Pineider vs Visconti

[Doug C]

I hope not to start a fire storm here, but Visconti has had its share of criticism on FPN over the years, with some observations valid, some not. I  currently have 13 and love all of them. I realize that Visconti has occasional quality issues and this is not acceptable at the price point most models cost.

 

I do have to say that the ones I have are uniformly well made, have lasted over years of use, and are great designs.

 That's where my question comes in; Daniel Del Vecchio was the head of design for most of the company's existence, and he seemed to have endless imagination.

 

The newer Viscontis appear to  just be retreads of the prior models and I find them dull.

He moved to Pineider and I was expecting great things. Of the five that I have purchased, I have sold all but one (the Alchemist). Not only have I been nonplussed when I got the actual pen in my hand (having ordered online), but they have all but one had issues and seem very poorly constructed. In one case, the cap was broken as soon as I opened the box.  I think this explains the marked down pricing on some sites.

I had issues with the quill nibs so the lone survivor has a steel nib (very dry and toothy but at least it does not skip). I may send it off to a tuner.

 

Am I being too critical, or are others finding the same problems I've found?

 

Just curious.

[jchch1950]

Does Pinieder makes their pens or just designs them and  another company does the manufacturing?

[Doug C]

I have no idea. 

[amberleadavis]

I have a Bellezza and a Dromgoole's exclusive that are wonderful pens. The Bellezza was insanely wet and the Dromgoole's is perfect.  Huge Soft Stub nib.  I love them.  I don't have any Visconti's so I don't have a comparison..

[Doug C]

Not able to edit the original post.  Of course I meant Dante Del Vecchio. 

[Misfit]

I’m the opposite.  I have Visconti pens, and no Pineider ones. All of mine have written well. The only issue I’ve had is a cap magnet on a Michelangelo coming loose. I got all stub nibs when I could. It doesn’t help answer your question though. 

[langere]

I have both Viscontis (22 of them) and Pineiders (4).  I have found the Viscontis to be wet writers and aesthetically very attractive.  Pineider as well, but in general I find them less compelling.

 

In terms of writing, both brands do very well.

 

Erick

[Ivey1075]

I love my mystery filler pineider but that cap has made me consider chunking it out the window.  Like you found the cap to be defective within a week of getting it, sent it off for repairs under warranty. 50 dollars and 4 months later I got my pen back, that was about 5 months ago.  Today I discover the cap is leaking ink again into the space between the sealed space between inner and outer cap, which on a demonstrator looks hideous.  I look up thru the bottom of the cap to discover the O-ring is partially disintegrated. I use good quality inks. They obviously did not check all parts of the cap during the repair process.  Lazy and for a 1200-1400 dollar pen, I expect a lot better quality and attention to detail from the company.

 

 

[ArchiMark]

Over the years, I've had about 20 Visconti's and about 6 Pineiders....all great pens and writers, no problems.

 

Still have several of each and enjoy using them regularly.

 

Understand that some people have had issues. Fortunately, my experience has been very positive.

 

 

 

 

[Baka1969]

I have a Visconti Rembrandt and am (hopefully) close to getting a Pineider Avatar UR. Although both are entry-level for each company, I still think they have a lot of Italian flair. 

 

I am more forgiving of QC issues on luxury Italian products. Think Ferrari, Lamborghini or Alfa Romeo. Exotic looks with poor quality. You're paying for the Italian-ness and not their rock-solid quality. I have German and Japanese pens for that. Like a buying Porsche or Acura. 

 

If I were buying only one pen for the rest of my life and it had to work perfectly every time I used it I wouldn't buy a Visconti. I'd get a Lamy. 

 

But I have a collection of dozens of pen. When I want a sexy pen I go to an Italian pen. It'll turn heads even if it's in the shop half the time. Or spontaneously combusts (that's a real thing with exotic Italian cars).