Montegrappa Espressione

[jar]

The Montegrappa Espressione is in my opinion one of the greatest examples of how to make a very simple form extraordinary.

 

At heart it is but a cylinder, a pipe, a staff, a rod. It is little but a somewhat fatter example of the design of the old 300 which was a repetition of a pen from the early pens of Montegrappa made during the period right after the First World War.

 

http://www.fototime.com/9814E223B3F3F99/orig.jpg

But again, everything about the design works, the feel in hand is modern where the 300 feels vintage even though it is not even fifty years old.

 

It is also surprisingly light for its size since the body is resin without an inner metal core.

 

The opalescent resin really spakles in the sun and the color varies depending on angle held and light source.

 

http://www.fototime.com/B5A6BE8FAE49E8F/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/64E63CDD38AF841/orig.jpg

The section, end caps and furniture are Sterling Silver and unlike many metal sectioned pens, the grip feels always secure even if wet.

 

http://www.fototime.com/8DC9FBFA55DAF67/orig.jpg

The band on the body is a series of frames in frames, while the band on the cap is simply etched Montegrappa and Italy.

 

http://www.fototime.com/16F8BB6AEF29246/orig.jpg

The nib a a large size 18K gold plated with platinum.

 

As with all of my Montegrappas the ink flow is moderately wet and the broad nib edging towards the fine end of the range. It fills with he standard international piston and converter and so far has been eager to write with any ink I've tried.

[hari317]

Very nice looking pen. The tapered-flared section is very well thought out.

 

Are the feeders ebonite on these pens?

[jar]

Very nice looking pen. The tapered-flared section is very well thought out.

 

Are the feeders ebonite on these pens?

 

Yup, same hand tuned ebonite feeders. This particular pen was one made during the Richemont era.

[Uncle Red]

Lovely pen, Jar

[Toolattack]

Nice pen, that colour is just great and it shines and sparkles even in the photos.

[jar]

It is pretty. And unlike the Symphony, the Espressione takes but one full rotation to cap or post.

[VaN GoGh]

Nice colour and great pen..it's in my wish list

[jar]

I was asked how big the pen is, so here is my blue Montegrappa Espressione next to one of my Montblanc 149s.

 

http://www.fototime.com/ECB9B62F64709FE/orig.jpg

The 149 is slightly wider and has a much larger nib, but I find the tapered section of my Espressiones more comfortable to hold and use over extended sessions than the straight section of my Montblanc 149s. Also, I find my 149 too short to use comfortably when unposted and that the cap tends to work loose when posted.

[FrankvK]

Great pen and nice size

[jar]

Great pen and nice size

 

Glad you liked it. I have a brown one that John Mottishaw modified from a broad to a cursive italic that I need to review one day.