Omas Limited Edition 360 Lucens

Limited Edition 360 Lucens – Impressions

If you follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts, you might have seen that at the shop we have received some very spectacular Omas Limited edition fountain pens in the last month. They arrived together in one of our most anticipated deliveries yet, the I Think Rose Gold Edition and the Trip of the Pheonix.

(From Greece to China, and then to Shrewsbury.)

  

And yesterday we received another Omas limited edition - the 360 Lucens Limited Edition. 

(Because I think it's nice enough to deserve a picture, the box doesn't disappoint either...)

This commemorative version of the popular Omas design is a Vintage edition, and was released in 2006 to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the 360 model which was founded in 1996.  These dates are engraved on the 18k gold nib. My camera phone was woefully inadequate for getting a decent shot of the nib - the engravings were too tiny and delicate, it wouldn't focus properly, and the light needed to see also caused a lot of detail-eclipsing shineback). Google has a few good pictures, if you'd like to research further.

The 360 Lucens is available in 500 Gold and 500 Silver finished numbered fountain pens, and we have the silver edition. The body is made of a blue version of the famous Lucens celluloid. The cap is opaque blue, marble patterned with elements of black, purple and touches of silver-toned lavender. 

What my pictures, or the pictures of the pen on the website, fail to show is the shine to the silver accents. The silver looks matte in the product shots, when in reality it shines. Look what happens when it meets light, and no camera filter: 

The barrel of the pen is translucent – the purple details are spaced and three dimensional (they are genuinely like lavender sprigs, and that’s not just me being more purple and flowery than the pen…), giving a clear view of the piston filler system inside.

The blue celluloid is tinged an interesting shade of very pale sunlight yellow – adding to the impression of the barrel preserving flora… and this was the only part of the design of the 360 Lucens which I initially erred about. Unimaginative perhaps (and a personal preference), but with silver fittings I thought that a silver-tinged celluloid would be better matched. With the cap on, the three lines of silver trimming on the cap do contrast – that the simultaneous opaqueness and transparency of its design. 

 

But then, for the celebration of a collection that Omas describes as the most revolutionary writing instruments of our time, to give simply what you expect wasn’t going to be enough for a tenth anniversary special. And what’s more, after looking at the 360 Lucens for a while, for me these contrasting elements reconciled – and I’ve decided that it is one of the more beautiful and both literally and figuratively three dimensional pens that I have seen. It’s the uniqueness of this design that makes the 360 Lucens memorable, and a good combination of evolving 360 design, combining the transparency of the new vintage editions and the classic design of other 360s.  

The closest 360 model I’ve held in my hand, and which I feel would make the best comparison is the Turquoise Vintage 360, which I was given to test as an introduction to Omas on my first day at Write Here. The 360 Lucens, at 38g, is heavier. For such a slender pen, the weight of the 360 Lucens is impressive and it feels surprisingly solid and 'dense' to hold, and if you prefer a more substantial pen, adding to the writing experience provided by the ergonomically designed 360 model which has very clear cut edges that fit into the hand. 

Post any comments and questions that you may have below!

fast cars and beautiful pens!

 
Tradition and modernity live together in the Certified Edition “Automobili Lamborghini by Omas”, dedicated to the famous luxury car brand Automobili Lamborghini.

Tradition thanks to a particular shape that distinguished Omas in the writing instrument world, the famous model 360 with triangular section that, according to the ergonomic principles, allows a perfect handling and enhances the “pleasure of writing”.

A strong modernity character thanks to the precision mechanics stressed by an innovative bayonet closing system, that allows an even simpler and more reliable use of the writing instrument over time.

Automobili Lamborghini represents the synthesis of Italian luxury thanks to its production of the most famous super sport cars in the world. It does not only mean four-wheeled luxury: Lamborghini embraces with pleasure the brand extension philosophy and the union with Omas is one of its most exclusive realizations.

Return of the Plunger Filler

For years, the 1937 Onoto Magna has been the prized possession of many pen collectors. Renowned for its style and balance and of course, for its plunger-filling system, the Onoto Magna had no equals – until now! Here, for the first time since the 1950s, is a Magna Plunger-filler that has all the style and iconic design elements of its predecessor.
Innovative and unique

Issued in 2 distinctive versions – the Standard version in pure black acrylic with 23 carat gold-plated fittings and the Demonstrator with clear acrylic barrel and sterling silver fittings - each one hand-made in small limited editions, the Onoto Magna Plunger-filler is a pen with a superb pedigree.

The plunger-filling system was eventually withdrawn in the 1950s partly because of the cost of manufacturing such an intricate mechanism and partly because of the fashion for more streamlined pens. However, it remained a firm favourite with Onoto enthusiasts and collectors around the world, and now, following many requests, the recreation of an Onoto Magna with a true plunger-filling mechanism has become a reality.
Virtually maintenance-free

The Onoto Magna Plunger-filler has an impeccable lineage and has been developed using original Onoto drawings: the same classic design; the same chevron clip; the same plunger-filler vacuum system. However, key components are now made from better materials than those which existed 50 years ago. For example, the plunger rod is made of carbon fibre; the cup valves are a special silicone rubber and there's an ingenious 3 washer seal that we believe gives a much longer life than the original cork seals. This makes the brand new Onoto Magna virtually maintenance free.

Huge ink capacity
What’s more, the ink capacity is 3 mls, more than 4 times the capacity of a standard K5 converter or cartridge, so you have much longer writing time than most modern fountain pens.

Cut off valve prevents leaking
And, just like the original plunger-filler, The Magna Plunger-filler also features a cut-off valve which seals the ink reservoir when the pen isn't in use. Simply turn the valve by half a turn and it's ready to write!

