Is It Flawed??? The Diplomat Aero Fountain Pen Review 4K

This is a review of the Diplomat Aero Fountain Pen. Is it great or is it flawed? You may be surprised. I know that I was.

[@jamespicht1128]

I have an Aero with a medium cursive italic steel nib. Almost all my pens have gold nibs, but the Aero nib was a revelation. I'd never imagined that a steel nib could be so perfect for my writing style, so smooth but with perfect feedback, so flawlessly tuned. Yes, I had a perfect experience with that nib. I want another Aero, this time with a gold nib, but I'm afraid of buying one for fear that I'll be disappointed when it doesn't measure up to my first one. As for the rest of it - the milling, the click, the general precision of the thing - I love this pen. I didn't think I'd love it in green, but that was the only color I could get with that nib grind that I thought I could live with,. So I swallowed hard and ordered it. Now I even love the color. The pen has a 1920s vibe going on in a body that's much more modern. It's light but has some heft, it's durable, it feels good to hold. I can toss it unprotected into my book bag and not worry about it, I can carry it in my jeans pocket when I take my horse out on a trail ride, it looks sharp at a meeting, it never hard starts. I can't imagine anyone preferring to pay the full retail price for anything when they can get it for less, but I don't think the full retail is too high a price for what I got with this pen. It's a precision-made tool and it acts and feels like it.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you for the wonderfully stated endorsement. It’s great when you connect with a pen. Thanks so much for commenting and for watching.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

I have 7 of these and have an 8th coming. These are amazing writers with the best stainless steel nib on the market: period! The white lacquer one is coming soon!!

[@HemingwayJones]

I admire your dedication. It’s so great when a pen resonates with you. The white lacquer looks amazing. Thanks for the comment.

[@kimberly3706s]

The design of the Aero is meant to be reminiscent of the Zeppelin. You might recall the historical tragedy of the Hindenburg that ended the Zeppelin airship heyday. By design, you hold history in your hand.

[@HemingwayJones]

That’s what I love about these amazing writing instruments. My Grandfather claimed that he could hear the boom of the Hindenburg when it exploded. I used to drive through Lakehurst quite a bit. Fantastic stuff.

[@Richard_Barnes]

As a UK buyer I was totally underwhelmed by the Aero and sent it back. It is not 'hefty' and I really don't know where you get that from. I found it to be light and with it that led to me being put off by it. The nib was 'meh' and the only thing I enjoyed about it was that cap click and feel. That cap design and click is nothing short of incredible. Talk about addictive ways of uncapping a pen, wow. But yeh, I sent mine back. Far too expensive in the UK at the time. Good video again, thanks😄👍🏻

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks Man. Glad you liked the video. I love when the back catalogue gets some love. I find it heavy, especially for aluminum. I do have heavier though. Sorry it didn’t work out for you but there are so many pens out there to explore. Stop by again soon and all the best.

[@guyschepers7981]

I love the aero, it is a very inspiring design and now available in different colors. The pen writes smoothly and fits perfectly in the hand. May I suggest j herbin vert olive for your green pen. 😊

[@HemingwayJones]

That sounds like a great choice. I love J Herbin, I am glad that you are a fan of the pen.

[@daltonparker7792]

With my experience from having 4 Aero pens, I would say that your experiences with the quality would be a more rare occurrence, but sad to see nonetheless. I hate to see someone have a bad experience with such an amazing pen. And while I agree that the price could come down, I do think that a lot of the money is coming from the machining for the metal of the body, along with the design that goes into that beautiful click when the cap is fully seated over the nib. All in all I think this is a beautiful pen, and an excellent break from the monotony in a world of many pens that loon the same. All the love and cannot wait to see your next video!!

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello Dalton, You may a very good point about the quality of the machining on the body. It is done very well. I do love the way that cap clicks too. It is indeed distinctive and I hold that in very high regard. All the best!

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I’d easily agree that the Aero is definitely a very original design and aesthetic among its peers in modern fountain pens. I’d readily hand it that much.

