Titaner Razor - A Pen For The Apocalypse Or The Boardroom

[Sui-Generis]

A very good afternoon to all my fellow fountain pen fans (see also: unashamed addicts).

 

Today I am going to make my very best attempt at doing a review for you on, what I believe, is my 'perfect' pen, after 3 months of ownership.

 

So, without further ado, may I present to you, the Titaner Razor.

 

 

First, a little about the company.

Titaner was first founded by Leo Zhang in 2005 and operates out of Shaanxi Province, China. They specialise in making EDC (Everyday Carry) items out of titanium, everything from pens (duh) to pry bars.

 

On to the review!

 

The Razor is, currently, their only fountain pen offering (though they do offer a plethora of more 'traditional' EDC ballpoint and gel-compatible pens). Everything is machined extremely precisely from Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) titanium.
While it bares some functionality of a "tactical" pen, I would say this is more a "refined gentleman carrying a baseball bat".

 

Since it is an all metal pen (every last beautifully smooth millimetre!) it may feel a little heavy to some weighing in at approximately 46g, in comparison a Jinhao x750 is approximately 36g. For me? This is perfect, as I prefer a weightier pen.

 

As I mentioned at the start, the machining is absolutely impeccable throughout. Pocket clip is also made from titanium with black DLC (Diamond Like Coating) and a ceramic bead to help it slide into one's pocket or bag better. On the back side of the clip is the serial number of your particular pen.

Attention to detail is phenomenal, the top cap finial, while plain, has a philips-type screw head machined into it on the inside, letting you torque down a little on the top cap to make sure that clip doesn't come off at the worst moment! Also, under where the clip sits in it's little machined recess? Sits an o-ring (the same for the tail cap), this is either to better seal the cap to stop your nib drying out or as an added measure to stop the top cap coming off, either way...details!

 

Thread cutting is exceptional, the cap threads using heavy, square "Acme" type threads (similar to those found on vice screws) that, no matter how hard I tried even while holding the pen directly on this transitional portion and above the section? Could not get them to 'bite' into my fingers. Cap separates from the body in one and a quarter turns and does NOT post.

 

Threads between the section and the body completely different. Much, much finer. And there are a lot of them! It takes a full seven and a quarter turns to release the section from the body. This may frustrate some people who need to refill or change inks frequently, but these extremely fine threads tie the section into the barrel with such solidity they two feel like one piece,

 

There is, unfortunately, only one nib choice upon purchase, which is a Fine Steel Bock #6. However! The section uses a completely standard Bock housing, meaning you can swap out nibs and feeds all day long with nothing more than a twist of the wrist. Unscrew one complete assembly, remove, replace with another. While the Bock nib might not get anyone's heart racing it is certainly very practical and utilitarian, fitting for such a pen. A German (possibly Schmidt?) converter is included.

 

 

The Razor also features a tungsten glass breaker in it's tail cap, implemented in such a way that it really just blends in with the overall style of the pen & could easily be mistaken just for a decorative element if you didn't know better.

 

There's absolutely no doubt that the Razor is a class act in every respect. Is it bomb-proof? Absolutely. Could you probably hammer it through a floorboard? More than likely! Is it elegant and refined enough to be used in the office, boardroom, classroom or library? 100%!

 

I haven't included a writing sample purely due to the fact I'm sure we all know what a Bock nib writes like by now and any nib issues would be down to Bock and not Titaner. The nib I received in my pen did have a mild case of Bock's (in)famous babies bottom, but nothing a little 3M lapping film couldn't fix.

 

Finally, Titaner's customer service is beyond exemplary. Every question I had regarding my order was answered politely and in good time.

Edited March 29, 2020 by Sui-Generis

[Anderglan]

Cool account, very interesting writing tool -- reminds me of my plan to purchase Hello Kitty weaponry for my teenage daughters

 

BTW: Where do you have your signature from? (PM, if you wish.) Thanks a ton

[DrDebG]

It looks a great deal like the Namisu Nova in titanium. My Nova has a titanium nib. It is slightly softer than a steel nail.

[Karmachanic]

I find even small step-downs unappealing. Granted this one is at the end of a long section, but I still find it aesthetically displeasing.

Edited March 29, 2020 by Karmachanic

[inkstainedruth]

Nice looking pen, but way too heavy for me.... I got girly hands and a TWSBI 580-AL is pretty much my limit weight wise....

