Visconti Homo Sapiens Question

[Uncial]

I got a lovely tax rebate not too long ago and it's been sitting in my bank account burning a fountain pen sized hole. For some time I've been eyeing an Edison Persimmon Swirl, but have been very, very undecided about it because it looks a tiny bit garish to me. I'm normally a fan of black chased hard rubber pens (mainly vintage), although I do have slight magpie tendencies that surface in my weaker moments. I've also been eyeing the Visconti Homo Sapiens in bronze, but had dismissed it on account of it being so expensive, but all that was to change due to the lovely tax man (never thought I'd ever say something like that!).

 

So anyway, the restrained elegance of the Visconti has won through and I'm really hoping that I made the right choice. I read quite a lot of comments and reviews both here and elsewhere and they all seemed positive, but I have a question regarding the material. I know that it is somewhat porous and has little pits and fine holes, but does ink stain it over time? Does the material over time with use become slightly shiny where your fingers would be? It's been out long enough and bought by enough people hopefully, to get some idea of whether certain inks might stain it or if fingers smooth it to a shine, so I'm hoping you can give me the answers I really want to hear!

[kenshiro]

Been using mine for about eight months as a daily carry now, and no such problems so far. I do wipe vigorously after filling which would clean both any ink and any finger oils on the section, so ymmv, but I wouldn't be too worried.

[Tas]

I've had mine since Christmas and filled it many a time.

No ink stains.

No shiny bits where my fingers (or hand) has been.

 

The bronze develops a, what I consider, a lovely patina but that can be polished away with the cloth Visconti supply if you desire.

 

Hurry up. Get one.

[Uncial]

I better confess......I ordered it BEFORE asking the questions. Stupid, I know, but it is just such a beautiful pen and I had so many doubts about the Edison. So now, all I have to do is patiently wait until it arrives and then

[Tas]

Ha!

 

Now, get back to looking at photos of it and reading about it online until it arrives . . .

[Quill1]

No problems with mine, had it awhile now, wish I could use it more. I must say I prefer it when the bronze is shiney but it does add something with the patina, very nice.

[pmhudepo]

I do find it the lava / resin material stains with ink, but I've only used a purple ink so far. Perhaps different colours have a different effect, more or less pronounced. Cleaning it thoroughly with a moist cloth after filling the pen certainly helps. I've been using it alongside a Pelikan M800 and the Homo Sapiens definitely has much more flair to it, very nice, such a joy to use with its almost springy and very juicy nib. I find the M800 the more practical daily writer, by far.

 

My HS is 6 weeks old. Can't tell you about long-time wear just yet. I think the patina on the bronze parts will add to its character.

[WilsonCQB1911]

It will soak in the ink, but can be cleaned with a wet cloth easily enough to bring the ink back out. This can be a bit annoying since you have to put the pen far enough in to get it to fill up with ink, so you inevitably end up with ink on the section. But i've never had it stain. I just clean up the ink with a wet cloth.

 

I think you made the right decision. The HS (mine is in fine) is one of the best pens I've ever owned. My only complaint so far, and it's minor, is that it runs out of ink faster than other pens. But the pen's design, materials, craftsmanship, and most importantly, nib, are above reproach for me.

[ziptrickhead]

I put my Homo Sapiens through a few weeks of use and a couple of fills. Haven't had it long enough to talk about long term wear but in terms of the ink staining, there is a little bit. It's not super noticeable though but you can definitely see the transition line from where the section dipped into the ink. I tend to wipe down my section with a wet paper towel after I fill it. I haven't taken the pen out of my rotation yet though so I haven't tried any deep cleaning, just surface wiping. For reference, I've only been using Montblanc Royal Blue and Noodler's 54th Massachusetts in the pen.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/13405344004_8e3b155d1c_b.jpg

[Sblakers]

Excellent choice of pen. One of the few modern pens where I'd say the price is = to value. They have fantastic nibs, they are darn near indestructible, the material is truly unique and a joy to use and the filling system is fun to use. Pound for pound one of the best on the market. The cap closure system is very cool and functional as well. As far as staining goes. The lava material which gives it its unique ability to absorb moisture does absorb ink as well, but this is easily remedied by wiping the section with a damp cloth right after u fill it.

