Armando Simoni Club Arco Verde Speciale?

[sub_bluesy]

I received an email from ASC the other day about progress on the Bologna Extra Arco Verde orders and they mentioned briefly something very interesting. They had stated that the celluloid rods used had been stocked as Arco Verde Speciale by Omas. It looks to me that the silver celluloid layers might be more defined in this batch of material vs the original pens. Maybe a few more layers of translucent silver it appears? Are there any opinions on this or additional information from the resident Omas experts? Seems like a nice Easter egg of Omas history that I would like to know more about if possible. Im EXTREMELY excited about this pen! Ive been trying to pick up an Arco Verde Paragon for years but prices have gone crazy so the ASC pen seems to be my last opportunity to get a pen of Arco Verde without selling my car! I was able to try an ASC Brown Arco with the same magic flex nib at Detlef Bittners shop and was amazed at how smooth it was. Really cant wait for this pen!!

[zaddick]

Looks about normal to me. The more silver look could just be the light.

[Mulrich]

I really wish they used a different filling system. I like changing inks and the pneumatic filler is a pain to clean.

[Dolor_encausti]

Hell, that’s more information than I’ve gotten from them thus far and I ordered the pen in early June. Care to share an ETA or any other relevant tidbits?

[sub_bluesy]

Hell, that’s more information than I’ve gotten from them thus far and I ordered the pen in early June. Care to share an ETA or any other relevant tidbits?

I ordered the pen from Bittner and asked about the status in June. Originally I had been told June for delivery. It sounds like sometime in July now. Bittner appears to have put me on the ASC mailing list as if I ordered the pen direct from ASC so I’m getting updates now. The email is coming from liz@ascpens.com. Maybe shoot them an email to that address and see if ASC will put you on the mailing list for updates. I’ve received a couple emails so far. The last one was really interesting. Don’t think I would have heard about the material labeling otherwise.

[sub_bluesy]

Well got the pen last week or so. Wouldn't fill so it went back to Manu for repair. Unfortunately with insurance it cost an extra $30 to ship it back. All I got to do was get through about half a page using ink saturated in the feed. Also I've noticed there's air bubbles in the celluloid. Mine had a couple and I saw a pen for sale at Chatterley that also had one in the pictures. Seems to be a common thing with this batch of celluloid.

[Seney724]

Ugh! What a shame!! So sorry to hear this.......

There are a couple of current threads down below in the "Italy-Europe Regional Focus" section. I have provided the link to your post there because there is some disagreement about the quality control of ASC pens.

There is also some disagreement about the quality of ASC's customer communication and post sales service. So, we will look forward to your upcoming report about those elements as your new pen gets repaired and returned.

BTW, If it were me and there were air bubbles in the celluloid, I'd insist on a replacement pen...but that's just me.

[mongrelnomad]

Ugh! What a shame!! So sorry to hear this.......

There are a couple of current threads down below in the "Italy-Europe Regional Focus" section. I have provided the link to your post there because there is some disagreement about the quality control of ASC pens.

There is also some disagreement about the quality of ASC's customer communication and post sales service. So, we will look forward to your upcoming report about those elements as your new pen gets repaired and returned.

BTW, If it were me and there were air bubbles in the celluloid, I'd insist on a replacement pen...but that's just me.

There isnt really an alternative. Omas celluloids are notorious for not lining up unless perfectly lathed from the same rod. The pen will need to be tossed.

 

This is a young company. Youd expect theyd be going all-in to blindside people with QC and customer service (see: Conid). As it is, they seem to be alienating a whole bunch of their client base, something even the legendary materials will not manage to mitigate.

[Seney724]

There isnt really an alternative. Omas celluloids are notorious for not lining up unless perfectly lathed from the same rod. The pen will need to be tossed.

 

This is a young company. Youd expect theyd be going all-in to blindside people with QC and customer service (see: Conid). As it is, they seem to be alienating a whole bunch of their client base, something even the legendary materials will not manage to mitigate.

Whereas I agree with your conclusion, my comment about demanding a replacement has nothing to do with the alignment, it has to do with the air bubbles.

[mongrelnomad]

Whereas I agree with your conclusion, my comment about demanding a replacement has nothing to do with the alignment, it has to do with the air bubbles.

 

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear - I meant that if even one part (cap/blind cap/barrel) has an air bubble, machining a new piece wouldn't solve the alignment issue... The pen's a goner whichever way you look at it, and whatever the situation.

[freakman]

Mine also got bubbles. Maybe 7~10 bubbles. Not very noticeable. I've not seen any on my OMAS green arcos(I've got more than 5 of them).

Maybe the bubbles are generated by a different method used by ASC to stablize the celluloid. Some distributor told me that they stablize the celluloid in a 2 phase method, using different temperatures. The time is only 30%~40% of the original method used by OMAS.

But all my pens got bubbles that were inside the celluloid, not on the surface. If it's on the surface and you can feel it by touching, I strongly recommend replacing it.

[Seney724]

So, this thread starts out with the OP touting the "special" super high quality, perhaps rare Omas Arco Verde rods that ASC is using in these pens. Yet, apparently, what buyers are expected to accept is a defective piece of celluloid?? I'm sorry, I don't get it. The "real deal," genuine Omas Arco Verdes are still able to be purchased for the same (or less) than the ASC version. Unless one prefers the ASC version for whatever reason (and recent posts document there are some here that do) why would someone purchase the ASC instead of a genuine Omas Factory FP. There are still plenty of folks around well qualified to work on Omas pens, if necessary, so I don't see this as a reason to go for the ASC especially given the comments posted here regarding the customer service and quality control of ASC. Again, I respect someone like "Bisquitlips" who prefers the look, function and style of ASC...... and that's fine. But otherwise, why do it??

[Mulrich]

My Bologna doesn't have any bubbles or other flaws with the celluloid but it wouldn't surprise me if others did. I'm sure when OMAS produced pens they prioritized their best celluloid stock. ASC bought everything OMAS had left, which certainly included some perfect material but likely included stock that OMAS had sitting around because of bubbles or other problems. Since OMAS was actively producing celluloid they could be pickier about tossing out imperfect pens; ASC doesn't have that luxury and no doubt wants to use every last bit of the material they can to recoup their investment.

[Seney724]

You are "spot on."

I agree 100% with what you say Mulrich.

[europen]

Good grief! OMAS RIP.