Impressions: Stipula Ambre Etruria Grande, Silver Trim

[jigesh]

Stipula Ambre Etruria Grande, Silver Trim, Dual Tone 18K Fine Nib, Piston Filler

 

 

Background and Disclaimers:

 

I had read about Stipula here on the FPN and elsewhere. Somehow, I got an impression that Etruria would be an oversized pen, so I did not pay much attention to it initially. Generally, I find bigger/fatter pens fatiguing. I owned Montblanc 149 and Pelikan M1000 but sold them to those who love big pens. I don’t prefer shorter pens either – anything shorter than Sailor 1911 Large would not be overly interesting to me. Perfect size for me is along the lines of what Pelikan M800/M805 and Montblanc 146 offer. Personal habits and tastes vary. Recently, a couple of threads related to Stipula Etruria emerged on the Italian pens section of this forum re-invigorating my interest. Coincidently, an opportunity to grab one for myself also arose. I exchanged few PMs with resident Stipula experts, like Wimg, and enriched myself with a wealth of information. Some of the information below is derived from PM exchanges. There already are excellent reviews on the FPN, so I am not very sure how much value this one is going to add. Anyway, here we go…..

 

Appearance and First Impressions:

 

This is a real stunner. Pictures won’t capture the precise feel – partly because of my lack of camera and lighting skills. You will see a lot of shadow and focus issues in my pictures. I tried. If these pictures leave you under-whelmed, make a note of it. When you get a chance to see/feel it first-hand (say, trade-shows, pen meetings, etc.), grab it by both hands. You will be a happy camper.

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0075.jpg

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0093.jpg

 

This one is an old /original style Etruria. The nib section has straight taper unlike more prominent and concave type of tapers in the newer versions. I am told these original styled Etruria used slightly different amber celluloid, which is more beautiful and has more depth according to some. I agree mainly because now I have it!

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0070.jpg

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0087.jpg

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0132.jpg

 

 

Unlike newer versions, this one has notches across the nib on the nib-collar, similar to Montblanc 146 and 149, for removing nib/feeder assembly.

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0041.jpg

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0049.jpg

 

 

As you already noticed, the pen has silver trim and a piston filler. The piston operates very smoothly and seems to suck a lot of ink.

 

Physical Dimensions:

 

 

Based on my non-precise measurements, the whole pen capped is 5.5 inches (around 14.5 cms) long. The un-capped pen, that is, barrel plus the nib section, is 5.1 inches (around 13 cms) long. I don’t know the weight right now, but can add later on once I weigh it.

 

EDIT:- Here are the weights:

 

Pen capped: 1.1 oz (31.18 gms) with ink

Cap only: 0.4 oz (11.34 gms)

Pen un-capped: 0.7 oz (19.84) with ink

 

Another EDIT:- The celluloid material of the pen is Cellulose Acetate. More modern Etruria Amber uses Cellulose Nitrate. Thank you, Wim.

 

Comparative Dimensions:

 

To give relative idea of its size, below are few pictures with other pens nearby.

 

Left to right: Stipula Etruria, Pelikan M805, Montblanc 146, Sailor 1911 Large, Aurora 88 Chrome Cap Large, Nakaya Neo Standard Kuro-Tamenuri.

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0115.jpg

 

 

Comparing un-capped pens:

 

Left to right: Montblanc 146, Stipula Etruria, Pelikan M805.

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0101.jpg

 

 

Nib and Writing Performance:

 

 

Nib is not like a nail, but has a nice springiness. With pressure (I dare not), flex can be felt.

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0065.jpg

 

 

The fine nib writes like a true western fine and like Asian Medium-Fine. It lays down nice, smooth line with just enough wetness. Not overly wet, but not dry at all. The tactile feedback is almost absent. EDIT:- Those who use a bit of more pressure than I do, will feel more springiness of the nib and hence more feedback, a pleasant feeling of where the pen is going on paper. Those who have used Aurora and/or have much lighter hands, will feel some springiness and less/non-significant feedback. Those who use Sailor or other butter smooth gliding nibs, will feel more springiness and nice, controlled feedback with Etruria. This is relative and will also depend upon the applied pressure, writing angles, type of papers and inks, etc.

 

No skipping and mild cursive-ness. It seems to hold a lot of ink, so suits for long writing sessions. Here are writing samples on Rhodia orange pad.

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0162.jpg

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0155.jpg

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_0166.jpg

 

 

Conclusion:

 

Overall, it’s a beautiful pen and pleasure to write with. I would happily recommend it without any reservations. At current retail of $725-$875 (as per Internet searches), it’s difficult to declare it as a bargain of the decade. There can/will be other interesting choices in this price range. However, I am fairly convinced that even if you have to pay the full MSRP, you are not going to have second thoughts about it.

 

 

PS: Let me know if you want to know anything that I did not cover above. Please feel free to correct me if there's any error/omission. This is my first review, so please bear with me of slips, if any. Also, I have refrained from formally grading individual aspects mostly because of my inability to confine characteristics that are abstract and very subjective at best.

 

Edited to add weight measures, and material type.

Edited February 6, 2010 by jigesh

[PenFisher]

Very nicely done! Thank you for the insightful review and wonderful pictures.

