I hate to see a post go unanswered for too long, so I'll give a bit of info. This is bearing in mind that I don't have any Santini pens, but simply addressing the materials difference.
I can't honestly talk about the quantitative difference in cost, as only the end user will be the one to justify the higher ebonite price. Acrylic pens will likely come in more flamboyant colors, and frequently more color choices. I believe, though would not swear to this, that the acrylic is easier to machine, and that the ebonite requires either more time, skill or slightly different tools. One thing I can say is that most people - including me - believe there is a difference in feel, in your hand, with ebonite. I find it warms up faster and stays comfortable warm in hand, giving you the impression is it somehow softer. In two pens of identical size, the ebonite pen will also weigh a bit more, so you can get a thinner pen but still have some heft in hand. As to eventual pricing, I could point out that even in pen brands (say, from India) who primarily use ebonite, the modern combination of colors produces premium lines of material, and lesser, less complex patterns that aren't priced as high. There are also differences in quality (and control) - cheap hard rubber can have inconsistencies, little bits of stuff, etc. Good HR can be very smooth. Finally, there is the faint (hopefully) odor/aroma: ebonite
is hard rubber, and if you rub the barrel and sniff, it will smell like a bicycle tire.
Since this was the material that fountain pens were originally made from, it has stood the test of time and even when I purchase a modern pen, I feel like I am reaching back in time. Even in a very non-flashy material and design, it can be a nice bit of warm elegance. I don't buy a lot of ebonite pens, but I do enjoy them. Oddly enough, I recently got a more entry-level pen from Narwhal, a recent entry in piston fillers. All their first pens were fairly bright, patterned acrylic, but in celebration of their first year, they made the same pen in a dark black/red ebonite. It is a remarkably good pen, holds a good amount of ink, has an ink window, and while I chose to put a favorite old Sheaffer nib in, their in-house nib worked well. Their acrylic pens sell for $45-55 and this one, which also included a wooden presentation box and leather slip cover, was $80. (photo below)
Maybe this will give you a bit of perspective on the materials choice, and I hope others might chime in. Since the point is to help you out, I might also suggest asking over at the Fountain Pen Network, which has a very active Italian subforum and quite a few Santini owners. Good luck!
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