[@venusli5940]

Is the Aero too heavy to write with ? Thanks

[@daltonparker7792]

@@venusli5940 not at all! It’s not as heavy as you would think, and it really does lend well to longer writing sessions, but that’s given that you have mid to larger hands. For someone with smaller hands I don’t know if I would recommend one. Of all my metal pens, even counting my brass Kaweco sport, it is the lightest. I hope that helps!! And I say that the best way to find out is to try! So find a local pen shop, pen club meetings, anything like that, and I bet you someone will have one you can try if you’re nervous😉

[@HemingwayJones]

@@venusli5940 It’s fine write with, but is a more substantial pen.

[@markhayes789]

I like heavier pens because they seem so straighten out my loosey goosey handwriting. I found the Aero's looks pretty unappealing at first, but now I love it. I got the orange with Apache Sunset.

[@HemingwayJones]

Orange sounds awesome! Great point about the weight helping. All the best.

[@ichirofakename]

Sometimes I think a heavier pen smoothes out lines when I'm drawing, but I'm not really certain.

[@HemingwayJones]

@@ichirofakename If it works for you. I like them too. Some pens get away from me.

[@davidparrishproductions5082]

I think this is my next pen. black/medium. Can’t stop thinking about it.

[@13noman1]

Like a classic Greek tragedy, I think all great FPs are all flawed in one aspect or another! I only have one Aero but a number of other Diplomat pens, too. I find Diplomat a consistently high quality, great writing brand regardless of model. I'd also like to add a plug for their customer service. The cap on my original Aero was a bit loose -- enough such that over time, the pen would "auto uncap" in my pocket! Not good. Still, it wrote so well, I still carried it, albeit only in a case. I decided to write to Diplomat one day years after purchase and ask if there was some fix I could pursue; they sent me a replacement barrel and cap for free (the brown model) which works much better! It's matched with Noodler's Walnut Brown ink. BTW, that's their logo, not a propeller on the end. I believe it's a Maltese Cross.

[@HemingwayJones]

That’s great to hear about their customer service and heartening. I love the pen and cannot complain especially since it was essentially a gift. Yes truly, but as a design cue that logo is definitely doing double duty. All the best.

[@mojavejoe190]

I don’t have an aero and I don’t think the cool design is quite cool enough to persuade me to buy one. I did want to say you make great videos and I (and I’m sure others) appreciate the time and effort you put in to them.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much! That is kind of you to say. You’re one of the few people who even see them. We are a small group. It’s tough to get attention on this App.

[@mojavejoe190]

@@HemingwayJones Your channel will grow, I’m sure.

[@HemingwayJones]

@@mojavejoe190 Thanks Man. Right now I am trying to make good solid enjoyable videos that are pretty to look at. Best!

[@wlbrockman]

Thanks to our youngest son, I am the proud and pleased owner of a Diplomat Aero Flame. It is nothing short of spectacular in appearance. It writes beautifully. It is by far the heaviest pen in my collection of 35 pens but is so well balanced that I can write with it for as long as I write with any pen. It has no defects; to the contrary, it is one of the best made pens I have. Second only to my Pilot Custom 823.

[@HemingwayJones]

What a wonderful gift! That sounds amazing. All the best.

[@wlbrockman]

@@HemingwayJones It is! It is much more striking in person than it is in photos. Truly unique, IMHO. Much more attractive than other Aero models. The shop at which we purchased it (Bertram's Inkwell) had a great selection of pens in the same price range. It came down to a red striped Pelikan which was on sale as a display pen--a 600, I believe--and the Flame. It wasn't a hard choice, especially since the smoothness of the nibs isn't much different; to me, at least. As an aside, I didn't have a Pelikan at the time and was tempted because it seemed to me any serious fountain pen collection should have a Pelikan. Since then, I've purchased a gently used 205. It confirms my suspicion about Pelikan--it is a Nike of the pen world. That is, the bird, like the swoosh, increases the price of the pen well beyond its actual worth. It's a good pen, but no better than a TWSBI or Narwhal, both of which are 1/3 the price. What do you think?

