Just Started Paying Attention To Omas--Want To Know More!

[cnjackson]

All of my favorite pens so far are German! But my eye has wandered here to the Italian forum and I find that I can't shake the image of a number of Omas pens--they are beautiful! I am especially drawn to the celluloid models: I gather that many people agree that the Arco celluloid is gorgeous. I am thinking of making an OMAS of some kind a next purchase.

 

I have been reading many reviews and threads on Omas pens here on FPN. But I would be glad to know how people feel about the nibs and the writing experience using OMAS pens.

 

I like a very wet line and some softness in feel: does OMAS offer something like this?

 

C

 

 

[eric47]

Around 2000, LVMH bought Omas, and around that time Omas started outsourcing nibs from Bock. So buy a pen from that period onward, and you'll get "German" Bock nib experience. Although Omas still uses their own ebonite feeds.

 

For something "soft", you'll need to avoid the Omas inhouse 18K (around 1991-about 2000), and look for the older 14K inhouse nibs.

 

But if nib width matters, the Omas inhouse nibs are about half a size thinner than the Bock nibs.

Edited October 5, 2014 by eric47

[mongrelnomad]

They are great pens, and absolutely beautiful. I have numerous (I actually own more Omas than any other manufacturer). But...

 

The writing experience and quality control on two identical models can be completely different. Consistent Omas isn't. I have some that are among my best, and most reliable, writers, and some that refuse to perform.

 

If you can, I'd try and get to somewhere where you can try and handle the actual pen before you buy, or otherwise have a chat with an experienced Omas retailer (I've had great experiences with John Mottishaw and Marco at Novelli.it) to ensure that you get 'a good one' whose writing characteristics adhere to your tastes.

Edited October 5, 2014 by mongrelnomad

[cnjackson]

Around 2000, LVMH bought Omas, and around that time Omas started outsourcing nibs from Bock. So buy a pen from that period onward, and you'll get "German" Bock nib experience. Although Omas still uses their own ebonite feeds.

 

For something "soft", you'll need to avoid the Omas inhouse 18K (around 1991-about 2000), and look for the older 14K inhouse nibs.

 

But if nib width matters, the Omas inhouse nibs are about half a size thinner than the Bock nibs.

 

Hi eric--thanks for this post--and for the insight into the nibs. I've read here and there that the Bock nibs are pretty much the same as the older in-house nibs. You suggest that the nibs are different in feel. Are the in-house 14k nibs hard to find / expensive?

 

Thanks again!

 

 

They are great pens, and absolutely beautiful. I have numerous (I actually own more Omas than any other manufacturer). But...

 

The writing experience and quality control on two identical models can be completely different. Consistent Omas isn't. I have some that are among my best, and most reliable, writers, and some that refuse to perform.

 

If you can, I'd try and get to somewhere where you can try and handle the actual pen before you buy, or otherwise have a chat with an experienced Omas retailer (I've had great experiences with John Mottishaw and Marco at Novelli.it) to ensure that you get 'a good one' whose writing characteristics adhere to your tastes.

Thank you, too, mongrelnomad--that's good to know about the hit or miss element. And it is the beauty of the pens that is really calling to me now. I have a number of black pens--all very nice. But the Arco and the Arco Verde really sing to me! I want!

Edited October 6, 2014 by cnjackson

[georges zaslavsky]

I own several Omas pens and they are a delight to write with, once you will buy one, you will want others

[Bultaco]

Cannot agree more - I love every OMAS I own, and they're all in the "never part with" category. I've got lots of the older models, and lots of the new ones, and all are outstanding. Some of the newer designs are so alluring, you just gotta bite. That was the case with the Fusion (almost universally disliked by everyone, and perhaps my absolute favorite), MOON 1969, DLC 360 and Maserati. The Maserati has an unusually flexible nib - not sure why, but it is delightful. They can be the heaviest (Imagination, Maserati and Invisibilis), and the lightest (new 360, and Mille Miglia) pens, and they're always richly appointed, and beautiful.

[arran]

Great lookers indeed

Stunning celluloids yes but service?

I wait 4 months now for a new paragon that was sent to Italy

[Keyless Works]

Hi eric--thanks for this post--and for the insight into the nibs. I've read here and there that the Bock nibs are pretty much the same as the older in-house nibs. You suggest that the nibs are different in feel. Are the in-house 14k nibs hard to find / expensive?

