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Visconti Ragtime 20th Anniversary LE


goodguy

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After what seams to me to be an endless stream of MB WE's I had a very strong need to get an other pen. One that will have all the charestaristics that I like but all for a price that will be easy on the pocket.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00520.jpg

 

I saw Bryant's for sale post of this pen and the moment I saw the pen I knew I had to have it.

For 250$ it looked to me like its a deal I can't say no too.

 

While waiting for the pen I met a Canadian friend that is a big Visconti fan and he has this Ragtime and I knew this pen is gonna be a keeper!!!

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00525.jpg

 

Pen comes in a snake skin box and from the smell of it I'd say its real.

Well made even though its not too big.

 

Opening the box and there is the pen and a little plastic black ink bottle, very nice but not too flashy.

 

Taking the pen out and first this you notice is that this is not a very big pen.

I am so used to large pens that it takes a second for the eye to adjust to the smaller size of this pen.

No this is not a small pen but simply not as big as my Paragon I use.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00527.jpg

 

This pen was made by Visconti to commemorate their 20th anniversary. The pen is a very nice combination of new and old.

The design is of a BHR early 1900's flat top pen and so is the clip which looks like one of these clips you would put on a clipless pen.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00529.jpg

 

On the other hand the resin the pen is made of is very modern looking and has a yellow, black, cream and brown blended together and it actually look almost like a flame.

Another modern feature is the gold plated metal section which in the beginning looked a bit out of place on this pen but after a short while the eye got used to it and it looks just right on it.

The gold plated clip also looks very pleasing to the eye. Its sitting in a groove and on it Visconti has written the number of the pen.

In the middle of the top of the cap there is a Visconti gold plated metal symbol attached to it, works great with the yellow clip and yellow section.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00530.jpg

 

Overall the estetics of the pen is nothing short of gorgeous. I love it, its simply a beautiful looking pen and a feast to the eyes.

 

The pen is a piston filler and the piston knob is hiding behind a blind cap. It is beautiful and has Visconti written on it.

Piston takes a nice amount of ink and works very smoothly.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00533.jpg

 

Nib is also very beautiful. Its has 20 Anniversary on it and the years 1988-2008. Its a yellow gold 14k nib and is a Fine size nib.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00535.jpg

 

Taking the pen in the hand I find the pen to be light weight. Now I heard of some Visconti fans they think the pen is on the heavy side.

Maybe compared to BHR pen it is a bit of a heavy pen but I find the pen to be very light and very well balance.

The pen is a bit slender like a my MB Agatha. It is very comfortable and natural in the hand.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00536.jpg

 

The nib is all that I came to expect of Bock made Visconti nibs.

Beyond the wonderful design this nib is a great writer too. Its a true European F nib and that means its on the wider side but not too wide. It is almost glass smooth but still has loads of feedback. Its wet and I am rating it among the best nibs I own.

Not always I get so exited about a nib but this one is well worth it.

I pledge you this- this pen will be used side by side with my Omas Paragon. Its the only limited edition pen I will not be affraid to use.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00538.jpg

 

Summery

 

This pen is something you must consider to have.

 

Why ?

 

1.Its beautiful!!!

2.Its a great writer!!!

3.Its a true piston filler pen.

4.Always nice to know its a LE pen.

5.Very very reasonable price if you get it from Bryant.

 

 

Tzutzik usually like bigger pens but he loves the design of this pen and the way it writes.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00539.jpg

Respect to all

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Wonderful pen, great review. Thanks. Another pen I've been drooling over.

The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.

- Mark Twain in a Letter to George Bainton, 10/15/1888

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Good review Amir of a very nice pen. Make sure you bring it with you to the August breakfast meeting so I can try it and possibly wrestle it away from you.

Bryan

 

"The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes." Winston S. Churchill

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I don't blame you for stretching the budget to get this one, Amir. I really like the look of it. A modern pen with a distinctive vintage appearance, somewhat like a meeting of vintage styles... BCHR merges with Pelikan 100 Tortoise. :)

 

Incidentally, is the box sheathed in red died alligator, or is it a faux leather of some kind?

Edited by MYU

[MYU's Pen Review Corner] | "The Common Ground" -- Jeffrey Small

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nice pen :) but no matter how many viscontis I have tried their nibs are far to offer what I want and the after sales customer service is not as good as compared to MB or Pelikan.

