My grail pen is the Kaweco Brass Sport or the Kaweco AL sport in the gold colour. They are easy to come by but the high price (for me) is what makes it a grail pen. I got my first fountain pen a few days ago and its the Kaweco Sport Classic in green and I'm just so in love with the design and shape language. Its so little and cute but also very stylish and my one writes like a dream with the Diamine Safari ink I bought for it. I know its a bit of a gamble with Kaweco nibs so I hope when I someday get the Kaweco Sport of my dreams, the nib will be good!
i just ordered my first grail pen!!! A black 1911L with rhodium plating. It was my grail due to the price that I just couldn't justify until now.. Next is the King of Pen. Some day!
You are soooo right! pens need to bring you joy when you hold them. the one that gives me always a lot of joy is the Conklin Mark Twain demonstrator.. I just love the Steampunk effect of the pen, the rose gold trims and the overall layout, very unique. The writing experience is different with every different inks!
My 2017 grail pen acquisition was the Visconti Opera Master Luna, and 2018 acquisition is the Visconti Ocean Breeze Rose Gold. Prior to that my Vanishing Point Raden Galaxy was a grail pen for years. On my grail someday list are: Namiki Yukari Nightline Moonlight, Pen 18111 (the night sky is in consideration), and Taccia Reserve Winter Breath I love the Sailor zoom nibs, Edison pens (I have 3 now), and Pelikan m600 - so a particularly striking color/material combo would compel me to consider additional purchases.
Since reading Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s “Shadow Of The Wind,” back in 2005, my Grail pen has been the Meisterstück 149. I actually found-literally found, like on the ground-a broken Meisterstück 164 Classique ballpoint shortly after beginning my Grail Quest, and after having it repaired by Montblanc, that scratched the itch for a while, but I finally got my 149 this year after 15 years intermittent search and repeated feelings of hopelessness and defeat. Next up, perhaps one of the Pilot Custom models? It’s not a Grail pen, but I have my eye on the Custom 823 in translucent amber. We’ll see. Graduation is fast approaching.
I managed to acquire three of the pens on my grail list this year. Two were Franklin-Christoph pens, one in the Antique Glass and the other in Italian Ice, which I got in time for Christmas. I wasn't concerned about which model for either, just the color. I finally was able to get both those this year and I'm very pleased I got them. The third pen is a Visconti Rembrandt in the Ivory Bronze color. I really wanted that one. I lucked out and managed to find one at an online store. It's the one pen I own that never leaves the pen rotation, it's always inked.
My two grail pens were the Montblanc Writers Edition Hemingway & the Conid Kingsize LE Flanders Fields. So far I’ve only managed to find the Hemingway and love it. I’ll continue to look for a Flanders Fields and hope I can afford it when I do. Till then my two Conid Kingsize pens I own tend to be my all time favorite pens and what I find myself writing with the most
I stopped all my hobby purchases and started a savings deposit as soon as I saw the Conid. It's a love from the first sight. I'm figuring out where I can try it before I buy it, but given how long I'll need to be saving for it, I hope I'll be able to accomplish that.
The King of Pen Ebonite pen should have been in your top 10. It is so beautiful to handle and use. The nib is wonderful, exceptional, actually. Yes it is austere but it is not always bling that works. I will never let it go ever.
I don't have Grail Pens, I have go-to pens. I'm a writer, and for me, a pen needs to be a smooth writer with a hint of feedback, hold a decent amount of ink and be comfortable to write with for long periods. My go-to pens (in no particular order): 1. Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze oversize (F nib because it's almost a Medium and is so wet) 2. Mont Blanc 146 Le Grand Le Petit Prince M (prefer the 146 to the 149 for less girth) 3. Pelikan M805 (have the Demonstrator in M and Stresseman F) 4. Pilot Custom 823 B 5. Omas 360 M 6. Omas Paragon Europa Limited Edition M 7. Lamy 2000 Black Makrolon OB 8. Sailor Pro Gear Realo M Waiting to pick up an Edison (surprised you didn't have them in your list), and a Conid Bulkfiller King Size. You have an excellent channel. Congratulations and keep it coming.
Edison is great. I considered them for the Next-Level list. If I would have included any honorable mentions on that list, they would have been mentioned.
To my mind, what makes a Grail pen is not so much that it is difficult to obtain, but that it is your ideal “perfect” pen- in form, function, design, etc. -THE pen that you could be happy with as your one-and-only pen for life.
My "student Grail" (i.e. grail for a broke college boi who happens to be into fountain pens) is a Platinum 3776 Century. Literally a tenth of the price of the pens on your list haha. But for me it does fit into the "Price" aspect of a grail pen, added to the fact that the one I specifically want (Chatres Blue-Gold) isn't easily found in my country.
Same tho. I'm a highschool student who usually gets their pens as a birthday gift. I love the 3776 in Nice Lavande, and it's my grail pen right now. Eventually, when I have a job and more money, the Visconti Homosapiens Magma will be my new grail pen.