Although I'll admit that the thread title reminded me of of this eBay listing from a few years ago for "the Montblanc of iniquity" (or perfidy or some such... ).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Sui-Generis]

Anderglan
No clue where I picked up the signature from I'm afraid! It was just one of those things I either read or heard & it stuck with me in a case of "huh...that's accurate...I'm going to use that!".

5Cavaliers
The Nova is a fair bit thicker both in body and section as well as having no pocket clip and a mildly conical finish to the cap. I can take a side by side if you like? I have a little bit of an addiction to titanium...anything.
I prefer the Razor over the Nova from a utilitarian/practicality standpoint of having a very usable pocket clip, though the Nova does make a beautiful desk pen.

Karmachanic
The stepdown is purely due to the thickness/robustness of the cap threading. For a pen such as this, one designed to be extremely tough, I can understand the design decision, a tentative line between form and function has to be drawn somewhere.

inkstainedruth
Yeah, the weight might be an issue for some, but it is very well balanced & doesn't really feel like you are trying to write with a hammer. Though, I also own an all copper Karas K so...I'm a terrible judge.
I loved my 580 right up until the point I wrote with it, then for some reason it felt 'awkward' in the hand for me. Which I was, and still am, extremely disappointed about. I even have the 580/700r ink bottle that now has little use beyond being a mildly effective paperweight.

[DrDebG]

 

5Cavaliers

The Nova is a fair bit thicker both in body and section as well as having no pocket clip and a mildly conical finish to the cap. I can take a side by side if you like? I have a little bit of an addiction to titanium...anything.

I prefer the Razor over the Nova from a utilitarian/practicality standpoint of having a very usable pocket clip, though the Nova does make a beautiful desk pen.

 

 

 

Thank you for the kind offer, but it isn't necessary.

 

When I purchased the Nova I had great hopes. I love titanium as well, but the Nova is very heavy - too heavy for my arthritic hands. And, although the nib is very smooth and slightly springy, it was not as supple as I had hoped for. At some time in the not too distant future, I will be finding a new home for it where the owner may appreciate its lovely lines and heft.

[WLSpec]

Nice review, and a nice looking pen

[Drone]

Here is a link to the Titaner Razor's homepage:

https://titaner-store.com/collections/titanum-pens/products/razor-titanium-fountain-pen

The price is $159.00 USD ea. plus shipping.

It's a beautiful pen and I'm OK with heavier pens. What this pen really needs is an option for the Bock semi-flex titanium nib!

The only concern I have with this pen is with the clip contact point, it looks tiny. I am concerned the clip will wear out my pocket or worse yet scratch the barrel.

Thanks for the nice review. David in Florida

[Drone]

Just for fun - estimating the raw Titanium material cost for this pen: At retail (Amazon.com) I found a single piece of 12 inch long, 9/16 inch diameter grade 5 titanium rod stock for $38.26 + $5.21 CONUS shipping = $43.47 USD. The pen is 142 mm = 5.6 inches long (presumably capped, although that is not specified). Adding a generous three inches in length to work the threads and end capture that makes 8.6 inches of rod stock per pen. Pro-rata that works out to $31.15 in Ti rod stock per pen. Then you have the clip and the nib unit, and labor, and tooling (titanium is hard on tools), and rent, and on, and on...

Here is the rod stock on Amazon:

Grade 5 Titanium Round Rod, Unpolished (Mill) Finish, Meets AMS 4928, ASTM B 348, 0.5625" Diameter, 12" Length $38.26 + $5.21 shipping

https://www.amazon.com/Titanium-Unpolished-Finish-Diameter-Length/dp/B00MAARMUO

 

Yeah, I'm locked up in the house with not enough to do...

[jchch1950]

Nice review and a good looking pen.It is well balance and scratch resistant?

[langere]

I know that basically all of my fountain pens are going to outlast me. This might take a few millenia longer...

 

Beautiful pen!

 

Erick

[Honeybadgers]

having used a pen as a glass breaker in an emergency situation before.

 

I can wholeheartedly confirm that it's an outrageously stupid idea.

 

The pen looks really nice though, and that's an impressive price.

 

Are the cap/barrel threads metal on metal?

