OMAS Arte Italiana black (titanium nib)

[tandaina]

I got a new pen in the mail today (new to me, used though). The seller described it as: "OMAS Arte Italiana Arte Deco fountain pen black titanium nib."



I know very little about it, wondering if folks here know more. It has a titanium nib, an ebonite feed. It is marked Omas Italy on the cap. The nib is nice and smooth and you *can* get some line variation with a heavy hand (which I don't have). Doesn't bounce like my Omas Italiana '90's gold nib.



Very light pen, feels very much like the Italiana '90 in the hand.

I inked it with Sailor's Phasianus Versicolor (pheasant). Pretty shading and gentle sheen. Messy writting sample follows.



Seller said this was one of the cheaper Omas pens, but that's all I know about it, and Googling for it isn't terribly helpful. Anyone have one, or know about when this was made?

[alc3261]

I have one, they were made last year or 2013.

[Laura N]

I played with all three at the pen show a couple years ago. I thought it was nice. By my standards, the nib I tried was very bouncy, but certainly there's going to be some sample variation. Also, I am not a fan of flex nibs for my handwriting, so take that into account. It's a current model, is still probably available new in limited quantities, and is one of the lower priced pens in the Omas line. It has the nice vintage Paragon body style, and was originally made in red, yellow and black. I felt very positive about it -- in fact I would have loved to have one.

I wonder if you can still find it listed at Nibs.com. Even when he sells out, he usually keeps the listings up.

[tandaina]

I played with all three at the pen show a couple years ago. I thought it was nice. By my standards, the nib I tried was very bouncy, but certainly there's going to be some sample variation. Also, I am not a fan of flex nibs for my handwriting, so take that into account. It's a current model, is still probably available new in limited quantities, and is one of the lower priced pens in the Omas line. It has the nice vintage Paragon body style, and was originally made in red, yellow and black. I felt very positive about it -- in fact I would have loved to have one.

I wonder if you can still find it listed at Nibs.com. Even when he sells out, he usually keeps the listings up.

Nibs.com is usually the first place I go. But they don't have one that matches this. But I'm finding that Omas makes soooo many variations, and that different vendors almost always have very different varieties. Just in the arco material comparing the pens Nibs.com has to say Bryant's pens you can see that Omas is making lots of minor variations. Makes tracking them down... Less than easy.

Your post got me digging deeper and I managed to find what I'm pretty sure is the identical pen, indeed still available through Iguana sells for $360. Which means I got a nice hefty discount.

Also reveals that it is black vegetable resin (a first for me), and titanium trim.

[Laura N]

Tandaina, how about one of these? The red, yellow and black one when you scroll down. I could be wrong, because as you say Omas does make a lot of variations, but I do think that these at least have the same nib. Those are the ones I fell for at the pen show, probably in 2013.

[tandaina]

Tandaina, how about one of these? The red, yellow and black one when you scroll down. I could be wrong, because as you say Omas does make a lot of variations, but I do think that these at least have the same nib. Those are the ones I fell for at the pen show, probably in 2013.

Yes, the bottom one (smooth finish)! Found it here as well.

[Laura N]

I really liked this one, then -- it's the same. I am very happy for you that you got one.

You already know, however, that Omas is a terrible lure for heart and wallet.

[tandaina]

Yup. They most definitely are. I've already got a weakness for piston fillers. Which leaves me mostly safe from Italian pens, except Omas.

[Laura N]

And Auroras.

However you wouldn't like the Aurora nib, I think -- it's very stiff, even more than a modern Pelikan, and has definite feedback. It's my perfect nib, but probably the opposite for anyone who likes spring and flex.

[earthdawn]

Dan did a review of it ....

http://youtu.be/WtRGk3o6xlE


Nice pen !!!

Congrats... I still have yet to even try a titanium nib.

[tandaina]

I have a feeling folks used to modern nibs would find this nice and springy. I'm used to vintage nibs, most of which are Semi-flex. Even some of my vintage steel is full flex. So I think my expectations are a little different when someone says soft. For a modern nib, very comfy, not a nail. I'm loving it more and more as I use it. Definitely worth grabbing if you see one for a good price.

[rafapa]

I believe the best price in Europe is at
http://www.cruzaltpens.com/2014/12/2...special-145-e/

[The Good Captain]

I've got the red version and it's a great pen. However, it started to leak from the filler-knob end which isn't uncommon among Omas pens. Very simple to take apart though and silicone the workings with no repeat of the issue. Great nib, in my opinion.

[pompero]

I´ve got the yellow one and I love it.

[kpyeoman]

Beautiful pen, tandaina! If you ever want to sell it, please let me know.