Pens of Note - OMAS
Pens of Note are those pens that rank as special. I have a number of OMAS pens, each with its own incredible writing experience. In 2007 I have the fortunate experience to visit the OMAS factory in Bologna. Please see OMAS Visit.
At the age of 34, Armando Simoni founded OMAS (Officina Meccanica Armando Simoni). During the 1930's he designed the twelve-sided pen (now see the Arte Italiana line) as well as another great success, the Doctor's Pen, which was fitted with a tiny clinical thermometer in the body of the pen.
OMAS, a world-class company creates truly remarkable fountain pens. I am fortunate enough to own a number of pens that include the Arte Italiana Paragon in celluloid and resin, Arte Italiana Paragon Arco in celluloid, Arte Italiana Milord in resin, the 360 in resin and the Bologna Burkina in celluloid.
360OMAS refers to the 360 as its flagship OMAS pen. It has been in production for over 12 years and over that time produced in a variety of models. They include:
I recently acquired the 360 full size in blue/black cotton resin. A wonderful pen.
This is a big pen, so big that I find myself not posting the cap on the pen, atypical for me. But, because of the shape of this pen, the pen securely sits on the desk there is no fear of this pen rolling off. Also, not having the cap on the pen allows me the opportunity to admire the clip.
The clip is one of the top design of the pens that I have. So simple and sleek in design. A slight narrowing from the top and then widening at the base. It looks great in a shirt pocket also!
My pen is an older model so the end the of the body is softly curved. New models were redesigned so that the new "O" logo for OMAS fits on the end of the cap.
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After I made the commitment to buy the pen I was a little concerned when I read comments that this would be a pen you loved or one that you would immediately be listing to resell because of the shape of the body. My pen is an older version where the body including the grip section is a true triangular shape. When Omas redesigned the 360 they changed the grib section that that the pen goes from a triangular shape of the body to a circular section when the fingers grip the pen.
I must admit, the first couple of words I wrote with this pen were difficult. There is only one way to hold this pen. The triangular shape with three sides, each at a 60 degree angle sets how you hold the pen. But once you let it sit in your hand, with your fingers placed on the triangular shape, the nib just flows across the paper.
If a large pen is not right for your hand, don't consider the 360 as you may end of grabbing it at the bottom and holding it in too much of a vertical position. When the pen sits, capped, it is just over 6" in length. Take the cap off, leave it on the desk and you are writing with a large 5.5" pen. If you do decide to post the cap on the pen, it is just about 7.5" long.
It is not that common to use a medium nib, so this pen is a bid of an exception to my collection. The 18 kt two tone gold nib is very smooth. One day I may have to get another with a broad nib but I have certainly enjoyed my writing experience with this pen. The ebonite feed delivers a good steady flow of ink.
The pen is piston filled and holds a lot of ink. I can fill this baby up in the morning and be away for an entire day making notes at meetings and not having to stop and fill the pen up.
OMAS Arte Italiana Collection - The Paragon
| I purchased this pen a number of years ago from Berlin Pen, which is no longer in business. The pen arrived and had a flow problem and I was very impressed at how Geoff responded to send it back, fixed the pen and returned it in such quick order.
In short, this is a large size pen with an impressive nib. Mine is a Double Broad and it delivers a very smooth, broad line of ink on the paper.
The Paragon is often referred to as the "signature" pen of Omas It has been in production since the 1930's. This model is no longer in production, see the new Paragon which I describe below. It is now a much larger pen..
OMAS Arte Italiana - Arco Green, in CelluloidI acquired this pen in 2002 when in Barcelona and visiting the great Central de l'Estilografica (See Great Pen Stores). At the time I acquired this pen, the green colour had been discontinued, is a real looker. The green and blue tones really come alive as soon as any type of light hits the pen. It has become one of my pens for which I receive a good amount of compliments. This model is no longer in production.
Classica, Blue / SenapeAnother trip to Rome, and another pen! Purchased from Novelli in Rome this pen is one of my collection that consistently receives comments.
Sabrina helped me pick this pen with just the right nib. It is a beauty and writes so smoothly on many types of paper.
