Top 5 Favorite Fountain Pens Now Shocking Changes!

[@Opensidemorpheus]

I wouldn’t dream of speaking for anyone else, but I very much doubt I’m the only one of your regular viewers who find the only shocking part of that video the way you actually kept the list to five!😊 I would have been shocked if it hadn’t been the Edson in the top spot. Lovely piece, as always. Thank you!

[@HemingwayJones]

😂 😂 😂 Thanks so much. This one made me smile. Thank you!

[@stevekingswell9143]

Just discovering my interest in using a fountain pen. I have a Mont Blanc 146 ( present from 30 years back), a Safari AL-Star in graphite, with a back and a silver nib, and a Kaveco Brass Sport (coming for Xmas). So that’s my top 3, lol!

[@HemingwayJones]

That is a near perfect 3 pen collection. Very well done.

[@RainmanP99]

No surprise. I think we all knew from the very beginning your favorite would be the Edson! 🤣 Your love for it has been so obvious, and I do not blame you.

[@HemingwayJones]

I try to be surprising! I guess I’m more transparent! Thanks for watching!

[@Alliejay-C]

I love how your lists evolve! Isn't it wonderful how our preferences change over time? While I don't have a big collection, I enjoy rediscovering my favorites as they change over time. I still love the other pens, but those are the only the ones I love most right now. It's such a delight to be able to choose only from pens I really like.

[@richardzak2140]

Hello HJ. Who is qualified to question a person's choice of favorite pens? As long as you choose from the heart, you will always be correct. Great video. Always a lot of fun watching your top 5 (or so) videos. Keep them coming my friend.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much, My Friend! I appreciate it.

[@drewb8275]

Lol if you said anything other than the Waterman Edson I wouldn't have believed it😂

[@HemingwayJones]

I never realized how obvious I am! 😂 Thanks so much and thanks for watching.

[@jonneilson173]

Great list! Your handwriting seems to be especially nice when you are using that Edson. Recently discovered your chanel, and it's one of my favorites! I let the adds play all the way through when I watch your videos.😊 I just subscribed.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very very much. I am happy to have you. Thank you for the kind words!

[@K_rye]

I wasn't shocked about your top pen. You've been raving about it since you got it. It's lovely and writes beautifully. I appreciate that you include an affordable pen in your top favorites. While I understand and appreciate why the higher end pens cost what they do, they just aren't in the budget.

[@HemingwayJones]

Maybe I should do a Top 5 Affordable favorites. That would be fun. Thanks for watching.

[@lukefullerton509]

@@HemingwayJones That is a great Idea I would love to watch that video! I just realized how much I have spent on pens and though it is nowhere near the most it is still more than I realized!

[@mattm1314]

I concur with the AL Star, which has displaced my Lamy 2000 in my daily rotation. Unbelievable design, writes amazingly well, and great quick note taker with click cap and fantastic unposted balance. Incredible value.

[@xlerb2286]

I have both, I like both, though I did swap out the AL's steel nib for a gold one. But the 2000 was my first pen and has always been my main pen since '79 when I bought it. I don't think anything will ever change that. It's not the best pen ever, not saying it is. But for me it just "fits". Though I don't take my old 2000 out of the house any more. After having it for 40+ years I couldn't stand losing it.

[@jaystone4816]

The Boheme and the Edson speak to me as well. The Boheme never fails to bring a smile to my face when I uncap it and extend the nib, or change the cartridge. Alas, I don't own an Edson, but I drool whenever I see a picture of it or see it in a review. Simply elegant and beautiful. I like Pelikans and I own a number of them, but most are vintage. The Pelikan 140 is a wonderful writing experience and so is the Pelikan 400nn. The older Pelikan gold nibs are really nice and they impart a distinctive look to my writing that modern nibs do not. One day too, I will own an Edson!

