Visconti Issues

[msolok]

maybe I don't want it moved that's why I placed post where it has been placed

 

Not really your choice. This is at the discretion of the mods. However the correct place for questions or experiences with Italian pens is in the Italian pen section.

 

 

 

I have had a bit of recent experiences with Visconti pens. For my birthday my lovely partner bought me a Visconti Homo Sapiens in Broze. She looked at it and thought it as such a lovely pen I just had to have it. It was bought from a B&M store here in Melbourne. It wrote fantastically. The nib is nice and soft and a pleasure to write with. It's a truly fantastic pen!

 

So I had to have some more. So I visited Pentime and spoke to Byant (whom has been fantastic through the whole process) and ended up buying another Homo Sapiens in Steel this time, a Opera Elements Air (a Brown/Amber colour which looks incredible) and a Opera Club Cherry Juice. All have the Palladium Dreamtouch nibs.

 

The Homo Sapiens was, like the last, superb and has no issues at all. The Operas had a problem with writing for a few lines and then getting some railroading, then skipping and then stop writing. So I flushed and cleaned the pens a few times (using clean water, water with soap, and a pen flush) and the Opera Elements started performing really well.

But the Cherry Juice was still having the issues. So I kept flushing and soaking and trying different inks, but nothing was working. Bryant very kindly offered to have the pen sent to Mike, but Mike isn't currently taking in any more pens so it would have to wait a while. So I have kept plugging away at it.

 

Out of desperation the other night I looked into how to remove the nib and feed from the collar. They are just friction fit (although they are very tight) so I used some rubber gloves to get a good grip and pulled. They came out pretty easily with the grip. I then used plain water and a soft toothbrush and I scrubbed the back of the nib and the feed. As the nib was writing fine while the feed was fully saturated it had to be either a blockage or oils on the feed stopping the ink flowing. After drying the nib and feed I reassembled the pen and gave it a shot. When I took the nib and feed out I still had about half a converter of ink left, so it would be a good test of the flow to the feed. When I went to write it started straight away and had great flow. I then proceeded to write with the pen for the rest of the converter and I have experienced no skipping or drying out the feed.

 

So, to me it looks like Visconti may be using some stubborn oils in the manufacture of their feeds which is restricting the ink flow. Sometimes a good flush will clear this out, but sometimes it looks like a scrub is needed to clean it all up. And once you do the nibs and feeds are fantastic.

[Jadie]

I only have one Visconti---a Rembrandt in purple with a M nib, and I consider it to be one of the smoothest writers in my modest collection. I remember it did have some flow issues in the beginning---but after a nice flush with pen cleaning solution, it hasn't had any problems so far.

 

The only negative thing I can say about it now is that the barrel threads squeak when I unscrew the pen to refill it. Not sure where that came from...I hope it's nothing serious, like the steel parts rusting. I've read a couple of threads talking about that.

[nakiana]

I only have one Visconti, a purple Rembrandt. It is one of my favorite pens. The M nib was smooth, the fit and finish was flawless, and I have had no problems at all with it.

[raging.dragon]

Based on what I've read on FPN, almost all the big fountain pen brands seem to have occassional QC issues. To their credit Visconti have a generous warranty, though service is sometimes slow (probably a result of internation a shipping).

 

I have quite a few Viscontis, all have been made to tight tolerances from high quality materials, and most have been trouble free. So far three have required repairs (all done under warranty with the only charge being shipping to and from the local distributor): the first worked out of the box but eventually had some trim come loose (a common issue for that model) and it's uncommon (and perhaps delicate?) push pull touchdown filler needed repair, the second one was NOS and the filler failed because it had been stored for years without lubrication (the end gasket stuck to the plunger rod and was pulled along with it before I had enough clearance to lube it), while the third had the ink window threads split (again a relatively common issue for that model).

 

Visconti experiment with new designs, materials and fillers, and some of these have been a bit fragile or had issues that only came to light during long term usage. I'm willing to accept that as the cost of buying innovative an product. Of course I have enough pens that having one out for repairs for a month or two isn't a big deal.

 

 

I bought an Opera Elements with the palladium nib, and the nib was completely bent out of shape. Yes, bent out of shape! Fortunately, the retailer replaced it, and it's great now.

