Sample Writing And First Impressions: Rosetta Napoleon Ii

February 24, 2015

I have put down a few notes and some pictures on this Rosetta Napoleon II for anyone that may be considering a pen this size and budget. This is not a full review but a few notes of a newcomer to fountain pens and this forum (~ one year) who has taken a journey and is till learning.

This pen comes into my hands because of my past experience with the Rosetta Explorer (excellent pen). I was looking for another one and couldn't find it, when I noticed the Napoleon on sale and was intrigued by the design and size.

It is as small as a TWSBI Mini and you will see them side by side. I comes in beautiful colors; I chose tortoiseshell and had a long debate with myself before deciding among the many beautiful colors. I was also hoping that its nib would be as good as the Explorer, but it wasn't.

Anyway for $33 I consider a very nice daily, next-to-my-pc pen. Bear with me. Please be lenient with this newbie.

Sample writing and first impressions: Written on "Any-notebook" paper that I bought in a discount store and I use to test my pens. I test in common paper because that is where it will be used.

INK: Chesterfield Mahogany (brown)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/rosettanapoleonII_zps80233014.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/rosettanapoleonII-Rhodia_zps4d316624.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/Rosetta_2ndDay_1755_zpsc1bdc6c6.jpg

Size comparison with TWSBI mini

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/Rosetta_close_1813_zps2d041d34.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/Rosetta_close_1814_zpsb65a850c.jpg

Beautiful side portrait. Notice where the cap screws in on the barrel. That is a very nice detail and one of the main reasons that I like it. PLUS its SIZE

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/Rosetta_2ndDay_1761_zps1e5a0508.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/Rosetta_2ndDay_1762_zps8c44f2dc.jpg

"Rosetta" engrave don the cap.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/Rosetta_close_1818_zps986e594b.jpg

Uncapped, showing 1.1mm italic nib

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/Rosetta_2ndDay_1756_zpsa9645cf7.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/Rosetta_2ndDay_1759_zpsa554df39.jpg

"Verdict" I really like it, though i have a TWSBI that is of slightly better quality and a few above $100 and <$200 pens. This will make a very good pocket and every day writer.

It looks great, is well balanced and once you grind out the scratchiness, it should glide over not so good paper. I am not an expert doing that, so, I may ruin the nib if I continue "fixing" the nib, In all other departments the pen fits my "every day pen budget".

On thing, though: It is not sold with a converter and they point you to a Kaweco squeeze converter, which I bought. It holds very little ink, more of less the same as a small stander cartridge. For $33 you het the pen in a very nice box and one Private reserve cartridge which ink they advise to use with the Napoleon.

Hope this is of some help.

http://www.zoominto.com/zoomapi/ZoomButt.gif

Edited February 24, 2015 by Oldtimer

February 24, 2015

I have one with a fine point nib, also in the tortoiseshell. Beautiful pen! My nib was smooth from the start - I may still end up with a TWSBI mini some day for the ink volume, but I do love the little Rosetta.

I have a Monteverde mini converter that works just fine...

February 24, 2015

On 2/24/2015 at 5:45 PM, bbycrts said:
I have one with a fine point nib, also in the tortoiseshell. Beautiful pen! My nib was smooth from the start - I may still end up with a TWSBI mini some day for the ink volume, but I do love the little Rosetta.

I have a Monteverde mini converter that works just fine...

The problem might be the Italic Nib only. i have read similar comments as yours with other nibs. If they sold the fine nib separately I would buy it to have choices. Right now I am into a "italic nib phase" … Ho, ho, ho

The TWSBi is so, so much softer. I will try the Monteverde! Thanks!

Edited February 24, 2015 by Oldtimer

February 24, 2015

On 2/24/2015 at 6:13 PM, Oldtimer said:

The problem might be the Italic Nib only. i have read similar comments as yours with other nibs. If they sold the fine nib separately I would buy it to have choices. Right now I am into a "italic nib phase" … Ho, ho, ho

The TWSBi is so, so much softer. I will try the Monteverde! Thanks!

Before you try the Monteverde...stop! I just realized that my Napoleon is the original, not the II. I think it's a Nib/feed/section difference. Anyway - I'm not sure if the Monteverde converter will fit the II model.

February 25, 2015

On 2/24/2015 at 8:37 PM, bbycrts said:
Before you try the Monteverde...stop! I just realized that my Napoleon is the original, not the II. I think it's a Nib/feed/section difference. Anyway - I'm not sure if the Monteverde converter will fit the II model.

Kool! I did not order because I have no other thing to order. You are right. Thanks! They only mention the Kweco and I see how different The Monteverde is.It is probably longer.

March 1, 2015

Gorgeous color! Now I simply must have one in EF to go with my Lemon Ice version... Mmm. I believe the Kaweco squeeze converter is the only one that will fit it. You could also use an ink syringe to fill an empty cartridge with your bottled ink, too.

As for the 1.1mm nib being scratchy, mine was too. But I noticed that the tines kept getting misaligned all the time--they are so long, that they would hit the inner cap screw when I tightened the cap, and get twisted inside the screw's indentation. I ended up trimming the tines down and smoothing them with sandpaper. Now I have a nice, smooth-writing 1.1mm italic I can use for every day and on the go.

Hopefully, yours doesn't have the same problem. >_< And if you do, well.. hopefully my experience is of some help to you.

May 27, 2015

Looking for a nib replacement! What should I be looking for? I love the outer body, the nib or the feed was (were) a disaster.

May 27, 2015

The threaded end of the barrel on the Napoleon creates a very solid "posting" of the cap. It is very difficult to use un-posted. I have a black one and a purple one. A very nice, compact carry pen. Mine are old -- the price was $25.

Edited May 27, 2015 by Sasha Royale

May 27, 2015

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/PENS/Rosetta%20NAPOLEON/napoleon_1177_zps8dakt0aw.jpg

This is my new "frankenpen" Napoleon II with a Serwex Fine nib. Ugly, but NOW it REALLY WORKS!

May 13, 2016

Thanks for the review. I own a Napoleon I. Bought it last year when the promotion was on to "get rid of" Napoleon I. I love the appearance and the built. But the nib was problematic. First it was very dry and a bit scratchy. I worked on it by widening the tines gap and polished the nib several times. I still wasn't satisfied with the way it wrote. Then I discovered that there was a gap at the clip to the cap. It caused the pen to dry out and you got the "first skip" effect when you start writing. So I put some glue to seal the gap, and it worked for a while. Finally I removed the nib and replaced it with a Japanese nib. So I am not too sure the new Napoleon II is any better.