Omas Fountain Pens, Paragon's Old Vs New

[mk2579]

Italian fountain pens; Omas and Visconti

 

Omas

Here are some of my Omas fountain pens, resting on my Nagasawa leather pen pouch. The Arco- brown celluloid is often cited as the best celluloid material anywhere. Fortunately, I have two Omas fountain pens in this finish. I would love to add a third with the newer, heftier Omas Paragon…if only I had the budget.

Omas is by far my favourite Italian fountain pen brand. I have owned Visconti’s and Montegrappa’s, (Monteverde’s!) as well but really, Omas is by far the best. Not just for the celluloid; as you will see below, Montegrappa also makes some wonderful celluloid pens, but Omas nibs are unparalleled. Springy, with excellent flex to bring out the best in shading inks, they generally make your handwriting look much more sophisticated than it would otherwise.

Omas Ogiva, Arco-brown Celluloid

To me they give the sensation of writing with pure gold. I have used 21ct gold Sailor nibs, and to me they resemble gold far less than the 18ct gold you generally find in Omas. They also have a lot of tipping and are the best nibs for customisation. But even without customisation, Omas nibs are awesome. The Omas Ogiva in Arco- brown celluloid is one of my nicest writers, with its Broad (more like BB), unmodified 18ct gold nib. Here it is…

Showing off the “Broad” nib. It’s more like a Double Broad, or even a Stub

 

Omas 360 in Arco-brown Celluloid

Here is my Omas 360. I had the medium nib customised to a crispy cursive italic. Unfortunately it started leaking in the section where the gold collar meets the celluloid. I will have to get this mended at some point, but for now I use it as a dip pen.

 

 

Shimmering celluloid

The Arco- Verde (green, obviously) celluloid is also very nice, as featured on one of my favourite fountain pens below; the Omas Old style Paragon with ruthenium trim. Some people do not like this celluloid combination but I love the cool, stony colours of this pen. This celluloid also works perfectly with the ruthenium trim.

I actually prefer greens and greys to reds and browns (same for Nakaya, I much prefer the Ao- tamenuri and Midori finishes to the more popular Aka- tamenuri “reddish red”). I even considered getting the Omas Ogiva in the Saft-green instead of the Arco-brown but it wasn’t available at the time. This pen is perfect filled with Pilot Iroshizuku’s Fyu-syogun, with the medium oblique (OM) cursive italic nib showing off the excellent shading properties of this ink.

Omas Vintage Paragon in Arco Verde Celluloid

Omas Old style Paragon with ruthenium trim

Favourite Omas fountain pen: Old vs. new Paragon's

A close tie between the Omas old style Paragon and the new style Paragon. Even though the new style Paragon is made from a more rudimentary resin, it’s heft and the smoothness of the stub nib make it hard to beat. The piston- filling mechanism is also far superior to the prone- to- leak old style- paragons. The new Paragon may be a less practical option with its excessive weight and size, but it is also far bolder. It’s not subtle, but you know your getting your money’s worth with this pen. Now if only I could afford the Arco-brown celluloid version…

Winner

 

Omas Paragon in Black resin with High-tech trim

 

Edited October 5, 2015 by mk2579

[GatzBcn]

I love OMAS, I agree with you that their nibs are unparallel. Out of all my pens, it has my favourite nib (I also have a Montegrappa Nerouno and two Viscontis, besides a Pelikan, Sailor and some vintage pens). I envy that you have a B nib. I wanted but when I bought it they only had a M nib and since there was a big sale on the pen, I couldn't not buy it.

Regarding the celluloid, does it feel like a durable material?

[mehandiratta]

beauties u have...

 

lovely... congrats

[mk2579]

I love OMAS, I agree with you that their nibs are unparallel. Out of all my pens, it has my favourite nib (I also have a Montegrappa Nerouno and two Viscontis, besides a Pelikan, Sailor and some vintage pens). I envy that you have a B nib. I wanted but when I bought it they only had a M nib and since there was a big sale on the pen, I couldn't not buy it.

Regarding the celluloid, does it feel like a durable material?

