Libelle Siena Palio

[shaylenwilliams]

I am all about getting the most for my money. As part of a closeout sale, I was able to snag this Libelle fountain pen for about 60% off.

 

Since it was such a bargain, the Libelle Siena feels like it is worth much more than I paid for it. It is “expensive feeling” in the hand; the parts are all machined and fitted together very well. I chose the “Palio” pattern, and the husband calls it my “Cosby Sweater Pen”, but I love it. I get a kick out of coordinating my ink and pen colors, and the colors in the Palio give me many options all in the same pen! The chrome-accented pen has a black base with flecks of orange, blue, and magenta. There are some pretty pearlescent parts which give a vintage depth to the finish of the pen. It comes with an extra cap that is all black, just in case you desire a more reserved look. This is a very thoughtful bonus! Also included are a standard international cartridge and a converter for filling from a bottle of ink.

 

As far as the important part goes (ie: how it writes)- very smooth and just a tad on the dry side. This one was kind of difficult to get going, but once I matched it with the right ink, it was smooth sailing. I decided to take mine to a nail buffer just a few times to eliminate the possibility of the “baby’s bottom” one finds on so many modern nibs. It took a small amount of tinkering, but the nib is very smooth, and certainly worth the $45 I paid at www.isellpens.com. I would definitely recommend this pen to a friend with the same level of FP experience as myself (which is not much, but enough to jump a few very low hurdles).

 

And now for the most important part: THE PICTURES!!!

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0179.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0183.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0160.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0163.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0167.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0170.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0154.jpg

 

Size comparison(L to R: Jinhao X750, Lamy Safari, Libelle Siena, Esterbrook J):

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0191.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0194.jpg

 

Writing sample and nib comparisons:

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0188-1.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/luuuckyclover/PICT0198-1.jpg

(For the curious, the inks used above are Diamine Amazing Amethyst in the Lamy M, Noodler's Mata Hari's Cordial in the Lamy B, and Diamine Eclipse in the Esterbrook 2668.)

Edited November 20, 2011 by shaylenwilliams

[Uncle Red]

Thanks Shaylen, that's a nice review and the pictures are great. How's the balance posted? It looks like the can threads on to post.

[shaylenwilliams]

Thanks Shaylen, that's a nice review and the pictures are great. How's the balance posted? It looks like the can threads on to post.

 

Thank you so much! I don't review pens often, but I felt this little gem deserved some attention.

The balance is actually quite good when posted. I post all my pens, so I am biased toward doing so. The cap DOES thread on, and I LOVE that about this pen. It is such a relief not to have to fiddle with it, or worry that it will be flung off (shifty glance toward my Lamy Nexx). I just capped the Siena, and balanced it on my finger right where the cap meets the barrel when posted. It will balance there, with just a slight lean toward the nib end. This is perfect, IMHO, because there's enough weight to take some pressure off the nib, but not enough to cause compensation for it. The weight of the pen overall is nice. It feels solid and high-quality, but it is light enough to be comfortable. It's much heavier than the Estie J, a bit heavier than the Safari, and moderately lighter than the Jinaho X750.

[akrishna59]

thank you for a short but at the same time comprehensive review. it is always nice to learn about different brands, some of them well known and some not so well known. due to the efforts of kind people like you, the fountain pen interest and database grows. i am so glad that you and your pen are a perfect match. i think the colored cap is better than the black one, it is a zingy pen after all.

 

i will look forward to your reviews in future.

 

rgds.

 

krishna.

[Microgrs]

Just arrived, a Libelle Nero! Can't wait to try it out.