Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze And Steel Age

[mazizk08]

Hi Guys,

So I bought a Visconti HS Bronze and guess what right after 1 week the fine nib broke. They said that it's going to take a month and a half for it to return from repairs from Italy. I am in Canada by the way. So, I thought I would rather oder the HS Steel Age because honestly I couldn't resist the temptation. I am wondering if some of you guys can tell if there is something else good in this pen besides just looks. I mean the idea of Lava and bronze form the past and palladium being metal of the future is kind of romantic. But now I've already spent a 1000 dollars for these pieces of art. I know art has to be completely impractical and that it exists only for it self. I just want to hear some of your experiences.

 

Let me know your thoughts. !!!

[fabrimedeiros]

I have a HS Bronze Age 1.3mm stub nib, that was bought on early 2011, and I really love it. The oxided bronze looks great and matches with the lava body. It's very sturdy and don't need to baby it like other shine resin pens. The main reason I bought it was the vacuum filler (Power Filler) which is really nice an holds 1.5mL of ink when absolutely full. The writing experience is awesome with the Pd nib. I was thinking about get a Steel Age pen, but I want it with Power Filler, and was told Visconti only made few pens with vac fill, just when they launched the Steel Age. After that, Steel pens were made only in piston filler (both midi and maxi sizes).

Edit: I really want to know why Visconti gave up on put power filler in the Steel Age.

Edited June 2, 2012 by fabrimedeiros

[mcg1355]

I have been using my bronze age with an ef nib everyday since Christmas (best present ever) and it has been absolutely amazing. Ignoring the week or so after I dropped it and had to order a new nib unit . Here's my general opinion.

 

The lava never gets slippery from sweaty fingers when writing for long periods of time and the patina on the bronze trim is developing nicely. The unique cap closure system is fast and secure, easily my favorite closure system for a cap. The spring loaded clip makes putting it in a pocket easy and secure with no worries about spring the clip. The power filler is fast and has a large capacity with the added benefit of being quicker to clean than piston fillers. The nibs are swappable and there are multiple sizes available in case my nib size tastes change over time. The nibs are amazingly smooth (if you get a good one) and slightly soft leading to a very pleasurable writing expirence. There isn't an ink window but over time have gotten an idea based on usage and weight feeling when the pen is getting low, this makes me feel more attached and in tune with the pen personally but others will disagree. The pen is tough as nails (probably tougher :hmm1:) and I don't have to worry about scratching some mirror finish or anything like that. I can polish up the bronze if I ever want the new look back with the provided polishing cloth, I don't expect to do that any time soon. Finally if there is ever a need to sell the pen they hold their value well, I will never ever sell mine though.

 

I could go on and on :embarrassed_smile:

 

-Nick

[fabrimedeiros]

There isn't an ink window but over time have gotten an idea based on usage and weight feeling when the pen is getting low, this makes me feel more attached and in tune with the pen personally but others will disagree.

 

-Nick

Wow! Can you feel the weight difference between almost empty and full! My trick is shake the pen close to my ear and hear how full is it.

[Soer]

I am also a HOMO SAPIEN BRONZE user Fine nib (januari 2012) my only bad experience is that its sweating ink.

 

And my finger is always stained with ink, how to solve it??? I don't know.

 

I spoke to my reseller and he advised me what to do, but still and I got the new model with plastic inlay.

 

Beside that its a "masculine" pen in my opinion and I like the weight, and its sturdy.

 

And now I am interested in only HEAVY pens. :puddle:

Edited June 2, 2012 by Soer

[mcg1355]

There isn't an ink window but over time have gotten an idea based on usage and weight feeling when the pen is getting low, this makes me feel more attached and in tune with the pen personally but others will disagree.

 

-Nick

Wow! Can you feel the weight difference between almost empty and full! My trick is shake the pen close to my ear and hear how full is it.

Yes I have been able to feel the slight weight difference! It's not exactly telling how full it is but to me it feels distinctly heavier when completely full. So say I didn't use the pen if I went out of town for a weekend I could come back and pick it up and have an idea if it is completely/nearly full or not. I can't tell exactly how much ink is in it but have been able to tell a difference between full and empty, not so much the range in between. Idk if that makes sense... I use the double filling trick people have been talking about to get a full fill on vac fillers, recently it has come up with the release of the twsbi vac 700. So I end up with the entire barrel full not just the fill from depressing the power filler once or twice.

