Lamy Persona

[feimo]

Hi,

 

I´m looking for a Lamy Persona, but my knowledge about this fountain pen needs some coaching. I hope you can help me. First I´d like to know the difference of the Persona versions. I don´t know what´s a fair price and to be honest I don´t want to pay too much.

 

My concrete questions are: What is the difference between the titanium and the titanium oxide Persona? Is there a silver Palladium version or a black one or do both exist? What kind of Persona is the rarest/most expensive and how worthy are the different versions?

 

I also would appreciate some pictures of the different types very much!

 

Thanks for your help!

[kazoolaw]

If you use the search function you will find a thread or two which will answer all your questions as to finishes and types.

They are very nice pens,

gary

[Bo Bo Olson]

My Persona is Black Titanium Oxide with an 18 K with OB nib. A very nice pen. Real smooth writer. Too heavy to post, but nice enough with out posting. Be careful of placing the cap some where when writing in the clip fold entirely into the pen, so it could roll off the table.

 

At an Antique shop my wife got it for about E-80....she knew the guy having bought from him. He'd offered it to me a stranger at E-100.

She won't tell me in it was a Christmas gift, but she whispered the price to a friend after waving me out of the room. Which is why I think she got it for that price.

 

!/2 turn to open, too heavy to post, and got a real neat fold away clip for your shirt pockets.

 

Do not buy the OB nib, it does nothing. It is a modern OB so has not italic cut to it. It is just for some one who holds his pen crooked and not for some one who's looking for a bit of shadow/shading. That is probable on any modern Oblique cut. All my other German Oblique nibs are of the older style cut.

 

For me that nib has to be Doctored.

 

I think you would be satisfied with any nib but a Oblique.

 

 

Having read that a 14 K nib is better than a 18 K nib, in it can be made more flexible and an 18 K one not....I'd be satisfied if buying, a 14 K nib rather than a "stiffer" 18 K nib, if you have the choice.

If you want a "regular" nib, then the 18 K would be fine.

Edited December 30, 2009 by Bo Bo Olson

[feimo]

Hi,

 

Thanks very much for your informative posting, Bo Bo Olsen. Especially for the hint with the nib! Unfortunately I´m looking for a silver Lamy Persona.

 

Can anyone teach me, if the titanium finished model is matte silver looking? Can I see any difference between the titanium and the titanium oxide. What would be a good price?

 

(@gary: Yes, I´m already diligently searsching! But I didn´t found answers on my questions yet.)

 

@edit: searching was helpful. I think now I know at least the difference of the versions: theres a shiny silver Platin Persona, a little less shiny silver-grey Titan Persona, a black Titan oxide Persona and a Makrolon/Palladium Persona II. This should be also the price range sequence. Am I right??

Edited December 30, 2009 by feimo

[oberon]

I have begun to look for one as well to add to my modern pen collection. Think I prefer the titanium matte silver edition with a broad or medium nib.. What is a good price range for this pen?

Oberon

[sirksael]

The Lamy persona was designed by Mario Bellini, and as far as I can tell it was produced from 1990 to 2005. At least, distribution to the shops stopped in 2005, actual production may have stopped a little earlier.

There were 4 versions of the Persona:

Model 20 in titanium with gold trim and nib. More of a matte titanium finish

Model 21 in Black Titanium Oxide.

Model 22 in Platinum. Very high gloss finish.

Model 23: What lamy called the "normal persona", Black makrolon with a palladium cap.

 

look here for some pictures

 

So obviously you can see the difference between titanium and titanium oxide, as one is titanium coloured and the other one black

 

The platinum pen is the hardest to find, and thus a bit more expensive. I've set my max for this one on 150eur, but I'm still looking. Second hard to find is the Titanium oxide, that one you should be able to find for maybe 125 eur? the other 2 models can be found from time to time for 100 eur.

 

Some shops still have NOS, I know of one that has some but the price they ask is around 250 eur, too high.

