I agree with you 100%. I have a Bexley sleeve filler with an 18k stub nib. I did my research before buying and knew that it would likely have "baby's bottom." It did, so I fixed that, but the cap seal is so poor that when it sets unused, overnight, the nib dries out. I keep trying wetter and wetter inks, but still no luck. I have given this pen so much grace, but it just doesn't want to write.
Thanks for your honest review, Olivier. The Italian pen companies do make some really beautiful pens, but sadly a lot of them fall short in some way. It's usually a mediocre or bad nib, or plating wear or a clip bent out of alignment, or early corrosion, etc., etc. At this price point it's not acceptable. Sure, I like beautiful pens, but if it doesn't perform its primary function - to write well - then it's really just a pretty stick. These days there are a number of excellent small custom makers who can give you exactly what you want, nothing you don't want, and a beautiful pen that writes beautifully too. And they can make it for a lot less than $800 - like 40 to 50% less, even more depending on your choice of materials, features and nib choices. I'd rather have a steel nib that is smootth, well-adjusted and pleasant to write with than any gold nib with misalignment, baby bottom or just plain not what it should be. And if a company keeps pumping out new versions and not fixing old continuing problems, I wish them financial decline and bankruptcy, and I contribute to that by not buying their pens.
I’m 100% with you there Jay. I think people will tire of them once they run out of arco. That being said, an Italian brand that impresses me a lot is Leonardo. Decent prices, solid nibs, and a variety of designs. Hoping to try one soon.
Excellent review, i.e., I agree with you. The rage for swirly plastic has always escaped me. At that price, I want solid silver or gold, or a magic nib. I went to the SF show specifically as a chance to handle some Franklin-Christophs, which is just as well, since nothing else interested me. I did come home with a very sweet prototype Model 20 that makes me happy. Needlepoint. I hope you enjoy your new pens as well.
Please don't change with time. We need reviewers like you. I enjoy your reviews for your honesty and deep understanding of pens. I share the same thoughts on the quality vs price here. Onething, the blind cap is a NO for me. I ruined a celluloid pen by using the blind cap frequently. Though it took some years, but the blind cap does not thread anymore. If I pay 800 usd, I would rather prefer a celluloid on celluloid with threads.
I’ll do my best to not let your kind words go to my head 😅 I didn’t even think about the longevity of the design- that’s a great point! Plastic on metal threads is a no no for me- though I’m not as a consistent in my criticism of it (sailor does it but I like them enough to overlook it)
The Arco finish is attractive, but always seems like too much to me. What I liked about Omas was their extra-flessibile nibs and their ebonite feeds. Even the one I have without that special nib writes well and reliably, but with some other questionable engineering. Misaligned nib tines should not happen at this price point. And the smooth knob on the converter bothers me. If it must be a converter, give me access at the section so I can clean the pen properly and check ink level occasionally. I don't like this kind of captured converter at all. And, as another viewer pointed out, the celluloid on metal for the blind cap is a problem. I have one or two vintage pens with cracked blind caps, so I don't dare take them out of the house for fear of losing the blind cap permanently. If it were a lot cheaper, I might consider buying one just to own a sample of the Arco. But it's just not worth $800 for me.
ASC in Arco Bronze is probably the most expensive pen I bought. It was disappointment as fit and finish was not as good as a £100 Pilot. I was expecting Montblanc quality but it’s nowhere near that. What has really put me off was laser engraving.
I guess they captured the essence of OMAS perfectly...
To be honest, after viewing all your vids, you're currently my favorite RUclipsr.
🥺 thank you so much!!
Awesome review.
I agree with you 100%. I have a Bexley sleeve filler with an 18k stub nib. I did my research before buying and knew that it would likely have "baby's bottom." It did, so I fixed that, but the cap seal is so poor that when it sets unused, overnight, the nib dries out. I keep trying wetter and wetter inks, but still no luck. I have given this pen so much grace, but it just doesn't want to write.
Thanks for your honest review, Olivier. The Italian pen companies do make some really beautiful pens, but sadly a lot of them fall short in some way. It's usually a mediocre or bad nib, or plating wear or a clip bent out of alignment, or early corrosion, etc., etc. At this price point it's not acceptable. Sure, I like beautiful pens, but if it doesn't perform its primary function - to write well - then it's really just a pretty stick. These days there are a number of excellent small custom makers who can give you exactly what you want, nothing you don't want, and a beautiful pen that writes beautifully too. And they can make it for a lot less than $800 - like 40 to 50% less, even more depending on your choice of materials, features and nib choices. I'd rather have a steel nib that is smootth, well-adjusted and pleasant to write with than any gold nib with misalignment, baby bottom or just plain not what it should be. And if a company keeps pumping out new versions and not fixing old continuing problems, I wish them financial decline and bankruptcy, and I contribute to that by not buying their pens.
I’m 100% with you there Jay. I think people will tire of them once they run out of arco.
That being said, an Italian brand that impresses me a lot is Leonardo. Decent prices, solid nibs, and a variety of designs. Hoping to try one soon.
Excellent review, i.e., I agree with you.
The rage for swirly plastic has always escaped me. At that price, I want solid silver or gold, or a magic nib.
I went to the SF show specifically as a chance to handle some Franklin-Christophs, which is just as well, since nothing else interested me. I did come home with a very sweet prototype Model 20 that makes me happy. Needlepoint. I hope you enjoy your new pens as well.
Please don't change with time. We need reviewers like you. I enjoy your reviews for your honesty and deep understanding of pens.
I share the same thoughts on the quality vs price here.
Onething, the blind cap is a NO for me. I ruined a celluloid pen by using the blind cap frequently. Though it took some years, but the blind cap does not thread anymore. If I pay 800 usd, I would rather prefer a celluloid on celluloid with threads.
I’ll do my best to not let your kind words go to my head 😅
I didn’t even think about the longevity of the design- that’s a great point! Plastic on metal threads is a no no for me- though I’m not as a consistent in my criticism of it (sailor does it but I like them enough to overlook it)
@@oliveboypens thank you. 😊
The Arco finish is attractive, but always seems like too much to me. What I liked about Omas was their extra-flessibile nibs and their ebonite feeds. Even the one I have without that special nib writes well and reliably, but with some other questionable engineering.
Misaligned nib tines should not happen at this price point. And the smooth knob on the converter bothers me. If it must be a converter, give me access at the section so I can clean the pen properly and check ink level occasionally. I don't like this kind of captured converter at all. And, as another viewer pointed out, the celluloid on metal for the blind cap is a problem. I have one or two vintage pens with cracked blind caps, so I don't dare take them out of the house for fear of losing the blind cap permanently.
If it were a lot cheaper, I might consider buying one just to own a sample of the Arco. But it's just not worth $800 for me.
ASC in Arco Bronze is probably the most expensive pen I bought. It was disappointment as fit and finish was not as good as a £100 Pilot. I was expecting Montblanc quality but it’s nowhere near that. What has really put me off was laser engraving.
I’m sorry you had a bad experience too! ASC really seems to be coasting on their « heritage » that isn’t really even theirs to coast on…
The Pen Family-is it just me, or does that sound kinda sinister…
If only you knew…