[@pamelasnyder9745]

I finally caved and joined your channel! I enjoy your very informative content. 🎉

[@HemingwayJones]

I'm so glad you joined! Happy to have you! Welcome! Thank you very very much!!!! Please email me if you want to be in the Pen Pal Group!

[@charolettebeard3657]

What is the Pen Pal group about?​@@HemingwayJones

[@HemingwayJones]

@ For Illuminati and Cognoscenti Members, we all share letters and write back and forth. It’s a blast!

[@Volkmannx]

That giggle while talking about self-restraint 😁 The Edson is gorgeous! But made of Cantaffordium, I guess. Anyway, thank you!

[@kj.mclean]

I laughed out loud at "Cantaffordium", which snuck up on me.

[@HemingwayJones]

Nice, so true! It is a pricey beast. I wish I went to Estate Sales. I hear that is how you can get these things for much less.

[@extrovertedthinker]

I love the m800. I just got it in red. Thanks for making this video. You encouraged me to re-ink my magna carta. That waterman is absolutely stunning.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much for watching, and for your kind words!

[@debbypodgorski4144]

Love the Edson pen. I bought a Carene to have a cool nibbed Waterman.

[@HemingwayJones]

The Carene is a top tier pen, one of the most under appreciated pens out there. I love that pen!

[@shane6242]

No surprise that your Edson won out :) That was a stunner when it first came out and everybody wanted one! Congrats

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much, My Friend!

[@JRDiaz-tn5kb]

I’m not surprised by your top pick. It can be from obscure enough situations that one pen can win out over a more regular one when you discover something new (or old) that you hadn’t experienced before - such as going to the DC Pen Show and being drawn to your new love. Thanks for presenting you latest picks of 🖋✒ 🙂

[@arcboy2011]

I agree with you on the Boheme over the Egyptomainia. I love the complications of the Boheme, and the design.

[@HemingwayJones]

It’s an interesting pen. I love the little clock work feel of it.

[@BEYSeamaster1]

The Edson is the King. The nib reminds me of Sheaffer’s inlaid nibs, and the body reminds me of S. T. Dupont’s lacquer. Beautiful.

[@HemingwayJones]

I agree completely about the nib. A bit like a Shaeffer Legacy. I have never had an ST DuPont though.

[@BEYSeamaster1]

@ ​​⁠ It’s understandable as they are a lot more famous for their lighters than for their pens and leather products. I hope that you can try an Orpheo. The best pens ever in every way in my experience. Some people don’t like them because they’re a bit heavy. However, the nib, the lacquer and the sound and feeling when you cap the pen are Dupont’s signature. Cheers, Omar

[@HemingwayJones]

@ I am getting more and more curious about them. I may need to add one to my collection soon. Feel free to suggest a model.

[@wdstauter8429]

Love your list. What are your thoughts on modern (new) Monte Blanc’s? Thinking of a 146 or 147.

[@HemingwayJones]

You cannot go wrong with either. I love them. The 146 has perfect proportions.

[@kurtgeisinger2012]

I had a strong feeling that your Waterman Edson was going to dominate the list. I was delighted to see that the Lamy Al-Star was also on your list of favorites; it is one of my go-to fountain pens. Well done, HJ. Intriguing video as always. 👍

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you for watching! The Al-Star is a fantastic everyday pen. Thanks so much!

[@Studio.AquaMarina]

Can I just say that I absolutely love that you don’t do “currently inked”, but rather do your top five favorites instead? It is much more relatable to me personally. We all function differently and that’s absolutely ok. The irony is that I myself do currently inked videos on my channel but they are not done on monthly basis, but rather every other month and I only have 6 pens in my rotation. I’ve discovered that for me personally, it is very important to really use these magnificent writing instruments for a while in order to fully understand and enjoy them.

[@thomasmorrison675]

I have a few fountain pens, but not a day goes by that I don't use my yellow Lamy Safari at some point, it never lets me down and it is actually a very smooth writer. I have found that fine nibs suit my writing style very well. I hear about as much bad as I do good about the Montblanc 149, but I want one anyway. Nice list HJ.

