ST. Dupont Xl Olympio

[Shinchan]

S.T. Dupont XL Sized Olympio - Chinese Lacquer Black & Palladium Trim (Medium) Part I

 

To view the slideshow video presentation, please refer to the URL below:

 

 

This was my first S.T Dupont pen which I had acquired from Ebay at a a very good discount off normal retail prices. Never mind that S.T. Dupont pens get little attention from the pen collecting community at large, but I had read good reviews of S.T. Dupont nibs, in particular how smooth they write, as well as S.T. Dupont’s famous Chinese lacquer techniques, so when the opportunity presented itself, I had to get one for myself.

 

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZuQISWQI/AAAAAAAAAHk/raKhMMOa2xg/s800/P1010478.JPG

 

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZvzNSAjI/AAAAAAAAAHo/OFJb5caRObo/s800/P1010479.JPG

 

 

 

Appearance & Design (1-10/10) – 10/10

 

 

The Olympio is one of those pens that seem excessively plain at first glance, but after closer inspection, turned out to have a lot of interesting detail. It's a nice , elegant blend of straight lines and gentle curves, with just enough in the way of palladium trim to break up the expanse of the Chinese lacquer.

 

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZxfjeoHI/AAAAAAAAAHs/xqYkcJpr0X8/s800/P1010480.JPG

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZyozX8xI/AAAAAAAAAHw/8OuaIs5i_z0/s800/P1010481.JPG

 

 

The lacquer work is first rate, as you might expect. S.T. Dupont has been in business since 1872 making luxury goods, and the use of Chinese lacquer began in the late 1930s, so it’s no wonder they have a wealth of experiencing in working with the Chinese Lacquer. Authentic Chinese lacquer comes from the sap of trees from South Asia. The species Rhus Vernicifera, Rhus Succedana and Melanorrhea Laccifera can grow up to 10 meters high with a diameter of 40 cm. There is an entire section in S.T. Dupont that is purely devoted to Chinese Lacquer. For more details, please refer to the URL below.

 

S.T. Dupont Chinese Lacquer Know-How

 

Chinese lacquer is a living material that is resistant to handling and difficult to work with. Only a master lacquer maker with a long experience and a confirmed know-how can master the craftsmanship and the techniques involved in the processing of Chinese lacquer. All lacquer products are adorned with the authentic Chinese lacquer hallmark, the image of leaf of the Rhus vernicifera tree.

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZ8jwSR0I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/BhxoPD9Xy3k/s800/P1010489.JPG

Edited December 5, 2009 by MYU

[Shinchan]

Part II

 

Weight & Dimensions (1-10/10) – 9/10

 

I have big hands, so I like my pens to be heavy. The Olympio has exactly the weight I am looking for in a pen. Substantial is the word for the feel of the pen in my hand. This XL Olympio pen is a lacquer over metal construction, which accounts for the weight. The Chinese lacquer work is first rate, as you might expect. S.T. Dupont has been in business since 1872 making luxury goods, and the use of Chinese lacquer began in the late 1930s. The Chinese lacquer is strong, beautiful, and feels great in the hand.

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZz_9YcPI/AAAAAAAAAH0/c1uKqgqPu9o/s800/P1010482.JPG

 

 

Nib (1-10/10) – 10/10

 

The pen was shipped to me with a Medium nib. The nib is made of 18K gold, and is easily the "coolest" part of the Olympio. The Nib design looks unique, since it comes with a very fluid shape, and it blends perfectly well with the pen barrel section. The 18K nib is very rigid, but smooth.

 

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZ1AHDEpI/AAAAAAAAAH4/XrPWlpG-MvA/s800/P1010483.JPG

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZ2Tnb9rI/AAAAAAAAAH8/ejMB17Oc4OA/s800/P1010484.JPG

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZ3i0o74I/AAAAAAAAAIA/Wkn2hbZb0Hc/s800/P1010485.JPG

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZ42_NGuI/AAAAAAAAAIE/InW3YVNZiHc/s800/P1010486.JPG

[Yuki Onitsura]

Great photos so far =)

 

Yuki

[Shinchan]

Part III

 

 

See how the feed blends in with the profile of the nib.

 

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxaEleKv7I/AAAAAAAAAIs/kce9U7VIdGQ/s800/P1010495.JPG

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxaF03RhNI/AAAAAAAAAIw/bpq3Oy1pacg/s800/P1010496.JPG

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxaHGERRcI/AAAAAAAAAI0/nJmwqFYKHZo/s800/P1010497.JPG

 

 

Filling System (1-10/10) – 8/10

 

Nothing much to say about the CC filling system, only that the converter looks like it can hold a decent amount of ink.

