Diplomat Viper Fountain Pen Review

[@mrcharon6197]

Agreed, rotating snap caps don't seal as well. I like this pen, however the nib on mine was very dry and an extreme nail. I expected a smoother experience. It was a little disappointing.

[@claytonsanders508]

Yeah I’ve noticed many KZbin reviewers get suspiciously lucky with good nibs. I assume that it’s because they are being sent pens to review by retailers or manufacturers, and they are sent a pen that has been examined and tuned to write well for marketing purposes.

[@alexwhiteowl]

Not a fan of hooded nibs, but this pen looks great! Loved all the Diplomat nibs i've tried, they make the best steel nibs

[@andreemartin9705]

Thanks for the video. My two Diplomat Aero is rotating too.

[@arcboy2011]

The nib even sounds smooth. I agree with you about continuing the gioche pattern on the section.

[@janwilson9485]

It would have made sense to continue it both from the viper aesthetic and from the ability to grip it.

[@AlejandroPato-Fuego]

My diplomat aero is one of my favorite pens. I agree 100% about diplomat steel nibs. I got a a2 on fpd. It is on the way. I have certain as you would say srebrownisms: 1 no hooded nibs 2 no clickie pens. These isms are not necessarily rational but it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to. I have not had a problem finding pens to buy. Thanks for videos. I appreciate your humor, sarcasm and straightforward delivery. U r one of the best. Thanks for being u.

[@chew5170]

i have a couple diplomat aeros - and a couple extra nib sets. From fine to broad, theyre all fantastic. No gold necessary, i would think.

[@HomerIncognito]

Gold increases the cost a lot without any benefit, unless we're talking about flex and even there I'd rather get a custom made steel nib with an everfeed.

[@tahasc]

I love my magnum and you are right their steel nib is amazing. It is an underrated stater pen. I feel it is better value than most frequently recommended ones.

[@randy-9842]

Thanks, Stephen. I like the looks of this pen quite a lot and I do love Diplomat nibs.

[@AtomicElf1]

Although you noted a difference between the underside of the nib compared to the Parker 51, it's almost identical in form to my Parker 21.

[@talcual2138]

Sooooo... Where's the Appleboom banner? I'd like to buy one with the discount... Great review!

[@georgiyvinogradov2532]

Hi! Not sure that this was the intention, but this video is not shown on your main page / video list. It is only accessible through 'Pen Reviews' playlist.

[@tadapdavis]

Thanks. I'm adding the Viper to my wishlist. Concerning hooded nib rotation, some chinese hooded nibs (e.g. Hero) put a small arrow on the hood so your eye can always maintain position. All hooded nibs should come that way.

[@agathoklesmartinios8414]

I have been eyeing this pen for a while, but haven't pulled the trigger on purchasing it yet. I think it's beautiful to look at, but my hand can get slippery too, especially when using a pen with a metal grip. I'll probably still buy it at some point, and hopefully it won't be that bad an issue when I actually use it, but I do kind of wish there was some texture on the grip. Either something like a TWSBI Diamond 580 AL R's ribbed grips, or the as you mentioned a continuation of the existing pattern on the rest of the pen.

[@tommcnamara3303]

I agree with you regarding the rotation of the section while writing with Parker 51 and 51-style pens. While they have some really nice nibs, like that Diplomat Viper, that rotation keeps me from using them very often. I've always attributed the rotation to a "center of gravity" problem. the centerline weight seems out of balance causing the pen to rotate to the position where the heaviest weight is not exactly 180-degrees centered on the section grip angle that I am most comfortable using for writing. Maybe a rotating weight could be added somehow to counterbalance that design flaw! (Any inventors out there?)

[@tschuiwrt4970]

I have a Diplomat Traveler. Wonderful nib as well. Thinking about buying that Viper. Thank you

[@Thaminotaur]

Hey there! Received my Viper today and to my surprise the cap does not spin. Might be something you prompted them to fix so thought I would mention it here in case any watchers might pass because of that feature.

[@TouzeenHussain]

Cross ATX comes with the same finish if you want something a bit more economical.

[@jeffellis662]

I have two Diplomat pens, Excellence A2 and Aero. My Aero’s section is very slippery. I was worried that would happen with the Viper and from your description the aluminum section doesn’t have enough texture for my use. Oh well… interesting looking pen but guess I’ll have to wait for a textured version if that ever comes out.

[@markcotter2931]

I think I love it. I love the original 51 (and have a couple in almost permanent use) and this looks like a modern pen I will probably like. I have no problem with slippery sections. It’s now on my to buy list.

[@philnaunton7181]

Thank you for the traditional SBR review. Interesting points you made about this Viper. I was attracted to this design the moment I saw it, but I have yet to act on purchasing it. I may be reconsidering the thought after hearing your opinions. I shall see. The pen does seem a bit on the skinny side for my liking, plus that slick and tapering grip section does make it a possible operational challenge to my aging fingers. Perhaps I will wait until I get a chance to hold one first. Cheers!

