Stipula 'I Castoni'

[Inkanthropist]

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/20/castoni4fm.th.jpg

 

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/5559/castonicomparison8iy.th.jpg

 

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/5742/castoninib4ls.th.jpg

 

(Click on the images to enlarge them. I think I made a mistake during posting.)

 

This is my first review, so I apologize in advance for any amateur moments. And I’ve only had about ten days’ experience with a digital camera, so the images aren’t as nice as the ones that others have posted here.

 

First impressions

 

I chose this pen for two reasons. First, I wanted something with an italic nib. Second, I loved the look of the pen. (I was initially drawn to the Stipula 22, but the new colours weren’t quite to my taste.)

 

Appearance and finish

 

This pen, quite simply, looks stunning. The blue is really eye-catching (I can’t quite do justice to it with the camera), and putting a little stone on the end of the clip is a nice touch, I feel.

 

Design/size/weight

 

The ‘Castoni’ is quite a large pen – I’ve pictured it alongside a Pelikan M200 and a Sailor 1911 for comparison – and the top of the cap, which is wider than the base of the pen, has a diameter of approximately 16mm. It’s not a overly heavy pen, but it’s certainly more weighty than the M200 and the 1911. Even though the pen is quite long and large, it’s nicely balanced when posted. As I have quite small hands and am used to writing with smaller pens, it took a little while to find a comfortable way to hold the ‘Castoni’ (I hold it closer to the nib than I would with, say, the M200). That’s not a complaint, by the way; it merely took a little getting used to.

 

Nib design and performance

 

This is where, for me, the ‘Castoni’ really excels. I ordered a 1.1 italic nib, and I was a bit worried that it would be too sharp, too unsuitable for quick writing. It is, though, wonderfully smooth, and it’s possible to get some lovely shading and line variation. Ink flows very well from the nib, too, although I should say that I’ve only tried Private Reserve Tanzanite and Diamine Sepia so far.

 

Filling system

 

Converter or cartridge (standard international size). The converter supplied with the pen seems to be of good quality.

 

Cost value

 

I paid £139 for the pen. It’s not cheap, then, but it’s certainly worth that money.

 

Overall, I’d give the pen five out of five. I couldn’t be happier with it, and I haven't stopped writing with it since I bought it.

 

Neil

Edited May 15, 2006 by NeilB

[kpfeifle]

Nice review and a very nice looking pen. Enjoy it!

[southpaw]

Nice review - thanks! Beautiful pen. The comparison shot is always appreciated.

[Roger]

Good job, Neil. You need not apologize. It's a very good first review and your photographic prowess will increase rapidly. These photo results are plenty good enough to be useful for the reader.

[angel]

Thanks for the review, NeilB! I'm currently deciding on getting a Stipula because of the wonderful reviews about its nib especially the italic ones. I've narrowed my choice to a lapis blue i Castoni with a 0.9mm italic nib. I was wondering if you use the cartridge instead of the converter and if you do, if the regular short carts (Waterman, Pelikan, JHerbin, PR, Diamine, Stipula) fit well? If you're using the converter, what kind is it? How's your experience with the filling system? If it's not much to ask, I would appreciate a photo of your writing using this pen.

[Ghost Plane]

Thank you! I look for longer/larger pens and hadn't realized the size of these. The italic nib review really helps as well. The pictures really helped.

[georges zaslavsky]

One cool fountain pen

[alvarez57]

Hi Neil!

I have 2 Castoni and the nibs are very smooth...the fine nib eventually will be turned into an italic...

I have a blue and a yellow one. I hope you don't mind helping you a bit with the Lapis (blue) one. It is a gorgeous pen indeed.

 

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/15730/2553981860101882882S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/13659/2049422390101882882S600x600Q85.jpg

Edited September 7, 2007 by alvarez57