Visconti Homo Sapiens Dark Crystal - Fountain Pen
The Homo Sapiens Dark Crystal is an exceptional fountain pen, showcasing all of the unique benefits of the original, award-winning Homo Sapiens with several upgrades and modifications:
Smoky Ink Chamber: The most discernible modification to the body of the pen is the addition of a large transparent window made from acrylic resin. A large section of lava has been cut out of the pen body and replaced with a piece of smoky acrylic tube, giving the pen a unique appearance and identity. This 'oversize' window offers the user a view of stored ink inside the pen and the pen's 'double reservoir' power filling system.
Double Reservoir: The original Homo Sapiens featured Visconti's 'single reservoir' power filling system. The Dark Crystal is upgraded to Visconti's patented 'double reservoir' power filler, a vacuum filling system that is easy to use and has considerable benefits. Patented in 1998, this is arguably the most advanced filling system ever developed in fountain pen history. The user is able to fill the pen with the equivalent of 10 cartridges of ink, and thanks to the two reservoirs, prevents ink from leaking during air travel.
Smoky Crystal Ring: The final change is the small ring around the grip section. Metal has been replaced with smoky acrylic resin, offering a view of stored ink in the pen's second smaller ink reservoir.
As with the original Homo Sapiens, the Dark Crystal is made from volcanic lava rock, making the pen virtually unbreakable, naturally hygroscopic and very comfortable to write with. All trims are made from steel with ruthenium plating and the cap closes with Visconti's patented 'hook safe lock'. The Homo Sapiens Dark Crystal is a must-have for every Visconti pen enthusiast.
The pen caps using the Visconti 'Hook Safe Lock', a revolutionary capping system so you can cap a pen without worrying about the cap accidentally unscrewing in your pocket and leaking. The fountain pen's double reservoir vacuum power filler is made of titanium to resist ink corrosion, and it features a ruthenium-plated oversized 18k gold nib to match the trim color.
- Condition
- New
- Brand
- Visconti
- Type
- Fountain Pens
- Color
- Black
- Demonstrator
Whether or not the barrel of the pen is translucent, allowing you to see the ink and filling mechanism inside.
- No
- Body Material
- Basaltic lava, Resin
- Cap Rotations
For pens with a screw-cap closure, how many rotations it takes to uncap/recap the pen.
- 0.25
- Cap Type
How the cap is opened/closed from the barrel of the pen. Some common options include Snap-Cap, Screw-Cap, Magnetic Cap, or Capless (no cap).
- Hook Safe Lock
- Compatible inks & refills
Which ink this pen will accept. Choices include bottled ink and various styles of pre-filled ink cartridges.
- Bottled ink
- Filling Mechanism
How the pen fills with ink. Click here to watch our video tutorial on common filling mechanisms.
- Double Reservoir Power Filler
- Grip Material
- Basaltic lava
- Nib Size
- Extra-Fine, Fine, Medium
- Nib Color
- Ruthenium
- Nib Material
- 18k Gold
- Postable
Whether or not the cap fits securely onto the back of the barrel when open.
- Yes
- Retractable
Whether or not the nib/tip can retract into the body of the pen (usually for click or twist-open style pens).
- No
- Diameter - Body
- 14mm (0.55in)
- Diameter - Cap (without clip)
- 16.5mm (0.65in)
- Diameter - Cap (with clip)
- 21mm (0.83in)
- Diameter - Grip (mm)
Measured from the place most people choose to rest their fingers, which varies with each pen.
- 11.0mm
- Length - Body
The measurement from the back end of the barrel to the tip of the nib.
- 132mm (5.20in)
- Length - Cap
- 59.3mm (2.33in)
- Length - Nib
The measured length of the visible portion of the nib when it is installed in the pen, from grip to tip.
- 24.3mm (0.96in)
- Length - Overall (Closed)
- 146mm (5.75in)
- Length - Overall (Posted)
When the cap of the pen is posted onto the back of the pen body, this is the measurement of the entire pen including the nib.
- 173.4mm (6.83in)
- Weight - Body
If a converter is included with the pen, this weight is reflected in the total.
- 24g (0.85oz)
- Weight - Cap
- 17g (0.60oz)
- Weight - Overall (g)
- 41.0g
- Max Ink Capacity - Piston Vac
The maximum volume of ink that can fit in the pen when using the built-in piston or vacuum filling mechanism.
- 3.69ml
Customer Reviews
After purchasing my first homo sapiens, a bronze age, from the Goulet Pen Company before an overseas deployment many years ago, I sadly lost it to a car accident in '21. After finally deciding to replace it and reviewing the current Visconti lineup from Brian's shop, I finally have replaced my all time favourite pen with the dark crystal model and could not be happier with this pen. I have always loved the hygroscopic nature of these pens as my primary reason of purchase, as they are the only pens I can write for hours without losing any grip due to sweat or skin oil.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy from this seller again. Very satisfied indeed.
Pen had a few red flakes on it very disappointed that this was not caught by QC at Visconti, or Goulet (who I asked to check the pen). My 1st HS pen had a uniform lava finish.Good, but not great, customer service (every little thing required manager approval), poor shipping options. Not the best first experience
Nib is scratchy and it leaks from the feeder. Beautiful pen, but not happy with this one piece
5/5 writing experience, minus 2 stars for nib issues. I received the medium nib with misaligned tines and had to fix it myself. At this price point, everything should be working without issue. I have the knowledge to fix misaligned tines but imagine if you didn't and/or are unwilling (scared to damage the pen etc). Then what? The pen can't write. Then you'd have to go through return/exchange process and a long wait time for shipping. Just putting my experience out there for buyers looking at this pen. Final note - I do like the pen a lot though as it writes very well after fixing the nib alignment issue.