 

Shaking the pen terrifies me! One I don't want ink everywhere, and two I would be afraid it would slip away and I would end up with another destroyed nib . I suppose you are gently shaking so it isn't much of a risk, it's not like you would continue a practice that got ink all over the place every time!

 

As far as the ink sweating issue I have a solution that worked for me. I thought my pen had the problem even though it has the plastic sleeve that is supposed to fix it. Turns out my grip section was sucking up ink during the fill and slowly getting it all over my fingers in use. My solution was to fold up a paper towel a few times so it is about a one inch wide strip and get it wet/damp. Then just before filling I would spin the grip section in the wet paper towel so it was wet when going into the ink. Then fill the pen. Then as soon as the pen is full and you remove it from the ink spin the grip section inside the wet paper towel again to pull off any ink hanging on there. This fixed the problem for me. My theory is that the lava material is fairly thirsty but slightly slow at absorbing liquids, therefore using water to wet it first would mean it is trying to absorb the water on the surface while the pen is in the ink instead of absorbing ink, then you can quickly wipe off the ink before the pen gets through the water absorption and starts sucking in ink. Depending on the ink you may or may not still get some absorbed in the grip section but I have found this method makes a big difference for me as my fingers no longer end up all inky .

 

+1 on loving heavy pens now!

 

-Nick

Edited June 2, 2012 by mcg1355

[Tiffanyhenschel]

I have the bronze HS with a fine nib. I don't use it every single day, but it has constantly been in the rotation since June, 2011..It is one of my few pens that I will never sell, no matter what. The nib is smooth and springy, but what I like most about it is the texture, girth, and heft of the barrel.

[mazizk08]

There isn't an ink window but over time have gotten an idea based on usage and weight feeling when the pen is getting low, this makes me feel more attached and in tune with the pen personally but others will disagree.

 

-Nick

Wow! Can you feel the weight difference between almost empty and full! My trick is shake the pen close to my ear and hear how full is it.

Yes I have been able to feel the slight weight difference! It's not exactly telling how full it is but to me it feels distinctly heavier when completely full. So say I didn't use the pen if I went out of town for a weekend I could come back and pick it up and have an idea if it is completely/nearly full or not. I can't tell exactly how much ink is in it but have been able to tell a difference between full and empty, not so much the range in between. Idk if that makes sense... I use the double filling trick people have been talking about to get a full fill on vac fillers, recently it has come up with the release of the twsbi vac 700. So I end up with the entire barrel full not just the fill from depressing the power filler once or twice.

 

Shaking the pen terrifies me! One I don't want ink everywhere, and two I would be afraid it would slip away and I would end up with another destroyed nib . I suppose you are gently shaking so it isn't much of a risk, it's not like you would continue a practice that got ink all over the place every time!

 

As far as the ink sweating issue I have a solution that worked for me. I thought my pen had the problem even though it has the plastic sleeve that is supposed to fix it. Turns out my grip section was sucking up ink during the fill and slowly getting it all over my fingers in use. My solution was to fold up a paper towel a few times so it is about a one inch wide strip and get it wet/damp. Then just before filling I would spin the grip section in the wet paper towel so it was wet when going into the ink. Then fill the pen. Then as soon as the pen is full and you remove it from the ink spin the grip section inside the wet paper towel again to pull off any ink hanging on there. This fixed the problem for me. My theory is that the lava material is fairly thirsty but slightly slow at absorbing liquids, therefore using water to wet it first would mean it is trying to absorb the water on the surface while the pen is in the ink instead of absorbing ink, then you can quickly wipe off the ink before the pen gets through the water absorption and starts sucking in ink. Depending on the ink you may or may not still get some absorbed in the grip section but I have found this method makes a big difference for me as my fingers no longer end up all inky :thumbup.:

 

+1 on loving heavy pens now!

