Aurora Hastil, Information anyone?

[zabo]

Fantastic well of info!

Thank you!

Edited May 2, 2009 by zabo

[diplomat]

Thank you Giuseppe, very interesting. I have a BO "ecosteel" since I was a kid and I always wanted to know what those small black plastic things at the bottom of the FP were for...

[Dib]

there are also versions in matte black with gold clip and rings, steel with gold clip and rings and a version with steel nib.

[solitaire]

The Hastil is one of the most beautiful pens ever made and deserves its place in museums.

I bought one when they first appeared - long long ago

It was stainless steel which, I seem to remember, most of them were.

 

But in use it was terrible. I just couldn't get a grip on it and it was sliding through my fingers as I was writing

 

Maybe other users didn't have this problem.

 

Solitaire

[LetiziaJac]

Letizia has already given the main information on this pen and the reference to Lambrou's book, where you can also find data about the "Idrograph" feeding system of the Hastil. I just want to add some detail and some pictures.

 

The design of this pen, a product of the "golden age" of Italian Design, is very clean and essential, but also very sophisticated.

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/disegno2a.jpg

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/originale1.jpg

 

The original edition in "ecosteel"

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_originale2.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_OriginalePart2.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_originale3.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_originale4.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_Originale5.jpg

 

 

It seems that in order to produce the body it is necessary to use a simple steel tube and cut it to size, but actually the barrel is tapered (in fact the cap can be posted) and it measures 9.1 mm close to section and 8.3 mm at the bottom ).

 

Gold plated "godron"

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/Goldplatedgodron.jpg

 

 

The mechanism for keeping the cap when it is posted is designed in a way which does not produce scratches on the body (the first model was made in "ecosteel", a stainless steel in a very soft satin finish). It is patented and you can see here the drawings of the patent in the U.S.A.

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_pat1.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_pat2.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_pat3.jpgclickable thumbnails

 

The clip also is rather complex: the objective is to keep it close to the cap to give the sensation of thinness and linearity, but it can fit to fabric when inserted inside a pocket (a motion very similar to the one of the Waterman DG – see my post).

 

Sterling Silver "small grid"

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/Sterlingsilversmallgriddetail.jpg

 

About finishing I know these ones: stainless steel, vermeil, sterling silver, gold plated and lacquer

 

Vermeil "small grid"

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/Vermeilsmallgrid2.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_Vermeilsmallgriddetail2.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_Vermeilsmallgriddetail.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_Vermeilsmallgrid.jpg

 

 

 

Sterling Silver "large rectangular grid"

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/Sterlingsilverrectangulargrid.jpg

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_Sterlingsilverrectangulargrid1.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_Sterlingsilverrectangulargriddet-1.jpg

 

 

 

Sterling Silver "small grid"

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/Sterlingsilversmallgrid2-1.jpg

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_Sterlingsilversmallgriddetail3.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/th_Sterlingsilversmallgrid.jpg

 

 

I have seen nibs in 18 k and 14 k white gold and in 14 k yellow gold.

 

 

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/18knib.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/Sterlingsilverrectangulargriddetail.jpg http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/HASTIL/Vermeilsmallgriddetail3.jpg

 

 

WOW!What a fantastic flow of information and a splendid collection, too. I think somebody should write a book about Italian pen production from the 1960s through the 1990s. :clap1:

[eric47]

I think somebody should write a book about Italian pen production from the 1960s through the 1990s.

Hi Letizia,

I received your books a few weeks ago (thanks Susanna!). Beautiful, truly outstanding work by you and the other contributors. Complimenti! :clap1:

 

I've been meaning to ask when you were planning on writing the next volumes that cover the 60s onward. But I guess with the above reply, not anytime soon unfortunately. Che peccato!

Edited May 6, 2009 by eric47

[Inkanthropist]

Thanks SMJ.

 

What I meant was "where can I get a nib and have it replaced?"

 

Rick

 

The UK distributor of Aurora pens was extremely helpful when I noticed that part of the feed on my secondhand Hastil had broken. (The woman on the phone was rather surprised that I'd managed to get my hands on a Hastil at all, though!) If I remember correctly, that entire part of the pen (including the nib) was replaced free of charge, so perhaps you could try contacting the Aurora distributor wherever you live.

