Stipula Etruria Amber

[handlebar]

Thanks wim!!Nice to see the posts!!

 

JD

[marklavar]

I totally agree that Stipula nibs are excellent. I have an Etruria and I have been delighted with it. Better than Omas? Not sure, but certainly as good as.

[Spongebob]

Handlebar:

 

Great review. I saw this pen while on vacation but it was way overproced in the boutique. My local brick and mortar shop doesn't carry the line so I'll be purchasing online. A couple of quick questions:

 

1) What has been your experience with the piston? The online vendor advertises 2 models C/C or piston but your review suggests there's a 3d option : C/C and piston. Does one work better than the other?

 

2) It's a regualr piston, right, not a double chamber like on some of the Viscontis? I'm having issues with my Visconti with double chamber and hope never to buy another one.

 

3) Any reason to worry about purchasing online?

 

 

Thanks

Bob

[handlebar]

QUOTE (Spongebob @ Apr 12 2007, 08:50 AM)

Handlebar: Great review. I saw this pen while on vacation but it was way overproced in the boutique. My local brick and mortar shop doesn't carry the line so I'll be purchasing online. A couple of quick questions: 1) What has been your experience with the piston? The online vendor advertises 2 models C/C or piston but your review suggests there's a 3d option : C/C and piston. Does one work better than the other? 2) It's a regualr piston, right, not a double chamber like on some of the Viscontis? I'm having issues with my Visconti with double chamber and hope never to buy another one. 3) Any reason to worry about purchasing online? Thanks Bob

Hi Bob,

 

My Etruria is the c/c/piston model.I can use it any of three ways.

It is the regular piston model.

 

And i see no reason not to use a reputable dealer.Many are listed/members here on FPN.

 

I have had no problems with online ordering yet.

 

JD

[Spongebob]

Thank you

[Dave Johannsen]

it just so happens that I have on loan ... a Nettuno Superba ltd edition.

 

I hate to highjack this thread, but I have just ordered the Stipula Nettuno Superba ltd edition and I just can't wait for it to arrive. To help me get by until it appears at my doorstep, do you mind posting any comments? If you could say a thing or two about how (and how well) the button fill design works (and how you can swap it out for a converter) I would hang on your every word. :-)

 

 

Dave

 

[cirmet]

Having read the review of the Ocean Blue Etruria by The Noble Savage,i was intrigued with this pen series.There were already quite a few Italians in my collection.But none were as large and mysterious.So i found a fellow FPN'er who was selling his Stipula Etruria Amber.Here are my impressions of this fine pen.

 

Weight/Size-5 out of 5

 

This pen is a larger one but not as big as i thought it would be.It looks like a cigar from a distance!!The pen fits the hand just perfect!!And the warmth it gives makes writing a delight.It is about the same length as my Omas Paragon but a wee smidgen larger in girth.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SE1.jpg

 

Here it is with some of my other Italians to show a size comparison.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/C11-small.jpg

 

 

Ink filling system-5 out of 5!!!

 

This pen holds a lot of ink!! I have been able to write for a week with it.The piston-filling system is my favourite style.But this pen has three options available:cartridge,converter or piston-filling.Nice to have these three options.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SE3.jpg

 

The one issue i have had(as others with celluloid pens have also experienced)is that when dipping the end in an ink bottle,the ink can get behind the nib and discolour it a bit.This amber colour made it difficult to tell until in bright light and looking for it specifically.Fortunately it is an easy clean up.Just unscrew the nib,the lower section,and clean it up.It happens rarely.Still,others should know about it.

 

Nib performance 5 out of 5

 

Ok,ok.I have been giving high marks so far.But this nib is THE best writing nib in my entire collection.Even better than any of my Omas pens.This nib is a fine,which is my preferred size.It delivers a nice even line that is not too wet.And it is buttery smooth!!!Writing is effortless and a joy.None comes close to this.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SEN1.jpg

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SEN2.jpg

 

I would use this pen all day ,every day if i didn't own other pens.it is THAT good.

The nib is 18k gold.

 

Colour/appearance 5 out of 5

 

Again,a top rating from me.The colour is beautifully stunning.I love browns and greens.But i was taken aback at this pens brilliance.The colour stands out at every angle. it reminds me of an autumn day in the woods with its variation in hues and tones.I know that the Stipula brochure brings out that it reminds one of the Italian earth that bore the Stipula company.I agree!!The trim is silver with gold vermeil.it is classy yet does not distract from the amber tones of the pen.Please forgive the obvious fingerprints on the pen.Sometimes my photography shows how anxious i get to complete a project!

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SE5.jpg

 

All of the Etruria pens are numbered .This pen is #6062.

