Visconti Van Gogh Maxi: Casa della Stilografica Special Edition

[Kamiyashi]

I'm finding myself "accidentally" increasing my possession of Viscontis. I just bought one the other days which is giving me a bit of trouble with the feeder.... oh well! I have someone who fixes my pens very well and the turnover is FAST!

Anyways, your pens are just gorgeous!

 

It's amazing how they "accidentally" keep finding their way into your collection, ne? The For Sale section on this site only makes it worse. :ltcapd:

 

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with the feeder, though. At least you have someone to help you out with that; it makes a difference. Nothing worse than a pen that doesn't work. I had all sorts of fits with my Waterman, but I finally got that sorted with some help.

 

 

 

[MYU]

Congratulations on your entourage of Visconti Van Gogh Maxi's, Kamiyashi! From your signature, I see just how smitten you are with the brand. Given the array of colors, I can appreciate how it is hard to choose just one. Why not 4, right?

 

I'm curious to know -- why did you get all 4 with broad nibs? I would have thought with the multiple selection that getting one or two other nib sizes would help introduce more variety to the experience. But then, perhaps you only care for the broad nib? It does look like the sections are easily interchanged, so you could swap them as you saw fit if you wanted certain nibs to be paired with specific coloration. Will you consider getting any of the broad nibs reground to an italic or stub?

 

I don't own any Visconti pens, but do appreciate their designs (especially the Divina). Like you, I am also quite fond of Pilot (a majority of my collection consists of Pilot pens). One day I'll have to give a Visconti a try and the Van Gogh Maxi will be hard to resist!

 

 

Btw, I see you're in NJ - are you going to the NY/NJ pen show this coming September?

 

~Gary

Edited June 16, 2009 by MYU

[Kamiyashi]

Congratulations on your entourage of Visconti Van Gogh Maxi's, Kamiyashi! From your signature, I see just how smitten you are with the brand. Given the array of colors, I can see how it is hard to choose just one. Why not 4, right?

 

I'm curious to know -- why did you get all 4 with broad nibs? I would have thought with the multiple selection that getting one or two other nib sizes would help introduce more variety to the experience. But then, perhaps you only care for the broad nib? It does look like the sections are easily interchanged, so you could swap them as you saw fit if you wanted certain nibs to be paired with specific coloration.

 

Will you consider getting any of the broad nibs reground to an italic or stub?

 

Lastly, I see you're in NJ - are you going to the NY/NJ pen show this coming September?

 

~Gary

 

I have four other Van Gogh fountain pens, two with fine nibs and two with medium. Plus the rest of my other Visconti pens are a balanced mix of fine and mediums. I tried the first two with bold since I've never had the pleasure of using a Visconti bold and I fell in love with them, so when I ordered the next two, I went ahead and had the bolds added to them as well. I also took into consideration having at least two of them reground into stubs or italics. My Millennium Arc has a modified stub and I adore the way it writes. I also have three italic nibs from Richard Binder on my Piolt Fermo and Vanishing Point, plus my Pelikan M200; they do amazing things for my handwriting. So out of my almost 40 pens, only five of them are bold, but I can definitely see that changing in the future. I'll always have a stable of fine and extra fine nibs since I use them for Japanese, but medium and bolds are the most complimentary to my every day handwriting.

 

And yes, I absolutely adore the brand. I also love getting other people converted to the Visconti experience. It was hard limiting myself to just four, but I was a good girl...

 

Although the website is still showing the 2008 dates and I haven't heard when it'll be, if the NY/NJ show is going to happen this year, I will definitely go. I'll probably still be broke from the D.C. show, but it's close enough to justify going. :roflmho:

[Ghost Plane]

Another convert to the Broad side of the Force.

[Kamiyashi]

Another convert to the Broad side of the Force.

 

I do have you to thank! Your continual praise of it sparked my curiosity, so I decided to take the plunge. You'll have my eternal gratitude for that.

 

They are just so brilliantly smooth and they do fantastic things with shading.

 

 

[PatientType]

I really like the colors of the blended Visconti's. Truth be told, I like the older as well as these new. As an earlier commenter said, "They're just different."