Interesting video David, thanks. I'm lucky to also own the MB 149 and Nakaya Dorsal fin v2, they were enough to 'wipe out' my funds for further pen buying! lol. Although I must admit, I have done a lot of looking at the Pilot Custom 845 in Vermillion Urushi, however, they are not available and have not been for over a year I believe now. The waitlist was closed with a 2018 delivery estimate and they are still waiting as far as I know.
The problem with grail pens is that they never meet the expectations. Each $500+ pen I have was a bit less than I hyped it and hoped it to be and none wrote as good as $100 Pilot.
After a certain price point the focus is less about the nib performance and more about the artistry. A buttery smooth gold nib's performance is the same in a cheaper pen as it is in a fancier one.
@ That's odd. My CH 92 nib is one of my favorites. It has never misbehaved in any way, with any ink. I've actually never had a bad experience with a Pilot nib.
New to fountain pens. Anyone have experience with a Sailor 1911 with a medium fine 21k nib. At first I thought it was smooth then I noticed it became scratchy. I then compared it to my Twisbi eco in E.F. and the eco was smoother. Does the nib need to be adjusted or is the way the Sailor writes?
My grail would be the Nakaya Dorsal Fin in the deep red urushi, with of course a custom nib. Everything about this pen speaks to me, design, craftsmanship and nib! The price places it solidly in the grail category for me.
Great video as usual. The Visconti Homo Sapiens was my first grail pen, and I got it as a surprise gift for a Valentine's Day. My current grails are a Pilot 823 and Kanilea Maui Makai so it was nice to see some near nods there. I think my problem with custom pens is although some of the makers show some real great things on Instagram, and although I can appreciate the time it takes for something for like Urushi, I've never held them so they all just seem sort of like "super polished plastic" from afar. I unfortunately don't have a local shop near me anymore, so getting my hands on that stuff to test would require some significant effort, and there isn't a large local-esque pen community around me where I could pen swap either. I also think some of the custom pens, although neat resins, just look too "classic" to me. The Pilot 823 comes to mind, or the Montblanc 149. The HS, in comparison, has a very unique look and such a heft to it there would be no confusing it for any other pen. This hobby is so interesting seeing what other people love. I'd also love to to try a KOP Sailor, but I picked one up at a store when I was in San Francisco (couldn't try it, store was super busy) and I was surprised by how light it was. I think my brain still equates "weight" to "quality", which might be some of my issue with these other pens.
W H A O W ! What a collection of great pens, special in different ways from each other. My first Grail was the Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze age and because of " not having a pot to piss in" (Google the saying) I was saving best to get it when a load of bad experiences were had with the nibs and I just couldn't risk getting one of these. My next that came to my attention is the Conid King Size with all Titanium bits. I eventually filled in the form and got the specification that appealed to me, got to the end of the form and the VAT blew it to bits, so I'm saving up the VAT now, hopefully 2019 will be the year of acquisition. The design of the Conid really appeals to me because of my engineering background. Thank you for a great review David,,, your reviews and presentations are really outstanding (my opinion). As everyone I look forward to 2019s reviews. Best wishes as always to all PenPeople... And for the New Year. LeZc @@
Very fun video to watch, even though I'm more of a traditional low-range pen guy, it was pretty entertaining and informative. Thanks David and keep it on
Great video. I tend to not pay so much attention to the looks though and focus on two things. First the writing performance and the ink capacity. My favourite nibs so far are sailors but I hate the ink capacity. I have to fill the converter in mine three times each day wich is very annoying. With that said I have two kinds of grail pens: Practical Grail Pens: A. Sailor Profit Realo F (waiting for a good deal to come up) B. Pilot Custom 823 WA (already ordered) C. Pilot Custom 823 M Fantasy Grail Pens: A. Pelikan M805 blue swerls 2 tone ef nib B. Visconti HS Oversize Bronge EF C. BulkFiller Kingsize Medium Italic
I have the Pineider Arco Oak and the simulated Arco celluloid in acrylic is gorgeous to me. Of course I'd still like to have the real thing also. I just received my Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age last month, which took a month to get. I wish I had ordered one a long time ago, and it looks like Mount Etna is pouring out more future pen material.
Wow that tipping on MB 149 is cut way off center . Still looking forward to buying one of these (146) as far as I can tell they make gushing wet writers , overpolished , stubby nibs also a piston filler with a large ink window. Maybe you guys can help me out , is there anything else that would fit the bill?
My first pen was Waterman Leman 100 with two nib sizes F and M gifted to me by my father many years. I am slowly getting in pens I am already going to get my first Montblanc 146 in the mail and I have a Pilot Custom 74 and a Sailor 1911 L on the way too. My next grail pens are the Sailor King of Pen, Pilot Custom 823, and Edison Menlo or Edison with a Linda Kennedy flex nibs. I also plan to expand my collection of vintage flexible pens, I started with a vintage flex Wal Eversharp.
