REVIEW: Visconti Skeleton Ag925

[QM2]

http://queenmargot.com/visc_skelorange3.jpg

 

VISCONTI SKELETON AG925

Orange Lucite

 

The Visconti Skeleton Ag925 was released in 2002 as a sterling silver alternative to the titanium Skeleton LE. Although no

longer in production, it is still possible to purchase this model NOS from several retailers. Mine was a present from MDI

and came from the PensInAsia Christmas Clearance. It arrived in a modest, small Visconti box. When the box was opened,

the pen absolutely lit up the room with its luminous, unusual shade of orange. It has continued to captivate me since.

 

 

http://queenmargot.com/visc_skelorange1.jpg

 

Appearance and Design

 

This Visconti Skeleton Ag925 has a lucite body, and a silver overlay that is treated with a titanium finish. It is a classic flat-top,

and features the distinct old-style Visconti clip, that was such a characteristic feature of the older Visconti LEs.

 

For those who are interested in the subtleties of colour, the specific shade of the orange lucite is difficult to describe. As you

can see in the photo it is darker and more subdued than an orange. While it is lighter and brighter than amber, it does have

some of amber's properties: the lucite looks like a viscous matter that has been frozen in motion; honeyed, caramelised.

 

The tinanium plating gives the silver overlay a "brushed" appearance. It does not resemble sterling silver either in colour or

in texture. If not for the "Ag925" in the name, I would have guessed that the overlay material was some sort of reinforced

aluminum.

 

In addition to the orange body reviewed here, the Ag925 Skeleton was also available in a black and transparent versions.

Personally, I think that the orange lucite model is by far the most successful. What makes it special, is that it harmoniously

combines industrial and organic elements. The brushed titanium-plated overlay has a cold, high-tech feel, while the orange

lucite is incredibly warm, alive, and inviting. The combination is stunning, captivating, and tactile: the pattern of the overlay

cutouts, with the orange peeking out underneath, is reminiscent of an ear of wheat or rye. The black and transparent versions

of this pen lack the organic component and look rather cold and clinical as a result.

 

Size, Weight, Comfort

 

I do not have the exact sizing specs at the moment, but the Ag925 Skeleton is a medium-sized pen by modern standards. It

is considerably smaller than the all-titanium LE version.

 

The overlay is amazingly light, which makes the pen very manageable to use both posted and unposted. I would classify this

as a light to medium pen in terms of weight.

 

The lucite section has all the elements I like: a "waist" by which to hold it, and a "lip" to keep the fingers from slipping down

to the nib unit. These design features are important to me, as I have a very low grip.

 

It should also be noted, that the brushed titanium finish makes this pen extremely durable and scratch-resistant.

 

http://queenmargot.com/visc_skelorange2.jpg

 

Filling System

 

Alas, the filling system here is cartridge/converter. Only the all-titanium LE pens were fitted with the pump filling system.

 

 

Nib and Writing Performance

 

Out of the choices available, I asked for a Broad nib, with intent to have it reground to a nice italic. This is my first

experience with a Visconti Broad, and to be honest I am not that impressed: It puts down a somewhat blobby (as opposed

to precise) line that I find difficult to control, and had a scratchy spot which I had to smooth prior to being able to use the

pen. This is not a big deal, since I am not a Broad user anyway, and only got this size for regrinding purposes. I was just

hoping to be wowed by the Visconti B, given how happy GhostPlane has been with these nibs.

 

 

http://queenmargot.com/visc_skelorange4.jpg

 

Cost and Value

 

I am not sure about the original MSRP of the Visconti Skeleton Ag925, but I have seen them offered for sale NOS by several

retailers and private individuals in the $400-500 range. PensInAsia had the best deal (in the $300's) during their holiday

clearance in December, but this price is no longer available.

 

Conclusions

 

The Visconti Skeleton Ag925 is one of the more unusual silver overlays you are likely to see. From the "caramelised" quality of

the orange lucite, to the unexpected brushed titanium treatment of the metal, it is a striking design that harmoniously brings

together the classic and the modern, the organic and the industrial, the warm and the cold. The classic shape and durable finish

make it not only stunning, but also practical. I would go so far as to say that the orange lucite Skeleton is one of the most

successful and intriguing designs among modern pens. Only the C/C filling system detracts from this status.

 

 

http://queenmargot.com/visc_skelorange5.jpg

[Strang]

Such a Beauty!!!

[Doug C]

I have the matching convertable (in the orange as well), which contained a BP/GEL/ and Mechanical Pencil. I use it exclusively as a pencil, and it has been a favorite. One of the nice things about that finish is how well it has held up since I got it. There is no sign of wear, and it doesnt really show fingerprints.

 

I had planned to get the matching FP, but things rarely work out as planned...

 

After the regrind you are going to love this pen.

[QM2]

I have the matching convertable (in the orange as well), which contained a BP/GEL/ and Mechanical Pencil. I use it exclusively as a pencil, and it has been a favorite. One of the nice things about that finish is how well it has held up since I got it. There is no sign of wear, and it doesnt really show fingerprints.

 

I had planned to get the matching FP, but things rarely work out as planned...

 

After the regrind you are going to love this pen.

 

 

Hang on, "a BP/GEL/ and Mechanical Pencil" -- in one writing instrument? That sounds awesome. Does it come with different attachments, or do you have to buy each attachment separately, or?... I am really curious now!

 

You may still have a change to get the FP. Pentiques are selling one right now for $400. See here!

 

 

[MDI]

Lovely.

