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Thoughts On The Visconti Rembrandt


penzel_washinkton

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Hey ladies & gents,

 

Recently I am pining for a European based manufactured fountain pens and am really digging the modes that Visconti has to offer.

However I have limited budget and can only look at the Rembrandt lines, I really like the Dark Forest color scheme but would like to ask, is the Rembrandt a decent competitor towards its Eastern counterparts?

 

I have the Platinum and Sailor with the same price range and would like to know the main difference between those pens. I am going to get the EF if I order the Rembrandt since I am comfortable with a Japanese F.

 

Thanks!

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Nib may be spotty - not always, but enough that you should be prepared to factor in the costs of return if it's a problem nib.

It will be a lot heavier

It won't be gold a nib.

The converter will hold more; not by a huge amount, but will hold more.

Silver grip (do they still have that on the model? Perhaps I'm thinking V Gogh?) some find slippery

Will be heavier than the Sailor or Plantinum

Nib will be a touch softer.

If they've switched the nib to those chastity belt glued on things I'd avoid it like the plague.

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In all honesty, I find the cheaper Italian pens completely lacking in the flair, originality and pleasure the higher tier pens give. I have 3 of these Rembrandts and find them so generic, they are regulated to the bottom drawer all the time.

 

The low end pens have extremely generic nibs and very lack luster bodies that don't do the brand justice. While I understand why they are doing it from a marketing and brand building perspectives, they just can't get over the very complicated labor laws that really cripple the industry. With the same amount of money, you can get a really nice Lamy 2000, a Platinum 3776 or even cheaper Twsbis. These are all great value for money pens that the Italians can't seem to achieve.

 

Italian pens really reach their zenith when you're in the top middle tier of the market. Anywhere from $350 - $700.

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Take a look to Leonardo Officina Italiana pens.

The acrylic one are very nice, not expansive, and well writing out of the box.

I have probably more than 30 Japanese Pens from Nakaya to 3776 and in the same price range I will give my preference to the Leonardo Momento Zero without doubts.

I have a dark blue and a turquoise, both with gold trims and fine nib which is quite fine to be an European.

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I have three Rembrandts, so I'm obviously happy with them. I like the magnetic cap and all my nibs have been problem-free.

 

I do suggest buying from a store if possible though - the material is quite beautiful but is more so on some pens than others. I adore my orange one, didn't get quite so lucky on the red.

I chose my user name years ago - I have no links to BBS pens (other than owning one!)

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Thanks for all your input!

 

Basically I am considering to put this in my wishlist solely on the aesthetics of the Dark Forest since I really love the subtle green-black swirl and it is available at not such a steep price. Although looking at it now, the shiny metal grip section seems a little too loud for me.

 

So I guess writing performance wise it competes well with the Eastern counterparts (if you don't get the spotty ones) but it is heavier in weight.

As of spending above $200, I think it is not in my short term plan especially I have not tried any Viscontis as of now.

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Take a look to Leonardo Officina Italiana pens.

The acrylic one are very nice, not expansive, and well writing out of the box.

I have probably more than 30 Japanese Pens from Nakaya to 3776 and in the same price range I will give my preference to the Leonardo Momento Zero without doubts.

I have a dark blue and a turquoise, both with gold trims and fine nib which is quite fine to be an European.

 

+1

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have four or five Rembrandts, and find them all attractive and great writers... with one exception. Start-up, after days of unuse; always needs some resuscitation. However this is hardly unreasonable, particularly for a steel nib. I think they are quite smooth and of a size for easy handling.

 

PS - My first Rembrandt (in red) was my gateway pen to Visconti. :D

~April

 

 

One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem,

see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.

 

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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I opine that the Japanese counterparts to the Visconti Rembrandt are better made. I think that gerigo is correct that Italian models don't hit their zenith until the middle tier starting at $350. That said, the Italians have far more attractive resin options than the Japanese. If "Dark Forest" green resin is what you want, then you'll be hard pressed to find anything comparable at the same price point with the Japanese pens. As far as the difference between Sailor and Platinum, I think both pen manufacturers are comparable, at least at your price point.

