Faber-Castell Vs Diplomat Thoughts

[Teach13]

As I'm new to the game, I had not heard of either of these brands. I have since read up on them, and they both sound solid. It really doesn't sound like I can go wrong here, but I'd like to know your opinions on these three:

 

Faber-Castell Ambition

Diplomat Optimist

Diplomat Esteem

 

Thanks!!

[sciumbasci]

Faber Castell is the way to go. The nib experience is superb.

Just make sure to hold it before you buy the Ambition, that section might be uncomfortable unless you hold your pen far from the nib.

 

Here is a close up, for your consideration

 

This grip is just... Useless.

[sansenri]

I cannot help you on the Diplomats as I do not own any.

Regarding Faber Castel I can certainly recommend the brand for very consistent quality and nicely smooth nibs (if somewhat rigid).

Regarding the Ambition I would however suggest that you try one out before buying. The reason is that the design is peculiar, the metal section is far too small to hold, this pen is meant to be held from the barrel. This might turn out too far from the nib for you, but it depends how you hold your pens. I hold my pens very high up so holding this pen from the barrel is not an issue for me, but for other people who like to hold the pen very close to the nib this may prove uncomfortable. That is why you need to try it first.

[sansenri]

sciumbasci, you beat me to the comment!

[Mr.Rene]

+1 Faber Castel

Edited September 24, 2018 by Mr.Rene

[jekostas]

Both Diplomat and Faber-Castell have excellent stock steel nibs. Go with whatever one appeals to you the most.

[langere]

I have two Diplomats. Both are great pens and well weighted. Good nibs, though my Diplomat Excellence Skyline (beautiful pen!) doesn't have as smooth a writing experience as I would like. I think the tines are a bit too close together. Just have one Faber Castell. I find the pen visually a bit boring. Just a stick with a nib attached, though it is a good nib...

 

Erick

[Honeybadgers]

I would never think that FC designed that stepdown as an actual grip section. That's a tube to hold the cap straight. You're supposed to hold that thing by the barrel.

 

My only FC is the Loom and its steel nib and overallt fit and finish is absolutely outstanding. My only dipolmat is the magnum and that pen was deeply, deeply disappointing.

Edited September 25, 2018 by Honeybadgers

[Teach13]

I won't lie--the grip on the Ambition concerns me a little. Mainly because I pinch with my index and middle fingers and my thumb, and JUUUUST about where that ridge appears to be is where I imagine the tip of my middle finger would be. It would be close. I'm also a little concerned about the weight. I've read that it's over 30 grams. I'm used to significantly lighter pens than that. However, I keep reading about how great FC pens are, and the Ambition is the one that appeals to me the most. I'm not too hot on the design of the Loom.

I also keep reading that Diplomat pens are equally amazing--just not the easiest to find. That's why I thought I'd come to you guys for thoughts and experiences. I definitely like the design of the Optimist and Esteem better.

[Houston]

The quality of both brands is consistently high. I have two Diplomats and three GvFCs. All write beautifully. (I did have to send one of the GvFCs back to be replaced, but I don't hold that against the brand.)

 

The advice you're getting is frustrating, I know, but it's right: Hold the pens. Decide which one feels better in your hand. If you don't have a brick-and-mortar stockist in spitting distance, you can purchase all three and send two back as returns, after you have been able to feel them in hand -- being careful with the packaging, etc.

 

The better/nicer/more beautiful/more stylish pen isn't worth a damn if it doesn't feel as good in your hand. And what feels good in the hand is not seldom surprising.

 

The pen you feel like picking up is the best pen.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Diplomat is I think the lighter pen. I made a mistake in it was a nail of selling a vintage real light well balanced Diplomat pen...some times I regret it. Didn't think about re-nibbing it.

 

I doubt if those who advocate F-C have ever had a Diplomat....still owned by the original family as far as I know.

I have had F-C pens in my hand, at my B&M...pretty but Heavy pens....and I'm not into nails....or I'd have more used Diplomats. Not into new pens either.

 

This is my wife's....she never used, never will....silver plated one with a stirrup, and a jumping rider in the final. There was a tennis version also.

When I buy a pen, I take the picture...it's silver plated, not gold plated....as the lighting makes it appear.

[mitto]

I too am not into modern pens. So neither of the three for me. I would rather buy a good old light weight Waterman or a pelikan from the 50s' era and/or a Parker 51.

[Teach13]

The quality of both brands is consistently high. I have two Diplomats and three GvFCs. All write beautifully. (I did have to send one of the GvFCs back to be replaced, but I don't hold that against the brand.)

 

The advice you're getting is frustrating, I know, but it's right: Hold the pens. Decide which one feels better in your hand. If you don't have a brick-and-mortar stockist in spitting distance, you can purchase all three and send two back as returns, after you have been able to feel them in hand -- being careful with the packaging, etc.