Nice pens! I think a grail pen is simply a pen that one needs to go on some sort of quest to obtain, whether that be a quest to save up the money for it or the quest to find a rare pen or some other situation that requires one to do some real work to acquire the grail. :)
Very interesting video. Thanks. I'm a very new fountain pen enthusiast. I have only purchased 2 pens so far, the Lamy 2000 and a Conklin Classic Firelines. I do have 2 others that were gifts. I'm trying to learn from my own history collecting folding pocket knives where I started with budget knives and eventually worked up to half a dozen grail knives. In fountain pens, I decided to skip the budget pens and make my first 2 purchases pens that spoke to me and that I would want to use no matter what other pens come my way. I work in forestry, so I believe I will focus on forestry themes whether based on materials or design. I've done a couple of videos on the 2 pens I own. What is catching my eye next is either a Visconti or Namiki Chinkin Pine Tree. Your thoughts on those grail pens?
I am very late,but how would a Lamy 2000 compare to the Grail pens you have listed,do Grail pens write good on cheap copy paper.. anyways, nice review 👍.
The L2K is a great pen for the price...and is considered by many to be a "grail" in its own right. For the most part, any pen...no matter the price or quality...will not perform well on low-quality paper.
Then you have an extraordinary collection. Visconti Opera Elements is a grail pen for me. They came in several colors but it seems only the red and white is occasionally available. It is Steven Brown's favorite pen.
For me, the Montblanc Antoine de Saint-Exupery writers edition is what I dream about. I just love the look of it and I'm a huge fan of his. I know it's not the best pen in the world, but I just think it's so cool. The Homo Sapiens Bronze Age is a close second though.
What sellers/shops/online stores would you recommend to find some grail pens? Also, Conid Bulkfiller regular with a black steel nib or gold iridium nib...thoughts?
I've been very pleased with the gold nib on my Conid. In regard to retailers...that could potentially vary depending on what type of grail pens you're looking for.
Well, that’s quite a group of pens. Several would make my grail list. But of my own pens, my grail would be my Visconti Il Magnifico. Way too expensive, but truly something special.
Great video! I appreciate the price as a grail criteria. I don’t have any pens over $75, so even a regular edition Sailor PG is in grail category for me. I find the Taccia Winters Breath stunning. I might call that my “lottery” pen, rather than a grail though. Happy new year!
Beth Hobson sane boat. For me my “grail” is a waterman 52. My current most expensive pen would be a Noodler’s Neponset that I bought last week, I’m already unhappy with it though.
Sorry, I thought grail pens were ones you didn't already have, but wanted (and met the other criteria you mentioned). You seem to have all of these, so I didn't think they qualified as grails... I'm curious what your, um, grail pens are? (i.e. that you dearly want but don't have)
I think this video was created to show a variety of pens that are „grail worthy“ and to help people that look for their next pen in the grail pen range.
My grail pen is a Pilot Falcon. I draw with my fountain pens, and it has some unusual and unique features. It qualifies as a grail for me personally as its price is over double my limit.
If you decide to purchase a Pilot fountain pen with an FA nib, instead of the Pilot Falcon, I recommend replacing Pilot’s plastic feed with an ebonite feed from Flexible Nib Factory. I consider that to be a mandatory modification to keep up with the FA nib’s demand for ink. It’s now difficult to get my Pilot 912 and 743.to railroad.
My GOAT pen is the Conid Bulkfiller Kingsize with CAISO (cap activated ink shut off). Sadly, they don't make it anymore. I have owned this for over 2 years and it's still my most favorite pen.
I have 2 out of my 3 "grail" pens. MontBlanc Meisterstuck 149 and Omas Ogiva Arco Celluloide . A vintage MontBlanc Agatha Christie is still waiting to be found.
I got mine this Christmas. I am a Doctor Who fan and I really love the look, feel and writing experience. It is the Opus 88 Fantasia blue. It reminds me of the TARDIS and the 13th Doctor. I also want the red one because it reminds me of the 4th Doctor. I will have to save for it, but that makes it all the more special!
My Blue Fantasia with a broad nib is a great writer, and the only thing I don't like about it is that I have to post it, and it is a screw to post type. I wish it was a slip fit instead for quicker action. The Demonstrator model is even more awesome to me.
Nice review. I have also commissioned Shawn Newton to make a pen for me with one of my king of pen nibs. It will be an eyedropper so I won’t be continually filling it. The conid is my current grail and I may need to pull the trigger based upon your comments. I have heard that AP pens may be using them for their filling mechanism and may wait to see if that comes to fruition. Happy new year.
I like your last recommendation, but I did find your list helpful. I confess that your list includes some pens that I would not view as a pen I would aspire to own. Your first (18111, e.g.) come close to evoking my comments about the Game of Thrones ultimate pen, which was to me so over-the-top I had to use both adjectives gaudy and garish! Now, to understand my point of view, I would not rule out great work-of-art pens produced in Japan, because the most frequently get the delicate balance absolutely right. The pen is a masterfully rare work of art, but it still is a pen could carry without seemingly needing the in-your-face, over-the-top “display of wealth” factor. Such a pen evokes for me the era of greed and display-of-wealth of the executives whose egomania led to the collapse of World Com, Tyco, and
Hello Ian, I just was looking at David's video and your note about the Delta Oro. You talk about it being celluloid, but the standard range Oro is unfortunately no celluloid, it is resin. Or do you have a special one, like the Chatterley ones, they are often celluloid. Please let me know, I am always willing to learn😀
Love you collection! Your eyes get glossy kinda like mine sometimes hahaha I’m sure you are a cool guy and if you happen to find yourself in Pueblo Colorado hit ya boy up!
