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S.t. Dupont Olympio (extra-large)


tanalasta

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Introduction

This was a pen I purchased on a whim. After seeing Jar's exceptional photos and reviews on these pens, I always kept my eye on the S.T Dupont range but their expense had put them slightly out of reach. The Extra-Large Olympio retails new for more than a MB 149.

 

But something kept bringing me back. The 'click' of the cap and the ease of use of a non-screw cap. The durability and sheen of the Chinese Lacquer. The quality and smoothness as well as the pure aesthetics of the Dupont nib.

 

I purchased this pen used from a FPN member at a very attractive price. It was originally purchased new from an authorised retailer and was only four months into it's warranty. The original owner had sent the pen in for a nib swap from 'M' to 'EF' which was exactly what I wanted. But the new nib unit did not quite match the gold trim and had a section that was 'loose' around the grip section and the ring.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/dupont.jpg

 

So off the pen went to the Australian Dupont representative who set a new standard for exceptional customer service. She phoned to update me and swapped the entire nib section as well as matching the original gold trim in the process. And threw in some cartridges too! All complimentary under warranty, including postage by express.

 

Customer service 10/10 (Australia anyway)

 

First impressions:

Jar's excellent review has the dimensions and is easily located on the review index or Google.

 

The chinese lacquer warms to the touch and has an exceptional, almost translucent sheen that puts the lacquer on my Decimo and Waterman preface to shame. The construction is gold plated brass and perfectly finished throughout. The worksmanship is superb, the engraving flawless.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_1.jpg

 

Construction and balance

 

It is a heavier pen than the resin pens I am used to. I find it is top heavy posted, but the size of the pen means that I write with it unposted perfectly balanced. The clip is spring loaded.

 

I have attached a close-up of the engraving and cap. The cap is a pull on/off mechanism making uncapping an absolute delight. There is an inner sleeve inside the cap but I haven't quite worked out how it works. There is a delightful 'click' as the pen is capped. The pen posts quite smooth and deep meaning that the pen is not all that longer when posted. It posts securely.

 

When capped, the cap does rotate and move with a bit of play freely which I understand is by design.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_2.jpg

 

Filler

 

International sized cartridges. Enough space in the barrel for a spare. Standard carts are small international size and the convertor is on par with the average convertor. Not much more to say. Dupont Black rivals J'Herbin Perle Noir in waterproofness and qualities. Flows well and instantly after inserting a cart as one would expect. I did not bother to flush the new nib unit.

 

Nib

 

A beautiful, large nib. Quite rigid and with a beautiful, graceful curved aesthetic not replicated by any other. The line is of moderate flow, well controlled. Butter smooth and with little feedback. Rigid in a nice way.

Writes as a Western EF should. The nibs are hand finished.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_3.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_4.jpg

 

Overall:

 

A top tier, beautifully handcrafted pen with a finish to match. The pictures and S.T. Dupont's reputation do speak for themselves.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_5.jpg

 

Writing Sample

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Writing_Sample_0001.jpg

 

The corresponding catalogue page from the 2009 Dupont catalogue is below:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Orpheo_09.jpg

Edited by tanalasta

In Rotation: MB 146 (EF), Noodler's Ahab bumblebee, Edison Pearl (F), Sailor ProGear (N-MF)

In storage: MB 149 (18k EF), TWSBI 540 (B), ST Dupont Olympio XL (EF), MB Dumas (B stub), Waterman Preface (ST), Edison Pearl (0.5mm CI), Noodler's Ahab clear, Pilot VP (M), Danitrio Densho (F), Aurora Optima (F), Lamy 2000 (F), Visconti Homo Sapiens (stub)

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Great review of an elegant pen. Personally, I'd spend way too much time polishing that gold section...I just couldn't stand to see any finger prints!

I'm hung like Einstein and smart as a horse!

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Very glad that the service folk helped you. That is always important.

 

Have you noticed how when you cap the pen that last quarter inch or so seems to self center leading to that distinctive click? Also I'm just blown away by how smooth the F and EF ST Dupont nibs are right from day one.

 

My Website

 

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Thank you for the kind comments.

 

I have noticed how the pen is an absolute delight to write with. And the 'click' cap that is ever so easy to pull on and off is one of the things I love about this pen.

