Review: Stipula Etruria facetted OS Celluloid LE

This review comes one and half years AFTER I received this pen. I know, I'm a little slow. Nevertheless, 18 months later this pen remains one of my favourites and therefore definitely in line for a proper review.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
It's BIG. It's beautiful, it's different. Chatterley Pens has done it again!
 9/10

APPEARANCE AND DESIGN
It's BIG. It's beautiful, it's different!
A limited edition pen, (mine is #12 of 18) that was produced in collaboration between Stipula and Chatterley Pens, this pen delivers the level of individuality and quality you don't always see in so-called limited edition fountain pens.

The green shimmering flecks on the black celluloid base are just wonderful.

Always a fan of facetted pens (no rolling on the desk), the 8 facets on body and lid help the light to create all sort of fun as it refracts on each angle.

The piston Knob is invisible (well, relatively) at the base of the body which allows for the seamlessness of the colour.
But the most unique aspect of this pen lies in the screw-on cap. For a start, the threads for the cap are at the base of the nib rather than at half way down or at the base of the section. This works well, and helps the sustain the fluidity of the design. The next unique feature is the rings ... all 6 of them! Six sterling silver rings wrap around the base of the facetted cap in counterpoint to the silver, Stipula, clip. While there is potential here for garishness or overkill, this really works well - just beautiful.

9/10


WEIGHT AND DIMENSION
This is a big and heavy pen. Both things that I love. If you don't like heavy pens or long pens, l suggest you leave this one alone.
I don't have scales for this, but just trust me, it's a well-balanced, but weighty pen.
Capped, the pen is 15cm long and around 1.5cm wide in the body (marginally wider in the cap). Uncapped, I measure 13cm from nib tip to base.
While the pen can be used posted (and I am generally a poster).
Posted the pen measures 17cm in length (bloody long!) and although not hugely unbalanced, not as comfortable as unposted.


9/10

NIB AND PERFORMANCE

The nib is a good size, 14k Stipula; which, in itself, is a good beginning. When you add to this that this nib was tuned (prior to my receiving it) to Cursive Italic by Mike Matsuyama, then really, nothing more need be said. This nib is a joy and a delight to write with. Smooth, fabulous line variation, that starts first time every time (and has done so for 1 and a half years).

10/10

FILLING SYSTEM
Piston. Works well, holds a good ink supply (which you would expect for a pen this size). My only criticism is that the piston knob is a tiny bit loose (ie. it can move a tiny fraction before it engages) which means that sometimes the facets do not exactly align.

9/10

COST AND VALUE
At time of purchase, this pen was around US$500. So it's not a cheap pen. But on value for money, the fact that I am singing it's praises one and a half years later, suggests that this pen well and truly stands up to the competition. A marvellous pen.

9/10

CONCLUSION
The Stipula Etruria - facetted, oversize, celluloid limited edition fountain pen (whew! what a mouthful) is a fabulous pen!!

92/100
 Click here for original FPGeeks report: fpgeeks.com/2012/10/stipula-and-chatterly-pens-introduce-the-faceted-etruria-oversize-fountain-pen/

0-50 = to be avoided at all costs
51-60 = if it’s cheap and you don’t really care….
61-70 = a nice pen with the makings of something better (just don’t spend too much)
71-80 = A better than average pen with just a few flaws that stop it from being really good
81-90 = A good pen, a keeper only a few minor places off being great
91-95 = Now THIS is a pen! If you can get it: keep it, love it, cherish it, and keep it away from the dog
96-100 = Grail