Pens are like watches , once you start a collection, you can hardly go back. And pens like all fine luxury items do improve with time

 

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I think cats like to be color coordinated and this Ragtime matches Tzutzik's ensemble. :)

 

Glad you like your Ragtime 20th. One of the aspects of pen use I like reading and hearing about are our personal preferences and experiences with different kinds of pen. To me, this is a very heavy pen! To you, Amir, it is lightweight. How much fun is that!

 

I'm fortunate to have 5 Ragtimes, one of which is this 20th Anniversary pen. The 20th was made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Visconti Ragtime which was made of celluloid. No two will look exactly the same in color. Yes, the 20th is a much heavier pen than those earlier Ragtimes (unposted 20g for the 20th; 12g for the original Ragtime).

 

My 20th was also bought on good price from a different source. It sports a broad stub modified by Deb Kinney. It's a wonderful smooth, reliable nib! Yet, next to my older Ragtimes the 20th looks like it's trying too hard to fit in. :)

 

Cheers,

Julie

...writing only requires focus, and something to write on. —John August

...and a pen that's comfortable in the hand.—moi

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Must be a terrific pen if your cat stops eating for it :) I love the color. Thanks for the review and the great pics.

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I would guess it is the same box that a number of Visconti's come in, but it doesn't matter.

 

This is a beautiful pen. I have always loved the look of the Ragtimes, with their 'clip' on body style.

 

Amir, you have also shown something I have not seen before; the wonderful filling mechanism.

 

Whether it is a converter, or a vacuum system, Visconti always goes the extra distance on their fillers..

Edited by Doug C

the Danitrio Fellowship

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Very nice pen and a great review!

Thanks David :thumbup:

 

Good review Amir of a very nice pen. Make sure you bring it with you to the August breakfast meeting so I can try it and possibly wrestle it away from you.

I hope I can make it to that meeting but if I will I will bring the pen with me.

 

nice pen :) but no matter how many viscontis I have tried their nibs are far to offer what I want and the after sales customer service is not as good as compared to MB or Pelikan.

Well Georges as I said before not every pen will be good for everybody.

No harm in it, its part of what make us unique.

Respect to all

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Amir,

 

If you can't make it to the August meeting let me know and I will pick up the pen and take it for you.

 

 

Philip

www.scriptusinc.com



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A very nice reveiw, wonderful photos - thanks. The Ragtime is one of the pens outside the "Pelikan world" I would consider. For exactly these reasons:

 

1.Its beautiful!!!

2.Its a great writer!!!

3.Its a true piston filler pen.

 

regards

Henrik

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Thanks for your review of this marvelous pen.

I bought mine while I was in Florence last year in a B nib.

It was my first Bold nib ever but I love it.

I filled it with visconti Bordeaux and use it as a signature pen most of the time.

 

Kindest regards

N

"I am what I am because of what I have been." (David McCallum)

 

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/8703/letterminizk9.png http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/7260/postminipo0.png

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Super looking pen, and a great review. Now I will have to add another FP to my want list.

A list that keeps getting longer and longer. Enjoy the new addition to your collection.

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Julie's comment that "Yet, next to my older Ragtimes the 20th looks like it's trying too hard to fit in. " is well put.

 

The original Ragtime was a tribute to pens of an earlier age. It was simpler in design, and the clip was a clear reference to accomodation clips. The 20th adds a metal section which is disproportionately short. The cap medallion adds weight and sparkle but little else. Ditto for the trim band at the blind cap. The 20th changed the original Ragtime without matching its style and grace.

 

gary

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  • 2 weeks later...

Since this pen is a user I felt I want to add some info due to the experience I have with the pen after using it.

 

I decided I want to add more flow to the nib (even though it was good as I got it).

I spoke with Bryant and he told me all I need to do is pull the nib assembly out.

I didnt feel comfy doing that because usualy I have 2 left hands but I decided to risk it and do it.

As Bry said the nib assembly came out easily.

I soaked it in water for 4 hours then cleaned the feed with a toothbrush and now the nib is even more generous.

I simply cant put this pen down, its a TON of fun. For this amount I dont think there are too many pens that can give it a fight (LE pens that is).

I get amazing feedback on the design, it is not so much a flashy pen as the design is so "Old School".

People really admire its look.

