(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter)
The first fountain pen I purchased was a Sailor High Ace Neo, and it impressed me a great deal. It was a fantastic introductory experience to the fountain pen world and led me to purchasing (many) more. I would describe the High Ace Neo as a perfect beginner's fountain pen. But, Sailor also views the Lecoule as an ideal beginner's pen. All things considered, the Lecoule is an exceptional pen that suits new fountain pen users (and more experienced users), but it's difficult to justify given the price tag in comparison to the High Ace Neo. Basically, if you like the look of the Lecoule over the High Ace Neo, go for it. Otherwise, I'd suggest the High Ace Neo.
Aesthetics
The Lecoule is a handsome pen that looks better in person than in the photos online. It's difficult to capture the shine and transparent qualities of the cap and the ivory sheen on the body in photographs. The silver trim and plain nib are a perfect match to the rest of the pen.
I chose the blue cap version of the pen, and I've been really pleased by the color. Of course, I inked it with a nice blue ink to match.
The weight of the pen is fairly light. It's just a tad heavier than a High Ace Neo, but still a bit lighter than a Kaweco Sport. The pen is similar to the Kaweco in that it's more suited to being posted due to the short body length. Writing unposted caused me problems, and my hands aren't large.
The pen is minimally branded with "Sailor Japan" on side of the cap and "Lecoule" on the other side. I still don't know if I like the printed branding on the cap, but it's pretty easy to ignore.
Unlike the Pilot Lucina that I reviewed a few weeks ago, the plastic in this pen does feel a bit brittle. It by no means feels cheap, but I wish it felt a tad more sturdy in the hand. I don't it would fare well in a bag or cluttered pocket.
That said, it's a comfortable pen to hold when writing. The grip section is a bit small for my taste, but it is a good size for most people who have small or average sized hands.
Writing performance
The nib was scratchy and dry out of the box, but a quick tine alignment easily resolved the issue. After the a adjustment, it was a very good performer. The ink flow is right in the middle at 5/10, which is good for a small nib like this.
The nib on this pen, and you have no options, is a "medium fine." I'm assuming that this is a fine nib that's a little wider because that's what it looks like on the paper. Sailor runs small, so this MF looks slightly thinner than a Pilot fine. It's definitely a thin line, but it's extremely crisp. The edges of the lines are sharp and there's no guessing when it comes to ink being on the page. If the nib goes somewhere, it lays down a smooth, crisp line. It's very easy to control, which is perfect for beginners and people who want to practice improving their handwriting.
Overall
This is a solid pen that suits both beginners and fountain pen experts alike. If you have several fountain pens already, I'd recommend skipping this one in favor of one of Sailor's higher offerings. If you're new to fountain pens and don't like the plain look of the High Ace Neo or the quirky look of huge Pilot Penmanship, then give this pen a shot. It's a bit more expensive than the other beginning fountain pen options, and I think that turns a lot of people away from it. JetPens recently started carrying the Sailor "My First Fountain Pen" sets that include 2 nib units for about ten dollars cheaper than the Lecoule. And of course, the High Ace Neo and Clear Candy pens are a third of the price. Pick up a Lecoule if the style and design appeal to you. Otherwise, I think there are better options available.