[@shireads2954]

The Waterman Edson was absolutely no surprise to me simply because I fell for it just as hard the first time you showed it. I adore the look of it, and weep for my lack of it

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks very much! It is so pretty. There are some out there. One may come your way. Thanks for watching.

[@nittneylion84]

Not surprised about Edson. You did surprise me with the Lamy AL pick. When you reviewed it a couple months back, I had to get one myself. I love my Aquatic ❤. Agree that it is a great pen.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks, it’s a great pen! I’m really enjoying it! Thank you!

[@KentFilleman-it8vp]

I can understand why you love these 5 beautiful fountain pens. A couple of these are on my short list to acquire. Great video.

[@kq9l115]

Nice list! We have similar tastes and I have an Edson ball point which I love as well! Have you tried oversized Esties or even the LAMY 2000? I think you may like these pens as well!

[@HemingwayJones]

I do have both and do like them, not to this level, but they are solid choices. Thanks for watching!

[@907bigdog]

Absolutely great video! Loved the informal fun feel to it.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you very much! I have a good time with lists.

[@johnnyragadoo2414]

Favorite pens, that's like an internal Hatfields and McCoys, here. I have a briefcase bag and a backpack, so I need a couple of pens for each. Then there's my desk pens, and I have to have a pocket pen. All pockets are not equal, so there's a couple there. Right now, I've got it down to ten inked. I'm strong, though. I think I could retire one of them from active use.

[@NAVIETVET72]

Favorite 6 fountain pens: all of the nibs are fine point which I love: Namiki Emperor. Mont Blanc 149, Conway Stewart Churchill, Pelikan M800 in demonstrator green, Visconti Homo sapiens Bronze Age, and Sailor "a pirates life for me." Honorable mentions Conklin Duragraph. Then Namiki and Pelikan I just received last week.

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Hemingway! LOVE your new top 5 list! Many of the pens on it are also some of my favorites as well! I love that blue Lamy Al Star! Mine has a Fine or XF nib on it, if I remember correctly. My Pelikan 800 is also a Fine and writes like a medium as well, but SO NICE! I like your MB Egyptomania, as well, but the little Boheme is FAR more interesting. Another favorite pen from MB that you have that I like is that Burgandy 147 traveler. I have even been kind of looking for one of those. . .But I think an actual Boheme would be even better. What can you say more about the Edson? It is as if Waterman went back to the late 1940's or early 50's and had someone design that pen for them. Just amazing! In my opinion, if Waterman's could have launched the Edson back in the day as a serious competitor to the Parker 51, they might have been better off than with the Taperite series. Even with a lever-fill, the Edson would be such a good-looking pen. As far as TWSBI goes, I have an Eco, but my ultimate favorite TWSBI pen is the lovely TWSBI Kai. Just an amazing pen!

[@eddiecandelaria8691]

Not a surprise for the Edson, I know it's on my list also. I drool over the Egyptomania and surprised that the boheme overtook it on your list. My current top 5 ( subject to change without notice ) are... 5 jinhao 9019 king of pen size, Delta dolcevita oversize grip, large ink capacity screw in converter and removable #8 nib units, all colors. 4 pelikan m805 stresemann with an extra fine nib. Love that deep graphite grey barrel and rhodium trim. 3 montblanc 149 love the feel and the smooth medium nib. 2 waterman Edson in sapphire blue, well you know exactly what I mean. Tied for 2nd or 2a is my Delta dolcevita oversize. Fine nib , just spectacular. 1 Sheaffer pen for men 3. Fine/medium nib is just a step above ( but slightly ) over the Edson.

[@HemingwayJones]

That is a solid list my friend. Well done!