 

*Updated with a few more photos*

 

A size comparison with the MB 149.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_1495.jpg

 

And some more random photos in better lighting:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_7.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_6.jpg

Edited by tanalasta

In Rotation: MB 146 (EF), Noodler's Ahab bumblebee, Edison Pearl (F), Sailor ProGear (N-MF)

In storage: MB 149 (18k EF), TWSBI 540 (B), ST Dupont Olympio XL (EF), MB Dumas (B stub), Waterman Preface (ST), Edison Pearl (0.5mm CI), Noodler's Ahab clear, Pilot VP (M), Danitrio Densho (F), Aurora Optima (F), Lamy 2000 (F), Visconti Homo Sapiens (stub)

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Beautiful photos and a great pen, congratulations. I was looking at some S.T. DuPonts recently, and the fit and finish of their pens are impeccable. Extremely high quality writing instruments. I just wish that the current models didn't all have metal sections.

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These tell me enough: "The line is of moderate flow, well controlled. Butter smooth and with little feedback. Rigid in a nice way."

 

St. Dupont and Caran d'Ache rock...

Cogitamus non ideam sed per ideam.

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Beautiful photos and a great pen, congratulations. I was looking at some S.T. DuPonts recently, and the fit and finish of their pens are impeccable. Extremely high quality writing instruments. I just wish that the current models didn't all have metal sections.

 

Interestingly, the metal sections do not seem to be as big an issue as I expected. I have no idea how ST Dupont does it but the sections don't seem to get a slippery as with other marques. Also, most are textured and so even easier to control.

 

My Website

 

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Beautiful photos and a great pen, congratulations. I was looking at some S.T. DuPonts recently, and the fit and finish of their pens are impeccable. Extremely high quality writing instruments. I just wish that the current models didn't all have metal sections.

 

Interestingly, the metal sections do not seem to be as big an issue as I expected. I have no idea how ST Dupont does it but the sections don't seem to get a slippery as with other marques. Also, most are textured and so even easier to control.

 

That's good to know, thanks. I'll admit that I'm wavering; I've been trying to decide what the next pen should be and the Dupont keeps popping into my mind.

 

How are their nibs? Are they generally good writers out of the box? And are their nib widths the same as other western pens?

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Of the over two dozen I have, EVERY nib from X-Fine to Broad has been perfect except one (bent by a previous owner). Not just good but perfect. They are super smooth with great control, absolutely reliable, moderately wet, tolerant of any ink I've tried, capable of sitting unused and uncapped for 15 minutes or longer and starting immediately with no skips or hesitation, sitting for over a week capped unused and starting immediately.

 

My Website

 

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All the Dupont's I have ever dip tested wrote smoothly.

 

Jar has a lot more experience than I do with Dupont but I would agree that they are super smooth, reliable, moderately wet and if you like a slightly rigid, non-flex nib - among the best of the best.

 

That said, for what you pay for a Dupont you wouldn't expect any less. They are all hand tested and finished nibs so should write perfectly out of the box. In Australia (not sure about the US), the Dupont warranty is quick, no-fuss and they often just replace the faulty nib unit with a new one. That's one of the advantages of a c/c pen - easy to replace nib sections!

 

The line width is the on par with what one would expect in a Western pen.

 

 

In Rotation: MB 146 (EF), Noodler's Ahab bumblebee, Edison Pearl (F), Sailor ProGear (N-MF)

In storage: MB 149 (18k EF), TWSBI 540 (B), ST Dupont Olympio XL (EF), MB Dumas (B stub), Waterman Preface (ST), Edison Pearl (0.5mm CI), Noodler's Ahab clear, Pilot VP (M), Danitrio Densho (F), Aurora Optima (F), Lamy 2000 (F), Visconti Homo Sapiens (stub)

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Of the over two dozen I have, EVERY nib from X-Fine to Broad has been perfect except one (bent by a previous owner). Not just good but perfect. They are super smooth with great control, absolutely reliable, moderately wet, tolerant of any ink I've tried, capable of sitting unused and uncapped for 15 minutes or longer and starting immediately with no skips or hesitation, sitting for over a week capped unused and starting immediately.

 

 

All the Dupont's I have ever dip tested wrote smoothly.

