on saleDiplomat Aero Fountain Pen - Oxyd Brass

I have a variety of fountain pens in my collection (400+) and absolutely love the Diplomat Aero. I have different colors of the aluminum models with both steel and gold nibs. They all write like a dream. The Oxyd brass is just as wonderful as all the others. My choice this time around was the steel broad nib as I plan to pair this pen with sheen inks such as Lamy BlackBerry and Diamine Skull & Roses and having a broad nib really helps highlight ink properties such as sheen. The nib glides like it is on ice. It is a heavy heavy heavy pen, which I fully expected and gladly welcomed. The addition of the rubber o-ring helps the pen body and the grip section stay tightly fit. The overall look is classic, aged, and a bit regal. I love it.

Relative to an aluminum Aero (which I love) it’s heavy. This works for me. Build quality is excellent. Cap close is satisfying. Steel nib is good, but not great. I’d like this pen more if there were more nib options.

I waited a long time to buy a Diplomat Aero, because how many cartridge/converter pens with a #6 Jowo steel nib does a person need? Well, that depends. Most pens of this type can be described by saying "Writes good, but...", or "Looks cool, but...". However, the Diplomat Aero sets itself apart from the rest of the field by eliminating the "..., but...".
The Oxyd Brass version is a hefty pen, no doubt about that. The weight is distributed evenly, so it's not going to tire your fingers/hand/arm/shoulder any more than a lighter pen would. Fit and finish is some of the best I've seen, and I would put it in the same category as other German high end fountain pens. And whereas some of those other pens only see the light of day when you want to sign that special document, the Aero is intended to be a Daily Driver. The "drivetrain" is based on a Jowo #6 nib and feed unit, but Diplomat puts their touch (and branding) on it, making sure that the nib performs reliably and consistently. The ink is supplied by standard international cartridges or a Diplomat-branded version of a Schmidt K5 type converter...nothing fancy, but nothing proprietary.
Some all-metal pens have an annoying habit where the parts that are screwed together come loose; the Diplomat Aero has a small rubber O-ring at the bottom of the threads that prevent the body separating from the grip section unless you really want them to. The cap will not unscrew, because it's a slip cap that provides an audible and haptic "click" when the cap is seated properly. The cap will spin, but that won't make it come off, and that doesn't affect the seal which keeps your nib from drying out.
The nib and feed on my pen are perfect. Ink flow is not too dry, not too wet, and there are no skips or hard starts. My other Aero has a 14k nib; it's slightly smoother because it's a slightly bigger tip, but otherwise feels the same as the steel nib. Neither steel, nor 14k gold nibs are advertised as flex nibs, and you risk damaging the nib if you push on them too hard.
The pen isn't low-priced, but...instead of "precious resin", you get a relatively thick walled brass pen with components that will provide years of trouble-free service, consistently and reliably.

This is a very good pen. I have the EF nib and it writes thinner than my Custom 823 F to my eyes. However it is probably smoother writing than the 823 which is surprising since the 823 has a gold nib and this diplomat has a steel nib. I’m very happy with it so far. It is also very heavy but that’s what I wanted. If you want a light pen then this one is not for you. It feels very high quality in the hand.

This is a beautiful pen. As another reviewer states: pictures do not do it justice. It looks so much better in real life!The weight (for me, anyway) is just about perfect. This is a heavy pen, so be aware if that is something you are not interested in.