 

Thanks again!

 

 

I would say the 18kt OMAS nibs have similar feel to the Bock ones though the Bock nibs are usually fatter.

 

If you want Arco celluloid you are going to have a tougher time finding one with a 14kt OMAS nib...it's going to be old, pre 1970s, because OMAS reintroduced their classic celluloid at a time when they were making the 18kt gold OMAS nibs (someone correct me please if I am wrong).

 

You can get other pens with a 14kt gold OMAS nib more easily and in general they aren't more expensive.

[jar]

I actually prefer the feel of the resin OMAS pens over the celluloid ones.

[Bart1979]

As for the nibs: Omas sells both 18k 'normal' nibs as well as 14k 'extra flessibile' nibs on most of their upscale models. The 14k ones are as the name implies, more flexible.

 

Just watch some reviews on youtube (Dan from FPGeeks has some nice reviews on the 360 vintage as well as some celluloid models). The nibs all seem to be great.

 

I just made my first Omas purchase: an Ogiva Limited Edition 2014 ('Alba') in green with an 18k nib in F. This is a limited edition of 327 pens per colour.

 

Will place a review as soon as I reveive the pen. Can't wait.

 

Good luck on your next purchase...so many goodies to choose from!

 

Bart

[cnjackson]

Hi everyone--I didn;t realize that this thread had generated more traffic--thanks to everyone for your replies!

 

Cannot agree more - I love every OMAS I own, and they're all in the "never part with" category. I've got lots of the older models, and lots of the new ones, and all are outstanding. Some of the newer designs are so alluring, you just gotta bite. That was the case with the Fusion (almost universally disliked by everyone, and perhaps my absolute favorite), MOON 1969, DLC 360 and Maserati. The Maserati has an unusually flexible nib - not sure why, but it is delightful. They can be the heaviest (Imagination, Maserati and Invisibilis), and the lightest (new 360, and Mille Miglia) pens, and they're always richly appointed, and beautiful.

 

Hi Bultaco--this is exactly what I am beginning to see in OMAS. I admit I like the more traditional designs best, but overall they are so beautiful!

 

Great lookers indeed
Stunning celluloids yes but service?
I wait 4 months now for a new paragon that was sent to Italy

 

Oh no! what went wrong with your pen?

 

 

I would say the 18kt OMAS nibs have similar feel to the Bock ones though the Bock nibs are usually fatter.

If you want Arco celluloid you are going to have a tougher time finding one with a 14kt OMAS nib...it's going to be old, pre 1970s, because OMAS reintroduced their classic celluloid at a time when they were making the 18kt gold OMAS nibs (someone correct me please if I am wrong).

You can get other pens with a 14kt gold OMAS nib more easily and in general they aren't more expensive.

 

Hi Keyless--This is very interesting: but I'm not sure I follow you completely. Are you saying that the OMAS 14K nibs are more desirable, and they are extra rare in the Arco pens? And are teh 18K Omas nibs ok?

 

 

As for the nibs: Omas sells both 18k 'normal' nibs as well as 14k 'extra flessibile' nibs on most of their upscale models. The 14k ones are as the name implies, more flexible.

 

Just watch some reviews on youtube (Dan from FPGeeks has some nice reviews on the 360 vintage as well as some celluloid models). The nibs all seem to be great.

 

I just made my first Omas purchase: an Ogiva Limited Edition 2014 ('Alba') in green with an 18k nib in F. This is a limited edition of 327 pens per colour.

 

Will place a review as soon as I reveive the pen. Can't wait.

 

Good luck on your next purchase...so many goodies to choose from!

 

Bart

 

Thanks, Bart--congratulations on the new pen. I look forward to seeing your review!

 

 

I have to say that I am currently leaning towards an Arco Vintage Milord--I guess that means it will have a Bock nib, but I gather from reviews that that should be fine.

 

Now I have to start gathering the funds!

 

Thanks again everyone!

 

Chris

[roberto v]

I do collect (and sometime sell) Omas pens, mostly vintage.

 

Once you go for it, it's addictive, so be warned!

 

I think that the Omas production from '50ies has all the things one might need aside celluloid variety. You have reable piston fillers in different pen size both faceted or ogival shaped, flexible fine nibs. BUT you can have them in black or grey smoke celluloid.