[Denny M]

Hi Jigesh, great review of a pen i would love to get my hands on. Which is why i would like to ask you where you go this one from or alternatively if you are aware of any other vendors. I've done several searches and they have come up blank. Many thanks.

 

PS I believe that the current version of the Amber Etruria is still made of Celluloid Nitrate. Why? I sent this question to Stipula and here is their email reply (29th/Oct/09):

 

Dear Dionisio,

 

 

 

Thank you very much for your email and for your interest in our products.

 

 

 

The Etruria Amber is made in celluloid nitrate.

 

Moreovre, the amber version is the most sold and appreciated one.

 

 

 

If you need any pictures or other information, please feel free to contact us.

 

Best regards

 

Ivan

 

 

 

Ivan Saccomanno

(Marketing & Sales)

 

If anyone believes otherwise please feel free to weigh in.

Edited February 6, 2010 by Denny M

[Russ]

Thanks so much for the review. I passed over the Etruria due to previous reviews emphasizing its size. I too have an M1000 and am still adjusting to its heft. The Etruria sounds perfect...

[Doug Add]

Very nice review of a gorgeous pen. I had one exactly like this six years ago. At the time I was not comfortable with larger pens, and sold it two months later. Should have kept that one!

[jigesh]

.....i would like to ask you where you go this one from or alternatively if you are aware of any other vendors. I've done several searches and they have come up blank. Many thanks.....

 

The older ambre is difficult to find. I saw another model listed on e-bay and I contacted the seller if he had this model by chance. Lo and behold, he had one so I got it from him. Recent amber etrurias are not that difficult to find. The piston one is somewhat difficult to find, but cartridge converter ones are listed on e-bay as well as on few online pen sellers (US). Try contacting:

 

Swisher pens,

 

Pen Emporium, UK,

 

Susana @ pens.it, Italy

 

Novelli, Italy,

 

WorldLux,

 

PenGallery, Malaysia,

 

Joon Pens, NY,

 

Melpens, Malaysia,

 

Fahrneys, US,

 

Airline International, US, etc. etc. Do your research on customer service, etc.; no direct experience with any of the above except Swishers, Worldlux; and no affiliation with any. Goodluck.

 

Regarding your other question (material), I leave it to better informed FPN members (Wimg, Deirdre, girlie33gk, FredRydr, ...)

Edited February 6, 2010 by jigesh

[Pjake]

Terrific review of a classic beauty. I too have this pen on a short list as I bought a Etruria Fiesole a few months back and love it. Enjoy!!!

 

Peter

[blopplop]

Excellent review my friend!

 

This pen IS my grail pen. The only other pen that I want almost as bad is one of the Brian Gray's masterpieces. But the Stip-Amb-Etruria is at the top of the heap.

 

Maybe someday one will be within my grasp.

 

Dave

[Ed Ronax]

Excellent review, nice pen, thanks.

[jigesh]

Thank you, all for your encouraging words. Since the original post is about the pen, I have not included picture of the box/papers, but if any one is interested, I can add it to this thread (if not in the original post).

[georges zaslavsky]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/137171-stipula-eritruria-ambra-first-generation-with-m-nib/ I did a review of mine a while back which is the predecessors of your model on mine the clip was different as well as the band cap. The cap was of vermeil and the clip has a small laurel emblem of vermeil. Yours looks more a modern version that mine. On mine the celluloid is also different. Congrats and enjoy your pen. Edited February 6, 2010 by georges zaslavsky

[jigesh]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/137171-stipula-eritruria-ambra-first-generation-with-m-nib/ I did a review of mine a while back which is the predecessors of your model on mine the clip was different as well as the band cap. The cap was of vermeil and the clip has a small laurel emblem of vermeil. Yours looks more a modern version that mine. On mine the celluloid is also different. Congrats and enjoy your pen.

 

Thank you, Georges. Yes, I saw your review and found the pen on the bigger side. But that could be due to yours being a convertible type. I don't have enough information about dates. Yours could very well be older version than mine, though I thought concave type taper in the nib section like you have appeared later. You have a nice, semi-flex nib though.

Edited February 6, 2010 by jigesh

[dandelion]

Great review & photos! I really appreciate your writing samples!

[jigesh]

Great review & photos! I really appreciate your writing samples!

 

Thank you, dandelion. Your pictures and blog are beautiful, too...

[Dean]

I apologize if this was covered in another review, but how does the pen post?

 

Thanks

Dean

[lfmarsan]

Hi Jigesh. Nearly 12 years after you posted I came across your review and it convinced me to buy this same pen. According to the seller it is NOS and I'll receive it in some days. I hope mine is as good as your in all aspects. Thanks for your review!

[lfmarsan]

On 1/11/2022 at 11:51 PM, lfmarsan said:

Hi Jigesh. Nearly 12 years after you posted I came across your review and it convinced me to buy this same pen. According to the seller it is NOS and I'll receive it in some days. I hope mine is as good as your in all aspects. Thanks for your review!

Unfortunately, mi Stipula Etruria Ambra Grande has arrived with non-usable piston. It is absurdily stiff and impossible to turn without actually hurting your fingers. I wrote some emails to Stipula Italia asking if they could repair the pen but did not get any answer.