Question On The Visconti Hook Safe Lock Mechanism?

[drsky125]

I recently purchased my first Visconti pen (HS Midnight in Florence). As it is typical of the HS line, this pen features the hook safe-lock mechanism. I have not experienced any undesired opening of the pen cap, but the spring-loaded mechanism seems a bit flimsy to me. when the cap is closed and "locked" on the barrel, if I try to turn the cap, it will turn and be released from the barrel. I barely have to push on the cap while twisting it to release it from the barrel. The mechanism does not offer much resistance. Again, it is very possible that this is how the mechanism is designed but I wanted to know if this bahavior is typical of those Visconti pens with the hook safe lock?

 

Thanks!

Edited September 10, 2020 by drsky125

[Paul-in-SF]

On mine (Homo Sapiens Crystal Dream) my experience so far is that, once the cap is unlocked, I still have to pull on the cap or further twist the pen to get the cap off, otherwise the cap will hold the weight of the pen quite securely. I have not had this pen very long, it is possible that this effect will be reduced over time I suppose. But at this point it does seem to be a 2-step process (albeit a seamless one, that many people probably do in one movement).

 

I don't travel with this pen so I have not worried about unwanted openings.

[drsky125]

On mine (Homo Sapiens Crystal Dream) my experience so far is that, once the cap is unlocked, I still have to pull on the cap or further twist the pen to get the cap off, otherwise the cap will hold the weight of the pen quite securely. I have not had this pen very long, it is possible that this effect will be reduced over time I suppose. But at this point it does seem to be a 2-step process (albeit a seamless one, that many people probably do in one movement).

 

I don't travel with this pen so I have not worried about unwanted openings.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I guess my pen seems to behave the same way. The cap has no problem holding the weight of the pen. I just expected the spring mechanism to be stiffer, although it would beat the purpose of having a mechanism that is supposed to make it easier to open/close the cap.

[Polanova]

Homo Sapiens Bronze Age Midsize:

I can very easily turn & pull the cap with one hand, the only capped pen I can open one-handed without becoming awkward.

[silverlifter]

Bronze Age Maxi. Quite old. Turning the cap a few mm disengages the lock, but in order to remove the cap, slight force is required to "break" the seal. It feels very much like opening a fridge, in that it is about overcoming the seal/suction. It even makes a slight popping sound as it comes free.

 

Still easily acheivable with one hand.

Edited September 10, 2020 by silverlifter

[TheDutchGuy]

Both my Midi and the full-size HS spontaneously unlock sometimes. It’s rare, but it happens.

[Kasyll]

On my bronze age midi (lava): There is some 'grippy' resistance when twisting the cap past the 'v' shape of the hook and does require an additional motion of pulling (or pushing if one handed motion) the cap off, as silverlifer describes it, a slight popping-ish sound.

 

My medici midi (acrylic): The uncapping/twisting of the cap is much, much, smoother with very little resistance as you have described and no additional motion required for the cap to come right off. The spring mechanism on this medici feels crickety and flimsy compared to the lava in which I have chalked it down to the density of the acrosilk vs lava. Regardless of that, I have yet to experience any unexpected uncapping of either pens.

 

Both has the distinct tactile feel of the hooks twisting off of the 'v' hooks.

 

On a side note: I do always try to uncap my medici the way the hook safe mechanism is designed (push and turn) to preserve the nubs and the v shaped hooks from wear and tear.

[axio]

On 9/11/2020 at 9:45 PM, Kasyll said:

On my bronze age midi (lava): There is some 'grippy' resistance when twisting the cap past the 'v' shape of the hook and does require an additional motion of pulling (or pushing if one handed motion) the cap off, as silverlifer describes it, a slight popping-ish sound.

 

My medici midi (acrylic): The uncapping/twisting of the cap is much, much, smoother with very little resistance as you have described and no additional motion required for the cap to come right off. The spring mechanism on this medici feels crickety and flimsy compared to the lava in which I have chalked it down to the density of the acrosilk vs lava. Regardless of that, I have yet to experience any unexpected uncapping of either pens.

 

Both has the distinct tactile feel of the hooks twisting off of the 'v' hooks.

 

On a side note: I do always try to uncap my medici the way the hook safe mechanism is designed (push and turn) to preserve the nubs and the v shaped hooks from wear and tear.

Thanks for sharing the difference in feel between Lava and Acrylic.

 

Would you say the Lava is harder wear and more durable than acrylic? especially for the little nubs in the cap?

[Kasyll]

On 9/23/2025 at 12:49 PM, axio said:

Would you say the Lava is harder wear and more durable than acrylic? especially for the little nubs in the cap?

 

Honestly, the wear and tear is negligible as long as you are not putting undue stress on the nubs such as un/capping the pen at an extreme angle or what not.

 

The nubs are the exact same material as the rest of the body, therefore you don't have to worry about friction wearing away the nubs to nothing.

 

Yep! I still own both of my HS Lava and Medici and 5 years mark since that last post- I can confirm the nubs are still there, still hooks securely. Other than that I think the lava unhooking motion feels much smoother than it was new.

[Tseg]

I am currently comparing in hand a Homo Sapiens Bronze Age (lava) to a Homo Sapiens Elegance Maxi (acrylic), and the force/pressure to lock feel about the same.  When locking, if the cap is held loosely, the acrylic has a more distinct "click" into place.  The feel/sound differences are likely materials related.  I have not had either open accidentally during multiple years of ownership.

[lamarax]

Truth be told, the mechanism isn't quite effective in keeping the feed wet (after a week or so of... inactivity) 🤷‍♂️