Hello all,

I had a VERY good news today: an unexpected and BIG bonus from my company

I'll probably reserve a small chunk for a nice pen, maybe a grail pen if I can afford one... At over 1000$ the Visconti Divina LE is out of question alas but there are still the Omas Arco if they are within my budget... Since Omas distributors display MSRP on their website I'd like to know where to buy and how much I can expect to pay for an Arco Milord or an Arco Paragon (newer model for both).

I want that next pen to be my first celluloid, after hearing about Stipula Etruria from many people, Wimg and Deirdre in particular, curiosity is getting the better part of me but where do you buy these? I thought Suzanna would be the place but all her Etruria models seem to be sold out on her website. Was the Etruria a limited edition pen? If not where can these be bought? And what price can I expect to pay?

I'd love to hear other suggestions, here are the characteristics that I am intersted in:
- smooth and springy nib (M or F) (springy is more important than glass smooth)
- celluloid
- preferably piston-filler (but not required).

Thank you for any info

JFT -

I hope somebody can start to answer your question(s) - I'd be interested in the answers too!

Erick

There are LE Etruria models, but I'd suggest Swisher as a great online source for the current models.

BTW, the black is resin as are the Gaudi LEs. Current celluloid colors are Alter Ego and Amber. Get the piston filler, imho. I don't suggest getting one at FPH or Fahrney's because they only show having the cartridge/converter filler available. If there's no trim ring near the bottom, it's a c/c filler.

What a difficult question!! If i had to choose only ONE pen in my collection it would be the Stipula Etruria amber.I adore my Omas Arco but the Stipula is the best writer and i have had not one problem with it.
My Arco is a good writer and is stunningly beautiful but it is on it's way back to Italy as of today.

So the Stip is my choice.Now what yours is we will all be interested to hear.

Jim

Okay, so... going back go the other choices.

I had a Milord in resin, and I sold it because it bored me. It worked perfectly fine. I considered a Paragon, but didn't get one for the same reason.

I don't personally dig the Arco, but I know it's a grail pen for many others.

First thank you both Deirdre and Handlebar (others are welcome ),

I appreciate both of you joining this discussion! I always enjoy reading your opinions! I know that you Deirdre are polarized toward Stipula and that you Handlebar own both the Arco and the Stipula

Visually to me the Arco is in a league of its own, not that I find the Etruria ugly it is certainly nice, but visually the Etruria is not a grail pen for me the Arco is. On the other hand I am not collecting pen to put then in a display case but to write. So the main factor will be the nibs and some other factors.

Please let me ask you both question concerning the nib: how much spring does the Etruria has? Does it has spring in all size? I am attract to the Etruria with a M, 0.9 or 1.1 nib. I've tried a few M1000 and I loved that level of springiness is the Etruria nib comparable? I have a Bologna which has some spring and I have tried older Paragon and the springiness and softness was very nice. Are the newer model Arco comparable in term of springiness?

I've read the thread where you mentionned your Arco was beeing sent for repair Handlebar and I am really sorry for you It somehow calls for the next question how does the Etruria and the Arco compare in the reliability department? Is your piston problem the exception or the rule?

Deirdre was it only the look that bored you in the Milord? How did you like its nib and its character?

My Bologna is not my smoothest writer but it is the nib I have which has the most character when writing the smoothness with some feedback and some spring is just wonderful. What can I expect from an Etruria nib? I could not find any store that held any Etruria else I would have went to try it.

I appreciate any opinion, especially very subjective ones, as pens to me are object of passions

Thank you!

P.S. Any suggestion where to buy the Arco and what I can expect to pay?

The Arco i own is having piston issues and other than that,was writing very well for me.The nibs are wonderful right out of the box,although i had mine spiced a up a wee bit.I'm still playing with the idea of making it into an italic. As for my Etruria,it does have a small amount of flex but just a bit.Not enough to make my handwriting show the effects.It seems to be just right for me.And i do agree that the Arco has that look and design that are incredible.
For the price though,i think the Etruria the better pen for the money,no doubt.I have never had a problem with my Etruria.And the piston performs flawlessly.
Granted,Omas has it's share of problems as does any pen company.I have a Stipula Florentia that had issues too.So no brand is exempt.

The Arco can be found in quite a few places online and some have been mentioned.The Etruria the same but i do find it tough to find used Etruria.
I bought my Arco on ebay and the Etruria here on FPN from a fellow member.

Have fun making the choice!!

Jim

I have yet to try a Omas newer version. Have you tried an M1000 in the past? If so could sort in term of springiness your Milord, Etruria and your experience with an M1000?