 

 

I wanted to show how this pen writes with Noodlers El Lawrence,my favourite waterproof ink.It is one of the few pens i have that flows well with this heavier ink.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SW2.jpg

 

Price/Value 5 for 5

Again,the price for this pen is very good for a pen of such quality.I paid less than half of it's list.So it was a delightful find for me!!

 

In closing,i would most certainly buy more from Stipula,especially the Etruria.

I don't see them up for sale very often.Probably too many people feel the same way about them maybe??

 

JD

Vancouver,Wa

Hi,

recently I've bought this pen from www.pengallery.com. In the information booklet it's also written "all Etriria pens are numbered". But I don't see the number engraved on the barrel, only "Stipula. Made in Italy". Is my pen original or false one. I did send e-mail to Stipula marketing/sales dept., but did not get reply yet.

Best regards-Cirmet

Hi.doc

[njoyingaz]

Hi,

recently I've bought this pen from www.pengallery.com. In the information booklet it's also written "all Etriria pens are numbered". But I don't see the number engraved on the barrel, only "Stipula. Made in Italy". Is my pen original or false one. I did send e-mail to Stipula marketing/sales dept., but did not get reply yet.

Best regards-Cirmet

 

I also have an Etruria Amber piston from Pengallery and mine also does not have "Etruria" and a number on the barrel under the Stipula name, so I will be interested in what you learn.

 

I looked closely at mine with a loupe and found that the silver clip and the silver cap band have the hallmark 925 inside a circle plus I see another stamp on each that has a star and "982 F1". Is the same thing stamped on yours? Does anyone know what this means?

 

...Lee

 

 

[Ray Z]

Ditto with a black etruria I bought recently from Swisher; no serial number. Would also appreciate any insight anyone can provide. Thanks.

 

Ray

[wimg]

Hi,

recently I've bought this pen from www.pengallery.com. In the information booklet it's also written "all Etriria pens are numbered". But I don't see the number engraved on the barrel, only "Stipula. Made in Italy". Is my pen original or false one. I did send e-mail to Stipula marketing/sales dept., but did not get reply yet.

Best regards-Cirmet

 

I also have an Etruria Amber piston from Pengallery and mine also does not have "Etruria" and a number on the barrel under the Stipula name, so I will be interested in what you learn.

 

I looked closely at mine with a loupe and found that the silver clip and the silver cap band have the hallmark 925 inside a circle plus I see another stamp on each that has a star and "982 F1". Is the same thing stamped on yours? Does anyone know what this means?

 

...Lee

 

Ditto with a black etruria I bought recently from Swisher; no serial number. Would also appreciate any insight anyone can provide. Thanks.

 

Ray

Hi Cirmet, Lee, and Ray,

 

I think I answered this question in the Italian Pens forum fairly recently, but it looks like Stipula stopped numbering their standard production Etrurias, i.e., the Amber PF and c/c, the Nera (black) PF and c/c, and the Alter Ego PF and c/c. Either because they did not have enough with 4 digits anymore, or because they decided to just stop it.

 

The 925 is the silver content of the silver trim, namely 925/1000, and the star 982 F1 is the silver hallmark.

 

Do note that the Amber here reviewed, is the Amber Convertible, which is no longer manufactured.

 

HTH, Warm regards, Wim

[acolythe]

Having read the review of the Ocean Blue Etruria by The Noble Savage,i was intrigued with this pen series.There were already quite a few Italians in my collection.But none were as large and mysterious.So i found a fellow FPN'er who was selling his Stipula Etruria Amber.Here are my impressions of this fine pen.

 

Weight/Size-5 out of 5

 

This pen is a larger one but not as big as i thought it would be.It looks like a cigar from a distance!!The pen fits the hand just perfect!!And the warmth it gives makes writing a delight.It is about the same length as my Omas Paragon but a wee smidgen larger in girth.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SE1.jpg

 

Here it is with some of my other Italians to show a size comparison.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/C11-small.jpg

 

 

Ink filling system-5 out of 5!!!

 

This pen holds a lot of ink!! I have been able to write for a week with it.The piston-filling system is my favourite style.But this pen has three options available:cartridge,converter or piston-filling.Nice to have these three options.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SE3.jpg

 

The one issue i have had(as others with celluloid pens have also experienced)is that when dipping the end in an ink bottle,the ink can get behind the nib and discolour it a bit.This amber colour made it difficult to tell until in bright light and looking for it specifically.Fortunately it is an easy clean up.Just unscrew the nib,the lower section,and clean it up.It happens rarely.Still,others should know about it.