 

I bet the nib wasn't seated deep enough and got crushed when the cap was screwed on. I did that once...

 

[...]

 

So, to me it looks like Visconti may be using some stubborn oils in the manufacture of their feeds which is restricting the ink flow. Sometimes a good flush will clear this out, but sometimes it looks like a scrub is needed to clean it all up. And once you do the nibs and feeds are fantastic.

 

I've had similar issues with several of my Viscontis, where it took several fill and flush cycles before they wrote well. Visconti use higher capacity and more complex feed design than most (I believe to better control ink surges due to pressure variations when flying) so they may be more prone to holding manufacturing oils. Or perhaps they use a different plastic and it needs to be wetted a few times before ink flows well.

[Raskolnikov]

As much as I can understand rrs's feelings, my experience is substantially different. My HS is the best writer I have (not to mention, the pen I prefer in my small collection); I also have a limited Wall Street, a Desert Springs and a Divina Proporzione you can see as my avatar (also had other Visconti pens which I sold so I could afford the latter). In terms of design/materials and writing performances, it's the brand I rely on the most.

Of course there can be defective products, that happens in every field and with any brand.

About the leaks, I might be wrong here but can it be a heating problem? I'm asking because I've also experienced such with other pens: the higher summer temperature expands the air in the pen and the difference in pressure you get by capping/uncapping does the rest. Of course it should not happen anyway if the pen is perfectly sealed but it might be a reason.

[georges zaslavsky]

As much as I can understand rrs's feelings, my experience is substantially different. My HS is the best writer I have (not to mention, the pen I prefer in my small collection); I also have a limited Wall Street, a Desert Springs and a Divina Proporzione you can see as my avatar (also had other Visconti pens which I sold so I could afford the latter). In terms of design/materials and writing performances, it's the brand I rely on the most.

Of course there can be defective products, that happens in every field and with any brand.

About the leaks, I might be wrong here but can it be a heating problem? I'm asking because I've also experienced such with other pens: the higher summer temperature expands the air in the pen and the difference in pressure you get by capping/uncapping does the rest. Of course it should not happen anyway if the pen is perfectly sealed but it might be a reason.

When you buy in Italy perhaps and directly from a shop near the factory , it is not the same than buying when being 1000 miles away. Temperature shouldn't impact on the use of pen, a perfect pen works in all conditions

[Raskolnikov]

Yeah, I know I'm "privileged"; should I have issues, they'd be quickly solved. Also, I agree about the fact that a pen should work under all circumstances (and with all inks, I'd add); I suggested the heating thing cause it happened with both my Montegrappa Symphony and Extra (it happened only once with both pens though), after we had a walk together under the italian summer sun Luckily the cap managed to hold all the ink and I was quick enough, uncapping, to realize and jump back... was quite a surprise though, I thought they were things that just happened to other people and that I read on this forum

[rrs]

I won't go into another detailed rant about Visconti pens here, but if you search my previous posts you can find the detail.

Summary: My experience with over 10 Visconti pens is that nearly all required work to function properly. I haven't completely sworn them off, but I would be reluctant to buy another new Visconti again.

 

Regards, greg

Greg

 

thank you for you're input, I'll be checking out you're previous post's.

 

rrs

[Tombstone]

As I do not care about hearsay or similar things, I just state what I know:

 

- Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze - M-nib - bought at the end of 2012 - no complains

- Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze - F-nib - bought in spring 2013 - no complains

- Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze - Stub nib - bought in spring 2013 - replaced by the dealer *

- Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze - BB-nib - replacement for the Stub - sold

- Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze - Stub nib - bought in summer 2103 - no complains

 

Regarding the *:

 

I thought, this pen had problems with starting and writing, so I replaced it. This was no problem, because this is one of the two shops where I buy my pens. She did not have another Stub, so I took the BB - with the same problems...

 

 

Result: it wasn't the pen or the nib - it was the paper. I use Exacompta Books on a daily base, and the paper is to glossy for this huge amount of ink, which these pens deliver.

 

So I changed the paper - and everything went well...

 

Afters this I sold the BB and re-bought a Stub, which I am completely happy with.