 

I have a hard time with the screw. It looks like a repair that someone like myself, of limited mechanical aptitude, has done because the clip broke. Buying the pen with that "flaw" is kind of like getting a Mercedes with a wire clothes hanger where the antennae should be. You have this flashing, artistically pleasing sleek automobile but what catches your eye is that doggone clothes hanger.

 

I just ordered a vastly cheaper Van Gogh, the red midi version with a steel nib a day ago. It's in fine, so I'll have a pen for those times when I want tight, crisp lettering. I've yet to get a broad, but I'm intrigued enough that I think my next pen will have one of those. Now I'm waiting to see if the Van Gogh model I selected is also screwed (as it were).

[Kamiyashi]

I really like the colors of the blended Visconti's. Truth be told, I like the older as well as these new. As an earlier commenter said, "They're just different."

 

I have a hard time with the screw. It looks like a repair that someone like myself, of limited mechanical aptitude, has done because the clip broke. Buying the pen with that "flaw" is kind of like getting a Mercedes with a wire clothes hanger where the antennae should be. You have this flashing, artistically pleasing sleek automobile but what catches your eye is that doggone clothes hanger.

 

I just ordered a vastly cheaper Van Gogh, the red midi version with a steel nib a day ago. It's in fine, so I'll have a pen for those times when I want tight, crisp lettering. I've yet to get a broad, but I'm intrigued enough that I think my next pen will have one of those. Now I'm waiting to see if the Van Gogh model I selected is also screwed (as it were).

 

My father has the red maxi version and loves it; it's not my color, but you can't go wrong with it. I'd heartily recommend the bold nib! I kind of regret not including a writing sample. That having been said, it's nice having a variety to chose from when it comes to nib sizes.

 

I don't really have an issue with the screw itself, but I can definitely see where you're coming from. It's surprised me that it's still there considering it isn't on the Opera and other models. I wonder how long they'll leave the screw visible...?

[montblancdude]

Another convert to the Broad side of the Force.

 

I was a medium nib man, but congratulations, Ghost Plane, reading your posts and trying out some pens has convinced me to go to the Bold/Broad nibs. Pens I buy after this will almost certainly be Bold nibs!

[Kamiyashi]

I was a medium nib man, but congratulations, Ghost Plane, reading your posts and trying out some pens has convinced me to go to the Bold/Broad nibs. Pens I buy after this will almost certainly be Bold nibs!

 

Seems like GP has been on quite the conversion streak of late!

 

Glad to see another convert! The Visconti bold nibs are really divine.

 

Just watch out for Bryant, because he'll get you addicted to the wonders of stub nibs. :roflmho: Oh, who am I kidding? Love them, too! A bit harder to come by, but totally worth it!

[Treecat]

Beautiful pens in finishes I've never seen before. What a fantastic experience to have all four come in at the same time. I've recently bought my first Visconti Van Gogh and I know it won't be the last. They're greI at pens.

 

I like the c/c system. The converter holds enough for a day at work and, when I travel, I can switch to cartridges. I like my piston-fillers, too, but they aren't pens that I travel with.

[Kamiyashi]

Beautiful pens in finishes I've never seen before. What a fantastic experience to have all four come in at the same time. I've recently bought my first Visconti Van Gogh and I know it won't be the last. They're greI at pens.

 

I like the c/c system. The converter holds enough for a day at work and, when I travel, I can switch to cartridges. I like my piston-fillers, too, but they aren't pens that I travel with.

 

They really are fantastic pens and I hope you come to enjoy yours as much as I do mine! The finishes are exclusive to Casa della Stilografica, but I think if the blue/green/gold one went into production, it would be a top seller.

 

I'm sure these won't be the last of my Van Gogh pens, since when the new colors come out later this year, I'll probably snag a few more, but these are definitely my favorites thus far.

[QM2]

Fantastic, especially the teal and the silver! Some of the best colours yet, truly "wow". If I weren't broke I would be all over these!

[Kamiyashi]

Fantastic, especially the teal and the silver! Some of the best colours yet, truly "wow". If I weren't broke I would be all over these!

 

I think if any of these colors went into production, we'd all be broke. :roflmho:

 

They really are stunning and I just wish the pictures actually captured how they shimmer in the light. I find myself just staring at them randomly while using them. Definitely some of the best use of resin I've ever had the pleasure of seeing!

