Calling All Arco Bronze Celluloid Owners: Do You Experience Drying Out Issues?

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Some months ago I purchased a beautiful second-hand ASC Gladiatore Medio fountain pen in glorious arco bronze celluloid. I'm still taken aback by the beauty of the material every time I open up my pen drawer; it never ceases to amaze. But while the pen functions and writes quite admirably, I'm afraid the nib/feed has a nasty habit of drying out within mere hours of being inked. I've never had a pen that darkens its ink and suffers from hard starts so quickly. The worst I've had was a newer Leonardo Momento Zero Grande that darkened lighter inks slowly over the course of weeks.  I'm not sure if the problem stems from the material, the age, the pen design, the model, manufacturer, its past, or something else entirely. I've tried multiple inks and all seem to suffer the same, gummy fate. I assume the lack of an inner cap seal is at least partly to blame, but I'm here to gather anecdotal evidence from other owners of arco bronze fountain pens. I'd like to know if I should seek out a different model of arco bronze for a pen that actually works properly... or give up on finding an arco bronze dream pen that both looks and functions beautifully. I am staunchly in the camp that believes fountain pens should be a joy to admire and use. If it fails in one or the other category, it isn't worth having.

Do you own a (or multiple) ASC and/or arco bronze pens? If so, what has been your personal experience with the writing performance? Does it tend to dry out quickly, or can it maintain a wet writing nib for weeks at a time?

Thank you so much for your time and participation! 

[JulieParadise]

My OMAS Dama in Arco Bronze doesn't dry out, even after weeks without use.

[Seney724]

There are a number of potential reasons why you are experiencing this problem.  I do not think that just because the body of the pen is composed of Arco celluloid is one of them.

[fabri00]

I would say the material used to make the pen might be only one of the very last reasons for this issue.

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19 hours ago, fabri00 said:

I would say the material used to make the pen might be only one of the very last reasons for this issue.

 

This was my assumption, too, but I wanted to see if I could get some confirmation on other arco bronze models being better before I spent the time and money tracking one down.

I don't suppose there would be anything I could do to improve the cap seal on the pen I already have?

[Seney724]

1 hour ago, UntitledDocument said:

 

This was my assumption, too, but I wanted to see if I could get some confirmation on other arco bronze models being better before I spent the time and money tracking one down.

I don't suppose there would be anything I could do to improve the cap seal on the pen I already have?

Have you tried reaching out to ASC?  Perhaps they will have some suggestions.

[The Duck Hunter]

I have two ASC Arco pens.  Neither has drying out issues.  YMMV. 

[OMASsimo]

My OMAS Arco bronze doesn‘t dry out at all. It‘s certainly not the material. Most likely a production issue and a reason to complain to ASC.