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/rvetrugno/penne/italiane/Omas/DSCN6741_zpsf64b5d53.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/rvetrugno/penne/italiane/Omas/DSCN6742_zps67b277aa.jpg

 

The story is different if you look at the older production... this is just a sample :-)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/rvetrugno/penne/italiane/Omas/DSCN6743_zps54ebf43d.jpg

[Keyless Works]

 

 

 

Hi Keyless--This is very interesting: but I'm not sure I follow you completely. Are you saying that the OMAS 14K nibs are more desirable, and they are extra rare in the Arco pens? And are teh 18K Omas nibs ok?

 

 

Sorry, that wasn't clear...here is long winded answer that hopefully wont make you more confused:

 

OMAS made Arco celluloids from the 1930-1950s....these pens have 14kt gold OMAS made nibs. From the 1960s to 1989 OMAS did not make Arco celluloid. In 1990 when OMAS released the celluloid collection OMAS (to my knowledge) only put out 18kt gold nibs....so what I am saying is that if you want the combo of Arco + 14kt gold OMAS-made nib you have to go vintage and these pens are very rare and hard to find.

 

If you simply want an OMAS made 14kt gold nib you can get ones on less rare pens from the 1950s-1980s.

 

I prefer the 14kt OMAS nibs because they can be softer and more flexible; they also happen to be attached to the rarest and most desirable pens in OMASs back catalog but a black 557 from the early 80s with a 14kt gold nib generally wont bring anymore than one from the late 80s with a 18kt gold nib...

 

The 18kt gold OMAS made nibs are excellent writers and if you are simply looking for a great daily writer it probably isn't worth the effort to seek out a 14kt gold nib Arco bodied pen. OMASs modern celluloid is just as beautiful as their celluloid from the 30s and 40s.

 

In general, size and color/pattern are more important to collectors than the nib.

[cnjackson]

I do collect (and sometime sell) Omas pens, mostly vintage.

 

Once you go for it, it's addictive, so be warned!

 

I think that the Omas production from '50ies has all the things one might need aside celluloid variety. You have reable piston fillers in different pen size both faceted or ogival shaped, flexible fine nibs. BUT you can have them in black or grey smoke celluloid.

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/rvetrugno/penne/italiane/Omas/DSCN6741_zpsf64b5d53.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/rvetrugno/penne/italiane/Omas/DSCN6742_zps67b277aa.jpg

 

The story is different if you look at the older production... this is just a sample :-)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b181/rvetrugno/penne/italiane/Omas/DSCN6743_zps54ebf43d.jpg

Hi Roberto--what beautiful pens! Thank you for sharing your pictures. So in the 19050s, OMAS made black celluloid pens, too? But I especially love the pens in the bottom picture--do they date from the 1950s?

 

Thanks again!

Chris

[cnjackson]

Sorry, that wasn't clear...here is long winded answer that hopefully wont make you more confused:

 

OMAS made Arco celluloids from the 1930-1950s....these pens have 14kt gold OMAS made nibs. From the 1960s to 1989 OMAS did not make Arco celluloid. In 1990 when OMAS released the celluloid collection OMAS (to my knowledge) only put out 18kt gold nibs....so what I am saying is that if you want the combo of Arco + 14kt gold OMAS-made nib you have to go vintage and these pens are very rare and hard to find.

 

If you simply want an OMAS made 14kt gold nib you can get ones on less rare pens from the 1950s-1980s.

 

I prefer the 14kt OMAS nibs because they can be softer and more flexible; they also happen to be attached to the rarest and most desirable pens in OMASs back catalog but a black 557 from the early 80s with a 14kt gold nib generally wont bring anymore than one from the late 80s with a 18kt gold nib...

 

The 18kt gold OMAS made nibs are excellent writers and if you are simply looking for a great daily writer it probably isn't worth the effort to seek out a 14kt gold nib Arco bodied pen. OMASs modern celluloid is just as beautiful as their celluloid from the 30s and 40s.

 

In general, size and color/pattern are more important to collectors than the nib.

Hi again, Keyless Works--this was incredibly helpful. There is so much to learn!

 

I think that at this stage, I am just looking for a great writer in the beautiful Arco celluloid (or one of the other gorgeous celluloids). Maybe for now, the 18K OMAS-made nib will be just right.

 

But I gather that OMAS nibs are now made by Bock? So when you mention an 18kt OMAS made nib, you mean looking for one from a few years ago (and I am more than happy to go second hand--it's my preference). Or are the Bock nibs great, too?