 

By the way, Doug C, would you please post photographs of your convertible skeleton? I am particularly curious whether it has a cap. If so, it's a rare MP with a cap. Let us know if that's the case if you cannot post pictures, if you don't mind.

[Doug C]

I tried to tonight, but Photobucket is down.

 

It basically looks likie a BP version of QM2's FP.

 

 

They provided one of the first gel refills, a BP refill, and a Mechanical Pencil insert in a leather (or vinyl) package.

 

I will try and post later on. I had a Post with my new knife that included this pencil/pen, but cannot load due to technical difficulties.

 

Maybe tomorrow.

 

 

[QM2]

Thanks Doug, it will be interesting to see. I am guessing that it does not have a cap, which makes me wonder how it manages to accommodate a gel refill without drying out!

[Doug C]

Thanks Doug, it will be interesting to see. I am guessing that it does not have a cap, which makes me wonder how it manages to accommodate a gel refill without drying out!

 

 

Here it is QM2, along with one of my recent acquisitions, a Lone Wolf Paul Perfecto Knife in red abalone:

 

 

 

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh130/DougDorann/P2060001.jpg

[wspohn]

I have the black liner version. Nice writers (as most Viscontis seem to be) but I never reconciled myself to the idea that covering up lovely sterling silver with matte titanium coating was a plus. I wish they'd made a plain sterling version! Perhaps I am just too traditional.

[goodguy]

What a lovely pen,it really looks nice and I too like the orange body.

I know how much you go for flat top pens and this one really fits the bll.

What a shame its a C/C filler,maybe that will give you the right motivation to buy the LE model with the pump filler.I saw one for sale on eBay

[QM2]

Thanks Doug C. So it is the capless instrument; interesting. Nice MOP on the knife, and beautiful Montegrappa Harmony (right?) you have there!

 

Bill, I agree with you that in general sterling silver is much better off without a titanium plating! But in my particular pen, I feel that the juxtaposition of the warm, organic orange and the industrial-looking brushed metal creates an intriguing "conversation" between the different aspects of the pen. This does not happen in either the black or the transparent versions though.

 

Goodguy, thanks for your comments. I love the Visconti pump mechanism, and would of course prefer to have it in this pen. However, I have never seen the orange one offered in any version other than C/C. The only titanium LEs I have seen are transparent skeletons, which don't appeal to me as much and remind me of syringes. Was the one you saw on ebay orange? I haven't been able to find it.

 

Also, for those who are not so particular about internal vs C/C filling systems, the Ag925 version of the Skeleton is of course much less expensive than the Titanium LE version : )

[Bryant]

Very nice review, thank you! I love this pen, I just wish it was a little thicker

[Doug C]

I don't know if you've noticed but (at least on mine), the beautiful (and classic-this is probably my favorite clip of all time) boat hull clip is propportioned differently than it is on other Viscontis of the same time period.

The top of the clip (near the top of the cap) is much thinner than on my Copernicus, while the bulge at the bottom of the clip is much more pronounced.

 

I don't know if this just due to normal variation, or if it was done intentionally for this pen.

 

A great design, nevertheless.

 

 

[QM2]

I don't know if you've noticed but (at least on mine), the beautiful (and classic-this is probably my favorite clip of all time) boat hull clip is propportioned differently than it is on other Viscontis of the same time period.

The top of the clip (near the top of the cap) is much thinner than on my Copernicus, while the bulge at the bottom of the clip is much more pronounced.

 

I don't know if this just due to normal variation, or if it was done intentionally for this pen.

 

Interesting. The only other Visconti I have with this style clip, is the 1998 Alhambra I've just received for my birthday (!!!!!) . The form of the clip is 100% identical to the Skeleton: the top is tapered and the bottom is exaggerated. I will find some photos of other pens on the web to take a look at the difference you describe.

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2009 by QM2

[Doug C]

They used this clip on a number of pens, including what I consider the definitive Visconti, the Voyager.

 

I would love to have a Voyager in the coral celluloid..

 

 

Beautiful Alhambra, by the way..

Edited February 8, 2009 by Doug C

[QM2]

I have the matching convertable (in the orange as well), which contained a BP/GEL/ and Mechanical Pencil. I use it exclusively as a pencil, and it has been a favorite.

 

Update: I have it under good authority that the convertible thingie will be coming my way shortly to join the FP!

 

However, I have not seen any sellers of this item actually describe it as accepting MP leds. So how do you do it? Did it come with a converter of some sort? I mean, otherwise, different kinds of space are required to hold gel/bp refills than led. Also, does anybody know whether this will accept a fineliner refill?

 

 

[breaker]

very nice review

[Apotheosis]

Your review was the inspiration to get myself one and since I already had a Skeleton Ti, I decided to go for a Ag925 Clear Demonstrator !!

 

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab19/yuckkie/Visconti%20Skeleton/00-1.jpg

 

 

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab19/yuckkie/Visconti%20Skeleton/013.jpg

 

Now I'm just waiting for the convertable to come back from Bryant and I'll have a SET !!

YAY me !!

[mholve]

I've always liked the Ti version... I hope one comes around in the classifieds some day. I'm a sucker for titanium.

 

@Apotheosis, I'm curious - which black ink is that? It looks seriously black. I like it!

[Apotheosis]

 

@Apotheosis, I'm curious - which black ink is that? It looks seriously black. I like it!

 

Hi mhlove, Its Aurora Black - my favourite black ink and one of the few inks I trust completely in all of my demonstrators.