I'm pretty serious about picking up a Bologna with the red celluloid and HT trim as my next purchase. That is if an old model Paragon doesn't fall in my lap in the meantime. I went into a B&M to look and handle one. What a stunner this celluloid is. The pattern pops at you under light. I use that phrase a lot to describe certain pens that are subdued in low light and suprise you when they get into real light. In sunlight or under a desk lamp for instance. I liked the pen but wished they carried the celluloid down to the section also. I think there's too much metal work on this pen. And that might be because of it's size. Not being as beefy as the new style Paragon, it doesn't carry it off as well. Honestly, that didn't change my mind though. I have an original release black cotton resin Bologna and it seems thicker than this one. I might bring it back with me to compare the two. The nib looked the same though. I didn't ask for a dip test since I was kicking tires right then. The black celluloid Bologna was just as nice, not as beautiful eye popping and a little tamer. I just can't warm up to the gold fixtures on this though but that's my taste.

EDIT: edited to state the black pen was the celluloid pen, not the resin version. Sorry for any confusion.

I'm saving up to buy the black celluloid with gold flecks.

Thanks for sharing your impressions, Greencobra. I have several Bolognas, including the black/gold celluloid, the blue/black resin, and the old-style cotton resin version (they are VERY different in terms of size, by the way - your observation is dead-on), but I've not seen the red one yet. I may just have to pick one of these up.

Just as a bit of information for those who don't know - Omas discontinued the cotton resin Bologna in 2007 and issued a "new" re-designed model. The new model is more slender and is made of polished acrylic resin (and the celluloid ones), rather than the matte black cotton resin. The newer versions also sport metal sections, whereas the older model's section was resin. Oh - I forgot - the celluloid comes in a piston-filler, while the resin ones are all fill with a cartridge or converter. Nice pens, though, whichever edition you prefer.

James

Agree with all of the above! However, I never understood why Omas puts such nice celluloid on their pens and then destroys the wonderful touch by adding this darned metal section on the new Bologna. The section is where you are in contact with the pen the closest. This is where you transfer most of your hand movements onto the pen. This is the true interface where you want to feel the pure quality of the celluloid touch! And what does Omas as of lately give you? A cool and naked metal section! Boohooh!!!

Greencobra, I totally agree with your description of the scarlet color. It is a wonderful, wonderful color! Most single-color celluloids (as the saft green, the scarlet, and the royal blue) are not the most popular of Omas's celluloid! Unjustifiably so! I think each of these colors is outstanding and accomplished in its design, at the same time being reminiscent of the old celluloid colors from the 30s (Compare a Wahl doric in Maroccan to Omas's contemporary scarlet and you'll see what I mean).

I have the previous version of the Bologna in Scarlet Red that I bought from Novelli in Rome. It is a little bigger than the new model and I don't mind the metal section at all. The only finish that I didn't buy from Novelli was the Saffron, but that's only because he was sold out. I saw both versions of the new Bologna celluloid and must say that I like them very much. They are well balanced pens with nice nibs.

While the Saft Green celluloid remains my favourite, the Scarlet celluloid really is superb...

<img src="http://www.ciar-roisin.net/photos/it/OGroup-03L.jpg" width="750" height="455">

Yes, I agree on that. I have no problem with any Omas celluloid but that red really stands out.

I wish they made the red celluloid with GOLD trim instead of rhodium.

Like GOLD over the silver or rhodium too. Anyone know why silver and rhodium is now the predominant trim on most pens?

Is it really predominant? A lot of companies give you a choice I think. And if silver or rhodium is taking over, I'm sure the pen companies do a bit of research to see what sells better. Myself, I think gold looks too formal and on a black pen I like silver trim, like on the black cotton resin Bologna for example. I like the look of silver on the red celluloid Bologna but I think on the black, the gold works better. It looks warmer, for lack of a better word.