Omas Paragon Burlwood Celluloid

[humsin]

I have posted several photos of this pen already, and made a video review, but here I go with a proper, formal review. Just a bit of background information, I bought this pen from Novelli in Rome. I knew what I wanted, and I just went in, tried the pen, and bought it. Simple as that. Well there was the typical fountain pen chatter of course. But I got the pen, with a tax refund, and I'm really happy with it, so here's the review! I apologize for the low quality photos taken on an iPad. I didn't include information about packaging, as packaging shouldn't influence the score of a pen, but I have posted the pictures for the sake of visual enjoyment. As well, several sections of my review will be split into subsections for clarity. I hope you enjoy reading this review!

Appearance & Design (10/10)

Materials (5/5): This pen is turned out of a block of celluloid, and Omas celluloids are drop dead gorgeous. The metal parts of the pen are trimmed in rose gold. Rose gold is always cool. I gave full marks for materials.

Design (5/5): Beauty is subjective, but I struggle to find ugliness in this pen. The faceted body reflects light from the celluloid different angles and the pen simply feels exquisite. On the top of the cap and the blind cap, the material is turned to a perfectly conical shape, and precisely beveled inbetween. The edge of the cap has a sort of "fillet edge", and the grip section is also comfortably tapered. Every nuance on the celluloid is a representation of masterful pen-turning. Decorations on the pen are limited, with a sleek diamond clip, and three narrow gold bands. I like how branding is kept to a minimum; all you get is "Omas Italy 50/50" engraved on the cap.

Construction & Quality (9/10)

This pen is beautifully made. The celluloid is polished to perfection and the threads are perfectly cut. Each bevel is precision cut and most impressive are the metal rings. Each is fitted onto the pen, yet they are absolutely seamless, they lie flush with the cap. The pen also has a simple assembly. I don't seem to see any screws or the like. The simplicity is pretty cool. The only problem I had, a minor one, was that the clip was slightly misaligned. You can adjust it to align though. Not a major issue. The celluloid is prone to scratches, but that's just a material property. I still believe the pen deserves a 9/10.

Weight & Dimensions (10/10)

Dimensions (5/5): The size of this pen is excellent. Girth is moderate, as is length. Much like the 146, the size of this pen is suitable for every user. Robustness in this area gives the pen full marks.

Weight (5/5): This pen is light in weight due to material used. The piston unit doesn't use metal either. As a result, weight is kept low. As a result, this pen is suitable for long writing sessions.

Nib & Performance (9.5/10)

Nib Construction (4.5/5): 18K rosegold nib from Omas, produced by Bock, it seems. Design is simple but classic; arrow motif (-1). I liked the ebonite feed though (+0.5).

Performance (5/5): The nib writes perfectly for my tastes. Ink flow, smoothness, and feedback, are absolutely gorgeous. I cannot complain about this nib at all. It even flexes!

Filling System & Maintenance (8/10)

Filling System (3/5): What a let down! The worst part of this pen. While pistons are good, bad pistons are awful, and this is among the worst pistons I've ever used. Sticky and leaky even when brand new, I was very disappointed and the score reflects that.

Maintenance (4.5/5): The maintenance system is quite good. Everything (yes, everything) disassembles easily (for fountain pen users). Half a point was taken away due to the fact that it's still a piston, and disassembly can still be an inconvenience for some.

Cost & Value (8.5/10)

At a price of 488 euros, these pens don't come cheap. However, if you take away the VAT and consider the limited release of 50 pens, value is good.

Conclusion (Final Score: 55/60)

What an exceptional pen! This pen comes to a score of 91.67%. This pen is always inked and is among my favourite pens. These pens from Omas truly represent the best of Italian pen-making.

 

[georges zaslavsky]

congrats on a legendary Omas pen

[Raskolnikov]

Really gorgeous pen, I adore that burlwood celluloid. Thanks for the beautiful review

[zhryj]

Very nice pen, and congrats.

[whichwatch]

Very nice review of a lovely pen!

 

Interesting that you found it easy to disassemble. How does the nib come out? Do you just pull it out, or must section be removed first, and if so, how?

