Jump to content

Stipula Etruria Rainbow Yellow Le


nicholasyeo

Recommended Posts

Stipula’s beautiful Etruria in Rainbow Yellow has finally landed in Singapore. This limited edition pen comes in a series of 351 pieces and a T-flex titanio nib. The nib writes soft and wet with great variation when pushed ever so slightly.

 

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria6Custom.jpg

 

INTRODUCTION: The Stipula Etruria Rainbow Yellow LE is a beautiful pen and it is my second Stipula pen after the Bon Voyage. I really like Stipula pens because they are functional and eye-catching, and the yellow coloured Etruria Rainbow is no exception.

 

The Etruria Rainbow LE range contains a variety of colours. Only 351 pieces of each colour are made. The yellow one has just the right amount of transparency and that’s one of the reasons why I chose the colour. I also opted for a T-flex nib which is quite springy to write with.

 

I’m no expert when it comes to Stipula pens but I do have great respect for Italian craftsmanship and design. What stood out to me about the Etruria Rainbow was how solid the pen is. It has a nice weight and is made of a rather thick acrylic block.

 

The pen comes in minimal packaging for a LE. A red cardboard box opens to reveal the pen secured on a velvety white surface. Beneath it lies a warranty booklet which also tells the story of Stipula fountain pens and how to operate them, as well as a certificate of authenticity with the hand written serial number.

 

Appearance & Design (8/10) –

 

In terms of appearance, I’d call the yellow Etruria Rainbow a modern pen. That’s somewhat ironic because the Etruria pays homage to the ancient Etruscan civilisation which existed in what is now Italy.

 

Demos are without mention rather futuristic and utilitarian while yellow is a bright and attractive colour. These are things I look for in the design of a demo. In fact, I like the design so much that I’ve stored it as part of my collection. I’m also awaiting a clear Crystal Etruria at the moment.

 

The shape of the Etruria is accented by the characteristic leaves on the ring and clip. The ring is made of 925 Sterling Silver, which is a very nice thing to have. Looking carefully, I can see the 925 Sterling Silver hallmark on the clip and ring. The clip and ring also provide a nice contrast to the high-tech look of the pen body.

 

Construction & Quality (7/10) –

 

The Stipula Etruria Rainbow is built to last. It is one of the most solid demo pens I’ve ever come across and has quite a bit of weight. Therefore, it will certainly hold up to years and years of use without a problem.

 

Like other Stipula pens, this one had the Stipula brand and serial number etched onto the barrel, a nice touch. Nobody wants the brand name and limited edition serial number to fade over time.

 

The only gripe I had with the pen was the slightly unrefined appearance that the Etruria had inside. You can see a bit of grease in the barrel and the substances used to hold the piston mechanism together. I could also see some black specks in the cap. I don’t think they are in the acrylic, but you wouldn’t see this kind of thing in a Japanese demo or a Pelikan demo. Nevertheless the design grew on me and its now one of my favourite pens.

 

One really nice feature of the Etruria is how it was constructed from a solid block of acrylic. You can tell that the cap is one piece and it was hollowed out. The top of the cap is seamlessly joined together unlike other pens where the clip was screwed on.

 

Weight & Dimensions (8/10) –

 

The Etruria is rather large, wide and heavy for a demo, and thus I find it unnecessary to post the cap. The weight is great because the main criticism I often hear about demos is that they look cheap and a light weight pen doesn’t do anything to help that.

 

The curvature of the barrel is perfect when holding it in the hand, and is comfortable to hold. I would imagine that people with larger hands would love a pen this size. It appears just right and is well balanced, providing hours of great writing.

 

Here are some of the technical specifications:

 

Weight : 40 grammes

 

Length with cap closed : 15 cm

 

Length with cap posted : 17.4 cm

 

Diameter : 1.5 cm

 

Nib & Performance (9/10) –

 

The Stipula Etruria Rainbow Yellow comes with a T-flex Titanio nib. Appearance wise, the nib is very beautiful. It’s matte and has very pleasing etchings. The T-flex nib is made of Titanium as the name suggests.

 

It comes in only one size, and provides great flex when writing. It does not provide very extreme variation but is more resilient than my FA nib is. I can see the tines spring back into place after being pushed, so I am confident the nib will not be sprung easily.

 

Using cheap copier paper, I could tell that the nib was smooth and the flow pretty wet, making it a pleasure to write with. I would prefer a slightly finer nib for better variation and to control bleed-through, but I am very satisfied with it that way it is now.

 

I am not sure how the nib is fit, but I think it is friction fit just like other Stipula pens. I’m not intending to take the pen apart just yet because there is no need to.

