Omas Paragon Old Style Bad Odor

November 25, 2015

I recently purchased what was described as a NOS Paragon. It writes very well, but there is a mysterious odor emanating from the nib and the cap. If I had to describe it, I would say it smells like a rusty toolbox and stale bread. My Paragon has an 18k gold nib with gold/orange plating. This plating appears to have worn at some places, and I suspect that it is the source of the odor. Any insight would be appreciated.

November 25, 2015

I have a Roma 2000 Giubileo LE which stinks in the way you described.

After much sniffing like a puppy I've concluded that the smell emanates from the ebonite feed.

No harm, it just stinks

And with regards to the "plating", it's the silvery/white metal portion that is plated; the yellow/orange portion is the unplated GOLD (gold is yellow, right?). The darker hue that you see on the unplated gold is due to tarnish, since the gold used to make the nib is not pure/24K gold (which does not oxidise), but 18K (75% gold) - it's the other metal(s) used in the gold alloy that oxidises. Regarding the "worn plating", it's due to imprecise application of the white metal plating going beyond its defined "limits" and encroaches into the unplated yellow parts.

Enjoy your Paragon in good health. It's a grail pen for many here including yours truly.

Shahrin

Edited November 25, 2015 by shahrincamille

November 25, 2015

Thank you! I think you are correct about the source of the odor. Apparently ebonite production involves sulfur, which may cause the "toolbox scent." I just wish there was a permanent way to remove the odor.

November 25, 2015

Thank you! I think you are correct about the source of the odor. Apparently ebonite production involves sulfur, which may cause the "toolbox scent." I just wish there was a permanent way to remove the odor.

I have the same odor on Casanova. But if you use it for a while, the smell will go away almost completely.