I really like the Sailor 1911 (full size). I was planning on getting a Music nib. I've found them for roughly $190. Then I got to thinking, if one is really going to take advantage of the looks of a (clear) demonstrator, wouldn't a converter unit defeat the purpose? I like the looks of the Stipula Suprema Nuda, especially because of the "air pump system." I'm told that you can not only see the ink slosh around inside, but it also looks really cool, as you "suck up ink" into the chamber. However, @ roughly $360, it really gives me pause. I've got a lead on a Pilot Custom 823. From the pics I've seen, the ink filling mechanism, looks very much similar to the Stipula, but at a price similar to the Sailor. And I hear great things about the smoothness of the nib. Anybody out there want to chime in with your thoughts on my dilemna?

Thanks,
Tony

I've considered a demonstrator but always had trouble deciding what I wanted. The Stipula is very nice, but the only demonstrator that really wowed me in looks was the Omas Ogiva Vision in HT trim. I can't find one, of course, and probably couldn't afford it if I did. I think the Pelikan demonstrator is nice and I believe it's a piston fill. I've heard good things about the Pilot Custom 823. If I were to buy a pen because it was a demonstrator, I think I'd want it to be clear and definitely a piston fill. From what I've read, you can't go wrong with a Pilot. Good luck with whichever you choose.

Thanks Sharkle. I probably already know what I'm going to do, but I'm just needing some confirmation I guess.

(bump) Could use some input here.

Hi,

The Pilot 823 really is a nice pen. I got clear brown version recently. The "M" nib writes more like a "F" (which is a good thing for me :-) but very smooth. So far the filling system works flawless and the pens holds a lot of ink. You need to get used to unscrew the blind cap a little bit before writing though. The pen can be found at really good prices ... a really well made pen. I'd prefere this one over the Sailor 1911 demonstrator because of the (for a demonstrator) filling system.

The Omas Ogiva Vision Demonstrator is another great choice with very good and wet ink flow and the nibs are broader and more responsive/flexible compared to the Pilot. I'd prefere the gold trim because of bad experiences with the silver high tech trim in general and the slightly yellow tint of the clear material. Also you might consider the bronze Omas 360 demonstrator.

I haven't seen the Stipula Suprema Nuda in real life yet but recently got a Suprema Pelago (almost 1/2 demonstrator) which is piston fillle. The pen is well made but does not appear as perfect in detail as e.g. the Pilot or Sailor. You really should check that one out in real life first... (don't get me wrong; I think the Suprema is a beautiful pen but it is not as perfect as the Sailor or Pilot pens).


I'd recommend the Pilot if you can live with having a "tinted" demonstrator with solid colored blind cap and cap top; also the Pilot pens can be found at better prices than the Stipula. The nibs don't have much flex but write very precise.

If you like broader nibs which have more some flex and really wet ink flow you should keep looking for the Omas Ogiva Vision.

'Hope this helps


Michael

The Pelikan M2xx demonstrators are piston fillers that look cool and write well (M200 = steel nib, M250 = gold nib). The only disadvantage about mine is that the cap does not stay screwed on tightly while the capped pen is transported in a book bag.

(edited for grammar and semantics)

Michael R., thanks for the input. The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward the Pilot, especially considering the nib smoothness, and the price.

Hi Tony,

You're actually confusing the Etruria Nuda with the Suprema Nuda.

The Etruria is a pistonfiller, while the Suprema has the "Torricelli" system, which I assume is the pumping system. Torricelli was the inventor of the barometre, and Stipula claimes it uses barometric pressure for filling the pen.

In effect, a pistonfiller does too, but that's besides the point I guess .

The Pilot is quite a different experience than the Etruria is, though, you have to keep that in mind. Of course a 1911 and a Nuda are not that far apart in price, over here .

Anyway, HTH, warm regards, Wim

Wim, so which is the 823 closer to--the Etruria or the Suprema, as far as how the pen takes in ink and stores it? I can get the Pilot and the Sailor 1911 for about the same price. The Etruria is a fair amount more, and the Suprema is a lot more, relatively speaking. The Etruria never really appealed to me, due to the silver-colored hardware.

Hello Tony,

Have you considered a clear Waterman Kultur? Somewhere on this forum there is a posting of someone turning a Kultur into an eyedropper FP. Holds a huge amount of ink, more than most piston fillers. I think some silcone grease is added to the section threads as a sealant.

A Kultur is just a fraction of the price of the pens mentioned and you can get other transparent colors besides transparent clear. Lots on ebay.

Just a thought.

Cheers from Texas,

Richard in Plano

Thanks for the heads-up Richard. No, I never really considered a Kultur. This next pen purchase will be my nicest acquisition to date, and I want a really good quality pen. I think my choices are down to a Pilot Custom 823, and an Omas Ogiva Vision. I think I've eliminated both the Sailor 1911, due to it having a converter, and the Stipula Suprema Nuda, due to it's price.

Hi Tony,

I honestly don't know. If it has a pumping mechanism, like th econverter of a Pilot Music pen, I'd think it is closest to the Torricelli-mechanism, IOW, the Suprema.

Warm regards, Wim

Yes, Pilot 823 and Suprema Nuda have some sort of Vacuum Filler. The Pilot works very similar (maybe even the same ?!) compared to vintage Sheaffer Vac-Fil pens.

The Pilot takes in a whole bunch of ink and is not prone to leaking due to temperature/air pressure differences because of its "ink -shut-off" mechanism. Besides that is very well made (e.g. the cap on my Suprema Pelago only screws off and an with some efforts; the threads seem to be too tight). Besides that it is fun to see how it "drinks" up the ink after pushing down the filler :-)


...now you just have to decide between the brown or grey one (I think I've seen colorless clear ones in the past as well ?!)


Cheers

Michael

I have settled on the 823. It should be in next week. Thanks for all the advice.

We would like to see some pics and a writing sample, of course .

Warm regards, Wim

I would be most happy to oblige. I'm told the nib is just wonderful to write with. That, along with the more clean look of it, convinced me to get it, rather than the Omas Ogiva or the Stipula Suprema Nuda. The Sailor 1911, despite it having a great nib (even Music), had a converter. That kinda defeated the purpose of a demonstrator to me. I want to SEE that beautiful purple ink I'm going to keep it filled with.