 

Filling System & Maintenance (7-10) -

 

The Stipula Etruria Rainbow comes with a piston filling system integrated into the barrel of the pen. The piston is definitely not the smoothest out there, but it does the job pretty well and I find it very efficient, holding almost 2 ml of ink. The single-lip design also works flawlessly.

 

Almost half the pen body is filled with ink when filled properly – a testament to the effectiveness of the Stipula Self Cleaning System (SCS) piston design. This piston design doesn’t extend from the body of the pen during the filling process.

 

The piston mechanism is not easy to take apart. Considering that the pen was machined from a single piece of acrylic, I think that it would be helpful if the piston can be disassembled. I have not found a way to do so as of yet. There is no space to insert a spanner or tool. I suspect that it requires special tools or a proprietary technique.

 

One interesting observation is which direction the piston turns – the Etruria’s piston turns anti-clockwise to fill, rather than the other way around. The piston is also unique because it does not extend away from the pen to fill.

 

Cost & Value (9-10) –

 

The Stipula Etruria Rainbow is a very nice pen. The version with a T-flex nib is more expensive than the normal version, but the money is well worth it. I got my pen new from a reliable retailer in Singapore.

 

The Etruria is now one of my favourite pens. It is because I love demos, piston fillers and a flexy titanium nib. I think that this is one of the best value-for-money demos out there because it is also a Limited Edition production.

 

Conclusion (Final score, 8/10) -

 

Overall, the Stipula Etruria Rainbow has exceeded my expectations. I was very excited to have it and I happily passed over the rose gold plated blue version for the yellow one simply because it is so attractive. Since I’m crazy over celluloid pens right now, I am now looking at the Etruria Ambrosia pen in a nice celluloid finish!

 

I’m not intending to use this pen as a daily writer because it is so beautiful and unique. One thing is for sure – I am intending to buy another one in a clear finish to add to my collection.

 

I highly recommend the Stipula Eturia Rainbow Yellow LE to anyone who loves italian design and a solidly constructed piston filler. The pen is even more awesome with a T-flex nib, which provides some variation. Get yours before stock runs out!

 

Background Information:

This is my eighth review on FPN. You may have read my reviews of the Sailor Professional Gear here, Pilot Custom Heritage 92 here, Namiki Origami Crane here, Sailor Chizusugi Cedar Wood Sapporo here, Omas 360 Vintage Turquoise LE here, Pelikan Souveran M800 Tortoiseshell Brown here, Sailor 1911 Profit Hakone Yosegi-Zaiku here, and most recently the new Sailor Precious Wood of the World Sapporo pens here.

 

If you'd like to know more about my pens and collection you can find out more about me here at my profile.

 

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria1Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria2Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria3Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria4Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria5Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria7Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria8Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria9Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria10Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria11Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria12Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria13Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria14Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria15Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria16Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria17Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria18Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria19Custom.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/Etruria20Custom.jpg

Edited by nicholasyeo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 25
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • nicholasyeo

    8

  • bugmd

    3

  • Veda2013

    2

  • DistractedPhysicist

    1

Nice review and pics. I have the green one, and it is also a very good pen. I've been thinking of getting another as well. Enjoy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the very thorough and thoughtful review. Also, the abundance of pictures are greatly appreciated, and very helpful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love Etrurias ...

 

Great ergonomics :thumbup:

 

I think the clear demo version will look more stunning.

 

I have always wondered what a Ti nib is like.

What is its size?

More of a Fine or a Medium ?

 

Do you have any writing samples?

 

Thanks for the review. :thumbup:

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

instagram

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love Etrurias ...

 

Great ergonomics :thumbup:

 

I think the clear demo version will look more stunning.

 

I have always wondered what a Ti nib is like.

What is its size?

More of a Fine or a Medium ?

 

Do you have any writing samples?

 

Thanks for the review. :thumbup:

 

Hi everyone, thank you for your kind comments.

I tried to make this review short an sweet.

 

Hello TMLee, illustrious SG bookbinder... :notworthy1:

 

Anyway, the Ti nib comes only in one size.

 

As you may all know, the flex nibs with

the greatest variation are those that are

finer. In this case, the nib is very much

like a Western Fine or Japanese Medium.

I would have loved it if it were a tad bit

more fine but it still works for me.

 

It can produce variation that makes the

stroke one size larger - a Medium... I do

not want to push it any further because I

fear I will ruin the nib, but I am more

interested in using it for normal writing.

 

Flex nibs tend to feel more comfortable.

Titanium isn't THAT soft like the FA nib

I used to have, so it is more controllable.

 

Hope this helps!

 

I can't wait for my clear Etruria. Etrurias

are nice pens and I really like the Ambrosia

version as well. But I still like clear pens,

demos so I think the clear Crystal version

is going to be perfect for me... :cloud9:

Edited by nicholasyeo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love how the pen looks, but how do you color match inks to it? A yellow writing ink is a pipe dream.

