Official Press Release for the New Visconti HOM0-SAPIENS

[Bryant]

This pen was to be released at the Philly Show. I will have official Pictures of the Pen soon.

Cheers!

Bry

 

HOM0-SAPIENS

FORGED IN THE VULCANO

 

More than five thousand years ago Homo-sapiens marked the dawn of human history and the invention of writing thus began. The same age discovers metallurgy, allowing the mastery of metals which signified the beginning of human evolution all the way to the invention of the wheel. The first great civilizations arose on the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates river banks and soon began the development of sciences like algebra, geometry, astronomy and engineering.

 

Visconti conceived the Homo-sapiens range of writing instruments for real writers, for those to whom the fountain pen continues to represent an essential travelling companion, a daily friend to share the same civilization that writing helped create.

 

The pen is made from a material that is as antique as the world around us: lava from the Etna volcano. Lava has many characteristics that make it very unique in the manufacturing of writing instruments. Visconti has successfully produced a material containing over 50% pure basaltic lava, catalysed together with resin in a formula that is patented and obviously kept secret. The extraordinary characteristics of basaltic lava practically transform it into a material perfectly fit to writing instruments.

 

Visconti lava characteristics:

 

Virtually unbreakable: It has a high degree of resilience

 

Flame-proof: Visconti lava has a resistance to heat of over 100°C

 

Slightly hygroscopic: allowing it to absorb hand sweat during use

 

Dense: to the touch, allowing the best possible finger-relaxing grip

 

Unquestionably new in the range of materials employed in the making of fountain pens

 

All metallic parts of the pen were inspired by the Bronze Age. The Bronze Age, almost contemporary to the invention of writing, marked the dawn of human civilization. The clip, the decorative rings and the metal accessories, with the exception of the piston, are all in bronze. Homo-sapiens is made with natural bronze like the antique formula that does not require plating or protection treatments which alter its original almost pink colour and which can be easily polished with special products.

 

The high vacuum power filler charging system is made of titanium, the only material resistant to ink aggressiveness.

 

 

The 23 ct 950 Palladium DREAMTOUCH Nib

 

 

With Homo-sapiens Visconti introduces the first ever made 23 ct 950 palladium Dreamtouch nib.

Dreamtouch is the term we coined to define a nib that requires no pressure whatsoever in order to write, it traces in a gentle way thoughts and words for dream-like handwriting.

 

Palladium has interesting physical features that allow the production of fountain pen nibs; its manufacturing is possible today thanks to new metal-fusion technologies and to the welding of iridium tips. This metal has been the fundamental element in 1989’s Pons and Fleischmann cold fusion theory.

 

Palladium actually melts at much higher temperatures than gold: 1552°C against 1063°C. It is therefore obvious that this metal has better mechanical features; being more resistant than gold and that any manufacturing process involving palladium becomes a lot more challenging.

 

The international classification system lists only four precious metals and their related titles: platinum, palladium, gold and silver.

 

Value: the 23 ct 950/1000 palladium nib is the purest nib ever manufactured in fountain pen history. In other words, it contains 95% pure palladium against 75% pure gold in the 18 ct nib and 58% gold in the 14 ct nib.

 

Flexibility and Memory: Palladium has the best possible properties for any type of writing, enhanced by some 30% compared to the same nib in 18 ct gold.

 

Resistance to ink corrosion has been improved up to 100% thanks to the pureness of the material to an extent to which no protection treatment of the plating is needed.

 

Originality: the palladium nib will render even more exclusive your Visconti, either as a collection piece or as a daily use fountain pen.

 

We think of Homo-Sapiens as a fountain pen that can bring to mind a time-frame: starting from lava as generating material, passing through bronze - recalling the beginning of the act of writing, and ending with palladium – the metal of the future and of the cold fusion.

 

Technical Characteristics

 

Homo Sapiens Bronze

Collection: 23 ct 950 Palladium Dreamtouch nib fountain pen; roller ball; ballpoint and pencil

Material: Basaltic Lava from the Etna Volcano

Nib: 23 ct 950 Palladium Dreamtouch nib

Metallic parts: 100% bronze

Filling System: High vacuum power filler

Roller ball recommended refills: A 40

Ballpoint recommended refills: A 38, A49

Packaging: Visconti pen case with polishing cloth

 

Retail Price:

Fountain $595

Rollerball $395

Ballpen $325

Pencil $345

 

Homo Sapiens Calligraphy Set

23 ct 950 Palladium Nib -Demo Set for Best Dealers

 

De Luxe Calligraphy Set in maple wood of Size 25x 35 cm

Content:

1 fountain pen 23 ct 950 Palladium F nib, 1 roller ball, 1 ballpoint all with 4 rings in Silver925

5 23 ct 950 Palladium Nib for writing test different in broadness: XF/M/B/BB/S 1.3

1 nib change tool

6 inkwells of different colours: black, blue, red, sepia, green, turquoise

6 gel refill of different colours: black, blue, red, sepia, green, turquoise

1 blotting paper set

1 polishing cloth

1 pen testing paper block cm 15x 21

1 writing pad

1 magnetic sleeve in lava

Edited January 15, 2010 by Bryant

[jlepens]

I got an email about this. Very interesting, volcanic basalt! %&^$, another pen I may have to get.

