Friends and pen users were asking for the features and pen designs they want to have in their pocket. Many ideas and suggestions were presented to FILCAO and Franco was very pleased to listen and liked the ideas.

The last five years of developing FILCAO pen have produced a series of classic designs in the deco style of the 1920s and 1930s with flat tops and taper balance shapes. The remarkable success of the classic-style COLUMBIA, ATLANTICA, SYLVIA, NEW LEADER and ROXY have the designs and features that pen users feel are the most comfortable in their hands and affordable so they can have more choices.

DESIREE

Transparent Ivory - Transparent Red - Black and Ivory

The new Filcao Desiree and Alexander pens have been in my possession for the last few weeks to test and evaluate for this Pentrace review. Part of my evaluation is the entire physical aspects of the pen such as the quality of parts, comfort of use and the final ink delivery. An important evaluation should also include how well a fully inked pen can sit on a desk undisturbed and not used for a few days, several days or even a week and then how this same pen may perform when chosen again for instant use. It is not surprising to find such high quality on a popular priced fountain pen as the many years of continuous production and manufacture has been guided by the owner Francesco Grisolia. I can not think of another pen company that can claim to have 43 years of manufacture experience lead by one person.

I am happy to say that the Filcao pens have performed very well from the very first ink cartridge insertion to delivering an instant start after laying undisturbed for as much as 14 days.

The Desiree and Alexander are a classic vintage style yet at the same time a modern design with no unnecessary hardware such as extra ring trim on the section, grip or barrels. The classic vintage image is instantly recognized by the single band flat top cap with the faultless washer clip design. The barrel is a smooth straight-wall tube that ends with the gentle taper of the faux blind cap. The Desiree is simple, uncomplicated and designed for one simple task which is delivering ink through your choice of fine, medium or broad nibs.

Let’s take a very close look to the details.

DIMENSIONS

14 x128 mm closed - 14 x 159mm opened

The Desiree is 5” (128mm) and with cap posted 6 ¼” (159mm).
The barrel is ½” (14mm) diameter and the cap is 5/8” (15mm) diameter.

The cap and barrel is a transparent acrylic resin available in either red or white veining or the handsome black cap with ivory acrylic barrel. The weight of the pen with a full tank of ink tips my scale right at ½ ounce. Compare this to some of the most popular pens used today such as the ½ ounce Parker “51” up to the 1 ounce Duofold Sr. or the Pelikan M800. So we have a Desiree barrel that is not a Sr. oversize and it is not the typical slim style. The size and weight fits right into the most popular segment of use on the curve scale of modern and vintage pens. This weight of one ounce is most comfortable to use the pen with or without the cap posted on the barrel. This is personal preference but seems very comfortable either way. There is one more excellent feature of the faux blind cap. If the user wants to post the cap to the end of the barrel, the faux blind cap will snug fit well into the cap beyond the threading inside the cap wall. The snug fit is not at the cap lip against the barrel. This removes the possibility to crack the cap lip if it is pushed onto the barrel too tightly. This is another smart idea from Filcao.

THE CAP

The washer clip. The most fool proof piece of hardware ever invented giving a good strong grip to the shirt or jacket pocket. The clip is hand cast brass from the lost was process and heavy gilded with gold and rhodium plating. Years from now, if the clip ever bends out from use the owner can simply remove the clip to give a slight bend to make the clip stronger. The cap band also is brass with heavy gold gilding and rhodium plating.

INNER SAFETY CAP

Notice that the top of the cap unscrews which reveals the inner cap tube which seals the nib at the collar of the section which serves two purposes. The inner cap will seal to the top of the section to prevent evaporation and provide instant ink flow. This will also prevent leaking or flooding from the nib in the event of a sudden bump. The small air hole in the cap, of course helps to stabilize the air pressure and inner cap temperature which also helps to prevent flooding.

CAP AND BARREL THREADING

This is not often noticed by users but there is a big difference between a single gate and multiple gate threading. The gate is the end of the threading on the barrel where you start to screw on the cap. Some pens have only one gate, some have two and some have three. This provides a few minor factors that could be important. First this provides for a faster threading as the cap will find the "entrance gate" more quickly. This will also provide for a more secure or tighter closure as there are more threads gripping the inside of the cap. How many times have you placed a pen in your pocket and suddenly find you have a cap but no pen in your pocket? With a single gate and shorter threading the heavier barrel could easily work loose and separate from the cap. The Desiree requires a full 1 ¼ turns to secure the cap to the barrel. The Alexander cap requires 1 ½ turns to secure tightly to the barrel. This is much better than a short thread on some pens which may only require as little as a one-half turn to secure the cap to the barrel.