 

Note regarding the "ink in the cap"-problem: there seemed to be a design change in the area of the feeder. Actual models (all of mine but the first one with the M-nib) have an additional protection ring on the feeder.

 

See http://www.penexchange.de/forum_neu/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7905

 

Ciao - Peter

[rrs]

Not really your choice. This is at the discretion of the mods. However the correct place for questions or experiences with Italian pens is in the Italian pen section.

 

 

 

I have had a bit of recent experiences with Visconti pens. For my birthday my lovely partner bought me a Visconti Homo Sapiens in Broze. She looked at it and thought it as such a lovely pen I just had to have it. It was bought from a B&M store here in Melbourne. It wrote fantastically. The nib is nice and soft and a pleasure to write with. It's a truly fantastic pen!

 

So I had to have some more. So I visited Pentime and spoke to Byant (whom has been fantastic through the whole process) and ended up buying another Homo Sapiens in Steel this time, a Opera Elements Air (a Brown/Amber colour which looks incredible) and a Opera Club Cherry Juice. All have the Palladium Dreamtouch nibs.

 

The Homo Sapiens was, like the last, superb and has no issues at all. The Operas had a problem with writing for a few lines and then getting some railroading, then skipping and then stop writing. So I flushed and cleaned the pens a few times (using clean water, water with soap, and a pen flush) and the Opera Elements started performing really well.

But the Cherry Juice was still having the issues. So I kept flushing and soaking and trying different inks, but nothing was working. Bryant very kindly offered to have the pen sent to Mike, but Mike isn't currently taking in any more pens so it would have to wait a while. So I have kept plugging away at it.

 

Out of desperation the other night I looked into how to remove the nib and feed from the collar. They are just friction fit (although they are very tight) so I used some rubber gloves to get a good grip and pulled. They came out pretty easily with the grip. I then used plain water and a soft toothbrush and I scrubbed the back of the nib and the feed. As the nib was writing fine while the feed was fully saturated it had to be either a blockage or oils on the feed stopping the ink flowing. After drying the nib and feed I reassembled the pen and gave it a shot. When I took the nib and feed out I still had about half a converter of ink left, so it would be a good test of the flow to the feed. When I went to write it started straight away and had great flow. I then proceeded to write with the pen for the rest of the converter and I have experienced no skipping or drying out the feed.

 

So, to me it looks like Visconti may be using some stubborn oils in the manufacture of their feeds which is restricting the ink flow. Sometimes a good flush will clear this out, but sometimes it looks like a scrub is needed to clean it all up. And once you do the nibs and feeds are fantastic.

Thank you for you're input much appreciated.

 

I have to say one thing though. There is a choice it's called Freedom of Speech. (But we'll not get into that).

 

I am glad that you have not had any issues with you're Visconti HS's!

 

But all four pens I have received I have had problems with. Now unfortunately where I live in the UK, there isn't a brick and mortar store that I can go test pens at. So I have brought pens online from a reliable dealer online.

 

I don't see why after paying just over £300 pounds per pen, I should have to mess around trying too get the pens to work. I should be able to buy pen flush with distilled water once, ink them and write.

 

Instead of all the hassle. I brought a Sailor Realo 1911 and Professional Gear Realo from Sailor in UK. Flushed pen's once inked up in December 2012. They wrote first time no problem and every time I go to use them whether they have been sat in boxes for 2 weeks. No leaking problems, just pure craftsmanship!

 

I see you pulled the nib out and feed and had to go to all the hassle to get the Opera to work. The cheaper of the two pens. I personally would not want to mess around pulling nibs and feeds out of such an expensive pen. Firstly I don't see why I should have to. Secondly the pens write no problem it's all the other issues. Ink leaking into cap on two of them and clip problems. Plus seeing as I'm not a pen repair expert I would not take that pen apart.

[rrs]

I only have one Visconti---a Rembrandt in purple with a M nib, and I consider it to be one of the smoothest writers in my modest collection. I remember it did have some flow issues in the beginning---but after a nice flush with pen cleaning solution, it hasn't had any problems so far.

 

The only negative thing I can say about it now is that the barrel threads squeak when I unscrew the pen to refill it. Not sure where that came from...I hope it's nothing serious, like the steel parts rusting. I've read a couple of threads talking about that.

