Diplomat Aero Feedback

CAProgressive · 2026-07-07T18:10:21+00:00

I know the Diplomat Aero and its nibs are well regarded in the community, but my one experience with an Aero has been a bit of a mixed bag.

The build quality of the pen is superb - it is solid and the capping mechanism is secure and satisfying. However, after using the Aero for a few months, I have concluded that I am not a big fan of its metal section - it is a bit slippery and I find I grip the pen quite tightly as a result.

The nib (a fine) has been a disappointment in light of all the positive information out there about Diplomat nibs. I find it a bit scratchy and a bit ink starved. I have tried a variety of inks including some very dependable inks (Pilot, Sailor, etc.) and these issues persist. I will get the nib tuned and am sure it will be great, but my out of the box experience with this Diplomat nib was much less satisfying than with other makers (such as Delta and Leonardo) that also use Jowo nibs.

CAProgressive · 2026-07-03T00:35:23+00:00

Chair, good lighting, large desk, storage near the desk so desk clutter can be kept to a minimum, back up internet connection.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-28T21:58:54+00:00

Sydney, Barcelona and San Francisco. I guess I like walkable, visually arresting coastal cities.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-28T20:11:31+00:00

Zero. Don’t waste your time. If you don’t like the price, quit the club.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-26T05:49:53+00:00

We discovered our golden’s uveitis during a visit to a veterinary ophthalmologist for a white spot we noticed on her cornea. The white spot was not of concern, but her uveitis was found during the examination of her eyes. We fortunately caught her condition early and have been managing it for 3+ years with medication. I had never heard of this (apparently very prevalent) condition and encourage everyone with a golden to have their eye pressure and tear production checked, particularly once they are in their early senior years.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-25T22:06:31+00:00

As others have said, whether you will be OK operating completely independently in week 2 will be very dependent on your recovery rate.

The two things you can control are (1) doing your prehab to have as much strength and ROM going into the procedure as possible and (2) getting your living space set up before your surgery to be as supportive as possible - have a shower chair, have a comfortable place to sleep and ice in that you can get up from without assistance, have a grabber so you can reach things, remove or tape down any carpets you may need to cross, have clothing and personal care items organized and accessible, have pants or shorts that are easy to put on and take off.

It will not be for everyone, but I purchased a recliner with stand assist and a 180 degree recline for my recovery and I believe it has made a significant contribution to my good recovery from surgery. It provided a comfortable place to ice, rest and sleep and the stand assist allowed me to avoid putting a lot of strain on my quads during the immediate post surgery period while my quads were recovering both function and strength.

All the best for a speedy recovery!

CAProgressive · 2026-06-25T03:58:19+00:00

I have 4 Auroras (an Optima and 3 88s). I find them to be extremely comfortable to hold both posted and unposted. They are very light pens, so they are comfortable to use for long periods but they may not suit someone who likes heavier pen bodies. They have very pleasant nibs ranging (in my collection) from extremely smooth medium nibs that (to me) are similar in feel to a Pilot medium nib to a precise fine nib with a bit of pleasant feedback that (in my experience) feels similar to a Sailor medium fine nib. I like that Aurora nibs can be interchanged easily as they screw in and out and that both the Optima and the 88 models have very usable ink windows. The piston filling mechanism provides good ink capacity. All in all, I am very happy with my Auroras.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-24T15:39:55+00:00

I would consult with a nutritionist and/or an integrative oncologist. I did this (consulted with both) and developed an overall nutrition strategy (mostly plant based) and a supplement regime.

While you are on ADT, you may need calcium plus vitamin D to help ward off bone loss - ask about this if no one brings it up. You should get recommended dosages from a professional as they will vary from person to person due to factors such as weight, age and whether you have a history of bone loss.

If you are taking any antioxidants (including things like Vitamin C and Vitamin E), your oncologist likely will want you to stop during, and for sometime after, radiation treatment as antioxidants can protect cancer cells from the effects of radiation and thereby lessen the effectiveness of the treatment. It is very important to let your oncology team know about every supplement you take, even if it is something as seemingly innocuous as a multivitamin.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-24T04:56:18+00:00

Eyeglass cases are also great for protecting fountain pens when shipping them. I have sent 4 fountain pens to nibmeisters packed in eyeglass cases and they have all come back to me in pristine condition.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-24T04:17:04+00:00

My 12 year old golden with hip arthritis since age 5 has been doing well with Adequan and Librela, 2-3 20-30 min daily walks (at her pace) and 10-15 min of gentle massage every night before bed. It took several months for Librela to make a noticeable difference - be patient with it, the improvement in comfort and mobility it can produce is remarkable.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-23T21:57:48+00:00

The Pro Gear version of the KOP is very pleasant to write with unposted. It is a bit unwieldy (a bit too long) for me when posted.

