Visconti Van Gogh (Pollard Willows) First Impressions

[musicman123]

What do you get when you cross an excellent pen manufacturer with a famous impressionistic painter? You get a pen that is truly a work of art! The Visconti Van Gogh series certainly does not disappoint it's artistic and surreal roots.

 

I had the amazing opportunity to get the Visconti Van Gogh Pollard Willows pen, in an M nib. The pen comes in a very unique triangular box, whose lid open downwards. It's an interesting design that I haven't seen anywhere else. The black leatherette box is not very heavy, but isn't feather light either. It definitely feels quite high quality! It also comes with a simple paper sleeve to protect the box, but the sleeve isn't anything special.

http://www.inkoutsidethebottle.tk/content/images/2015/06/IMG_4892-1.jpg

Inside the box is the pen (obviously...), a cool brochure about the pen and collection, and also a very accurately reproduced copy of the painting the pen was based on. There is a small elastic strap securing the pen to the box which holds up well. There is no pocket or anything for the brochure so it just sits there.

http://www.inkoutsidethebottle.tk/content/images/2015/06/IMG_4893.jpg

http://www.inkoutsidethebottle.tk/content/images/2015/06/IMG_4896.jpg

Here's the actual painting so you can see it in better resolution. Image credits to the Van Gogh Gallery

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/image/0520/Pollard-Willows.jpg

The pen itself actually is made of resin that mimics the colors used in the painting. You can clearly see the different shades of red, green, brown and white in the painting and in the pen. This theme carries on for the rest of the Van Gogh line. Since the pen is made of a resin, no two pens are exactly alike, so your concentration of colors may vary from mine.

http://www.inkoutsidethebottle.tk/content/images/2015/06/IMG_4897.jpg

http://www.inkoutsidethebottle.tk/content/images/2015/06/IMG_4900.jpg

This pen boasts a very cool magnetic cap. The cap just slides and snaps straight onto the barrel of the pen with barely any pressure. The magnet is quite strong, so I haven't had the cap fall off, even with very vigorous shaking. Also, the clip is spring loaded so it opens and closes very easily. It is also quite sturdy and well built.

http://www.inkoutsidethebottle.tk/content/images/2015/06/IMG_4907.jpg

The pen comes out to 5.5" (or 14cm) closed, 6.125" (16cm) posted, and 4.875" (12.5cm) uncapped. The pen is not too heavy, nor too light. I find the weight to be quite nice actually.

The nib is quite intricately engraved and has the Visconti name and size declarations engraved deeply into the metal. The nib on this pen is 100% steel. I haven't inked the pen yet, but a dry test on paper shows it to be quite smooth.

http://www.inkoutsidethebottle.tk/content/images/2015/06/IMG_2312.jpg

Lastly, here's a glamour shot of the pen! The ink in the background is the Caran d'ache Chromatics Vibrant Green, to be featured in a review soon!

http://www.inkoutsidethebottle.tk/content/images/2015/06/IMG_4905.jpg

Also live on my blog at http://inkoutsidethebottle.tk/

Edited June 24, 2015 by musicman123

[rwilsonedn]

Beautiful pen, great description and photography. Thanks!

ron

[mmg122]

Musicman123...very stunning pen. IMO, you picked the best color of the series.

[musicman123]

Musicman123...very stunning pen. IMO, you picked the best color of the series.

I agree! This is my favorite of the entire line!

[migo984]

It's a pretty pen alright. I'm not a swirly colours fan usually but I really like the more subtle mix of colours of this pen. BUT there's that pesky metal section again. I dislike these and won't buy a pen with one. Can't wait for the current fashion to change away from them.

[TheRealScubaSteve]

It's a pretty pen alright. I'm not a swirly colours fan usually but I really like the more subtle mix of colours of this pen. BUT there's that pesky metal section again. I dislike these and won't buy a pen with one. Can't wait for the current fashion to change away from them.

 

I'm with you. I like the look of Viscontis very much, but the metal section is a deal breaker.

[musicman123]

It's a pretty pen alright. I'm not a swirly colours fan usually but I really like the more subtle mix of colours of this pen. BUT there's that pesky metal section again. I dislike these and won't buy a pen with one. Can't wait for the current fashion to change away from them.

 

 

I'm with you. I like the look of Viscontis very much, but the metal section is a deal breaker.

Really? I honestly haven't had too much of an issue with metal sections. What seems to be such the big gripe around them? Are they too slippery?

[TheRealScubaSteve]

 

Really? I honestly haven't had too much of an issue with metal sections. What seems to be such the big gripe around them? Are they too slippery?

 

They are not too slippery to use but slippery enough to be annoying. I also don't like the feel of metal as it's too hard. Celluloid, ebonite, and some acrylics have a "softer" feel.

[musicman123]

 

They are not too slippery to use but slippery enough to be annoying. I also don't like the feel of metal as it's too hard. Celluloid, ebonite, and some acrylics have a "softer" feel.

Ah point taken! I am starting to see quite a lot of pens with metal sections these days. I do find the knurled ones to be much nicer though.

[migo984]

Really? I honestly haven't had too much of an issue with metal sections. What seems to be such the big gripe around them? Are they too slippery?