 

Nib performance 5 out of 5

 

Ok,ok.I have been giving high marks so far.But this nib is THE best writing nib in my entire collection.Even better than any of my Omas pens.This nib is a fine,which is my preferred size.It delivers a nice even line that is not too wet.And it is buttery smooth!!!Writing is effortless and a joy.None comes close to this.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SEN1.jpg

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SEN2.jpg

 

I would use this pen all day ,every day if i didn't own other pens.it is THAT good.

The nib is 18k gold.

 

Colour/appearance 5 out of 5

 

Again,a top rating from me.The colour is beautifully stunning.I love browns and greens.But i was taken aback at this pens brilliance.The colour stands out at every angle. it reminds me of an autumn day in the woods with its variation in hues and tones.I know that the Stipula brochure brings out that it reminds one of the Italian earth that bore the Stipula company.I agree!!The trim is silver with gold vermeil.it is classy yet does not distract from the amber tones of the pen.Please forgive the obvious fingerprints on the pen.Sometimes my photography shows how anxious i get to complete a project!

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SE5.jpg

 

All of the Etruria pens are numbered .This pen is #6062.

 

 

I wanted to show how this pen writes with Noodlers El Lawrence,my favourite waterproof ink.It is one of the few pens i have that flows well with this heavier ink.

 

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h93/n7myw/Pens/SW2.jpg

 

Price/Value 5 for 5

Again,the price for this pen is very good for a pen of such quality.I paid less than half of it's list.So it was a delightful find for me!!

 

In closing,i would most certainly buy more from Stipula,especially the Etruria.

I don't see them up for sale very often.Probably too many people feel the same way about them maybe??

 

JD

Vancouver,Wa

 

 

 

I suppose this is a little off-topic so please forgive me, but on the far left of your picture of your fountain pen collection, is that a Venetian blue OMAS arte Italiana. I have ordered one but cannot tell the color on pentrace and I am anxious to know what it looks like. The seller graciously sent a link to the color but I am still not certain what it looks like on the pen. Anxiously awaiting my new toy

Barry

[cirmet]

Ditto with a black etruria I bought recently from Swisher; no serial number. Would also appreciate any insight anyone can provide. Thanks.

 

Ray

Hi Ray,

here's result of my e-mail negotiations with Daniela (I suppose she's a girl) from Stipula Italy. I hope this will help in understanding o fmodern Etruria's series' standarts.

My 1-st letter:

Good day, a week ago I've bought Stipula Etruria Amber piston fill fountain pen from www.pengallery.com. In the information booklet inside the box it is written: "every pen is numbered". The same information I found on FPN' description of Stipula Etruria pens. But I can't see the number on my pen, only "Stipula. Made in Italy" is engraved on the barrel. Isn't this pens false copy or original one?

!st reply

Dear Oleg ,

Thank you for your kind message I inform you that only Limited Edition pens are numbered and a certificate of Authenticity detailing the pen number accompanies the pen. I inform you that Etruria Ambra is not a limited edition and therefore no numbers have been engraved on the barrel of the current production. Also, Pengallery is one of our dealers.Please also visit our web site and you will find information and pictures:www.stipula.com Thank you agian and please do not hesitate to contact us for anything else you may need. Pen lovers and Stipula supporters are very important to us !Best regards Daniela (Marketing & Sales)Etruria s.r.l.Via Livorno 8/50a 50142 Firenze Tel +39 055 7327203 Fax +39 055 7327536

 

 

Dear Daniela,

thanks a lot for Your e-mail with detailed explanation about Stipula's way of pen's numbering. I have a question concerning piston inside: is it "Self-Cleaning-System" with counter-clockwise refill of ink or old one (I did not filled my pen with ink yet, and there's no information in the box about exact kind of piston filler used in my Etruria Amber pen, nor "pengallery" informs about). Is this piston “interchangeable" (with remove option) for cartridges/converter fill? My Etruria Amber pen is in silver trim, but in the Internet reviews available I've found photos of these pens with "vermeil" trim (gold on silver). Does this means Stipula changed it's standard for Etruria fountain pens? Thank You again for Your reply. I'm looking forward purchasing more Stipula's pens in the future. With my kindest regards---Oleg

 

Dear Oleg,

First of all I confirm you that the last version of Etruria FP we are cutrrently producing has silver clip and cap ring. We are currently producing Etruria FP with two sytem options: a) The piston one with 18K gold nib - the piston is not removable and you fill it by turning counter-clockwise the end piece of the barrel. The cartridge/converter version with 14K gold nib - You can use both the cartridge or the converter which you have to fill in before and use exactly as a cartridge . There is actually no turning end pice in the barrel. I hope this can be of some help. Please do not hesitate to contact me agian for any further detail. Thank you and kindest regards Daniela (Marketing & Sales) Etruria s.r.l. Via Livorno 8/50a 50142 Firenze Tel +39 055 7327203 Fax +39 055 7327536

 

 

[Junkuar]

I'm still awaiting my Etruria with italic nib and piston fill.