Edited by Stylo_dOr
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I opine that the Japanese counterparts to the Visconti Rembrandt are better made. I think that gerigo is correct that Italian models don't hit their zenith until the middle tier starting at $350. That said, the Italians have far more attractive resin options than the Japanese. If "Dark Forest" green resin is what you want, then you'll be hard pressed to find anything comparable at the same price point with the Japanese pens. As far as the difference between Sailor and Platinum, I think both pen manufacturers are comparable, at least at your price point.

 

Yes, I am actually more interested in the resin model they have for Dark Forest. So far I have not found a comparison from Asian manufacturers, the closest being PenBBS with their dark green pattern but what I really like is the more subtle one like the Dark Forest

 

I have four or five Rembrandts, and find them all attractive and great writers... with one exception. Start-up, after days of unuse; always needs some resuscitation. However this is hardly unreasonable, particularly for a steel nib. I think they are quite smooth and of a size for easy handling.

 

PS - My first Rembrandt (in red) was my gateway pen to Visconti. :D

 

I really wanted to get into these European well-known brand but the price keeps on haunting me. But hard start-ups surely is something new I've heard from the Rembrandt lines

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Yes, I am actually more interested in the resin model they have for Dark Forest. So far I have not found a comparison from Asian manufacturers, the closest being PenBBS with their dark green pattern but what I really like is the more subtle one like the Dark Forest

 

 

I really wanted to get into these European well-known brand but the price keeps on haunting me. But hard start-ups surely is something new I've heard from the Rembrandt lines

 

Yes, I really like the Visconti Dark Forest resin too. It has a lot of color depth and flash subtleties. Italians really do come up with some amazing resin. I never really stopped to look at the Dark Forest resin until I saw your post. Now I like that resin a lot.

 

As far as start-up difficulties with the Visconti Rembrandt, I've had the same exact problem as Inkheart with my 3 Visconti Van Gogh pens, which are essentially identical to the Rembrandt. The problem drove me nuts for awhile. There seems to be something about that Visconti #6 steel nib that causes start-up (i.e., ink-flow) problems after the pen sits for a couple days, even horizontally. Perhaps the problem is tied to the nib feeder or even the ink itself. I had constant start-up and ink-flow problems with my Van Goghs when I used Noodlers' "Bad Blue Heron" ink, which is partially permanent and dries quickly. I had far fewer start-up problems when I switched to Diamine ink.

 

I'm just thinking right now that perhaps the "watery" quality of Monteverde ink might be a good match for the Rembrandt and Van Gogh pens; however, I haven't tested that theory yet.

Edited by Stylo_dOr
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The pattern's subtlety is actually their strong point, same with the Eclipse and Twilight. I'm quite happy that there are others that likes the Dark Forest resin.

 

I guess I'll have to wait for other pens with similar resin to be produced, with hopefully reduced price :lol:

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Wow, the Eclipse and Twilight are beautiful resins too. I'm sure if you look around, you'll find someone with a greatly reduced price on the Rembrandt. I'll let you know if I see something...

Edited by Stylo_dOr
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  • 2 weeks later...

Love the Rembrandts, particularly the Dark Forest, although Eclipse and Twilight are beautiful too...

Truphae Inc. - Luxury Pen Specialists
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post-143213-0-89090000-1527565129.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...

The Rembrandt is a lovely pen.

I bought mine used, and it's in perfect condition, the material is very durable

The nib is smooth and wet, I have had no issues with mine. The section is metal but I do not find it is slippery at all.

The magnetic cap is addictive (I keep playing around with it...)

I have the black version, the material has very slight lighter swirls, difficult to catch in photo. A sober looking pen (I have been tempted by other colours but have not surrendered yet).

fpn_1535845952__p1140650-3.jpg

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Dayum.. that Rembrandt looks good also.

 

I am currently opening an option in just buying a custom pen so I could get the resin color & style I want

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Here's another shot too - yes the marbled effect is really super nice!!

 

post-143213-0-82645500-1536681600.jpg

Truphae Inc. - Luxury Pen Specialists
Authorized Retailer for Aurora, Montegrappa, ST Dupont, Visconti & more!
Visit our website: www.truphaeinc.com
#BeInkredible http://www.inkrediblebox.com ~ a monthly subscription pen & ink service
Follow along on Instagram @truphae_inc and Facebook www.facebook.com/truphaeinc
post-143213-0-89090000-1527565129.jpg

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