There are several things for me:

 

Grip: unless the section shape is flared/trumpet-shaped I just find myself gripping the section too tight, in order to prevent my fingers slipping. This annoys me, as like to keep a very light-touch on my pens. I find Lamy Studio, for example, with the downward curve section, practically unusable.

 

Feel: as TheRealScubaSteve said, the feel of metal is just not tactile enough for me.

 

Aesthetics: there's nothing as jarring as a beautiful piece of celluloid/resin/whatever, inspired by the colours of nature (á la Pollard Willow), forming the body of an elegant pen, then finding a big clunking bit of techno/steampunk metal on the end. The contrast is anathema to me. Mind you, I don't like all-metal pens either. The ones I've mistakenly purchased I've soon disposed of.

 

But I know lots of pen users don't mind 20thC style metal sections mixed with traditional barrels. Just not me.

[Feathers]

Great first impression review. Your photos are so pretty. I agree with the others that Pollard Willows is also one of my favourites from this Impressionist series. They have done a wonderful job with these pens, although I wish they were available in a gold nib (well, palladium I guess, since gold is out for Visconti) I'm going whine forever that they bring back their gold nibs LOL, but I digress. I do agree somewhat with the statements made above about the metal section, although several of my Visconti pens have that metal section and I find that they 1) have a fairly gentle taper, and 2) the ornamentation or ridges that Visconti adds to their section makes gripping much easier. Agreed wholeheartedly that both feel-wise, and aesthetically, metal isn't ideal. @migo984, as you mentioned about the metal sections being a trend, I too look forward to that fashion's demise, but at least, in my opinion, Visconti has been doing it right with their extra detailing on the grip (it works for me, anyway for what it is worth)

 

Oh, @migo984, I agree with you! That dang Studio makes me sad, its section is so ridiculously tapered that it really is nearly unusable. I have a little Monteverde Artista Crystal that is exactly the same style grip, and I can only use it for short notes, because my fingers zip right off it. So frustrating!

 

 

@Musicman123 enjoy your new pen and looking forward to your next review!

[TheRealScubaSteve]

There are several things for me:

 

Grip: unless the section shape is flared/trumpet-shaped I just find myself gripping the section too tight, in order to prevent my fingers slipping. This annoys me, as like to keep a very light-touch on my pens. I find Lamy Studio, for example, with the downward curve section, practically unusable.

 

 

It's funny you mention that. I forgot that any metal sections, for whatever strange reason, I hold with a death grip unless I really focus on a light touch. Maybe it's related to tactile feel. To alleviate that, I tend to hold farther up on the section/barrel with metal sections.

[sannidh]

Pen's a stunner. Thank you. Btw, I have a m625 with metal (Ag925) grip section, never experienced much of a sweat + slipping problem to the extent to which, I had anticipated.

How is the nib ?

Edited June 27, 2015 by soniknitr

[dspeers58]

Great first impression review. Your photos are so pretty. I agree with the others that Pollard Willows is also one of my favourites from this Impressionist series. They have done a wonderful job with these pens, although I wish they were available in a gold nib (well, palladium I guess, since gold is out for Visconti) I'm going whine forever that they bring back their gold nibs LOL, but I digress. I do agree somewhat with the statements made above about the metal section, although several of my Visconti pens have that metal section and I find that they 1) have a fairly gentle taper, and 2) the ornamentation or ridges that Visconti adds to their section makes gripping much easier. Agreed wholeheartedly that both feel-wise, and aesthetically, metal isn't ideal. @migo984, as you mentioned about the metal sections being a trend, I too look forward to that fashion's demise, but at least, in my opinion, Visconti has been doing it right with their extra detailing on the grip (it works for me, anyway for what it is worth)

 

 

I love the look of this pen. The feel in the hand and balance is great. I find it feels like a Faber Castell Ambition, when properly posted. The balance of the pen for me, relieves some of the trouble one might have with the metal section. Btw Feathers, Appelboom in the Netherlands, offers a gold nib for extra cost. Right now with the Euro down against the dollar, you can get the pen for about $250 free shipping.

[Feathers]

I love the look of this pen. The feel in the hand and balance is great. I find it feels like a Faber Castell Ambition, when properly posted. The balance of the pen for me, relieves some of the trouble one might have with the metal section. Btw Feathers, Appelboom in the Netherlands, offers a gold nib for extra cost. Right now with the Euro down against the dollar, you can get the pen for about $250 free shipping.

Oh wow, very cool, thank you for letting me know this! I don't know if that applies to Canadian dollar, which is pretty weak, but I will look into it. Thanks again

[Misfit]

Excellent review. I got the green version Irises. It almost seems like it was oil painted. I also like the Pollard Willows as I like browns. If I ever got another Visconti Van Gogh, Pollard Willows would be in the running.

[DrDebG]

Very nice review! I have loved looking at these pens. Perhaps someday . . .

[alexander_k]

Nice pen! I like my plain old Van Gogh a lot, especially the nib. Well done on the choice of ink - good combination with the pen.

[musicman123]

Very nice review! I have loved looking at these pens. Perhaps someday . . .

Go for it! You won't regret it!

 

 

Nice pen! I like my plain old Van Gogh a lot, especially the nib. Well done on the choice of ink - good combination with the pen.

 

Yes! A nice combo makes this pen a dream!