This is another pen that was kicking around the house on loan, so I thought you might like a review of it. I wasn't asked to review it, and I have no affiliation with Chatterley Luxuries. It's a darned nice pen, though.
ABOUT
Body Material: Celluloid
Trim: Sterling Silver
Length (capped): 141.4 mm/5.56''
Length (uncapped nib-end): 134.8 mm/5.30''
Length (posted): 176.0 mm/6.92''
Barrel Diameter: 13.2 - 14.3 mm/0.52'' - 0.65''
Section Diameter: 11.7 - 13.0 mm/0.46'' - 0.51''
Nib material: 14kt Gold
Weight (all): 40 g
Weight (cap): 8 g
Weight (body): 32 g
Fill type: Piston-filler.
Price: $595.00USD
Where to buy:
Chatterley Luxuries
PACKAGING
No packaging, as the pen is on loan, sorry!
APPEARANCE
Stupid Delta. This celluloid is clearly gorgeous, rich, and warm. Ok. Let's look at the pen shape first. The pen is round, not particularly thick - although it isn't slender either, but compared to the Dolce Vita Oversize, this is pretty normal. The back end has a blind cap with a slightly rounded blunt end. The piston-turning knob is under the blind cap.
The only really peculiar thing about this pen is at the top of the blind cap, there is a metal Delta logo emblem (the nib) on it, which seems like something that would be found on top of the cap. In turn, the top of the cap is just smooth celluloid. It's like they were swapped. The clip is attached to a thin band on the cap, and is thin and simple. It ends in the rolling ball, as seen on other Deltas. The cap band is two bands - one thin and plain, the other in hallmarked sterling silver with an ornate design. It is unmistakably Delta.
The section is on the thicker side, tapering only slightly towards the nib, then flares into a ridge before the nib. Beyond the section, there is a double-walled ink window. I really like this window. When the pen is capped, the ink window is partially visible. I like the window but I think it would look nicer concealed.
The celluloid is a rich, warm, red-brown with thick, creamy veins running through it. This celluloid is the same celluloid that was used on the popular (and sold out) Delta Citta Reale. It's gorgeous and actually makes me think of marble. I love it.
NIB & PERFORMANCE
With a choice of nib grads (fine, medium, broad, and stub), you'll be able to find something you like. Who wouldn't want a broad or stub? Delectable. However, this nib is a huge #8 nib. It's a 14kt rhodium-plated gold nib in medium. It has a single slit and a small, heart-shaped breather hole. The nib has the Delta logo on it, and is engraved with Delta 14K-585, and some flourishes. I really love the ebonite feeds Delta uses - they are long and flat against the underside of the nib.
The nib was smooth, wet, and ink flowed consistently. The nib did not skip or hard start, nor did it run dry. It kept up easily with fast writing as well. Side note - I love the smell of the feed. The nib was a little soft, so it yielded slightly while writing, but it wasn't semi-flex or anything. I enjoyed the amount of line variation possible. This nib performed very well and I really, really enjoyed the writing experience.
The piston system functions without issue, but I still felt like I was using one of those built-in converter piston-fillers.
IN HAND
The clip was great - easy to use with one hand because it was springy, but the rolling ball at the end also making it easy to slide into pockets and pouches.
The shape of the section is nice - with a slight indent before the nib, but in hand, I found it a little wide. The threads were not sharp while I used the pen. Unposted, although the pen is a little thick, it felt well-balanced and comfortable. Even though the section is not my favorite shape, I found the entire writing experience pleasant and enjoyable. The nib wrote at any angle so I could adjust my grip to find something that worked for me.
The cap posted by friction but it didn't go further than the blind cap. I found the pen top heavy and too difficult to use like this for long, so unposted was my preferred way to write.
PROS & CONS
OVERALL
Beautiful, comfortable, excellent writer. I loathe to return it. I love this celluloid and I want it.
This pen is on loan! It'll be sent back to its owner.
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