What Are Some Pens Beyond 'Next Level'? - Q&A Slices
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- What's the next level? After stepping up from the Metropolitan/Al-Star to the Vanishing Point/Lamy 2000, which pens are the next step from these?
there's a law of diminishing returns here, for sure
once you hit gold nibs, you really get into a lot of fancy options
pens with gold nibs pretty much plateau in terms of how they write, so it's other aspects of the pen that impact its price
fancier/precious materials, unique filling mechanisms, enhanced build quality, nicer plating on trim (platinum instead of rhodium, higher grade of gold, etc), more design/artistry, LE, nicer presentation
you quick jump up into the $500-800 range
Visconti Homo Sapiens/Opera/Divina, Aurora Optima/88, Montegrappa Copper Mule/Passione, Pelikan Souvrän m400/600/800/1000, Montblanc 146/149, Namiki Nippon Art/Yukari, Graf von Faber-Castell Classic/Tamitio/Anello, Caran d'Ache, Delta DolceVita, Stipula Etruria, Parker DuoFold, Waterman Carene
there are many more besides these, of course!
Check out the Full Version of Episode 162:
• Goulet Q&A 162: Next '...
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I'll never forget the time that $80 was no longer a lot of money to spend on a pen. What a frugal time I existed in 🥳😂
:D
A pen that I would considered not only beyond next level, but final level boss fight on extreme difficulty would be the Aurora Diamante. Only 1 is made each year, it has a solid platinum body covered in 1,919 De Beers diamonds, an 18 karat gold nib, and cost around $1.5 million dollars
Thanks for another enjoyable slice of Goulet. I find it amazing how you can speak as you do to the camera as no one else is in the room, honestly it's unusual. (my opinion)
Totally agree with the observations here about 'diminishing returns' and pens become 'small objects of desire' rather like watches I think.
Speaking to some friends who think we of the pen community are totally bonkers for paying more than 150 dollars /pounds/euros for a pen turned the particular conversation back on them for paying thousands and thousands of whatever currency for some posh shotgun for busting little clay disks flying through the air... Again when ink prices were mentioned got the same response only to turn the conversation to them on the various prices of cartridges they use in their hobby.
SO... my point, it's what you desire, what is it worth to YOU.. I love the TWSBI pens because I could never afford a vacuum filler... etc. of the so viewed higher end pens.
My personal feelings towards pens is, I love them all, and in particular hands on pen manufacturers such as Brian Grey with Edison Pens.. (I'm saving up). Whatever pen folks choose to buy, its 'what floats yer boat' or 'lights yer candle' etc and what harm is there in it???? None. Unlike some 'hobbies' folks can fall into. And pens will always be precious to US the pen community just as watches, stamps, football cards and whatever similar small objects of desire that people choose. Thing is, with the stationery obsession/syndrome as I refer to it, so much can be created from it and satisfaction obtained from it...So buy whatever you can afford and enjoy it, and yea if we could, we ALL would buy them all... wouldn't we.
Best wishes to all pen people.
LeZc
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Yeah, I'm never one to judge how people spend their money (if they have it) on something they genuinely enjoy. With fountain pens, I try to make it add value by writing letters a lot more often and writing in general (journaling, sketching, etc.) To each their own! - Colin
Agree to the tee! I’m passionate about quality fountain pens, inks, paper and all kinds of quality stationery in general. I have bought both pens I could afford and ones I couldn’t. I love them all and wish the best to all the other pen aficionados wherever they are.
@Lez Cartwright Love this post. Very well put.
Pelikan m800 is my choice of next 'next' level, so elegant and writes like a dream!!
Good choice! I've had my eyes on the Renaissance Brown (www.gouletpens.com/pelikan-m800-series/c/664), looks really nice. - Colin
I yearn to get some of those Aurora beauties. They are extremely enticing in my eyes. I still have not one Aurora and I’m keen to buy at least one this year, and possibly three eventually. The Waterman Carene is another I have often thought of seeking out. And the Montegrappa Passione is another that would be a welcome addition to my existing Montegrappa family of four. These videos are thoroughly delightful to watch. And equally corrupting. 😀
Imagine having enough money to get an Aurora Diamante. Cost is around $1.5 MILLION.
My Carene is a great smooth writer. HOWEVER, when filling, always empty a little ink back into the bottle and suck in an air bubble for the nib to prevent burps and leaks. Seriously, it made a huge difference. I run Santiago Sea from Organics Studio in it since the pen was based on yacht shapes and it is smoother than anything else I've used.
I think I might be a little weird, I am definitely going to get a Visconti within the next few weeks, but at the same time I still enjoy playing around with some of the lower end pens. I Iove the TWSBI vacs and interested in Noodler’s. I still have a lot of fun with the sub hundred dollar pens.
This is a fantastic video
The Pelikan M1000 is my next level pen after the Visconti Van Gogh I purchased recently.
Love my sailor. Maybe too much. Love it so much.
Good logic here, thanks.
Good rundown! Thanks.
Exactly what I needed!!
I want gold trim. Oh wait I have it. And don’t use it because metal pens are heavy and too pricy to use as my daily. I use the cheap plastic stuff.
Can gold nibs be distinguished from steel nibs in a blind writing test?
A lot of the pens I want are after the $100 range but for know I’m getting the smaller priced (sub $100) ex Savannah Green Lamy Safari, and Noodler’s Boston Safety Pen.
Fun video. While the Homo Sapiens fits the "beyond next level" criteria on materials, style/design (both tempting) but having seen reviews separated in space and time on quality control issues knocks it out of the running in my book.
