Montegrappa Espressione in Passion Red

[camoandconcrete]

As a result of this review I went into Art Brown today to look at the Espressione pen. They only had it in black or blue, but I was amazed with the beauty of the black version of this pen, which is a smoky iridescent black/gray. Wonderful! I also loved the brown which they had only in a roller ball. I am somewhat on the fence as to the practical merits of this pen versus the wonderful Delta La Dolce Vita, which as a much better ink storage capacity, but the Espressione is a lovely writing instrument. Thank you for the review.

 

I'm glad you liked the review and the pen! The Dolce Vita does have better ink capacity but I think the Espressione is nicer looking, IMHO. But if you do get the Espressione, make sure you try the nib for at least a page to see if it skips.

[Dr Lopez]

I don't think it's "still" got issues. I think if Dr looks he'll find it's from the Italian pre Richemont period. Look for made in Italy.

Thanks

 

You know, I have my doubts the problem lies on when or where my pen was made, in my particular case of course. The external box says "made in Italy" indeed, but I think that is probably still the case with the Montegrappas made today since they are actually made in Italy as far as I know. On the other hand, the papers included in the box already explain that Richemont did take over the company in 2003 (if I recall correctly) and the costumer service list provided consists of a list of Montblanc boutiques all over the world. I will try to get this pen revised in one of those in a couple of months when I plan pay a visit.

Edited March 26, 2010 by Dr Lopez

[camoandconcrete]

I don't think it's "still" got issues. I think if Dr looks he'll find it's from the Italian pre Richemont period. Look for made in Italy.

Thanks

 

You know, I have my doubts the problem lies on when or where my pen was made, in my particular case of course. The external box says "made in Italy" indeed, but I think that is probably still the case with the Montegrappas made today since they are actually made in Italy as far as I know. On the other hand, the papers included in the box already explain that Richemont did take over the company in 2003 (if I recall correctly) and the costumer service list provided consists of a list of Montblanc boutiques all over the world. I will try to get this pen revised in one of those in a couple of months when I plan pay a visit.

 

I feel the same, I don't think it was where or when it was made. Unless there was a specific time frame for when we know the nibs were bad. I just view the whole issue as Montegrappa not being as thorough with the nib QC as they should before boxing the pens for shipment. But, thankfully, I have been lucky to receive perfect nibs on all of my pens.

[Dr Lopez]

Today I feel my Montegrappa Expressione is writing better. I emptied the converter on the sink and cleaned it yet once more in running water (I lost account, but I must have done so 6 times already). Since the feeder is ebonite and not plastic I applied hot air for a couple of mins to get be able to deform it with a bit a pressure. I think the space between the feeder and nib was not correct, not checked at the factory either. The pen is allegedly not the wetter pen in my collection, but now at least can write without skipping. This dryness gives some feedback that is pleasant to control the writing. I would prefer a wetter pen so I might keep trying tweaking the feed-nib space.

[camoandconcrete]

That's good its writing better! Hope it continues to improve.

[morrissierraalta]

I got mine, in red, a couple of months ago. Delightfull writer, slightly wet, no skipping. The only downside was that when ink condensates too much inside the cap, it starts to leak throug the clip, wich ends up staining my shirts.

Since then it rests in my desk waiting for me, never in my pocket. too bad...

[camoandconcrete]

I got mine, in red, a couple of months ago. Delightfull writer, slightly wet, no skipping. The only downside was that when ink condensates too much inside the cap, it starts to leak throug the clip, wich ends up staining my shirts.

Since then it rests in my desk waiting for me, never in my pocket. too bad...

 

You must live in a very hot area for that to happen. By the way, under the clip and cut into a barrel is a little hole so when you pull that cap off quickly ink won't spill everywhere. Maybe some of it is coming from there as well.

[simar]

That's good its writing better! Hope it continues to improve.

Thanks for the review . I've just bought one of these with a fine nib ; the nib is very smooth (for a fine) but a little dry . I'm hoping this can be tweaked a little to make it wetter . However I was surprised at the fineness of this nib - finer than my OMAS Milord even allowing for the dryness factor . Do you (or others) have experience with fine nibs for Montegrappa - do they run finer than other brands ? Your review suggests that the medium nib runs a bit broader than average .

p.s. I concur with your review - this is a superb pen , notwithstanding my comments above .

[Dr Lopez]

That's good its writing better! Hope it continues to improve.

Thanks for the review . I've just bought one of these with a fine nib ; the nib is very smooth (for a fine) but a little dry . I'm hoping this can be tweaked a little to make it wetter . However I was surprised at the fineness of this nib - finer than my OMAS Milord even allowing for the dryness factor . Do you (or others) have experience with fine nibs for Montegrappa - do they run finer than other brands ? Your review suggests that the medium nib runs a bit broader than average .

p.s. I concur with your review - this is a superb pen , notwithstanding my comments above .

