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Diplomat Moderns Magnum SoftTouch Fountain Pen
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Diplomat Moderns Magnum SoftTouch Fountain Pen
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Product Description
Diplomat’s Magnum SoftTouch fountain pen features a lightweight, plastic barrel that makes it ideal for everyday use. But don’t be fooled: This German-made writing instrument performs up to Diplomat’s high standards Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downKAPS1M0
378
Oct 6, 2015
fac3l3ssI've never used this pen. Let's get that out of the way. I'll base all my conclusions on SBRE Brown's review.
If you asked me which fountain pen is German, plastic, smoothly textured, with a faceted barrel and grip, two little ink windows on the barrel and a weird hollow ring at the end, I'd take my Lamy Safari Charcoal out of my pocket to present it. I mean these two pens have so much in common aesthetically that I'd say Diplomat wants to steal Lamy's thunder.
Anyway. Let's talk fountain pens for beginners. The (?) marks a pro that might be a con and vice versa.
Pilot Metropolitan [EDIT it's on Massdrop now] Pros + Inexpensive (you get two pens for 23 dollars on Massdrop) + Metal body and cap + Pilot = quality + Interchangeable nibs if you get other Pilot pens (Metropolitan, 78G, Plumix/Pluminix, Prera, Penmanship and a couple other models use nibs that you can swap around) + Nice heft that feels great in hand + Asian nib sizes + Comes with a converter for bottled ink + Very professional looking pens Cons - Two nib sizes (F, M) but you can get other pens to swap nibs - Thin grip section that can get a little slippery - Proprietary c/c - No ink windows on the barrel - No way to see the ink level if you use the provided converter (you have to buy the transparent CON50 converter) The Pilot Metropolitan is the pen that I'd recommend you to get first. Virtually indestructible. You can get both a fine and a medium nib if you join the drop on Massdrop. And because they're Japanese nibs, they're pretty damn fine. The fine could be the finest nib you'll ever need. And the medium is absolutely great, even smoother and fine enough for everyday use (finer than a lot of European medium and fine nibs). If you have small hand writing, go for the Metro. You get a cartridge AND a converter with the pen.
Lamy Safari Charcoal Pros + Inexpensive, but more expensive than the Metropolitan or the Diplomat + You can buy extra nibs (and not entire pens) that are extremely easy to swap + A very wide range of nib sizes (EF, F, M, B, 1.1, 1.5, 1.9) + Textured body and grip that feels great (only the Charcoal is textured) + Great and unique looks + Ink windows + Comes with a plastic case/sleeve + Light as a feather (?) + Juicy nibs Cons - Converter sold separately - Plastic body (but very well made) - Proprietary c/c - Grip could be a love or hate thing - Nibs can be hit or miss (some write a little dry or are scratchy) When I was considering which would be my first fountain pen, I was between the Metropolitan and the Safari. In the end I went with the Metro, because I could get two pens for a great price on Massdrop so I could try both fine and medium nibs. Awesome pens. Recently I decided to overcome my distaste of faceted grips and bought the Charcoal Safari. And I'm telling you that if I had gone for it in the first place, I might have never bought the Metropolitans. I prefer the Safari's textured but still smooth grip over the Metropolitan's grip (which feels thin and slippery in my big and sweaty fingers). And the Safari forces you to learn how to grip the fountain pen in the correct angle so that it writes. It feels great. It looks great. It writes great. The nibs swap easily and with their wide range of sizes they can give you an entirely different experience. But they're broader than the Pilot's nibs. And incosistent.
Diplomat SoftTouch Pros + Inexpensive + Standard international c/c + Ink windows + Smooth writer + Light and comfortable (?) + Line variation-flexy nib (?) Cons - Plastic body - Flimsy clip - Non-interchangeable nibs - Annoying little facets on the grip (?) - Line variation-flexy nib (?) Having owned both a Pilot Metropolitan and a Lamy Safari, I'd be willing to get this pen to try out that springy nib. But I don't know if the little facets on the section would be comfortable for me, because I don't like them on the Sheaffer Prelude (but I do like the facets on the Lamy Safari where they are bigger and there's enough space for my entire fingertip). Also, I don't know if a soft nib is a good choice for a beginner because beginners don't even know which nib size they like. Maybe if you had already tried the offerings from other pen makers and the different nib sizes, this would be nice.