Thanks for you're reply!

 

Like everyone else you had to go through a flushing process to get pen to flow. I'm guessing that the pen in US is past 170$ price mark.

 

I don't see why though I have two Parker pen's more than 20$ that have never presented a problem in the years that I have had them.

 

Regards to the barrel squeak, a lady who used to work for Sheaffer. Told me a little trick to get rid of squeak on barrel. She suggested I rub my finger along side of my nose to pick up grease then apply this to threads of grip section where barrel screws on. I tried it as she said silicone grease might be too thick. Low and behold it worked and I have not heard squeak since.

 

I know it sounds like a funny thing to do but worked!

Edited August 26, 2013 by rrs

[rrs]

Hmm. I have never had any of the problems that you are speaking of with my viscontis, and I have 3 of them (although none of them are the homo sapiens model).

 

When you say the ink is leaking out, can you tell where the leak started? Top of the nib? Bottom of the feed? Is there a leak within the pen body? Is yours a piston filler or the cartridge one?

 

Thanks Strawberry

 

Good to see you haven't had any problems with your're Visconti pens.

 

All four that I have recieved have been Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Oversize all having Visconti's Power Plunging filling system.

 

The two that have leaked once the ink has fallen all over me and I have looked at the pens. But due to ink leaking in the cap I can not tell. As the ink has been all over the grip section, inside of cap, nib and feed.

 

But the leak has occured with only two of the four pens that I have recieved!

[rrs]

Based on what I've read on FPN, almost all the big fountain pen brands seem to have occassional QC issues. To their credit Visconti have a generous warranty, though service is sometimes slow (probably a result of internation a shipping).

 

I have quite a few Viscontis, all have been made to tight tolerances from high quality materials, and most have been trouble free. So far three have required repairs (all done under warranty with the only charge being shipping to and from the local distributor): the first worked out of the box but eventually had some trim come loose (a common issue for that model) and it's uncommon (and perhaps delicate?) push pull touchdown filler needed repair, the second one was NOS and the filler failed because it had been stored for years without lubrication (the end gasket stuck to the plunger rod and was pulled along with it before I had enough clearance to lube it), while the third had the ink window threads split (again a relatively common issue for that model).

 

Visconti experiment with new designs, materials and fillers, and some of these have been a bit fragile or had issues that only came to light during long term usage. I'm willing to accept that as the cost of buying innovative an product. Of course I have enough pens that having one out for repairs for a month or two isn't a big deal.

 

 

 

I bet the nib wasn't seated deep enough and got crushed when the cap was screwed on. I did that once...

 

 

I've had similar issues with several of my Viscontis, where it took several fill and flush cycles before they wrote well. Visconti use higher capacity and more complex feed design than most (I believe to better control ink surges due to pressure variations when flying) so they may be more prone to holding manufacturing oils. Or perhaps they use a different plastic and it needs to be wetted a few times before ink flows well.

Hi Red Dragon

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

Can I check as to which of your're Visconti pens had a problem with the trim.

 

I understand that Visconti provide an extensive warranty, but I have found that all the leading brands provide generous warranties with the pens.

 

But we are in the 21st century with modern manufacturing processes and machinery. You should not have to rely on a warranty for a modern pen at the cutting edge.

 

None of my Sailor pens have had an issue, nor my cheaper pens 2 x Sheaffar, Waterman, and 3 Lamy Joy's.

 

With vintage pens or second hand pens I expect to find problems!

[Raskolnikov]

 

 

I understand that Visconti provide an extensive warranty, but I have found that all the leading brands provide generous warranties with the pens.

 

But we are in the 21st century with modern manufacturing processes and machinery. You should not have to rely on a warranty for a modern pen at the cutting edge.

 

 

Try replacing the smallest Montblanc part the day after the warranty has expired Prepare your wallet and yourself for a nice surprise...

Visconti's warranty is a lifetime one and you'll most likely end up with your pen repaired (or with a new one) for free (well, just the shipment charges). Often, even when you damaged yourself the pen by misusing it. That's not something that happens with most of the pen producers, and believe me I have quite the experience with pen brands' after sale assistance service.