How expressive is your Milord nib-wise? Everytime I tried an M1000 the nib softness was slightly visible in the handwriting even with a light pressure and without specifically trying to "flex" it.

Again thank you!

I have never used an M1000 nor very many Pelikans.Not my favourite brand. But the Milords i have,three of them,all have a decent amount of flex and i like that.The older ones,pre-2005,are better in my opinion.

Jim

Three Milords no problem with the other two? I'm getting anxious to hear what Deirdre will say of her Etruria nibs

No,my other two Milords are pre-2005.I have only had problems with two Omas pens,both newer.


Jim

I haven't used my Etrurias much (I have three), but I have a lot of Stipula nibs in every size from EF to the 1.1 italic. They have a bit of softness to them that I really enjoy.

I don't currently have an Omas (except for the one in hiding). I didn't personally like the nibs quite as much, but there was nothing wrong with them. The only nibs I like more (so far) than the Stipulas are the Ancoras I have.

Does your Stipula nibs in general have enough softness to lend some variation to your stroke when writing? Are most of your Stipula nibs the 14k or the 18k, do you see any difference in "softness" between them? And (last question ) do you know if the Stipula DaVinci use the same nibs as the Etruria? I might consider a DaVinci with a M or a 0.9 italic as well depending on how the nibs are...

Thanks again!

The DaVinci nibs the same, I believe. It's hard for me to say because mine has a rose gold nib, and thus it's different than all my other pens. I really like the 0.9 italic of Stipula's.

Because I'm not home, I can't definitively answer the 14/18k issue, but I believe I have about 1/3 Titanium nibs, and the remainder are split pretty evenly between 14k and 18k.

The Stipula nibs don't really give line variation unless you're talking the italic nibs.

I'm about to make life tougher. I don't know where you're located, but PrahaBLEU on eBay has periodically been pricing the Divina around $700 USD. Go to their store site off eBay and check the list.

The Stipula 0.9 stub/italic is one of my nicest writers, and I have just ordered an Etruria Alter Ego piston-filler from Swisher.
The 1.1 is equally nice but just a bit large for my writing size (average 4 mm minuscules).

JFT, I envy your position and join the chorus singing the praises of the Etruria. Go with the Etruria. If you do not like it, you can always sell in at the Marketplace.

From your photo, it appears that you have the resin Bologna. I have one too and love the nib's springiness and feedback. It is kind of a unique nib, in my experience. The 18K nib on either the Etruria or Omas will not be as springy. They will be smoother, however.
Go with the Erturia 18K piston filler. You will not be disappointed.

I echo the above remarks and suggestions.I bet if you didn't like the Etruria there would be a buyer rather fast.

Jim

Arggg now I'm no longer sure of anything

I have 2 weeks to wait for the big check to come in so my guess is that it will be 2 weeks of self inflicted torture lol. So far here are my thought (please jump-in to comment):

Arco Milord M nib:
- Outstanding look that drives me nuts, a grail pen for me.
- From my short experience with my Bologna I assume the nib to have enough spring and smoothness to become my favorite (my current best nib is Patrician)
- I am worried about reliability
- Still no idea how it might cost for real

Etruria Amber or Alter-Ego (M nib or 0.9 italic):
- Nice looking but nothing special (I have never seen them in the flesh so I can warm up when that happens)
- They inspire me confidence in term of reliability as I have heard nothing but good thing about their quality both in the nib and pen department
- Worried about the nib beeing too stiff (for the M nib), the nib is the soul of a pen to me. Yet Handlebar that love his Omas says his best writer is an Etruria so I am confused a bit more
- Seems like a good value for the money


DaVinci Foco (0.9 italic):
- The mechanism looks cool
- I like big and heavy pen
- Look is nice but I would have prefer the no longer available celluloid version
- The 0.9 nib attracts me, coupled with the retractable nib give it something special
- Lots of money for a simple resin body
- Too heavy to be placed in a shirt pocket?

Anything else I should look into?

Thanks for any hindsights or words of wisdom

It is almost tempting, I reread the reviews on the Divina and the comments (or lack of) on the nib character leads me to think that it might the most gorgeous pen I ever saw but that for that kind of money I want a special nib which doesn't seems to be there If I'm wrong please say so but right now I'm under the impression that the nib is the same as on a Wallstreet LE for exemple. I would not pay twice the price to get the same nib with a better body. I could pay twice for the same nib with a different body but only if the nib has un je ne sais quoi.

