Montegrappa Espressione Fountain Pen

[usnavydoc]

For the past few days, I have been enjoying a romance with pens from Montegrappa, a company established in 1912 and the first Italian fountain pen company. First, the Nero Uno, then the Modigliani, and now the Espressione. Each pen had it's own unique styling, and each had a unique feel to them as well. The one thing they had in common were their smooth writing nibs. The Espressione is the most recent Montegrappa I acquired. It came packaged inside a leatherette box, complete with a converter, 2 cartridges, and instruction booklet.

 

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Upon opening the box, I saw that the pictures in the computer monitor did not do the pen justice. The pen's barrel was quite thick and made of a blue pearl resin, and the color shifts depending on ambient light.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/DSC00669003.jpg

 

The section and the end of the barrel was made of metal, as are the cap bands. This makes the pen fairly heavy, but not to the point of being uncomfortable - as a matter of fact, the thick barrel actually makes long writing sessions more comfortable. For those who like to post their caps, the end of the barrel is threaded so that one can screw the cap onto it.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/DSC00675004.jpg

 

Although the pen is priced at lower range of Montegrappa's pens, it is as well made as their higher end pens, and the materials are first rate. I was able to get this pen for a great price, making it a greater value. The 18K nib reminds me of the smoothness of Montblanc's nibs.

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http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/navydoc414/Pens/DSC00688006.jpg

 

With the cap on, the pen is actually shorter than the Modigliani and the Nero Uno, which makes it easy to carry in a shirt pocket. With the cap posted, the Espressione is fairly large. In my opinion, the 18K nibs in these 3 pens are a work of art, and write as smooth as any other pen in my collection. I have had good flow with Waterman ink. The pen can also use Montblanc cartridges when a bottle is not available. At this rate, I can't help but think that I will have many more Montegrappa pens in the future.

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The three amigos ready to go.

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Thanks for reading.

Edited August 7, 2011 by usnavydoc

[Inkwisitor]

Congratulations, you have acquired three beautiful pens. The blues are quite stunning and, as you say, the nibs look like works of art. I have never tried a Montegrappa but perhaps one day?

[jar]

Montegrappa does make wonderful pens and hopefully now that it is out from under the Richemont group the quality, variety and styles will only increase.

[camoandconcrete]

Nice review. I love my Espressione...I noticed yours has the two tone nib. I got mine with the rhodium nib and I think it looks better with the pen, but that's just my opinion. Montegrappa gets mixed reviews but in my experience they have been nothing short of amazing. After all, they're my favorite brand.

[usnavydoc]

Nice review. I love my Espressione...I noticed yours has the two tone nib. I got mine with the rhodium nib and I think it looks better with the pen, but that's just my opinion. Montegrappa gets mixed reviews but in my experience they have been nothing short of amazing. After all, they're my favorite brand.

 

I too have become a Montegrappa fan. They are very underrated, IMHO. The design and the quality of materials they use to make the pen are exemplary. Don't have many pens from other brands that use metal on the section and barrel and cap ends. The metal in those areas actually give the pen some heft and balance.

[Horseknitter]

I just inked up my Miya by Montegrappa. Wonderful!

 

I see why y'all are fans. Just might become one myself!

[Twoodi]

Thanks very much for the review What nib size did you get on yours?

I have the Espressione in Blue and an Espressione Duetta in Red. Both of mine have beautiful 18K broad nibs and I just adore how they write Very smooth and I also love the weight and balance of them.

Thanks again!!

 

Editted for spelling

Edited August 20, 2011 by Twoodi

[jar]

Nice review. I love my Espressione...I noticed yours has the two tone nib. I got mine with the rhodium nib and I think it looks better with the pen, but that's just my opinion. Montegrappa gets mixed reviews but in my experience they have been nothing short of amazing. After all, they're my favorite brand.

 

So why isn't there a Montegrappa forum? We have forums for ... :roflmho:

[camoandconcrete]

Nice review. I love my Espressione...I noticed yours has the two tone nib. I got mine with the rhodium nib and I think it looks better with the pen, but that's just my opinion. Montegrappa gets mixed reviews but in my experience they have been nothing short of amazing. After all, they're my favorite brand.

 

So why isn't there a Montegrappa forum? We have forums for ... :roflmho:

 

I don't know jar, I don't know. But maybe its because Montegrappa lately has been iffy on QC issues (okay maybe the last six years or so) so people are put off by spending so much on a pen if the nib is not too good. They need to step it up on the QC end.

 

Oh, by the way, I ended up buying the Cosmopolitan Gothic. It should be here Monday or Tuesday and I can't wait. Next on the list is an Extra, which I've always wanted but put off for a variety of reasons.

[searcher18]

Does Montegrappa make its own nibs?

[camoandconcrete]

Does Montegrappa make its own nibs?

 

No they don't unfortunately. I believe that had them made by Montblanc or Bock. But I'm sure I'm wrong.

[raging.dragon]

Does Montegrappa make its own nibs?

 

No they don't unfortunately. I believe that had them made by Montblanc or Bock. But I'm sure I'm wrong.

 

Probably Bock.

[georges zaslavsky]

quite a nice pen, too bad it isn't piston filled

Edited September 8, 2011 by georges zaslavsky

[jar]

One thing I really enjoy about my Montegrappa Espressione is how much the look of the resin changes based on the light source. It really varies from almost blue black to an iridescent sky blue, and like all the other Montegrappas I've owned writes super smoothly but on the fine side, my broad is more like a traditional medium.