[pmhudepo]

Ha!

 

Now, get back to looking at photos of it and reading about it online until it arrives . . .

 

Here, let me help...

 

 

[mbankirer]

Just received mine last week...already through 2 fills of the Akkerman Nassau Blue that coincidentally arrived the same day! I am in love with the pen....wiped the section with damp cloth, as has been said, have not had any issues with ink soaking in or finish on the pen 'changing'....

[PAKMAN]

Very good choice !! Love my HS Lava! Haven't had any staining problems. Didn't think I would like the bronze patina and that I would polish it a lot, but as it turns out I love the way the pen looks with the bronze patina!

[Uncial]

Thanks for the replies. Looking forward to getting this pen now.

[NomadSteve]

Mine (in steel) is also on the way. Eek! Can't wait. Good advice in here, looking forward to putting it into action.

[Soer]

I think that the guys at Visconti made a BIG mistake to use the porous Lava material .

I have one bronze model since January 2012 and I am frustrated due its ink stain and obsessive cleaning after refilling and leakage on the nib holder (plastic piece).

The pen is well balanced and a has a sweet nib, only they have used a far better material instead of LAVA.

The inlay that is glued to the LAVA body has grooves on the top (when looking form the top to the nib ) that soaks ink and after a while it releases it and than you get the stains again on your finger.

Whipping only doesn't do it.

[msolok]

I think that the guys at Visconti made a BIG mistake to use the porous Lava material .

I have one bronze model since January 2012 and I am frustrated due its ink stain and obsessive cleaning after refilling and leakage on the nib holder (plastic piece).

 

If you are getting ink leaking from where the nib unit screws in, when you are next ging to fill the pen unscrew the nib. Clean the pen and make sure it is fully dry. Apply some silicon grease to the nib unit threads, reassemble and fill. Ink should now stop leaking. If not contact Visconti as there were some pens which had an issue and they have a fix for it.

 

As for staining, never noticed it on either of mine (and I have had them since July/August last year). However if you are concerned about it get yourself a Visconti Travelling Inkwell. Not only will you get a full fill in your Homo Sapian but you get no ink on your section, therefore no staining!

[Soer]

 

If you are getting ink leaking from where the nib unit screws in, when you are next ging to fill the pen unscrew the nib. Clean the pen and make sure it is fully dry. Apply some silicon grease to the nib unit threads, reassemble and fill. Ink should now stop leaking. If not contact Visconti as there were some pens which had an issue and they have a fix for it.

 

As for staining, never noticed it on either of mine (and I have had them since July/August last year). However if you are concerned about it get yourself a Visconti Travelling Inkwell. Not only will you get a full fill in your Homo Sapian but you get no ink on your section, therefore no staining!

Thanks for your reply, but i have done everything you mentioned above, like cleaning and apply silicone grease.

The silicone grease "washed" out form the pen after a while due to the pressure of the refill and yeah stain came back.

The one thing I didn't do is contact Visconti and mention the problem.

[msolok]

Thanks for your reply, but i have done everything you mentioned above, like cleaning and apply silicone grease.

The silicone grease "washed" out form the pen after a while due to the pressure of the refill and yeah stain came back.

The one thing I didn't do is contact Visconti and mention the problem.

 

Silicon Grease will need to be reapplied on a regular basis. If you aren't in the habit of unscrewing the nib unit then you can go longer between reapplying. But if you unscrew the nib unit you really should reapply it fairly often (possibly even every time you unscrew the nib).

[abritdownunder]

Had mine for a couple of months and no ink stains. It's a fantastic pen and the volcanic lava material feels wonderful in the hand. I chose the bronze and it looked great when it arrived but over time the bronze will start to take on a patina which, I think, will look even better.