What Is Your Favourite Italian Fountain Pen

[farpoint]

Visconti HS Bronze - nice feel and finish.

[alexander_k]

I'm getting more and more fond of my Italians (and they are getting more and more in response) but there can be no doubt that the firm favourites remain the same: the vintage Aurora 88 and the old big Omas 360. Funnily enough, they've all been out of the rotation for almost a year - not a sign of disfavour but of certainty: lately I tend to focus on the pens about which I still have some doubts. Strange, isn't it?

[skibunny]

I have a Montegrappa Piccola. Have slow start problem with the pen... Is this a common problem of montegrappa?

[Pelikan Vera]

I only have 3 Visconti & 3 Omas to choose from and they are equally good, but the nicest nib is a Titanium nib on an arte italiana.

[basterma]

Wilson Super Smooth with a rolled nib. Cost about $2 when bought in the mid-80's. Awful lime green color, spits ink, and made of miserable plastic but flies across the paper like no other pen I have written with.

[242Matte]

That´s a tough question.... I guess I will have to go with OMAS T2; fantastic design and a smooth nib

[FountainPages]

No question, the Aurora Optima!

[Ken W]

I have Italian pens from Aurora, Omas, Delta, Montegrappa, Visconti and Stipula and my favorite Italian pen is the Aurora Optima. I currently have four LE Optimas (75th Anniversary, Sole, Mare and Primavera) and love the way they feel in the hand, as well as the way they write.

[theverdictis]

Tough question in that there are several Italian companies that produce some very, very nice pens. I own a variety of them; Montgrappa, Signa, Visconti, Omas, & Nettuna. I like different brands for different reasons. If I had to choose one, I'd pick Delta as they're more than just a pretty face ... they offer some nice features that enhance the writing experience. I really like the Delta piston filling system that usually comes with a small ink window. Delta pens are of good size and come in some beautiful colors.

 

Here's my Dolce Vita del Oro:

 

http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae87/patienttype2/My%20Pens/P6230688.jpg

Absolutely stunning pen!

[theverdictis]

Visconti for me! Absolutely love the brand and all the fine pens they produce.

[PaulT00]

Of the limited selection of Italians in my collection, my favourite is definitely my Stipula Suprema Nuda. It's not original but has been retrofitted with a T-flex nib by its original owner - which suits the pen beautifully and writes exquisitely for my hand.

 

Second favourite would be my Omas MoMA.

 

Current tally is 5 Stipulas, 3 Omas, 1 vintage Aurora. Visconti and Delta are definitely on the horizon, but not any time soon.

[tomb]

Aurora Optima followed by Omas Paragon

[Namo]

Not that I've had lots of them, but Marlen Aleph (of course).

[tringle]

I prefer the vintage models. Specifically Columbus Extra 132 or 134.

 

Here is my 132 in the platinum arco...

 

 

[Albinoni]

I prefer the vintage models. Specifically Columbus Extra 132 or 134.

 

Here is my 132 in the platinum arco...

 

Columbus132A.jpg

Omg that is very nice indeed, never heard of this brand before, can you still get them. Also what filling system does it use. What sort of nib. I'm jealous lol

[Joe in Seattle]

Visconti Homo Sapiens bronze, but a close second Delta Dolce Vita OS vermeil with 18K 2 tone nib. I value them both for their wonderful writing abilities.

[Mr Ink]

Aurora 88 (modern, full-size) and Aurora Optima.

[Chi Town]

Thats a tough question as I really like all my Italians! But a few stick out more than most, the Visconti's which I own quite a few of and my Aurora Afrika L.E. are the two i would narrow it down to.....

[tringle]

Omg that is very nice indeed, never heard of this brand before, can you still get them. Also what filling system does it use. What sort of nib. I'm jealous lol

Albinoni - This is a vintage pen produced in the late 40's. The pen is a lever filler, and the nib is a fine with some flex!

 

Here are some of my favorite Italians

 

 

 

 

The frog is holding the Columbus Extra

 

Left to Right

 

Columbus spoon filler

Estense lever filler

Royal button filler

 

All vintage.

Edited July 20, 2014 by tringle

[dannyboy]

I have several Italian pens including Aurora, Visconti, Stipula, and Omas. All these pens are delightful to use, but if I have to choose a favorite, it would be the Omas: the older versions from the 1990s. Terrific pens in every way!