This is a discontinued colour. Novelli bought up a number of them and had them available with gold or silver trim. I found the gold trim better suited the colour of the pen. The pen was issued in the Paragon and Dama sizes
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I always look forward to the opportunity to go to Rome. Not only to see the city and the sites, but to visit Marco Parascenzo at Novelli Pen & Pipe.
As we were walking to his store, my wife and I were saying how many years we have visited Novelli, and she was quick to point out how many pens I have acquired! A good number of them are OMAS pens, all pieces that rank as Pens of Note in my books.
In 2007 I acquired the stunning OMAS Arte Italiana The Paragon in celluloid.
This is a pen I have admired since it was released earlier in the year and from the moment I picked it up, there was a bond with this pen.
Although there was some debate between the Milord in celluloid and The Paragon, in the end the size of the nib and the pen body of The Paragon was the clear choice. I also that with The Paragon, the nib unit is gold plated and since the pen is larger, the threads are well away from the area where I fingers rested on the pen.
The new Paragon is a very large pen but it sits in the hand very comfortably. The weight is all down near the nib section so you never get the feel that the pen if off balance or would flip while in your hand.
I already owned a Paragon that I had purchased a few years earlier, but this is a redesign with the body being larger, the clip more visual and a design with a bit more of a statement. A few weeks earlier I had the opportunity to visit with OMAS and tour their factory. It was a unique opportunity and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I saw The PARAGON in celluloid there and this was the time to "bring the pen home".
OMAS Arte Italiana Collection
The Milord in Resin
If the previous PARAGON was just the right size for your hand, then give the MILORD in resin a try. I also acquired this pen while in Italy in 2007 and while it still represents a substantial pen, it parallels the size of the previous model.
The Milord has the OMAS piston filling system and it holds a good supply of ink. You can fill up and comfortably write with this pen for hours. It is a light pen, when compared to the The Paragon but here I found the 12 sides to be especially helpful in being able to fell secure when I left the pen on a desk. No fear of watching the pen roll off the desk top.
The nib, while this is an OMAS and the nib is smooth with enough flexibility.
Omas Arte Italiana Collection
The Paragon in Resin
Marco Parascenzo of Novelli pen is great at letting you try out various pens. In 2006, within minutes of getting this pen in my hand, a bottle of ink appeared on the counter, a quick dip of the nib and I was writing the word "Venduta" - as this pen was SOLD in my mind.
This is the redesigned PARAGON with the sterling silver finishing and the rhodium plated clip. The nib section has a new look and is very distinctive with the silver section at the end of the pen. Comfortable to hold and it creates a visual connection towards the nib. The clip is totally new. It arches out, is wider and larger, as would be expected with a much larger pen body.
I like the twelve faceted body shape. No rolling off the desk for this pen. The twelve sides is in recognition of the Greek culture in which OMAS founder Armando Simoni held such an interest. The twelve sides of the pen reflect that of a Doric column, common in ancient architecture.
The new larger size makes this pen similar to the Pelikan M100 or the Mont Blanc 149. The pen has good balance of weight and I found it to sit extremely comfortable in my hand. Some have commented that the nib is out of proportion, too small for the size of pen. Yes it is a smaller nib that the Pelikan M1000 but in my view the nib is well portioned for the pen.
You will be very impressed with the nib, I typically have broad nibs and this pen, with its broad nib just floats across the paper. Wear a seat belt when you try this one out!
OMAS Bologna
Burkina in Celluloid
On what is becoming an annual visit to Novelli Pens in Rome, Marco wisely had a line of pens all ready for viewing.
The new Bologna Line by Omas was introduced to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the company. While some of the Bologna line are in resin, I was drawn to the Burkina in celluloid. The celluloid and silver pens have a distinctive look and all three of the colours: blue, autumn and burkina are attractive. The Burkina is the most different and one that I wanted to add to my collection.
With a stub nib this one is perfect for me. The colours are distinctive and the clip has a "presence" which adds to the overall look the pen. The nib section is in sterling silver.
Marco did up all the paper work. When buying a pen in Europe they quality (over 200 Euro) for the VAT rebate so bring your passport when you shop and have your documents stamped by customs on the way out of the country.