He does. Look in the description or tap the video and it will show diffrient 'cut's or 'slice's and above that (bottom left) there are the names mentioned.
Very interested to the company that made Pen 18111 Night Sky Sakura, it kinda suits my taste and Im very surprised that It kinda cost below my expectation, lol, probably my pens are mostly from namiki/pilot, whenever I saw any nice pen with urushi or maki-e or chinkin I thought it will be at least costing for above 1000$. Although Im quite happy with their product but damnnn the price just restrict my collection, have to trade 6~7 potential collection for only 1 of them.
Incredible Grail Pens. I’m just starting my pen collection journey. Can you have another “Grail” list with the same criteria but they are readily available - in price and not limited edition? More power.
If you take a look in my channel history, I do have a number of other top 10 lists from previous years. The lists from one year are split out by price. Thanks for watching!
Do you have no interest in vintage pens, I wonder? Personally, I always thought of a grail pen as something like, for example… a really clean mandarin yellow Parker Duofold, or maybe a lapis blue Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal Deco Band.
I don't believe Wahl-Eversharp made a lapis blue decoband in the 1920s-30s, but if they did, I'd have to give it a look. I love old decobands, I just wish they would have made oblique nibs.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
My grail pen is the Kaweco Brass Sport or the Kaweco AL sport in the gold colour. They are easy to come by but the high price (for me) is what makes it a grail pen. I got my first fountain pen a few days ago and its the Kaweco Sport Classic in green and I'm just so in love with the design and shape language. Its so little and cute but also very stylish and my one writes like a dream with the Diamine Safari ink I bought for it. I know its a bit of a gamble with Kaweco nibs so I hope when I someday get the Kaweco Sport of my dreams, the nib will be good!
i just ordered my first grail pen!!! A black 1911L with rhodium plating. It was my grail due to the price that I just couldn't justify until now.. Next is the King of Pen. Some day!
You are soooo right! pens need to bring you joy when you hold them. the one that gives me always a lot of joy is the Conklin Mark Twain demonstrator.. I just love the Steampunk effect of the pen, the rose gold trims and the overall layout, very unique. The writing experience is different with every different inks!
My 2017 grail pen acquisition was the Visconti Opera Master Luna, and 2018 acquisition is the Visconti Ocean Breeze Rose Gold. Prior to that my Vanishing Point Raden Galaxy was a grail pen for years. On my grail someday list are: Namiki Yukari Nightline Moonlight, Pen 18111 (the night sky is in consideration), and Taccia Reserve Winter Breath
I love the Sailor zoom nibs, Edison pens (I have 3 now), and Pelikan m600 - so a particularly striking color/material combo would compel me to consider additional purchases.
Since reading Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s “Shadow Of The Wind,” back in 2005, my Grail pen has been the Meisterstück 149. I actually found-literally found, like on the ground-a broken Meisterstück 164 Classique ballpoint shortly after beginning my Grail Quest, and after having it repaired by Montblanc, that scratched the itch for a while, but I finally got my 149 this year after 15 years intermittent search and repeated feelings of hopelessness and defeat. Next up, perhaps one of the Pilot Custom models? It’s not a Grail pen, but I have my eye on the Custom 823 in translucent amber. We’ll see. Graduation is fast approaching.
I just sold my 149 to fund a custom urushi. If I remember, I'll let you know if it was worth it.
@@TheCalculatorGuy Was it? Was it?
I managed to acquire three of the pens on my grail list this year. Two were Franklin-Christoph pens, one in the Antique Glass and the other in Italian Ice, which I got in time for Christmas. I wasn't concerned about which model for either, just the color. I finally was able to get both those this year and I'm very pleased I got them.
The third pen is a Visconti Rembrandt in the Ivory Bronze color. I really wanted that one. I lucked out and managed to find one at an online store. It's the one pen I own that never leaves the pen rotation, it's always inked.
My two grail pens were the Montblanc Writers Edition Hemingway & the Conid Kingsize LE Flanders Fields. So far I’ve only managed to find the Hemingway and love it. I’ll continue to look for a Flanders Fields and hope I can afford it when I do. Till then my two Conid Kingsize pens I own tend to be my all time favorite pens and what I find myself writing with the most
I fell in love with that Dorsal 2 when I saw it on the video you did with Peter, such a beautiful design.
I’ve only got 4 pens so far. But my grail pen is on order. It’s a Parker Sonnet in silver, with gold trim. Fingers crossed it gets delivered soon.
Nice...have fun with your new toy!
