Having missed out on the Stipula Etruria d'Inverno that recently was sold in the marketplace (beautiful pen), I have started thinking about owning a Stipula, and was hoping to get some good recommendations.

In retrospect, it's probably a good thing that I didn't respond first, because I found out that this etruria is about 2 ounces, which is about twice as heavy as I'd like. I'm looking for a pen that is well balanced when posted, has beautiful depth, lighter than say a vanishing point, and preferably has a filling system other than a cartridge/converter.

I once had an olive woodgrain Saturno, but found it to be too top heavy with it's crescent filler and cap.

There, that shouldn't be too hard, right?

Stephen

Hi Stephen,

If you want a light Stipula Eruria, you will end up with a plastic/resin one, either c/c, or one with a plastic piston mechanism. That means any of the plastic/resin c/c models, or the black PF versions (one of which was introduved in 2006 and is still available).

The celluloid versions tend to have partly metal piston filling systems, as far as I am aware, except the oldest model black Etruria, which is hard to come by. The latter is a celluloid black pen with a plastic piston filler mechanism and a non-removable nib/feed assembly, as it is affixed to the piston filler mechanism in order to prevent the celluloid from coming in direct contact with the ink in the piston reservoir.

If you don't mind a slightly heavier weigth, but lighter than the d'Inverno, you could go for an Amber Vintage piston filler (introduced in 2006), or the Alter Ego piston filler model (also introduced in 2006).

Note that the three 2006 models are available in PF/18K nib and c/c/14K nib versions.

Slightly heavier again, due to the metal inserts to protect the double thread in the celluloid (inside and outside of barrel) from cracking, are the older Amber Grande big piston converter and Ocean Blue big piston converter models, which are slightly heavier again, but still lighter than the d'Inverno. Note that the big piston converter models combine the best of all worlds: they are by all intents piston filler models, which are capable of working as c/c pens as well.

Note that the Blue Ocean is made from the same celluloid as the d'Inverno.

Pricewise, the 14K nibbed 2006 models are the cheapest of the above pens mentioned, then the fixed PF 18K nibbed 2006 models, and finally the big piston converter models, which also sport 18K nibs.

The 18K nibs are available in a range of 10 different types, EF - F - M - B - 52 degree - OB - OBB - 0.9 italic - 1.1 italic - 1.3 italic, whereas the 14K nibs come in 6 different shapes, namely EF - F - M - B - 0.9 italic - 1.1 italic.

Anyway, HTH, warm regards, Wim

Wim is "Mr. Etruria" and his guidance is as good as you will get. I will only add my comments as a pen user and an admitted Etruria fan. I did not care for the d'Inverno because of the retractable nib system as I just do not like such nibs. The weight did not occur to me. Instead I got one in Ocean Blue, as Wim suggests, and I am delighted with it.

I have six Etrurias with both piston mechanisms and c/c systems. I like them equally well. The nibs are large and proporionate in size to the pens. They are superb writers. I am especially fond of Stipula's italic nibs, and all but one of my Etrurias have italic nibs. But, I understand they are not to everyone's liking.

If you are looking for a Stipula pen, I would stay with the idea of an Etruria model. Other Stipula pens are very good, and I have several. The Etruria has a size and shape that is unique and as comfortable in my hand as it is aesthetic. I call Etrurias my "ergonomic" pens.

The only on line seller I know of that carries Stipula pens regularly is Weaver McKracken at The Fountain Pen Domain (www.penseller.com). I am not affiliated with him. He is my first "go to" vendor for Stipulas, and especially for Etrurias. His pictures are good and his selection is the best I have seen on the net. Weaver's communication is generally good, but he can get side tracked by his schedule, so be patient when communicating with him.

Good luck.