 

Sorry for so many questions: once I started investigating OMAS, I discovered how much I don't know!

 

Chris

[jar]

Hi again, Keyless Works--this was incredibly helpful. There is so much to learn!

 

I think that at this stage, I am just looking for a great writer in the beautiful Arco celluloid (or one of the other gorgeous celluloids). Maybe for now, the 18K OMAS-made nib will be just right.

 

But I gather that OMAS nibs are now made by Bock? So when you mention an 18kt OMAS made nib, you mean looking for one from a few years ago (and I am more than happy to go second hand--it's my preference). Or are the Bock nibs great, too?

 

Sorry for so many questions: once I started investigating OMAS, I discovered how much I don't know!

 

Chris

 

 

Chris. Can I make a suggestion? Since you are in the early infection stages maybe all you need is to hold two aspirin between your knees and not the full course of antibiotics.

 

You can get a pre-2002 Vegital Resin Paragon for not a lot of money and it will give you a great idea of what Italian OMAS fountain pens are like to live with. It's kinda like buying an Alfa Romeo as a first Italian sports car instead of jumping straight to a Ferrari or Maserati, You can get an idea of the responsiveness of the nib, the feel, the handling, the maintenance for a fraction of the cost of the celluloid versions.

 

Face it, you will soon have a stable full anyway.

[cnjackson]

 

 

Chris. Can I make a suggestion? Since you are in the early infection stages maybe all you need is to hold two aspirin between your knees and not the full course of antibiotics.

 

You can get a pre-2002 Vegital Resin Paragon for not a lot of money and it will give you a great idea of what Italian OMAS fountain pens are like to live with. It's kinda like buying an Alfa Romeo as a first Italian sports car instead of jumping straight to a Ferrari or Maserati, You can get an idea of the responsiveness of the nib, the feel, the handling, the maintenance for a fraction of the cost of the celluloid versions.

 

Face it, you will soon have a stable full anyway.

haha! Hi Jar--thanks for the suggestion: of course, it is a very sensible one! Not sure how sensible I'm being right now, though!

 

But in all seriousness--you spoke highly earlier in this thread about the feel of the resin pens--which struck me. So many people write about how they favor celluloid. I don't have long-term experience with celluloid pens, so I'm curious about them. And they are so beautiful (the OMAS ones, at least).

 

You mention pre-2002. Was 2002 when the nibs changed from OMAS-made to Bock? and is that why you pointed in the direction of pre-2002? (And where might one start to look for a pre-2002 OMAS? ebay? somewhere better?)

 

Thanks as always, Jar!

 

Chris

[cnjackson]

Jar--is this an example of what you mean?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Omas-Old-Style-Paragon-Full-Size-Fountain-Pen-W-18K-M-Nib-/111485236176?hash=item19f509b3d0

 

it's pre 2006, it says, so different from the date you mention.

 

Not sure what old-style means.

 

And is this a reasonable price?

[Garageboy]

Old Style means pre "modern" Paragon - look at the new ones with the metal grip section and the novelty baseball bat proportions

[Keyless Works]

Hi again, Keyless Works--this was incredibly helpful. There is so much to learn!

 

I think that at this stage, I am just looking for a great writer in the beautiful Arco celluloid (or one of the other gorgeous celluloids). Maybe for now, the 18K OMAS-made nib will be just right.

 

But I gather that OMAS nibs are now made by Bock? So when you mention an 18kt OMAS made nib, you mean looking for one from a few years ago (and I am more than happy to go second hand--it's my preference). Or are the Bock nibs great, too?

 

Sorry for so many questions: once I started investigating OMAS, I discovered how much I don't know!

 

Chris

Yes the nibs are now made by Bock but in terms for performance there isn't much difference between the two. The differences lie more in the older 14kt gold nibs. One way to tell a OMAS nib is the different style of Greek lettering. The Bock-made nibs have a large "O".

 

http://unroyalwarrant.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/photo.jpg?w=575&h=351

 

Left to right: 1) Bock made 18kt gold, 2) OMAS made 18kt gold, 3) OMAS made 14kt gold “Extra Lucens”

 

Also the OMAS nibs from what I have see have a longer body though you can't really tell unless you remove the nib....this doesn't affect the performance but it is interesting to note that the OMAS-made nibs used more gold.