"Set in Florentine tradition - Stipula is an Italian writing instrument maker known for blending artisanal heritage with inventive design. Founded in Florence in 1973, Stipula has cultivated a reputation for crafting distinctive fountain pens that celebrate both technical experimentation and classical elegance. From piston-filled demonstrators (Etruria Rainbow) to limited editions inspired by history, art and travel, each piece reflects careful hand assembly, characterful materials (celluloid) and a dedication to writing performance (in house made gold nibs). With roots in Tuscany’s rich cultural landscape, Stipula continues to create pens that combine individuality, craftsmanship and a deep appreciation for the art of the written word."
I was hesitant to buy a Gravitas Monster because I saw a lot of users online mention how fragile the barrel is. Essentially if you drop it from even a short distance, the acrylic barrel is toast. At this price point, a pen so fragile sounded like a bad move. But I REALLY wanted one because it looks so cool, its got a huge ink capacity, and some reviewers said the nib is very well tuned right out of the box. The positive nib reviews and the fact that there is an Ultem version sold me on this pen.
Instead of going with the acrylic barreled version, I opted for the Ultem barrel with titanium. I haven't dropped it yet, as I am careful to keep it in the padded case it came in, and I only use it when I am seated at a desk.
I got an extra fine nib, and loaded it up with Pilot Iroshizuki grey ink. This giant #8 extra fine nib is an absolute pleasure to write with. It is so smooth and so consistent across my fountain pen friendly papers. (Colorverse notebook, Endless notebook, and leuchtturm notebook) I love the weight and feel of this pen in my hand. I can only describe it as, "solidly and definitively present." But it's not taxing to write with it for long periods. I love it so much I have to fight the urge to buy the green Monster with the acrylic barrel.
For the sake of proper disclosure: I have coveted a Conid Bulkfiller for a long time, since I first stumbled upon their ingenious (and back then - completely new and revolutionary) filling system. Alas, I hesitated long enough to realize that their current production & marketing model would yield nothing for me. Thus, I sought viable alternatives, found some - and wasn't satisfied with any of them. And then Fifty4T came along - and did it for me. I chose the SL simply because its bigger brother has no clip, and that's a deal breaker for me.
The pen is all I could wish for: I like its smooth, clean, high-tech design. The overall dimensions are just right for me (it is heavier than average, though, but not inconveniently so, for me at least). The EF steel nib (thank you again, Emy, for giving it your personal touch) is appropriately wet, and it's one of the smoothest in my collection - almost no feedback. Oh, and the filling system works flawlessly :)
As a bulk filler equivalent, it carries a huge amount of ink, and it is also a safety pen.
And last - but certainly not least - it is considerably cheaper than a Conid, without compromising functionality or quality.
Finally - a shout-out to the Pen Venture Team for their great service and excellent business.
Highly recommended all-round!
This was one of my first grail pens, and it has definitely lived up to expectations. Thank you to Emy and the Pen Venture team for taking the time to help me decide on the best nib for me and then tune it to perfection. The 18k Extra Fine nib is wet and smooth while keeping a fine line with a hint of feedback.
The vacuum system and toughness of this pen have made it a perfect traveling companion so far, and it has been inked constantly since I received it.
Thanks again to the Pen Venture team for your excellent service
The Gravitas Pocket Pen is another answer to a question that I didn't know anybody asked. Before you aim your flamethrower my way, let me explain why I said that. The object "Pocket Pen" is such an oddity to begin with. Most people would not put an object into their pants pocket that has the potential to leak strongly colored fluid into things that should not have their color changed. Pants pockets are at a location on the body that is usually in motion in a variety of ways. The potential for damage of non-flexible items is probably highest in pants pockets out of all possible pocket locations. And yet...here we are. Gravitas Pocket Pens, for the most part, are made out of metals which are more damage resistant than plastics. The materials used have to be thick enough to resist bending and breaking while the owner's body bends and moves in ways that make structural engineers weep. And the pen has to be short enough to not interfere with freedom of movement while being carried in said pants pocket. Ben Walsh's engineering have solved those problems by making Pocket Pens out of a variety of materials that are able to survive the rigors of Pants Pocket Carry without mechanical or material failure. Keep in mind that most pants pockets also contain a variety of other objects besides a pen, and their interaction inside the pocket will lead to scratches, nicks, and marks that probably won't buff out...which is the main reason why I don't want to put a pen with a coating (paint, PVD, Anodize, DLC, etc.) in my pocket. Eventually, the coating is coming off. Some come off in a couple of weeks, some take several years, but sooner or later... So, why buy a zirconium pen that weighs 11 grams less than the stainless steel pen, and 26 grams more than an alumin(i)um pen? Because it's more scratch resistant than titanium, but still workable with industrial tools...barely. The pen is virtually flawless: the nib is smooth, ink flow is wonderful, fit and finish are awesome, the grip diameter is not too skinny, not too wide, and the micro grooves prevent finger slippage. In my opinion, grip size/shape has more influence over how well the pen feels in your hands, and how long you can write with it in one session than the weight. The only thing that couldn't be overcome is the inability to accommodate a full size converter. But there's an Entry, Sentry and Flagship pen that provide the same awesome engineering, same nib sizes, and room for a standard cartridge converter!
