[HisNHers]

I have a Visconti Ragtime with the piston filler. The Visconti website shows that when filling this pen, the cover at the bottom of the barrel should be completely removed to reveal a screw mechanism. On this piece the cover can't be removed completely, and I don't want to force it in case the information from the Visconti site is incorrect.

The reservoir does fill and empty as it should while screwing and unscrewing this cover, although it can't be removed completely.

On this pen, is this cover supposed to be completely removed? If so, then I guess the pen just needs a good soaking in warm water to loosen the cover.

TIA for any assistance rendered ~

EDIT: Correction: This was not Version 1 of the Ragtime. It was the "new" version, which I believe was released in the mid-90s.

This post has been edited by HisNHers: 05 October 2007 - 01:40 PM

[saintsimon]

If it works, don't break it.
Yours seems to work like the Pelikan piston knob, so leave it that way. Visconti made so many different filling systems, sometimes their website misstates the system of a given pen.

[HisNHers]

If it works, don't break it.
Yours seems to work like the Pelikan piston knob, so leave it that way. Visconti made so many different filling systems, sometimes their website misstates the system of a given pen.

Thanks for your help. We have a few Viscontis (Ragtime, PonteVecchio and Titanic LE), and I've noticed other errors on their web site.

[Ghost Plane]

My Renaiscimento stays on as well. Ignore their directions and just twist the cap while it stays on the piston. I don't know why they put incorrect instructions with their pens.

[RoccoDT]

Hi, even if it's too late for a response; I have a Visconti Ragtime, in celluloid, and the bottom of the pen must be removed completely to fill the pen. It must be unscrewed and then put off. Under it there is the screw mechanism like a Pelikan...
Hope this help...

[eric47]

Hi, even if it's too late for a response; I have a Visconti Ragtime, in celluloid, and the bottom of the pen must be removed completely to fill the pen. It must be unscrewed and then put off. Under it there is the screw mechanism like a Pelikan...
Hope this help...

For "completeness" of the thread.

Almost all "Ragtimes" have a removable blind cap for accessing the piston knob. These include: Original Ragtime (aka Ragtime I), Caravel, Stagoni/Seasons, Ragtime Black & Medici (aka Ragtime III), and 20th Anniversary.

The exceptions are the New Ragtime (aka Ragtime II) and Federico II, where the cap/knob at the end of the pen is the piston knob (like a Pelikan or Omas).

[Stylo]

Sorry to go off on a tangent here, but it seems like the Ragtime is being sold with deep discounts at many places. I wonder why? Too many copies for an LE? The pictures don't do it justice? Is the pen too small by any chance? Is it just the economy?

[Ghost Plane]

It's very narrow for a Visconti pen and the one I tested at a trunk show didn't post. Think Shaeffer Targa and you'll know why a lover of larger pens won't get one.

I suspect they were overpriced for what they offer.

Looks like Visconti got delusions of Montblanc on their latest pricing and the market is giving them a reality check. Just like their Metropolis sans gordian knot didn't move. Too expensive for what you got. Nice pens, but the price point needed to be below $300.

Now their Bible series LEs are the price of a nice used car. Has stopped my buying cold.

[eric47]

It's very narrow for a Visconti pen and the one I tested at a trunk show didn't post.

"narrow for a Visconti" Didn't test with calipers, but it's pretty much as wide as the Ragtime II on which it's based, along with the Classics, Replicas, D'Essais, Ragtime I, Caravels, Seasons, and Pontevechios to name a few. Certainly though narrow compared to the Voyager, Divine/a, and Squaring-the-circle lines. No Van Goghs here so I can't say anything.

In fact, because it's overall size (length and girth) and balanced weight are why I have one...and I'm a sucker for Ragtimes.

Now their Bible series LEs are the price of a nice used car. Has stopped my buying cold.

If you're looking a Visconti wide-body, this probably takes the prize. The diameter is probably a little less than 1". It's like having the big fat kids' chalk or a runner's baton in your hand. Along with being priced out of my league, it's ridiculously sized. Have you seen one in person?

This post has been edited by eric47: 22 April 2009 - 04:58 PM

[QM2]

... the one I tested at a trunk show didn't post.

Hey, wait a minute! Do the new Ragtime LEs not post?...

In answer to the OP: I suspect the metal section also has something to do with the latest model not selling.

[eric47]

... the one I tested at a trunk show didn't post.

Hey, wait a minute! Do the new Ragtime LEs not post?...

Hey just answered you in ad.

Mine does. But I find it way too top-heavy posted for my tastes -- like the Ragtime I and IIs. I write with it unposted -- balance point seems dead center.

Just noticed, the top-heaviness posted is probably worse with the LE because the cap has the My Visconti system, which makes the LE cap heavier than the old ones.

I think the metal section is there to balance the weight of the filling system on the LE. The knob and probably other things are made of metal (not plastic like the originals) -- you can feel the weight in the back of the pen.

I don't have any of my Ragtime IIs now, but if I recall the LE is dimensionally pretty close to the Ragtime II with exception of the overall weight: The LE barrel and cap are heavier. But it's extremely well-balanced unposted.

This post has been edited by eric47: 22 April 2009 - 05:29 PM

[Stylo]

No one touched upon this point: is the pen stunning when seen in person or is it just OK?

[eric47]

No one touched upon this point: is the pen stunning when seen in person or is it just OK?

Well, it's as stunning as Ragtime Acriloyd can be.

Let's try it this way, it looks better in person than it does in the photos because the light catches the gold dust. Mine has a lot of gold in it; the pattern is swirly and it looks turned from a single bar -- I don't see a seam. I believe no two are alike -- so some might be more interesting than others. It's not bad for what it is. I like it, but you may not. People have such different tastes.

If I sound a little down/negative about it, I'm having a hard time judging it on its own merits. I'm looking at it next to a number of old Viscontis made from vintage celluloid -- those are stunning.

This post has been edited by eric47: 22 April 2009 - 06:00 PM

[Ghost Plane]

Now I'm a fan of BIG pens. The LEs are comfortable in my hand for marathon sessions. Picked up the Bible series when Ken Jones was thru here on a trunk show and I'd love that size [I adore my MB 149], but the price!

The Ragtime runs narrower than is comfortable for me. Just preference. I like fat, long pens. My Van Gogh Maxis run 7 inches posted and are nicely wide. Anything narrower and I tend not to use them.

[eric47]

Now I'm a fan of BIG pens. The LEs are comfortable in my hand for marathon sessions. Picked up the Bible series when Ken Jones was thru here on a trunk show and I'd love that size [I adore my MB 149], but the price!

The Ragtime runs narrower than is comfortable for me. Just preference. I like fat, long pens. My Van Gogh Maxis run 7 inches posted and are nicely wide. Anything narrower and I tend not to use them.

O.k. our tastes tend to opposite ends of the spectrum.

I tend to write unposted, and I don't mind narrower pens. As long as I find the section comfortable and the pen isn't too heavy or top-heavy (unposted), I can write with a pen (big or small) in long sessions.