 

Jar has a lot more experience than I do with Dupont but I would agree that they are super smooth, reliable, moderately wet and if you like a slightly rigid, non-flex nib - among the best of the best.

 

That said, for what you pay for a Dupont you wouldn't expect any less. They are all hand tested and finished nibs so should write perfectly out of the box. In Australia (not sure about the US), the Dupont warranty is quick, no-fuss and they often just replace the faulty nib unit with a new one. That's one of the advantages of a c/c pen - easy to replace nib sections!

 

The line width is the on par with what one would expect in a Western pen.

 

Okay, the Dupont has been elevated to serious contender for the next pen. Good looks mean nothing if the pen doesn't write, and it sounds like that's a non issue. I appreciate your experience.

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Okay, the Dupont has been elevated to serious contender for the next pen. Good looks mean nothing if the pen doesn't write, and it sounds like that's a non issue. I appreciate your experience.

 

 

There are quite a few different models available with ST Dupont, here are some.

 

http://www.fototime.com/FB19E08F336F692/standard.jpg

 

From left to right:the Classique, standard Gatsby (there is also a larger Gatsby seen below), standard and large Montparnasse, Ellipsis, Fidelio, standard (large) and X-Large Olympio/Orpheo.

 

http://www.fototime.com/51BEF61F7943D3A/standard.jpg

 

There is also the Lady, a clip less model, the D-Link series (about the size of the Fidelio) and the Caprice as well as the newest Neo-Classique in both a large and X-Large size.

 

http://www.fototime.com/0BEE23C66840591/standard.jpg

 

My Website

 

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Okay, the Dupont has been elevated to serious contender for the next pen. Good looks mean nothing if the pen doesn't write, and it sounds like that's a non issue. I appreciate your experience.

 

 

There are quite a few different models available with ST Dupont, here are some.

 

http://www.fototime.com/FB19E08F336F692/standard.jpg

 

From left to right:the Classique, standard Gatsby (there is also a larger Gatsby seen below), standard and large Montparnasse, Ellipsis, Fidelio, standard (large) and X-Large Olympio/Orpheo.

 

http://www.fototime.com/51BEF61F7943D3A/standard.jpg

 

There is also the Lady, a clip less model, the D-Link series (about the size of the Fidelio) and the Caprice as well as the newest Neo-Classique in both a large and X-Large size.

 

http://www.fototime.com/0BEE23C66840591/standard.jpg

 

Now you're just making me drool.

 

I think an Olympio large or extra-large is probably the right size, although that large Montparnasse is also intriguing. I prefer long pens since I write unposted, and the section needs to be a decent diameter without being too large - somewhere around 10-12 mm at the grip point seems to fit my hand best. Uncapped length (including nib) should be at least 125mm; 130mm is better. Can you tell me which of your ST Duponts fit those size criteria?

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Now you're just making me drool.

 

I think an Olympio large or extra-large is probably the right size, although that large Montparnasse is also intriguing. I prefer long pens since I write unposted, and the section needs to be a decent diameter without being too large - somewhere around 10-12 mm at the grip point seems to fit my hand best. Uncapped length (including nib) should be at least 125mm; 130mm is better. Can you tell me which of your ST Duponts fit those size criteria?

 

First, until you've fondled a few ST Duponts, don't make a decision on post versus not posted.This is a company that pays attention to even the most mundane of features. It may well surprise you. For example, the way the Gatsby posts, the fact that the posted length is usually about 1/4" longer than unposted and balance is actually better.

 

So here are the measurements (within the limits of these old eyes).

 

Std Gatsby section is 9.8mm and the length is 120mm.

 

Lrg Gatsby section is 11mm and the length is 121mm.

 

Ellipsis section is 10.6-11.5mm and the length is 133mm.

 

Std Montparnasse section is 11mm and the length is 120mm.

 

Lrg Montparnasse section is 13mm and the length is 125mm.

 

Med (large) Olympio section is 9.25-10.25mm and the length is 128mm.

 

X-Large Olympio section is 11.00-12.50mm and the length is 132mm.

 

Neo-Classique section is 9.25-11.25mm and the length is 139mm.

 

My Website

 

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First, until you've fondled a few ST Duponts, don't make a decision on post versus not posted.This is a company that pays attention to even the most mundane of features. It may well surprise you. For example, the way the Gatsby posts, the fact that the posted length is usually about 1/4" longer than unposted and balance is actually better.