 

Thanks for reading!

 

I think the celluloid of the Omas Ogiva seems the most solid maybe due to its more natural torpedo-ish shape.

I would say the old style Paragon feels lees solid- particularly the piston knob. Same for the 360- it squeaks bit.

If I were to make a recommendation I would say the Ogiva for sure- I got a great deal on it from Ebay, so I would look there.

 

I would also highly recommend seeking out that stubbish Omas Broad nib!

[mk2579]

beauties u have...

 

lovely... congrats

 

Yep, Omas pens are awesome!

[Mastiff]

Lucky lucky person!

I have an arco milord and unfortunately had to let an old style arco paragon go recently.

I have an arco verde reissue on order, also on factory stub. How do you find Omas stub? Are you able to tell us approximately what width the stub is?

[Barkingpig]

I received my Omas Ogivia this summer in Burkina finish with a factory stub nib. I can't measure it but can only compare it to a Montblanc 146 that I had an Oblique double broad nib installed in earlier this year & it is definitely broader than the OBB. It is listed as 1.0 on most sites where it is sold BUT I find the wetness of the pen & softness of the nib make it appear MUCH broader than it is "measured." You will be in for a treat!

[sannidh]

Thank you.. I do see a flock of Omases here

Me too 'a fan' of their nibs..

[mk2579]

Lucky lucky person!

I have an arco milord and unfortunately had to let an old style arco paragon go recently.

I have an arco verde reissue on order, also on factory stub. How do you find Omas stub? Are you able to tell us approximately what width the stub is?

 

I don't have an Omas stub, only a "stubbish" Broad- which is very Broad indeed, in the Ogiva. I have been considering the Arco Milord for a while...and now I want to get it in the stub! If I ever do will post pics and take measurements.

 

Would love to see pics of your Arco Milord if you have them.

[mk2579]

Thank you.. I do see a flock of Omases here

Me too 'a fan' of their nibs..

 

Thanks for reading!

[Mastiff]

 

I don't have an Omas stub, only a "stubbish" Broad- which is very Broad indeed, in the Ogiva. I have been considering the Arco Milord for a while...and now I want to get it in the stub! If I ever do will post pics and take measurements.

 

Would love to see pics of your Arco Milord if you have them.

Here it is. I apologise for the poor picture quality. It is the best my iphone6 can do (or is it me? )

I find mine a little finer but smoother than visconti. I love this pen. Any suggestions for a better matching ink?

 

I can't wait to receive my arco verde- I also ordered one with ruthenium trim. I noticed that your arco verde is quite vibrant, is it like that indoor as well? Unfortunately my pens don't really get to see the outside world..

[mk2579]

Here it is. I apologise for the poor picture quality. It is the best my iphone6 can do (or is it me? )

I find mine a little finer but smoother than visconti. I love this pen. Any suggestions for a better matching ink?

 

I can't wait to receive my arco verde- I also ordered one with ruthenium trim. I noticed that your arco verde is quite vibrant, is it like that indoor as well? Unfortunately my pens don't really get to see the outside world..

 

Awesome thanks for posting pics!

 

I couldn't get my iPhone 6 to take pictures like that, so I sold it, and now I can't get my iPhone 6s to take pictures like that either. Oh well, one day...

 

Thats a lovely looking Arco Milord- one reason I was torn about the Arco Paragon is that the section isn't in Arco- though it does give a nice contrast.

 

The arco verde was taken indoors- and actually looks a lot shimmerier in person than I was able to capture in the pic (still a novice at photography). I would highly recommend taking pen photos outside as well...even if it is just a tuft of grass- makes soooo much difference.

 

Nice Pelicans too

[mk2579]

...also ashamed to say I haven't got my bottle of Ancient Copper yet...though has been on my ink list for a while. I normally stick to boring Montblanc Toffee Brown, which has excellent shading and is very well behaved- but that Ancient Copper looks a far more interesting ink.

