Visconti Van Gogh Cap Cracks :(

[Mookli]

Buongiorno,

I have a Visconti Van Gogh midi, Its coming up on three years old, so I think it is the older vision

It has lived a sheltered life, not a daily user, never dropped.

 

I found cracks in the cap!, not just one, but a 4 spiraling from under the cap band into the plastic.

Under normal conditions they are not visible. but if I shine a light into the cap they become very noticeable.

 

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Thanks

Mark

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Mixed-Pens/i-R2s9Pcg/0/L/Cap%20damage-L.jpg

 

 

 

 

[Ghost Plane]

If you hunt the archives, when the pens first came out, some of the resin had bubbles in it where the colors hadn't mixed together well. In those days the pens went off to Visconti for replacement as we were given to understand the condition couldn't be repaired. I'd contact the distributor for your region.

[Mookli]

Well, I talked to Visconti Italy.

They said they don't cover cracks under warranty.

I asked them to take a look at the pen before making a judgement and they agreed.

I sent the pen in and after a few weeks was contacted and given payment instructions for the repair.

I asked them if they had looked at the damage and what was their findings.

This was their response:

 

The old Van Gogh, as most of the pens, creates a force between the thread and the inner cap (screwing strong pen section metal presses on inner cap forcing the threaded area).

When the cap is screwed strong, the thread becomes the weakest point of the pen, if the pen takes a bump the thread may break.

This happens in all the pens, but some are more delicate than others for the shape and for the material used. The Van Gogh resin is not very elastic and this makes it a pen fragile.

The celluloid pens never have this problem because is more elastic…

 

Best regards

 

I explained that I am a pen collector, reasonable knowledgeable, and don't over tighten caps.

The pen was not dropped or knocked.

This pen was not a daily user, and had spent most of its life in its original box.

so I didn't think the generalized explanation applied to the specific case.

 

 

The response:

 

Considering the warranty, when there is a fracture of the pen unfotunately the warranty cannot be apply.

 

So I paid the repair and got my pen back.

 

So here are some thoughts,

 

The good stuff,

Everyone at Visconti was prompt to respond, courteous, and helpful. (Thank you ladies)

The charge for a new cap was reasonable, Euro 20.00

Shipping was another Euro 20.00 for DHL very fast return.

The replacement cap is nicer that the one it replaced.

 

The not so good,

I feel disappointed with the way they handled this.

The Van Gogh was in its day probably a $200.00 pen, you could call it "entry level".

The intent of "entry level" product is to be a gateway to more substantial investments.

This only works if there are no problems, and the customer is happy.

My opinion is, it was a poor design and a unforgiving material, and should have been covered.

Instead they implied I broke the pen by screwing the cap on too thigh and bumping it!

I am not as much disappointed in the pen as I am in the company.

 

All over a $20 cap!

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Mixed-Pens/i-CcPM8KG/0/L/Visconti%20Van%20Gogh%2001-L.jpg

 

 

Note:

To be fair to Visconti,

This is only my personal opinion. Other may have had stellar service.

[Keyless Works]

I had one of the first models with the "3K" locking cap and mine cracked after several years of use.

[Ceelo]

Could anyone elaborate on the difference between the 3k locking cap versus the one which came afterwards? Pictures would be helpful if possible.

[Mookli]

The first generation Van Gogh had the 3K locking system. Also called, Tri Cam, Cam Lock or ¼ twist.

It is smooth and doesn’t photograph well.

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Mixed-Pens/i-28MKLxq/0/L/cam%201-L.jpg

 

The barrel had three slight radial cams, symmetrically spaced. The cap the identical mating geometry.

A short twist will engage the cams and lock the cap in place.

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Mixed-Pens/i-V2WtcZ3/0/S/cam%20lock-S.jpg

 

The engineering balance was to create just enough friction to keep the cap in place, yet be easily reversed.

(cam angle vs cam pressure)

The outward force had a tendency to crack the cap under the band, and the design was revised for the next generation.

[europen]

I've had my FG Van Gogh for about 15 years and never had a problem with cracks, leakage, etc.

[Keyless Works]

I wonder if it was only certain colors but who knows maybe I accidently over torqued mine one day...either way it was a bad design because I haven't cracked any other pen caps.

 

I had the Vanilla (?) color which was stunning. It had beautiful crystallized "bubbles"...kind of reminds me of amber.

[Mookli]

The user base is a good test bed, Designs that work will prevail.

As an engineer, I think the 3K design is sound. Managing the production and materials is a separate issue.

I do comment Visconti for trying, that is after all how we make advancments.

But with that also comes some responsibility, after all they are not giving the pens away.

 

M

[Ceelo]

Thanks Mookli for the information posted. Interesting design will keep my eyes peeled on any Van Goghs I come across, would be interesting to see one in the flesh.

[glennhkc]

I've capped my original maxi VG with much care after reading of the 3K cracking issues, but rarely use it as the nib/feed dries out quickly when unused. As much as I like the pen, this issue keeps it from much use. I wonder if others have experienced this.

[Mookli]

Glennhkc,

Yes, its a common problem not just with my VG, but with many pens,

I live in a hot and dry climate and drying it a content problem. I think a pen should go 48 hours without drying out, but I have some that can't make it overnight.

Some manufacturers have a tight-fitting spring-loaded inner cap that works nicely. others have nothing but a big airy cap that doesn't seal, not so nice!

I commend Visconti for trying new and innovative designs, some work better than others. I have a Homosapien that has a brilliant cap design, works and has held up well to use.

 

It would be a nice to include cap-test in reviews.

Something like:

With the pen half full of a standard ink, stand it vertically in a desiccant chamber. check it after 24 hours to see if it writes. If you use the pen every day 24 hours should suffice.

 

M