Top 10 Fountain Pens $100-$250

[@DoctorrDude]

Any hobby/collector's community would be blessed to have you as content creator and reviewer, thorough and to the point while also being very learned in the field and also I like that you skew positive to almost anything. Thank you for your work

[@KingZarathus]

I like your definition of grail pen. It's not necessarily about being radically unobtainable. It's about being a hard to acquire goal. This could be a price you have to really save for, or rarity that's hard to find.

[@Calcprof]

Good list. I might add something from Opus 88, perhaps an Omar either to the list (or honorable mentions) -- although at the lower range of price (some Opus 88s would fit in a lower price range).

[@jesusdiezgrijalvo6036]

I really like the Lamy 2000 and I agree to place It on number one of this range. I think it can be perfect for one single Pen collection. Grettings from Spain 🇪🇦

[@martham9980]

Regarding the Vanishing Point, yes indeed the clip helps one index/align the nib. I’ve never heard anyone explicitly say it, but I’ve often thought it makes the clip a big plus on this pen. I take a lot of short notes throughout the day and I can click it, align it, and put nib to paper before even looking down.

[@mannagrynet]

I just ordered my first $100+ pen after two years of writing with fountain pens, a Pilot Heritage 92! I was originally looking to get a Platinum 3776, but heard so many good things about Pilot pens and their nibs. Nice to know that my choice made the list, can't wait to write with it!

[@FigbootonPens]

I hope you enjoy your new pen!

[@jayebird1070]

Thank you for updating these lists!

[@sajjadhusain4146]

This is always a crowded price bracket replete with very many, desirable and excellent pens. I have almost all the pens you listed and showed here. And I especially like the Carolina and Leonardo pens. I don’t have any from either brand. But I’d love to have at least one of each. The honorable mentions were all quite deserving ones, too. If I were asked, I’d probably name the following (in random order) : Lamy 2000 Montegrappa Fortuna Waterman Carene Esterbrook Estie (Oversize) Diplomat Excellence A2 Aurora Ipsilon Franklin-Christoph Model 19 Pilot E95s Platinum 3776 Century Edison Collier

[@maryannehommel103]

I bought my first Penlux Delgado this year and I doubt it will be my last. It's super smooth and the smoothest piston filler.

[@michaelmelling9333]

I'm pleased that the Lamy 2000 ended up at number one since it's the only one of these lovely pens that I have.😀

[@Volkmannx]

Nice selection, Narwhal Nautilus and Lamy 2000 being on my wishlist.

[@SwayvillDelgarian]

I like this selection better than some of the previous ones : all pens here are outstanding and excellent choices.

[@joecolucci1395]

"The ink and this pen have become one." got me laughing out LOUD! So true 😂

[@dianedemasi]

I received the Pilot Decimo for Christmas. I can see why it made it on this list (stayed up way past my bedtime just playing with the pen and the inks - it's like being a little kid again). Love your recommendations and the information you provide in these videos. Out of curiosity, would you say the grip section on the Pilot Vanishing Point is similar to a TWSBI ECO or maybe a Pilot Explorer? Or are those out of the ballpark?

[@pavanhuliyar]

Agree on most of them. Others I'll know when i buy them. A loooong way to go.. bought myself a Diplomat aero stripes. Thats looked unique.

[@JamesIsCommenting]

out of this list id go with a Lamy 2000. However I'd also recommend looking at upgrading nibs. For example, my opus 88 Demonstrator, once adding a gold nib from goulet changed the whole writing experience. Its an amazing value!

[@JannyHaak]

Lots of these pens are on my wishlist! The Lamy 2000 being my nr. 1 as well 😍

[@The_Eccentric_Piper]

Picked up the Diplomat Elox & the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Pura this year with the help of these videos. They're on this list for good reasons

[@marilyngardner4269]

A great list -- thanks! I would add the Diplomat Excellence A2. This underappreciated pen has the same fantastic nib as the Aero in a more traditional pen body. I find the Aero section incredibly slippery, the grip too narrow for the bulbous body, and the overall experience of writing with the pen uncomfortable. If anyone out there struggles with it for similar reasons, check out the Excellence A2.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I have two of the Excellence A2 pens. Fantastic pens. The only Diplomat pens I cared to buy. And I’ve sometimes recommended the pens to others on these pen channels.

