DaniTrio Classic

[French]

First Impressions (5/5)

When I read SteadyHand’s review, I thought “that is a nice looking pen”, and I didn’t really think too much more on it. That is, until winedoc posted in The Marketplace that he had purchased a bunch of these and was selling them at the blowout price of $27, and I jumped. I have a bunch of black pens, but no white ones in my collection, so I decided to go for white. I had the good fortune of being able to pick the pen up in person, while meeting Kevin for dinner in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. The box is satisfactory, cardboard sleeve, decent cardboard inner box. Big pen inside.

 

Appearance (4.7/5)

The pen is white with a black section and gold plated nib, trim and greek key motif. The words "Trio Classic" tastefully interrrupt the greek key motif on the cap band. The white is pearlescent, shimmery as you rotate the pen in relation to the light source. Kevin told me Danitrio uses crushed pearls in the coating of the pen. I have no reason not to believe him, and the pen really does look like a nice pearl.

 

capped pen

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/french_lewis/my%20pens/IMG_3612.jpg

 

uncapped

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/french_lewis/my%20pens/IMG_3613.jpg

 

capband detail

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/french_lewis/my%20pens/IMG_3614.jpg

 

Design/Size/Weight (4.9/5)

This is a big, heavy pen. It weighs more than a Cum Laude, Hero 100, P51, or Lamy 2000. However, it is very well balanced unposted. I very rarely post, and this pen is long enough to be comfortable unposted, so I can’t comment on the posted balance. I’ve written several journal pages using it, and I haven’t had any sense of hand fatigue. Overall, the pen feels solid, the fit and finish are excellent, and the design is well done. Perhaps my favorite feature is that it takes about 1/4 turn to uncap the pen. This is pen is almost as convenient to uncap as a slip cap pen, and slightly less convenient than a Vanishing point. However, unless you are extremely dexterous, you still need 2 hands to uncap. A very nice application of the classic cigar shape.

 

Nib (4/5)

I purchased the IPG medium nib. The nib writes a true medium line, with the slightest hint of tooth. While I can write with a medium, I have a small hand, and a fine works best for me. My initial thought is I will bring this to the next pen show I attend and have a nibmeister turn the pen into a fine. Granted the nib work will effectively double the cost of the pen, however, even considering that, I believe it will be worth the cost.

 

writing sample

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/french_lewis/my%20pens/DaniClassicwritingsample.jpg

 

Filling System (5/5)

I’m not a big fan of cartridge/converter fill pens, but they work and, the bright side is if the filling mechanism breaks, the repair cost is $5-10, not whatever a restorer or service center would charge to fix a piston. I’m giving this a high rating because it works as you would expect a converter to work.

 

Cost and Value (5/5)

Once again, Danitrio and winedoc really hit a homerun. This pen has as good a feel as my more expensive pens, good heft, great balance. As I mentioned in the Nib section, this pen will be an even better value once I pay to have the nib reduced to a fine. Easily, this, along with the original $27 pens and the $33 pens are some of the greatest values in the fountain pen world.

 

Conclusion (28.6/30)

Another excellent Danitrio purchase. I consider 95.3% an excellent score, and this pen deserves it, a fine nib and we would be at or above 97%. As usual, Kevin is a joy to deal with. When we agreed to meet for dinner, he brought the pen already inked, so I would be able to try it out at the restaurant, you just can’t get service like that anywhere.

 

If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive pen (same price range as a Lamy Safari or Al-Star, or a Hero 100), but want a pen with high dollar good looks, this is a pen I would recommend without reservation.

 

 

[Rapt]

It is a nice pen.

 

I bought one sight unseen as a gift, based on the quality of the Danitrio Tac Carry II I'd bought previously. Boy was I surprised.

 

The Trio Classic is much better in terms of manufacturing fit and finish than the Tac Carry II I'd put it at least one whole level better. Threads are smooth and tight with little play. The Schmidt steel nib is very nice.

 

All in all I was VERY impressed and wished I'd bought more than the one.

[zaqrack]

this is a truly beautiful pen, and the review sounds promising. I guess it will be the target of my next pen-hunt

[lalindsay225]

I bought the black one, and I have to agree, it's an amazing value. It looks and performs as well or better as some in my collection that cost two or three times as much. This was my first Dani-Trio pen, but probably not my last.

 

Lisa

[Silas]

I bought the black one, and I have to agree, it's an amazing value. It looks and performs as well or better as some in my collection that cost two or three times as much. This was my first Dani-Trio pen, but probably not my last.

 

Lisa

 

 

Lisa, I bought the White one and am waiting for its arrival! From your review, I'm excited! I wondered about the pen, but for $27 how could one go wrong? Actually, I'm getting a "blemished" one for a little less.....and since I write with all my pens, it wouldn't matter.

Glad you spoke up!

 

[donwinn]

I have one of the black, and one of the pearl. My initial thought was to have one ground to a fine, keep the other medium, but I cannot decide which one to grind, so I probably will grind both, and use my Danitrio Tac Carry II medium for a signature pen. Both Classics are well named, and, I think, better than the Tac Carry II. Now all I need is a Tac Carry I to compare. If anybody has one to let go, wait a few weeks, until I have started my new job, and can afford to buy another pen, and PM me.

 

Donnie