I got the A1 silver fish scale with a <F> Nib and love it! It writes smoothly and is just something special. Wish I could use my fountain pens more often, have a small collection of 11, but I don't have much to write which is a shame. Thought about journaling, but realized that there's not much interesting things I could write in there.

Death grip here! ✋ To the point that my middle finger has a permanent indent/bump on the bone. I also have small hands and don’t like long, heavy pens. My first fountain pen was a Lamy Safari All Star in metallic sage green…gorgeous. It was pretty to look at. All the fountain pen forums said it was a great first pen. The whole ‘tripod grip’ either flew by my attention or I didn’t think about it having never come across a “forced death march tripod grip” in my writing life. I could jot little notes down at work with it for about 30 seconds until it hurt too much to hold. I kept it right there to use because it was pretty to look at. It eventually exploded ink all over the inside of my purse on a flight and never stopped leaking after that. It’s probably in a moving box somewhere. Anyway, I didn’t touch fountain pens again for about 5 years until recently…when I saw that inks didn’t just come in the standard 8 Crayola crayon box of colors…sheening, shimmering, shading in a 1000 different colors. Plus, so many pretty pens! So, I’ve fallen back down that rabbit hole hard. But, being a little smarter now, I look at specs on the pens I can’t try in person (which is most of them) and appreciate people like you who provide those! If a pen is over 25gms posted, it’s a no-go. If it can’t post, it’s a hard no…if it has any kind of non rounded grip things going on that in any way is even close to a tripod grip…it is dead to me. I’d love to get some cute Pilot Kakuno’s, cause who doesn’t want a smiley face on their pen nib? 😁 (I love that stuff!) But…hard tripod grip. I left a comment about this issue somewhere else, and someone responded “change your grip style, you should write with a tripod grip.” Ummmmmm…. Anyway, thankfully there’s plenty of choice and variety out there for all sorts of grips, tastes, interests, etc…and the Lamy is still a cool looking pen that comes in a thousand colors which I love. Another boring black cigar shaped fountain pen is the last thing the world needs, there are plenty to choose from. And please, pen makers…stop putting that enforced tripod grip horror on your pens! At least make it optional, please.

I’m not a fan of the Metropolitan either…I think it’s ugly, imo. I’m generally not a fan of the long rounded tube/cigar shaped pen, and prefer the flat ended pens like the Prera, Sailor Pro Gear Slim, etc. I tried a Preppy and I really like them and use them to test things that I worry would ruin other pens, or try things out like eye dropping, etc. My “I’m going to spend a little more money” pens have been the Kaweco Sport (love) and the Pilot Prera with the cursive italic nib (love! And it was $25…the Metropolitans were about the same.) Plus, I agree, it’s not comfortable, or fun. I’d much rather have a Kokuno than a Metropolitan. I also have two Jinhao 82s coming in the mail because I’m just not going to spend a zillion dollars on a pen…I’d rather spend that zillion on really cool inks! The pens I have write very nicely, I’m happy with them. I’m not worried about breaking them or losing them being a $500 loss, and while I understand spending a large amount of money for quality and beauty (we are an all Apple family and that’s a money outlay that I’m willing to do because I feel that I’m getting much better devices…and my devices and computers are really important to me…as well as the design aesthetic and usability of them. I’m willing to pay the high price point for that.) Anyway, everyone has different tastes and likes and that’s fine! Find what you like and buy what you like…don’t feel like you have to get a Metropolitan or Safari just cause it’s on everyone’s entry level list. There are plenty of fun pens in the same price range and thanks for listing some of them off.

Old Parker Duofolds are among my favorite pens. Back in the late 70s I was able to pick up working pens at most antique shops for about $25 USD. Those were the days, and I should have been more aggressive in seeking them out. Beautiful restoration. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of practice to do what you do. Impressive.

Mine is on the way from Pen Boutique! Excited to try it out :)

To polish, do you use a Dremel type tool or arm oil?

It is a shame you didn't do a before & after writing sample. The ink flow on the converted pen looks very poor & not have the generous ink delivery that I know with Parker Fountain Pens.

I am sorry to say you may have made a mistake cutting the breather tube down so far. The breather tube's purpose is to reach above the ink level to not create a vacuum, not having a long enough breather tube when it was designed to have one will reduce ink flow, & of course, if the breather tube is essential, a screw piston converter will not be suitable also.

Hi Doug, I may have missed this: Is there any fundamental difference between Ep 81 and Ep 83 conversions (other than the age of the pen)? Or is it just the same process repeated?

I think the other pen they offer is much better built in many ways . I also like the nib a lot .

The pencil in the Waterman’s set is actually a stalwart pencil….99% of starlets have the steel / nickel trim only… the gold fill / plated trim in addition to the two bands was a stalwart model thing

The feed should work fine with the bent fins, and you can bend the fins back (with a blade, brass shim, etc) if you find the bent fins aesthetically displeasing. The broken/missing silicone ring might be a real problem. But the seem to have gone out of their way to make the pen needlessly difficult to repair or modify.

Another 4 brilliantly executed restorations. I wonder if it is possible to do a gold plating by yourself. In principle, it shouldn't be very different from your previous anodizing results and there are DIY gold plating sets that aren't necessarily expensive. The question with gold plating the Waterman band and clip, however, is whether you can immerse the entire cap in the bath without damaging the celluloid or causing unwanted reactions, as removing the clip could be risky. What do you think? By doing that you could become the pope of restorations...

