Fountain Pen: Visconti Mirage Mythos

VISUAL

The Mirage Mythos is an interesting update to the older Mirage. With its sloping body and deep scooping facets, it definitely is similar to the original Mirage. However, it adds a metal section and a magnetic end finial.

The Zeus is made with a lovely dark blue very subtly swirled with gold and gray. I wish the color swirl was just a tad more concentrated and bright, since I do like the effect but it's hard to see unless in bright light.

The cap band features a pattern of stylized 'V's followed by the word MYTHOS - it looks amazing and also invokes the feeling of lightning bolts, which fits very well with the greek god theme.

TACTILE

The deeply indented facets on both the body and the cap give this pen a very distinct feel. It's an interesting choice - sometimes pens have facets to act as a roll stop. However, with this pen, the body flares up to meet the cap band in a ring that has no facets. Therefore, it has a smooth rolling surface and the only rollstop is the heavy Visconti clip.

The metal section is very pretty. I love how it forward-weights the pen for writing. Two thirds of the section is a matte, yet not brushed, metal. It's slightly slippery, but the first third of the section is decorated with a raised pattern. It provides a good grip point for my fingers, but I'm also very aware of that texture while writing.

PRACTICAL

I very much enjoy writing with this broad nib. In comparing this to the original Mirage, I love that it uses a #6 size nib. It fits the nib well, and looks great alongside the metal section.

My one complaint actually surprises me. I was excited about the magnetic cap posting, but in practice it annoys me. The magnet doesn't tightly hold the cap, so it has some play to move back and forth. Coupled with the heavy clip, the cap has enough weight that I can feel it moving slightly while I write. The cap has a 'sweet spot' when posting where you can feel the magnet engage and it posts a bit deeper. I find myself instead rotating the cap slightly so that it grabs with friction instead.

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STATISTICAL

Pen Measurements:

Weight: 32.83g

Weight of Cap: 13.18g

Length Capped: 140.3 mm

Length Uncapped: 123.4 mm

Length Posted: 158 mm

Nib: 6mm 'Broad' Steel

Body Style: Classic

Fill Method: Converter

Fill Volume: 0.8 ml

Comparison Pens: Pilot Metropolitan, LAMY Safari

My Fountain Pen Database

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OVERALL

Pros:

• Smooth nib and lovely writing experience

• Magnetic Cap

Cons:

• Magnetic posting is questionable as designed

• Cap isn't as airtight as I'd like - dry starts can be a concern
  

I find myself liking but not loving this pen. It's nice but has its flaws. I do absolutely love the update to the larger nib size and the extra weightiness of the section. I'm still on the fence about the body shape - it's certainly unique! It could be that I was already not a huge fan of the original Mirage, and I was hoping that the updated design would blow me away and my expectations weren't fully met. All that said, it's still a great writer and most of my concerns are minor.

DISCLAIMER: Pens and inks purchased by myself. Photos and opinions are my own.