 

My medium Expressione line is also very thin, but I attribute it to the dryness of the nib. A wetter flow would certainly produce a thicker and more pleasant medium

[Garfield]

Glorious looking pen! In my opinion the best looking pen ever!

 

Work colleagues bought me a blue one as a leaving present. Nib and cap-clip didn't line up when posted and had flow issues.

 

Also, I didn't like the fact that the 'swirl' in the resin did not align between the barrel and the cap. It had a very distinct pattern that ended abruptly when the barrel met the cap. On turning the pen, the pattern continued on the cap in a different place. Surely the resin of the barrel could've been aligned with that of the cap during production?

 

It was a poor starter and skipped. It went back.

 

In December 2011 I turned into a pen shop and a brown Espressione came into my ken. It was too gorgeous for words and I bought it!

 

Sometimes it skips and is a poor starter, other times it writes perfectly. I never know how it's gonna perform when I pick it up. The other day I was reading a text and needed to make notes as I read, and used the Espressione with a medium quality writing pad and the bloody pen would not start properly and skipped all the time - I felt like throwing it out of the window.

 

Today it is writing much better, but still doesn't start well.

 

I adore the look of the pen, in this regard it's perfect (the brown resin is so classy!). But, it is out-performed on the writing front by my humble Pelikan M200.

 

Any advice/views?

 

On the nib it says 'Italy'.

 

Regards

 

Garfield

[Ghost Plane]

Get thee to a nibmeister. MikeItWork took dry, draggy Montegrappas and turned them into luscious writers. There are many others nib specialist here on the board, all great.

 

I have no clue why the company couldn't do this before they considered the pens "finished" as it seems like part of QC might be turning out something that actually writes. But when these pens are fixed, they're awesome. They're worth the time and money so you can enjoy.

[Garfield]

Get thee to a nibmeister. MikeItWork took dry, draggy Montegrappas and turned them into luscious writers. There are many others nib specialist here on the board, all great.

 

I have no clue why the company couldn't do this before they considered the pens "finished" as it seems like part of QC might be turning out something that actually writes. But when these pens are fixed, they're awesome. They're worth the time and money so you can enjoy.

Thanks - think I'll return it to Montegrappa and let them tune it.

[camoandconcrete]

Its funny how many people have had problems regarding the nibs' performances. Of the nine Montegrappas I own all have perfect nibs right out of the box. Maybe I keep getting lucky?

[Garfield]

Its funny how many people have had problems regarding the nibs' performances. Of the nine Montegrappas I own all have perfect nibs right out of the box. Maybe I keep getting lucky?

It's not funny - it's a pain in the arse! May your good luck continue!

[rajesh06]

Glorious looking pen! In my opinion the best looking pen ever!

 

Work colleagues bought me a blue one as a leaving present. Nib and cap-clip didn't line up when posted and had flow issues.

 

Also, I didn't like the fact that the 'swirl' in the resin did not align between the barrel and the cap. It had a very distinct pattern that ended abruptly when the barrel met the cap. On turning the pen, the pattern continued on the cap in a different place. Surely the resin of the barrel could've been aligned with that of the cap during production?

 

It was a poor starter and skipped. It went back.

 

In December 2011 I turned into a pen shop and a brown Espressione came into my ken. It was too gorgeous for words and I bought it!

 

Sometimes it skips and is a poor starter, other times it writes perfectly. I never know how it's gonna perform when I pick it up. The other day I was reading a text and needed to make notes as I read, and used the Espressione with a medium quality writing pad and the bloody pen would not start properly and skipped all the time - I felt like throwing it out of the window.

 

Today it is writing much better, but still doesn't start well.

 

I adore the look of the pen, in this regard it's perfect (the brown resin is so classy!). But, it is out-performed on the writing front by my humble Pelikan M200.

 

Any advice/views?

 

On the nib it says 'Italy'.

 

Regards

 

Garfield

 

 

I had the same issue. Got the pen as a gift and had lots of problems with ink flow. Loved the look - its actually exactly my style on that score.

Sent it back to Kenro who sent it back to Italy.

 

Hope to get it back in early February.

 

 

 

 

[camoandconcrete]

Its funny how many people have had problems regarding the nibs' performances. Of the nine Montegrappas I own all have perfect nibs right out of the box. Maybe I keep getting lucky?

It's not funny - it's a pain in the arse! May your good luck continue!

 

Sorry I didn't mean to sound mean.

[rajesh06]

Glorious looking pen! In my opinion the best looking pen ever!

 

Work colleagues bought me a blue one as a leaving present. Nib and cap-clip didn't line up when posted and had flow issues.

 

Also, I didn't like the fact that the 'swirl' in the resin did not align between the barrel and the cap. It had a very distinct pattern that ended abruptly when the barrel met the cap. On turning the pen, the pattern continued on the cap in a different place. Surely the resin of the barrel could've been aligned with that of the cap during production?