[@ashzhu3085]

Nice review as always. I love Diplomat’s dedication to snap caps. Their nibs are springy. Just to put the datapoint here - I’ve got a bad scratchy nib on a new Esteem.😢 i had to polish it.

[@gadgetstop321]

I don't like rotating snap caps or anodized aluminum sections.

[@kellieashman6908]

I believe the Diplomat logo is a stylised Maltese Cross, which is odd being that they are a German company but there you go

[@robbinallan3767]

Thanks for reviewing this good looking pen. The things you dislike about this pen are the same reasons I hate the Lamy 2000. I find the metal section slick, and can't orient the hooded nib. The magnetic cap doesn't bother me as much but definitely prefer if it feels like a good seal and doesn't spin. Those Diplomat nibs though are always fire. I'll put it on my watch list...

[@louishalleux]

How will a magnetic cap work in 20 years?

[@thomasmorrison675]

Magnets don't wear out, do they?

[@boshkodjordjevich7424]

Great review. Thanks.

[@johnsomers8269]

Great to have the Pelikan free advert on the paper! I agree about hooded nibs and click caps. Give me a fine, fat, decorated nib, and a cap with threads!

[@rep1532]

I was about to buy the pen until I heard you comment about the the rotating cap and the smooth section. Two negatives that are a deal breaker for me.

[@MarchMeadow]

Is it a blue barrel? Great video, Stephen!

[@allanwellings8422]

Nice review. I immediately thought “want one!” until I saw the hooded nib. I am, however, fairly relaxed about rotating caps. Finally, I’ve always assumed that the Diplomat logo is a stylised chrysanthemum but I have no empirical basis for my belief.

[@mellow-jello]

Sbre, I solved the rotaing pen writing mystery a few weeks back when I encountered a mechanical pen video. It reminded me that most mechanical pen users would choose to write on a sharp point, so when the lead point dulls on one side and sharpens another, we will gradually rotate our pencil to write on the newly sharp end. I wrote a lot with my pencil while taking STEM courses in school, so my rotating fountain writing started here out of habit. Hope this observation sees you well.

[@Fish-nt5wb]

Not sure if you're aware, but there is a solution to the pencil rotating problem: Uniball KuruToga. The mechanism rotates the lead 1/16 every time it's lifted from the paper.

[@theprof_001]

I don’t like rotating caps! Good looking pen. Love that nib. Nice review! 👍

[@hiteshnh]

Hi, how would you compare this to the Aurora Duo Cart (new version)?

[@FrantzHastrup]

This is why I prefer Parker 61 to the parker 51. The arrow on the 61 was a much better design

[@brucebourne737]

Wow! That was some amazing coffee you drank before shooting this video! Quite peppy

[@juicylouisey]

I also hate rotating snap caps….. but not as much as I hate levers that don’t like up with nibs and clips. Soft screams echo around my head.

[@RainmanP99]

Hate is such a strong word; I definitely dislike snap caps that rotate, though. I appreciate that your pen reviews are around 15 minutes long and always entertaining. There seems to be a trend of basic videos stretching to 20, and even 30 minutes with negligible added value.

[@paulmchugh1430]

Rotating snap caps to me indicate a possible problem with the nib drying. I was going to buy this pen but will pass on this one. Thank you for the review.

[@lenorebreen3394]

I have the same problem as you with hooded nibs

[@arunabhalahiri4931]

Rotating snap cap feels a bit weird, like feels a bit uneasy.....

[@March22012]

I tried someone’s at Pen Club. It is a very nice pen.

[@kinslowrainer3982]

My eyes absolutely popped...until I saw the hood. The grip section material seems a bad choice.

[@gregwebdale6406]

Eye Gorp....it IS a problem

[@johnnyjet3.1412]

I’m insane too, but mine is from Iraq. I think I’ll not try this one. I like pens that guide my fingers.

[@DavidHartley88]

Hi.I have a Lamy2000. Do you have a similar problem with the "slippy rotation' issue ? Love your channel and your humour. But please...don't ever do that Scottish accent EVER again !!!!

[@DavidHartley88]

Aaaarrgh...!!!! Just discovered your review of Montblanc Irish Green Ink. Made me smile despite the daft accent.

[@korax67]

They have ruined a wonderful pen with that hooded nib. A simple Jowo No6 would be sufficient. This a No for me.

[@senzen2692]

It's a nice, original design when we are awash in Chinese knock offs; bad news about the slippery section, some of us don't have the opportunity to try in person.

[@totallylegit2068]

i mean you could very well say this is a parker knock off

[@Tiss17979]

I hate it, mate 😊

[@MrAndrew1953]

Brilliant. I’m a big Diplomat fan 🪭. This is the new take into battle pen to challenge the Lamy 2000 Macralon pen.