[@HemingwayJones]

@@wlbrockman I have a red tortoise M600 Soverain and it is very smooth, but I have to work the nib a little. I have an M200 in the box that I haven’t opened. I like them but they often need a little tweaking to get right. TWSBI can go up against almost any pen. It’s just that good!

[@patrickblindeman5847]

Nice fountain pen I have the Diplomat Aero Stripes version, and as you also mentioned in your review, I also like the well-known Diplomat close click. The fountain pen writes very well indeed and can be used when you need to write something down quickly. It is indeed a pity that small irregularities that are present with your fountain pen. It must be that it was made on a Monday. The clip on my Diplomat Aero does not make a sound, it is robust and does not move an inch, my clip functions as it should. If I were you, I would mention that to your supplier.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much for the great comment. It’s a great pen and despite the minor issues with it, I still use it quite a bit. All the best.

[@methylatedspirit6810]

Diamine jade green would be Perfect for that pen! Although personally, I don’t think I’ll be getting one. I just can’t justify £160 on a pen with a steel JoWo nib when I can get an eco for £30. Very nice video by the way. I loved all the shots with the flowers in them!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Also, I appreciate the feedback about specific shots. That helps me as I produce these. Thank you. Eco is Olympia level pen. Few measure up! Good point. All the best.

[@artorlaw]

Nice channel, thanks for doing this. I am strugging between the Pilot 823 or Diplomat Aero, which one would you recommend?

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much! I appreciate that. Pilot 823 all day long. That is such an amazing pen.

[@tramzone]

I actually prefer the Aero, it’s smaller and lightweight somehow the EF steel nib is perfect. I never post it when I write. P823 is an amazing pen as well but somehow Diplomat is a natural in my hand. Waiting for a new brass Aero and a gold demo Nexus to come in by mail this week 💖

[@bobanderson7313]

I think you've been unlucky (twice). Or, it could be that I've been lucky but that's a rare occurrence - my clip is tight and noise free and I've just done a thorough loupe inspection and found no flaws anywhere.

[@HemingwayJones]

Lucky me! I hope you’re well!

[@robbinallan3767]

Thanks for another interesting review. I always enjoy the trips through the garden as well. I have one Diplomat Aero Volute. It's a great writer and completely different than my other pens.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I am trying to do my B Roll out and about, but nothing beats the garden for reliability. I need to get my hands on a Volute. I hear such great things. All the best.

[@1welshdevil]

Enjoyed the video, i went for an orange one, I love the weight of it, and the sheer size of the nib, it's great to use, and gets a lot of interest.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for the kind words on the video. Sounds like you have chosen a nice one! Wish you all the best!

[@1welshdevil]

@@HemingwayJones Thank you very much, I'm loving this world of fountain pens, The Carene remains my favourite, bit this is definitely up there.

[@HemingwayJones]

@@1welshdevil The Carene is another fine pen!

[@Dopmans]

My (first) Aero has a clip that is tight and silent . It a "factory" color .So I filled it with Kaweco Smokey Grey . You could try J.Herbin Vert Empire . Great video . Nice background music . Satie ?

[@HemingwayJones]

Yes! I love Satie and it’s a free track so that is a huge plus. My next one will be in a more sedate color. I love J Herbin. Great choice!

[@markc.5750]

I have an Aero and just recently bought an Elox. Neither one has any chips or a “chirping” clip. That’s a shame about yours. I love these pens.

[@HemingwayJones]

It happens. They make a lot of these so I am sure some make it through.

[@simonkrupa9524]

Looks like a great pen! It gives me an art-deco vibe.

[@HemingwayJones]

I agree completely on Art Deco. Thanks!

[@Logan-xd2bf]

Love the review! I just graduated from college and am looking to pick up a nice fountain pen to bring with me to my new job, any recommendations? Preferably under $200

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it. Some suggestions for under $200: the Pilot E95S. Very sophisticated and you would have enough for several bottle of ink and a TWSBI left over. A Sailor 1911L. Very nice and just under that amount.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I never bought the Aero because it never appealed to me very much. And the boring monotony of yet another pen with a Jowo nib makes me go to sleep instead. However, I will say that, to me, the Diplomat Excellence A2 pen (alas, with a Jowo nib) is just such a better pen in every way. Not least because mine looks fantastic and writes quite wonderfully.