All in all, I'd say this is a perfect third fountain pen. The first one would be the Metro, with the fine nibs to get you started. The second one would be the Safari, with its wide range of nib sizes to try something new and broader. And this would be the third one for the springy nib.
But you know what? Get it anyway. It looks awesome.
If you asked me which fountain pen is German, plastic, smoothly textured, with a faceted barrel and grip, two little ink windows on the barrel and a weird hollow ring at the end, I'd take my Lamy Safari Charcoal out of my pocket to present it. I mean these two pens have so much in common aesthetically that I'd say Diplomat wants to steal Lamy's thunder.
Anyway. Let's talk fountain pens for beginners. The (?) marks a pro that might be a con and vice versa.
Pilot Metropolitan [EDIT it's on Massdrop now] Pros + Inexpensive (you get two pens for 23 dollars on Massdrop) + Metal body and cap + Pilot = quality + Interchangeable nibs if you get other Pilot pens (Metropolitan, 78G, Plumix/Pluminix, Prera, Penmanship and a couple other models use nibs that you can swap around) + Nice heft that feels great in hand + Asian nib sizes + Comes with a converter for bottled ink + Very professional looking pens Cons - Two nib sizes (F, M) but you can get other pens to swap nibs - Thin grip section that can get a little slippery - Proprietary c/c - No ink windows on the barrel - No way to see the ink level if you use the provided converter (you have to buy the transparent CON50 converter) The Pilot Metropolitan is the pen that I'd recommend you to get first. Virtually indestructible. You can get both a fine and a medium nib if you join the drop on Massdrop. And because they're Japanese nibs, they're pretty damn fine. The fine could be the finest nib you'll ever need. And the medium is absolutely great, even smoother and fine enough for everyday use (finer than a lot of European medium and fine nibs). If you have small hand writing, go for the Metro. You get a cartridge AND a converter with the pen.
Lamy Safari Charcoal Pros + Inexpensive, but more expensive than the Metropolitan or the Diplomat + You can buy extra nibs (and not entire pens) that are extremely easy to swap + A very wide range of nib sizes (EF, F, M, B, 1.1, 1.5, 1.9) + Textured body and grip that feels great (only the Charcoal is textured) + Great and unique looks + Ink windows + Comes with a plastic case/sleeve + Light as a feather (?) + Juicy nibs Cons - Converter sold separately - Plastic body (but very well made) - Proprietary c/c - Grip could be a love or hate thing - Nibs can be hit or miss (some write a little dry or are scratchy) When I was considering which would be my first fountain pen, I was between the Metropolitan and the Safari. In the end I went with the Metro, because I could get two pens for a great price on Massdrop so I could try both fine and medium nibs. Awesome pens. Recently I decided to overcome my distaste of faceted grips and bought the Charcoal Safari. And I'm telling you that if I had gone for it in the first place, I might have never bought the Metropolitans. I prefer the Safari's textured but still smooth grip over the Metropolitan's grip (which feels thin and slippery in my big and sweaty fingers). And the Safari forces you to learn how to grip the fountain pen in the correct angle so that it writes. It feels great. It looks great. It writes great. The nibs swap easily and with their wide range of sizes they can give you an entirely different experience. But they're broader than the Pilot's nibs. And incosistent.
Diplomat SoftTouch Pros + Inexpensive + Standard international c/c + Ink windows + Smooth writer + Light and comfortable (?) + Line variation-flexy nib (?) Cons - Plastic body - Flimsy clip - Non-interchangeable nibs - Annoying little facets on the grip (?) - Line variation-flexy nib (?) Having owned both a Pilot Metropolitan and a Lamy Safari, I'd be willing to get this pen to try out that springy nib. But I don't know if the little facets on the section would be comfortable for me, because I don't like them on the Sheaffer Prelude (but I do like the facets on the Lamy Safari where they are bigger and there's enough space for my entire fingertip). Also, I don't know if a soft nib is a good choice for a beginner because beginners don't even know which nib size they like. Maybe if you had already tried the offerings from other pen makers and the different nib sizes, this would be nice.
