OMAS 361 FLEXIBLE\STIFF AXIAL NIB

[gicoteni]

I like the OMAS 361 and its flexible\stiff nib. I have a very small collection of this model: a 361\S set FP + PNC in black celluloid body and gold filled cap, a 361\C black celluloid and gold filled cap and a black celluloid 361\T. They were produced in different years, but all about 1950's.

 

 

The main feature of 361's nib is the difference of flexibility - not of the size like in Sheaffer Stylist or in Parker 180 – turning over the pen.

 

 

 

 

Note in 180 difference of width and in 361 of stiffness

The nib is covered by an hood that on one side lets it quite open, so it can easily bend; on the opposite side the point only sticks out of the cover and it is very rigid. I have always seen a unique size of 361 nib, a fine\medium point, and always in gold.

 

 

The great flexibility makes it a wet nib too, while the stiff side is dry, so the difference of writing is evident.

 

 

The point is perfectly axial (just like in Stylist and 180) and when you rotate the pen you do not feel any change in the position of the nib.

 

 

 

The hood also is free to rotate and one could rotate it to modify the flexibility of writing, but I prefer to turn the pen because the celluloid of the hood is thin and breakable (anyway in the instruction papers of 361 I do not find any reference to the rotation of the hood).

Unfortunately OMAS 361 is a pen not so easy to find and very rare in unused mint conditions.

Edited January 20, 2008 by gicoteni

[handlebar]

Grazie for the photographs and descriptions Gicoteni.They are beautiful and so completely different from the Omas we know.

These older and more "european" models are tough to find,as you brought out.

 

Regards,

 

Jim

[georges zaslavsky]

one very nice and interesting pen grazie mille for sharing

Edited January 26, 2008 by georges zaslavsky

[Sazerac]

What an interesting and unique pen you describe here. Wonderful presentation too. Thanks for sharing it.

[rgarciasandoval]

Hi all

 

I am not sure if this qualifies as a review, but for sure is a great graphic-essay about a quite remarkable vintage pen.

 

Just one question, is this celluloid from the fifties more like the regular celluloid or more like the cotton (vegetal) resin? Some of you guys knows how old the cotton resin is?

 

Thanks a lot gicoteni for sharing this

 

Very best

 

Ricardo

Edited January 27, 2008 by rgarciasandoval

[gicoteni]

....

Just one question, is this celluloid from the fifties more like the regular celluloid or more like the cotton (vegetal) resin? Some of you guys knows how old the cotton resin is?

....

 

Hello. These pens are in black celluloid, so they do not have the chromatic effects typical of celluloid. Here in FPN I have found a topic regarding resin, plastic, celluloid...resin: it may help to understand the difference.

Ciao a tutti, Giuseppe

Edited January 27, 2008 by gicoteni

[zanio]

Hi all. I just read this topic and I wanted to share few pics...same matter.

It is about a vintage japanese pen by Platinum which has an interesting nib, very similar to the Parker 180 one.

Hope you like the pictures.

 

Cheers

Z

[CRB]

Wow, what an interesting pen by Platinum. Thank you for sharing the pictures, Zanio; and thanks for bringing forward Giuseppe's excellent original thread.

 

Cheers,

Joe

[carlc]

Wow, what an interesting pen by Platinum. Thank you for sharing the pictures, Zanio; and thanks for bringing forward Giuseppe's excellent original thread.

 

Cheers,

Joe

 

Hi Joe - wow it's weird to find you here rather than the Waterman forum!

 

Gicoteni - thank you an excellent and informative post.

 

Carl

[youstruckgold]

I have the 361T and love it! I use the flex side for writing and signatures - lovely flex, and the rigid side for docs that need stiffer nibs for carbon or similar.

[markiv]

Great thread and great instruments; thank you.

 

Posting here so I can find it easily in the future.

[iroshizuku]

Thanks for sharing! What a beautiful pen!