Delta Titanio (Limited Edition In Meteor Acrylic)

[jonro]

http://www.s162256685.onlinehome.us/FPN/DT1.JPG

 

First Impressions (5)

I first saw and dipped the Titanio at Art Brown’s in New York. I was only in NYC for a couple of days and never had a chance to go back before returning to Florida, but had decided that I wanted a Titano. Several months later, after seeing the subtle charcoal marbling of the LE Titanio at Bertram’s Inkwell’s booth at the Miami Pen Show and after I had the opportunity to spend a little more time with it, I had to have this pen.

 

http://www.s162256685.onlinehome.us/FPN/DT2.JPG

 

I don’t normally care much about the box, but Delta’s packaging, although simple, makes unboxing a mini event. There is an outer box (heavy paper stock) with a graphic related to the Titanio. The LE in this pattern is limited to 100 pieces each worldwide for the fountain pen, rollerball and ballpoint. Inside the outer box is the main box. It’s stylish, made from a hard foam interior with an acrylic cover that swivels open to reveal the pen. There were also 3 unmarked short international cartridges included in the box.

 

http://www.s162256685.onlinehome.us/FPN/DT3.JPG

 

Appearance (5)

I find this pen to be absolutely stunning. A cylindrical cap leads to a barrel that tapers slightly to make it a securely posting pen. The pearlescent gray and silver-white acrylic finish looks something like the lunar surface or the cross-section of a meteor. There is a titanium cap band near the bottom of the barrel and two cap bands, one wide and one narrow on the cap. They are inset flat with the body of the pen. Most manufacturers don’t machine their pens like this and I appreciate the precision look and Delta’s attention to detail. The clip is striking. It starts by going across the top of the pen and then bends down like a regular clip, like a modern interpretation of the military clip. The clip is mostly flat, but curves a bit at the end. I prefer flat clips to very curvy clips, and this is flat with a modern touch. The cap bands are a matte finish titanium and the clip is polished steel. While I might have preferred a matching titanium clip, it does not detract from the pen’s excellent appearance.

 

The model name, “Delta Titanio,” is inscribed at the top of the cap. Near the bottom of the cap, the LE number is displayed. I have number 052/100. I can’t tell if the engraving was done by laser or machined.

 

Design/Size/Weight (5)

The Titanio is about 5 1/2” long capped, 6 1/8” long posted, and has a diameter of .595” at the widest point of the barrel. The section tapers only slightly from the barrel, making this a very comfortable pen to hold (if you prefer larger pens). It takes a little less than one turn to cap and uncap the Titanio. That’s a big plus to me; it bothers me when pens require several turns to uncap.

 

The pen weighs 1.1 oz (29.5g), not a heavy pen. It’s long enough to use unposted, but feels balanced when posted and it posts securely.

 

Nib (5)

The titanium nib is what sets this pen apart from most other pens. I have one other pen with a titanium nib, an Omas Emotica. I really like the way it writes and had high expectations for the Titanio’s nib and it does not disappoint. First, the matte gray titanium nib is inscribed nicely and is an appropriate length for the pen. It feels great and is very smooth and responsive. The fine nib is a on the wide side and I had it reground by Richard Binder to an XF Waverly style nib at the Columbus Pen Show. I love the way it writes. The original nib had a fair amount of flex, from fine to nearly broad. My reground nib still has some flex, but starts from XF and flexes to a wide fine.

 

If you want a stiff nail nib, this isn’t it and if you want a vintage wet noodle, this is not that either. What you get is a fine nib that can go to medium or broad, if you wish, with moderate pressure. This is an excellent nib and a pleasure to write with. The future may lie with titanium nibs. With the price of gold at record highs, we need new materials with great writing characteristics that are less expensive than gold, but more interesting than stainless steel.

 

Filling System (5)

The Titanio is a cartridge/converter filler. The converter appears larger than most and it screws securely into the section, a nice touch.

 

Cost and Value (4)

It’s difficult to judge value with modern pens; I feel that almost all of them are overpriced. However, this pen hits so many sweet spots, I consider it a very good value for me. The retail price of the Titanio is $395, but it’s readily available at a discounted price. The Titanio is commonly available in black. The LE is still available, but you have to look for it, and with only 100 being produced in the Meteor finish, there probably aren’t that many around. There have been LE Titanios in other patterns, so there will probably be others in the future if you don't want a big black pen.

 

Conclusion (5)

I really enjoy writing with the Titanio. In fact, I think it has set a new record among my pens for time in active rotation. However, I did have to have it reground the way I like it because Delta does not offer the Titanio with an XF nib. I could compare this pen to the Aurora Talentum. The Talentum is a similarly priced and similarly large pen, but with a stiff 14K gold nib. It’s another one of my favorite pens, but the writing experience is different from the Titanio.

 

The build quality, looks, size, nib and writing experience of the Titanio hits all of my sweet spots and it immediately (after regrinding the nib) became one of my favorite pens.

