The Visconti Homo Sapiens: Everything You Need to Know!

[@socalodeas]

I see how it is... I add my grail pen to my wishlist and Brian immediately makes a video about it. I see you, Goulet...

[@raahulpathak]

The next pen you need to put on your wishlist is the Pelikan M1000. That way they can make a video on it.

[@NGMonocrom]

Have to be honest.... Maybe they made the Lava Homo Sapiens a little *too* good. Bought mine a handful of years ago. Bought two initials for the top of the cap (ironically those came all the way from England thanks to a private seller since I couldn't find a source for them anywhere else at the time; including America). And yeah.... so completely satisfied that I have no desire to buy another Visconti fountain pen. I did buy their ingenious traveling ink-well. I'm sure the owner of Visconti isn't happy to hear that. But to this day, I love mine. It's one of the crown jewels in my Fountain pen collection.

[@raahulpathak]

I love this. The Homo Sapiens is the pen I plan to buy for my PhD graduation. I have been wanting to buy this pen for the past couple of years now. Thank you Brian for doing this video. It is nice to see an updated video on the Homo Sapiens. You really go in depth in these videos.

[@Wchen21]

Good luck on your PhD!

[@raahulpathak]

@@Wchen21 Thank you. It will be a while before I start my PhD. Probably two and half years. But, this is a long-term goal.

[@igorradzikh4878]

I hope your Ph.D is going well. I just bought one. I have my defense exam this Thursday!

[@bulitfordtough9]

The Homo Sapiens Bronze Age was my grail pen for the last few years, and I finally took the plunge and bought one earlier this spring. It was the EF gold nib and I am not an EF nib lover but I must say, I have been very impressed with it. Writes great with no tuning needed so far, and is every bit as beautiful as I have been led to believe. No regrets at all so far- I love it.

[@asherwells401]

Doing research on this for a grad present (for myself) and BAM updated Goulet Pens video

[@MarcSaegesser]

What I was really hoping to hear in this video was some mention of Visconti's apparently continuing quality control problems. I know they say that they've taken steps to improve this, but I still hear too many stories of people getting new Visconti pens that just don't write. If this has actually been addressed I was hoping to hear Brian say something about it being better. He's in a position to actually know how many Visconti purchases end up with complaints, returns or repairs. Nib quality control is an industry-wide problem, but Visconti has a bad reputation and so far they haven't shaken it.

[@fezakarpat4411]

They simply don't write...Total waste for money

[@debhan]

@@fezakarpat4411 While consistency is apparently an issue, I was fortunate to get a great one. I have... a lot of pens and my Homo Sapiens is one of a handful that is regularly inked up because it's in my top 5. If you don't mind the hassle of working with Goulet Pens to find a good one, there's nothing else like it.

[@mattdowney7870]

Agreed. I just purchased a Visconti Homo sapiens Arizona Sunset, and it's the scratchiest, driest, and most misaligned nib I've ever used. Jinhao has better QC than Visconti. I entirely regret buying one, especially because I have to send it off to a nibmeister to get it functioning... Buyer beware.

[@JoeGiz64]

@@mattdowney7870Good feedback, I may hold off getting the Homo Sapiens. To be honest, my Pelikan M800 is the most smoothest, consistent, dependable fountain pen I have ever used. Tough to beat imo.

[@marknovak9310]

I have heard this complaint for years.....However, for such a beautiful looking pen, for its uniqueness and for the feeling it gives you when writing (once the nib is perfect---either straight from the box or tuned by a nib meister) there is nothing like it.....Period. As to the nib issues------if you pay $700 to $1000 for a new fancy Visconti like the Homo Sapiens, what is $60 for a slight modification to the nib to get the pen to write like you want? less than 10% of the total for one hell of a fountain pen. So, to hear "it does not write---or it is a crappy writer, how can I send it back"---why not send it away for relatively cheap to get the 'perfect pen?"

[@mohammadzahid4629]

Thank you Brian for a very informative/updated video on Homo Sapien Pens. I purchased Homo Sapein Blue Lagoon in EF last month, what an experience! The next addition to my collection will be Arizona Sunset in EF.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Thank you for the update, Visconti has been very busy!