All personas I have ever seen are 14k nibbed, but 18k is supposed to have existed at some point.

 

Oh, and if you can get it with an original box, that increases value a bit. The box looked like this:

http://www.krislaes.net/FPN/DSCN1086-800.jpg

http://www.krislaes.net/FPN/DSCN1087-800.jpg

http://www.krislaes.net/FPN/DSCN1088-800.jpg

[Bo Bo Olson]

Thanks...good to know I own a model 21.....

I still like the pen...it's just new OB was nothing like my old Pelikan 140 OB.

 

There was some talk about having to polish or wipe the more metal looking ones; fairly often in an other Persona post or thread.

 

I'd swore I wasn't going to buy another black pen, until I saw mine. I have more than enough black ones.... even so, I'd put it on my Easter list....and Christmas came early; thankfully.

 

If you can see one in real life, that Black Oxide one is real nice...

[feimo]

Thanks sirksael, that was really informative. So the Persona on your photo seems to be the silver/grey titanium version. Or is the light so inconvenient that it lightens a black titanium oxide Persona?

 

Oh I´d love to have a Platinum finished Persona... Does it also exist with gold trim? I guess it´s a little heavier than the other versions?

[libertee]

Does it also exist with gold trim? I guess it´s a little heavier than the other versions?

 

A platinum version with gold trim do not exist. This version is much more heavier than the other versions I tested in a shop. I would say it has about the same weight like a Rotring 600. The only problem I have with the pen is that I do not know which nib size it has, I assume the nib is a F.

Edited December 31, 2009 by libertee

[feimo]

Hi,

 

me again... I am the lucky winner of this auction:

 

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120510795118&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

Is 110 Euro (163 US Dollar) for a Titanium Persona a good price? Remember it´s still unused and with original box.

 

I´m looking forward to see this Persona in my hands.

[Edgar Allan Bo]

Hi,

 

me again... I am the lucky winner of this auction:

 

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120510795118&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

Is 110 Euro (163 US Dollar) for a Titanium Persona a good price? Remember it´s still unused and with original box.

 

I´m looking forward to see this Persona in my hands.

 

ha, congratulations...

 

I was watching that one for over a week but have already spent way too much money on other things so I haven't bid on it...

Edited January 3, 2010 by sk2yshine

[Daniel7]

Hi,

 

 

I was also bidding on that auction and the price in my opinion is really fair. I didn't want to pay that much as I have all versions allready...

In my opinion the Persona is the best made fountain pen of the modern pen production regardless of brand, it's really a pitty that they stopped producing them.

About the cap rolling from the table: The fact is as the clip is integrated the cap tends to roll, however there is a pin which should refrain the cap from rolling from the table. Now the pin seems to be of different length depending the version, unfortunately (at least with me) my platinum and titianium coated pens are the one with the shortest pin and do roll the most often.

 

Concerning the nib, I reckon that the first series of the platinum and the titanium coated were fitted with 18 cts nibs, this was during the first year production, afterwards all models were fitted with 14 cts nib.

 

finally if you really like that kind of Lamy pen, you should definitely try to get a hand on the Lady model which were made in porcelan, they are real nice writers and the body's made out of cermaic are impressiv, unfortunately production was also stopped.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Daniel

[sirksael]

Thanks sirksael, that was really informative. So the Persona on your photo seems to be the silver/grey titanium version. Or is the light so inconvenient that it lightens a black titanium oxide Persona?

 

Oh I´d love to have a Platinum finished Persona... Does it also exist with gold trim? I guess it´s a little heavier than the other versions?

 

Yes, my picture taking skills are so low It is actually a Ti Oxide version.

[sirksael]

Hi,

 

 

I was also bidding on that auction and the price in my opinion is really fair. I didn't want to pay that much as I have all versions allready...

In my opinion the Persona is the best made fountain pen of the modern pen production regardless of brand, it's really a pitty that they stopped producing them.