Edited March 30, 2020 by Honeybadgers

[Anderglan]

having used a pen as a glass breaker in an emergency situation before.

 

I can wholeheartedly confirm that it's an outrageously stupid idea.

I've seen Mossad guys having very similar instruments. If the situation arises, they'll use whatever is at hand as a "glass" breaker. Well, mostly as a skull breaker, I guess...

[Sui-Generis]

The only concern I have with this pen is with the clip contact point, it looks tiny. I am concerned the clip will wear out my pocket or worse yet scratch the barrel.

 

I don't think there is much chance of it scratching the barrel, the clip sits in a recess both at the top and the front & absolutely cannot rotate. The only movement is going to come from mild lateral flex of the clip it's self. Hadn't considered the wearing-out of the pocket though! I guess time will tell on that one.

 

Nice review and a good looking pen.It is well balance and scratch resistant?

 

Balance is excellent! Not sure on the scratch resistance though. Titanium is quite a bit softer than steel however, so if you throw it in your pocket with a bunch of steel coins (you fiend!) then I'd say there was a very good chance it'd pick up plenty of scratches. Though it is an extremely tough pen, I've babied it as if it was an acrylic, so I can't say.

 

Are the cap/barrel threads metal on metal?

 

That they are. There's no plastic liners anywhere, just raw machining.

[amberleadavis]

I like the quote about the baseball bat. Now I will have to go look.

 

Wait, no nib choices?????

[Honeybadgers]

I've seen Mossad guys having very similar instruments. If the situation arises, they'll use whatever is at hand as a "glass" breaker. Well, mostly as a skull breaker, I guess...

 

I'm a paramedic, and the physical mechanics of using this pen to break glass are awful. I used a rock, my delike alpha, and a heavy pair of extrication gloves to pop a car window and it took several hard strikes. The pen survived, but my hands ached for days. The only reason I used it was my sprung glass breaker failed.

 

And anyone who thinks they need something like that to defend themselves is a lunatic. Any hard object in the hand would be enough to dissuade a person. A glass breaker just causes the potential for second degree murder charges, as it could easily crack a skull. It ties back into my general hatred of "tactical, EDC" stuff. Civilians don't need tactical stuff unless they just think it looks cool. People who consider themselves "sheepdogs" and do everything from open carry/CCW handguns to tactical automatic knives with the actual idea that these items are for self defense do nothing but make my life as a paramedic all that much harder in real active shooter or dangerous situations. I've seen people who tried to pull their knife to defend themselves get shot rather than just let the mugger have their wallet and only need a new wallet.

 

But I digress. This pen doesn't seem to be overly marketing itself towards that flavor of individual.

 

Back to the logistics of the pen - doesn't it say the cap is lined with plastic or teflon or something to make it sit nicely on the barrel when posted?

 

Also, i was kinda interesed, but it looks like it posts like (bleep) compared to, say, the tactile turn gist. Could yo show how deeply it posts?

Edited March 31, 2020 by Honeybadgers

[Anderglan]

 

And anyone who thinks they need something like that to defend themselves is a lunatic. Any hard object in the hand would be enough to dissuade a person. A glass breaker just causes the potential for second degree murder charges, as it could easily crack a skull. It ties back into my general hatred of "tactical, EDC" stuff. Civilians don't need tactical stuff unless they just think it looks cool. People who consider themselves "sheepdogs" and do everything from open carry/CCW handguns to tactical automatic knives with the actual idea that these items are for self defense do nothing but make my life as a paramedic all that much harder in real active shooter or dangerous situations. I've seen people who tried to pull their knife to defend themselves get shot rather than just let the mugger have their wallet and only need a new wallet.

I support your stance. All such dangerous instruments shan't be in the wrong hands!

 

[amberleadavis]

Okay, so is this the kind of pen that Phryne Fisher would use?

[Karmachanic]

Karmachanic

The stepdown is purely due to the thickness/robustness of the cap threading. For a pen such as this, one designed to be extremely tough, I can understand the design decision, a tentative line between form and function has to be drawn somewhere.

 

The stepdown is due to the designer's decision to have the cap flush with the barrel rather than having the section flush with the barrel. To have a smooth line when not in hand, rather than having a smooth line when in hand.

 

to add. Ensso Italia splits the difference.

Edited March 31, 2020 by Karmachanic