 

The anticipation is killin' me, but I suspect it will be all the more satisfying when i have it in my hand!

 

-Brent

[cirmet]

I'm still awaiting my Etruria with italic nib and piston fill.

 

The anticipation is killin' me, but I suspect it will be all the more satisfying when i have it in my hand!

 

-Brent

Hi Brent,

Stipulas' writing quality is top class. My "italian'" collection is not huge- only Stipula Etruria Amber, Omas Milord and Marlen Aderl, but the Stipula is really the best writer on my desk. And it looks superb. I'm really fond of Italian celluloid. The nib is flexible and corresponds to F- nib standart - 0,8 mm. The firm I've bought it is www.pengallery.com. Fast delivery, so patient to my questions and demands, - these guys are professionals, it was a joy to deal with one of them- Lai. They made a good price reduction for the the second purchase in their store.

My kindest regards and best wishes--- Oleg

[Junkuar]

Today my long awaited amber celluloid Stipula Etruria.

 

I have to say this is the handsomest pen I've seen live and in person. A wonderfully designed, crafted work, yet not ostentatious. It's stunning.

 

I have to say I'm disappointed, right off the bat with it's writing. I filled it with Noodlers ink. To get it to write I have to tap it down on the page, or press it down in a manner so conspicuous that, well, it's a bit like writing on a palm pilot -- to get the device to correctly recognize letters, you have to put the stylus down with authority to let the thing know "this is where the letter begins."

 

Same with this pen. Ink won't run without doing this. And once it is writing -- finish one word, and it's the same deal on the very next word. This is utterly intolerable in a $400 dollar fountain pen, or a $.40 Bic.

 

If readers have any advice for a relative noobie, I'd be most grateful. I'm reluctant to try and do any bending. I dumped out the ink and gave it a soapy wash with warm water and Dawn dishsoap -- that helped my Jaguar, but didn't help the Stipula.

 

Different inks? Perhaps an incantation, or a prayer to the patron saint of fountain pens?

 

Your knowlegeable assistance will be greatly appreciated.

 

-Brent

[daveg]

Do you have a screen protector on your pilot? Mine (no protector) responds to the lightest touch. On the pen, try a different ink (Aurora Black is a "fixes almost anything" ink) but you may have a baby bottom issue on the nib, which may require some mild reshaping.

[Junkuar]

Dave,

 

Thank you for the suggestion. Well, the suggestionS, actually. I might peel off that screen protector for a starter. I'll see about this Aurora ink right away.

 

Now, baby-bottom -- that seems a self explanatory diagnosis. Plonking the nib down, as I describe forces the crack down into contact with the paper, I presume. Reshaping? Is that a do-it-yourselfer?

[daveg]

Reshaping? Is that a do-it-yourselfer?

 

Well I've done it myself, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone with a new expensive pen when I don't know their skill and patience levels. Most pen companies have service centers that will swap the nib at no charge so that might be better to try first. They probably will be a lot less receptive to a swap if you've already tried to modify the nib yourself.

 

[Junkuar]

Reshaping? Is that a do-it-yourselfer?

 

Well I've done it myself, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone with a new expensive pen when I don't know their skill and patience levels. Most pen companies have service centers that will swap the nib at no charge so that might be better to try first. They probably will be a lot less receptive to a swap if you've already tried to modify the nib yourself.

 

 

LOL. I can just picture some of the stuff they get back for an exchange -- nibs looking like bananas that have been peeled, etc! I dropped a fairly inexpensive but nice-writing pen about 20 years ago, and did that! Bent it, that is. I didn't try to fob it back off on the store.

 

I've just been out to the pen store, where, in response to my request for Aurora, they suggested Private Reserve instead -- "A real laxative ink".

 

Ahhh, a charming image ... do you have it in brown? Ok, I didn't actually think to say that until now.

 

My girlfriend, who also lurks around here sometimes, found instructions on grinding your own nibs... Maybe I'll get a few walmart schaeffer type pens to practice on before I try it. Work my way up to my Jaguar, or my Cross Verve... Or better yet, I'll grind one of her pens. heheh.

 

I sure do like the look and feel of this pen.

 

-Brenton

[ArchiMark]

Great review, handlebar!

 

Just wanted you to know that your review was so good and helpful that I took the plunge and bought one too; Amber, fine nib, but I got it with the piston filler....Received it yesterday from Swisher Pens, this is a very beautiful pen and writes great!

 

Thanks!