Yet Another "help Me Pick A Pen" Thread: Parker Vs Visconti

[TheRealMikeDr]

Thanks everyone!

 

This has been tabled until my August commission check (life of a sales guy!) while I search out deals on both pens. I'm leaning fairly heavily towards the Homo Sapiens.

 

In the meantime I just bought a Visconti Van Gogh (Starry Night) to tide me over. Found it from my favorite Italian retailer for $185 including 3 day shipping from Italy!

[Bluey]

I think you'll be happier with the Visconti than the Parker in the long term. From my perspective, pens which are a little bit different tend to stay as favourites for longer than 'classic'(boring?) pens. I also feel more enjoyment in writing with such pens too. And although Visconti and Italian pens seem to have a generally bad quality control record(heck, I've just bought a Pelikan which tend to be in the same league as Viscontis in this respect, but I had to have one despite the apprehension) it doesn't mean that every one will be like this. Sometimes you've got to bite the bullet if you really like a pen, and you've always got options such as returning it if any problems.

That lovely finishes available, the unique clip, and adorable packaging all go to make it something special, and the springy palladium nib add the finishing touches as a pen that's a pleasure to write with too.

Enjoy.

Edited July 18, 2016 by Bluey

[FOUR X FOUR]

Homo Sapiens. Hands down. Such an awesome pen

[FOUR X FOUR]

Visconti doesn't have a generally bad quality control record.

[Chouffleur]

Homo Sapiens. Hands down. Such an awesome pen

Endorsed by Maude, "Well, they're my species!"

[SpecTP]

how about a Faber Castell instead of either one?

[TheRealMikeDr]

how about a Faber Castell instead of either one?

 

I've got the "stealth" Faber Castell e-motion - which I like quite a bit! What would you recommend I look at?

[SpecTP]

 

I've got the "stealth" Faber Castell e-motion - which I like quite a bit! What would you recommend I look at?

 

Have you tried the Ambition? That prefer to use that instead of the e-motion for every day carry.

[TheRealMikeDr]

My Visconti Van Gogh Starry Night arrived yesterday and wouldn't you know it - the thing skips like a school girl and hard starts no matter what type of ink/paper I use. So I spent a good hour slowly grinding the nib with several types of finishing sand paper and micromesh and mylar and finally got it writing well! I'm still very attracted to the Homo Sapiens but so far my Visconti experience isn't confidence inspiring to say the least!

[flipper_gv]

 

Thanks for that!

 

It's showing as $349 for me (still a decent price) but it also shows as a "GT" model??? What's the difference between the Centennial and the Centennial GT as the GT models seem to have lower prices (on Ebay as well)????

 

Those are maple syrup dollars (CAD). You can switch to USD at the top of the page.

http://www.stylo.ca/en/produits/Parker+/Duofold+/214_247_256.html

 

GT is simply for gold trim, it's how the store organizes their pens and is not the official term.

Edited July 21, 2016 by flipper_gv