 

-Nick

 

 

 

Thanks for the detailed reply guys. This is awesome. I already have the Bronze age but I think it's in the Visconti Hospital in Florence. I have ordered the Steel Age Visconti so I think I should have it by next week. I'm super excited about that. The first thing I loved about it is the weight. I got tired of using light plasticky pens. So, I needed something more masculine and something that would show my personality. Meaning that I was not afraid to be flamboyant and just wanted it to show some what a symbol of uniqueness. After all I am a bit intellectual. It went perfect with my personality. I love elegant things yet it was rugged. It could be beautiful but it could be just as plain as a rock from earth with no value. Also I know that not everyone will have it. Now that I have both the sets I'm quite satisfied. I wonder what kind of metal are they going to put on the next HS??

[terminal]

I'm absolutely in love with my bronze... I have the broad nib. It's my favorite pen right now, and I'm also planning to get a steel. I'm really glad you ordered another

[mazizk08]

There isn't an ink window but over time have gotten an idea based on usage and weight feeling when the pen is getting low, this makes me feel more attached and in tune with the pen personally but others will disagree.

 

-Nick

Wow! Can you feel the weight difference between almost empty and full! My trick is shake the pen close to my ear and hear how full is it.

Yes I have been able to feel the slight weight difference! It's not exactly telling how full it is but to me it feels distinctly heavier when completely full. So say I didn't use the pen if I went out of town for a weekend I could come back and pick it up and have an idea if it is completely/nearly full or not. I can't tell exactly how much ink is in it but have been able to tell a difference between full and empty, not so much the range in between. Idk if that makes sense... I use the double filling trick people have been talking about to get a full fill on vac fillers, recently it has come up with the release of the twsbi vac 700. So I end up with the entire barrel full not just the fill from depressing the power filler once or twice.

 

Shaking the pen terrifies me! One I don't want ink everywhere, and two I would be afraid it would slip away and I would end up with another destroyed nib . I suppose you are gently shaking so it isn't much of a risk, it's not like you would continue a practice that got ink all over the place every time!

 

As far as the ink sweating issue I have a solution that worked for me. I thought my pen had the problem even though it has the plastic sleeve that is supposed to fix it. Turns out my grip section was sucking up ink during the fill and slowly getting it all over my fingers in use. My solution was to fold up a paper towel a few times so it is about a one inch wide strip and get it wet/damp. Then just before filling I would spin the grip section in the wet paper towel so it was wet when going into the ink. Then fill the pen. Then as soon as the pen is full and you remove it from the ink spin the grip section inside the wet paper towel again to pull off any ink hanging on there. This fixed the problem for me. My theory is that the lava material is fairly thirsty but slightly slow at absorbing liquids, therefore using water to wet it first would mean it is trying to absorb the water on the surface while the pen is in the ink instead of absorbing ink, then you can quickly wipe off the ink before the pen gets through the water absorption and starts sucking in ink. Depending on the ink you may or may not still get some absorbed in the grip section but I have found this method makes a big difference for me as my fingers no longer end up all inky :thumbup.:

 

+1 on loving heavy pens now!

 

-Nick

 

 

 

Thanks for the detailed reply guys. This is awesome. I already have the Bronze age but I think it's in the Visconti Hospital in Florence. I have ordered the Steel Age Visconti so I think I should have it by next week. I'm super excited about that. The first thing I loved about it is the weight. I got tired of using light plasticky pens. So, I needed something more masculine and something that would show my personality. Meaning that I was not afraid to be flamboyant and just wanted it to show some what a symbol of uniqueness. After all I am a bit intellectual. It went perfect with my personality. I love elegant things yet it was rugged. It could be beautiful but it could be just as plain as a rock from earth with no value. Also I know that not everyone will have it. Now that I have both the sets I'm quite satisfied. I wonder what kind of metal are they going to put on the next HS??

 

I have to agree it is the nature of the basaltic lava that absorbs everything on it's surface. The truth is that that I have never had the ink on my fingers with this pen but when i put a wet napkin to clean it. It gives me all the colours of the inks that I have used in it so far. I used purple, blue, naples blue, tropical blue. When I clean the pen it seems like I am getting fossilized ink traces. Amazing characteristic! that's what makes this pen so charming and desirable. I think everyone on this form who has a HS will agree that they would rather not use anything else.