[@NicoleCB]

I'm drooling! I want all the dark lava ones!

[@wybuchowyukomendant]

I absolutely love this pen.

[@chrisb012]

Love my HS Dark Age. Got a broad nib on mine, as I have larger, open writing. It’s beautifully made, gorgeous to write with, and always draws comments from people who love the fact that it’s made from lava!

[@369_XO]

A cleaning/ink change video would be awesome for those of us that took the leap lol

[@klt479]

I purchased and received a Visconti Homo Sapians Crystal Dream 2 weeks ago (from another retailer). It's simply an amazing fountain pen (look, warm feel of the basilica slightly rubbery resin/material, balamce, size, weight, dual reservoir vacuum filling system, ink capasity, ect). However, the nib is a mess (worst I've ever used). The nib is extremely dry and scratchy. The tines are visually way out of true with a 10 power loop. I recommend never purchasing a Homo Sapians without testing the nib first unless you have a nib smith already lined up to attempt to fix the nib.

[@riverbeee9643]

I just watched your first Homo Sapiens video! Glad to have this update.🤤

[@Kref3]

I bought my Bronze Age in 2018, back then for considerably below 500 EUR. Looking at the prices now, being an „early adopter“ really is nice. I really thought for hours about Bronce Age vs Dark Age, which were the only ones available back then. Best pen I ever owned (with a Pelikan M805 running close second).

[@noobody89]

The crystal dream one is nice. I like the new threads. They seem less likely to crack from over tightening. They should add that to the posting part as well with whatever trim they are using there. It would be greaet to own one.

[@lSirCumference]

I posted this as a reply to another person in this thread but I figured I would also just put it in the general comments for anyone interested. I own this pen. (the skylight version) Got the EF 18k nib, never had problems out of the box. If you are determined to get a full fill of ink you can unscrew the nib. Simply grab the base of the nib/feed with your index finger an thumb and unscrew counter clockwise. The Nib and feed will unscrew. You can then use an eye dropper to fill the pen and screw the nib back in. (if you do this only use as much force as is neccessary to unscrew and screw back in, do not attempt to overtighten) This is also handy for cleaning the pen. When I change ink colors I always unscrew it and clean it out (not with tap water), letting the nib/feed and pen soak a bit. Other than that you can practice doing a few vacuum fills, I have been able to pretty much get a full fill that way but if I am really concerned to do it these days I'll just unscrew it. I also bought their special filler and found it to be messy. The barrel of the pen including where you hold it will absorb ink which can take quite a while to clean since it's hydroscopic. If you use their filler and turn the pen upside down I have found it to be nearly impossible to do cleanly and the ink will touch the barrel regardless even with a perfect seal because it seals via the barrel and filler. You'll either need to be happy getting a partial fill (as all power fillers will give you) or you need to unscrew the nib and fill like an eye dropper. One of the things that I'm the biggest fan of on this pen (skylight version) is also one of the things that disappoints me a bit. The ink window is very handy but the copper looking material around the window is actually a plastic insert that snaps into the actual window. These plastic inserts can pop off if you drop the pen. As long as they aren't damaged you can simply snap them back in place but they are made out of plastic and thus it will not patina with the rest of the bronze on the pen and will always look shiny. I'm not sure what you do if the plastic inserts pop off and are damaged to the point they can't be popped back in. I've only had it happen once and I've owned the pen for over 5 years now. I assume the manufacturer would gladly repair or send you new ones but I don't know. Personally I would still prefer the skylight over all of the other versions of this pen as I feel an ink window is too useful to pass up and the lava material is what sets this pen apart from all others. The lava material appears to be very durable as I have no marks on the pen over this time frame.

[@em4me-Dan]

I purchased my first Homosapien Bronze Age with extra fine nib from Goulet back in 2017 and I was never happy with how this pen wrote and sits in its original box ever since. Perhaps one day I may send it out to have the nib reground or change it completely to some other extra fine nib. I will stick with Montegrappa as they write as I expect and extra fine nib to perform.

