Omas Lives Again? Scribo

[sciumbasci]

The owner of Wahl basically said - it's his pet project, and they made sure that they get their money back (investment) and whatever they make extra - good job.

I don't see them being around for long (Wahl) ... as for the ASC - they may have a shot, if new models are good.

 

Nah, I hope they'll be around for a long, long time.

It's cynical when you put it like that, but I see passion behind it.

 

Yes, their website is kinda abandoned. And no, they don't even try to promote or stay active on the social medias.

And no, their basic models are still in a premium range for those like me that have little to spare on hobbies.

 

It's not just a bad attempt to milk money off nostalgia like that other company with two Os in the name, and I wish them the best

[PenCollector888]

I wish them well, but what is the situation with the Omas celluloid? Omas isn't Omas without it, and from what I understand, Manu bought the stock when the company folded.

 

That said, I'd love to see a Tokyo reissue in better materials...

 

This is a great question. 95% of current Ancora are acryllic, with the ones that aren't built with outlangish stuff like marble and Titanic wood.

 

I would expect them to build a limited run of celluloid sourced from elsewhere, but it may be a while. Then again, some Ancora acrylics are quite pleasing to the touch and while definitely not celluloid-like in terms of visuals do look nice and unique (like Maxima series). I don't know if it's machining or varnish that does the trick.

 

Anyway I sent a feeler out to the address mentioned on the Omas website asking about details on Omas. Here's what I got:

[sciumbasci]

Ancora is Russian owned.

I don't know where they make the pens.

This Matt guy has a English name.

 

It's going to be quite international!

[PenCollector888]

From what I hear they're registered in Cyprus but the workshop is in Italy.

[Stylo_dOr]

Here's the official announcement on the Ancora website:

 

Edited July 27, 2018 by Stylo_dOr

[mongrelnomad]

Not sure if anyone else received the Armando Simoni Club eMail from Manu this morning. Seems a clear case of drawing a line in the sand, and underscoring that there will be no new celluloid Omases. That's a shame, but I wish the new owners luck and applaud them for seeking to manufacture replacement parts for the Omas pens that are still out there...

 

"Dear Friends + Pen Community,

Some of you have probably heard the news: the OMAS trademark has been purchased recently by Ancora pens. We do wish them good luck.

There are rumors on some social media outlets spreading; some right, some wrong, mostly incomplete information. Naturally, the messages arrived to my desk. I’m sending this communication to clarify any confusion there may be from our end.

ASC fully owns the trademark “Armando Simoni Club” and logo registrations since 08/25/2016. In 2016 we purchased from OMAS pen company in Bologna their entire stock of celluloid rods. We are not related to OMAS in any way.

That said, I assure our friends, customers, and pen community we will continue to produce beautiful pens with this unsurpassed celluloid material. We will continue to make our beautiful handmade pens, with great love and cuore, in the south of Italy.

Enjoy your summer!

​

Manu"

[dapprman]

Just means there will be no new OMAS pens made from celluloid material until more has been made - same for Arco (though I seem to remember that takes 3 years to cure and it expensive to make).

[Stylo_dOr]

Just means there will be no new OMAS pens made from celluloid material until more has been made - same for Arco (though I seem to remember that takes 3 years to cure and it expensive to make).

 

According to Manu Caltagirone on the ASC website:

 

"'The problem is this fantastic [OMAS] celluloid can no longer be produced.' The production of celluloid risks both toxic poisoning and flammability, and Simoni's original manufacturing process is no longer legal. But Omas produced so much that, as Caltagirone explains, 'I'm sitting on 4,000 rods of [OMAS' original] celluloid.'"

 

So, Ancora bought the OMAS name, manufacturing processes and pen shapes/designs; ASC simply bought all of OMAS' old celluloid stock, including the Arco rods, from O-Luxe. Pretty saavy on Manu's part.

 

Like you said, Ancora won't be able to produce new "OMAS" pens in OMAS' celluloid colors until it produces new celluloid, which could take a few years. Nevertheless, Ancora should now own those old formulas, assuming they still exist.

 

I wonder why the old OMAS celluloid process is "illegal"? Celluloid is still produced today

 

Regardless, it looks like ASC is the only game in town if someone wants a new pen using OMAS' old celluloids -- and ASC isn't being shy about charging for that privilege.

Edited July 27, 2018 by Stylo_dOr

[aardvarkbark]

For me, it was the unique 12-faceted body of the Paragon that I most enjoyed. It just feels special in the hand. Their proprietary celluloids were beautiful to behold visually, but just aren't as special without that Paragon shape.

[lbrlux]

 

On the topic... This is what is currently posted on the Omas website (I don't know when this went up, but it would seem that this happened somewhere within the last couple of weeks).

 

 

Now this is not the first time Omas was acquired in recent years, and we all know that this didn't end up "bringing Omas back', but the company that bought it now is at least in the pen business itself, so I'm moderately excited.

 

I'm wondering if they'll try to bring back some of the people that worked there, and what's gonna happen to the nibs (will they outsource them? make them in Acora's workshops?)

