Diplomat Excellence.... what a pen!

[sgireland]

I stopped by the local B&M yesterday (Phidon Pens in Cambridge, Ontario) and fell in love with and purchased a Diplomat Excellence. I tried a number of pens that day but once I had the Diplomat in my hand I knew that was the pen I would leave the store with.

 

This is my first experience with a pen that has a brass barrel and I was immediately impressed with the weight and solid feel. The nib is delightful to write with and looks fantastic in two tone gold and silver. For the price I think this is an outstanding instrument.

 

I don't see this brand mentioned much here but I figure there must be a few others that own a recent production Diplomat pen. The manufacturer's website doesn't provide a lot of technical information and I am trying to find out if the cap is lacquer over brass like the body. Anyone know?

 

I will try to make time to post a review and pictures this week.

Edited May 20, 2009 by sgireland

[jar]

I had several Diplomats and really liked them. One was an older one, one a newer. You can see a review of one here.

 

A little while ago a young guy (30s?) saw some of my pens and fell in love with them and with the line that fountain pens allow. To get him started I put together a little care package of several pens, some packs of cartridges and some good paper. Two of the pens I chose to get him started were the Diplomats since they are so reliable, pretty, and write smoothly. He got the lacquered one and a light weight industrial one.

 

Love the Diplomats and consider them the sleeper among the German pens.Contact the US representative for Diplomat and they will be glad to get you the answers.

Edited May 20, 2009 by jar

[FrankB]

Diplomat pens might not be spoken of frequently here at FPN, but they are a known brand and have a following. I have a number of Diplomat pens, at least 10. I also think they are a great value and are very useful, fun writers.

 

When I was stationed in Germany for the first time, I got to know Pelikan pens. I found out that many of my German neighbors recommended Pelikans but used Diplomats, so I tried one of those as well. I think the model is called the Classic. I was very pleased at the quality of both pens. The Diplomat had only one nib size - M - but I got past that hurdle very quickly. The pen simply wrote so well that I adapted my writing size to the nib and enjoyed the pen.

 

I have not yet tried the Excellence model, but I think I will very soon. By the way, didn't the Diplomat Excellence win a recent Pen World Readers' Choice award for something?

 

Edited: I just answered my own question. Mary Burke posted the Pen World Readers' Choice awards on Pentrace. The Diplomat Excellence won the award for most "incredible value" of 2008.

Edited May 20, 2009 by FrankB

[MidnightBlue]

Great and with a pop top it's really practical. I bought the excellence A in Gold but the gold's a bit blingy. I don't think it's tasteful like the gold on say an MB or even Filcao. But, the pen is great value and I use it often.

Good choice.

Thanks

[Pinmin]

I stopped by the local B&M yesterday (Phidon Pens in Cambridge, Ontario) and fell in love with and purchased a Diplomat Excellence. I tried a number of pens that day but once I had the Diplomat in my hand I knew that was the pen I would leave the store with.

 

This is my first experience with a pen that has a brass barrel and I was immediately impressed with the weight and solid feel. The nib is delightful to write with and looks fantastic in two tone gold and silver. For the price I think this is an outstanding instrument.

 

I don't see this brand mentioned much here but I figure there must be a few others that own a recent production Diplomat pen. The manufacturer's website doesn't provide a lot of technical information and I am trying to find out if the cap is lacquer over brass like the body. Anyone know?

 

I will try to make time to post a review and pictures this week.

What is the meaning of a Maltese Cross on the nib? I clicked-on the nibs section and noticed it.

 

[SweetieStarr]

Check out my review and others' comments here: Review: Diplomat Esteem. Pics are at La Plume Etoile. I'll be reviewing an Excellence B soon also.

 

[Ondina]

Diplomats belong to that legion of hardly reviewed and known pens at the forum, but they are excellent pens, quality, well built, great nibs and average prices central European pens. Elegant design, c/c.

[MidnightBlue]

Just thought I'd put in another vote for this pen of no nonsense.

Great worker.

Thanks

[designerroots]

Anybody tried one with 14k gold nib?

[jslallar]

An old and well rspected German brand, knoewn to be reliable and good writers.

 

If I am not mistaken this company faced doen the giant MB when they started calling their 149 'The Diplomat', and won the law suit and forced MB to rescind the name which was theirs by patent rights.

 

Few are seen or talked about here, but a lot can be seen in German and Eurpean sites eg MARTINIauctions.com

[Bo Bo Olson]

I have a silver plated Diplomat, with a gold plated stirrup for a clip and a jumping horse in the cap Jewel.

There is also a Tennis version.

 

I unfortunately had to get rid of a nice well balanced Metal Diplomat...which one I don't know.

It was a nail M, and I had a Cross Townsend in nail M.

I really dithered when selling that one.

 

I only needed a basic nail set, B, M, F and EF, in I chase nibs with a tad of flex.

[designerroots]

I have a silver plated Diplomat, with a gold plated stirrup for a clip and a jumping horse in the cap Jewel.

There is also a Tennis version.

 

I unfortunately had to get rid of a nice well balanced Metal Diplomat...which one I don't know.

It was a nail M, and I had a Cross Townsend in nail M.

I really dithered when selling that one.

 

I only needed a basic nail set, B, M, F and EF, in I chase nibs with a tad of flex.

"I chase nibs with a tad of flex." Me too. On the US site www.mydiplomatpen.com i read "Upgrade to a Medium 14K nib for ultimate flexibility and responsiveness.", thats why i want to know if somebody has it.