[@JerryBearry]

I would like to see Diplomat add at least two more colors to their "Skyline" A2s; black with dark silver/gray, and a midnight blue version. Both with silver trim. The A2 is among the most comfortable pens I own.

[@marilyngardner4269]

@@JerryBearry Those would be beautiful colorways. I'd go for a black and grey/silver for sure. I have the Skyline Red and it is so pretty. It also writes like a dream.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@JerryBearry ..Mine are the emerald & gold and the ivory & silver. The Excellence A2 is still astonishingly overlooked. Btw, your suggestions of color/finishes are quite appealing.

[@DestroyerOfWords]

Great line up David! Put several on my TBWMWILL (To Buy When My Wife Isn't Looking List) 😇. The Lamy 2k is still an attention getter. Every time someone sees me using it the questions start. I warn them that the minute they search for the 2k it's all over. Never get tired of using it and it's always on my T10.

[@13noman1]

Woo-hoo! 9 out of 10 for me (and 2 of the honorable mentions)! I'm especially taken with the Franklin Christoph 66 as well; like you, mine's been continuously inked. Of course, this whole list runs counter to the "5 pen" thought experiment I believe Doodlebud aired a few weeks ago; it was quite thought provoking and got me to try to pare down my pen list -- hard to do with a list like yours! Two I'd disagree with slightly: the Platinum 3776 (never have gotten the nib to perform the way I'd like) and the Diplomat Aero -- SUPERB nib but the section is forever rotating in my grip. I'd also offer a caveat on the Carolina Pens. Jonathon Brooks is so talented making unique resins that he's partnered with a number of big name pen makers, something I highly respect! But time is finite so it appears to understandably take him away from pen making per se. I placed an order over 2 years ago when the site listed a 12 month wait (approx) and have yet to see a pen; now at least the site shows a 2 year wait.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Big thank you for doing this series.

[@sailcat9]

Excellent video! Thanks for the great content and a Happy New Year to you and your family!

[@DoubleDietz]

Excellent video. Lots of pens to add to my wishlist!

[@lilman10te]

Never thought I would be so interested in pens thank you for a new interest

[@ginopagnani7286]

Actually, from a chemist’s standpoint, “stirring “ can be a critical component.

[@FigbootonPens]

Yah...but it felt more like when you let your younger sibling "play" video games with you with a second controller that isn't even plugged in. 🤣

[@paulmchugh1430]

There may be a few pens that I would change but I do not find any problems with any on your list. Depending on where you buy it, I would have the Pilot 743. It is a great pen. Nice weight and balance and mine has a Soft Fine nib which is outstanding.

[@mrcat3493]

Interesting list David! This may be cheating, but since it is not available in the US, I’ll add it. The Pilot Custom 743 is a great value. It’s under $200 and comes in all the Pilot nib options. It’s the cartridge converter version of the 823. I received my first Vanishing Point today in the mail and I am enjoying it already. That is one pen where I will exclusively use cartridges. Also, I bought my first custom pen a while back from WallTown Pens, they sell on Etsy. It is a Brooks resin called “unicorn horn” and is very colorful and sparkly, it is so out there that I love it. I’m going to the Chicago Pen Show in May and a Leonardo is on my “take a look at” list. Happy New Year

[@NickT6630]

A great selection of pens. I would of added the Sailor 1911L to that list because of the excellent 21K gold nib, and the Pelikan M600 which is an excellent pen with 14K gold nib.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I only have one Sailor 1911L. And I can’t believe I forgot about that one. Their prices vary, though, from as low as $180 up to $270. I just thought of my full sized Sailor Pro Gear pens (I have six) and those are of course $300+ in N. America.

[@guillermocruz2169]

Is the winner Leonardo momento zero mango #1, lamy2000#2 and Pilot CH92 #3. Usually those are my primary pens.

[@venturous1v]

I didn’t even know about the Leonardo brand before watching this, but that will probably end up being my next purchase.