[@davidanderson3425]

Sajjad, may I ask you what colour/finish you chose for your Diplomat Excellence A2?

[@HemingwayJones]

Those Jowo nibs are everywhere! At least they are very nice. It reminds me of the Seiko NH30 movement.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@davidanderson3425 ..Oh, certainly David. I actually have two of the pens: Evergreen w/gold trim (B) and Pearl White w/silver trim (F). Quite lovely pens I’ll always keep and use. There’s the option of upgrading with gold nibs at extra cost. Both of mine have superbly tuned steel (Jowo) nibs.

[@davidanderson3425]

Thanks,Sajjad. They sound wonderful. I think the steel nib is a wise choice in this case.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@jamesaritchie1 ..I once had quite a few more pens with Jowo nibs, before I really got bored and tired of the samey samey monotony of it. I sold off a number of those pens and just stopped buying pens with the standard Jowo, (or even Bock or Schmidt nibs). It was pointless buying moderately pricey pens if they all had the same damn nib stuck to them. I’ve always wished more pen brands were able to make their own nibs in-house. Alas, they don’t and never will. Funny also how many retailers sometimes avoid saying a particular pen has just another stock Jowo nib on it. Instead they advertise it as having a ‘ branded steel nib’. As if that fools everybody. Anyway, fully 90% of my 70-pen collection are pens from Aurora, Stipula, Visconti, Sailor, Pilot, Platinum, and Waterman. The rest are vintage Sheaffer and Esterbrook. Three Lamy 2000, a pair of Lamy Aion, and a medley of other pens with their own gold or steel nibs. The only pens with Jowo/Bock nibs I own today are a Kaweco Dia2, a Steel Sport, a pair of Diplomat Excellence pens, a few Edison and Franklin-Christoph pens. And a few expensive Montegrappas. Edison, F-C and Montegrappa are all known to grind and tune their Jowo and Bock steel nibs in-house, in their own special and interesting ways that make their pens very desirable because they write quite splendidly. That’s why I cared to keep them. Aurora’s steel nibs are lovely. Better than a generic steel nib, any day of the year.

[@brettcody76]

@hemingway jones, Is that a volume of C.S. Lewis over your left shoulder on the top shelf?!

[@HemingwayJones]

Sorry, no C.S. Lewis in my library.

[@manuelb.p.6932]

Thanks for the Review. I don't like the grip section. The Excellence series from diplomat fits much better in my hand

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@davidanderson3425]

Hello Hemingway. I don't own a Diplomat Aero but have heard the opinions of others on KZbin. I confess I do like the shape and design of the pen. I can't think of anyone making anything similar. Perhaps Moonman or Wing Sung are working on it as we speak! The slight damage is disappointing. It clearly happened at the factory because they painted over it. I agree, quality control should identify small flaws and reject any pens with even minor damage. I guess anything based upon a Zeppelin is sure to have its' faults. Excellent review, sir, as always.

[@daltonparker7792]

I would say that his experience with the chipped body and clicking clip is a very rare one off situation. I own 4 diplomat Aeros, and they are my favorite pens. I cannot overstate how amazing they are to write with. The weight and feel, the smooth nib and elongated grip section. I cannot recommend the pen more, and I think you would be pleasantly surprised and thrilled to have one!!

[@sajjadhusain4146]

Ha, David, the only zeppelin I ever knew and loved was the band Led Zeppelin. 🙂

[@davidanderson3425]

@@daltonparker7792 Thank you for your comment, Dalton. I have always heard, from reliable sources, that Diplomat steel nibs are very good. The only Diplomat I own is a vintage model. I may have to put the Aero on my wish list.

[@davidanderson3425]

@@sajjadhusain4146 Yes, Sajjad, Led Zeppelin were a ground breaking band and I still give them a listen now and then.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@davidanderson3425 ..I do, too. Along with Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Zeppelin formed the Holy Trinity of sorts in rock music of the 70s…Of course, there were the Beatles, Stones and The Who to name another three legends of that era.