The ultimate rockhound pen!

[Kaych]

Slightly hygroscopic: allowing it to absorb hand sweat during use

 

I guess I won't be using this pen during an exam...this adds a whole new meaning to the saying that a pen is a personal object.

 

In all seriousness though, this pen sounds cool. But unless its a thin layer of basalt then won't it be heavy?

Edited January 15, 2010 by Kaych

[Bryant]

Slightly hygroscopic: allowing it to absorb hand sweat during use

 

I guess I won't be using this pen during an exam...this adds a whole new meaning to the saying that a pen is a personal object.

 

In all seriousness though, this pen sounds cool. But unless its a thin layer of basalt then won't it be heavy?

 

I have not seen them yet in person, so I dont know weight, but someone here may chime in... She has seen/held them

[AltecGreen]

The basalt composite is pretty light. A similar basalt resin composite is used in camera tripods and heads.

 

 

http://services.gitzo.com/basalt/home.htm

 

 

I definitely want one of these pens.

 

 

 

On another note Bryant, you might want to let Visconti marketing know that cold fusion was not exactly a high point in science. It's on equal footing with perpetual motion machines and UFOs. Also, Danitrio uses 24k nibs on their Yokozuna line and Sailor made 23k nibs in the 1970's.

Edited January 15, 2010 by AltecGreen

[Ghost Plane]

Now if they'd said obsidian... I'll have to see 'em. Any color you want so long as it's gray?

[Raynewolf]

I am anxious to see this pen! I'm addicted to Visconti's. Will you be selling these Bryant?

 

Peace,

Spooky P.

[Silvermink]

Whoa.

 

That sounds pretty cool.

[Silvermink]

Pictures in another thread.

 

Looks nice. I'd buy it. Hell, I probably will buy it.

Edited January 15, 2010 by Silvermink

[RitaCarbon]

Bry,

I need this pen. It's made for me. How can I get it? I never thought that I would ever have a Grail pen. But this is SO ME.

When can I have it?

Rita

[Raynewolf]

Pictures in another thread.

 

Looks nice. I'd buy it. Hell, I probably will buy it.

 

Thank you for the link, Silvermink! I like the look!! And that store is just down the highway from me. (yikes!!)

 

Spooky P.

[Bryant]

The basalt composite is pretty light. A similar basalt resin composite is used in camera tripods and heads.

 

 

http://services.gitz...basalt/home.htm

 

 

I definitely want one of these pens.

 

 

 

On another note Bryant, you might want to let Visconti marketing know that cold fusion was not exactly a high point in science. It's on equal footing with perpetual motion machines and UFOs. Also, Danitrio uses 24k nibs on their Yokozuna line and Sailor made 23k nibs in the 1970's.

Cool, I will do that...

 

I am anxious to see this pen! I'm addicted to Visconti's. Will you be selling these Bryant?

 

Peace,

Spooky P.

I will, they will be avalible to purchase at the end of February or early March

 

Pictures in another thread.

 

Looks nice. I'd buy it. Hell, I probably will buy it.

 

Those pics where taken from a banner, so they are not the best description, I hope to have good pics soon

[Bryant]

Ive just updated the press release to include the "Calligraphy set"

Im really excited about this!!!

[offbase]

I'm sorry, but I think they blew it on this one. Dawn of Man? Ok. Bronze? Check. Modernistic design and Visconti billboard clip? WHAT???!!!

 

They could have quite easily saved this by just using an antiqued bronze clip shaped like a flint hand axe (basically, looks like an obsidian knife blade), or even a bronze sword blade. They just HAVE to have that name jumping out at one, though. Sigh ...

Edited January 15, 2010 by offbase

[Ghost Plane]

Calligraphy set? Uh, what's the definition on that?

[vlada]

Oh my, isn't this calligraphy set tempting or what . Is there any info on the price?

[Triplet Mom]

I'm very interested in getting one of these pens! Someone needs to post a writing sample that shows how flexible the nib really is once they are available.

 

Lynne

[Silvermink]

I'm very interested in getting one of these pens! Someone needs to post a writing sample that shows how flexible the nib really is once they are available.

 

You could check out the palladium nib samples in a couple threads here in the Italian forum - same nib.

Edited January 15, 2010 by Silvermink

[AltecGreen]

I'm very interested in getting one of these pens! Someone needs to post a writing sample that shows how flexible the nib really is once they are available.

 

Lynne

 

 

The Pd nibs have been available for about a month now. Bryant was able to procure a lot of the first nibs and sold these with his Ripple special edition and a number of other Visconti pens.

 

Look here.

 

The nibs have some flex and a nice soft feel. I would say the feel is soft and close to a real semi-flex pen. The videos Bryant posted should give you an idea.

[Ghost Plane]

I have 3 of the nibs now and they are AWESOME! Check the videos on Bryant's site