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Onoto Magna Classic In Marine Blue. L E Of 20 Pens

hari317

By hari317
in Fountain Pen Reviews

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

Posted
Posted

This is my first Onoto. There are already several excellent reviews of the Modern Onotos on FPN with a lot of details about the company etc, so I will not repeat all that.

 

This pen is from a Limited edition of 20 pens made for the British retailer www.inkwell-pens.com in the Marine blue Acrylic resin. link

 

I got this pen with a steel nib. I think most of the pens reviewed here have been with the gold nib option. The Wide cap band is hallmarked sterling silver, rest of the trim is not hallmarked so I think those are non precious metal with a silvery plating. The usual Magna classics have three thin cap bands, I love the look of the wider cap band on this one.

 

Outer-Outer packing:

 

Plain cardboard shoe box style. Can serve as a shipping box as well:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9187.jpg

 

Outer packing in black cardboard:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9189.jpg

 

Blue lacquered Wooden box inside, superb mirror finish.

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9192.jpg

 

Box opened:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9193.jpg

 

Pen serial number smudged for privacy. :)

 

The pen tray lifts up to reveal a small storage area beneath. Pretty standard, but well executed.

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9196.jpg

 

The pen:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9198.jpg

 

Open:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9199.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9200.jpg

 

Excellent quality C/C execution:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9201.jpg

 

ONOTO Stylised monogram on the cap top:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9202.jpg

 

The LE number at the barrel end insert:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9222.jpg

Pen serial number smudged for privacy. :)

 

The stately chevron clip:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9203.jpg

 

Side profile: thick sheet metal is used for the clip:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9204.jpg

 

Monogram on the clip:

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9206.jpg

 

There is also a reverse pattern embossed onto the clip's rear side, really remarkable:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9205.jpg

 

Hallmarks on the wide cap band:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9208.jpg

 

The nib:

 

I am pretty sure this is the FH452 nib unit from Schmidt with a custom nib engraving.

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9213.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9214.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9215.jpg

 

The scroll is actually a series of ONOTONOTONOTO...

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9212.jpg

 

Comparing with the original FPN LE:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9217.jpg

 

The FH452 Vs Onoto:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9218.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9219.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/OnotoMarineBlue/IMG_9220.jpg

 

Writing:

 

I have been using this pen filled with Platinum Blue-Black, the pen is a nice writer. Western F with a western EF when the nib is flipped(Duopoint)

 

The pen is slightly light weight for me when unposted, I use the pen posted. The workmanship is flawless, top-class.

 

Cheers!

Hari

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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shrujaya Rare

shrujaya

Posted
Posted

Absolutely gorgeous looking pen, Hari...congratulations! Such a rich blue colour...I am partial to this kind of design and I love this pen...so many things to admire in this pen...the cap band, the clip, the stylised Onoto monogram on the captop and on the clip, and the reverse of it...and on top of it all, it is an LE...only 20 in the whole wide world!

 

Enjoy...

 

Jai

Writing and posting about fountain pens exclusively on www.jaisiri.blogspot.in ... recent posts on Hema Pens (Hyderabad), Haul at Majestic (Bangalore), and Asoka Pens (Tenali)...

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The Good Captain Donor Pen

The Good Captain

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Posted

A great pen and I've a steel nib on my black Magna. At the moment I just can't decide which ink to use in it next!

The Good Captain

"Meddler's 'Salamander' - almost as good as the real thing!"

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georges zaslavsky Museum Piece

georges zaslavsky

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nice blue pen :thumbup:

Pens are like watches , once you start a collection, you can hardly go back. And pens like all fine luxury items do improve with time

 

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Beautiful looking pen - superb colour :thumbup:

Thank you. :) yes the color is quite captivating and the Silver is a nice match.

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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quinden Extremely Rare

quinden

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I have been looking at several in the Magna collection with the chased finish. Yours looks great, Hari, congratulations!

Currently using:Too many pens inked to list, I must cut back! :) I can guarantee there are flighters, urushi, and/or Sheaffer Vac-fillers in the mix!!!