 

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

 

The Olympio was able to start right away and I wrote a full paragraph with no skipping at all. The 18K Nib was rigid, but was glassy smooth and glides effortlessly across the writing pad. Ink-flow was great using the Montblanc blue-black ink, so I got myself a nice wet writer. Dupont nibs have had a very good reputation in the past for being exceptionally smooth and pleasant to use. This Olympio simply reinforces this history.

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3b0jnFyM9rc/SqxZ6Y1FFsI/AAAAAAAAAII/jFFkJvu_CtQ/s800/P1010487.JPG

 

Cost & Value (1-10/10) – 10/10

 

The Olympio is truly a substantial and classic pen. It offers an excellent writing experience and plain yet elegant aesthetics. This pen is made of high quality construction, and since I got a good deal on this pen, hence the highest rating.

 

 

Conclusion (Final score, x/6) – 6/6

 

I am very pleased with this new acquisition, and will be open to future purchases of different Chinese Lacquer designs.

[MikeW]

I have an older version of this pen - it has the black mark on the clip and the leaf symbol on the cap itself - I see that they have changed these markings. In any event, I found that the medium nib writes more like a fine nib (in fact, I have been trying to find a broad but can't seem to match up the new model numbers to my old one). What is your experience/comment?

[jar]

I have an older version of this pen - it has the black mark on the clip and the leaf symbol on the cap itself - I see that they have changed these markings. In any event, I found that the medium nib writes more like a fine nib (in fact, I have been trying to find a broad but can't seem to match up the new model numbers to my old one). What is your experience/comment?

 

 

My mediums all write as a true medium, nice, wet and smooth as ball bearings rolling on glass. I also have one of the 14k fine nibs on one of my mid-sized Olympios, in fact a mid-sized black lacquer one with gold trim, and it writes as a true fine.

[tres]

Thank you for the informative review and the great pictures. This is a pen that has been on my "wish" list for some time, now I may need to start actively looking for one :-)

[Shinchan]

I have an older version of this pen - it has the black mark on the clip and the leaf symbol on the cap itself - I see that they have changed these markings. In any event, I found that the medium nib writes more like a fine nib (in fact, I have been trying to find a broad but can't seem to match up the new model numbers to my old one). What is your experience/comment?

 

You are absolutely right. My medium nib writes just like a fine.

[baazjg]

OK, I'm jealous. I had the pleasure of trying this pen at Bittner's in Honolulu this summer. It's awesome. If you like heavy pens (and I do), this pen comes very near to perfection. Unfortunately, it cost more than I was looking to spend. Congratulations.

[jar]

I have an older version of this pen - it has the black mark on the clip and the leaf symbol on the cap itself - I see that they have changed these markings. In any event, I found that the medium nib writes more like a fine nib (in fact, I have been trying to find a broad but can't seem to match up the new model numbers to my old one). What is your experience/comment?

 

You are absolutely right. My medium nib writes just like a fine.

 

That really surprises me since my experience has been so different. Of course it could also be that we have different ideas of what a fine or medium nib should lay down. It could also be differences from nib to nib I imagine as well. Regardless though, I find all the nibs to be reliable, medium wet and smooth as the best Sheaffer Balance.

[adam11]

Must say, indeed beautiful nib. Congratulations on the pen!

Edited December 5, 2009 by MYU
removed full quote of original post

[Woliaj]

Hi, I'm thinking of getting one of these myself, but i cant decide wether to get gold or silver trims...??? maybe you could help me, what is your opinion having used this for a while now?

[Easily Amused]

Hi, I'm thinking of getting one of these myself, but i cant decide wether to get gold or silver trims...??? maybe you could help me, what is your opinion having used this for a while now?

 

Hi Woliaj, I've got the XL Olympio in three styles, including a black lacquer with silver furniture and a black lacquer with gold; both have fine-sized nibs. They are amongst my most reliable, smoothest writers, so it just comes down to preference of color. I actually use the black and silver trim more in my rotation, since the color combination is more pleasing to my eye. Hope this helps.

[jar]

Hi, I'm thinking of getting one of these myself, but i cant decide wether to get gold or silver trims...??? maybe you could help me, what is your opinion having used this for a while now?

 

I have an Large Orpheo/Olympio in black Chinese Lacquer with the Palladium cap and trim and like it very much.

 

http://www.fototime.com/261432B9693A880/standard.jpg

[Powerful Pete]

Nice review. Very impressed with the beauty and craftsmanship of this pen.

[Woliaj]

if only the palladium nib was two toned!

[lewis]

Beautiful pen. Reminds me of my Leman. I love the way the rear of the nib hugs the feed - very well designed.

 

Great review. Thanks for sharing.

[agentdaffy007]

I got the Shaman Large and it is really nice with just the white gold nib. Very smooth nib.