About the cap rolling from the table: The fact is as the clip is integrated the cap tends to roll, however there is a pin which should refrain the cap from rolling from the table. Now the pin seems to be of different length depending the version, unfortunately (at least with me) my platinum and titianium coated pens are the one with the shortest pin and do roll the most often.

 

Concerning the nib, I reckon that the first series of the platinum and the titanium coated were fitted with 18 cts nibs, this was during the first year production, afterwards all models were fitted with 14 cts nib.

 

finally if you really like that kind of Lamy pen, you should definitely try to get a hand on the Lady model which were made in porcelan, they are real nice writers and the body's made out of cermaic are impressiv, unfortunately production was also stopped.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Daniel

 

The price is very nice, a bit lower even then what I would call a "good find"

The ones in porcelan are the Lamy Lady. (as seen Here)

Daniel7, are you Lamy collector?

Edited January 3, 2010 by sirksael

[feimo]

Hi all,

 

thank you, especially you two for not bidding (too high).

 

I can definitely see me collecting Lamy pens in future as I already own some nice Lamys. The Lamy Lady seems to be a good pen, too concerning what I´ve read. Is it the same nib unit like in the Persona? Hmm anyway, i mustn´t even think of aquiring it at the moment.. have to spare my budget.. :bonk:

[Bo Bo Olson]

Hi,

 

 

I was also bidding on that auction and the price in my opinion is really fair. I didn't want to pay that much as I have all versions allready...

In my opinion the Persona is the best made fountain pen of the modern pen production regardless of brand, it's really a pitty that they stopped producing them.

About the cap rolling from the table: The fact is as the clip is integrated the cap tends to roll, however there is a pin which should refrain the cap from rolling from the table. Now the pin seems to be of different length depending the version, unfortunately (at least with me) my platinum and titianium coated pens are the one with the shortest pin and do roll the most often.

 

Concerning the nib, I reckon that the first series of the platinum and the titanium coated were fitted with 18 cts nibs, this was during the first year production, afterwards all models were fitted with 14 cts nib.

 

finally if you really like that kind of Lamy pen, you should definitely try to get a hand on the Lady model which were made in porcelan, they are real nice writers and the body's made out of cermaic are impressiv, unfortunately production was also stopped.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Daniel

 

Now that is something real nice seeing I own a Mdl 21

 

In spite of "hating" black pens, I fell in love with my Black Ti oxide one at first glance, even before I picked it up.

 

Unfortunately, mine has not got a bump on the clip to keep it from falling off a table....how ever I do have lots of shirt pockets.

 

Ah, HA....I get an occasional shirt bought by my wife...who don't listen...ones with out pockets....Gall Ink right....big black splotches of Gall INK....and my most holy undershirt....the problem is how do I convince her that it was an accident...women are not that stupid...unless a man can convince her he's a clumsy idiot.

 

Don't you just love it when years of planning comes together.

 

It's the fine tuning of this plan that's going to be problems though. :embarrassed_smile:

 

Having shown pictures of the "Lady" to my wife, who did not like it, liking the MB Czarina Kathrine more. She recommends buying the Lamy Lady because Rosenthal, has gone bankrupt, and never again will there be a Rosenthal pen.

Edited January 3, 2010 by Bo Bo Olson

[Daniel7]

Hi,

 

 

I was also bidding on that auction and the price in my opinion is really fair. I didn't want to pay that much as I have all versions allready...

In my opinion the Persona is the best made fountain pen of the modern pen production regardless of brand, it's really a pitty that they stopped producing them.

About the cap rolling from the table: The fact is as the clip is integrated the cap tends to roll, however there is a pin which should refrain the cap from rolling from the table. Now the pin seems to be of different length depending the version, unfortunately (at least with me) my platinum and titianium coated pens are the one with the shortest pin and do roll the most often.