 

I have an Omas Mueller that uses a similar celluloid - shown below. I like the triple bands and clip on yours, which I think provide a nice vintage look. And the gold trim on yours is a much warmer look than the "hi tech" silver colored trim on mine.

 

Lovely pen! I hope you enjoy it a great deal.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B1CCEB6D7-DB36-4FC2-B340-55D828ACF0A2%7D/origpict/DSCN6798.JPG

[habib]

Great looking pen!

[de_pen_dent]

That's one helluva pen - and it has gone on my "to buy" list!

 

Anyone know if it comes in a Milord size as well?

Edited July 23, 2013 by de_pen_dent

[Inked]

Beautiful pen,

The rose gold accents are a perfect match, and really allow your eyes to be drawn into the burl finish.

 

Thank you for sharing,

Inked

Edited July 24, 2013 by Inked

[Montblanc owner and lover]

Very beautiful pen and you got the last (50/50)! You're lucky

[rhodialover]

I love the Arco model, and would get it if I had the funds.

[humsin]

I would've got the Lucens also, if I was able to stay in Rome for a few more days for Novelli to stock up.

 

Its a shame that Omas hasn't learnt how to make a proper piston yet

Edited July 27, 2013 by humsin

[monanza]

It is reviews like this that hurt my bank account! Thanks for a great review of a very attractive pen (which has migrated to my ever growing must have list).

[josephfabry]

I would've got the Lucens also, if I was able to stay in Rome for a few more days for Novelli to stock up.

 

Its a shame that Omas hasn't learnt how to make a proper piston yet

 

So true. Their pens are some of the most beautiful- ever. My Burlwood -and- my Arco Verdi both have piston failures. A total of 4 or 5 fills between the two, and the pistons are done.

 

I would be furious and divorcing myself from the brand, if it weren't for the utter beauty of the pen materials, and the pen design of the Omas Paragon.

 

Instead, a new-to-me Omas is a daily obsession - I check FPN Classifieds and eBay several times a day- plotting for my next Omas beauty.

 

Is there a pen doctor in the USA who could fix my Omas pistons? I'd rather not send the pens overseas.

 

I am currently obsessing over the Paragon Noir, and the Lucens. Can't afford both right now, so I am having a hard time deciding which to buy first. The Lucens is Limited, and may not be available when I go looking again, but I am strongly drawn to the Noir.

 

Decisions. Decisions. An shameful "first world" problem.

 

Love,

 

Joe

[chiaroscuro]

Stunning. Very beautifully shaped yet still a writing instrument, not jewelry with writing as an afterthought. I especially like that the nib matches the rose gold trim (that's the only way it "works," imho -- rose gold trim with a rhodium plated or yellow gold nib looks strange).

 

Did you try greasing the piston?

[humsin]

Stunning. Very beautifully shaped yet still a writing instrument, not jewelry with writing as an afterthought. I especially like that the nib matches the rose gold trim (that's the only way it "works," imho -- rose gold trim with a rhodium plated or yellow gold nib looks strange).

 

Did you try greasing the piston?

 

LI tried greasing the piston on my Extra; no use. I haven't tried on this one

[rudyhou]

very nice indeed.

Edited July 29, 2013 by rudyhou

[TomJKT]

Congratulations, very beautiful pen!

Since you mentioned it, the piston system in my 80th anniversary Paragon is squeaky, sticky, stuttering and needs to be forced to move up and down. I've been told this is normal with the Paragons, since the whole barrel makes for the ink reservoir. I do not see the point in this and just would like to know if I will have to live with such a bad piston mechanic. What is your opinion?

[ele]

The piston on the old style paragons is very easy to maintenance and get to work beautifully. Hari has a GREAT pinned topic on this very thing. If it is leaking out of the grip section, then it is easy to put some silicone grease around the threads there to stop leaking.

[mhphoto]

This seriously one of the most attractive fountain pens I've ever seen.

 

Great review!

[sannidh]

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! If you have a Omas medium nib (I could not be sure), how would you describe it vs a modern pelikan fine nib ? (Width / Wetness)

I do not own any Omas, so for me the closest comparison are pelikan fines.

Edited August 6, 2015 by soniknitr