 

About the modern manifacturing process point, if you think that spending lots of money gives you the certainity to have a perfect and flawless item, you just have to be prepared to be disappointed quite often in life . Perfection is something that doesn't exist and defective products can be found everywhere (you know, Ferrari has a post sale Assistance service too, as well as Rolex, Louis Vuitton and so on). You were just unlucky, my suggestion here would be to just send it for repairs.

 

I've had a horribly scratchy Sailor (from factory), a Waterman which just didn't write and a Lamy 2000 with serious piston problems (just to mention the ones you talked about). But you'll never hear me say that my bad experience sets a rule in the field, I just had them repaired and I like all of them.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Raskolnikov

[RMN]

Now could it be that these Bronze HS pens were from the first batch? As at the time there appeared to be a small problem with ink leaking between section-wall and feed. These pens had to go back to Visconti for a slight modification to stop the leak.

 

The later batches should be leak-free.

 

D.ick

[msolok]

Thank you for you're input much appreciated.

 

I have to say one thing though. There is a choice it's called Freedom of Speech. (But we'll not get into that).

 

I am glad that you have not had any issues with you're Visconti HS's!

 

But all four pens I have received I have had problems with. Now unfortunately where I live in the UK, there isn't a brick and mortar store that I can go test pens at. So I have brought pens online from a reliable dealer online.

 

I don't see why after paying just over £300 pounds per pen, I should have to mess around trying too get the pens to work. I should be able to buy pen flush with distilled water once, ink them and write.

 

Instead of all the hassle. I brought a Sailor Realo 1911 and Professional Gear Realo from Sailor in UK. Flushed pen's once inked up in December 2012. They wrote first time no problem and every time I go to use them whether they have been sat in boxes for 2 weeks. No leaking problems, just pure craftsmanship!

 

I see you pulled the nib out and feed and had to go to all the hassle to get the Opera to work. The cheaper of the two pens. I personally would not want to mess around pulling nibs and feeds out of such an expensive pen. Firstly I don't see why I should have to. Secondly the pens write no problem it's all the other issues. Ink leaking into cap on two of them and clip problems. Plus seeing as I'm not a pen repair expert I would not take that pen apart.

 

Sorry to say but Free Speech does not come into it. You have joined a forum which is privately run and owned. When joining this forum you agree to their terms, conditions and rules. You can't just say what you like, where you want here. It needs to follow the rules of the forum. I don't really want to get into an argument about this, but that's the way of it.

 

Also, I was not hinting or implying that your experiences or issues with Visconti pens are incorrect or wrong, I was simply giving examples with my experiences with them.

Should these issues occur with such an expensive pen? Certainly not!

Will they occur, regardless of Visconti's QC processes? Without a doubt! There is no way that all issues and problems can be caught in the factory, and that's not even taking into account any issues that can occur while the pens are shipping, in storage, or on display at a store.

 

Funny you should mention Sailor here. I have a Sailor 1911m with M nib that was unusable out of the box. The nib was scratchy and put long cuts in paper. Clearly the nib had a sharp protrusion. I had to send the pen to Sailor to be fixed.

I also have a new 1911 Realo which I am thinking about sending back as well. It has some skipping and railroading on some downward strokes.

 

As for pulling the nib and feed from my Opera, the nib and feeds on the Opera with the Palladium nibs are the same as those used in the Homo Sapiens. The process of removing the nibs and feeds is identical (unscrew the nib unit from the pen, grip the nib and feed securely in one hand and grip the collar/holder in the other and pull), and the cost of replacements is identical. I would, without a doubt, do the same process on my Homo Sapiens. I'm not in any way saying you should have to on a pen of this price though.

[Tombstone]

But all four pens I have received I have had problems with.

 

I would say: give thought to this one sentence you wrote:

 

Reminds me of a joke they tell here in our area: a guy driving on a highway, getting the information on the radio that there is a ghost driver on this part on the highway. His response "One? Hey, there are hundreds!!"

 

I would ask myself: why shall I try 4 different oens, when I have no problems with others... life is too short...

[raging.dragon]

Hi Red Dragon

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

Can I check as to which of your're Visconti pens had a problem with the trim.

