Just Ordered A Romillo

[WilsonCQB1911]

 

The dimensions posted on the Romillo website indicate that compared to the MB149 the Nervion is somewhat longer than significantly thinner. This plus the photos suggest to me that the section is alot thinner than the MB149's. Is this correct?

 

I would not consider it a lot thinner. It's thinner, but not significantly so in my opinion. It is noticeably longer.

[Ghost Plane]

Would you please discuss what distinguishes the 149 nib from the Romillo nib in feel? Softer? Wetter? More or less distinct lines?

[WilsonCQB1911]

Would you please discuss what distinguishes the 149 nib from the Romillo nib in feel? Softer? Wetter? More or less distinct lines?

 

Ah, sorry, I guess it wasn't clear the way I originally wrote it.

 

My 149 nibs are softer, smoother, and wetter. I think that the crispness of the lines are about the same. The MB fine might be a hair wider than the Romillo fine, but we're splitting hairs here (pun intended).

 

Nib feel and pens are incredibly subjective though, and I don't want to come off as overly harsh on the Romillo. It really is a great pen. The nib is better than most, I just wouldn't consider it to be my absolute favorite.

[Ghost Plane]

Appreciate it. Have 5 assorted 149 sizes, so it's a good comparison. I lean so far to the uber-broad that it can make a real difference whether nibs run soft or not.

[daintydimsum]

I needed to be in Madrid this past week and managed to squeeze a short 20-odd minute stint at the pen shop to feel the Romillo pens. While I did not have the time to try out the nibs, I did get a sense of how the pens felt in the hand. While I'm still not absolutely convinced the pricing is right (especially not when buying within the EU) these are well-balanced and elegant pens. My favourite was the Sil, followed by the Nervion (which reminded me of my 80th anniversary Pilot -- the precursor to the Yukari Royale -- while being lighter). The lack of threads and gentle tapering of the Sil: sublime.

 

I understand there are #6, 7, 8 and 9 nibs, with #6 and 8 being Bock nibs, and #7 and 9 being handmade. The #9 is a monstrous beauty, large but oh so graceful. I was also better acquainted with the ordering process (compared to merely using the website) and was glad to know that I can specify the length (for example, longer or shorter) and change the proportion of cap to body. I also didn't realise I could have a gold, silver or vermeil end. I saw a specimen and it was very elegant (with what I believe was the R of Romillo carefully engraved)... not that I would as I fear throwing off the balance of the pen. The understated stopper found on the Soul can also be done on the Sil.

 

I did find the caps quite delicate -- very thin towards the end that meets the barrel. I wonder how this would translate in practice but don't imagine it'd break or chip too easily.

 

All in all, it was a good experience on a hot Madrid day. While I wish I'd had a chance to write with the pens, a (very, very, very) tentative observation was that I still prefer the aesthetics and general feel of Hakase pens on the whole... I'm very curious as to how they'd write though! If these Romillo nibs are indeed as special as they sound, I can imagine these pens being as amazing as Hakase ones, albeit in different ways!

Edited June 15, 2014 by daintydimsum

[Sblakers]

Been away from this thread for a bit. Been busy with work! It's nice to see some other first impressions coming in. Between the Helens- thNk you for the compliments. After using my 2 romillos for a somewhat respectable amount of time I feel I have a permanant grasp of what my pens are to me. As others have pointed out its easy to become overly enthusiastic about a pen when you first receive it. My conclusions when I first received the pen all hold true for me. My EO is firmly planted as número uno. I really liked the comparison to the 149 by Wilson. I think the feedback that Wilson is speaking of is what vaults my EO to the top of my all time nib rankings. What I did find interesting is how his nib is not as springy as his 149's. I found the opposite the case with my EO- and I chose a firm fine as well. Since this nibs are made in house maybe the springiness is unique to each pen. I can't wait to read mongrelnomads review! I will eventually review both my romillos when I have some free time.

 

 

P.s-- please excuse the many typos. I wrote this with one hand on my iPhone while holding my 2 year son. He's a wiggly little fellow

Edited June 16, 2014 by Sblakers

[da vinci]

This pen has blown me away! So much so I have ordered another romillo. This time I ordered the blue Soul with a k flex nib. I should have it by May 12. When I get it I will post pictures. I will be reviewing my Eo 9 soon. Never thought I'd find the 1 pen but I have. There isn't a single thing about this pen that I don't find absolutely perfect.

