I am not one to concentrate on the past. But in my opinion the OMAS Paragon is one of a few really outstanding pens being produced today. My major critism of it is the all metal grip causes the balance and overall heft of the pen to be suboptimal. I have seen some pictures that show, the old style was celuloid with a thin metal band, this pen should be much better in the balance and heft department, all other things equal. So my questions, when did the new Arte Itallia version come out and where might I purchase and old style one? Hopefully, it has not received "vintage" status yet so a premium price attached to it. Any chance NOS is around being discounted?

JD

Good NOS prices may be found for the resin version of this pen. Try places like JOON, Fountain Pen Hospital etc. Mottishaw (www.nibs.com) also has a decent collection of resin NOS. Heavy discounts from professional sellers are rather unlikely, though. With the celluloids there will not be any discounts as they are all sold out (except for the Royal Blue color).
If you just want to feel the beauty of the writing experience, a resin will do for you. If you are also craving for the beauty of the celluloid, you gotta spend the dough. However, both pens are worth the shekels IMHO.

John Mottishaw has one of the best selections. Airline International had quite a few at the DC Pen Show, but they were on consignment, so they may not appear in the regular website. The Italian dealers like Novelli and Giardino Italiano would also be good places to look.

Thanks, Airline had one. I ordered it. They also had an old style Arco... not sure I should not have got that one... but I'll see. Thank you very much for the tip. I'll get to see if my theory is correct.

JD

So which did you get? You know you'll need to post a pic right after you get it ; )

Black / NOS Silver Paragon... I guess I should start taking pictures. Sure hope it isn't as well balanced as I think it will be... then I will have to buy the Arco also. My current favorite pen is the Montegrappa 1930 Extra.. in the brown turtle. I am beginning to think I like celluloid... and I always thought it was something you go to the doctor to have removed.

Let me congratulate you on a wise choice.Omas Paragon (old style) is my favorite writer.It is very light in the hand and very well balanced.
I actualy wrote a review on it compared with another excellent pen (Pelikan M800) and if you didnt read it I think you will enjoy it.
It isnt so easy to get your hands on it but then it isnt that hard either.
You can always check eBay.Every so often there is one for sale on the Market Place.You can also look at the PenTrace board.
You can also put WTB on both the market place and the Pen trace board.Second hand OS Paragon should go for around 150$-200$.I know one thing you will not be sorry for buying it.

Here is the link to the review:

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=38850