Edited December 25, 2011 by jonro

[IWantThat]

That is stunning! The only Delta I've wanted in a long time Congrats!

[jandrese]

Interesting, thanks. Looks a lot like mine in "Tiitan grey" Here, which never made the index. Very good pen, enjoy!

[IWantThat]

I spoke too soon! I went to take a look at some Delta pens and found at least 10 that I love but can't afford (so they must have dropped off my radar) I'm am curious about titanium nibs.

[SHK]

... we need new materials with great writing characteristics that are less expensive than gold, but more interesting than stainless steel.

 

That's why I ordered my Stipula Etruria with a T Flex nib.

My first Delta is coming soon as well. Never had a Delta before!

Thanks for your review and images.

 

Sascha

Edited December 25, 2011 by SHK

[sheehmi]

I love my Delta Titanio LE with its wonderful titanium nib--thanks for the review. Check out the Stipula Model T if you like Titanium nibs and nice grey mottled patterns

[Namo]

An excellent pen, maybe the most comfortable grip I ever had! The pen is a bit short for me. But I find the resin of the regular, black Titanio very not exciting, and I must say that the clip was a turn down: not being of titanium, the clip is heavy, thus creating a balance problem when posting (necessary for me since the pen is a bit short), and I find it an unsound design option. Too bay, this is indeed a wonderful pen, and the nib is really excellent!! Thank you for your review!

[pomperopero]

I really like this titanium nib, probably the best semi-flexible modern nib. I´ve got it in M, the model is called Galassia.

 

You can find more pics here: http://tortugavacumatica.blogspot.com/2011/12/delta-galassia-plumin-de-titanio-y-semi.html

 

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6708/img33102500x1875.jpg

 

You can even check how does it work in the following video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-qtHG9EdCa8

[SHK]

I really like this titanium nib, probably the best semi-flexible modern nib. I´ve got it in M, the model is called Galassia.

 

You can find more pics here: http://tortugavacumatica.blogspot.com/2011/12/delta-galassia-plumin-de-titanio-y-semi.html

 

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6708/img33102500x1875.jpg

 

You can even check how does it work in the following video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-qtHG9EdCa8

 

Thank you for the video.

I like to look vids of writing.

[genls]

I really like this titanium nib, probably the best semi-flexible modern nib. I´ve got it in M, the model is called Galassia.

 

You can find more pics here: http://tortugavacumatica.blogspot.com/2011/12/delta-galassia-plumin-de-titanio-y-semi.html

 

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6708/img33102500x1875.jpg

 

You can even check how does it work in the following video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-qtHG9EdCa8

 

that is a great picture. how did you capture that? thanks!

[pomperopero]

Just holding the pen with one hand and the camara with the other one, I took 3 photos and this one was the best one.

 

that is a great picture. how did you capture that? thanks!

[breaker]

excellent review and pics!

thanks

[IWantThat]

jonro: See what you made me do?!?!

 

 

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa368/NeitherGoodNorBad/DSC00947.jpghttp://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa368/NeitherGoodNorBad/DSC00932.jpg

 

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa368/NeitherGoodNorBad/DSC00931.jpg

 

[IWantThat]

And a close up... No. 062/100

 

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa368/NeitherGoodNorBad/DSC00938.jpg

 

[Silvermink]

How do you find the relative flex between the Emotica and the Titanio? I have a Modello T now and would like to get another of the titanium-nibbed Italian pens, but I'm not sure which one (I'm not sure 'both' is in the cards right now. )

[jandrese]

How do you find the relative flex between the Emotica and the Titanio? I have a Modello T now and would like to get another of the titanium-nibbed Italian pens, but I'm not sure which one (I'm not sure 'both' is in the cards right now. )

 

I find that the Titanio has slightly more flex than the Emotica. The Emotica, however, writes much wetter, or at least mine does, possibly because it has an ebonite feed. A couple of days ago I got a different Delta with a titanium nib, which is fantastic.

[Silvermink]

I find that the Titanio has slightly more flex than the Emotica. The Emotica, however, writes much wetter, or at least mine does, possibly because it has an ebonite feed. A couple of days ago I got a different Delta with a titanium nib, which is fantastic.

 

Hmm, okay. I'll have to ponder it a bit more. Wetter isn't always an advantage for me since I do a lot of my notetaking at work on Rhodia pads, and if a pen lays down a lot of ink on those it takes forever to dry.

 

Cheers.

[sheehmi]

All should get a look at the Delta Moma LE with carbon fiber and titanium nib. Views?

[Silvermink]

All should get a look at the Delta Moma LE with carbon fiber and titanium nib. Views?

 

This one? Doesn't really appeal to me aesthetically.

[raging.dragon]

All should get a look at the Delta Moma LE with carbon fiber and titanium nib. Views?

 

This one? Doesn't really appeal to me aesthetically.

 

I'm not a fan of it's aesthetics either.