Top 10 Next Level Fountain Pens

Figboot on Pens
P.O. Box 12430
Durham, NC 27709

Instagram - @figboot11

[colinmartin]

1.) lamy 2000. It will never leave that slot until Lamy stops making it.

And in no particular order

2.) Platinum 3776 Soft Fine
3.) pilot custom 74/92 (either one) Soft Fine
4.) TWSBI Vac700R
5.) Pilot vanishing point (recommend the steel nib "special alloy" model, it's identical to the gold nib, costs half as much and can swap nibs with the gold nib units)
6.) Pilot e95S
7.) Pelikan M200/M205
8.) Parker Sonnet 18k
9.) Sailor 1911 standard or pro gear standard
10.) A vintage gold nib pen like an eversharp skyline or a pelikan 140.

If you have money to spend, a pilot custom 823 is glorious.

[YanDoroshenko]

I ended up paying ~$450 for a Custom 823. I ordered a smoke version with an FA nib from Japan for 30000 yen, had to pay customs fees and then ordered an aftermarket red ebonite feeds from flexiblenibs. I've never regretted it for a second.

[amandajstar]

This is so fun. I love my pens, but I love hearing about them/seeing them, too. So much nicer than hearing yet more about the state of the world right now!

[terrclymac]

I have one regret regarding the Lamy 2000, I heard about the "sweet spot" and ended up procrastinating WAY TOO long to purchase it. Being that all of my pens, with this one exception, are stub nibs, I'm accustomed to keeping the angle. Thank you for your videos David.

[johnpienta]

Such a solid video. You have well reasoned arguments for all your favorites and talking through those gives insight into the unique niches that different pens can fit in our armamentaria. Keep killing it with these videos - BTW you have great inflection and tone, great radio voice!

[snoozleblob]

Very solid list with many pens on there that I really like. Still glad you recommended that stargazer in your pocket pens list. I constantly have it inked up.

The 3776 is also one of my favourite pen models and I own it in a couple of finishes.

Personally I prefer the Decimo to the VP though there is considerably fewer colours to choose from for that model.

I recently acquired a 1911s and while the nib did not instantly wow me I have somehow ended up using it everyday?! Haha

[benjaminheaney]

I have a TWSBI Vac 700R, and even though I love it dearly, and it was my first 'next level' pen, the medium nib has a weird feedback, which almost feels scratchy, but I have learned to live with it. It also leaked out the back of the Vac system (back of the pen) for some reason. However cleaning it seemingly solved the issue.

[putteringpenman]

Nice video David! I would personally put a Pelikan M200 or M400 in this list and move the Custom 823 to the advanced list. I think the Pilot Custom 74 could also go in this list. Great explanations for the pens!

[PhillipsBanjos]

Nice list! I've noticed that whenever anyone mentions a TWSBI on a next level pen list it's almost always the 580 or the vac700. I never see the TWSBI classic which at around $50 could be at the higher end for a beginner level pen or the lower end for a next level pen. I've had the Classic Burgundy for a couple months and it's just a good solid writer. I'd like to see it get some attention too.

[experienced.novice]

I’m always thrilled about the love you give the Pilot Stargazer as it seems to fly under a lot of people’s radars. Yes, I also have a couple of VP’s, the Vac Mini (another similar TWSBI choice), FC’s, and Sailors, even the 823, and I do love that Stargazer as much as any. Something about that nib is such a nice writing experience.

[migueloxamendi]

Hey, you kept the Lamy Studio off of the final line-up! That was my first FP purchase. I still love it.

[gents]

Great selection, David. You are one of my go-to sources when I consider a new pen purchase. I just ordered my first really “expensive “ pens after watching your reviews - a Conid Minimilistica Monarch with a titanium nib.
Have a Happy Holidays! Thanks for all your great contributions this year!

[noman]

What a fun list. I certainly can't criticize since I have and enjoy a # of these! I'm shy of Sailor pens so they're on my list for 2019 -- especially that 1911 Large sea glass. I want to particularly endorse your point that, while these are just "next level", one could be content with just these. Each of mine are in frequent rotation.

[anguswhite]

My favourite next level pen is my Platinum 3776 Chartreuse Blue with rhodium trim and a lovely EF nib, inked with J Herbin Eclat de Saphir: perfect combo for me - I reach for it above all others; agree with you about Sailor nibs: there is something close to perfect about the size of the 1911 Profit Large - the girth of the section, the length of the barrel and that lovely long-tined precise nib; also love my Pilot Custom 74!; great vid, thanks :)

[MartaZobeniak]

Hi David! What a great selection! Funny as it may sound, I am at this exact point - Lamy Studio is my nicest pen - and I'm actively considering buying something from the "next level" tier - probably a Lamy 2000, then maybe a Platinum 3776.

[ericsilver]

Spectacular video, Dave. I enjoyed seeing some of the pens I own, and you’ve got me thinking about my next purchases. Oh dear—here we go again. The Lamy 2000 is one of my favorites, even with that severely constricted gold nib. And being able to swap out the bibs on my Pilot That Masquerades as a Ballpoint Pen (I.e. Vanishing Point, ) gives me the advantages of being able to multiply the pen

[michaelreed]

This was both helpful and infuriating. LOL
Now I want even more pens.
Thanks for the great list and top 10.
I left a question on the Pilot 74 review that came up from watching your videos all morning.

[marctestarossa]

The Studio still is the nicest pen in my collection. I tried so many and I like so many, but for my use case the Studio is just perfect. I tried several different EF nibs and I found one in black that feels perfect. It's extremely durable, the only thing is that I absolutely loved the feeling of the brushed finish, but because I carry the pen daily clipped to the inside of my jeans pocket and I used it for hundreds of hours it still looks kinda brushed but feels absolutely smooth at this point. I also tried other Studios but the polished grip section just don't work for me, it slips through my fingers and I tend to grip it much harder. My favourite colour is pink and they have a lovely limited edition in rose, so maybe it's time to get another Studio. But I would take the old black grip section and put it on the new rose body. Also one day I want to get one of the EF gold nibs. This will be absolutely awesome. I even prefer the Studio to the Lamy 2000 because I like the metal body and the clip just works perfect. Like I said I clip it to my pocket every day and I bent so many clips in my life, but this one just stays in shape and didn't lose any strength which is astonishing because it's not spring loaded. I bought and sold many pens over the past years, but the Studio will never leave me, I absolutely love it to death.

[abbaabenjaminmancaud]

Opus 88 Demonstrator Clear is my choice! You have given a model list which includes my favorites! Regards!

[bryanmarsh]

Dave, love your videos. Great selections here! Just wondering why the Platinum 3776 was left off the recap portion? I like mine - a bouncy B nibbed Chartres.