[@AnonZero0]

*Thank you for sharing.* *Smiles*

[@subhadipmaji4987]

Brian sir... please review m1000 ... please

[@GreenStorm01]

I bought one last year at the flagship store in Florence. That was a nice experience.

[@SidJ8300]

What about the news of Quality Control on their nibs? A lot has been written about that.

[@notasingleday..6670]

Any nib master around?😅

[@basicenglish4885]

Wouldn't reccommend

[@SidJ8300]

@@notasingleday..6670 Needed with current lot of Visconti .. 😄

[@VicariousVic4short]

Thanks for the updated video Brian! I am a proud owner of the bronze age skylight. I got it a few months into the period of time when covid started making its way to the US, so we are going on 3 years now. I remember it not being super popular when it came out. Most people on the internet seem to prefer the crystal dream, but I love my skylight. It always has ink in it. I normal go for broads, but this one has a medium, and that medium is about as broad as most of the broads I have. Have yet to figure out how to get a full fill of ink, but I inevidably will want to change the ink in it before the ink is expired anyway, so it is probably for the better. I also just purchased a used Arizona Sunset off Ebay also with a medium nib. I am patiently waiting for that to arrive. The American Southwest has always had a certain allure to me, so I am glad I get to show case that love in pen form.

[@lSirCumference]

I own this pen. (the skylight version) To get a full fill of ink you can unscrew the nib. Simply grab the base of the nib/feed with your index finger an thumb and unscrew counter clockwise. The Nib and feed will unscrew. You can then use an eye dropper to fill the pen and screw the nib back in. This is also handy for cleaning the pen. When I change ink colors I always unscrew it and clean it out (not with tap water), letting the nib/feed and pen soak a bit. Other than that you can practice doing a few vacuum fills, I have been able to pretty much get a full fill that way but if I am really concerned to do it these days I'll just unscrew it. I also bought their special filler and found it to be messy. The barrel of the pen including where you hold it will absorb ink which can take quite a while to clean since it's hydroscopic if you managed to turn the pen upside down and use the special filler without leaking a bit (which is a challenge unto itself) You'll either need to be happy getting a partial fill (as all power fillers will give you) or you need to unscrew the nib and fill like an eye dropper. One of the things that I'm the biggest fan of on this pen is also one of the things that disappoints me a bit. The ink window is very handy but the copper looking material around the window is actually a plastic insert that snaps into the actual window. These plastic inserts can pop off if you drop the pen. As long as they aren't damaged you can simply snap them back in place but they are made out of plastic and thus it will not patina with the rest of the bronze on the pen and will always look shiny. I'm not sure what you do if the pastic inserts pop off and are damaged to the point they can't be popped back in. I've only had it happen once and I've owned the pen for over 5 years now. I assume the manufacturer would gladly repair or send you new ones but I don't know. Still I would take the skylight over all of the other versions of this pen as I feel an ink window is too useful to pass up and the lava material is what sets this pen apart from all others.

[@steamdome9162]

Thank you Brain for the updated video. Putting away a little each month for a Bronze Age HS.

[@Emily_M81]

well now I want the Magma... lol thanks for sharing!

[@mirrorknight12]

I would love to see a Homo Sapiens cleaning video, I have one myself and cleaning is always a chore

[@penexistence3967]

Anyone out there who buy a visconti HS and able to write immediately? Yes they are nice to hold as long as you dont attempt to write...

[@belphegor_dev]

I was lucky enough to get two HS that are perfect out of the box. Visconti really is a lottery.

[@marknovak9310]

Send it off to a nib meister and viola----------you have the perfect pen. It seems like you haven't written with or not sent it off to a nib meister to say such a thing.........

