. Maybe the Pilot would be different, MMT certainly loves them.
Thanks for your informative videos - really enjoy them!
We're glad you found us! - Drew
Got my first Pelikan in 1997, two more a few years later. Still going strong, definitely lifetime pens.
Thanks for the video. I was surprised with Urushi - thought Custom 823 would be better value for money. Also, expected Lamy 2000, traditionally..
Dont get the Urushi!~~!!! I think the same nib is available in the other Pilot pens but i might be wrong about the nib.
he already mentioned those in the 2016 video, so I think he's choosing new pens to recommend since he already gave glowing recommendations to the "more standard" pens in the old video
@@DanielKRui Yes, I thought about that but Vanishing Point and Sailor Pro Gear have been mentioned a lot before
I bought Lamy 2000 in 2012. Within one a half year all the threads on the barrel or ink section worn out. They started falling off like flakes. It was replaced as it was in warranty period in Dec 2014. Again in 2021 the same problem has happened and because the threads on the barrel have been damaged, the pen is not usable as the nib section and ink barrel section don't fit. No response from Lamy, Germany on the issue raised on their site. The only option now is to replace the complete barrel and wedge which is costly. I feel there is a quality issue with Lamy 2000's material used.
That's an issue I've never heard of before! - Drew
Mine also broke off at the grip. But I do have a second pen because I really like the nib.
Seems to a common problem with Lamy 2000. Mine also broke…in storage.
Beautiful selection! I wonder why the Fermo (which, to me, os the most attractive of the desirable VP Capless range) isn't so popular in the USA? 🤔
I think it's a distrust of twist mechanisms, a good twist is impossible to do cheaply and so early experiences with them are typically bad. It kind of reflects how our consumer culture works, if you don't know exactly what you're buying then you're buying something economically engineered to profit from your ignorance, the USA has this down to an exact science. So most USA citizens first twist pen that doesn't disengage randomly or break after 3 months is going to be them getting something like a Retro51 rollerball or something and taking a "risk" on a nice twist mechanism.
@@Suiseisexy That's a very plausible and insightful answer, thanks.
I'm pretty sure it's also more expensive than the Vanishing Point. You're right, though, it looks tremendous.
Thank god I’ve at least one - Pilot VP - of these lifetime lasting pens !
Great video. Great selection of desirable well made pens including some grail pens. Hope to acquire a few in 2022. The Diplomat Aero, the Pilot 845 Urushi and the Pelikan 1000 are must haves.
I've got the lateral tripod grip, which is probably the worst grip for fountains. The threads of the cap dig in. So I use a very inexpensive Faber Grip. Problem solved, and the price is definitely right. These are great videos. it's so much fun to nerd out on these pens. The Dupont would be my choice. Looks very comfortable.
I am surpised that Lamy 2000 didn't make the cut.
It should be top of the list
The Diplomat Aero is a work of art. A gorgeous pen!
I got the all black Pelikan M1000 with gold trim as a gift to myself for my exiting the army with an honourable discharge and I keep it at home and use it occasionally. Need to get the EF nib ground finer
Currently own a cheapo hobby lobby pen (first pen), slightly used, about 4 ink cartridges worth. $5
My second pen wasthe TWSBI Diamond 580 al emerald green. One of the best pens I have tried. 20-30 ml of ink ran so far and plan for alot more. Very light pressure to use, medium nib drops the perfect about of in for a lefty to use, also when you write quick, you get a mist of ink that i happen to love when im signing my name. Recently the cap broke in my pocket and that led to the nib feed section to break as well. Just purchased a new nib. $20 and $65 for the base cost of the pen.
3rd is LAMY SAFARI lime green with a nedium nib. Got the converter and have ran 20-30 ml of ink through it. After a little over 2 years, the cap has a tendancy to pop off in my pocket, leading to ink spots in my work pants. My main go to when writing. At first i didnt like the triangular grip section, now i like the feel. ≈$30
Forth, LAMY SAFARI 2021 tericotta colored. Shortly after getting, dropped on concrete so have not used this fine nibed pen for a little over 4 months. Love the color but hate the painted clip. The paint chips off quickly. Aside from that, this pen has a more plesant feel to it than the lime green pen.
5th, 6th, and 7th are all LAMY SAFARI in Strawberry, 2021 OD Green, and Blue with red clip all as presents for my friends birthdays.
My 8th pen is the TWSBI 580 ALR orussian blue. Love the color and am a fan of the TWSBI brand. $65
9th pen is my first gold nib, the PILOT VANISHING POINT BLACK AND WHITE. Love the concept of the click button pen with the fountain pen aspects to it. I am very excited to try this pen out and see the quality of it. $168
I hope to get a LAMY 2000 next and maybe one day be able to purchase myself a VISCONTI Homosapian one day.
All of my pens aside from my first were purchased through gouletpens.com. love you guys and gals. Amazing customer service.
