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Diplomat Gold Nibs

tim77

By tim77
in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop

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tim77 Rare

tim77

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What do people think of Diplomats gold nibs? Are they a significant improvement over their steel equivalents?

Edited by tim77
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TheDutchGuy Collectors Item

TheDutchGuy

Posted
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I’ve never even seen one in a shop... Brick & mortar retailers tend to stock their steel-nibbed pens, which are surprisingly good. So, unfortunately, no, I have no experience to share. If and when I encounter a gold-nibbed Diplomat then I will certainly try it.

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Honeybadgers Donor Pen

Honeybadgers

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The general consensus is no. Diplomat's higher end steel nibs are spectacular and the gold doesn't bring enough to the table to justify the extra cost.

Selling a boatload of restored, fairly rare, vintage Japanese gold nib pens, click here to see (more added as I finish restoring them)

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usk15 Collectors Item

usk15

Posted
Posted (edited)

The general consensus is no. Diplomat's higher end steel nibs are spectacular and the gold doesn't bring enough to the table to justify the extra cost.

 

I have this steel nib on my Diplomat Classic Collection 12, a fabulous nib! I will not spend extra money just for the sake of gold.

 

46585071675_bbd3283eba_b.jpg

Edited by usk15
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tim77 Rare

tim77

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Fair enough. If the gold/steel price difference weren't so huge I'd be tempted to try one anyway. Other Bock-produced gold nibs are similarly expensive. Perhaps they are only produced in small quantities.

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Braxfield Mint

Braxfield

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Recent experience with Bock, Pelikan and Cross Townsend nibs has convinced me that the best steel nibs can hold their own against 18k gold. Or to be more precise, that any difference that may exist is less than I can detect.

 

A recent interest in Diplomat Excellence has pushed me towards video reviews from the usual suspects. I think I'm right in saying that every single one, without exception, opined that the Diplomat #6 steel nib was superb and in terms of performance, the equal of the gold.

 

In other words, my two cents is that I concur.

"They come as a boon and a blessing to men,
the Pickwick, the Owl and the Waverley Pen."

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pararis Rare

pararis

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I have both nibs in medium. Not much difference, but I actually prefer the steel. It's genuinely flawless. I stopped using the gold one, no point. Anybody want to buy a Diplomat with a gold nib?

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DanceOfLight Rare

DanceOfLight

Posted
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Their steel nibs are so good, that they are hurting the gold ones. All my diplomats have gold nibs except for one which is steel. Unless you get the gold nibs at a bargain, their steel nibs are on par. BTW, Dipolomat's gold nibs are IMHO almost as stiff as the steel ones, so people hoping that it has more 'give' might be in for a surprise.

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Honeybadgers Donor Pen

Honeybadgers

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I have both nibs in medium. Not much difference, but I actually prefer the steel. It's genuinely flawless. I stopped using the gold one, no point. Anybody want to buy a Diplomat with a gold nib?

 

Will you sell it to me for the price of the steel nib model? :D If so, yes.

Selling a boatload of restored, fairly rare, vintage Japanese gold nib pens, click here to see (more added as I finish restoring them)

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pararis Rare

pararis

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Will you sell it to me for the price of the steel nib model? :D If so, yes.

I would but not here. This is not appropriate for buying/selling I understand.

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DanceOfLight Rare

DanceOfLight

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Will you sell it to me for the price of the steel nib model? :D If so, yes.

Most of my diplomats with gold nibs were bought at steal prices :P

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Braxfield Mint

Braxfield

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Reading reviews of the Diplomat Excellence provides two fields of contradictory opinion:-

1. the nibs are stiff

2. the nibs are springy

Is this just a question of subjective response, or is it possible that the fine and extra-fine offer a springiness that the broader points lack? I would be curious to know if anyone has conducted that experiment.

 

Perplexed.

"They come as a boon and a blessing to men,
the Pickwick, the Owl and the Waverley Pen."

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DanceOfLight Rare

DanceOfLight

Posted
Posted (edited)

Reading reviews of the Diplomat Excellence provides two fields of contradictory opinion:-

1. the nibs are stiff

2. the nibs are springy

Is this just a question of subjective response, or is it possible that the fine and extra-fine offer a springiness that the broader points lack? I would be curious to know if anyone has conducted that experiment.

 

Perplexed.

Among all the diplomats that have graced my paper, F, EF , M and B all offer the same stiffness which is - STIFF, very little give. Do note, that I do not use the pen as a crutch, nor do I have very light touch. BTW, this is same for both Steel and Au14K nibs. Sometimes I did wonder if I could use them as darts :eureka: . All of them have wonderful medium flow, tines are beautifully cut, overall IMHO (Excellence A Plus series) a no-nonsense carry anywhere pens . Note the other pen that I hold at the same esteem is the waterman Carène, although IMHO Carène is lot more of a looker and more nib options from the factory.

Edited by DanceOfLight
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Teach13 NOS (New Old Stock)

Teach13

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It's funny. I logged on today to write about how much I have fallen in love with Diplomat pens. The fine nibs are definitely scratchier, but mine has improved with time. The mediums are fantastic. So far, all of mine are steel (I own six), except one. Last week, I nabbed a medium gold nib for about $80. Pen came in over the weekend, so I haven't inked it yet, but it's next in line!!

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Braxfield Mint

Braxfield

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My only wish is that Diplomat issue a 1.1 mm stub for the Excellence. In steel. Now, for me THAT would be B2.

"They come as a boon and a blessing to men,
the Pickwick, the Owl and the Waverley Pen."

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DanceOfLight Rare

DanceOfLight

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My only wish is that Diplomat issue a 1.1 mm stub for the Excellence. In steel. Now, for me THAT would be B2.

+1, when you wish, wish for gold :)

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