[@oscarping4064]

@@marknovak9310 So you are saying, I'm paying nearly a grand and still need to fix the problem the manufactor should have taken care of long ago, since it has been a constant problem? They are all 18k nibs, I can send a 2-300 dollar pen with a18k nib and get almost the same feeling as spending a grand. And we all know even though the barrel does look cool, its not worth 500 dollars. So yeah, unless I can go to a physical Visconti shop and test out the pen I'm buying, I'm sticking with MB, Pelikan, and Pilot

[@clarecocophotography454]

Your video came at the right time. I love Visconti Pens. I just got gifted the Opera Master Blue Swirls. I was having a little trouble with the power fill and it didn’t fill a lot. What is the best way to get some air out to get more of a fill? Now, to pick out my next purchase. I want to collect a few Viscontis one at a time. So many beautiful pens. Decisions. Thanks Brian, your enthusiasm has me hooked.

[@mocarver]

Hi Brian, I just received the Dark Age a couple days ago that I purchased from you. Beautiful pen. It has the 18kt M nib that had been ground to italic use. Is is easily possible to change the nib to 18kt fine with no special grind? If so, at what cost? Thanks, Aubrey

[@mat8650]

Loving my HS Elegance, which was not mentioned in the video. It has a cartridge converter and therefor a better weight and also very easy to clean the pen. Dreamtouch nib is perfect 👍🏻

[@halfsourlizard9319]

Just came to write *this* ... I have power fillers on my other Viscontis, but I prefer the converter for practicality.

[@ironmic9244]

Please tell me how in the world were you able to get the plunger in the Blue Lagoon so clean? Mine still has some staining from my ink from use in both my Opera Master and Skylight. I want mine pristine.

[@joshjos4004]

How does the dream touch nib compare to new ones?

[@aryanambastha4050]

In the Pilot 823, you need to loosen the punger cap a bit when you want to write for a long time. Do you need to do the same for the Homo Sapiens?

[@asherwells401]

Is it possible to switch nib sizes on the Homosapien Bronze Age? Like take the whole nib out to swap it yourself

[@OldDominionEDC]

Do you have a showroom yet so I can stop in to see pens in person?

[@Gouletpens]

We do not. It's just a warehouse with offices. - Drew

[@bachatera25]

After cleaning the pen, moisture remains in the pen. I’ve left mine uncapped for over three weeks and the water has not evaporated yet. Will this damage the pen?

[@Keepitsimple565]

Brian, the Visconti for quite some time has been plagued with QC issues. Many customers needing to return pens to Italy because it won’t write correctly. Has this been corrected? What do you see?

[@gautam9]

Does the single reservoir Bronze Age also seal when screwed down and thus ok for air travel?

[@redmoonvenus7327]

Hi ! If I am not mistaken, there used to be a version of the lava Homosapiens that was smaller and had a piston mechanism instead of vacuum filler. Has that version gone for good, or is it just that you decided to not carry it anylonger ? Thank you!

[@lavenderpurp6610]

Hi brian, it comes with one size only? Coz the one i got says oversized and kinda anxious now if it wil be too big for me as my hands are kinda small. Imi kinda waiting for it to be shipped.

[@eliz4eto]

Hi, how do you wash that pen, when it is hygroscopic... Does the pen absorb the ink when you dip it for inking?

[@HK-NYC]

What is a Stub NIB for this pen?

[@michelledelecki6224]

It's definitely one of my grail pens!

[@MohamedMElbadwihi]

On Goulet Pens, the Visconti fine, medium, and broad nibs all look the same. Why is that? I can't seem to find anywhere online that shows the difference between a Visconti Broad and a Medium. Using the Nib Nook to compare it with a Pilot Medium doesn't help, because the Visconti fine, medium, and broad all look like one single nib on there.

[@fezakarpat4411]

Buy a Homosapiens for instance Bronze Age and without even opening up the box go and see a nibsmith... Such a shame with this price range for a company...

[@michelgolabaigne595]

I need to have one !:)

[@monikachlebowska6269]

In Europe it also comes in blue colour.I think it has your name on it Brian...😊

[@Sauvetreeric-ne2gx]

Is there any problem using amethyst de l’Oural from j herbin with a H Sapiebronze age gold nib?

[@eternaljoker99]

How's Visconti's quality control these days? The Home Sapiens Crystal Dream is gorgeous and a potential grail pen contender, but reading QC horror story after horror story is leading me to consider other pens that are both cheaper and seemingly less prone to problems.