I love my Van Gogh but its nib doesn't do half of what my Bologna does me when I use it. Not seeing any outstanding comment on the Divina nib I'm not sure I want to spend that kind of money on the pen. (But I may get a Wallstreet at some point )

You can send in the 18k nibs to Visconti to swap for stubs and there's other sizes you don't get in other pens. Think they come in a BB [my fantasy beyond the stub] and some other sizes.

The best pens to buy these pens are from Pam from Oscaar Braun pens,her service and prices are simply the best:

http://www.oscarbraunpens.com/

As for other ideas for pens how about
Mont Blanc Virginia Woolf LE (800$ FPH) ?
This is both a gorgeous pen and a fantastic writer.

I checked her website but saw no mention of the Milord Arco, does she sells pen not listed on her page? My upper limit is probably going to be around 700$US before shipping, tax etc (I'm not forced to reach it though )

Your very own review of the Virginia Woolf state that it has a very stiff nib. Since I tend to prefer soft and springy nib so anything stiff is less attractive, especially since I already have a glassy smooth and very impressive pen in my Patrician. You lured me to Omas, but it will be hard to lure me toward MB

Thanks for the suggestion though! I know you are quite the collector so I'd be quite interested to hear more suggestion

Do you know if my guess is right about the Divina using the same nib as the Wallstreet, Squeletton Opera Master and maybe others?

I received my Arco Milord about a week and a half ago. It also was one of my grail pens, and is easily one of the most beautiful pens I have ever seen.

I posted a review here on FPN a few days ago, but to reiterate, the quality has been very good, and it has been a wonderful writer right out of the box. If it turns out that you decide on this pen, I suggest that you get it from John Mottishaw since they will ensure it is perfect (note: I didnt get mine from there just because I had a gift certificate at a local shop).

You usually will find these at a 20% discount, which means that you'll get the Milord for $660. You can always look for a deal on the internet, but if you're going to spend that kind of money, it would be more important to me to get a good one than saving 50 bucks.

I also love Stipulas and have a number of them, but my feeling is that they are little bit stiffer. I just sent my Novecento Chromo off to Italy for a new nib, and my feeling is that the Stipula is not as flexible as the Milord (both are Bock nibs). It seems that most of the 18k Stipula nibs are the same. Bear in mind, that I have a preference for some of the older Stipulas, and a Saturno is next on my list (as is an Etruria).

Both brand are wonderful, so here is my suggestion. Choose one now, and get the other one later since you know once you decide on one, the other one will always be in the back of your mind.

And 6 months after that, get the Da Vinci................

Maybe by then Weaver will be back online and have the remaining DaVinci Infinity pens for sale.

Yes, Pam will get you pens not on her website. She's hunted down B nibs for me and gotten prices on other goodies not advertised. Zap her an email or give her a call and you'll see why she IS the Pen Goddess for many of us.

I'm not sure about the Visconti nibs, but you can email Ken Jones, their rep, and ask. His email is: KJONES5369 @GMAIL.COM [Take the space out when you type it - I added one to try and keep the spam software hunters from picking up his mail addy] He's pretty good about responding within a few days, if not immediately. For a guy perpetually on the road, I think his response times are awesome.

Some quick thoughts:
- I think you'll be surprised at how "special" the Amber Etruria celluloid is, in the flesh.
- My 0.9 14K Stipula italic nib is not flexible, but I like the variation.
- My M Arco nib does have some flex. An F nib that I test-drove had less flex.
- Pam can source the Arco below your $700 limit.
- If you are very patient and willing to trust ebay sellers, I've seen both the Arco Milord and piston-filling Amber Etruria go for as low as $350, new in box. But they don't come around often.
- Don't let the factory nib affect your purchase so much. Ultimately they are not custom-made or particularly exceptional; both are mass-produced at Bock. Sending your pen to a nibmeister can always get you customized flex, variation, or smoothness.
- So my advice would be to go with your grail Arco, and if the nib is not to your liking, send it to a nib person.

Thank you for both information Now I'll send some email! I'll report back with the finding on the Visconti nibs if you are interested.

Thank you for some good info and advice. Confirming that the Etruria is more special in the flesh in particular...

I am a bit ashamed to admit it but I have yet to buy anything on ebay I am more of a suspicious kind and I feel that anything bought on eBay is a gamble. That combined with the addictive aspect that seems to be attached to eBay makes me especially mefiant toward using eBay... I guess it sounds childish

Your comments about nib meister are correct except on one point, nibmeister usually will not touch an 18k to add flex, hence why I am enquiring about the factory springiness as it is the one thing that cannot be added since all model I consider so far have 18k nibs (except DaVinci regular).