I really enjoyed this.....I am finding it very difficult to find a metalfountain-pen-like calligraphy pen that takes a converter. and has interchangeable nibs.
Hi Brian! Wow! Gorgeous pens and at least one is in my price range and on my wish list. 😊 will watch the video about the other list. Thanks. BLESSINGS
I really love the info. Do you think you can do a video on fountain pen that has triangular tripod grip pen such as Lamy Safari. Thank you
I definitely prefer Parker 51 SE from early 2000 and Pelikan 400 Rhodium finished F nib. Thanks for your videos.
ST Dupont Line D comes in a magnificent jewel box.
A girlfriend of mine gave me an Omas-557S. It's a burgundy and gold. It's a very nice pen. I've had it for many years. I'm not sure how it compares to these pens on your video. I'm drawn to the Sailor 1911 King of Pens. Very nice. I might have to give you a call. Thank you for your video.
Be very careful with the Vanishing Point, be sure to retract the nib when you stop writing with. I dropped my mine by accident with nib out and it landed on the nib and bent it. You cannot just replace the nib. You have to buy the entire nib assembly which increased the price. I did buy a replacement with a medium nib which I like a little better than the fine it came with. I don't know if the nib can be repaired, but it may cost just as much to fix it as it cost to replace it.
My Pilot Vanishing Point is one of my all-time favourites. It's spoiled me a bit though; I've gotten so used to the weight that everything else feels weird hahaha
How good are Cross pens? It was the brand my grandfather preferred, and now that he's gone, I'm trying to make sure I stay connected to him by taking on his interests.
My parents used Cross pens and pencils. Cross makes several smooth writing ballpoint and rollerball pens. I have had a Cross fountain pen since high school. I haven't inked it in a while. I still use the pens my parents left me. I would say that shows quality.
They make good rollerballs. That's pretty much it.
Nice selection. Pilot Urushi is fabulous. By the way, it’s pronounced ‘oorushi’ not ‘yurushi’.
Except from the D.Oscarson and Dupont pens (they are not estethically what I like), I have and use all of these pens. The 845 and the Custom Urushi are my Edc pens at the moment. I cleaned out my green ray recently wich was in my edc case at that point. Honestly my least fave on this list is the VP. Just because of the ink capacity and it drying faster. I still use it though because it is handy and practical at times. And I absolutely love all my Aeros. It is just a phenomenal pen! I love the factory finish and the steel flamed one the most. The Aero is one those pens that perform so well with their steel nib, that - although their gold nib is great - the update to gold seems pointless. I have to say that all these pics are amazing writers right out of the box (with no tuning needed; wich is not the case for every ‘heirloom/collectible pen’) as well. And I love the fact that they don’t need to be ‘babyed’; they are easy to clean and maintain. That goes for the M1000 as well; just unscrew the nib, and cleaning it is actually quicker then a converter (definitely easier then the con70! I’m team Drew on this one 😁)… Great list that can be broadened for sure; maybe we can have a serie of such videos in the future. Thanks team Goulet
"David ... is an actual person. ... [W]ho is still around!"
You joke, but it took me years to figure this out, so I'm glad you mentioned it. :) I was on my third pen show where I saw a very well-dressed, handsome fellow appear with a Mysterious Rolling Box of pens before I realized what was going on.
Ahhhh - the ST Dupont! Nothing compares. Le meilleur!
Unfortunately there are many people out here who love to write with fountain pens and use them all their lives but can't afford three for $500 for a fountain pen so they buy Conklin pens that they can afford. Conklin pens are affordable and they last forever. So you don't have to spend a fortune on a pen to have a good pen. Thank you very much for showing these beautiful items
Love LOVE my red and black aero set AND my Parker Cisele seT
The pilot VP might write well and last a lifetime, but Holy hell did I not want to use it ever again after 6 days. Terrible fit and finish in the base models. Ergonomics are horrible for more than 5 min of writing, and for a note-taker designed to be clipped in to a pocket, the finish gets destroyed instantly. Shame because it's a great idea and has a really nice nib.
Ah, Brian, I'm watching you since 2014 and I'm really glad watching you grow. Thank you for your work.
I think my favourite is the jinhao 35 gold leaf matte black fountain pen
watching videos after videos on hundreds dollars' pens while I'm writing with the kakuno... it's a great pen and hasn't skipped on me once tho, I'm happy ^-^
2016 goulet looks so young!
Great video! My wife bought me the Aero from GPC for Christmas and I love it. The Aero doesn’t get anywhere near the respect it deserves. I also have the Pilot VP and the Sailor ProGear and they’re also brilliant.
The Diplomat Aeros are amazing but dearly wish they would make a thinner model. I would own several if they ever did.....
Fingers crossed in the future!
I think that's doable.