[@LisaPottinger]

Nice video. We have similar taste in top pens. I was torn between the Waterman Edson, Visconti Homo Sapiens Blue Lagoon and Pilot Custom 823 clear demonstrator for the No1 spot. In the end I settled for: 1. Visconti Homo Sapiens Blue Lagoon (M) 2. Waterman Edson Sapphire (M) 3. Pilot Custom 823 Clear demonstrator (Custom Sankakusen Grind by CY from Kyuseido) 4. Lamy 2000 (M) - I had to pick this over the Al-star 5. Namiki Capless / Vanishing Point Urushi Raden Stripe (M) Honourable mentions: Pelikan M805 (Translucent Blue Stripe with medium nib) and Leonardo Mosaico Hawaii (B)

[@lzalab2286]

My current fave is the Lamy2000 Pine and MB Jane Austin ❤

[@HemingwayJones]

Those are great choices!

[@archivist17]

My own current favourite is also a Waterman: the W2 from the 1950s. I bought an upmarket W5, which I expected to be better, but, while not a disappointment in any way, it couldn't displace the W2.

[@pvorobyoff]

Hello, what do you recommend: Pilot Vanishing Point or Custom 823? Which one is more pleasant in terms of writing?

[@HemingwayJones]

Were it me, I would go for the PC823 first. The VP is awesome and classic, but it is best as a clicky FP. The PC823 is sublime!

[@pvorobyoff]

@@HemingwayJones thank you

[@vicentegregorio6476]

Hi, HJ! I have a Magna Carta 600, i have not yet been able to write properly with it, do you know who can help me me get this fixed? The nib is too flexi and it spreads, railroading. Thanks. Also, I am an Ambassador and have tried to upgrade to belong to the pen pal groups, but have not figured out how. Can you help me?

[@HemingwayJones]

Hello My Friend. Sorry about your Magna Carta. Where did it come from? Did you try speaking with them for a return? Otherwise I would contact Hiren at Magna Carta and see what he can do. So sorry. I believe to change your Membership level, you go into the Join Button, it may also be called “See Perks” and click on it. There should be an upgrade button somewhere in there depending on the version. I got this from Google so please email me if it doesn’t work. Thanks so much!

[@archivist17]

I think Number 1 was never in doubt, but I confess I was expecting to see the Egyptomania at 2. Pleased to see a more affordable pen in the mix, too.

[@varadharajannadarajah]

Great collection. Looks like you have moved towards practical & daily-carry pens.

[@HemingwayJones]

I didn’t even notice that. I think you’re right! Thanks!

[@theSIGsation]

I lost my limited edition pink Al-star when I graduated from community College a few years ago. Maybe it's time to buy another one

[@HemingwayJones]

Noooo!!! So sorry. 😢 maybe a Harry Potter?

[@xlerb2286]

@@HemingwayJones First time I've seen a run on fountain pens. They're sold out most everywhere. No worries, they'll make more. But I agree, it's past time to replace the AL-Star.

[@HemingwayJones]

@ That does happen on occasion. I hope one turns up for you. Perhaps at a pen show.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks, HJ. I'm surprised that the Boheme beat out the Egyptomania.

[@HemingwayJones]

That may be timing! We will have to see what happens when I revisit this!

[@robinpennell1594]

I could only narrow my pens down to the last five purchases. Those are the currently inked. I write them dry and buy another... no I don't! I meant I write them dry and refill another. Yup yup yup! Latest ones are Waterman Carene, pelikan 205, kaweco perkeo, pilot prera, and Edison something for breast cancer. I have to say the pilot prera is my go to though. Even tho I have a MC 600 and a Pelikan 400 and a MB 146...

[@HemingwayJones]

That’s a great list. I am a huge fan of the Carene!