[mazizk08]

I'm absolutely in love with my bronze... I have the broad nib. It's my favorite pen right now, and I'm also planning to get a steel. I'm really glad you ordered another

 

 

When are you ordering you Steel Age? Mine hopefully arrives next week. I'll let you know how it feels. I believe there are certain differences but not too many.

[mazizk08]

I am also a HOMO SAPIEN BRONZE user Fine nib (januari 2012) my only bad experience is that its sweating ink.

 

And my finger is always stained with ink, how to solve it??? I don't know.

 

I spoke to my reseller and he advised me what to do, but still and I got the new model with plastic inlay.

 

Beside that its a "masculine" pen in my opinion and I like the weight, and its sturdy.

 

And now I am interested in only HEAVY pens. :puddle:

 

Hey Soer,

If you are are from the Nederland then Ik spreek nederlands. luek om u te ontmoete! Ik komt uit Canada!!

[raging.dragon]

I am also a HOMO SAPIEN BRONZE user Fine nib (januari 2012) my only bad experience is that its sweating ink.

 

And my finger is always stained with ink, how to solve it??? I don't know.

 

I spoke to my reseller and he advised me what to do, but still and I got the new model with plastic inlay.

 

Beside that its a "masculine" pen in my opinion and I like the weight, and its sturdy.

 

And now I am interested in only HEAVY pens. :puddle:

 

I'm not sure what you mean by sweating? There was an issue with ink soaking through the section of the early production HS pens which I'm fairly certain Visconti fixes under warranty.

[Soer]

I am also a HOMO SAPIEN BRONZE user Fine nib (januari 2012) my only bad experience is that its sweating ink.

 

And my finger is always stained with ink, how to solve it??? I don't know.

 

I spoke to my reseller and he advised me what to do, but still and I got the new model with plastic inlay.

 

Beside that its a "masculine" pen in my opinion and I like the weight, and its sturdy.

 

And now I am interested in only HEAVY pens. :puddle:

 

Hey Soer,

If you are are from the Nederland then Ik spreek nederlands. luek om u te ontmoete! Ik komt uit Canada!!

 

 

Hallo vanuit Nederland.

 

Groetjes mede forum lid.

[leod]

are both the Steel age model piston filled?

or is the midi a Piston and the maxi Power Filler?

[raging.dragon]

are both the Steel age model piston filled?

or is the midi a Piston and the maxi Power Filler?

 

Word is that all midis are piston filled, and that only the first batch of maxis were power fillers, with subsequent maxis having piston fillers.

[Bryant]

are both the Steel age model piston filled?

or is the midi a Piston and the maxi Power Filler?

 

Word is that all midis are piston filled, and that only the first batch of maxis were power fillers, with subsequent maxis having piston fillers.

 

Thats right, the Midi and now the maxi HS is "piston" filled.

They did make the Maxi Steel with a power filler in the beginning, all but one one of the HS steel I have in stock is a power. But when they are gone, they will be "piston".

The Maxi Bronze is still a power filler, and as far as I know, is planned to stay this way.

[RMN]

Hi Bryant

 

Do you know if that is "pelikan-type"piston or "trapped converter type"piston?

 

 

D.ick

[Bryant]

Hi Bryant

 

Do you know if that is "pelikan-type"piston or "trapped converter type"piston?

 

 

D.ick

 

Thats kind of why I put it in quotes... Its a trapped converter...

[mazizk08]

I am also a HOMO SAPIEN BRONZE user Fine nib (januari 2012) my only bad experience is that its sweating ink.

 

And my finger is always stained with ink, how to solve it??? I don't know.

 

I spoke to my reseller and he advised me what to do, but still and I got the new model with plastic inlay.

 

Beside that its a "masculine" pen in my opinion and I like the weight, and its sturdy.

 

And now I am interested in only HEAVY pens. :puddle:

 

Hey Soer,

If you are are from the Nederland then Ik spreek nederlands. luek om u te ontmoete! Ik komt uit Canada!!

 

 

Hallo vanuit Nederland.

 

Groetjes mede forum lid.

 

 

Dank u! Ik heet Aziz!