Omas Lives Again? Scribo

[stuckinohio]

I don't know how true this is, but according to The Turners Warehouse (who bought out all of the companies acrylate), claims that they kept their celluloid to make pens with.

 

The material on the pen in the video appears to be Omas Silver Pearl.

 

Lewis

[allen_paris]

is there some news ? the website is still under construction and we don't know almost nothing since this good news some month ago

[Inkling13]

That's where all of Omas's celluloid feedstock went. I'd be interested to see what comes out of this, but not terribly optimistic about this one.

[Fatalpotato]

I've been in love with OMAS pens for many years now and I was very depressed when I learned that this outstanding manufacturer was gone. Despite all the bashing of Italian makers for their allegedly poor quality control, I don't have a single OMAS pen in my substantial collection which isn't an incredibly good writer.

With my somewhat limited collection of Italian pens, I must agree that Omas stood out from the gamut of Italian manufacturers with their astonishing love for detail and their almost always perfect pens out of box. I was also very sad to hear Omas pens shut their doors, just as I started my fountain pen collection full swing. I hope one day we will get to see their perfect pens (in material, shape and nibs) back in business. (hopefully asap)

[mhphoto]

I'd love to see a laminated acrylic version of the OMAS Arco materials. That would make a gorgeous Scribo pen. The nib, if it writes like an OMAS nib, deserves a premium. That material though? No way I'd drop that much money on something that looks like it was made from the same acrylic stock as a Noodler's Neponset.

 

I do hope they continue making new pens in larger quantities, and of better (or at least more interesting) materials.

 

Also not a fan of that green ring.

 

However, I applaud the people who made this pen. I've found myself clinging to the eight OMAS pens I've been lucky enough to acquire over the years. They're just so good.

[alwayssunnyalwaysreal]

If the writing experience is similar to the Omas nibs, then it's great. But the material must be better than what's currently offered.

 

It seems that the pen material is rather plain, and the cap and body's patterns barely match. To me it's only worth half of its price for its appearance.

 

The filling system is not a problem though. Omas's piston filling mechanism wasn't perfect, and ASC's pneumatic filling system doesn't do anything for me.

[dapprman]

The material is a lot better in the flesh than on film, in pictures. To me it works really well, but to others it does not (when seen in the flesh). The green ring is there on the body (between the piston nob and the barrel) to symbolise Write here as it's their colour.

 

In some respects I get the impression it was a test, produce a small batch of pens to sell exclusively through a known, respected OMAS retailer, and see how they do. This has resulted in a higher cost and some restrictions on materials. Before buying mine (with the 'flex' nib) I tried the prototype with an 18k medium nib on it, and as with the 14k one, it felt just like an OMAS should, so I suspect the nibs are the same, just different branding (in this case for the Write Here shop in Shrewsbury). The piston feels the same as well (though I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing )

 

The acrylic itself is of quality, not cheap (think MB or GvFC 'precious resin'). I agree it would be nice if they could line up the patterns, but the only way OMAS managed that in the past is with metal sections to allow the barrel and cap to come from the same stretch of material. From the Pelikan forum you'll see there's the same complaint with the Ocean Swirl (also similar feeling acrylic).

 

Materials and pens wise this is probably comparable to a Pelikan M8xx and so cost wise I would expect it to be similar, so it's not that expensive and I was able to get mine at launch price at the London Writing Equipment Show, which is far closer to the MRP of an M800 Ocean Swirl. I think also we now think too much about the OMAS arcos when judging material - alas all that stock was bought up by Manu (ASC) so it's unlikely we'll see any new batches (would be nice).

[grahamtillotson]

Can they somehow bring back the Tokyo line? That would be lovely.

 

For me Omas was fantastic because their pens felt fully designed -- the materials, how they feel, and the overall balance. Plus the art deco logo was beautiful.

[katanankes]

Truly wish the best for this new entrepreneurial venture, but I would avoid comparisons with Omas. Rest in peace. Also, someone said they have access to Omas famed celluloids. That's highly unlikely, as the stock was sold to another company, the one making the ASC pens.

[katanankes]

Can they somehow bring back the Tokyo line? That would be lovely.

 

For me Omas was fantastic because their pens felt fully designed -- the materials, how they feel, and the overall balance. Plus the art deco logo was beautiful.

 

This is an interesting question. Under Italian law, industrial design can be protected only for 25 years. So any protection for the the design of the pen should be now expired since the Tokyo Line was produced in the mid 90s.