Take a close look at the threading on the barrel. The cut of the thread is a fine spiral cut which leaves a flat space between the grooves. The result is not a sharp “V” cut thread, which on some pens may look attractive but actually can be a liability as the sharp top of the thread can be damaged more easily resulting in a cross-cut thread. This happens when a cap may start on a thread out of alignment and result in a "cross-cut", literally causing the cap thread to cut across the barrel thread. This damage can not be repaired.

You see how the minor details make a big difference. Filcao has removed the most common problems with a smart method of manufacture for a better pen.

THE SECTION

A minor detail but this is often a center of attention among serious writers. The threading is on the barrel of the Desiree with an almost un-noticeable step to the section. This makes for a smoother and more comfortable grip as many pen users do not like the radical step difference from barrel to section. This would force the finger tip either closer to the nib or further back onto the barrel. With the Desiree the writer could position the finger tips anywhere without feeling that uncomfortable radical step.

THE NIBS

The Desiree Medium steel nibs are made by Reform and are gild plated. Other steel nibs for other Filcao pens are made by Bock or Schmidt. The steel nibs are rhodium plated and engraved with the Salamander logo design. There is a generous tip of iridium which actually gives the writer a smooth writing style. With normal writing pressure you have an even medium line of ink. If you want just a hint of shading to the writing, this steel nib gives a flexibility that can be achieved nicely with a slight conscious pressure on the descending stroke.

Customers should inquire direct to Filcao for options of Fine, M, B, BB nibs.
Also available on other models are 14K and 18K gold or two-tone gold nibs.

REPLACEABLE SCREW IN NIB-FEEDS

This is a wonderful convenience for the owner. You recall the 2004 Pentrace LE was provided with three nibs. Each nib choice could be simply screwed in with the feed section as one unit. This allows for a simple and clean change in writing style at any time. The standard nib for the Desiree or Alexander is Medium, but you can also order F, B, BB. Converter filler is also available.

All Desiree pens will have a package of five maximum size international ink cartridges and the pens are packaged in a beautiful satin lined gift boxed.

Tang – the taper converter for extended desk pen size.
Hand turned acrylic 30 Euro $-- US

Desiree Price: 75 Euro $109. US

THE ALEXANDER

Based on the Desiree style the Alexander octagonal barrel is crafted from 925 sterling silver with fine chiseled barrel design. Each barrel is engraved with the Limited Edition number and the small attractive cursive Filcao letter “F”.

The acrylic resin cap also has the hand cast brass washer clip with heavy gilding and rhodium plating. The two bi-colored bands on the cap are hand polished, gold plated and sterling silver with rhodium finish.

The cap and barrel diameter are the same as the Desiree however the ink filled weigh is at one ounce. At one ounce I personally prefer to use the pen without the cap posted on the barrel as here I have a comfortable weight in the hand. However it appears to be well-balanced even with the cap posted so this is always an option. The Alexander is packaged in a deluxe satin-lined rigid gift box and includes a package of five maximum international ink cartridges.

This is a Limited Edition of 300 pieces strictly numbered.
Converter filler is also available.

Price: €135 Euro $196. US

The Filcao Desiree and Alexander pens would be a wonderful addition to any modern or vintage pen collection as they have the feel, character and performance of some of our favorite modern and vintage pens. With Franco Grisolia making pens for 43 years you can feel confident these writing instruments are from the hands of a master craftsman. As a gift for a loved one or yourself a pen from Filcao has been a proven favorite and can be used for many years with confidence.

SERVICE

Filcao will provide with direct service and repair on all products. All the spare parts for repair of the products are made at the factory and only original Filcao parts are used. At the same time Filcao can avoid misunderstandings between dealers and factory to provide faster service direct to the customer.

PARTS & ACCESSORIES

Inquire direct to Franco Grisolia for any accessories you may need.

Direct contact with FILCAO

Mr. Franco Grisolia
Filcao Snc Di Sartorello Albertina & C
Via Vaglie 2 A, 10036 Settimo Torinese, TO, Italy
Phone: (011) 895-0904

Note: Mr. Grisolia passed away in 2015 and FILCAO is no longer in business