[@lizdelisle1912]

The only thing that surprised me is that the Mont Blanc 149 wasn’t number one. To me that’s your signature piece and I’ll always think of you when I see one! Everything else on your list is alejado on my favorite runaround list! The Lamy AL is wonderful everyday joy! Kawecos I’m also addicted to, the only thing that slows me down with Kawecos is I stick to the AL group otherwise I’d have a fountain pen rainbow! This was one of my favorite videos! Great music selections!😻

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you so much! I love the 149, but I like the Egyptomania better because it’s so unique. I’m sure I’ll pick up the 149 again and forget all others. It’s dynamic. Thanks for watching!

[@jacobus57]

Overrated, especially the contemporary models. The vintage MBs are much less expensive and have ebonite feeds. Paying an absurd premium for "precious resin" is absurd.

[@r3dz0ne982]

Congrats on the new favorite pen!

[@HemingwayJones]

Thank you!

[@frederikbruck5210]

Lamy nibs: If you get a chance to grab some, I would highly recommend to try their Z53 nib line. They're still steel, but they are made of a harder alloy. Very stiff, but smooth like butter. The writing feels absolutely perfect for me, something in between steel and gold. Also they are much more polished than the standard Z50's especially the tip. Except for the 2000 (for obvious reason: Never change what's allready perfect!), I changed all my Lamy nibs to Z53's just for the feel when writing with these nibs. Isn't it so, that the always "baby" our latest acquisition the most? My youngest purchase was the Lamy 2000 (EF nib) and I find it hard at the moment to grab for any other pen. The subtle red shine of oxblood through it's almost opaque ink window is so beautiful! At times I just turn it in the light of my desk lamp and look at it for minutes without even blinking much... (something like:🥺)

[@anguswhite8233]

kin el!: top 5 - how do I pick just 5 fp’s?: for me, the fp’s I would miss most would be 1. Sailor pro gear H-EF black with rhodium trim, 2.vintage Esterbrook model SJ w new/old.stock 9128 EF flexible nib: this is just pen perfection!:) 3. Platinum 3376 EF in Chartreuse bleu w rhodium trim: don’t know what it is about this fp, it just writes perfectly and makes me want to write and write - I’ve got a bunch of these and they all write wonderfully! 4. Pilot ch912 EF w rhodium trim 5. a very humble Pilot78g+EF blue/grey w silver trim inked w Diamine midnight, my favourite blue/black: this is just pen perfection imho!:)

[@LewisLittle66]

Edson - the least shocking shock revelation of 2024 😁

[@potandpens]

I just knew the Around the World MB was gonna make the list.

[@wolf_ceit_witch]

Cool top 5. But you did break the Egyptomina's little heart, not to mention the 149...I think they will runaway and join the pen Circus. No honorable mentions? LOL....

[@HemingwayJones]

I thought it was going too long for honorable mentions. I am thinking of doing a list of Top 5 favs, period, regardless of brand etc. No rules, just the faves. That could be fun.

[@minnamendelson2507]

I knew it👍. BTW I am blaming you for mine recently purchased !

[@HemingwayJones]

You're welcome! 😉 I mean, I’m sorry! ;-)

[@kj.mclean]

You have broken your Egyptomania’s heart. It would like you to know that it is running away from home and coming to live with me in Canada. It requests courier transport, due to the postal strike in Canada. It promises to write. 😉

[@xlerb2286]

I'm not a pen collector so I don't even have 5 (working) pens right now. The 2000 has been top of my list since '79, and these days after that either a Safari or an AL-star. I bought a Dialog 3 just to see what all the shouting was about. I like it but I'd put the Safari/AL-Star ahead of it, especially if you swap out the nib. And in the junk drawer somewhere I've got three gold Sheaffer Targa pens and a steel Targa pen from the early 80's - but they wouldn't be on my top 20 list ;) I took a lot of notes with them in school but I never really liked them so as they started giving trouble I just threw them in the drawer.

[@mbarbino1]

Edson!

[@gregwebdale6406]

You're reviews have inspired pretty well all of my pen purchases. Well, ok....Figboot has snuck in there and piqued my interest too, but....