[@ichirofakename]

Thanks for another great video, full of information and opinions. For me, I like the look of that Elmo.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

For anybody turned off by Montegrappa’s many outlandish designs and prices really ought to consider the Elmo - for its sober, elegant aesthetics and affordable price (by Montegrappa’s standards anyway). I have two Elmo pens. I’ll always keep them.

[@helena5590]

Thanks for the recommendations! Great videos

[@yarp1246]

I'm addicted to these videos, please help

[@ZackN85]

Leave it to David to create a top-10 pens list that includes approximately 57 pens. ;-)

[@brianzhou8484]

Great list! Would love to see Waterman Carene and Sailor Profit (as long as Pilot 74 and Platinum 3776 are both mentioned) in this list though.

[@ichirofakename]

I agree those are outstanding pens. But perhaps Mr. Figboot is not on Team Sailor with me.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@ichirofakename ..Figboot does own and love the KoP. 🙂 So, that price league is coming soon.

[@dianedemasi]

Ohhh! The Waterman Carene is beautiful. I've got to look up some reviews on that pen. What do you think of it?

[@kimberlycasey5957]

He may place both of those pens in the next higher price category.

[@ichirofakename]

@@kimberlycasey5957 Whoa I just checked prices on the Carène. You are right.

[@diz984]

What do you think of the new Visconti pens that are in this range now? (If you try it yet)

[@FigbootonPens]

There just might be a couple reviews coming up that cover these pens.

[@stevekail4543]

Nothing from Edison or BENU?! Both brands have a wide variety of models and resins in this price range. In my experience both brands have exceptional quality control. I would gladly toss three or four of your selections off of the list for something from either of these brands.

[@FigbootonPens]

Benu was mentioned on the previous list...and there is a strong probability an Edison will show up on the next list.

[@masont2429]

Lamy 2000 is definitely the top dog in this price range

[@Druuj]

The montegrappa nib engraving is not just unique. It's beautiful.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

And Montegrappa also tunes their (usually Jowo) steel nibs in house to make them quite distinct and splendid writers.

[@ryansullivan3081]

I have to say that the only pen I’d spend more than $150 on, would be the Leonardo MZ. Something about that pen just does it for me. One day.

[@marct-y5q]

Lamy getting first place on two so far. 😁🖖

[@guhster]

Figboot likes orange.

[@annoxelia5440]

Nice list. I would add the Diplomat Aero, at least as an honorable mention. I have two (EF and M) and both write beautifully. Best cap snap too.

[@imsathyasekar]

I am probably in the huge minority in the community on Lamy 2000. I do like the design of the pen but somehow, the nib just didn't gel for me. Maybe it was a bad piece I got but I was put off with the grind of the nib. I had a similar problem with the Lamy Dialog also, so maybe Lamy gold nibs aren't for me. I do like their steel nibs much better

[@jaygoodwin8833]

Good list but I would have added Sailor.

[@FigbootonPens]

There are two more lists to come...

[@ichirofakename]

Yes, an interesting omission.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

Sailor’s best and most desirable pens are almost all priced above $250. At least mine are. 😋

[@genaishivatov1737]

Over the years, I became disillusioned with Platinum 3776. 1. A very hard nib, a nail - it comes out on paper with a micro-impact. 1. Not the most successful design of the cartridge - the level of some ink is hard to see, the ball inside interferes with flushing. 3. The iridium tip is the most wearable among japanese firms and is much inferior in hardness to tips from Bock and Pelikan.

[@NothingBeingEverythingforNoOne]

I love your channel enough to subscribe to it the first time I found it. BUT what the heck is the deal with not providing the dam price for each of these offerings and then not even providing a direct link to their respective page! To make matters worse you can’t even select and copy the name of these pens in the description! Come on! 😠

[@FigbootonPens]

For these lists, since the pens will fall within the stated range, I chose to not display exact pricing. When there are potentially dozens of retailers who carry the same pen, it's not necessarily fair of me to only link to one of them. Not quite sure what you mean that you can't copy the names. In the notes below the video you can copy by highlighting/right clicking/selecting COPY, or highlighting/control+c to copy/control+v to paste.