 

Neil

[gicoteni]

............. I think somebody should write a book about Italian pen production from the 1960s through the 1990s. :clap1:

... why not YOU....!?

[LetiziaJac]

............. I think somebody should write a book about Italian pen production from the 1960s through the 1990s. :clap1:

... why not YOU....!?

Nice idea!! I just need plenty of time and plenty of cohoperation, a nice publisher and a remarkable dosis of good will. What I presently have amongst these requirements is: good will.

But the idea remains a good one, any suggestions for cohoperation?

 

[Hoarder68]

I purchased a vermeil Hastil from someone on FPN. Does anyone know if there is a cartridge or converter made to fit the pen? I bought it not knowing how slim it was, but I have read that it is in museums, and that there is a Mont Blanc pen made exactly like it.

Edited May 13, 2009 by Hoarder68

[SincerelySpicy]

I purchased a vermeil Hastil from someone on FPN. Does anyone know if there is a cartridge or converter made to fit the pen? I bought it not knowing how slim it was, but I have read that it is in museums, and that there is a Mont Blanc pen made exactly like it.

 

Parker's current THIN piston converter will fit. That's what i use in mine. Yes there were converters made for it a squeeze filler that's probably harder to find. Otherwise, the both aurora and parker cartridges will fit.

 

As for the Mont Blanc, that would be the Noblesse and SL line, however i wouldnt say exactly like it, it doesn't use most of the design features that make the hastil what it is such as the the way the clip is attached, the plastic pieces to prevent scratching when posting and the shape and design of the nib and feed system.

Edited May 13, 2009 by SJM1123

[Hoarder68]

I purchased a vermeil Hastil from someone on FPN. Does anyone know if there is a cartridge or converter made to fit the pen? I bought it not knowing how slim it was, but I have read that it is in museums, and that there is a Mont Blanc pen made exactly like it.

 

Parker's current THIN piston converter will fit. That's what i use in mine. Otherwise, yes there were converters made for it a pump filler thats probbaly harder to find.

Thanks very much for the info. Richard

 

[zabo]

We forgot to add to all this infos about the Hastil rotating nib feature...

Edited May 26, 2009 by zabo

[zabo]

We forgot to add to all this infos about the Hastil rotating nib feature...

Beware, this is myth!

I do not want to spread false information: I got the info from this topic (>link<) but I was yesterday at Vecchietti's store and they told me if it rotates there is a plastic part broken inside the section and it should be changed, otherwise it could leak!

[Pen2009]

It looks very elegant. How does it write? Does it have the Auroras' smooth writing characteristics? Someone in this thread said it is hard to take a firm grip on the pen as it gets slippery. How does it perform as a daily writer? It looks very sturdy and seems to withstand the daily tussles well.

[jips123]

It looks very elegant. How does it write? Does it have the Auroras' smooth writing characteristics? Someone in this thread said it is hard to take a firm grip on the pen as it gets slippery. How does it perform as a daily writer? It looks very sturdy and seems to withstand the daily tussles well.

 

I have one with a medium nib and it is an excellent smooth writer.

[Pen2009]

I have one with a medium nib and it is an excellent smooth writer.

Does it come with the converter? Or, do you need to buy it separately?

[impossiblebird]

 

The UK distributor of Aurora pens was extremely helpful when I noticed that part of the feed on my secondhand Hastil had broken. (The woman on the phone was rather surprised that I'd managed to get my hands on a Hastil at all, though!) If I remember correctly, that entire part of the pen (including the nib) was replaced free of charge, so perhaps you could try contacting the Aurora distributor wherever you live.

 

Neil

 

I have a Hastil with a degraded and crumbly feed nipple, so I'll be needing a replacement; I don't suppose you remember the contact details of the distributor who was so helpful, do you? If so, I'd appreciate you letting me have them...

[pennant]

I believe the Hastil was first imported into the U.S. in the '70s by a New York gift shop, the name of which escapes me. I think I paid $75 for the Ecosteel fountain pen back then. Later Yafa imported the Hastil for a while. Years ago I managed to buy a Hastil ballpen with a WOOD casing.

[bbs]

iguanasell has been selling them on eBay recently ... great people to deal with.