[@debbypodgorski4144]

The Edson

[@HemingwayJones]

Love it!

[@ichirofakename]

1. Hey, the Edson has cap nubs! Unacceptable(?). 2. All your pens on all your lists are handsome. No ugly pens allowed. 3. Rather than what pens I claim to like, I thought I'd check my fountainpencompanion page to see what pens I actually use the most: 5. Pilot Parallel 4. Sailor 1911s 3. Pilot Custom 743 2. Sailor Pro Gear Mini 1. Platinum Carbon Desk Pen

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks as always for checking in. Always a pleasure! I covered the cap latches on the Edson as the right way to do it and dinged the 2000 for handling it poorly. That was in the “Most Underrated and Under Appreciated FP” Video from a few weeks back. I do prefer the three cushions over the two wiry latches, but perhaps I will evolve! I am capable of growth. Thanks for being here.

[@AMusset]

Thank you for the video. I have to say, even in the 90s when the Edson was released I could not stand the look and to this day it has not changed :( I have no doubt it writes really well but visually speaking I was never a fan of inlay nib, got no problem with hooded nib however ! Go figure! Funny thing is, nowadays I'm no longer sure which is my favorite pen... For the longest of time it was my Waterman Patrician then my Omas Milord Arco but today... It might be a Leonardo :P

[@HemingwayJones]

That'a a good choice. It's amazing how different we all are.

[@neilpiper9889]

Lamy is now owned by Mitsubishi

[@HemingwayJones]

Yup, but their factories and everything else are in Germany.

[@gihanzohdy3284]

I'm not shocked, when one is a collector there is an ebb and flow how one feels about each piece.

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Interesting how your taste in pens has matured. The lever fillers seem like they don’t stay on the list.

[@HemingwayJones]

Yes, my tastes have shifted and I've been focusing on other features lately. I also don’t wholly trust them to leave my desk and so there is a bit of a hesitation to bring them out of doors and that limits their usefulness for me.

[@AndrewWertheimer]

@ I totally understand. I love old vintage nibs and classic pens but like being able to not worry about ruining a shirt pocket. I also worry about the future of parts and repair. Have a good weekend.

[@lukefullerton509]

Do you prefer the 146 or the 149?

[@lukefullerton509]

and do you prefer the 146 or the pilot 823? And if you have the time I would appreciate it if you let me know why.

[@RaoulKunz1]

Huh? How ist this shocking? 🧐 Especially if the first one is the M800... the M805 in the "cold" looking "Stresemann" variation with a grey striped barrel and all gold parts in rhodium is my most bekoved pen! 15:41 And a Safari variation... I know people love it but it's been cripling my hand with it's forced finger posture since fith grade until almost my Abitur... I despise it simply because it hates me😂. The other choices also look nice! Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

[@Michelt007]

Hemingway's collection is so much larger and more expensive than mine that I am not even allowed to be shocked by his choice of the 5 best pens. But, nevertheless, I feel disappointed that no Pilot pens make the cut. I have only praise for all Pilot products I tried so far, and although I do not own any of their best pens, I would have liked to see one of them as part of the top five. For me, Pilot is to fountain pens what Honda/Acura is for cars.

[@adammettafusion]

I doubt that your number 1 pick was a shock to any of your regular live show viewers :) but what I did find shocking was that there were no Pilots or Namikis on any of your lists. There must be Pilot pen out there that could make your top 5, perhaps you haven’t found it yet 😊

[@HemingwayJones]

That’s a very good point because I love Pilot, as you know, but even the PC823 hasn’t been elevated to Top 5. If I were making a list of the best pens, it would be on it. I think that it is so perfect that it lacks a little bit of character that I like. I need to explore this. There may be a video in this idea. Thanks!

[@fyfesandy3491]

Wot? No S T Dupont?

[@HemingwayJones]

I don’t own one. I wish I did.