[MYU]

I abandoned broad nibs a while back for XF and F nibs... but then recently acquired a pen with a broad Pilot #15 nib. It is very smooth and generous, yet can be coaxed to lighten up with just a slight change in writing character. I wish I could keep it as-is... but I'm afraid that I've come to rely on the control offered by stubs, italics, and fine nibs. Either I need a lot more practice, or just avoid nibs with ball like smoothness. Perhaps more practice until the next pen show (where I could quickly get the nib reground if I can't get sufficient control to my liking).

 

One of my favorite nibs is a 1.5mm Rotring, the '96 Millennium Art Pen. Very nice performance... big broad down stroke and razor-fine cross stroke.

 

I'm also going to try making it to the DC Super Show. It is a bit of a hike from Northern NJ, but it is the best pen show going. And I am eager to see Nagahara (who I won't be hesitant to approach this time).

 

 

[Bryant]

Those are to say the least... Amazing! Congratulations! Like you, I love the top on the pen number 3, and number 2 is so unique...

Very cool!

[Kamiyashi]

I'm also going to try making it to the DC Super Show. It is a bit of a hike from Northern NJ, but it is the best pen show going. And I am eager to see Nagahara (who I won't be hesitant to approach this time).

 

I just checked this calendar and it says that there is no NY/NJ show this year? I hope that's not true, because I was really looking forward to it. :hmm1:

 

Those are to say the least... Amazing! Congratulations! Like you, I love the top on the pen number 3, and number 2 is so unique...

Very cool!

 

They really are amazing and I'm soooo glad that I bit the bullet and capitulated. Glad you liked them! I figured you might.

[alvarez57]

I'm finding myself "accidentally" increasing my possession of Viscontis. I just bought one the other days which is giving me a bit of trouble with the feeder.... oh well! I have someone who fixes my pens very well and the turnover is FAST!

Anyways, your pens are just gorgeous!

 

It's amazing how they "accidentally" keep finding their way into your collection, ne? The For Sale section on this site only makes it worse. :ltcapd:

 

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with the feeder, though. At least you have someone to help you out with that; it makes a difference. Nothing worse than a pen that doesn't work. I had all sorts of fits with my Waterman, but I finally got that sorted with some help.

 

 

One thing I have that can be super-positive or almost a nightmare is that I'm VERY PERSISTENT!! Soooo, I tweaked the nibs a couple of times to increase the flow and finally, took the nib out of its metal casing and rinsed it VERY well PLUS stopped using Diamine Registrar Blue or any Noodler's and sticked to Visconti ink...and it writes beautifully now. Waterman ink is a pretty good ink for the price, I find.

[Kamiyashi]

One thing I have that can be super-positive or almost a nightmare is that I'm VERY PERSISTENT!! Soooo, I tweaked the nibs a couple of times to increase the flow and finally, took the nib out of its metal casing and rinsed it VERY well PLUS stopped using Diamine Registrar Blue or any Noodler's and sticked to Visconti ink...and it writes beautifully now. Waterman ink is a pretty good ink for the price, I find.

 

I primarily use Iroshizuku, J. Herbin, and Visconti ink in mine; my father uses Waterman and Aurora. I used Private Reserve Blue Suede in my Van Gogh Crystal demonstrator when I first started off many years ago and it stained the converter, which was really upsetting. I've never tried Noodler's in them because I'm heard as pretty as they are, they do damage to pens.

 

I'm glad to hear that you got it fixed, though! The nibs are such a dream when they work like they should. And as I'm discovering, the wider the line, the smoother it is.

 

[Ghost Plane]

I think this is where I'm supposed to jump up and down and scream, "I told you so!" at the top of my lungs...

[Kamiyashi]

I think this is where I'm supposed to jump up and down and scream, "I told you so!" at the top of my lungs...

 

I humbly bow before you in eternal gratitude for enlightening me to the Visconti bold. My MB bold nib was convincing enough, but your experiences urged me on to try it. Of course when I try to buy something at a show and they only have mediums, I might have a few choice words until I get it swapped out. :roflmho:

 

I'm just glad that I'm finally getting a stock stub nib on my Black Ripple after months of waiting.

 

So enjoy your celebration of another effective conversion!