Category Archives: Fountain Pens

My Personal Pens: OMAS Paragon Grand in Arco Bronze

Let’s have a look at the OMAS Paragon in the beautiful Arco Bronze celluloid.  I love this pen: it has a very smooth 18k gold nib, and it holds a lot of ink.  The fine nib is very smooth and an absolute pleasure to use, and the pen has a great size.  The Arco celluloid is hard not to love.  I have done a full review of this pen too, if you’re interested.

Visconti Giardino dell’Eden Fountain Pen Review

This pen was sent to me by Susanna of Giardino Italiano: made by Visconti, it is exclusive to that shop, and it was created to commemorate the shop’s 20th anniversary.

Measurements
Length (capped): 140.1 mm/5.52″
Length (uncapped): 123.8 mm/4.87″
Length (posted): 159.6 mm/6.28″
Diameter (section): 10.3 – 11.6 mm/0.41″ – 0.46″
Diameter (barrel): 12.0 – 12.5 mm/0.47″ – 0.49″
Weight (all): 35 g
Weight (cap): 14 g
Weight (body): 21 g

Visconti Giardino dell'Eden Visconti Giardino dell'Eden Visconti Giardino dell'Eden Visconti Giardino dell'Eden Visconti Giardino dell'Eden Visconti Giardino dell'Eden

My Personal Pens: Namiki Emperor Vermillion

The Namiki Emperor is a great pen, in every sense of the word.  It’s a giant ebonite pen, which is then lacquered with urushi.  The nib is Namiki’s #50 – and it’s enormous and a little springy (contrary to the modern Emperor nibs, which are stiffer, as I understand).  A behemoth, this eyedropper-filled pen with a one-way shutoff valve holds about 6 ml of ink – so I can use this for weeks without having to re-ink it.  If you are interested, I have also recorded a full review of this pen.  This beautiful pen was a gift from Azizah, which makes it all the more special.

Montblanc Starwalker Spirit of Racing

Kind thanks to Joost from Appelboom Pennen, who lent me this pen.  If you shop at Appelboom, use the discount code in the banner below (‘friend’) for 10% off your purchase – excluding Montblanc.Appleboom Banner

Let’s have a look at this new incarnation of the Montblanc Starwalker.

Measurements
Length (capped): 140.5 mm/5.53″
Length (uncapped): 124.9 mm/4.92″
Length (posted): 150.3 mm/5.92″
Diameter (barrel): 11.2 – 12.1 mm/0.44″ – 0.47″
Diameter (section): 9.8 – 10.3 mm/0.38″ – 0.40″
Weight (all): 37 g
Weight (cap): 19 g
Weight (body): 18 g

Montblanc Starwalker Spirit of Racing Montblanc Starwalker Spirit of Racing Montblanc Starwalker Spirit of Racing Montblanc Starwalker Spirit of Racing Montblanc Starwalker Spirit of Racing

Montblanc_Starwalker_Spirit_of_Racing

My Personal Pens: Stipula Etruria Magnifica Alter Ego

This Stipula Etruria Magnifica in the Alter Ego finish is a nice, large pen with a clever piston mechanism.  Although I like the finish, this pen is particularly special to me because of the very fascinating titanium nib, which is very springy and has excellent “snap-back”. This pen was limited to 351 fountain pens.  I have not yet done a full review of this pen, but I will record one when I get a chance.

Rotring Art Pen Calligraphy Set

This calligraphy pen set with 1.5, 1.9, and 2.3 mm nibs was sent to me by Goldspot – thank you!

Measurements
Length (capped): 178.6 mm/7.03″
Length (uncapped): 166.8 mm/6.57″
Length (posted): not available
Diameter (barrel): 5.3 – 11.7 mm/0.21″ – 0.46″
Diameter (section): 8.5 – 10.8 mm/0.34″ – 0.43″
Weight (all): 14 g
Weight (cap): 10 g
Weight (body): 4 g

Rotring Art Pen Calligraphy Set Rotring Art Pen Calligraphy Set Rotring Art Pen Calligraphy Set
Rotring Art Pen Calligraphy Set

Rotring Art Pen Calligraphy Set  Rotring Art Pen Calligraphy Set  Rotring Art Pen Calligraphy Set

 

My Personal Pens: Visconti Opera Elements Fire

The Visconti Opera Elements Fire has been in my collection for a very long time.  I absolutely adore the finish of this pen: it’s a wonderful pen that just looks beautiful.  The smooth and springy 14 karat gold nib is particularly special.  This pen is quite a bit smaller than its big brother, the Opera Master, but it is also lighter and more portable.

Cross Botanica Red Hummingbird Vine

Let’s have a look at the Red Hummingbird Vine finish in the Botanica series from Cross.

Measurements
Length (capped): 135.1 mm/5.30″
Length (uncapped): 123.4 mm/4.90″
Length (posted): 156.4 mm/6.15″
Diameter (barrel): 9.3 – 9.7 mm/0.37″ – 0.38″
Diameter (section): 8.1 – 9.1 mm/0.32″ – 0.36″
Weight (all): 24 g
Weight (cap): 10 g
Weight (body): 14 g

Cross Botanica Cross Botanica Cross Botanica Cross Botanica Cross Botanica Cross Botanica Cross Botanica

Cross Botanica Red Hummingbird Vine