However, given the artistic value of the design involving a famous designer, Sottsass, the design could also be protected by copyright law. This means 70 years of protection from the death of the artist (who passed away in 2007).

Now, since Omas is being dissolved, if the agreement between Sottsass and Omas provided for the transfer to Omas of the intellectual property of the design, then there would be nobody to file a claim against the use of this design. In theory a claim could be filed by the parent company, but would be highly unlikely that they retained all the relevant paperwork or that they cared.

If Omas got the design under some kind of licensing agreement, then the property is vested in Sottsass estate and his heirs could sue whoever uses the design under copyright law (at least in Italy). So all in all, I think that this design could be exploited by anyone with minimum legal risks, especially if the entity was based outside Italy in a jurisdiction where copyright protection cannot be extended to artistic designs (leaving aside moral considerations). Or wait til 2077.

[strelnikoff]

So far, it's been some time since that prototype was "introduced" and one can finally get these pens - but only through "Write Here". And even then - I don't see the one I would want - with 14 K flexible nib.

So, it's been some time since this new company started, but no more news or products.

[Weaveras]

Thanks for posting this. I'm just getting into some Italian brands and then they start going out of business! Hopefully the new company will do well.

[strelnikoff]

Thanks for posting this. I'm just getting into some Italian brands and then they start going out of business! Hopefully the new company will do well.

 

Actually, you've missed the time when they were going out of business. Now they are "coming back" - well, Aurora has been there all the time and they are doing good and better, Visconti is still alive and well, Stipula also... and now Scribo (ex-Omas for all terms and purposes) is coming back. In fact, it's only Omas that was missing in this line-up in past couple of years. Considering their quality.

 

In fact, there are lot of Omas pens still around, brand new and in mint condition to be found. Prices are ... depends on the model etc.

 

Only one that's truly adios - is Delta. And I don't really miss them that much.

[dapprman]

Only one that's truly adios - is Delta. And I don't really miss them that much.

Actually one of the three founders (or is it his son?) was making the arco pens for ASC and now have their own brand - Leonardo Officiana Italiana, so all are back one way or another.

[sansenri]

exactly, and in my opinion Leonardo Officina has the right entrepreneurial approach and know how.

The produce for ASC, and the true manufacturer always has the deeper knowledge...

IMO we will hear a lot from them in future.

I am less convinced about ASC, when the Omas stock of materials will run out...

[Fatalpotato]

Actually, you've missed the time when they were going out of business. Now they are "coming back" - well, Aurora has been there all the time and they are doing good and better, Visconti is still alive and well, Stipula also... and now Scribo (ex-Omas for all terms and purposes) is coming back. In fact, it's only Omas that was missing in this line-up in past couple of years. Considering their quality.

 

In fact, there are lot of Omas pens still around, brand new and in mint condition to be found. Prices are ... depends on the model etc.

 

Only one that's truly adios - is Delta. And I don't really miss them that much.

 

I would argue that Omas being out of production is really felt in prices, as most of the Celluloid, especially arcos has soared in prices, it's common to see €2k pens that are not limited edition or anything on sale on eBay. I really enjoyed using Omas pens but at this price range it would be better off to buy a used car instead of paying these insane mark ups.

[Weaveras]

I've been curious about the Omas, as they keep coming up, but the prices are ridiculous. Personally I have a hard time spending top dollar for what is, many times, a used pen. If the price is almost the same as a used car and someone else inked it, used it, and put their own "microscratches" in it, I'm looking for a bit of a deal.

[mongrelnomad]

Can they somehow bring back the Tokyo line? That would be lovely.

 

For me Omas was fantastic because their pens felt fully designed -- the materials, how they feel, and the overall balance. Plus the art deco logo was beautiful.

 

 

A Tokyo with less ropey materials would indeed be lovely. And whoever owns the rights to the Sottssass designs has an instant winner on their hands.

[bbs]

Two new colours of Write Here's Scribo pen have been announced. They look rather nice ....

 

https://www.writeherekitenow.co.uk/write-here-scribo-2.html

[strelnikoff]

I would argue that Omas being out of production is really felt in prices, as most of the Celluloid, especially arcos has soared in prices, it's common to see €2k pens that are not limited edition or anything on sale on eBay. I really enjoyed using Omas pens but at this price range it would be better off to buy a used car instead of paying these insane mark ups.

 

I agree on this. Which begs the question - why someone doesn't produce more of the Arco celluloid material ... I mean, it's that material and hype around it - that drives the prices.

These days, I would never pay that much for Omas... good brand, but not THAT good