Sorry to see your Soul in classifieds. Is it just the size of the pen that is the issue? are you still happy with the EO?

[Arabit]

My question is, what is covered in the lifetime warranty?

[WilsonCQB1911]

Been away from this thread for a bit. Been busy with work! It's nice to see some other first impressions coming in. Between the Helens- thNk you for the compliments. After using my 2 romillos for a somewhat respectable amount of time I feel I have a permanant grasp of what my pens are to me. As others have pointed out its easy to become overly enthusiastic about a pen when you first receive it. My conclusions when I first received the pen all hold true for me. My EO is firmly planted as número uno. I really liked the comparison to the 149 by Wilson. I think the feedback that Wilson is speaking of is what vaults my EO to the top of my all time nib rankings. What I did find interesting is how his nib is not as springy as his 149's. I found the opposite the case with my EO- and I chose a firm fine as well. Since this nibs are made in house maybe the springiness is unique to each pen. I can't wait to read mongrelnomads review! I will eventually review both my romillos when I have some free time.

 

 

P.s-- please excuse the many typos. I wrote this with one hand on my iPhone while holding my 2 year son. He's a wiggly little fellow

 

I guess I haven't found either the 149 or my Nervion all that springy. Just a bit of give. But it could also be that I don't press hard, so maybe my perception of that isn't that valid. Also note that I'm a lefty, so I push my pen across the page, which doesn't lend itself well to flex/springiness.

 

I have found that if I hold the pen at a lower angle I can get it to write wonderfully smooth. When I keep it like this, I think it is probably a better/nicer writer than my MBs. However, it's a smaller sweet spot. Whereas the MB doesn't seem to care how I hold it and is a very forgiving, all-around pleasant experience, with the Romillio I can get a possibly better experience at a specific position, and a slightly worse one (when comparing to the MB) if I move around. It's not like a Lamy 2k though where if I move it a bit it jus stops writing. The Romillo will write regardless with no issues, it just comes down to whether I get buttery smooth or some tooth.

 

Also, what tooth I have been feeling seems to be smoothing in a bit.

 

I have trouble reviewing this pen. It's so expensive that I want to give a fullsome account of how it performs, and while I'm nitpicking for sure, at this price point I think it's justified. As I've said before, this is a wonderfully reliable writer and a great pen. It's just hard to say that it's "worth" $2,000. However, it's a very well-made, well-performing fully handmade pen, so maybe if any pen can justify that kind of a price tag this one can. I don't know.

[Houston]

I have ordered a Sil 9. A month and a bit from now, there'll be a review. Very keen to see how this stacks up. Corresponding with Alvaro Romillo has been a delight. --h

[da vinci]

I have ordered a Sil 9. A month and a bit from now, there'll be a review. Very keen to see how this stacks up. Corresponding with Alvaro Romillo has been a delight. --h

Thats exciting. Mind if I ask what colour and nib you went for?

[Lyander0012]

Mi Madre, that pen collection is amazing! Haha, I'd probably sub the MBs out for a few Japanese pens, but that aside, that penbox is a veritable treasure trove! Belated congratulations on the Romillo, and hope it brings you many years of happy writing.

 

I very nearly pulled the trigger myself on a Romillo, a custom from the ground-up long/short vest pen with a true flex nib (think Waterman 52V with a wet noodle on the business end). While I did back down at the last second, an acquaintance actually offering to sell his 52V and a voice in my head saying that I ought to be thriftier both convinced me to put this purchase off by a couple of years.

 

I hate common sense )

 

That aside, Alvaro was very kind and a pleasure to deal with. He was very precise in his work and understanding of what I was trying to get at (I wasn't all that eloquent in describing what I wanted ). I'll definitely be offering my custom once I set aside enough centavos, haha.

 

 

Kevin

[Sblakers]

Sorry to see your Soul in classifieds. Is it just the size of the pen that is the issue? are you still happy with the EO?