When you're looking for a pen in the $500+ range, you definitely want it writing well out of the box, so I get that! I will say, the US distributor for Visconti has made a lot of strides in the nib quality control and we would test any pen to ensure it before purchasing. But definitely understand your thought process. - Colin
The real answer is custom and semi custom Pens..... (nakaya dorsal fin V2. with flexible cursive italic nibis a semi custom at 3K usd; where Scriptorium will make one for a fraction of that that is totally custom.) but that is the next level squared I think.
Just the name of the customization seems overwhelming! But yeah, that's totally another way to achieve a 'next level' feel. Really personalizing a pen to your writing style & preferences. - Colin
Hello, first of all nice channel. Maybe i ask on wrong video, but the question is what to buy for my first fountain pen. My thoughts are on Pilot Metropoliten (based on your videos), but i dont know which nib is best for total newbies fine or medium? If you think there is something better then pilot please feel free to suggest. thanks for answer in advance!
p.s. I would pair it with Robert Oster ink
Thank you very much. I will go for fine then cause i write small and its not usually on quality paper
I recommend fine as well. Also, of note, you don't need much pressure to write with a fountain pen. it's really made me enjoy actually writing. It's also made me realize that 25 years of writing like crap takes a lot of muscle memory to break. I'm... working on it.
Yeah, I would definitely recommend the Metropolitan in a fine nib. The medium is nice, but the whole reason to go with a Japanese nib is to enjoy the smooth yet fine writing it offers. Metro fine was actually my first fountain pen too, still write with it to this day. - Colin
@lvcsslacker It's great to work on yourself just keep going, thanks for the tip!
@The Goulet Pen Company That's great to hear, where i can ask about pricing and shipping costs? Just to be clear i found it on your site, just where i can see all costs if there is possibility for that .
You can't go wrong with a safari or al-star as well! Metropolitan is an excellent choice!
What the hell am I doing here? I'm a student and price range is basically Jinhao-Lamy AL-Star--TWISBI! I have a really hard grasping why one would give more than $55-60 for a pen, even for a fountain pen. Anyway, thank you for this amazing video! I'll be sure to check some of these pens out...when I win a fortune at the lottery. :P
a lot of it comes down to personal preference. This looks pretty, I want it sorta thing. There's definitely a point of diminishing returns on features and general writing improvements.
You become addicted to buying fountain pens. 👍
For me, buying anything requires thinking, do you need a pen like, say, Lamy 2000(I know it's a great pen but the price tag)or is your Al-Star good enough?
@@boomjonggol5757 No one actually needs a fountain pen, let's be honest. These kind of purchases are definitely for fun, which is absolutely OK.
What's your openion on waterman pens ?????
Surprisingly comprehensive! I feel this would be the place for a nice gold inlaid nib from Sheaffer, sad to see they are almost gone. Where would you place the Lamy Dialog 3?
I definitely think the Lamy Dialog 3 could be in this list. I think the Q&A this is sliced from was before we actually started carrying it, but I love the way it writes. The twist mechanism is really cool and 1 reason to pay the premium for it. - Colin
Did I miss it, or did no one mention the shirt? (Shirt? Top? Looks like it'd be advertised as a "Tactical-Style Slim-fitting Thin Top--Long-Sleeved." I'm ribbing, of course. If the price is right, I'd buy one of those. If anyone knows where to get one of these, please comment.
I spend so much on inks. :(
A lot of pens are too pointed at nib, like writing on a nail. They may even be wet, but are not good nibs because the point is too tiny or sharp, like a nail. Many hooded nibs are like this and regular fine nibs as well. Reviewers rarely consider this nib problem and recommend bad pens/nibs because they're not aware of the problem.
You left out the Franklin-Christoph pens. I would appreciate and value your opinion on these American made writing instruments. Thanks.
This wasn't an exhaustive list by any means as Brian mentions there's so many more that could work. Haven't written with a Franklin-Christoph pen, but they certainly look the part. - Colin
Colin Martin I just came across that company about two weeks ago. But then again, I am newly renewed to the FP industry.
Colin Martin thanks for the input!
1:16vi thought he said 500,000 range i was like wtf
Thats nothing, Aurora makes a pen (only 1 per year) called the Aurora Diamante. It costs around $1.5 Million. It has a solid platinum body covered in 1,919 De Beers diamonds and an 18 karat gold nib.
Get a personalized Nakaya :^)
Nakaya portable cigar midori-tamenuri, white gold or shell zogan. Broad two tone nib, ground to a stub/cursive italic. $1000. My grail (well, probably minus the zogan and two tone nib).
The problem I have with "high end" pens is their thick body.
Caran d'Ache have some nice slim bodies, eg the Varius line.
That's what's stopped my desire to upgrade past a CP1 or Logo, except maybe the VP Decimo... Wallet would have been in danger if the Logo came in more colors though.
Brian it seems like you have reached a point where you like to hear your own self speak and leaves me wondering when will you get to the point.
Q&A is a very free-flowing open forum and Brian has never been known for his brevity in them. Perhaps that & the slices that come from it aren't for you which is totally cool. Hope our other content is more useful! - Colin
watch the videos at 2x speed. it's still understandable
You are right but it's still enjoyable. But I have seen some QnA slices where he talks about something for 3 and a half minutes and he answers the question in 1 and a half mins. He adds backstory and stuff, he doesn't just answer right away.
How about clicking out then? If you can't say anything good, then rather say nothing at all! Nobody is forcing you to continue watching.