 

The better/nicer/more beautiful/more stylish pen isn't worth a damn if it doesn't feel as good in your hand. And what feels good in the hand is not seldom surprising.

 

The pen you feel like picking up is the best pen.

And that's just it. I've looked, and the closest store to me is a good three hours away. I also agree that the "style" of a pen is less important than how it feels in your hand. I own a Waterman Hemisphere ballpoint...and while it's nothing special to look at, I LOVE using it just because it feels like it's part of my hand. When it comes to the FC Loom--it's the grip that has given me pause. It has things rings around it, and I've never enjoyed textured grips. Now...a big part of that is because I've used a death-grip on my pens my whole life. I realize that's different with a fountain pen--and one of their big selling points with me. It's also why I love that Hemisphere--because I DON'T feel the need to grip it hard.

[senzen]

I have one FC Ambition in pearwood, it's beautiful, reliable and smooth; I was worried about the grip but it's not a problem. They do seem to evaporate more quickly than other pens. Some models come with the converter, the cheaper ones don't.

 

Diplomat doesn't have many reviews but those that exist are positive, I'm drawn to the Excellence A2.

[Houston]

And that's just it. I've looked, and the closest store to me is a good three hours away. I also agree that the "style" of a pen is less important than how it feels in your hand. I own a Waterman Hemisphere ballpoint...and while it's nothing special to look at, I LOVE using it just because it feels like it's part of my hand. When it comes to the FC Loom--it's the grip that has given me pause. It has things rings around it, and I've never enjoyed textured grips. Now...a big part of that is because I've used a death-grip on my pens my whole life. I realize that's different with a fountain pen--and one of their big selling points with me. It's also why I love that Hemisphere--because I DON'T feel the need to grip it hard.

 

Sounds like you may be stuck finding an online retailer with a reasonable return policy, ordering all three pens, and seeing what feels good in hand...then returning the other two. (I just checked, and Goulet doesn't appear to stock the Esteem and the Optimist, sadly.)

 

While this is a bit of hassle, it would get the job done without risk. ...except for the risk that you'll fall for more than one of the pens and end up spending more money than anticipated. :-)

[Bo Bo Olson]

While looking for another pen, I ran into an old thin medium-large Diplomat with Maltese crosses on the cap band, clip, finial and the steel diplomat marked maxi-semi-flex nib. Vintage sized F...not marked but I have enough vintage pens to see if it's F or EF. Looks second tier mid-late '50's to me. Blind cap.

 

The clear ink window, actually seems to lower it's quality, though it shouldn't. One gram in weight can make an impression. It is 14g, the shorter 790 15g. The standard sized Geha seems a tad better balanced, but as a longer medium-large pen, will sit posted a hair deeper., but still good balance....Thickness can have influence on feel. A good 1 1/2-2nd tier pen. I can't see anyone hiding when they would use one. Has enough fancy and quality to hang out with the old 3xx MB pens, better than the 120....could hang out with the 140...having the better nib. Stubbed as was normal for that era in Germany.

 

Hadn't inked it at the time my wife found it at a flea market for me, in I had a slew of pens inked....and it lay on one of my pen boxes forgotten.

 

Once before the Chinese dominated the noobie market like now and back when Pilot Metropolitan, wasn't stocked at Target and Home supply, noobies use to chase old pens...and there for had to polish them....

In some fifteen minutes the pen will look well maintained...In I'm much to lazy to work to try to get NOS out of a pen I'm going to use.

Two, three minute finger polishing, two minutes buffing each time.........could have used another time....with a bit of wax, it now looks well maintained....time 10 minutes.

Inked with DA Purpurviloett, a very nice springy ride as expected from a maxi, smooth after a few passes on the 12,000 grit. Pens that sat for generations end up with iridium micro-corrasion drag; 'iridium-rust'.

 

One should chase the nib....so I lucked out....

[Brianm_14]

<snip>

 

This grip is just... Useless.

 

Please take this in the spirit it is intended, that is, politely: I think you need to make it clear that, "This grip is just . . . .Useless" for You.

 

There is a tendancy on this board to universalize personal experience. This can have a disproportionately negative effect in the pen-buying decisions of those new to FP. I've been guilty of this misdemeanor myself in the past. Since this pen continues to find support and favorable reviews, it is obviously a point to consider carefully, and personally, in each case. Some people must be finding the grip just fine. Maybe even "great"? I don't find the grip,at all objectionable, by the way, and would buy the pen if I did not already have a high-end F-C pen.

 

I am sure if I said, "this grip is really great," that this point would have been clearly made to me by now!

 

We are dealing with subjectivity piled upon subjectivity, in evaluating pens, and we should reserve outright condemnations for those pens, inks, etc., that clearly merit such declarations. Elsewise, they lose their power to warn against what IS truly junk!

 

So "try before you buy" is yet again the watchword!

 

Best wishes!