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Having just received the Stipula Passaporto Superleggera I thought a quick side-by-side review with the previous generation might be of interest (especially with the thread looking for a pocket pen). This also turns out to be my first attempt with images uploaded to FPN * (hmmm, not visible in "My Media" so I seem to need to do this the long way) First: packaging: I compare the box my Passaporto LE ebonite came in to that of the Passaporto Superleggera Stealth. The LE ebonite arrived in a box with enough space for four Passaporto pens, with a pull out drawer containing the manual, an eyedropper, and an international short cartridge. The Superleggero Stealth comes in a much smaller foam-lined tin, also with an eyedropper, along with two vials of ink (appear to be a blue and a green) Side-by-side images. While the capped and posted images are not to the same scale**, the capped LE and Stealth were on the same original photo, and the posted clear models were also together on a second image (as will be obvious, the older clear model is currently in my rotation -- I have not inked the new ones yet). The Superleggero models have practically no markings. "Stipula" appears on the nib along with some leaf markings. That is it for the current model. It has a metal-look section which tapers from the barrel to the short nib. Given the presence of mold lines on the threads, and on the cap band, I presume both are chrome-plated plastic and not actual metal. The cap has a noticeable taper. The Superleggero is an eyedropper-only pen. The clear and stealth models were each obtained for a mere $40 The previous generation pens have the Stipula leaf embedded in the cap band, where it barely serves to reduce the pen's tendency to roll across surfaces. "Stipula" and "Made in Italy" are engraved on the body. The section is plastic (ebonite for the LE) and has a flare at the end which would help to prevent one's fingers from slipping onto the nib itself. The nib is longer and slimmer. The cap and barrel have similar tapers (almost none) with rounded ends. The interior of the cap, on the clear model, appears to be frosted -- possibly left-overs from machining. While I'm using it as a eyedropper, the section does contain a nipple compatible with international standard short cartridges. I paid $125 for LE, and $100 for clear -- nine years ago. I understand the first generation pens did not have threads on the end of the body for posting; all of mine are threaded. I should have included a ruler in the photos. The previous generation, capped, comes in at 3.6 inches (well, 3.590 according to the calipers, but what's 1/100 of an inch... Posted, it is 4.7 inches. The Superleggero capped comes in at 3.7 inches... Posted, it is 4.9. *** * Normally I upload images to web-space allotted to my Earthlink email accounts -- but at the present moment I can neither connect to them via FTP nor display them. I'm hoping it is just a down server and not that Earthlink had deleted the web space (Last summer I had to downgrade from full DSL service to an email-only service, as my ISP changed to ATT U-Verse). ** It was a pain in Photoshop to select the clear models and not the background, so I could move the images onto a single grey backdrop, the caps faded into the white paper upon which I'd photographed them. I had to paint the selection region, rather than rely on "Magic Wand" automation. *** I really should have grabbed the dial caliper rather than the vernier -- it has a drive wheel; pressing the friction lock of the vernier and trying to push it closed when there is only an inch extending to be gripped is not easy.

I have a clear stipula passaporto (later model, no threads on section) that has made a few transcontinental flights. No matter how well pens fly on shorter trips, I don't recommend taking them say Chicago to London. It is a mess.The pressure changes at that high of an altitude forced the ink straight down into the grip section between metal and plastic, pooling between the two levels in the section, particularly concentrated in the upper area that is sealed off with an o ring. Though I've been working on cleaning this mess up for quite some time a frustratingly large amount of ink remains up theretrapped inbetween the metal and the plastic on the grip section. I've used the search feature here, on youtube, and elsewhere to turn up quite a number of posts and blogs about disassembling the pens for cleaning but none have shown how to take apart this particular model of the pen. hope this photo suffices. you can see the ink trapped in both areas of the section. Is there ny way to get it out? I am not inclined to purchase an ultrasonic cleaner just for this situation. I have removed nib and feed, soaked and soaked but there's no way to get water in or ink out. I think the only solution is to disassemble the grip section. So far I've tried gentle force and it won't budge. I don't want to break the pen. Has anyone else manged to take this section apart and clean it? Mods, sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I thought it would make more sense to post under Italian pens than repairs. Many thanks for whatever advice you may be able to offer!