 

Divina Proporzione LE. One of the silver strips started to come loose from the barrel, which seems to be fairly common with these pens.

 

[...]

 

I understand that Visconti provide an extensive warranty, but I have found that all the leading brands provide generous warranties with the pens.

 

[...]

 

Based on a little bit of personal experience and alot of second and third hand experience, Visconti and Faber Castell seem to have the best after sales service in the pen business. There are other brands with reputations for good service; however, there are also well known and popular pen brands with reputations for mediocre, poor, or downright awful after sales and warranty service.

 

[...]

 

But we are in the 21st century with modern manufacturing processes and machinery. You should not have to rely on a warranty for a modern pen at the cutting edge.

 

None of my Sailor pens have had an issue, nor my cheaper pens 2 x Sheaffar, Waterman, and 3 Lamy Joy's.

 

With vintage pens or second hand pens I expect to find problems!

 

When it comes to expensive pens, even if the machinery is state of the art, for most brands the processes will be rather more traditional. Part of the reason these pens are expensive is that they're partially (often largely) hand made in small numbers, because the relatively small production numbers the make the high setup costs of modern automated mass production processes unfeasible. In general, cheap mass produced pens are probably made using more modern machinery and processes than the high end luxury pens.

 

Second hand modern pens are often trouble free because somebody else has already taken care of their problems (if any). Vintage pens, of course, often have issues due to age and many years of hard usage.

Edited August 28, 2013 by raging.dragon

[rrs]

As much as I can understand rrs's feelings, my experience is substantially different. My HS is the best writer I have (not to mention, the pen I prefer in my small collection); I also have a limited Wall Street, a Desert Springs and a Divina Proporzione you can see as my avatar (also had other Visconti pens which I sold so I could afford the latter). In terms of design/materials and writing performances, it's the brand I rely on the most.

Of course there can be defective products, that happens in every field and with any brand.

About the leaks, I might be wrong here but can it be a heating problem? I'm asking because I've also experienced such with other pens: the higher summer temperature expands the air in the pen and the difference in pressure you get by capping/uncapping does the rest. Of course it should not happen anyway if the pen is perfectly sealed but it might be a reason.

Thank you gentleman on you're thoughts in regards to temperature changes.

 

Unfortunately in the North East of England we tend to get 80% rain, wind or both together.

 

When we do get sun temperatures tend not to rise above 20 degrees. But the question arises is why out of 5 pens 2 Visconti HS, 2 Sailor's, Pilot Namiki. Ink only leaked from one Visconti pen. They are all stored in same way in their respective boxes then in my bag nibs pointing upwards. Pictures attached.

 

Don't think temperature came into the equation.

 

When you buy in Italy perhaps and directly from a shop near the factory , it is not the same than buying when being 1000 miles away. Temperature shouldn't impact on the use of pen, a perfect pen works in all conditions

Yeah, I know I'm "privileged"; should I have issues, they'd be quickly solved. Also, I agree about the fact that a pen should work under all circumstances (and with all inks, I'd add); I suggested the heating thing cause it happened with both my Montegrappa Symphony and Extra (it happened only once with both pens though), after we had a walk together under the italian summer sun Luckily the cap managed to hold all the ink and I was quick enough, uncapping, to realize and jump back... was quite a surprise though, I thought they were things that just happened to other people and that I read on this forum

[StrawberryJam]

Thank you gentleman on you're thoughts in regards to temperature changes.

 

Unfortunately in the North East of England we tend to get 80% rain, wind or both together.

 

When we do get sun temperatures tend not to rise above 20 degrees. But the question arises is why out of 5 pens 2 Visconti HS, 2 Sailor's, Pilot Namiki. Ink only leaked from one Visconti pen. They are all stored in same way in their respective boxes then in my bag nibs pointing upwards. Pictures attached.

 

Don't think temperature came into the equation.

 

One other question -- have you reached out to the main Visconti dealer for your area (I am not sure who it is for the UK) to inquire about your problem? You mentioned that you had corresponded and exchanged with the store that you purchased the pen from, but maybe you need to go slightly higher in the chain to get an answer, especially if it's the case that your pen is one of the problematic ones from the first production batch.