If you look at the section's shoulders and the thickness of the body, I think they could cream off few millimetres of material to get it slimmer.
My question is for anybody who knows, or for Brian Goulet, if he is reading this. Are there any pens out there that are , or were , made by established watch makers? For example, are there Seiko pens? Citizen pens? Swatch pens? I am surprised I never encountered a pen or a watch by a company that makes both.
I have a diplomat excellence a2 in skyline blue. With a custom ground cursive italic nib wich a absolutely love!
My pilot 823 cracked after about 5 years. Sadness. Plastic barrels are not as durable as metal ones. Can attest that my vanishing pilot is still going strong. It dries too fast though.
I didn't know that the Areo nibs were Jowo. They don't feel like any of the other Jowo nibs I own.
It's possible that Diplomat does some additional tuning, or has Jowo do something additional. TWSBI nibs are also Jowo, and are quite different! - Drew
That Namiki is a $10K pen, no doubt it will ended up as paper weight or desk figurine...
happy to see the god ganesh on david oscarson pens... they look very beautiful...
I have a silly simple question. Is one of the pens broken if dropped from the table by accident? Thanks!
Wowzer. The Pelican M1000 in the white abalone though, whew.
Nicely presented list. Glad I already have 5 of these 7.
That's a beautiful pen. It's just my first thought is you can buy a whole lot of pens and inks for $6400!
I love your videos but VANISHING POINT? why don't I just go out and get a biro? Retractable? YIKES...lol I am certain that the brazenness of the design will make it popular.....! This is why I love fountain pens - one can have strong reactions to what are arguably functional works of art...
Thank you for the beautiful pen dreams. absolutely stunning everyone
Wow, the average list price for the pens in this video is WAY higher than the original!!
Watch out for those that wish to capitalize on the scarcity of anything due to COVID. You might end up paying double when maybe it wasn’t worth half of the original price before the price hike.🙀
I was just wondering when you would update that list of lifetime pens, and you did! 👍🏽
The new brass Diplomat Aero Oxyd looks really sexy, but it is even heavier than the steel one!!!
My Parker Vector broke after years of good work. Easy to replace, but a new one is not the same writing.
Pilot VP have steel nib version too. they are actually in gold plated nib colour.
Montblanc left the chat
He said at the beginning that it's only brands they carry at Goulet
These are so beautiful! David Oscarson is brilliant!
My Parker 25s from the 70s are still going strong.
You forgot the Parker pens especialy 51 model.
These pens are all amazing! I want a custom 845!
Great presentation. My own list is somewhat different but I believe these will last a lifetime.
Diplomat elox or Volute
Pilot Custom 743
Pelikan M800 (the M1000 is just too large and expensive)
Sailor King of Pen (the original ebonite)
Platinum 3776 or President
Sailor 1911L
ēnsso Italia
Leonardo Officina Italiana Furore
You should do a presentation for ballpoint and rollerball pens.
Interesting that you included plastic barrels on this list. Those were the first to break for me (pilot 823's barrel cracked after 5 years, i love that pen). Maybe I carried it around too much. If kept on a desk in the house, it may have been fine.
@@ostensibly531 I have found that my lifetime pens do not have to be metal or other than plastic / acrylic materials. Ebonite pens will crack as will celluloid.
I would love any of these pens - thank you !
how long is a lifetime?
I have my mother’s and grandfather’s Parkers from the 50s and my Osmiroid school pens from the 60s
Take care of any of your pens and they will last a lifetime
All pens are equal, some pens are more equal than others.
No Lamy 2000 love?
I love it but I will say the macralon is quite prone to fracturing
Being a student means that i do ALOT of writing. I've been thinking of buying the Lamy 2000 but i don't know if the nib and the piston will last for at least 5 years of heavy writing? Or am i expected to toss the old and buy a new after some years?
Pretty sure most owners of this pen will tell you it has lasted them for years.
I soooooo want a Pilot Vanishing Point!!! Matte black or the champagne Decimo. 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
I have the champagne decimo and the black/gold vp. I ADORE my decimo, and even though I’m not a big pink fan, the color is even more beautiful in person. Kind of a silvery blush pink. If you have smaller hands and light a light pen the decimo is the way to go. The VP is slightly bigger and has a bit more weight but the bibs on both are some of the smoothest I’ve even written with.
I just got the champagne decimo last week - it has been amazing 🤩 I starting looking for somewhere that have the white decimo … cause yeah it’s gonna need a few friends :)
Look, don't get me wrong, I undestand that some pens here are works of art, but the cheapest is still quite expensive for what it is, a pen! Of course they would last a lifetime, who would use a 10k pen everyday? I like my pens inked, and being used, I see no value on those things...
Is Sailor really gonna last a lifetime though...? I'd bet all it takes for it to crack is one fall from a desk. Also in my experience gold plating on modern pens rubs off quite quickly too.