Diplomat Aero, Medium Nib

[visvamitra]

guess we may all agree that Diplomat isn’t the most popular fountain pen maker on the market. The company is rarely named when someone asks for fountain pen recommendations. It’s surprising. While some of their pens aren’t particularly exciting designwise, the ones I’ve tried so far (three) were all great writers. Solid, well built, reliable.

I’ve heard about Aero some time ago and enjoyed its design instantly. Sadly at the time the price was too high for me. It doesn’t mean the temptation faded. No, it awaited patiently, coiled, alert. Inevitably and invariably the moment came when it overhelmed reason. It happened four months ago. To be fair good price helped me to make a decision and finally grab the pen.

Ok, what’s interesting about the pen? To my eyes its design is quite unique and eye-catching. Just look at this advert:

The pen is available in three finishes (photos taken from Diplomat online catologue)

Black

Brown

White

I had a hard time to choose the finish – while white does nothing to me, I find both black and brown very appealing. Finally I decided that brown IS the winner.

Overall impressions

The pen is made from aluminium and I tend to enjoy metal pens. As seen above the Diplomat advertisements highlight how the Aero design theme came from the German Zeppelin Airships. After using the pen I can agree with this assessment – shaped like a zeppelin Diplomat Aero is appropriately-named. Anodized brown aluminium looks very well.

The pen is shaped like a strange cigar. The ridged body swells toward the center, then tapers back down.Anodized section matches anodized clip and pointed ends. It has nice texture that gives non-slippery feel to it. Section is rather long so most of users will be able to find comfortable grip. The pen is well balanced when uncapped, when capped the balance is off. Unless you post the pen deeply and risk creating some scratches with time, that is.

Is the pen comfortable in the hand? For me – yes. Actually, when uncapped, it’s quite light (32 g).The pen feels well balanced.

Construction

The pen feels solidly made and I believe the construction quality is rather high. There are however few issues that may arise with time:

1. Inner plastic cap may get loose with time and repeated opening and closing the pen. It’s not most durable closing system. So far it works perfectly well. How will it behave in, say, two years of continuous, everyday use? That’s the question only time will answer.
2. Diplomat logo is painted on the metal cap. It looks and feels a little cheap to my eyes. Also it’ll definitely fade. It would be ok in a pen that costs 20 $, this one however is much more expensive and therefore I expect more quality, especially when it comes to details.
3. Anodized finish isn’t the most abuse-proof. If you tend to post the pen (I don’t) some scratches will inevitably occur on the pen with time.
4. Some users may find small step between barrel and section disturbing.

Nib

Diplomat stainless steel nibs are among the very best steel nibs in the business – rigid but smooth and enjoyable. Also the ones I’ve tried so far were all reliable – they wrote perfectly well out of box. It is a #6 nib in the standard profile, it lacks a breather hole and features the Diplomat logo and the text “Diplomat Since 1922.”

In terms of pen-to-paper experience – the nib is smooth but not very wet, I would even say it’s a little on the dry side. Steel I’ve never experienced any kind of ink starvation even during longer writing sessions (it was one of two pens I’ve taken to a ten day course of movement therapy – apart from the movement itself there was quite a lot of things to note. Diplomat Aero passed the exam).

Filling system

Cartridge or a converter. The supplied converter is branded and well-made. It holds enough ink for a typical day in the office.

Dimensions

Capped: 140mm
Uncapped: 128.7mm
Posted: 158.2mm
Section Diameter: 11.3mm
Barrel Diameter: 15mm
Weight:42g

Summary + some thoughts on the pricing

I enjoy this pen but in the same time I think the market price is simply too high. I’ve managed to buy it for 98 euros, a little bit cheaper than MSRP but still not really cheap. For most of us it’s the pen to save up for. The pen is well built and offers interesting design. The nib is enjoyable. The pen feels solid and it can be considered as a good choice for a workhorse pen. On the other hand for Aero’s regular price (120-130 euros) you’ll easily buy used Lamy 2000 or new Pilot CH 92, both well-engineered pens with golden nibs. Still, when it comes to pen choices, most of us don’t make 100 % reasonable decisions. Apart from construction and materials used to produced the pen, we look for aesthetic experience, uniqueness, design. Here Diplomat delivers – Aero is well built and interesting pen that performs well.

It’s not free of shortcomings – I dislike painted logo and font on the barrel. With time they’ll probably fade but it’s hard to say if the process will be fast or slow. I usually have this pen in fabric case and so far it protects painted marks well. The build quality is satisfying. It’s not light pen and I wouldn’t post it – I’m afraid the scratches would appear on this aesthetically pleasing barrel. I enjoy metal sections but it seems I’m in minority – if you dislike them in general chances are you won’t fall in love with this section. On the other hand its matt finish makes it really pleasant to hold.

Do I have another Diplomat in mind? Yes. I find Diplomat Excellence Evergreen CT very tempting due to its color. I’ll slowly start looking for good deals on this one. Just take a look at this stunning color.

[rwilsonedn]

Thanks for the thoughtful, well-illustrated review. I think you captured what makes this pen attractive and unique

ron

[Bill P]

Visvamitra:

 

Thanks for the excellent review and the wonderful images.

 

The Diplomat Fountain Pens are under appreciated. I have several and they are excellent Pens, and they tend to be very good values, for what they are.

 

The nibs are universally excellent, right out of the box.

 

Diplomat...Under appreciated and under discussed, much like Dupont, Graf Von Faber Castell and Caran d Ache..

 

Bill P

[visvamitra]

@Bill P - yes, I agree. These makers are underated and should get some more love in the community, especially that the pens they produce are really reliable.