[@curatedavalon]

I love heavier pens. They match the weight of my concentration.

[@HemingwayJones]

Nice! Well played.

[@tootsfour956]

I just can not get used to how this pen looks. It is not appealing to me...not one I will purchase.

[@HemingwayJones]

It’s like a little zeppelin.

[@joshuacooper6259]

Maybe there are some quality control issues with diplomat. My aero is with a loose cap, which is an awful disappointment!!

[@HemingwayJones]

That is a huge disappointment. The cap is 90% of the fun with that pen. Very odd. So sorry.

[@mustafacavli9958]

very nice review

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@texasboy5117]

I’m sure the Aero Diplomat is a fine pen with a great following. I’ve looked at at it a number of times, and believe it’s not for me. But then; that’s what makes pen collecting so interesting.

[@HemingwayJones]

Exactly! Everyone has their own tastes and preferences. It makes it so much more fun. All the best.

[@ichirofakename]

I think you pay a premium for the supercool design. For those who like supercool things, it is a fair value.

[@HemingwayJones]

That is a very good point, My Friend.

[@princeajaz9167]

Diplomat aero or benu Euphoria. Which is a better writer. I am confused between the two.

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello My Friend! I haven’t written with that particular Benu. It has a Schmidt nib v the Jowo on the Aero. So which do you prefer? I like both, so it’s tough for me to Choose.

[@princeajaz9167]

@Hemingway Jones i have not used either. I have recently started in the hobby. I was planning to buy TWSBI 580, but have decided to extend my budget a bit more and am now confused between these two pens. Thanks for you reply.

[@HemingwayJones]

The 580 is an awesome pen.

[@gregwebdale6406]

I have several pens with Jowo's in a variety of sizes from brands ranging from Faber Castel, TWSBI, to Ranga, and I have two Schmidt nibs in....well, I dont remember....because the Jowo is just so much better.

[@gregwebdale6406]

oops...Im not sure the Faber Castel uses Jowo. My apologies...but the FC writes so very very well for a steel nib.

[@sathishrao7926]

At $180, Aero isn’t my favorite.. I see that E95S is available for under $100 and you can get ‘almost’ two of these for one Aero 🙂

[@HemingwayJones]

That is a very good point. I have an E95S on order. Thanks.

[@sathishrao7926]

@@HemingwayJones Good to know.. I’ve an Elite from the 70s !

[@HemingwayJones]

@@sathishrao7926 Very cool Indeed!

[@cactusoverlord3975]

What happened to the Ayn Rand books that used to be right behind you? 😆

[@HemingwayJones]

I still have them. I never get rid of books. Obviously. I move stuff around. I’m getting ready to do so again.

[@cactusoverlord3975]

@@HemingwayJones I thought you removed them because they're as polarizing as the Montblanc 149!😆

[@HemingwayJones]

@@cactusoverlord3975 Haha, no. Hardly anyone ever mentions my books at all and I don’t think anyone said anything about them. I just moved them over to where I have fiction when I needed more room for journals. I will be shifting some things around again. I really love that you noticed. Part of the reason I film against that wall is so that viewers have something else to look at beside me!

[@stargazer1359]

*pickle colored. 💚

[@stargazer1359]

I look at all my pens under a loop as well...Being blind as a bat, it helps. 🔍

[@HemingwayJones]

Me too! I have terrible eyes.

[@stargazer1359]

@@HemingwayJones Yet, an eye for quality. 💎🖋🐦

[@HemingwayJones]

@@stargazer1359 Thank you!

[@timothywise9731]

Thanks for not showing us how to use the aero, such as how to install a cartridge, but you did show us the little tiny nicks which makes the video completely relevant...NOT!!! What a waste of time.

[@HemingwayJones]

It’s not that kind of channel. Just push the cartridge into the hole until it pops and you will be fine. I don’t really cover too much remedial stuff. It would be tedious for my regular viewers. Plus, my viewers are usually nice than you are. So there is that, Borat.