 

So here are the measurements (within the limits of these old eyes).

 

Std Gatsby section is 9.8mm and the length is 120mm.

 

Lrg Gatsby section is 11mm and the length is 121mm.

 

Ellipsis section is 10.6-11.5mm and the length is 133mm.

 

Std Montparnasse section is 11mm and the length is 120mm.

 

Lrg Montparnasse section is 13mm and the length is 125mm.

 

Med (large) Olympio section is 9.25-10.25mm and the length is 128mm.

 

X-Large Olympio section is 11.00-12.50mm and the length is 132mm.

 

Neo-Classique section is 9.25-11.25mm and the length is 139mm.

 

Most helpful, thank you. I'll have a pen fondling session the next time I head into Seattle.

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Thank you for the kind comments.

 

I have noticed how the pen is an absolute delight to write with. And the 'click' cap that is ever so easy to pull on and off is one of the things I love about this pen.

 

*Updated with a few more photos*

 

A size comparison with the MB 149.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_1495.jpg

 

And some more random photos in better lighting:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_7.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Dupont_6.jpg

 

How does that Chinese lacquer hold up over time? Any scratches or wear? Are the Duponts durable?

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Well, I haven't had my pen long enough to really make an honest opinion about that.

 

Jar probably could.

 

But from reading about chinese lacquer prior to purchasing the pen, it is every bit as comparable to Urushi lacquer you'll see on Nakaya/Danitrio and other urishi lacquered pens.

It is very durable, has a deep sheen, warms quickly to touch and generally scratch resistant. It is however, an organic materal and would dislike solvents, alcohol and prolonged UV/sunlight exposure.

 

I think on the Moh's hardness scale, it is less than steel (perhaps around 6) but don't quote me on that as it's off the top of my head. Then again, the only pen I ever put in my pocket with my carkeys was a Lamy 2000 and the ear lashing I got from the local pen store manager when she saw my pen convinced me not to do it again. The Lamy has a lovely patina and enough scratches and dents to show it's well loved.

 

But if I say that the Chinese Lacquer is more resistant and durable to the MB 149 resin I have it pictured next to, would that be enough? :rolleyes:

 

Given the worksmanship of Dupont, it is every bit as durable as any other metal and lacquer pen ever made and should last a lifetime and beyond given the proper love and care. With a list price of $975US you'd expect no less.

Edited by tanalasta

In Rotation: MB 146 (EF), Noodler's Ahab bumblebee, Edison Pearl (F), Sailor ProGear (N-MF)

In storage: MB 149 (18k EF), TWSBI 540 (B), ST Dupont Olympio XL (EF), MB Dumas (B stub), Waterman Preface (ST), Edison Pearl (0.5mm CI), Noodler's Ahab clear, Pilot VP (M), Danitrio Densho (F), Aurora Optima (F), Lamy 2000 (F), Visconti Homo Sapiens (stub)

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How does that Chinese lacquer hold up over time? Any scratches or wear? Are the Duponts durable?

 

Chinese Lacquer is very hard and withstands most environmental hazards like acidic hands. It can scratch or chip, but is less likely to do so than many of the non-natural lacquers.

 

As mentioned, it is the same material as used for Urushi although the styles and techniques vary slightly.

 

The oldest ST Dupont Chinese Lacquer pen I have is pushing 30 years of use, the lacquer still looks good but the brass parts are showing some wear.

 

A better example of durability might be this lighter. It gets tossed in my pocket with car keys and change and jostled around, used often, dropped, mistreated, abused.

 

http://www.fototime.com/214F79E7D162E2A/standard.jpg

 

Warning, large format image so you can see the actual abuse on the lighter.

 

The body of the lighter is solid brass and you can see the dings, dents, scrapes and cuts that it has suffered over the decades. The lacquer though is still near perfect with only a few wear areas where it is no longer as brilliant as originally.

 

My Website

 

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Thank you Tanalasta & Jar for the thorough description. I've been interested to buy my first fountain pen for a few months, and had considered a Pelikan 1000 or 805 based on recommendations - but prefer the style of the Dupont. I'm planning to attend the nearby Miami show this Friday to test and purchase one. Thank you again for the helpful information.

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