[Francis_Rex]

...also ashamed to say I haven't got my bottle of Ancient Copper yet...though has been on my ink list for a while. I normally stick to boring Montblanc Toffee Brown, which has excellent shading and is very well behaved- but that Ancient Copper looks a far more interesting ink.

 

 

/////

 

Diamine Ancient Copper is a beautiful ink BUT it does, or certainly my bottle does, have a funny behaviour. A foam can develop on your nib. I use it in a Waterman I have and when I go back to it I have to wipe a little lump of froth of the nib if I have not used the pen for a few days .It is like there is a yeast in the ink.

 

I would say it has more character than Toffee Brown but to use a milk analogy the Mont Blanc ink is pasteurized whereas the Diamine is "raw".

 

Btw, if you like brown inks try Private Reserve's Copper Burst which is not quite as organic as Ancient Copper if that froth thing might bother you.

Edited October 9, 2015 by Francis_Rex

[Francis_Rex]

Omas is by far my favourite Italian fountain pen brand.

 

I only discovered Omas by accident this weekend.I took my first visit to the WES /London Penshow and picked up a great deal on a mint Paragon 557/f from the 1990s. What a beautiful pen.

 

I am in love with it. As you note above you need some budget for these pens and I will have to save my pocket money up to indulge in purchases of this manufacturer but the nib, the design and the craftsmanship are outstanding. Based on my initial experience I envy your collection above.

[Mastiff]

 

 

/////

 

Diamine Ancient Copper is a beautiful ink BUT it does, or certainly my bottle does, have a funny behaviour. A foam can develop on your nib. I use it in a Waterman I have and when I go back to it I have to wipe a little lump of froth of the nib if I have not used the pen for a few days .It is like there is a yeast in the ink.

 

I would say it has more character than Toffee Brown but to use a milk analogy the Mont Blanc ink is pasteurized whereas the Diamine is "raw".

 

Btw, if you like brown inks try Private Reserve's Copper Burst which is not quite as organic as Ancient Copper if that froth thing might bother you.

Thanks for this info- sounds very much like my dog out in the sun.

I haven't noticed that just yet, but will keep an eye on it and report back if there is any froth formation on the nib.

[Mastiff]

Found this relevant thread on FPN:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/213095-oh-no-diamine-ancient-copper-problem/

 

And perhaps the most useful answer as below:

 

fuchsiaprincess

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• 5,888 posts

Posted 09 March 2012 - 23:41

Just heard from Diamine. It is indeed crystalisation of one of the dye components of the ink, which occurs if a pen is not air tight or the conditions are warm, and will not harm the pen in any way. They are looking at replacing this particular dye, so for those who are fastidious about the aesthetics of their nibs…… there is light at the end of the tunnel (and it ain't a train )

Edited by fuchsiaprincess, 09 March 2012 - 23:52.

http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y331/fuchsiaprincess/Fuchsiaprincess_0001.jpghttp://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/036/2/2/Narnia_Flag_by_Narnia14.gif

 

 

 

Maybe it is an inherent problem in some orange inks? If Diamine indeed did replace that particular offending component, I would assume newer batches shouldn't have this issue.

[Pen_Noob]

But the way Mastiff, how is the size of the new Milord (assuming yours is a new model) to the old Paragon?

 

Aquired an old Paragon recently (you know from who) and now I am a little worried. Like girthier pens.

[Mastiff]

But the way Mastiff, how is the size of the new Milord (assuming yours is a new model) to the old Paragon?

 

Aquired an old Paragon recently (you know from who) and now I am a little worried. Like girthier pens.

 

They are similar but the Milord is somewhat bigger and on the heavier side.

For precise side to side views there are plenty of posts here on FPN- eg:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/256100-im-down-with-omas-brown/

[mk2579]

I don't think I want Ancient Copper now. I had read that it can crud up your nib which is probably why I never picked up a bottle. I think it would be fine with cheaper pens, but I recently sold all my "cheaper" pens and now I only have expensive ones left

 

Guess I'll stick to the "safer" browns like MB Toffee Brown and the Brown Iroshizuku's. I got a sample of Noodler's Walnut ages ago and remember that was really well behaved too.