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks for this clear and comprehensive view of on of my favourite looking pens. I have a brown one too, and think it's dae and away the most attractive option in terms of finish.

 

You're right about the painted-on logo and text: my logo began disappearing only weeks after I bought the pen (leaving a smooth, unmarked surface, thankfully!), while the text on the barrel is fading slowly over time.

 

I love the look of the pen, its smooth writing characteristics and its balance - but I find myself prone to grip the section too tightly when writing, for fear it'll slip in my hand! I think it's an imagined problem, not a real one - but it prevents me from inking my Aero up more often.

 

That said, you've prompted me to ink it up again soon - as soon as one of my currently inked pens rubs dry...

[tritrek]

I agree to all point (also a Diplomat owner myself) except your proposal for substitutes, especially the POli CH92 that being a demo pen which is only for our own excitement, looks childish and cheap (whatever the build...) and can not be used for representative purposes (i.e. you pull out THE PEN from your case to sign an important document).

...no need to mention the quality of the review, which is - as usual, top notch!

[Martinsroom]

I too have an aero and really love it.

[Old_Inkyhand]

 

I find Diplomat Excellence Evergreen CT very tempting due to its color. I’ll slowly start looking for good deals on this one. Just take a look at this stunning color.

I would love to have this one. I don't really like Aero's design. It reminds me of something I don't like... I can't recall what. But it is nice to hear that it has fans.

I adore this flower on the nib.

 

Thank you for the review!

[jameswatts]

I have two Diplomats -- the discontinued Classics Collection and the Balance B. Both are excellent pens.

[Jamerelbe]

I have two Diplomats -- the discontinued Classics Collection and the Balance B. Both are excellent pens.

I've got three - a black Esteem, a brown Aero, and an Excellence A in Marrakesh finish. All really lovely pens - though I had to buy a cartridge converter for the Esteem (it wasn't included in the price ). I agree, this is a very underrated brand, that deserves more attention.

[mehandiratta]

Thank you for the review...

Just bought one in the bold nib... same color...

[visvamitra]

I hope you'll enjoy it.

[FrozenLand]

I would also choose a brown one. However, the simplicity of the form is not paired with grace; I agree that the logo is somehow disturbing. The pen's design seems quite to heavy. My overall impression is positive, though. But you're probably right, claiming that in this price range Lamy 2000 might be a better choice.

[Morbus Curiositas]

Hi Visvamitra

 

Super review again and again your photograhy appears to me as photographical excellence

 

I have 3 Diplomats and I love them

 

I even reviewed themhttps://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/305293-diplomatic-conference-putting-the-spotlight-on-a-lovely-german-pen-brand/

 

You are fully right it isn't the most opular Brand and that is a shame...They are much under appreciated...

 

Well made, very very smooth Bock Nib, easy disassembly both pen and the excellent converter

 

​​I love the shape of the Aero, but dislike the finishing and the grip section Looks cheap to my eyes

 

THe Exellence Pens are er.... ? Excellent and those pens have lovely finishes too

 

I now got my eyes set on the Green Diplomat excellence

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/Diplo%20green_zpskyx9opjd.jpg

 

 

YUMMIE ​

 

Thanks again for an excellent Review Visvamitra..... MORE!!! Please

 

Btw interested in a Diplomat pen???

 

This shop has them ALL

 

http://www.diplomatpen.nl/

 

Do not worry about trustibility,or Quality of service it is run by

 

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/Saint%20Richard%20et%20Saint%20Denis%20ICOON%20small_zpsryficn53.jpg

 

These Saints

Edited November 2, 2016 by Morbus Curiositas

[The Blue Knight]

I got one over the Summer and I just didn't like it. It's strange I really thought I would like it but comparing it to the Excellence A or the Balance it just felt like "another pen". Except from the different design it didn't really do anything for me.

 

Taking about the Excellence A I saw the new finish and my gosh I'm tempted. It's stunning. More so then I was last year when i saw the Evergreen. Think my next pen has been decided.

 

Edited November 13, 2016 by The Blue Knight

[stevesurf]

Hi Visvamitra, thank you so very much for a wonderfully descriptive review!!! I was pleasantly surprised to see such a positive review as I seem to have read a few posts on ink reviews that you didn't care for, so it's nice to see your passion.

 

I ordered two, one Silver Aluminum Medium Steel nib and Brown Fine steel - both amazing, like butter and as goo as my Grafs.

 

Now both Massdrop and Albora have them both at excellent prices so it may be time for another?

 

These are the pens you want to write with - WONDERFUL!

 

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/diplomat-aero

 

https://www.amazon.com/Diplomat-Metallic-Brown-Medium-Fountain/dp/B00G6T8JDO

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G6UOVQ2/ref=ox_sc_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1GSE89H3WWZ8T

[Morbus Curiositas]

I just recieved My Evergreen/gold excellence....

 

My fourth Diploamt :wub:

 

More on this next week

[Jamerelbe]

I just recieved My Evergreen/gold excellence....

 

My fourth Diploamt :wub:

 

More on this next week

 

If I were to buy another Diplomat (a 4th also), and money were no object (this close to Christmas? ), I'd probably go for the Evergreen with chrome accents. Look forward to seeing your photos!!

[The Blue Knight]

I just recieved My Evergreen/gold excellence....

 

My fourth Diploamt :wub:

 

More on this next week

 

I was kicking myself for not being able to guess what was could have been around the corner last year when I got my gold trimmed Markech if the Evergreen coming out weeks after I got it. But if I some how manage to talk myself into getting another pen this year the Excellence A Mid-night blue is at the top of my list.