Keep the advice/comments or suggestion coming

I have both pens, and, like Handlebar, I prefer the Stipula to the Omas. My recommendation is to get the Etruria. Good sources are Swisher Pens and Pen Gallery.

If you decide to get the Omas, both Pam Braun and John Mottishaw are good sellers.

Can you describe what's the little bit, charms or characteristics that makes the Stipula your favorite?

P.S. That Visconti representative is VERY effective Ghost Plane, he answered me within an hour! All the LE Visconti uses the same 18k nib as I thought.

One more consideration is that John Mottishaw will change out the stock 18k Omas for a 14k Portico nib, and customize it to be very flexible (for a price, or course-he lists the particulars on his website).

Thank you for the info I already have a Bologna with a Portico nib so I'm not inclined to have the Milord nib swapped for another Portico (I admit appreciate different looking nibs ) but it would definitively be an option.


Handlebar has posted a review for a Florentia Amber here with some nice shot of the detail of the celluloid, in particular this one is the celluloid used in the Etruria Amber the same? In Handlebar own review of his Etruria Amber the celluloid looked much darker and less impressive than on the Florentia.

Again thank you to help me progressively solved my dilemna

It is, but it can look quite different in different thicknesses and different light.

In these two amber pens, the body looks more similar than they do in the cap/top area, because the top of the DaVinci has relatively thin celluloid backed by shiny metal, where the cap of the Etruria has space behind it.

The Etruria looks much nicer than the current version of the Arco. Both the clip and the cap band are far more sophisticated. Some folks like the "cut wood" appearance of the Arco celluloid, but I much prefer the mottled brown of the celluloid used in the Amber Etruria. The Etruria has a more reliable piston filler and just generally "feels" more solidly made.

My error I left an important word in my question it should have been:
Can you describe what's the little bit, charms or characteristics that makes the Stipula your favorite nib? (compared to the Omas)

I am painfully aware of the better Etruria piston, if I didn't have reliability worry on the Omas side that whole dilemna would be simpler to solve. As for the look it is really just a matter of preference. All the pictures (and I've seen a few) of the Arco left me speechless none of the Etruria gets me emotional. I am now convinced the Etruria celluloid is hard to do justice in picture, that Florentia Amber picture did spark some interest but not the passion the Arco looks gives me...

What keeps nibbing at me is Deirdre, Handlebar, you and many others which favors the Etruria nibs over the Omas. Not having the possibility to try an Etruria I'm trying to figure that part and see if the magic you all share for the Etruria nib is similar to what I might feel writing with one

Here's my state of mind:
- the Arco wins on look (by far) and I'm confident that the nib is going to please me (I have tried a few Omas) but the reliability disturbs me. I know it can be fixed but I guess I am more of an impatient
- the Etruria looks ok, looks like a much better value on paper. It has both a reputation for reliability and for formidable nib but never trying any I fail to see what make their nib special.

I know it is hard to describe the feel of a nib, but understanding that part about the Etruria would solved my dilemna (I think )

Thanks for bearing with me!

P.S. I did read all the reviews I could find about the Etruria and similarly nibbed Stipula, but nowhere did I read anybody describing at length or comparing the nib to many others hence my questions

It's funny -- I can't specifically recall the nibs on my Omas other than I liked them. The 1930 I had was a great little piston filler, but I had a black one (I should have held out for a blue one -- if I had, I'd probably still have it).

I never said that the Stipula was my favorite nib. My favorite nibs are the Dupont Orpheo, the Montblanc 149, the Sailor King of Pen, and the Pilot #15 nib that appears on several of their pens.

What I did say is that the Stipula Etruria is one of my favorite OVERALL pens, taking into account looks, performance, workmanship, etc.

I also believe that Omas is getting sloppy with both their designs and their workmanship. When they made their pens bigger, they didn't retain the quality of design that characterized the older Paragons, including the older Arco.

Again my error for leaving word out Favorite nib relatively to the Omas, I did assume that part since you said that of the Arco and the Etruria you preferred the later one.

I'll chime in one last time. Every Stipula FP I have owned has had to go back to have some kind of problem fixed, so even though I know my experience is just one of many, I wouldnt necessarily put a plus in the reliability column for Stipula. Everyone knows about the Ventidue 22 issues, and in fact, I went through 6 trips, and actually 3 or 4 new pens before I got one that is solid on all counts.

