Visconti Copernicus

[savarez]

I haven't been a Fountain Pen Collector for very long. I got my first real fountain pen from eBay (a Pelikan M200) about two years ago, and joined FPN shortly after.

 

But when PAD hit, it hit hard. Pen Acquisition Disorder. Many of us suffer from this insidious, wallet-draining disease.

 

The Visconti Copernicus was one of the first pens I spent over $200 on. The only problem was that the sac needed to be replaced. I sent it off to Dillo, who replaced the sac and ground the Visconti "M" to a 0.3mm XF.

 

After 18 months, I've finally inked this baby.

 

First Impressions (1-10/10) - 10

 

The pen came in a wooden gift box. This was the first celluloid pen I purchased, and I was astounded. The pen was almost luminous, and almost glowed. The blue-black swirls twinkled, and I immediately knew I was holding something special.

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/savarez/copernicus_blue/copernicus-2_s.jpg

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http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/savarez/copernicus_blue/copernicus-1_s.jpg

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Appearance & Design (1-10/10) - 10

 

 

What can I say about this beautiful pen? The sterling silver hardware shines against the blue-black of the celluloid. The swirls are captivating, and I find myself often hypnotized as the light catches the ridges in the celluloid.

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/savarez/copernicus_blue/copernicus-3_s.jpg

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I do like the spring-clip design. Although I usually carry my pens in a pen roll and rarely use the clip, it is a wonderful example of Visconti's attention to detail in the design of this pen.

 

Weight & Dimensions (1-10/10) - 8

 

The pen is light, and its uncapped length is almost 5.0". Pretty average as pen sizes go, but it is very easy to handle and fits my largish hand well. I think I'd prefer just a little more weight to the pen, but this is a minor quibble.

 

Nib & Performance (1-10/10) - 10

 

The pen came with an 18k Rhodium-Plated M nib, which was ground to a 0.3mm XF by Dillo. Dillo did a wonderful job, and this writes perfectly smoothly, as well as my Binder-tweaked Pelikan or VP nibs.

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/savarez/copernicus_blue/copernicus-4_s.jpg

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http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/savarez/copernicus_blue/copernicus-5_s.jpg

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Filling System (1-10/10) - 7

 

This is the first crescent filler that has made it into my regular rotation, so it's difficult for me to make a judgment on the quality of this filling system. I think it works for the Copernicus, and along with the celluloid swirls gives this pen a wonderful vintage feel. I do agree with Noble Savage in his review of this pen <here>, that it would have been a wonderful improvement for Visconti to have used a metal safety ring instead of plastic.

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t41/savarez/copernicus_blue/copernicus-6_s.jpg

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I'm not sure I like crescent fillers, honestly. This is the first one in my regular writing rotation. But I can't imagine this pen without it.

 

Cost & Value (1-10/10) - (no comment)

 

I'm pretty sure I got this pen for around $200, which I felt was a reasonable price. As this pen is an LE from, I believe, 1996, NOS is probably near impossible to find, and will probably be an item that only collectors will seek out, but, if this pen appeals to you, it is a wonderful acquisition.

 

 

Conclusion: 9/10!!!

 

The Copernicus is a great pen, a wonderful writer, and a beautiful, classic, eye-catching piece of Fountain Pen art, and I could not be happier with it.

Edited May 12, 2009 by savarez

[philm]

Nice review. I always wondered what the weight of these was. Thanks for the extensive information.

 

Phil

[Rufus]

My Copernicus is one of my all-time favourite pens. The reason I bought it is that it is a crescent-filler and I just adore this filling system. Mine is fitted with a factory fine nib, and it is one of my best fines to write with; I usually use a medium. The look of this pen and feel of it in my hand is exquisite. I can't find any fault with my Copernicus.

[kazoolaw]

Ditto to all the glowing comments, but...

 

Does the cap post exceptionally hard?

 

gary

[Rufus]

Ditto to all the glowing comments, but...

 

Does the cap post exceptionally hard?

 

gary

 

I can't answer that, as I never post a pen.

 

[Doug C]

Ditto to all the glowing comments, but...

 

Does the cap post exceptionally hard?

 

gary

 

 

Gary,

 

I have the same pen in the fountain roller version. This is one pen where I feel it is a little too light weight to not post (something I've gotten used to), and so I ended up cracking my first cap.

 

Visconti replaced it, but in addition to the celluloid 'saggin' on one side, it posts even tighter than the first one did.

 

Needless to say, when I do post the cap, which is seldom, I treat it very gingerly.

Edited May 13, 2009 by Doug C

[kazoolaw]

Needless to say, when I do post the cap, which is seldom, I treat it very gingerly.

 

Point well taken: this is my second Copernicus, and both have had tight caps.

 

gary

[goodguy]

I had the same pen and enjoyed it a lot. It is a wonderful writer even though it might be a bit on the smaller size if you are used to use OS pen.

I enjoyed it a lot.

 

Thanks for the review.

[David R Munson]

Read the review with great interest. However, I find myself up against a bit of terminology I'm not familiar with in the discussion.

 

What does it mean to "post" a pen? I know/use the word verb-wise in several other contexts, but here it's a new one to me.

Edited May 14, 2009 by David R Munson

[PigRatAndGoat]

Read the review with great interest. However, I find myself up against a bit of terminology I'm not familiar with in the discussion.

 

What does it mean to "post" a pen? I know/use the word verb-wise in several other contexts, but here it's a new one to me.

 

To post a pen is to place the cap on the end of the pen, usually for writing. Like so: http://ashley-ford.net/pronunciation/vowels/pictures/pen.jpg

Edited May 14, 2009 by PigRatAndGoat

[David R Munson]

Awesome, now I know. Makes sense.

[breaker]

very nice review and pics