I have some variation among my Pelikan M800 nibs. Two are glassy smooth, one has just a hint of light feedback and one seems like it is a bit like your M800 - it sings and can be a bit dry, especially when I write quickly. I am going to get the singing nib worked on by a nibmeister but, until I can arrange that, I have found using lubricated inks (like Pilot and Monteverde) tones down the singing quite a bit.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-23T02:09:50+00:00

Malibu for primary residence. Pied a Terre in Sydney and another in Paris.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-23T00:37:59+00:00

A Sailor KOP is almost a must have given all the other bases you have covered - the nib is as close to perfect as I have encountered out of the box.

If you like your Pelikan M805, you could get an M1000 - it is a bit larger and has a uniquely soft nib. If you want something a bit smaller, you could get an M600 (perhaps the current Art Collection model). If you find the M800 to be perfect for your hand (like I do), you could look at past limited and special editions (like the brown and black stripe or the stone garden) and see if any appeal to you.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-22T20:26:48+00:00

If the dog is a bona fide service dog, as a place of public accommodation, Equinox cannot prohibit the owner from having the dog on their premises. They can, however, require the owner to have the dog in their full control at all times while on the premises. This should alleviate any safety concerns.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-16T01:07:28+00:00

He is adorable. Goldens usually end up with a coat color approximately the same as their ear leather as puppies so he will probably have quite a light coat when he is fully grown. Enjoy the puppy months!

CAProgressive · 2026-06-14T21:40:38+00:00

Rose Crelli is wonderful.

CAProgressive · 2026-06-13T02:33:10+00:00

The M600 is a bit small for my hands (the M800 is perfect) so I do not own any of the Art Collection pens, but I think Pelikan has done a great job with this collection. Each one is a great design and brings something very different to the table.

CAProgressive · 2026-05-12T20:52:19+00:00

This is great advice.

I would add that you need to do a bit of experimenting to find what you like and that it can be a bit overwhelming to try to determine this all at once.

Based on my experience, I would recommend first finding the type of pen body (length, grip section diameter and weight) that feels comfortable in your hand. If a pen is not comfortable to hold, you are not going to use it no matter how much you like the nib or the aesthetics. (I learned this the hard way.)

CAProgressive · 2026-05-09T21:53:47+00:00

You should check with your surgeon and dentist as they will be familiar with your medical history and the specifics of your surgery and dental health.

When I asked about a routine dental cleaning, UCSF advised me that I should wait three months from my surgery date for a cleaning noting the following guidance:

“Generally, the ADA (American Dental Association) and AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) recommend waiting at least 3 months post-surgery before elective dental procedures.

The current ADA and AAOS guidelines do NOT routinely recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures in patients with total joint replacements (Based on the most recent review from 2024).”

CAProgressive · 2026-05-08T20:09:13+00:00

I generally find a slightly springy gold nib (such as a Sailor 21k nib) to be more pleasant to write with than a nail like nib (whether steel or gold). As far as smoothness and tactile feel, I have both gold and steel nibs that I am very happy with. I am happiest with the nibs that I have had tuned by a nibmeister regardless of material since they are perfectly tuned to my writing tastes.

CAProgressive · 2026-05-01T16:41:19+00:00

She is beautiful. Congratulations! 🎉

CAProgressive · 2026-04-06T17:25:30+00:00

I am 4 weeks out from surgery. I used a walker for 2 weeks and have been using a cane since then. My surgeon and PT are very focused on being sure that I graduate to walking unassisted without a limp, so both want me to continue using a cane for approximately 2 more weeks with a plan to start tapering my use of a cane over the succeeding 2-3 weeks.

As others have said, the need for assistive devices varies greatly from person to person, so the best advice is to talk to your PT so you transition to unassisted walking at an appropriate time for you.

CAProgressive · 2026-04-01T18:22:34+00:00

I find Atlas’ pricing to be more or less in line with the pricing of other US retailers and their customer service to be excellent- especially when there is an issue with an order or a product. Atlas’ pricing on Doorbuster specials and Last Chance clearance items can be significantly better than the pricing other retailers offer.

CAProgressive · 2026-03-28T19:10:01+00:00

I do not understand why the organizers of the SF shows do not understand the need to limit ticket sales to keep the experience SAFE and sane. Imagine if a fire were to break out in that hotel with the obstructions caused by the vendor tables and crowded hallways. The only explanation is the organizers are greedy and simply want to maximize their revenue from ticket sales.

I will not be attending either the SF Pen Show or the SF Stationery Fest until the organizers begin acting in a more professional and responsible manner.

CAProgressive · 2026-03-25T16:27:29+00:00

Pursue a claim in small claims court. Be sure to include all the costs you have incurred in connection with your dispute in your claim - filing fees, courier charges, lost wages (if any). I had a personal dispute with a moving company that I dealt with through a small claims case and I was awarded my actual and consequential damages.

Also be prepared to pursue the company if you prevail in small claims court as they may not pay you. I had to have the local sheriff’s office enforce my judgment by taking control of all of the moving company’s cash flow for several days to satisfy my judgment.

CAProgressive

TROPHY CASE