 

Concerning the nib, I reckon that the first series of the platinum and the titanium coated were fitted with 18 cts nibs, this was during the first year production, afterwards all models were fitted with 14 cts nib.

 

finally if you really like that kind of Lamy pen, you should definitely try to get a hand on the Lady model which were made in porcelan, they are real nice writers and the body's made out of cermaic are impressiv, unfortunately production was also stopped.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Daniel

 

The price is very nice, a bit lower even then what I would call a "good find"

The ones in porcelan are the Lamy Lady. (as seen Here)

Daniel7, are you Lamy collector?

 

 

Hi,

 

first of all, I wish all the FPNers all the best for 2010!

One cannot say I am a Lamy collector, but I have to admit that I like them extremely well and that I am regularly buying pens from them.

Lamy is one of kind pen producer in the current market, as through the years they have allways be pretty daring in terms of design, technique and materials used. Moreover their price/quality relationship is in my opinion excellent.

I am collecting pens for the last 20 years and even if I am a great lover of classic brands like Pelikan, Montblanc, Montegrappa, Omas, Sailor, Platinum and Nakaya only to mention them, for all the qualities they represent, they have one drawback: they are extremely classic in terms of design, i.e. their designs are most of the time based on fantastic designs created between the 30s and 50s. All those brands do sometimes modernize some of their classics e.g.: Omas with the Titanium pens, but in fact they stay on their classic design.

I suppose that this has something with the rehearsal of the pens in the begin of the 90s positioned as "tradition" versus the modernity of the computers.

Lamy, in its own way, has always shown innovation in terms of design: Lamy 2000, the Lamy Persona or the latest Lamy Noto, in terms of materials used: Macrolon for the 2000, Titanium coat for the Persona, Ceramic for the Lady, or techniques: The tri-pen back in the 80s or the liquid ink refills for the Swift.

It is that philosophy that I like with Lamy and this like said above wih an excellent quality and a more than fair price.

It is therefor that I will probably get the dialog 3, even if it is not a real innovation, it is an extremely nice alternative to the VPs from Pilot (which by the way are excellent pens).

Sorry if the answer was a bit long, but I believe it is important to recognise to unique features of the Lamy pen company.

Best Regards,

 

 

 

Daniel

[beluga]

Lamy has been one of my favourite brands, for exactly the same reasons that Daniel mentioned.

For me they represent the best of German design: innovative, functional, aesthetically pleasing, sometimes almost minimalist.

Their prices are attractive and workmanship is better than on some of the better known brands.

 

Their service is also excellent and extremely helpful and there should be no problems obtaining a Persona replacement nib from Lamy, if needed.

They make their own nibs and I find Lamy nibs wonderfully smooth.

 

One small problem that I encountered with Lamy pens is the ink feed mechanism.

My first Lamy Persona in the 90's was a wet writer, officially an M nib, but dangerously close to what I would consider a B, which posed no problem for me.

 

Subsequently, I bought more Personas and other Lamys and found that the ink flow on many of these pens was drier than I cared for.

Lamy service did their best to change nibs and ink feeds on various pens for me, but I still find that Lamys have a tendency to skip - despite using such a well behaved ink as Waterman.

 

If i wasn't for this, I'd probably own more Lamys than the five I already own.

Edited January 6, 2010 by beluga

[feimo]

Hi,

 

I just received my Lamy Persona. I´m very surprised I got the black titanium oxide version, because due to the ebay-image it looked like the silver titanium one. However, I love the looks of this pen!

 

But one question doesn´t get out of my head and is annoying me a little bit. Even though the pen indeed looks quite new and unused, it seems to be glued at one spot you don´t see until you screw off the pen to refill it with ink:

 

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/6380/cimg7216o.jpg

 

I hope it isn´t glued unprofessional.. Do your Personae do have that, too? Is it factory glued? I hope so, otherwise..

[oberon]

Really think I want one of these, either of the titanium finishes in a broad or medium nib.

Oberon