Donato Flying Scotsman Pen

[Bisquitlips]

This one is on the front burner. I have never owned a Onato. What are your thoughts?

[Michael1968]

Looks nice but I don’t have any experience with the brand

[1William]

I like the looks of the pen but have no knowledge of the brand or the cost.

[jar]

Onoto was the favorite pen of Winston Churchill and the ones I have can only be described as superlative. This Onoto though has no connection or relationship or even goals as the older firm.

I would expect it to be more jewelry than fountain pen; nice, pretty, likely functional but not with the exquisite nibs of the original.

It certainly is prettier than mine.

[Bisquitlips]

Thanks all!

I am a sucker for all things trains.

[Dave455]

Onoto, note the spelling, were originally the pen manufacturing arm of De La Rue, the printers famous for producing everything from playing cards to bank notes.

The original Onoto pens included probably the finest ever produced in the U.K. They were the pens of Kings and Presidents. Not flashy, in fact quite understated, but superbly made, and with probably the best nibs ever put on a pen.

The modern Onoto’s are very decent. The designs are true to the originals, the quality of the materials and manufacture is excellent, and the nibs are pretty good. Although generally correct in style, the nibs of the modern pens are not as good as the originals.

If you would like one, and why not, go for one of their beautiful pens such as the Magna, shown below. They’re a timeless classic, they ooze style, and can’t really be beaten as a writer. Preferably buy from a dealer and get a nib that suits your writing style.

Unfortunately, Onoto have to survive, so they produce some limited editions, some of which (short runs of special colours) are fairly priced and stylish, whereas others are overpriced and plainly awful. Sadly, the “Flying Scotsman” is one of the latter.

I suppose if one wanted to support the company, buying a “Flying Scotsman” is a way of giving them a charitable donation. Just bin the hideous thing that turns up in the post!

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Dave455

Onoto, note the spelling, were originally the pen manufacturing arm of De La Rue, the printers famous for producing everything from playing cards to bank notes.

The original Onoto pens included probably the finest ever produced in the U.K. They were the pens of Kings and Presidents. Not flashy, in fact quite understated, but superbly made, and with probably the best nibs ever put on a pen.

The modern Onoto’s are very decent. The designs are true to the originals, the quality of the materials and manufacture is excellent, and the nibs are pretty good. Although generally correct in style, the nibs of the modern pens are not as good as the originals.

If you would like one, and why not, go for one of their beautiful pens such as the Magna, shown below. They’re a timeless classic, they ooze style, and can’t really be beaten as a writer. Preferably buy from a dealer and get a nib that suits your writing style.

Unfortunately, Onoto have to survive, so they produce some limited editions, some of which (short runs of special colours) are fairly priced and stylish, whereas others are overpriced and plainly awful. Sadly, the “Flying Scotsman” is one of the latter.

I suppose if one wanted to support the company, buying a “Flying Scotsman” is a way of giving them a charitable donation. Just bin the hideous thing that turns up in the post!

Thank you sincerely!

Well said and well taken.

[Bisquitlips]

And they have a very nice web presence alas.

https://onoto.com/

[Dave455]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Thank you sincerely!

Well said and well taken.

I just re read my reply and it came over a bit stronger than I intended!

I actually love the modern Onoto pens, the Magna I own is among my three all time favourites, along with an Omas and an Aurora.

But because the brand is so iconic, and because it always represented the very best, I hate it when they do things that are “not authentic”!

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Dave455

I just re read my reply and it came over a bit stronger than I intended!

I actually love the modern Onoto pens, the Magna I own is among my three all time favourites, along with an Omas and an Aurora.

But because the brand is so iconic, and because it always represented the very best, I hate it when they do things that are “not authentic”!

I get it and agree.

Your post was spot on.

[Formulansx]

Whoa! That looks great! I’m on Hornby’s mailing list and they’re always taughting me with a flying Scotsman train engine.