My first Omas

[senzen]

I managed to snag a Milord.

 

 

Here with its cousing, a Minerva 60.

 

 

The piston worked for a little while, until it didn't; I cleaned it, the section with an ultrasonic cleaner, put some silicone grease on the barrel threads and at the knob... And it seems to be writing beautifully, even if I'm basically filling it as an eyedropper. The nib is particularly smooth, it produces a light Yama Guri which can go dark if pressing on the nib, but I write with a very light hand. I've always laughed at "precious resins" and such like but this one feels particularly nice in hand.

 

The barrel also doesn't seem to go all the way into the cap but there have been no drying out issues in the past couple of days. I have very little time for pens that don't work, but so far this one does and is a joy to use. I can't complain about the piston given the price I paid, even if it wasn't the bargain of the century.

[ZeroDukE]

Congratulations!  A wonderful fountain pen.

[senzen]

7 hours ago, ZeroDukE said:

Congratulations!  A wonderful fountain pen.

 

Thank you!

[greencobra]

nice, good for you, congratulations. i own several, i know the thrill you must be feeling. my favorite is a milord brown arco pen with a fine nib. i've had it for close to 20 years and have used it at least once daily since. following that, i have an old style paragon and milord. black cotton resin and those also have <F> nibs. and a new style paragon. i hate the metal section on it but the nib is a work of art and a joy to use. it's a huge pen too. the nib is why i live with that damn metal section. i put one wrap of tennis grip wrap around the section. a great conversation starter, the wrap is, as well as taking care of that cold slippery section. before the tape, it would squirt out of your hand when it got sweaty.

 

i hope you're enjoying the omas. what a treat, huh? a luxurious pen to say the least.

[senzen]

Thanks greencobra, I have very litle patience for non working pens and yet this is a real pleasure to use, and so far totally reliable. The material reminds me of Persol sunglasses. I have a friend from Bologna, couldn't convince him it was enough of an excuse to get myself yet another pen 😬.

[RobNYC]

I have two in this size, a red from around 2000 based on the 75th anniversary nib and a Bibliotheque nationale from 1994. I think you will find it to be quite an exceptional writer. Congratulations on your new acquisition! I'm not sure what the piston issue is, but this video may help. 

For the piston, jump to about 3:05. It's a different Omas pen, but the construction is the same. It helped me with the piston on my red pen, which I thought I had ruined. Good luck!

[senzen]

Thanks RobNYC! very useful; unfortunately I did look for but didn't see the internal barrel "nubs"; still so far no leaks, a reliable and nice writer; I did notice the cap rings wanted to grab the Lochby pen case I was keeping it in, I'll just keep it in an old eyeglases case; not very glamorous but does the trick.