Its funny.. If the nib wasn't as amazing as it was I wouldn't have sold it. The pen was just too small for me and any extended writing caused me pretty bad cramps. My EO 9 continues to be my all time number 1 pen. I have to admit though, the nib on the soul was actually better IMO. The Romillos i bought for writing, they are my workhorse pens. I have to write a lot and it was too frustrating to grab for the soul instead of my EO 9 and then to have to put it away because my hand cramped up.

[da vinci]

Its funny.. If the nib wasn't as amazing as it was I wouldn't have sold it. The pen was just too small for me and any extended writing caused me pretty bad cramps. My EO 9 continues to be my all time number 1 pen. I have to admit though, the nib on the soul was actually better IMO. The Romillos i bought for writing, they are my workhorse pens. I have to write a lot and it was too frustrating to grab for the soul instead of my EO 9 and then to have to put it away because my hand cramped up.

 

Its a shame but useful to know that was the problem. I am hoping to go to the Madrid pen show in November and visit Romillo pens at the same time.

 

I am being nosey - so apologies - but will you replace the Soul with another Romillo or have you got your eye on something else ...

[Sblakers]

Its a shame but useful to know that was the problem. I am hoping to go to the Madrid pen show in November and visit Romillo pens at the same time.

I am being nosey - so apologies - but will you replace the Soul with another Romillo or have you got your eye on something else ...

You know to be honest I don't know that I will grab another Romillo unles they come out with a new design I just have to try. It's not because I don't adore their pens, quite the opposite really. I love my EO 9 so much I really don't have a desire to buy any more (writers pens). Now tgat I have my grail I am exploring the collecting side of the hobby. I am collecting mb writers edition pens now. It's kind of strange. I've been on a sort of quest for the 1 pen and now that I've found it I I was at a loss as to where to go next. But I decided to collect now - so that's where I am for the time being.

[da vinci]

You know to be honest I don't know that I will grab another Romillo unles they come out with a new design I just have to try. It's not because I don't adore their pens, quite the opposite really. I love my EO 9 so much I really don't have a desire to buy any more (writers pens). Now tgat I have my grail I am exploring the collecting side of the hobby. I am collecting mb writers edition pens now. It's kind of strange. I've been on a sort of quest for the 1 pen and now that I've found it I I was at a loss as to where to go next. But I decided to collect now - so that's where I am for the time being.

Thanks for the reply. I am hoping that I can achieve the same situation, although it is fair to say i have done a rather a lot of collecting/hoarding on my search for the grail!

[Arabit]

After spending some time with the Romillo Soul, equipped with a K flex nib that I bought off Sblakers, I have come to the conclusion that it is my favorite writer.

The nib is a fine and it lays down a wet line that more is considered medium by many. The weight of the pen is something to consider when thinking of purchasing the Soul. The weight can be felt when using the pen, not too heavy nor too light for me.

 

Now let's talk about flex. The K nib is what I would consider at most a semi flex nib. The K nib, when flexed snaps back quite fast but it railroads when I pull down too fast on the downstroke (See the Capital A in my writing sample)

 

 

Here is my quick writing sample below comparing a Superflex Wahl Eversharp and my Romillo Soul:

 

 

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg275/justinarabit/IMG_20140731_173449.jpg

 

 

 

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg275/justinarabit/IMG_20140731_173507.jpg

Edited August 1, 2014 by Arabit

[MontyMiguelAngel]

The last video of Leigh Reyes. Romillo the end of the first

regards

http://www.leighreyes.com/?p=4799

Edited August 8, 2014 by MontyMiguelAngel

[mongrelnomad]

So, it appears I've lost my Nervion. The past few months have been very hectic, with a lot of moving about (who says wars don't happen in the 21st century?), and the little pouch with the pen must have been mislaid along the way.

 

Hopefully it'll turn up when I stop looking. Now where's that sorrowfully weeping emoticon?

[da vinci]

So, it appears I've lost my Nervion. The past few months have been very hectic, with a lot of moving about (who says wars don't happen in the 21st century?), and the little pouch with the pen must have been mislaid along the way.

 

Hopefully it'll turn up when I stop looking. Now where's that sorrowfully weeping emoticon?

Disaster! Hope you find it soon.