100% agree on price being a determining factor for Grail-dom. Love your videos, by the way! Thanks for the great content!
I stopped all my hobby purchases and started a savings deposit as soon as I saw the Conid. It's a love from the first sight. I'm figuring out where I can try it before I buy it, but given how long I'll need to be saving for it, I hope I'll be able to accomplish that.
I want someone to look at me like David looks at his pens 😭
All of these are worthy of grail pen status. Great video David!
The King of Pen Ebonite pen should have been in your top 10. It is so beautiful to handle and use. The nib is wonderful, exceptional, actually. Yes it is austere but it is not always bling that works. I will never let it go ever.
Watching this video again, thought I'd mention I just got a Visconti HS Bronze Age Midi! It's my dream pen, and I never thought I'd own one.
I don't have Grail Pens, I have go-to pens. I'm a writer, and for me, a pen needs to be a smooth writer with a hint of feedback, hold a decent amount of ink and be comfortable to write with for long periods. My go-to pens (in no particular order):
1. Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze oversize (F nib because it's almost a Medium and is so wet)
2. Mont Blanc 146 Le Grand Le Petit Prince M (prefer the 146 to the 149 for less girth)
3. Pelikan M805 (have the Demonstrator in M and Stresseman F)
4. Pilot Custom 823 B
5. Omas 360 M
6. Omas Paragon Europa Limited Edition M
7. Lamy 2000 Black Makrolon OB
8. Sailor Pro Gear Realo M
Waiting to pick up an Edison (surprised you didn't have them in your list), and a Conid Bulkfiller King Size.
You have an excellent channel. Congratulations and keep it coming.
Edison is great. I considered them for the Next-Level list. If I would have included any honorable mentions on that list, they would have been mentioned.
To my mind, what makes a Grail pen is not so much that it is difficult to obtain, but that it is your ideal “perfect” pen- in form, function, design, etc. -THE pen that you could be happy with as your one-and-only pen for life.
Love the Sailor King, especially in Ebonite....astoundingly perfect feedback from that nib.
I learn so much from the videos! Love your passion and knowledge.
My "student Grail" (i.e. grail for a broke college boi who happens to be into fountain pens) is a Platinum 3776 Century. Literally a tenth of the price of the pens on your list haha.
But for me it does fit into the "Price" aspect of a grail pen, added to the fact that the one I specifically want (Chatres Blue-Gold) isn't easily found in my country.
Same tho. I'm a highschool student who usually gets their pens as a birthday gift. I love the 3776 in Nice Lavande, and it's my grail pen right now. Eventually, when I have a job and more money, the Visconti Homosapiens Magma will be my new grail pen.
The homo sapiens blue lagoon is my grail pen :) The teal/turqouise demonstrator is just beautiful
Interesting video David, thanks. I'm lucky to also own the MB 149 and Nakaya Dorsal fin v2, they were enough to 'wipe out' my funds for further pen buying! lol. Although I must admit, I have done a lot of looking at the Pilot Custom 845 in Vermillion Urushi, however, they are not available and have not been for over a year I believe now. The waitlist was closed with a 2018 delivery estimate and they are still waiting as far as I know.
The problem with grail pens is that they never meet the expectations. Each $500+ pen I have was a bit less than I hyped it and hoped it to be and none wrote as good as $100 Pilot.
After a certain price point the focus is less about the nib performance and more about the artistry. A buttery smooth gold nib's performance is the same in a cheaper pen as it is in a fancier one.
Inadequis true. My Nakaya Long Cigar has the same nib as Platinum 3776. In fact I swapped them around as I like 3776 soft nib better.
Pilots are in fact my best writers, Nothing is better than their WA nib, IMO.
@ That's odd. My CH 92 nib is one of my favorites. It has never misbehaved in any way, with any ink. I've actually never had a bad experience with a Pilot nib.
New to fountain pens. Anyone have experience with a Sailor 1911 with a medium fine 21k nib. At first I thought it was smooth then I noticed it became scratchy. I then compared it to my Twisbi eco in E.F. and the eco was smoother. Does the nib need to be adjusted or is the way the Sailor writes?
My grail would be the Nakaya Dorsal Fin in the deep red urushi, with of course a custom nib. Everything about this pen speaks to me, design, craftsmanship and nib! The price places it solidly in the grail category for me.
Great video as usual. The Visconti Homo Sapiens was my first grail pen, and I got it as a surprise gift for a Valentine's Day. My current grails are a Pilot 823 and Kanilea Maui Makai so it was nice to see some near nods there.
I think my problem with custom pens is although some of the makers show some real great things on Instagram, and although I can appreciate the time it takes for something for like Urushi, I've never held them so they all just seem sort of like "super polished plastic" from afar. I unfortunately don't have a local shop near me anymore, so getting my hands on that stuff to test would require some significant effort, and there isn't a large local-esque pen community around me where I could pen swap either. I also think some of the custom pens, although neat resins, just look too "classic" to me. The Pilot 823 comes to mind, or the Montblanc 149. The HS, in comparison, has a very unique look and such a heft to it there would be no confusing it for any other pen. This hobby is so interesting seeing what other people love.
