Monteverde Invincia Stealth

[sygyzy]

Disclosure: I posted this on my blog as well and I am reprinting it here. It takes too much time to match up the photos so some might be different.

 

Introduction

 

I’ll be perfectly honest. I had just started getting into the hobby and one of my favorite blogs, Office Supply Geek, reviewed this pen. The price point was reasonable and I bought it pretty much based on his review. Since then, I have a better idea of what I like and dislike in a fountain pen.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4869872486_715e6bb015_z.jpg

 

Appearance and Design

The “stealth” part of the name is warranted. It’s a sleek glossy black body with an equally attractive shiny black nib. The pen sports some tasteful ridges at both the tail and cap ends of the pen. There is minimal type on the pen, just below the clip noting the company name and model. The paint appears to be durable and even, both sides of quality.

 

One odd thing I noticed, and am slightly annoyed at, is the cap does not post. I have tried every which way to get it to stay but it simply won’t. This actually might be a good thing due to the weight of the pen.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4869881386_87049d91e3_z.jpg

 

Weight and Comfort

This is a thick and heavy pen. I don’t have other people to compare with but I must have relatively small hands and the trend towards fat large pens does not bode well for me. However, the grip area of the pen narrows and my hand does not cramp as much as it does with other pens. Like I said previously, the cap does not post and this works out because the pen would be too “top heavy” otherwise.

 

I think the balance is quite nice and when you are writing, you don’t get a sense that the weight is throwing you in a certain direction.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4869887238_3f872690bc_z.jpg

 

Nib and Performance

It might just be my imagination but the length of the nib is quite long so there is some distance between your grip and where the nib touches the paper. This makes for less precise writing.

 

Besides that, the nib is one of the nicest I’ve used. It’s very smooth and has a slightly grippy feeling as it is draw across the paper. No, I don’t mean sharp or toothy, but more like a very fine sandpaper. It’s very reassuring and offers great feedback. The nib is a Fine but feels slightly thick. I think the thickness might be due (in part) the Noodler’s ink which is sort of wet (and slow drying, I might add).

 

I am still experimenting with different grips because I still find fat pens, including this one, make my hands hurt while writing.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4869860484_2aeb694efb_z.jpg

 

Conclusion

 

For the price, I sitll feel good about my buy. It’s an elegant looking pen and would be sure to draw some looks in a meeting or at an appointment. It would be appropriate in both professional and casual environments. The weight is some concern as it would potentially drag down a shirt pocket if clipped. The fact that it can’t be posted might mean lost caps for users.

 

Overall I’d rate this a 7.5/10 based on other pens I currently own.

 

Larger images can be found in my Flickr set.

Edited August 9, 2010 by sygyzy

[Edgar Allan Bo]

Nice, I love stalth pens without shiny trim rings and all the glitter...

[Newb]

Interesting. I'd be afraid to drop this pen in a bath of mercury.

[significantpass]

My Invincia posts... It isn't a Stealth, though, so maybe there's a slight difference.

[777]

Pretty cool looking pen. Looks like it might be usable as a weapon of some sort

[sygyzy]

My Invincia posts... It isn't a Stealth, though, so maybe there's a slight difference.

 

Or maybe I'm just doing it wrong!

[Edgar Allan Bo]

My Invincia posts... It isn't a Stealth, though, so maybe there's a slight difference.

 

Or maybe I'm just doing it wrong!

 

http://i33.tinypic.com/2ekoffk.jpg

 

:hmm1:

 

sorry... ^_^

Edited August 9, 2010 by Edgar Allan Bo

[sygyzy]

LOL!

[RockFL]

Great review.

 

I have the Invincia black tie roller ball and it posts securely.....the barrel and end cap appear to be identical to your Stealth, but maybe not. I completely agree with your assessment that there is an unusual distance between tip and grip on the Invincia instruments. This feature is very comfortable for those of us with larger hands (as compared to my Sheaffer Prelude, for example).

 

A note about Monteverde customer service: the cap on my roller ball did not stay on after a couple of years so I sent it back (under warranty) and it was repaired at no cost within a week. They communicated via e-mail throughout the process and the entire repair was completely headache-free. If you're interesting in asking them if your pen should post or not, their domestic U.S. e-mail address is: yafa@yafa.com

 

Good luck with your new pen and thanks again for the review.

[His Nibs]

 

 

One odd thing I noticed, and am slightly annoyed at, is the cap does not post. I have tried every which way to get it to stay but it simply won’t. This actually might be a good thing due to the weight of the pen.

 

 

 

The cap is indeed designed to post. Some require a slight twist/push motion, but if that doesn't work for you, then call Clara Cornett @ 800-YAFA-PEN and she'll take care of the problem under your Monteverde warranty.