[@belphegor_dev]

Better now than it was before.

[@mgr001]

well presented video - thank you - QUESTION: How do I diplomatically tell people that they cannot use my HS?

[@janwilson9485]

What percentage lava dust to plastic?

[@jmark1298]

I love mine

[@Hexsyn]

Am I missing it somehow or did you leave out the skylight?

[@bendarel]

Could we have something like this for Pineider? ^^

[@bendarel]

@@ShuMitsui Kind of but not quit; the zeolite mineral used is also micro porous but it's not being as 'cool' as the ashes of mount Etna :)

[@ctsealteam6]

I have a Homo Sapiens Bronze Age for the 3rd year now. Unfortunately, I found it less impressive and not as practical than many other pens I have in my collection. 2 biggest complains I have for this pen is there is no way to remove the plunger from the pen for applying silicone grease, and the cap doesn't seal as good as I hoped for. My nib would dry out a bit if I don't use it for 2 weeks or so.

[@neknim]

Always wanted one of these. Shame to see they no longer have the bronze age with a stub nib. Guess I'll go used if I ever buy one.

[@pen_journal]

Loving the new update to a generational pen!!!❤❤❤

[@MrLawDawg]

I love my Magma EF

[@Mercy_Pants]

Are Visconti HS nibs a size 6? 8?

[@TheCreedBratton]

I want one so bad but money is tight these days

[@greenerick]

There is no way too much money when you can get other fountain pens any great video

[@paulrithosh84]

I need a pen that suitable for travel without leaking

[@centerofthespiral]

I had to stop watching this halfway through or else I'd go out and buy one immediately

[@AlTheEngineer]

Definitely my grail pen! One day I'll get one!

[@sdecarlo]

Someday maybe…

[@comprehendeth92]

I have a homosapiens bronze age and a Homo sapiens crystal dream. I absolutely love them both. The crystal dream is my journaling pen..

[@CatnamedMittens]

Should've kept the palladium nibs. Far more interesting than gold.

[@cyclonevmc]

would have preferred this pen as a piston filler

[@VampireKa1n]

They make so many of these now but if you ask me, none of them are as good looking as the classic Broze Age.

[@christopherpavkovich4995]

Mine likes to burp.

[@ironmic9244]

Brian looking younger than in 2015.

[@def1ghi]

I have an original Homo Sapiens Bronze Age I got years ago. It is a genuine grail pen: you will have this pen for the rest of your lifetime. The lava material does feel a lot like ebonite or, for a more familiar (maybe) material, almost like it's partly rubber. It's super comfortable. But the BEST part by FAR is the original 23 karat palladium nib. I can't imagine how the newer gold nibs could improve on it. Soft, responsive, gorgeous, an unbeatable writing experience, truly a Dream Touch. It's just amazing. By FAR the best nib I have ever used. No competition. I only wish it came in a 1.1 mm stub.

[@notasingleday..6670]

Too good to be true

[@avgjoeshow4208]

I want one of these sooo bad but alas! I am poor 😢

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I own three expensive Visconti pens, including this classic, stellar Bronze Age (with the older palladium nib). It will always be in my personal A-list of top favorites of all time. I’m not too fond of the translucent demo ones, or the HS with that long, ink viewing window. It mars the pen’s aesthetics to my eyes. I prefer the seamless, opaque barrel of the Bronze/Dark Age pens. That said, I love my two Visconti Divina Elegance pens (the Blue and the Bordeaux) just as much as my Bronze Age. Luckily, I didn’t face any problems with the nibs on all my three pens. They all write splendidly. I reckon it’s the cheaper, more affordable Visconti pens that are more likely to have sub-par nibs from time to time. Anyway, I love everything about the Homo Sapiens. Not least the ‘power-filler’ system. The price is definitely daunting. But for me, totally worth it. Isn’t there a Visconti (Divina?) Maxima model with a kind of button filller system - or is it a captive converter? I want to have one of those Maxima pens sometime. Well-done video, Brian!