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Absolutely gorgeous looking pen, Hari...congratulations! Such a rich blue colour...I am partial to this kind of design and I love this pen...so many things to admire in this pen...the cap band, the clip, the stylised Onoto monogram on the captop and on the clip, and the reverse of it...and on top of it all, it is an LE...only 20 in the whole wide world!

 

Enjoy...

 

Jai

Thanks Jai. I will bring it along on my next visit to Hyd, you can play with it and see how it looks in real life. :)

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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A great pen and I've a steel nib on my black Magna. At the moment I just can't decide which ink to use in it next!

Yes, the steel nib is quite good. I would use MB Blue-Black if I had a Black Magna. :)

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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I have been looking at several in the Magna collection with the chased finish. Yours looks great, Hari, congratulations!

Thanks Quinden, it is a valuable compliment considering your superb collection of which I am an admirer. :)

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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kazoolaw Collectors Item

kazoolaw

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Posted

A dissenting view:

 

The modern Onoto pens are pale shades of the originals. The plunger filling mechanism has been abandoned for a run-of-the-mill converter. The marbled material lacks the depth and richness of the old pens. The nib is the weakest part of the pen: the stamping leaves a shallow imprint, with the generic nib shown for comparision exhibiting much more style and grace. Someone should have introduced the person selecting the "0N0T0" on the nib to the person deciding to incorporate the old interwoven letters: the "O" on the logo is not the "0" on the nib, and the "N"s are different widths as well. The clip's proportions are unattractive, being too broad at the top. "Sheet metal" is truly damning the clip with faint praise.

 

Though not as ghastly as the modern Conklin Nozac, the current Onoto is a faint echo of the original. At least they couldn't get the TDLR monogram messed up as well.

 

 

 

gary

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pavoni Vintage

pavoni

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Posted

Another superb and informative review Hari.

 

Congratulations on acquiring your first modern Onoto and many thanks for sharing so generously (as always). :thumbup:

 

Pavoni.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

Posted
  • Author
Posted

A dissenting view:

 

The modern Onoto pens are pale shades of the originals. The plunger filling mechanism has been abandoned for a run-of-the-mill converter. The marbled material lacks the depth and richness of the old pens. The nib is the weakest part of the pen: the stamping leaves a shallow imprint, with the generic nib shown for comparision exhibiting much more style and grace. Someone should have introduced the person selecting the "0N0T0" on the nib to the person deciding to incorporate the old interwoven letters: the "O" on the logo is not the "0" on the nib, and the "N"s are different widths as well. The clip's proportions are unattractive, being too broad at the top. "Sheet metal" is truly damning the clip with faint praise.

 

Though not as ghastly as the modern Conklin Nozac, the current Onoto is a faint echo of the original. At least they couldn't get the TDLR monogram messed up as well.

 

 

 

gary

Thank you for sharing your frank views. I have no experience with the wonderful vintage Onotos you mention. I, of course, hope to change that. However to my limited experience, I feel none of the pen companies make their pens and nibs and feeders (if they make all these themselves at all) like they used to... For the money one pays for a modern Onoto, I think I get more pen and better craftsmanship per dollar than some of the other alternatives selling at the same price bracket for a new pen. This is my personal view and I will not go into more specifics and start a brand war. :)

 

They have also brought back the plunger filler:

 

http://www.onoto.com/luxury-pens/magna-plunger-filler

 

C/C is cheaper.

 

Warm Regards

Hari

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Another superb and informative review Hari.

 

Congratulations on acquiring your first modern Onoto and many thanks for sharing so generously (as always). :thumbup:

 

Pavoni.

Thank you Pavoni. :)

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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kazoolaw Collectors Item

kazoolaw

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Thank you for sharing your frank views.

 

And my thanks for not confusing my reaction to the pen with the quality of your reviews.

 

I always look forward to your reviews and posts as they are informative and well done.

 

Thanks for the time you give to widen our horizons.

 

gary

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Posted (edited)

 

And my thanks for not confusing my reaction to the pen with the quality of your reviews.

 

I always look forward to your reviews and posts as they are informative and well done.

 

Thanks for the time you give to widen our horizons.

 

gary

Thank you Gary. Your comments were taken positively and are valuable considering your love for the Onoto Marque as is evident from your Avatar. :)

Edited by hari317

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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