 

I haven't inked the pen... I know that sounds strange, but if I were to ink it, I would fill it with Diamine Orange, like what I put in my other demos. I really love what a translucent ink does to demos!! Or if I couldn't care for the ink appearance in the pen, I'd put a nice shading ink or one with a nice sheen when saturated. That'll make the flex do its work! :thumbup:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great pen, my Etruria Nuda is one of my favorites and I am sure that your new yellow buddy will become one of yours.

A. Don's Axiom "It's gonna be used when I sell it, might as well be used when I buy it."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow gorgeous pics!

 

Thanks! I hope I'll be photographing one of yours in the near future. ..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would like to see a writing example!

 

Here's a writing sample! Exclusively for FPN, I dipped my beloved pen... Remember, my fellow fountain pen lovers! Don't OVERDO the flex...

 

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w143/nicholasyzh/SCN_0001Custom.jpg

Edited by nicholasyeo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nic, your review pretty much mirrored my opinions of the piece both the bad and good. I just got this yellow one as well with fine nib as well as the Custom 92 and the 360 Vintage Turquoise. So your taste and nib choices are probably very similar to mine not to mention that you are buying them at similar times. So I'll check out the other ones you got reviewed here as well for future shopping list reference. I'll be doing some reviews once my new demonstrators collection is stable.

 

Going back to the Yellow Rainbow I was a bit disappointed at how much bigger it is compared to the Voyeur which I think fits my small hands perfectly. I was going to resell it until I tried writing with it and noticed the same titanium pleasure as the Modelo T which I've been using as a daily eyedropper. So the huge pen will stay on my work desk while the Voyeur will get the travelling :ltcapd: Regarding the flex which Stipula and many people expect given the name... it only easily flexes a bit before becoming very firm. So very different from a true flex and given how little the flex movement is, I'm not even sure if it can be called a a flexible nib. With the Omas Roma2000 Blue that's free flowing, I couldn't get any line variation even if I wanted to.

CURRENT: Konrad, Ahab, Ice Sport, 205 Red + Demo blue + yellow, Bon Voyage, Custom Heritage 92 Blue, Sapporo, Modelo T - Black, Etruria Rainbow Yellow, Etruria Voyeur, Pearlette, Emotica, Olympio Midi, 360 Turquois Demo, TWSBI Mini and counting...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your detailed reply!

 

The Etruria is huge. Which makes it solid, but it does not fit in my pen wrap.

The line widths from the Titanio is however what makes it so lovely!

 

Speaking of the Model T, it also comes in Ambrosia. Now I'm drooling!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just snagged a blue one that should be in my hot hands by Sat, stoked about it.

A. Don's Axiom "It's gonna be used when I sell it, might as well be used when I buy it."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just snagged a blue one that should be in my hot hands by Sat, stoked about it.

 

The blue one was my first choice but the rose gold trim doesn't fit my fashion at all. Did you check the size prior to ordering? It isn't a huge pen, it's a giant!

CURRENT: Konrad, Ahab, Ice Sport, 205 Red + Demo blue + yellow, Bon Voyage, Custom Heritage 92 Blue, Sapporo, Modelo T - Black, Etruria Rainbow Yellow, Etruria Voyeur, Pearlette, Emotica, Olympio Midi, 360 Turquois Demo, TWSBI Mini and counting...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just snagged a blue one that should be in my hot hands by Sat, stoked about it.

 

The blue one was my first choice but the rose gold trim doesn't fit my fashion at all. Did you check the size prior to ordering? It isn't a huge pen, it's a giant!

 

I have 4 Etrurias of various ilks, quite happy with the size of the pen

A. Don's Axiom "It's gonna be used when I sell it, might as well be used when I buy it."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just snagged a blue one that should be in my hot hands by Sat, stoked about it.

 

The blue one was my first choice but the rose gold trim doesn't fit my fashion at all. Did you check the size prior to ordering? It isn't a huge pen, it's a giant!

 

I have 4 Etrurias of various ilks, quite happy with the size of the pen

 

 

The Etruria sits pretty well in the hand despite its size... Very ergonomic.

I actually like the weight, it makes for a very well balanced pen. :thumbup:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Good review and very beautiful pics.

 

I have 2 Rainbow Etrurias myself - Clear and Green. Had to send back the Green one to the Stipula Plant in Firenze, Italy due to a leaky piston knob (took advantage of the LE Warranty). Still waiting for it to come back in maybe a couple of weeks. The Clear One writes and works flawlessly.

 

The Etrurias are pretty large pens but with perfect balance posted or unposted - and the designs are meticulously Italian. I'm missing the Green One now :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33494
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26624
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...