Maiora Impronte: help me resist?

[Topcat666]

I have an imortant (to me,anway) 20 year anniversary coming up in a few weeks time (not a wedding anniversay but an important event in my life nonetheless) and will use this as justification to buy yet another FP.

The Maiora Impronte in orange black seems to be calling me to buy but should I resist and look elsewhere?

My knowledge of Italian pens is pretty non existent.

Should I look at Leonardo Furore Grande instead?

Maybe the Tibaldi Bononia (lovely colourways) but would need importing to the Uk?

Any negative thoughts out there with you Italian FP fans?

[A Smug Dill]

The ‘problem’ with Leonardo Officina Italiana is that you're paying a lot for a resin pen with a steel nib that isn't even made in-house. Top quality resin that's beautiful to look at and feels substantial to hold in the hand, but it's still plastic all the same; and at least I personally always have lingering doubts about Leonardo's quality control when it comes to the nibs.

 

I was tempted to get the Maiora Impronte, but after my experience with Leonardo, without significant discount (beyond the 20% ‘courtesy’ discount US retailers typically offer on every brand that lets them) and free shipping, I'm not prepared to take the risk, when my impression is that the two companies come from more or less the same mould.

 

Whereas I gladly bought my umpteenth Aurora pen — I think we're up to sixteen now — and by and large I've been very happy with both gold and steel nibs Aurora makes in-house, and I like the look and feel of various flavours of aurolide.

 

The other Italian brand I trust is Santini Italia. Stellar and personal customer service, and Santini makes the gold nibs (with lots of options, including ‘flexy’ and ’superflexy’ nibs, and ‘Chinese calligraphy’ nibs fashioned in the style of Sailor Naginata togi and Aurora Goccia nibs) in-house and will customise it in the workshop for you if you ask. If you're after ebonite pens, Santini offers a wide variety of patterns.

[lionelc]

for a 20 year anniversary - why not splurge a little?  something like a saft green omas or go a bit overboard with arco verde.  these vintage omas nibs are excellent, the closest i have come across would be the montblanc calligraphy nibs.

[zchen]

I suggest resisting because I've had two issues with Maiora pens, one minor and one major. 1st minor issue, the clip just flew off the first time I attempted to clip it in my pen pouch, could be a one off QC thing but cause for concern. 2nd, the concave style of the grip combined with its girth is really not for every one, and you will pretty much know the first moment you hold it whether it is for you or not. So I really do not suggest buying one sight unseen.

[Karmachanic]

3 hours ago, zchen said:

the concave style of the grip

 

That, and I find the short section right up against the threads,  immediately followed by the step-down, cramped and inelegant and demanding. But then there's other who love it. Something for everyone!

[Topcat666]

Thanks for your replies so far.

I looked at Aurora a couple of years ago but I prefer to buy from a Uk dealer and there does not appear to be one as such.I did call The Writing Desk but gained the impression there was a possibility of ordering one but I was not too sure of Aurora service.

With Brexit, I may want to wait and see what transpires further before importing from overseas although the Santini is a good call and their reputation for service is high.Maybe I'll send them an email.

A very good point about celebrating with a bit of a "splurge" for a 20th mark in life.

That would maybe point me to a Scribo or at that price level a Visconti HS (although it seems something of a Marmite pen).

Scribo vs Santini?

I'm not picking up any real positive comments  on the Maiora but,as asked, people have mentioned their own experiences which are both informative and helpful to me.

Thank you all who have posted replies to my qquery so far.

[A Smug Dill]

22 minutes ago, Topcat666 said:

I'm not picking up any real positive comments  on the Maiora

 

You did specifically ask people to (only) help you resist the Maiora Impronte, so I can't see why anyone — Italian fountain pen fans or otherwise — would try to sell you the brand's or model's good points (if there are any). You weren't actually expecting to get a balanced perspective, so as to feel comfortable with deciding not to get the Maiora Impronte on the basis that it's the objectively smart thing to do, were you?  

[MoriartyR]

Scribo pens are superb. If you like the design (and for many it takes some getting used to) then they are extremely well made, feel good to write with, and they have outstanding nibs. The Scribo Feel is a large pen and the shape is a bold statement. I do not think you could have anything to complain about if you do choose a Scribo. The 18k nibs are excellent but if you are open to it the 14k flex nibs are a lot of fun and are still very usable for everyday writing without flex. I don’t think any other manufacturer today offers a nib as accomplished as the Scribo 14k if you are even slightly interested in the flex capability.

 

I haven’t used a Santini but people I trust say good things about them. I hope to have one soon but I can’t tell you anything myself. I wish I could tell you more as I am interested in them too.

 

I like Leonardo pens but a lot of the appeal is in the colourful and interesting acrylics and ebonites. Considering only the pen itself, a comparatively priced Leonardo is not in the same league as a Scribo. I also agree with Dill, from my experience it is better to buy a Leonardo from a vendor that will tune the nib for you as they sometimes have minor issues. And Dill’s point about the nib being generic is very valid.

 

I am a big fan of Aurora pens. I have a decent sized collection. You can’t go wrong if you see an Aurora that grabs you. Aurora is world-class and one of the great old Italian brands. But I would still put the Scribo Feel first unless you like the Auroras better or prefer a less large pen.

 

I don’t own a Visconti. I know many people love and collect them, but I am put off by the too frequent stories of quality issues in recent years. Seems like if you really love one then go for it, but be prepared that there is a decent chance you will have to return it or have someone work on it before it performs the way you hoped.

 

Then there is the venerable Montegrappa, of course. But I don’t have one of these either.
 

I don’t know anything about Maiora, I’m afraid.

