Visconti Ragtime Road Test

The Visconti Limited Edition Ragtime fountain pen was issued in celebration of Visconti's 20th anniversary in 2008 and is a more refined and updated version of the original design released in 1988. It features a special 14K gold anniversary nib that is "rigid but smooth", and double solid gold bands on the cap. The material is a somewhat translucent resin milled from a single rod with colors swirling in tans, golds, whites and browns.

According to Howard Edelstein and Mel Strohminger in the December/January 2009 issue of Stylus magazine, "The pen is relatively lightweight, but well-balanced..." Further comments included, "Fit and finish are superb", and "Long and thin- looks good- the clip is very retro..." Their combined score was 87/100, a solid "B".

The Ragtime is a serial numbered limited edition of on 1988 pieces worldwide. It is a cartridge/converter fountain pen with an msrp of $575.00. Click for more details on the Ragtime collection...http://www.scottsdalepen.com/visconti-pens-ragtime-c-38_315.html

Pilot Custom 74 Clear Fountain Pen

Demonstrators are always a popular addition to any collection, and the Pilot Custom 74 should be on your list. At only $190.00 msrp with a 14K gold nib its an excellent value.

In the February/March 2009 issue of Stylus magazine in the Road Test article, Howard Edelstein and Mel Strohminger drive the 74 and come up with an averaged rating of "90" on a 100 scale. "A handsome pen and an excellent value", "...the ink flow was steady and smooth", and "The converter is almost as good as a true internal filling mechanism" are some of the comments in the article. Further, "...a high-grade, medium-sized fountain pen that looks good, feels good and writes well."

I have stocked the medium and the broad nib, which tend to lean towards being about a half a step finer- typical with Japanese nibs. Check it out at:
http://www.scottsdalepen.com/pilot-custom-demonstrator-fountain-p-1415.html

Platinum #3776 Music Pen

In the Spring 2009 Stylus magazine, Howard Edelstein and Mel Strohminger review the Platinum #3776 Music Pen. We've sold a number of these and the feedback has always been very positive.

This fountain pen features a unique nib with two slits rather than the usual single slit and enables the user "to write thin horizontal lines and broad vertical lines with the same nib." Further, "it gives solid performance at a moderate price. The nib will even most likely appeal to the everyday fountain pen user who just wants to introduce a little flair into his or her writing."

Strohminger rates the pen 88/100, while Edelstein gives it an 84/100, a solid "B" average. The main rub is the plain styling of the pen, but you have to weigh that against the very, very reasonable cost, $170.00 msrp, for a fountain pen with a specialty 14K gold nib. To quote Mel, "As the music nib breaks in, the owner will be rewarded with unique line quality and shaded handwriting."

Check it out at http://www.scottsdalepen.com/platinum-3776-music-fountain-p-1204.html.

Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Anello Fountain Pen

In the October/November 2008 issue of Stylus magazine, Mel Strohminger and Howard Edelstein teamed up to do their Road Test of the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Anello fountain pen. On a scale of 100, Mel gave the pen a 91, while Howard marked it was a 90. That looks like an "A" to me!

The Anello fountain pen is a cartridge/converter fountain pen sporting a semi-flexible 18K gold two-tone nib and features a matte black ebony barrel with platinum-plated rings. The fluted cap has Faber's fabulous spring-loaded "S" clip. A sampling of comments includes "uniformly well made" and "smooth consistent writing. This pen carries a limited lifetime warranty and is priced at $495. http://www.scottsdalepen.com/fabercastell-classic-anello-fountain-p-1722.html

Conway Stewart Dandy Heritage

Please take a couple of seconds to view the beautiful Conway Stewart limited edition Dandy Heritage fountain pen with sterling silver fittings. Only 200 pieces are being released!
http://www.scottsdalepen.com/conway-stewart-pens-dandy-heritage-c-221_293.html