$64,000 question for you, as to this pen: it’s obviously a gem for its price, great for those of us with “budget issues” (euphemising somewhat); what is an aesthetically exciting ink that shimmers or shades (I lean toward green/blue but also like burgundy and maroon) in ways that look beautiful both in the pen and on the paper, that are as budget-friendly as the pen itself? In other words, not spending 1/3 as much on ink as on the pen itself. My question has layers to it: for example, if I want shimmer, must I get a medium (and not fine) nib, to avoid clogging? Will I inevitably have problems with shimmering inks and a fine nib (and even a medium nib, for that matter), if I want a low-maintenance approach and won’t (realistically) be emptying out and cleaning the pen very much? If I want the beautiful ink on the paper and in the barrel, but will be “hygenically lazy”, are there better options than shimmer, that will still look great in the barrel and on the paper (maybe shading inks), that are inexpensive? Given these priorities, should I go for a medium nib? Am I over-worrying about the shimmer inks (the red in the review is breathtaking, but I need cheap, and lean toward green, or maybe burgundy or maroon), or are they in fact inherently higher-maintenance? I’m about to splurge on the pen and ink for it; just want to maximize bang for my buck, knowing I’ll be lazy about flushing it out. Thanks so much for any tips about this. Because I’m over indulging (given my budget) by doing this, I really want to maximize value for what I spend on the pen and ink combined. Haven’t treated myself to a non-essential item in ages, and really want to make it count.

Murray should be very happy! Four restorations in one video. Awesome! Doug, you did a great job. Thanks!👍

I asked years ago about eyedropper fill a celluloid pen. I was told in no uncertain terms that it would stain the celluloid. Now, I see the results. Permanent stain. Do you think it was leaking ink in the barrel or from the sac? Two excellent restorations.

The pattern on the Parker is something I haven't seen often, but had my eye on something so close one ebay, that has since gone above what I want to pay. I haven't heard of the brand. It's listed as a Morrison "Tourist". Good luck to someone. But Murray, again, gets to have some beautiful pens to use, thanks to Doug! Very nice, both sets!

Grear job, as always, Doug! But the question is: can Murray ink these vintage pens with Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku?

Very beautiful pens indeed. Thanks for showing.

Impressive work Mr. D.R.

As always a very nice video, thank you very much! Diplomat is still underestimated here in Germany. LAMY and Pelikan are much more present. If you like high-quality fountain pens from Germany, then also take a look at fountain pens from “elysée”. Unfortunately, this company no longer exists and the fountain pens are only available second hand. I have also presented a model in my channel (unfortunately with German sound).

The gold nibs being polished up so brilliantly are always breathtaking! 💎 Thank you for showing in such detail again! Your resurrection videos are an eternal source of inspiration!!

I have a blue one on the way, I'm patiently waiting for it to arrive after I pre-ordered it a few weeks ago. I've been obsessed with diplomat this year. I bought two Diplomat Aero pens and a magnum. I can honestly say diplomat is probably my favorite pen brand. I plan to buy an Excellence A2 for my birthday next may.

I wonder if they’ll offer it as a rollerball model? Surprised they haven’t.

Thanks for this excellent review, Doug! I have had a Diplomat Excellence A2 for several months, and it has been my most favourite pen. Your review made me want to consider purchasing the Viper. Thanks again and please keep up the excellent work!

Great job lighting that black pen! This Diplomat fan definitely wants one.

That's a handsome pen. As is their Aero. Thanks for the show.

Doug, you just had to rush out and get one says a lot to me! I really like the design of this pen. This was a nice thorough review. Thanks. 👍

Looking for one of those adapters but can’t find them. Do you have a link please Doug?

Nice review Doug. That's certainly saying something that you just had to buy one before the review pen showed up!! It's is a good looking pen, and seems to perform very well. I'll have to consider getting one to keep my only Diplomat pen company - A Nexus in Black with a Steel Extra Fine nib. As it is, my most recent pen in the pipeline is the Monteverde MP-1. I like the idea that if I decide to post the cap that action won't have any effect on the piston filler knob.

Nice review, Moi. I don’t normally utilize such advanced terminology as “humdinger” or “bees knees” as it occupies a locus surpassing the meager boundary of my lexicon. I am appreciably more acquainted with, “That’s what she said.” Incidentally, my Viper is of the azure variety, and its operationalization is upcoming.

Dammit I want one

Nice work Doug! Diplomat fountain pens with a steel nib are the best writers!

The first pen review that you have done that actually sucks!

Where can I find a Viper online

This in blue is the next pen on my wishlist as soon as I have the extra funds. I hope by then they make it in a broad. I'm not a fan of broad nibs, but I desperately want one of these with an architect grind. I'm a block printer by nature and this would be a great everyday writer with its size and magnetic cap.

I second that emotion! I picked one up a few weeks ago to join the few other Diplomats I have (great writers all). I'm still debating whether or not mine has just a bit of baby's bottom or if the writing "sweet spot" is Lamy 2000 like (narrow) but it's a great "EDC"pen!

What a nice pen! It is certainly on my list. How would you compare it to the Wing Sung 601?

Porque eu olho para essa caneta tinteiro e lembro na hora da HongDian Aero a3? Hummmm....:)

Lovely sets! (Edit - what's the place where you buy your supplies for pen restorations?)

That's why Low Ink Refill is a must. Real deal Pelikan M800 got LIR. Also, Wingsung Junlai 630 comes with LIR. The tube idea could be useful when the bottle opening diameter is too narrow for modern gigantic pens.

Any ideas what size sac would be suitable for this sheaffer?

Every person that likes fountain pens: 28:06

Now that the holidays come, you should gift 1 fountain pen to your followers

Where would the Admock m400 have ranked??

?This is a variation of a Varsity refill technique.

What a novel idea. Thank you and Wendy for the tip. Will the MaJohn P139 fit on the wider piece of tube?

Extremely helpful, and so simple and also cheap. Thanks for sharing

The Ink Miser is also.... maybe $7? and solves this problem nicely.