It might sound like I'm knocking Stipula. I'm not. I'm just saying that Stipula and Omas are both Italian, and both have issues in this category (that, in the words of another poster here, you have to 'care more about passion than reliability' to own an Italian pen (with with I don't expecially agree)).

While I'll concede that they tend to be more tempermental, once you get one working correctly (and again, after an admitted short 2 week period)) my Arco is writing and acting like my Japanese Nakayas, and Namikis) they just feel better to use. They all have that indefinable Italian feel.

If you want reliability in an Italian pen, get a Marlen. I have had about 6 of their FP's, and all have been bulletproof..

I have the Milord Bronze Arco - F nib - and two Stipula Etrurias - a 991 with F nib and a Nuda with 0.9 nib. I like them equally. I like the the Etruria Nuda better than the 991 for its nib , but I like the 991 better because of the celluloid. I like everything about the Omas. I have had no problems with any of the three.

Ben Djeridjian ("outletline" on ebay) is selling the Milord. I bought mine from him for a little over $350 about a year ago when he did not have a reserve on the pen. He now has a reserve and I don't know what it it - I know one bidder in the past couple of weeks did not meet the reserve at $353. If Ben only has a Milord with F nib offered, he will almost always swap nibs, and he is very good about answering questions aboout auction options.

The best place I found to buy Stipula pens used to be Weaver McCracken, but he has closed up shop and I have a feeling he isn't coming back.

If the choice is between the new Omas Arcos and the Stipula Etruria, go for the Etruria. I have a 991. It is beautiful, the nib is terrific and it's worked great right out of the box. The celluloid is impressive.

If you make the choice the classic Omas Paragon Arco and an Etruria the nod goes to the Omas. Mine was snatched from the used section of nibs.com, and fitted with a custom CI nib. It works perfectly, and has since arrival.

The nod to the older Omas is because it is a classic, and has all the attributes of a classic beauty. Understated, perfectly proportioned, piston filler, celluloid in a timeless color, classic Greek key trim, and an aura of timelessness. There's a reason it was in production all those years. Cutting edge it is not. But then, me neither.

gary

I recommend the Stipula Etruria.
I have the Alter Ego. Great 0.9 nib.
Great Celluloid.
Great Ergonomic grip and barrel.
Piston fill

I got what I thought was a good price on an Arco Milord from Pam at Oscar Braun ($495 plus $15 shipping). However, I have had nothing but problems with the pen(s) since I got it in late February. The first pen began to leak where the section meets the body within a week of first filling. I sent that pen to Kenro for a replacement, and the replacement started to leak in the same spot, also within a week of first filling. I sent the replacement back to Kenro, and receive a third pen. This one didn't leak, but after three months the piston filling mechanism broke. I sent that pen back to Kenro to have it repaired. I don't want another replacement for fear it would leak like the first two. I will let you know what happens with the repair as soon as I hear from Kenro.

I am really sorry to hear all those issues you had with your Arco Tomo These are the kinds of things that worry me a bit about getting an Arco, but on the other-end, as for the leaks, there is some hope if you check this link

Still both you and Handlebar had piston issues...

But Tomo just got his in February and, according to the Mottishaw article, the problem should have been fixed if the pen is new. Or, did I misunderstand the article?

mehitabel

True enough,although none of my other Omas pens have had piston problems nor any other piston fill pens.Just this one.Not a bad track record all things considered.
Every company will have lemons.

Jim

Like Handlebar, I own both the Stipula Etruria (Amber & Santa Fe LE) and Omas Arco (old and new versions). My Stipulas have been great pens without any problems. The Etruria is a great writing and looking pen. That being said, these days, I tend to use my Omas Arco Milord more. I went through a couple Omas Arco Milord pens before finally getting a perfect pen, but the flex and smoothness of the Omas nib and Arco finish are why I use this pen more than the Stipula.

I can say the folks at Stipula in Florence are really nice small business who care about their customers.

Find a good retailer: John Mottishaw is great for Omas (www.nibs.com) and these days, Marco at Novelli (www.novelli.it) in Rome is who to suggest for both Stipula and Omas.

I so whish I could try an Etruria nib! I still have no idea what kind of character these nibs have, by comparison Omas owners tends to be quite eloquent about the writing feel...

Depending on the outcome of the little poll I started about Arco reliability it will probably be my choice for this time but the next big pen I get after this is probably be the Etruria. Like every pen dilemna the good decision is always to get both! In this case it is probably going to be a year or two before the number two join the stable so I'm trying to pick the most enjoyable one first.

Thank you for all the responses