 

Great pen!!!

Respect to all

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  • 1 month later...

Goodguy,

 

I just picked up one of these last Sunday at the D.C. pen show. I snagged it at the Fahrney's table for just less than half price. As the last one, I had to accept the broad nib, but may have that modified in the future. It writes a far finer 'broad' line than my Opera, but is wet & wide just the same. Writing upside down is reasonably smooth and quite a bit finer.

 

I agree with your review and enjoyed the photos. Thanks!

 

Craig

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  • 5 years later...

After what seams to me to be an endless stream of MB WE's I had a very strong need to get an other pen. One that will have all the charestaristics that I like but all for a price that will be easy on the pocket.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00520.jpg

 

I saw Bryant's for sale post of this pen and the moment I saw the pen I knew I had to have it.

For 250$ it looked to me like its a deal I can't say no too.

 

While waiting for the pen I met a Canadian friend that is a big Visconti fan and he has this Ragtime and I knew this pen is gonna be a keeper!!!

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00525.jpg

 

Pen comes in a snake skin box and from the smell of it I'd say its real.

Well made even though its not too big.

 

Opening the box and there is the pen and a little plastic black ink bottle, very nice but not too flashy.

 

Taking the pen out and first this you notice is that this is not a very big pen.

I am so used to large pens that it takes a second for the eye to adjust to the smaller size of this pen.

No this is not a small pen but simply not as big as my Paragon I use.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00527.jpg

 

This pen was made by Visconti to commemorate their 20th anniversary. The pen is a very nice combination of new and old.

The design is of a BHR early 1900's flat top pen and so is the clip which looks like one of these clips you would put on a clipless pen.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00529.jpg

 

On the other hand the resin the pen is made of is very modern looking and has a yellow, black, cream and brown blended together and it actually look almost like a flame.

Another modern feature is the gold plated metal section which in the beginning looked a bit out of place on this pen but after a short while the eye got used to it and it looks just right on it.

The gold plated clip also looks very pleasing to the eye. Its sitting in a groove and on it Visconti has written the number of the pen.

In the middle of the top of the cap there is a Visconti gold plated metal symbol attached to it, works great with the yellow clip and yellow section.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00530.jpg

 

Overall the estetics of the pen is nothing short of gorgeous. I love it, its simply a beautiful looking pen and a feast to the eyes.

 

The pen is a piston filler and the piston knob is hiding behind a blind cap. It is beautiful and has Visconti written on it.

Piston takes a nice amount of ink and works very smoothly.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00533.jpg

 

Nib is also very beautiful. Its has 20 Anniversary on it and the years 1988-2008. Its a yellow gold 14k nib and is a Fine size nib.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00535.jpg

 

Taking the pen in the hand I find the pen to be light weight. Now I heard of some Visconti fans they think the pen is on the heavy side.

Maybe compared to BHR pen it is a bit of a heavy pen but I find the pen to be very light and very well balance.

The pen is a bit slender like a my MB Agatha. It is very comfortable and natural in the hand.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00536.jpg

 

The nib is all that I came to expect of Bock made Visconti nibs.

Beyond the wonderful design this nib is a great writer too. Its a true European F nib and that means its on the wider side but not too wide. It is almost glass smooth but still has loads of feedback. Its wet and I am rating it among the best nibs I own.

Not always I get so exited about a nib but this one is well worth it.

I pledge you this- this pen will be used side by side with my Omas Paragon. Its the only limited edition pen I will not be affraid to use.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00538.jpg

 

Summery

 

This pen is something you must consider to have.

 

Why ?

 

1.Its beautiful!!!

2.Its a great writer!!!

3.Its a true piston filler pen.

4.Always nice to know its a LE pen.

5.Very very reasonable price if you get it from Bryant.

 

 

Tzutzik usually like bigger pens but he loves the design of this pen and the way it writes.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC00539.jpg

 

What a great price to have found this pen for $250. At that price let me know if you need to liberate it to the next pen person. It looks gorgeous.

Rob Maguire (Plse call me "M or Mags" like my friends do...)I use a Tablet, Apple Pencil and a fountain pen. Targas, Sailor, MB, Visconti, Aurora, vintage Parkers, all wonderful.

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Sorry "Mags" but this pen like most of its other sisters were sold a very long time ago :)

Respect to all

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