All in all, I'd say this is a perfect third fountain pen. The first one would be the Metro, with the fine nibs to get you started. The second one would be the Safari, with its wide range of nib sizes to try something new and broader. And this would be the third one for the springy nib.
But you know what? Get it anyway. It looks awesome.
Zaavatar
34
Oct 9, 2015
fac3l3ssI started with a Pilot metro and a LAMY AL-star at about the same time, I lrecommend them both as starter pens though I personally like the LAMY better.
Theroc
2318
Keyboard Club Member
May 20, 2016
I joined this drop the 1st time it became available, incidentally its also my first drop. Many pens later, I can say that this is one of my best buys if one only considers writing characteristics.
Of all the fountain pens I have, this is the only one yet to exhibit any quirks. I mean nothing, ever. No skipping, no hesitating, just the right amount of flow, little feedback. Whenever I pick it up, it writes right away, the same way, every time.
However, I suspect, the secret behind this remarkable consistency is that I have only ever used it with Diplomat Royal Blue cartridges. Once I run out of those (the last remnant of cartridges that I have), I'll be eager to see how it handles "real", manly inks, inks that that sport 8" beards... and curly mustaches and... :D
horrwai
12
Feb 7, 2017
I just received my pen and the converter. But when i install the converter, it won't fit into the bottom part (barrel) of the pen. So the converter can't be used. Have written to support and waiting for their reply
horrwai
12
Feb 9, 2017
I feel like a dumbass! Yes, there is another ink catridge (filled with ink) inside the barrel. Removed that all the converter fits! Lol. Thanks!
writerstephen
480
Feb 9, 2017
horrwaiWelcome ... believe me, you're not the first to fall victim to the cartridge-stuck-in-the-barrel phenomenon. Have fun with your new pen!
Psyres
May 21, 2016
I bought a grey one during one of the previous drops, and it has served me well so far - I find the light weight and matte pen body makes it comfortable to hold and write with (personal preference), the fine and slightly flexible nib puts down a wet line with a little variation I can easily control, and the only it skips for me is when it is time for a refill. I have gotten a few compliments about its looks as well.
My only gripe is the grip section's matte coating flakes off after repeated use, revealing a harder plastic surface (which I actually prefer, but others may not like that). The matte grip helps to prevent the pen from slipping, but it doesn't last too long.
Regardless, this pen is still a keeper as an edc pen for me. I'm still contemplating on whether I should get another one this time, with a different nib size and a converter...
My only gripe is the grip section's matte coating flakes off after repeated use, revealing a harder plastic surface (which I actually prefer, but others may not like that). The matte grip helps to prevent the pen from slipping, but it doesn't last too long.
Regardless, this pen is still a keeper as an edc pen for me. I'm still contemplating on whether I should get another one this time, with a different nib size and a converter...
DrPatrickBateman
May 18, 2016
Being that these are soft touch, do they get very coated with fingerprints and hand oils? I'm debating grabbing one, but usually softtouch material doesn't look very nice after a couple days of handling.
DiplomatUSA
45
DiplomatUSA
May 19, 2016
DrPatrickBatemanAs for susceptibility to smudges and oily fingers , I'd say this is not a big issue, based on our experience. Especially if you choose a darker color such as black or blue, you should not have a problem. The material of the pen body has a nice matte look and feel, but it is not 'tacky'. Hope this helps.
leatherbarrel
86
Oct 6, 2015
am i crazy, or is there pretty much no difference between the fine and medium tip?
Jamerelbe
93
Oct 7, 2015
leatherbarrelIn my experience (with the Diplomat Esteem) there's not a huge difference between Fine and Medium - it's a shame there's no Extra-Fine option! [That said, I've opted for a Broad... :)]
solonchan
2
May 27, 2017
Got one in the last drop. This pen is so light that I end up sold it. Not only the weight troubling me, but also it is a bit too thin to hold. At this price point, Pelikan Stola III is a much better choice. The construction just feels much solid and the nib is as good or even better. It is also a German quality. My two cents.
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