Omas Ogiva Extra 222 Edition: A Revived Classic With Original Nibs

Introduction

Omas was a pen company known for making beautiful pens, often in fragile but gorgeous celluloid, with nibs that earned a genuinely devoted following. The original company eventually went under, and the story of what happened next is a bit more complicated than a simple shutdown. Armando Simoni Club, now known as The Pen Family, acquired the original material, celluloids, and other assets from Omas, and has now decided to bring the Omas brand back to life.

The pen examined here is the Ogiva Extra, part of a limited 222 Edition, and it belongs firmly to what could be called Omas 2.0: a new company, a new pen, but built using Omas parts, original-style Omas nibs, and ebonite feeds that closely match the original product. It is a larger pen, girthier and a bit longer than the classic Ogiva, with the familiar cigar shape.

Who This Pen Is For

This is a pen for fountain pen enthusiasts who care about nib character and classic materials. If you have always wanted the Omas look and writing feel, particularly that soft, wet Omas nib experience, this limited edition puts a very close approximation back within reach. It also suits collectors who appreciate celluloid done properly: the blue saffron finish here, with warm orange-brown tones set against blue highlights, is highly polished and genuinely attractive.

It is less aimed at buyers who want a lightweight vintage-style experience, for reasons covered below, and it is not a budget pen by any measure.

Design and Materials

The Ogiva Extra is a fairly large pen, noticeably bigger than a typical standard fountain pen, both in girth and length. The cap starts with a finial in the same celluloid as the rest of the cap, followed by the Omas-style clip with a small wheel, which operates well: not too tight, and pleasant to use. A gold-colored center band sits mid-cap, engraved with Omas, Italy, and the Greek key pattern that The Pen Family uses frequently.

One standout detail: the center band is metal. That matters because celluloid can crack under the stress of cap threads, and a metal band goes a long way toward preventing that cracking. It is a thoughtful touch that shows attention to long-term durability.

The barrel carries a blind engraving that is subtle but present: Omas Ogiva, 222 Edition, and the individual number, in this case 84 of 222. The piston turning knob does exactly what it should, allowing the piston mechanism to fill the pen from a bottle.

Nib and Writing Performance

The section is long, tapering down and flaring out, with another engraved band reading Omas Italy surrounded by more Greek key detailing. There is a noticeable step down to the threads, but with such a long section it rarely interferes with grip, since fingers naturally sit well away from it.

The nib is marked Omas 750 18K and looks very much like the original Omas nibs, complete with the fletching and the arrow on top of the nib. The feed is ebonite, which is always a plus: ebonite feeds offer very good flow characteristics and contribute to a pleasant writing experience.

As a writer, the pen is wet and pleasant. A writing sample taken when the pen was nearly out of ink looked dry, but that was simply a pen running on fumes; with a proper fill it is a genuinely wet writer with good line variation. Omas nibs tend to be soft, and this one follows suit: with gentle pressure, not excessive force, you can coax out noticeable line variation. Reverse writing is also possible and not scratchy, making this a versatile nib for those who enjoy playing with expressiveness.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The MSRP is $895 in the US, and ASC Club members typically get a 10 percent discount through the ASC website. Within The Pen Family’s range that is not the steepest price, as some of their pens run $2,000 and up, but it is a significant purchase.

The heft is worth knowing about. The Pen Family often uses brass liners, and this pen appears to have one, because it feels heavier than a celluloid pen would suggest. That is a plus if you like a solid, substantial pen, but original Omas pens did not always use brass liners, so the in-hand experience is a bit different from vintage Omas models. The cap also does not post securely; it wobbles and can fall off, though with a pen this large posting is not really necessary, and it is comfortable used unposted.

There is also a philosophical consideration rather than a practical one. Purists in the pen community will point out that this is not the original Omas company; it is the brand revived under new ownership with new pens, a pattern seen with other resuscitated pen brands. That is a legitimate viewpoint for collectors of the original company. Judged simply as a nicely made modern pen, though, the construction feels solid, the materials are attractive, and it writes very well.

Buying Advice

Buy this pen if you want a large, well-built celluloid fountain pen with a soft, wet, characterful 18k nib and an ebonite feed, and you are comfortable paying $895 for a limited edition of 222 pieces. The metal center band, brass liner, and blind numbering all point to careful construction, and the writing experience is the strongest part of the package.

Look elsewhere if you specifically want the lighter feel of a vintage Omas without a brass liner, if you need a postable cap, or if the Omas-versus-Omas-2.0 debate matters to you more than the pen itself. For everyone else, this is a very pleasant writer that earns its place on a desk.

Conclusion

The Ogiva Extra 222 Edition is a solid, attractive, and satisfying pen: beautiful blue saffron celluloid, a metal-trimmed cap built to protect it, an original-style Omas nib with ebonite feed, and a wet, expressive writing feel. Whether it counts as a true Omas depends on your point of view, but as a modern pen at this price it delivers where it counts.