Limited availability
The Onoto Magna Plunger-filler is being issued in a worldwide limited edition of just 100 pens, 75 in black acrylic and just 25 in the Demonstrator version. As the first fully-functioning Onoto Magna plunger-filler for over 50 years, early indications show that demand is likely to be substantial.

Certificate of Authenticity
Each Onoto Magna Plunger-filler comes in a superb burr wood presentation box with a signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity confirming its limited edition status. The limited edition number is also engraved onto the barrel button fitted on the end of the plunger knob.

Parts of a Fountain Pen

Thought we'd help you brush up on your fountain pen knowledge by running through some of the terms used to describe the different parts that make up a pen, some you may know, others are a bit more obscure. 

Cap- The cap is an essential part of a fountain pen. Without it, you'd be taking a risk putting the pen in your pocket or in any other sort of case or container; ink can be bled out of the pen whenever the point comes in contact with any surface. The cap also slows down evaporation from the point and helps keep the pen in ready-to-write condition between uses. Also very importantly, the cap protects the point and feed from damage.

Tassie/ Derby- A cap may have a decorative part on the end, like a button or a jewel. This is usually called the "tassie" or "derby"


Nib- The pen's nib is, of course, what the thing is all about, and its construction was the most involved and highly-skilled process in the manufacture of most pens.

Feed- The feed sits underneath the nib, it's one of the most important parts of the pen. It has the difficult job of balancing the delicate forces of atmospheric pressure and capillary action to promote the controlled exchange of ink (going out of the pen) with air (going into the pen). The feed also guides the ink down through the slit and it must be able to store or “buffer” excess ink not needed for writing so that the pen does not blot or flow too heavily.

Section- The Section holds together all of the pen's various parts, including barrel, sac, breather tube, and (of course) the nib and feed.

Sac- The internal ink supply is what makes a fountain pen a “fountain” pen, as opposed to a dip pen. Of course, you have to be able to replenish that ink supply when it runs low, and this calls for a filling system.

Barrel & Lever- The pen's barrel is the portion that extends back from the section; it's the part that rests between your thumb and first finger as you write.

The Lamy 2000 gets a shiny new coat

Now, we all know that the Lamy 2000 is one of the most popular pens around, it is so revered that it is on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art and has won countless design awards, not bad eh?

But did you know in it's most recent branch off from the original design, its had a bit of an upgrade?

Unfortunately we are yet to see this in the flesh, but orders can now be placed for these, with expected delivery at the end of the September.

From what we've heard however, the response has been positive. Being brushed steel the pen and grip section easy to hold and write with, which you may not expect from a metal pen. 

The clip is coated in shiny platinum, with is a good looking contrast and is a nice interlude from the brushed steel body. 

The rest of the pen is pretty much the same as the normal Lamy 2000, it still has the spring clip, piston-fill mechanism and the 14k gold nib coated in platinum. 

You can take a closer look at it here, we'll check back in with a proper review as soon as we get our hands on one! 

Taking a look at the Pilot Prera

Looking today at the Pilot Prera, are they value for money? and how well do they write?

They retail at around £49, which comparatively is possibly quite a lot for a steel nib fountain pen.

Packaging wise, it's pretty cool, coming wrapped in a foam case corresponding nicely to the actual colour of the pen. Inside besides the pen, you get a pilot ink cartridge meaning that your new pen will be ready to go straight away, and they also bless you with a convertor if you are feeling a little more adventurous and want to try out some bottled inks.

In size the Pilot Prera may be small and quite light, but there is still a sense of high build quality and durability about it.

When writing, for a medium nib, it is on the fine side, which you would expect with this being a Japanese pen. The steel nib is quite smooth and lays down a crisp line. The flow even when just dipped is not too dry to skip or be scratchy but not too we.


 
It comes in the following colours - Yellow, White, Pink, Lime Green, Light Blue, Ivory, Grey, Brown & Dark Blue.


Overall this is an extremely well put together pen, for the price tag which it turns out is entirely justified, £49 for a metal pen that comes with a convertor? Can't say fairer than that.

Back in the 60's  the year 2000 seemed a long way away, and was full of future promise.  By the time we got there, space  travel would be an everyday commercial activity (not quite yet, eh Mr Branson?) and, although we didn't know it, contact with alien civilisations was only a year away.  Anyway, that was Stanley Kubrick's view of 2001. 

Back at the Lamy factory in Heidelberg, Dr Manfred Lamy was taking charge, and changing the design philosophy in line with the Bauhaus movements principle that "form follows function".  Gerd Muller, a leading light of Bauhaus design, was commissioned to design a new pen that would make a clear statement of their intentions for the future.  He created the classic Lamy 2000 - a pen that still looks modern 35 years after it was created.

The Lamy 2000 fountain pen is Lamy's only piston filling fountain pen, using bottled ink only.The body of the pen is made of makrolon, a glass fibre based plastic - it has a pleasant wood like grained look.  The front section is made of brushed steel, the nib is platinum plated 14 carat gold.  The cap has a sprung steel clip - look underneath and you'll see that it is imprinted "Germany".  The body of the pen has a transparent section, so the ink level can be checked.  There are also a couple of "ears" just in front of this - I don't have a problem with these, but it has been commented that, if you hold the pen high on the barrel, they can be intrusive.

Which leads me on to the writing experience.  Wonderful!  It gives a fairly wet line for a Lamy, but not excessively so, and it may, in part, due to my slowish writing.  But it is smooth, and gives lots of feedback - a real pleasure to use.

I'll be posting more reviews of the Lamy 2000 series - there is a ballpoint, rollerball and pencil, and some very special ballpoint versions.  If you can't wait, have a look at
the Write Here Website's Lamy 2000 section.