I'd also love to to try a KOP Sailor, but I picked one up at a store when I was in San Francisco (couldn't try it, store was super busy) and I was surprised by how light it was. I think my brain still equates "weight" to "quality", which might be some of my issue with these other pens.
W H A O W ! What a collection of great pens, special in different ways from each other. My first Grail was the Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze age and because of " not having a pot to piss in" (Google the saying) I was saving best to get it when a load of bad experiences were had with the nibs and I just couldn't risk getting one of these. My next that came to my attention is the Conid King Size with all Titanium bits. I eventually filled in the form and got the specification that appealed to me, got to the end of the form and the VAT blew it to bits, so I'm saving up the VAT now, hopefully 2019 will be the year of acquisition. The design of the Conid really appeals to me because of my engineering background.
Thank you for a great review David,,, your reviews and presentations are really outstanding (my opinion).
As everyone I look forward to 2019s reviews.
Best wishes as always to all PenPeople... And for the New Year.
LeZc
@@
Same here
Very fun video to watch, even though I'm more of a traditional low-range pen guy, it was pretty entertaining and informative. Thanks David and keep it on
Great video. I tend to not pay so much attention to the looks though and focus on two things. First the writing performance and the ink capacity. My favourite nibs so far are sailors but I hate the ink capacity. I have to fill the converter in mine three times each day wich is very annoying. With that said I have two kinds of grail pens:
Practical Grail Pens:
A. Sailor Profit Realo F (waiting for a good deal to come up)
B. Pilot Custom 823 WA (already ordered)
C. Pilot Custom 823 M
Fantasy Grail Pens:
A. Pelikan M805 blue swerls 2 tone ef nib
B. Visconti HS Oversize Bronge EF
C. BulkFiller Kingsize Medium Italic
Great video! I was very happy to see that Visconti HS made the list!
I was so confused for a minute googling for one of the pens because it sounded like you were saying Danny Trejo not Danitrio.
A Danny Trejo pen would probably be awesome...
I reviewed that pen a while back (ruclips.net/video/IHSNPCUQ7c0/видео.html)
I'm glad I'm not the only one! Danny Trejo needs a pen line!
About half the spellings in the chapter headings are crazy including Danny Trejo. I guess these are auto generated.
Excellent selection ... The rationale behind the selection is interesting and as you said it's such a personal choice ... Thank you
I’m waiting for my Conid Kingsize. Should arrive close to my next birthday.
It will be worth the wait.
I have the Pineider Arco Oak and the simulated Arco celluloid in acrylic is gorgeous to me. Of course I'd still like to have the real thing also. I just received my Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age last month, which took a month to get. I wish I had ordered one a long time ago, and it looks like Mount Etna is pouring out more future pen material.
How do you store these things on your desk ? Youbmentenioned some kind of a cube?
I have a couple videos on my channel about pen storage you might want to check out.
Thank you, David! Great selection here. I still need to add a Visconti to my collection.
Wow that tipping on MB 149 is cut way off center . Still looking forward to buying one of these (146) as far as I can tell they make gushing wet writers , overpolished , stubby nibs also a piston filler with a large ink window. Maybe you guys can help me out , is there anything else that would fit the bill?
My first pen was Waterman Leman 100 with two nib sizes F and M gifted to me by my father many years. I am slowly getting in pens I am already going to get my first Montblanc 146 in the mail and I have a Pilot Custom 74 and a Sailor 1911 L on the way too. My next grail pens are the Sailor King of Pen, Pilot Custom 823, and Edison Menlo or Edison with a Linda Kennedy flex nibs. I also plan to expand my collection of vintage flexible pens, I started with a vintage flex Wal Eversharp.
First i understood danny trejo pen, and i thought wow! that would've been cool too but more likely something for montegrappa :)
Pelikan
Have a 600, great pen, writes like butter
I want the big one. It looks amazing
I agree grail pens are subjective in that it’s the journey taken to obtain the pen that makes it special.
Thanks David informative video. Would have liked to know the price band on each of these pens, not necessarily what you paid for them, thanks.
Great advice, great content and great pens. This video is a masterpiece, thanks and congrats David.👍👍👍
Nice pens! I think a grail pen is simply a pen that one needs to go on some sort of quest to obtain, whether that be a quest to save up the money for it or the quest to find a rare pen or some other situation that requires one to do some real work to acquire the grail. :)
Very interesting video. Thanks. I'm a very new fountain pen enthusiast. I have only purchased 2 pens so far, the Lamy 2000 and a Conklin Classic Firelines. I do have 2 others that were gifts. I'm trying to learn from my own history collecting folding pocket knives where I started with budget knives and eventually worked up to half a dozen grail knives. In fountain pens, I decided to skip the budget pens and make my first 2 purchases pens that spoke to me and that I would want to use no matter what other pens come my way. I work in forestry, so I believe I will focus on forestry themes whether based on materials or design. I've done a couple of videos on the 2 pens I own. What is catching my eye next is either a Visconti or Namiki Chinkin Pine Tree. Your thoughts on those grail pens?
