Persona and Imporium.

[jchch1950]

What are the differences between Lamy Persona and Imporium? The nibs are not the same but both pens have a gold one. Are the barrel or caps the same? Are they interchangeable? Are both pens made of the same materials?Thanks for your comments.😋

[ele]

Curious about this too...I've always thought the Imporium as a slightly less attractive Persona derivative.

[Dione]

I think Imporium is a newer model and was issued after the Persona was discontinued. Never compared both side by side but suspect parts aren't interchangeable. As you say their nibs aren't the same.

[Namo]

I can't answer all your questions since I don't have an Imporium. I have a Persona, and as far as I can tell, the main differences are the clip, retractable for the Persona and not for the Imporium, and the nib, tubular for the Persona and regular Safaris/Al-Star/Studio... nib for the Imporium. I think that the threads are also different, b

very sharp and short for the Persona and look smoother for the Imporium. 

 

I really like the Persona as a pen, but I wouldn't care for the Imporium, esp. at this price. The nib on the Persona has a definite, distinguish feeling that makes it a special pen on its own. 

 

Hope this helps a little. 

[jchch1950]

Namo: thank you for your comments they are helpful.😄

[Calabria]

Agree with @Namo. The Persona had an innovative nib and retractable clip, which are gone now. 

[Jan Mathijs Rijck]

I have owned an Imporium for a few months and like it very much.
I only know the Persona from pictures, but I found an excellent article that should answer all your questions. In short: very similar, but not identical and not interchangeable.

 

https://www.pencilcaseblog.com/2016/04/lamy-imporium-fountain-pen-review.html

 

I know the nib of the Persona from another Lamy pen from the same period, which is unfortunately no longer produced: the Lamy Lady.

 

Perhaps a small humorous note on the name "Persona". About 20-25 years ago, the Unilever subsidiary Unipath (today SPD, joint venture of P&G and Alere) launched a cycle computer for family planning on the German market under the name "Persona" and promoted it so much and strongly that the term "Persona" became the generic name for all contraceptive computers in Germany. 
Understandably, Lamy came up with a new name for the successor.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

The main difference is the Persona being retractable, and the nib having a bit more character. I owned a Persona, but traded it. Not because it was bad, but I got an offer I could not refuse. Purchased an Imporium a few months ago. Although I like the aesthetics of the Imporium, it uses the same nib most Lamy pens do. So the price increase for this model, which is just a body, is not worth it. I was able to purchase it for $220 new. Would not pay full retail.