[@Alliejay-C]

That's it... I need to stop calling these videos. They are pen films!

[@jacobus57]

Really Tim, "aluminnium?" 🙄

[@HemingwayJones]

What about it? That’s how it’s pronounced!

[@laertides7]

Ok, since you specifically asked, I find it absolutely unhinged that anyone would choose any Lamy over the 2000. All the Safari-bodied pens are nice, and I agree that they're pleasant to use, but I honestly think that the 2000 does everything they do but better by a factor of 10. To be clear, while I often disagree with you and always find you a pompous, Frasier-Crane-esque kind of character, I keep coming back and enjoying the content, so please be assured that these comments come from a place of appreciation and respect. Fountain pen channels are all about people's opinions.

[@HemingwayJones]

Are you a big 2000 fan? If so, why? What do you really like about it? I don’t hate it. I like it, but it’s not in my echelon. I’d love to hear. I think you can disagree with someone and still find them entertaining and interesting. I enjoy people with unique and even outlandish perspectives. I get the Frasier Associations and I think some of that rings true in that I enjoy a lot of high culture. I also aspire to learn as much as I can about the things that interest me. But, I never think I know everything and never look down on others who don’t care about the things I care about. The only thing I am the foremost authority in is my own opinion, which I revise often and sometimes in real time on this Channel. I will always have a balance of ego and self-loathing. Also, this Channel is full of pop culture references and other fun stuff. But, I am not beyond wearing an Ascot, so I have to own that. I suppose this is a long winded way of asking you to look beyond the appearances and enjoy the Channel. I make this for all of you to enjoy and to be interesting. So thanks for being here and for the honest, kind, and polite words.

[@laertides7]

@HemingwayJones I'm probably just a few short steps shy of being a Lamy 2000 purist, if I'm being honest, ha. I like everything about it! Over the years I've had just about every available nib grade (right now I'm down to 2, a traditional black Makrolon in B and a Blue Bauhaus 100 in XF (though that's not by choice, it only came in XF). I just think it's the perfect pen. In fact, I'm at a phase now where I'm only looking for very specific pens to add to my collection and the criteria I have for them are very L2k-centric. Snap cap (or similar - no threads), integrated filling system, high-performance nib. I've been in the market for a vintage Aurora 88 in Nikargenta for years. Of course I realize that these things that I find so appealing are only my own opinion, and I certainly don't begrudge others their tastes. With the Lamy Safari family, though, it just seems like I'd purposefully be choosing the little brother, if you will. I'll definitely be continuing to enjoy the content! If for no other reason than that I find the whole production kind of mysterious, ha. Carry on!

[@HemingwayJones]

@ Thanks so much for this! I love getting a well-stated perspective and insight. I like the L2K, but not nearly to your level. I do appreciate its history and design. Sometimes it feels a bit too modern to me, but I have huge respect for it. Thanks for this and for all of your kind words.

[@darrinyhearm4240]

No shock for me.

[@HemingwayJones]

Thanks for watching!

[@MikeyPozo]

18th like!!!

[@zenrazor659]

These pens are really ugly😂 Difficult to find worst

[@LisaPottinger]

Nice video. We have similar taste in top pens. I was torn between the Waterman Edson, Visconti Homo Sapiens Blue Lagoon and Pilot Custom 823 clear demonstrator for the No1 spot. In the end I settled for: 1. Visconti Homo Sapiens Blue Lagoon (M) 2. Waterman Edson Sapphire (M) 3. Pilot Custom 823 Clear demonstrator (Custom Sankakusen Grind by CY from Kyuseido) 4. Lamy 2000 (M) - I had to pick this over the Al-star 5. Namiki Capless / Vanishing Point Urushi Raden Stripe (M) Honourable mentions: Pelikan M805 (Translucent Blue Stripe with medium nib) and Leonardo Mosaico Hawaii (B)