I found the rOtring Espirit on Ebay. It was billed as extremely rare. So rare in fact that the auction was for two pens. While they are not rare (at least on Ebay) I am glad that I have two of them because this is a pen I'd love to share with other people.
This pen was part of new old stock and arrived to me well packaged and in it's original box. After a little challenge in unpacking I had the Espirit in hand. My only previous experience with rOtring has been the Newton which had some serious heft to it. The Espirit is so light as to almost feel like it wasn't there.
The body and grip section are all metal. It is very well constructed with all sections coming together seamlessly. Before removing the cap the pen itself seems very simple. Metal body that meets the cap after a chrome ring to make a smooth solid but light piece.
A chrome clip bearing the rOtring name with the signature red ring at the top. Nothing spectacular. Good. Simple. Practical.
Once you take the top down the party starts. The grip section is like a series of hills. Smooth and rolling away from the body and towards the nib. I was a little put off at first but once I held the pen in hand I found the surface to be very comfortable to hold. The ribbed grip section prevents my fingers sliding down while in extended writing circumstances. Bottom line....I like that it's ribbed for my pleasure.
The Espirit takes a cartridge and once loaded the ink flowed smoothly onto the page. There is a slight flex to the nib which allows for a very slight line variation. The nib is very smooth and having used it on everything from Rhodia to copy paper I find it smooth in all circumstances. There is not a lot of flash to this pen put it's a good daily work horse that I feel comfortable carting around with me.