Visconti Homo Sapiens

Better nibs, better materials, fancier designs, heavier pens etc... Once you reach the level and price bracket of this Homo Sapiens, you are pretty much at the top of the writing experience. There are many pens more expensive than this, and all with some justification (rare materials, craftwork like for maki-e or raden pens, unique designs etc...) but I find that in terms of writing experience, there isn't much to add.

First and foremost this is an amazing pen. Tactile, well-made, excellent high powered vacuum filling system and it writes effortlessly. This is a piece you can easily use as an everyday pen or keep as an heirloom. It will last for generations. HOWEVER the reason for the two stars is that the seller ...

Ended up selling it. The Homo Sapiens right now priced what it is right now at over $700 is overpriced. I would not pay that. Fortunately I was able to buy it from Appelboom last year for significantly cheaper.

I've wanted this pen for about 2 years. I finally treated myself for my birthday. It's all that I expected.

I consider the Visconti Homo Sapiens -particularly the dream pen. Like variation are very important as is a nice pen thats handsome, well crafted, a solid name with a good filling system that can be used for decades and hopefully passed down.

I finally got the Visconti Homo Sapiens Crystal Dream. It was such a beautiful pen. However, that hook lock system does not agree with my grip, I hold too far back and they are not comfortable between my fingers for any period of time. Also, that same system mixed with the material just always felt like I was opening a lock made of sand and stone.

And yes... the waste. I'd prefer my pen to be quite nothing special. Even Visconti Homo Sapien's box (clearance sale, with complete international warranty) is quite an overkill. I think we are in the same boat here: function over form.

Visconti has the worst quality control in the universe. I bought a Homo Sapiens Dark Age and had nib issues all over the place; I received it with sprung tines and could get it to write, even with the 3mm of daylight between them... I sent it to a nibmeister because the shop I bought it from accused me of damaging it after I received it. The nibmeister was about an extra 100$ (it was an extra 50$ or wait 5-6 weeks (or more!)

The Homo sapiens, in any material other than volcanic ash, is a completely overpriced pen. It is overpriced at half the list price for any of the resin models.

Believe me or not, I began the journey from a 5$ Hero fountain pen.

In less than 3 years, my current most expensive line-up is a Visconti Homo Sapiens. Stopped collecting the pen and start using them like work horses (albeit I care well for them).