 

[sansenri]

The Maiora Impronte did not call me either, the concave section is not an issue if you like that sort of shape, which goes well on some pens (Sheaffer Balance, Edison Collier, Stipula Etruria) it's the immediate step afterwards that makes it look very uncomfortable, especially as the section is short, so you have no free space to help you avoid the step.

To me it's a design flaw which I would not expect from someone with experience in pen design (the owner of Maiora comes from Delta).

I would certainly more easily recommend a Leonardo Momento Zero or Furore (even the Grande, if you like a larger pen, I'm very happy with mine, including the steel nib).

The Tibaldi Bononia looks very interesting, I've still not pulled the trigger, but besides the lovely colours, two features are really calling, ebonite feed and no step design.

Santini also very nice.

Aurora absolutely, but save up for an Optima or 88, you have to go further up in price quite a bit...

 

Visconti, Montegrappa, Stipula all do deserve but it's best not to go for their entry level pens, they are often disappointing vs the cost.

[Topcat666]

Thanks for all your input,everyone.

Food for thought:the jury's out on this one for the time being.

As I said,I know virtually nothing of Italian pens (they do tend to be pretty,though) so thank you for your informed views.

[A Smug Dill]

On 2/26/2021 at 5:35 PM, Topcat666 said:

I looked at Aurora a couple of years ago but I prefer to buy from a Uk dealer and there does not appear to be one as such.

 

Penbox in Epworth claims to be an authorised Aurora retailer. You might want to check them out.

 

Disclaimer: I have never dealt with it or heard of it before myself, but then I don't go usually go out of my way to look for UK-based retailers when I already have a list of go-to places for various brands.

[Topcat666]

Thank you for that,Dill.

The Writing Desk also seems to be able to order some Aurora models but when I enquired more a year or so ago (probably longer;lockdowns have afffected my sense ot time!) I gained the impression that supplies etc to the UK were somewhat haphazard.

Most people seem to like Auroras who have them - maybe not so true of Visconti.

Take care.

[Karmachanic]

Iguana stock Aurora, and have a UK site. Prices include VAT/duty.

[como]

RESIST!!!!!! .............

Did that help? Or was it too late? 😀😀😀

[ingolf]

On 2/25/2021 at 8:12 AM, A Smug Dill said:

The ‘problem’ with Leonardo Officina Italiana is that you're paying a lot for a resin pen with a steel nib that isn't even made in-house. Top quality resin that's beautiful to look at and feels substantial to hold in the hand, but it's still plastic all the same; and at least I personally always have lingering doubts about Leonardo's quality control when it comes to the nibs.

 

Yes, it´s true, a Leonardo pen is (mostly) made of resin (few are ebonite made). And the less expensive models come with a steel nib.

BUT ... my Montblanc pens (Meisterstück 149 and 146) also uses resin material. Montblanc say it is made by "Edelharz" (German word) which is pretty good marketing speech. The nibs are 18c (149) and 14c (146).

Currently I have 6 Leonardo pens, all made of resin and all with steel nibs. Two of them are the "Grande" (Hawaii and Sand) and those two pens outperform the Meisterstück 149 (the Meisterstück 146 got a nib "tuning" by me and writes as excellent as the two "Grande" pens).

I also own two Santini pens (Libra and Nonagon) and admit that Santini is very interesting company. Their service is excellent and the price-performance-relationship for pens with a "inhouse-made" gold nib is very good.

When it comes to writing quality (and for me that's the thing that matters) then the Leonardo Grande and the Santini are equal. 

As for me Leonardo (and formerly Delta) and Santini offer very fascinating pens that makes writing a big joy (... and that's how it should be).

Regards, Ingolf.

[fabri00]

I own few Leonardo  and I consider them quite good pen for the price of about 180 euro.

Nice colors, decent nib, pen writing well and fitting well in hands.

And I do not consider resin/acrylic as a negative point: pens rather more expansive use the same material.

[Topcat666]

3 hours ago, como said:

RESIST!!!!!! .............

Did that help? Or was it too late? 😀😀😀

No,that's fine.

I'll hang fire for a short while.

Ingolf,that's interesting what you say of your experience with the Leonardo Grande and Santini comparison.

Kamachanic,thank you for what you say about iguanasell but from looking at their site's FAQ, I suspect that it will be a matter of buying VATless from them and then dealing with HM Revenue & Customs via the carrier.

Brexit and Covid have caused a lot of difficulties for hobbyists like us. I suspect that is why it is difficult to find a choice of Pelikan in the UK and elsewhere: Germany seems to be taking a bit of a stonking from Covid at present.

However, Write Here in the UK sells both Leonardo and Scribo so all is good and even this one day will pass.

[Karmachanic]

9 minutes ago, Topcat666 said:

Kamachanic,thank you for what you say about iguanasell but from looking at their site's FAQ, I suspect that it will be a matter of buying VATless from them and then dealing with HM Revenue & Customs via the carrier.

 

Click on the link I posted and then on any pen at random and you'll see this:

[Topcat666]

My apologies,Karmachanic, you are correct.

More things to ponder!

It's true what they say of this site,that it exists,in part, to be an enabler of (expensive,sometimes) fountain pen purchases - and why not?

Take care.

[como]

On 2/28/2021 at 5:14 PM, Topcat666 said:

No,that's fine.

I'll hang fire for a short while.

...

😀At the moment there is a big revival going on in the Italian pen industry. Leonardo, Scribo, Santini, Radius, Maiora... not to mention Stipula, Tibaldi, Aurora, Visconti, Montegrappa. I would say that whatever you choose, best if you can work with someone (pen maker or pen dealer) who is willing to test and tune the pen/nib before shipping. If this is your first Italian pen experience, it will give you the best experience possible. As you know, they are all beautiful to look at, though some are subjectively more beautiful than others. 🙂