Perfection is a subtle, subjective, and very illusive goal!

I have had a "thing" for Stipula Etrurias for a while, and finally just saved up enough for an Alter Ego. I already have Etrurias in black resin and the Nuda demonstrator. Those are nice pens, and I love them, otherwise I would not keep buying them! But they are not perfect, merely exceptional.

Then comes the Alter Ego. First of all, it is beautiful! What fantastic color and pattern in this material. And it is celluloid! You all, as pen lovers, will understand when I say there is a different "feel" to the celluloid. As pens are a very tactile experience to begin with, differences in the feel of the material, while subtle, can actually make a big difference in enjoyment of the pen!

This pen has just the right "Feel" to it, not sticky or slick, but rather just right! And the weight seems just a shade different/better! And though I could hardly believe it, it is a different size than my Nuda! Evidently the nature of the acrylic used in the Nuda requires it to not be machined as thin as the material used in the black and the Alter Ego. If you compare the three Etrurias side by side, the Nuda is machined thicker and chunkier. The caps on all these pens are interchangeable, so the inside diameters are the same, but the clear acrylic is left thicker. Again, a subtle difference.

Anyway, the subtle fact is that the Alter Ego has it all "just right"! Is it "The Perfect Pen"? At this time, for me, it is!

Try one, you'll like it!

Scott.

I am glad that you like your Etruria. I too have had my eye on one, and I just received the Cracked Ice Gaudi Etruria that has been on backorder at Swishers for two weeks. It is truly a wonderful pen. I have always been a fan of the torpedo shaped pens, and the Etruria is special. My next purchase will be the Amber with the piston fill. Anyway, is your Alter Ego piston or converter? What size nib do you have? I like the 1.1 Italic. Once again, enjoy your pen.

-Cody

Hi Cody!

Thanks!

The Alter Ego is a piston fill. All three of mine are pistons. This pen is the 0.9 italic nib. My Nuda is also a 0.9, but my black acrylic is a 1.1. I actually prefer the 1.1 to write for enjoyment, but for writing at work I find the 0.9 allows me to be more compact in my writing.

How do you like the Cracked Ice Gaudi so far? I came real close to ordering that one! Very classy looking pen! I'll try to get pictures up of my Alter Ego if you'll post some of your Gaudi!!!

Scott.

It is good to hear that you like your Etruria and that it is working well for you. The Etruria is one of my own favorite pen models and I love them. I also struggle with subjective impressions to qualify why I love these pens so much. But, love them I do.

I've been waiting for mine, but it did ship a couple of days ago.

The pen just came in the mail today, and I have not inked it. I did dip the pen, and it wrote wonderfully. I do not want to stain the pen, so I am trying to find a good ink to use. I think I will be ordering a bottle of Waterman ink. Also, I do not have a digital camera, so I cannot post any pictures.

-Cody

I have a cartridge filling Alter Ego, pretty standard medium nib. It's a great writer, though, and I find the material very appealing. I'd like to pick up one of those cracked ice Gaudis, but I have the cracked ice Swisher Etruria so I don't want to duplicate. I love the clip on the black Gaudi, but not a big fan of black pens....

I think this calls for a nice review with pictures please !!!

scogre: I too just got a new Etruria Alter Ego, piston fill, OBB nib. Although I cannot say that it is the perfect pen (because then I would have to stop buying them), it almost perfect. More near perfect than any of my other pens.
You're right about the feel and look of the material. I like the weight of the pen too. I've had OMAS Paragons in the past (older model), and found them too light. I've put the Etruria Amber on my short list. They are great pens.

The OBB is tempting...

I have to agree - an OBB is very tempting! Let's see, I don't have an amber yet!

I'm just headed out on vacation for a week. When I get back I'll work on a review. I showed it to my boss today, and he said he liked it best of all my pens! He's a fountain pen freak too!

Later.

Scott.

Got my Gaudi today.
Also got a Conklin crescent filler (modern).

Ooo! Which Conklin? I've got the Crescent Glory in a B and I absolutely adore it.

Sounds like you feel the same way about the Etruria Alter Ego as I do about my Royal Blue Paragon. A lovely pen! I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Here's another vote for that review.

Best,
Summer Greer