Stipula Passaporto - The 2015 special edition for Massdrop Massdrop recently closed a drop for a custom-manufactured Stipula Passaporto. I have one of the FPN LE Passaporto's from a couple years ago, and I have been thinking that a Passaporto would make a nice gift for a couple of my FP-using relatives. I had some concerns about changes in the pen design since the FPN LE's, especially the elimination of threading on the end of the barrel, making posting difficult. Massdrop's agreement with Stipula included specifications for threading and for metal connections between the section and barrel. This was encouraging. I ordered one, then ordered two more when the price became even more attractive. I received my first order a couple days ago. Here is a first look: There has been some concern regarding QA since before the recent Stipula reorganization, and some apparent problems with some of the Massdrop Passaportos reported on FPN. Mine showed no defects on visual inspection. I flushed the nib/feed well with a bulb syringe and installed a small standard cartridge of J. Herbin Perle Noire. Getting ink flow initially was a bit difficult, but with persistent cartridge squeezing, pen shaking, nib blotting, etc. flow commenced. Once started, flow was quite dry but consistent and satisfactory. With the J. Herbin ink and either Tomoe River or Rhodia paper, the pen writes quite smoothly. It is smooth enough to use for American cursive, but the ink flow is too restricted for rapid writing. For italic script, flow is adequate, and there is quite respectable thick/thin line differentiation, especially for such a narrow nib. (The photograph, as displayed on a computer screen, shows the difference as less than it is in reality.) For those unfamiliar with the Passaporto, it is very compact "pocket pen." It must be used posted to have sufficient length, I think, even for the smallest adult hands. Here, for comparison is the new Passaporto and the FPN LE Passaporto next to a more familiar Kaweco Al Sport: I ordered the Massdrop Passaporto with a 0.9 mm italic nib. My FPN LE Passaporto has a 1.1 mm italic nib. This may seem like a small difference, but the difference in height of minuscule letters would be 4.5 mm versus 5.5 mm, which is significant. The narrower nib will be better suited for the uses to which I intend to put this Passoporto, for example quick note taking, "to do list" editing, and the like. I plan to use this pen as an eye dropper filler. I do have some concern about corrosion of the metal connection between barrel and section. Advice about that would be appreciated. Happy writing! David

Stipula had discontinued production of the Passaporto. Massdrop members showed sufficient interest (800 people!) in this model that Stipula agreed to a special run, if enough folks commit. (I have committed to 3, if the lowest price is achieved.) Note that Stipula will produce the "original" version with steel threads and a threaded end for posting (like the FPN LE). 3 colors and various nibs, including a 0.9mm italic, are available. Here's a link: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/stipula-passaporto David

I have a problem with my Stipula Passaporto and I was wondering if anyone could help me either source parts or fix it. The pen still writes, but I would like to find out more information on how I could fix this. The feed is completely screwed into the section and nothing leaks. I've tried to look up replacement parts, but my google-fu seems to be lacking. The nib is fine, but the feed has a ridge that seems to have broken off with use, causing the nib to wiggle when seated. Gif for demonstration: http://zippy.gfycat.com/OccasionalIdealisticBarebirdbat.gif Here is an album of close-up images of where the feed meets the section: http://imgur.com/a/rjNUo http://i.imgur.com/Uuah1GL.jpg

Came across this great sounding deal for a clear demonstrator Stipula Passaporto, medium nib. I couldn't help but jump on it with a price tag of $29.40! Haven't bought from this seller myself yet, so I cannot testify as to the quality of the pen since I don't have it yet. Seller has been very good on communication, minutes after paying he left great feedback, so he seems to be good on communication. Currently a 30% off deal! according to the 'bay there are two more left, sale ends in 18 hours. Buy it now link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/380792513343?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 Hope this helps someone, haven't participated in the market watch before, hope I got it right. Can't wait to get my Stipula, have been eying it for months! Excitement....