You should check out the pens of Ryan Krusac. He does some fantastic work with common and exotic woods.
no mention of a Montegrappa? One of the only pens to come with an ebonite feed and solid silver hardware as standard?
Montegrappa makes terrible, tacky pens.
Thank you for the great review. After watching your video, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a Conid king size :-)
Cool...I hope you enjoy it!
I m hoping you are enjoying the pen, thats an amazing pen.
S. T. Dupont line D Gold trim black regular fountain pen...... Most beautiful pen I have ever seen
I am very late,but how would a Lamy 2000 compare to the Grail pens you have listed,do Grail pens write good on cheap copy paper.. anyways, nice review 👍.
The L2K is a great pen for the price...and is considered by many to be a "grail" in its own right. For the most part, any pen...no matter the price or quality...will not perform well on low-quality paper.
Then you have an extraordinary collection. Visconti Opera Elements is a grail pen for me. They came in several colors but it seems only the red and white is occasionally available. It is Steven Brown's favorite pen.
Everything is a favourite to Figboot that you always end up wondering which exactly was his no. 1.
Thank You I learned a lot and agree the craftsmanship on these pens are stunning. I have to make it to a pen show in 2019. 👍🏻
Would you consider owning a Pelikan Maki-e?
For me, the Montblanc Antoine de Saint-Exupery writers edition is what I dream about. I just love the look of it and I'm a huge fan of his. I know it's not the best pen in the world, but I just think it's so cool. The Homo Sapiens Bronze Age is a close second though.
Was not familiar with the second manufacturer mentioned in the video, thought it was the Danny Trejo Genkai
If Danny Trejo made pens...I bet they would be pretty awesome.
What sellers/shops/online stores would you recommend to find some grail pens? Also, Conid Bulkfiller regular with a black steel nib or gold iridium nib...thoughts?
I've been very pleased with the gold nib on my Conid.
In regard to retailers...that could potentially vary depending on what type of grail pens you're looking for.
Plz make vdo on MB 149 calligraphy edition
Well, that’s quite a group of pens. Several would make my grail list. But of my own pens, my grail would be my Visconti Il Magnifico. Way too expensive, but truly something special.
Great video! I appreciate the price as a grail criteria. I don’t have any pens over $75, so even a regular edition Sailor PG is in grail category for me. I find the Taccia Winters Breath stunning. I might call that my “lottery” pen, rather than a grail though. Happy new year!
Beth Hobson sane boat. For me my “grail” is a waterman 52. My current most expensive pen would be a Noodler’s Neponset that I bought last week, I’m already unhappy with it though.
My Grail Pen is the Wing Sung 601. Ordered and waiting for it. Simple, sleek, sturdy, and cheap.
Figboot, please, for the love of god, get a Conid Giraffe. I need to see that magnificent beast in action.
Another great video mate... but I had to comment after I saw the BB's book over your shoulder.
Very nice .
pilot urushi vs monblanc 149??????
My grail pen is the Visconti Homo Sapiens Steel Age. I hope to be able to get one in early 2019.
Nice...I'm sure you'll love it!
Hope you’ve got it already!
Sorry, I thought grail pens were ones you didn't already have, but wanted (and met the other criteria you mentioned). You seem to have all of these, so I didn't think they qualified as grails... I'm curious what your, um, grail pens are? (i.e. that you dearly want but don't have)
I think this video was created to show a variety of pens that are „grail worthy“ and to help people that look for their next pen in the grail pen range.
Excellent question.
My grail pen's in the mail right now!!! So excited...
My grail pen is a Pilot Falcon. I draw with my fountain pens, and it has some unusual and unique features. It qualifies as a grail for me personally as its price is over double my limit.
Nice. I hope you are able to get one soon!
If you decide to purchase a Pilot fountain pen with an FA nib, instead of the Pilot Falcon, I recommend replacing Pilot’s plastic feed with an ebonite feed from Flexible Nib Factory. I consider that to be a mandatory modification to keep up with the FA nib’s demand for ink. It’s now difficult to get my Pilot 912 and 743.to railroad.
My GOAT pen is the Conid Bulkfiller Kingsize with CAISO (cap activated ink shut off). Sadly, they don't make it anymore. I have owned this for over 2 years and it's still my most favorite pen.
I have 2 out of my 3 "grail" pens. MontBlanc Meisterstuck 149 and Omas Ogiva Arco Celluloide . A vintage MontBlanc Agatha Christie is still waiting to be found.
I got mine this Christmas. I am a Doctor Who fan and I really love the look, feel and writing experience. It is the Opus 88 Fantasia blue. It reminds me of the TARDIS and the 13th Doctor. I also want the red one because it reminds me of the 4th Doctor. I will have to save for it, but that makes it all the more special!
My Blue Fantasia with a broad nib is a great writer, and the only thing I don't like about it is that I have to post it, and it is a screw to post type. I wish it was a slip fit instead for quicker action. The Demonstrator model is even more awesome to me.
