Okay you OMAS guys and dolls, I asked the question about piston fillers and some bright individual mentioned OMAS Paragons. Well I went out and started searching and found one I like, the OMAS Paragon Ebony Wood. BUT it is very hard to find, figures. HisNibs had one up to early last week, sigh.

Anyway my question is this, is there a difference between the OMAS Paragon Ebony Wood and the OMAS Arte Italiana Essential Woods Ebony pens? Is this the same pen just being called different things?

Thanks for the help and if anyone knows of any for sale, please let me know. This is the twelve sided one, not the 360 thingy, that just does not look comfortable.

Cheers.

Hi PelikanPenman,

Congratulations with your new pen. Tell us how it compares with a Pelikan M600/M800 please. Or with other well known pens like Waterman carene, sheaffer valor, Sailor 1911 if you have experience with these pens. Thanks.

I'm no expert in Omas pens, but my impression was that Paragon is a particular model within the Arte Italiana series. I think the Arte Italiana series are all the 12 sided pens, with different sizes called different names (ie Paragon and Milord).

So to answer your question, those 2 pens sound like the same thing, but could be possible they are different size (are the Ebony Wood pens produced in different sizes?).

Oh and btw, I have an Omas 360. The shapes looks odd, but is actually perfect for my grip without any adjustment. My girlfriend has trouble writing with it though, which probably means she rotates her grip a little. My only problem (I wouldn't really call it a problem) is that it's too big.

Thanks Neo, when you say too big how does it compare to a M800 Pelikan?

I don't have a ruler on me right now, so can't measure it (I'll measure it later).

From some numbers I've found on the web, the Omas 360 is 6" capped, 7" posted. I don't have a Pelikan M800 to compare with, but I'll get a photo of some size comparisons when I have the time.

I don't know about any Paragon wood pens for sale. I think Mottishaw (www.nibs.com) doesn't have them anymore.

If you're not bound to the wood, I'd suggest you get a cool Paragon Celluloid in the old style. Those are dream pens: light and noble.

Unfortunately, most colors are sold out. I know places where the following colors are still available: blue royale, black/grey, saffron blue, saft green

Let me know if you're interested, and I'll give you some tips. Sorry, never really been in touch with the OMAS wood pens. Although they look beautiful, they are prone to cracks in the wood. Mottishaw has a cracked rosewood Paragon in his "pre-owned pens" section, but I personally would never buy a cracked pen.

Sorry I can't answer your question because I have only admired these pens and have not looked closely at them in the recent past. I can tell you though that Omas pens are fantastic writers, comfortable to hold and a pleasure in every way. I have two Omas pens. One is the Bologna and the other, the sterling silver collector's club edition...it's gorgeous.

Do not bemoan missing out on the one for sale. Think of it in this way: it saved you, for the time being at least, from spending countless millions on this company for surely, once you try one of their pens, you too will be hooked and all the poorer!