Just bring Luca Baglione and all the old gang back. Thats gonna save time.

[Stylo_dOr]

Just bring Luca Baglione and all the old gang back. Thats gonna save time.

 

Thanks for posting Matt Briling's message. So, Ancora may or may not have OMAS' old celluloid formulas in their treasure trove from OMAS. And, Ancora will have to recreate some of OMAS' specialized technical parts for making pens.

Edited August 1, 2018 by Stylo_dOr

[freakman]

Celluloid is illegal because manufacturing celluloid may violate environment protection laws. If the emission is well processed and filtered, it will cost a lot and making the product too expensive.

There's not much need for celluloid for pens, and maintaining such a production line requires a lot of money.

So Daicel stopped producing celluloid, because their factory were inspected by Chinese government. And they're the supplier of Platinum celluloid.

There's still source for Montegrappa celluloid, but I haven't found the manufacturer yet.

[Stylo_dOr]

For me, it was the unique 12-faceted body of the Paragon that I most enjoyed. It just feels special in the hand. Their proprietary celluloids were beautiful to behold visually, but just aren't as special without that Paragon shape.

 

Amen!

[mongrelnomad]

Celluloid is illegal because manufacturing celluloid may violate environment protection laws. If the emission is well processed and filtered, it will cost a lot and making the product too expensive.

There's not much need for celluloid for pens, and maintaining such a production line requires a lot of money.

So Daicel stopped producing celluloid, because their factory were inspected by Chinese government. And they're the supplier of Platinum celluloid.

There's still source for Montegrappa celluloid, but I haven't found the manufacturer yet.

Oh wow, so does that mean that Platinum will no longer be producing celluloid pens?

[clear1]

Celluloid is illegal because manufacturing celluloid may violate environment protection laws. If the emission is well processed and filtered, it will cost a lot and making the product too expensive.

There's not much need for celluloid for pens, and maintaining such a production line requires a lot of money.

So Daicel stopped producing celluloid, because their factory were inspected by Chinese government. And they're the supplier of Platinum celluloid.

There's still source for Montegrappa celluloid, but I haven't found the manufacturer yet.

 

Oh, my. I heard these days there are only about two remaining factories that procuce the celluloid on Earth, and both in China. (I may be wrong. I just heard it somewhere.) And one factory stopped making the rods? Is it permanent?

Edited August 2, 2018 by clear1

[freakman]

 

Oh, my. I heard these days there are only about two remaining factories that procuce the celluloid on Earth, and both in China. (I may be wrong. I just heard it somewhere.) And one factory stopped making the rods? Is it permanent?

 

Oh wow, so does that mean that Platinum will no longer be producing celluloid pens?

Platinum has already annouced that for a while now. They use Daicel celluloid and Daicel stopped manufacturing. I believe this will also affect Hakase too.

For celluloid I believe there're still 2 factories remaining. But for celluloid rod I think there might only be one now. And that one is the supplier for Montegrappa celluloid. I don't know if it's located in China or not.

I've been to the other factory last year, They produce celluloid boards but not rods. They will try to make thicker ones in the future.

[mulrich]

I remember visiting a website of a celluloid producer last year but cant remember the companys name. I think they were European but my memory isnt perfect. I also think they mainly produced material for eyeglasses but again, memories.

[Stylo_dOr]

I had no idea until I read the posts above that celluloid for pens had become such a scarce commodity. So, even if Ancora does have OMAS' old celluloid formulas, it will do Ancora little good unless they find someone to produce it. It obviously won't be Daicel Corp. in Japan. I've never heard of Hakase, wherever they're located. I'd be interested to know who produces celluloid for Montegrappa.

Edited August 3, 2018 by Stylo_dOr

[mongrelnomad]

I had no idea until I read the posts above that celluloid for pens had become such a scarce commodity. So, even if Ancora does have OMAS' old celluloid formulas, it will do Ancora little good unless they find someone to produce it. It obviously won't be Daicel Corp. in Japan. I've never heard of Hakase, wherever they're located. I'd be interested to know who produces celluloid for Montegrappa.

www.fp-hakase.com

 

Handmade pens in Tottori, Japan, since the 1930s. My avatar is a photo of two of their pens I am lucky enough to own, and I wrote several reviews here on FPN (though I think the photos were lost in the great Photobucket cull of 2016).

[clear1]

 

Platinum has already annouced that for a while now. They use Daicel celluloid and Daicel stopped manufacturing. I believe this will also affect Hakase too.

For celluloid I believe there're still 2 factories remaining. But for celluloid rod I think there might only be one now. And that one is the supplier for Montegrappa celluloid. I don't know if it's located in China or not.

I've been to the other factory last year, They produce celluloid boards but not rods. They will try to make thicker ones in the future.

 

Wow, thank you for the precious information!

 

I've seen some Chinese pen makers are making celluloid pens. I wonder if those materials are coming from that factory. I hope some safe and economic method of making celluloid be invented. It's a beautiful material...