Visconti Homo Sapiens Lava Colors
When a new pen comes out, I always look forward to seeing what makes it stand out. What makes this pen fun/unique/special? And when I take the plunge and add it to my collection, I have to like many aspects about it. And then when the same pen series comes out later with another model (other variations of color and/or finish), I have to really love it to get multiples. I’m a huge fan of the Visconti Homo Sapiens line (as you can see in my review of the Blue Lagoon here). Even recently, I just picked up from Bert the last of the limited edition Homo Sapiens Sedona Stream fountain pen. While the original Bronze Age will always be my favorite, I can’t wait to add all three of the Visconti Homo Sapiens Lava Colors to my collection.
As soon as the first pictures were released, my jaw dropped at these beauties. Available in a red, white, and tan, they’re named appropriately: Inferno, Blizzard, and Sandstorm. To have that “gritty”, more muted color tone applied to these earthly, volcanic colors matches the entire Homo Sapiens theme perfectly. I like how it’s still using the same blend of catalyzed basaltic lava from Mount Etna and colored resin. The finish also now has an “anti-stain” treatment that protects the pen from ink stains while refilling.
The big change from the classic Homo Sapiens is the locking system on the fountain pen and rollerball. Previously using a push and twist locking system, now uses a magnetic cap closure system. The ballpoint remains unchanged, using the same smooth twist-action retraction mechanism.
While the ballpoint uses our (Bert’s and my) favorite Monteverde Parker Style Superbroad refills (black and blue only), it also takes their gel refill. Can you imagine a brown gel ink coming out of the Sandstorm ballpoint while your Sandstorm fountain pen is filled with a lighter brown ink like Monteverde’s Canyon Rust or Diamine’s Burnt Sienna? The rollerball uses standard Schmidt 888 or 5888 refills.
The Visconti Homo Sapiens Lava Colors fountain pen uses their patented power filling system. I love their vacuum fillers because it holds so much ink, and is also so much fun to fill. You can even do it with one hand. But that maximum capacity keeps you writing uninterrupted with needing to refill the ink.
As for the nib, this is the first time Visconti is featuring their new in-house crafted 14k gold nib. It’s an oversized, black ruthenium plated nib. While it’s available in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and stub, please allow extra ordering time for the more specialized nibs.
What do you think? Do you have yours yet? You can check it out here.
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