 

It was a poor starter and skipped. It went back.

 

In December 2011 I turned into a pen shop and a brown Espressione came into my ken. It was too gorgeous for words and I bought it!

 

Sometimes it skips and is a poor starter, other times it writes perfectly. I never know how it's gonna perform when I pick it up. The other day I was reading a text and needed to make notes as I read, and used the Espressione with a medium quality writing pad and the bloody pen would not start properly and skipped all the time - I felt like throwing it out of the window.

 

Today it is writing much better, but still doesn't start well.

 

I adore the look of the pen, in this regard it's perfect (the brown resin is so classy!). But, it is out-performed on the writing front by my humble Pelikan M200.

 

Any advice/views?

 

On the nib it says 'Italy'.

 

Regards

 

Garfield

 

 

I had the same issue. Got the pen as a gift and had lots of problems with ink flow. Loved the look - its actually exactly my style on that score.

Sent it back to Kenro who sent it back to Italy.

 

Hope to get it back in early February.

 

Got mine back from Kenro two days ago. I would say that it is still a touch below my Pelikan 805 in terms of consistency.

 

Writes great now though it is a touch on the wet side - I have Noodler's Ottoman Azure in it. I am bit of a noob - but do you think the wetness comes from the pen or the ink.

Any suggestion as to an drier ink?

[camoandconcrete]

Glorious looking pen! In my opinion the best looking pen ever!

 

Work colleagues bought me a blue one as a leaving present. Nib and cap-clip didn't line up when posted and had flow issues.

 

Also, I didn't like the fact that the 'swirl' in the resin did not align between the barrel and the cap. It had a very distinct pattern that ended abruptly when the barrel met the cap. On turning the pen, the pattern continued on the cap in a different place. Surely the resin of the barrel could've been aligned with that of the cap during production?

 

It was a poor starter and skipped. It went back.

 

In December 2011 I turned into a pen shop and a brown Espressione came into my ken. It was too gorgeous for words and I bought it!

 

Sometimes it skips and is a poor starter, other times it writes perfectly. I never know how it's gonna perform when I pick it up. The other day I was reading a text and needed to make notes as I read, and used the Espressione with a medium quality writing pad and the bloody pen would not start properly and skipped all the time - I felt like throwing it out of the window.

 

Today it is writing much better, but still doesn't start well.

 

I adore the look of the pen, in this regard it's perfect (the brown resin is so classy!). But, it is out-performed on the writing front by my humble Pelikan M200.

 

Any advice/views?

 

On the nib it says 'Italy'.

 

Regards

 

Garfield

 

 

I had the same issue. Got the pen as a gift and had lots of problems with ink flow. Loved the look - its actually exactly my style on that score.

Sent it back to Kenro who sent it back to Italy.

 

Hope to get it back in early February.

 

Got mine back from Kenro two days ago. I would say that it is still a touch below my Pelikan 805 in terms of consistency.

 

Writes great now though it is a touch on the wet side - I have Noodler's Ottoman Azure in it. I am bit of a noob - but do you think the wetness comes from the pen or the ink.

Any suggestion as to an drier ink?

 

I'm glad it writes better now. I'm beginning to think that they don't test the nibs before sending them out. I would say its probably the ink, though every ink I've used in mine writes wet; however, I like very wet pens. The old Pelikan 4001 had a reputation for being dry and I've heard the same about LAMY ink.

[Hermes]

I bought my Espressione almost a year ago and I had the same ink flow problem. Sometimes it was skipping lines and the wetness of the ink would have changed from paragraph to paragraph. After three months of use it started to write OK, but if the best nib out there gets 10, I would only give mine around 5-6. I like the looks of Espressione, but the nib is far away from being special. I agree that it may be a safer purchase to get Montegrappa pens from a nibmeister, and let him test & tune it before shipment.

 

I don't have any experience with vintage Montegrappas, but perhaps they are better?

[rajesh06]

It's been a while since I posted to this thread. As documented above, I received the pen as a gift (my 40th birthday - a very nice gift from my brother in law). It just didn't work. I sent it to Kenro and they sent it to Italy and it worked at times but was ultimately too inconsistent for me to use regularly. It wouldn't start, railroaded and just flat out frustrated me.

 

I gave up and put it in my pen case in late 2011. Every so often, I'd take out and give it a spin to see if it miraculously fixed itself - always disappointed (though there was no reason that I should have expected it to improve on its own).

 

This year, I decided to give it one more shot and take it to Richard Binder at the Philly Pen Show. The genius that he is - he got the nib working - I was hopeful. But I was still having problems with the flow.

 

So I took a bulb syringe and flushed everything out and voila! the pen is now a dream. A long journey - but a happy ending.