A TARDIS pen would be perfect. Much more space for ink inside than it would appear from the looks on the outside.
Sir, would you add the Namiki Emperor Vermillion to this list?
Yes
Nice review. I have also commissioned Shawn Newton to make a pen for me with one of my king of pen nibs. It will be an eyedropper so I won’t be continually filling it. The conid is my current grail and I may need to pull the trigger based upon your comments. I have heard that AP pens may be using them for their filling mechanism and may wait to see if that comes to fruition. Happy new year.
I have only one grail pen and I'll likely never own one: any pen in that beautiful arco celluloid. Sooooo beautiful.
Whats with the Pelikan M1000?
One of my favorites...but it didn't quite make this list.
wow that Newton Pens is massive!!! nice selection. My grail is the Montblanc Blue Hour skeleton.
I like your last recommendation, but I did find your list helpful. I confess that your list includes some pens that I would not view as a pen I would aspire to own. Your first (18111, e.g.) come close to evoking my comments about the Game of Thrones ultimate pen, which was to me so over-the-top I had to use both adjectives gaudy and garish! Now, to understand my point of view, I would not rule out great work-of-art pens produced in Japan, because the most frequently get the delicate balance absolutely right. The pen is a masterfully rare work of art, but it still is a pen could carry without seemingly needing the in-your-face, over-the-top “display of wealth” factor. Such a pen evokes for me the era of greed and display-of-wealth of the executives whose egomania led to the collapse of World Com, Tyco, and
As good a list as any but a great super list as the pens in your list have some unique stories. Well done. Happy New Year.
Im interested in a review of a laban carnival. And an oldwin & waterman edson.
That Nakaya Dorsal Fin 2 is a thing of beauty!: thanks for sharing :)
What $100 Pilot?
Subtitles with pen company name n model, Pls
How much did you pay for the Milord?
It was $800.
@@FigbootonPens Thanks, great video!
I have the Liquid Green Arte Italiana Milord, great purchase; RIP OMAS
I’d add a Delta Dolcevita Oro to the list since they’re no longer making it. And that orange celluloid just makes me happy to look at.
Hello Ian, I just was looking at David's video and your note about the Delta Oro. You talk about it being celluloid, but the standard range Oro is unfortunately no celluloid, it is resin. Or do you have a special one, like the Chatterley ones, they are often celluloid. Please let me know, I am always willing to learn😀
Hey where is the namiki empeor
Unfortunately, I do not have one in my collection. Maybe one day...
Love you collection! Your eyes get glossy kinda like mine sometimes hahaha I’m sure you are a cool guy and if you happen to find yourself in Pueblo Colorado hit ya boy up!
Glad you mentioned price David lol some of us don't make 6 figures
One of the great things about this hobby is that it can be enjoyed at every price point.
@@FigbootonPens absolutely true :) getting a TWSBI ECO soon to add to my collection
You never put up spellings of these pens.
He does. Look in the description or tap the video and it will show diffrient 'cut's or 'slice's and above that (bottom left) there are the names mentioned.
Very interested to the company that made Pen 18111 Night Sky Sakura, it kinda suits my taste and Im very surprised that It kinda cost below my expectation, lol, probably my pens are mostly from namiki/pilot, whenever I saw any nice pen with urushi or maki-e or chinkin I thought it will be at least costing for above 1000$. Although Im quite happy with their product but damnnn the price just restrict my collection, have to trade 6~7 potential collection for only 1 of them.
I love my pilot custom urushi.
Wow! Drool! Drool! Drool! Thanks for sharing, David.
Definitely the mint blanc 149 and a viscoonti da vinci limited edition
At the moment I've one only Grail pen, the Conid Bulkfiller Kingsize
Even though I've to admit that any of your nakayas are astonishingly beautiful
Incredible Grail Pens. I’m just starting my pen collection journey. Can you have another “Grail” list with the same criteria but they are readily available - in price and not limited edition? More power.
If you take a look in my channel history, I do have a number of other top 10 lists from previous years. The lists from one year are split out by price. Thanks for watching!
Where is the Pilot Myu, i'd love to have one of those .... man
I want the SD Charger pen. Actually 2 of them!
Are these all personally owned by you, or are they on loan for this video?
These are all out of my personal collection.
Do you have no interest in vintage pens, I wonder? Personally, I always thought of a grail pen as something like, for example… a really clean mandarin yellow Parker Duofold, or maybe a lapis blue Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal Deco Band.
I don't believe Wahl-Eversharp made a lapis blue decoband in the 1920s-30s, but if they did, I'd have to give it a look. I love old decobands, I just wish they would have made oblique nibs.
Vintage pens are vastly overrated in the community, and this is coming from someone with many vintage pens.
Namiki???
Great video. I enjoyed hearing your take on these amazing works of art.
Thanks for watching!
Are kasama pen grail pens
149 will always be on my grail list. I intended to buy it when I know I “made it”. Hopefully sometime soon.