Delta "the Journal" A Quick Review

[ander75it]

A quick review of the pen. A more detailed one (in Italian only, but good pictures) can be found at: http://forum.fountainpen.it/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7063

My "The Journal" is the brown version (called "corno") with an EF steel nib; I chose for it Rohner & Klingner Sepia ink as it seemed to match the pen.

Ergonomy. Excellent, with size just in the sweet spot for me (I find most Delta pens too large). Good grip, well balanced without cap, good writing; the shape helps. 4 out of 5 marks here, just because I prefer other types of grip and I hold faceted pens better, but there is really nothing to complain here.

Writing. The EF nib is wide as a Sailor F, more or less, which is better than many western nibs do; with this ink it moves smoothly both on Clairefontaine & Rhodia and on bad paper. A couple of (very short) false starts lower the mark to 4 out of 5 but it's really a good nib, with a bit of flex too (nothing to write home about though).

Aesthetics. I love it. The resin reminds me of a kind used in glasses time ago, and I find it sober and expressive at the same time. The material is the usual Delta resin and finishing is adequate and not too excessive. This is a subjective judgement but for me it's 5 out of 5.

Functionality. Very good. The converter can also be rotated by removing the bottom of the pen like in a piston filler, it is of good quality, it is screwed to the pen and has a larger than usual capacity. It's a good compromise that will satisfy many. 5 out of 5 for the original solution.

Quality / price: 3 out of 5, as the steel nib and simple mechanism do not fully justify its 150 euro price point; even the street price of 127 that I paid is still a bit high when compared with similar offers. However, the style of this pen cannot be denied and the price premium may be worth it if you consider its design, aesthetics and finishing.

Summary (1-5 scale)

Ergonomy 4

Writing 4

Aesthetics 5

Functionality 5

Quality / price 3

Average 4+ (very good)

Recommended: definitely yes

Edited March 31, 2014 by ander75it

[Inkheart]

That's still a lot of info for a "quick" review. . Glad you're well pleased with this pen.

 

Thanks for sharing!

[bbs]

Many thanks for that. Can I just check - it's a normal c/c filler, but a blind cap also enables access to the filler? As well as the barrel unscrewing as usual?

[Phormula]

Basically the pen is a C/C that uses a special screwed converter.

Removing the converter, it can be used as a standard cartridge pen,taking international cartridges, long or short.

With the converter on, it can be used as a converter pen, i.e. unscrew the barrer and expose the whole converter to fill it.

Otherwise leave the barrel on, just remove the blind cap and have access to the converter mechanism only. In this case the pen looks and fills just like a piston filler.

 

The dedicated conveter is better built has a slightly higher capacity than a regular international one. It is not compatible with other pens except for the Monteverde Invincia, in fact I bought a spare one for that purpose

 

IMHO many modern piston fillers have a dedicated converter hidden under the barrel, Delta made the thing under the sun and it is nice to have a pen that I can use like a piston filler, unscrew the whole barrel to check the ink level and revert to cartridges in case I run out ok ink and I am not able to refill.

[Ted F]

I just ordered a Delta Journal (Ivory Swirl color) with a Fusion Stub nib. When I get it I'll let you know about it. I'm looking forward to it.

[raging.dragon]

Basically the pen is a C/C that uses a special screwed converter.

Removing the converter, it can be used as a standard cartridge pen,taking international cartridges, long or short.

With the converter on, it can be used as a converter pen, i.e. unscrew the barrer and expose the whole converter to fill it.

Otherwise leave the barrel on, just remove the blind cap and have access to the converter mechanism only. In this case the pen looks and fills just like a piston filler.

 

The dedicated conveter is better built has a slightly higher capacity than a regular international one. It is not compatible with other pens except for the Monteverde Invincia, in fact I bought a spare one for that purpose

 

IMHO many modern piston fillers have a dedicated converter hidden under the barrel, Delta made the thing under the sun and it is nice to have a pen that I can use like a piston filler, unscrew the whole barrel to check the ink level and revert to cartridges in case I run out ok ink and I am not able to refill.

 

I think it's a standard Delta converter. My Titanio has a screw in converter of similar design - the only difference being mine has a black plastic knob while the pictured Journal converter has a metallic knob. My Delta converter fits in my Visconti and Conway Steward c/c pens, and should fit any pen designed for a threaded international converter.

[Phormula]

It is bigger than a standard threaded international converter. I tried it on other pens, it screws on but doesn't fit in the barrel. The only exception is the Invincia.

[Ted F]

I just got my Delta Journal today. I agree with Ander75it's evaluation of it. I really like the overall design and the feel of the pen when writing. I got the stub nib. The alchemy of the Fusion nib is fun to debate but that doesn't detract from the fact that it's a good writer. Very smooth and I think the nib looks good. Better that just plain stainless steel. The pen came with a small bottle of Delta ink in labeled "Inchiotro Classico." I don't know what that translates to but it's a medium grey and looks darker when you write with it.

[Phormula]

Inchiostro Classico = Classic ink

 

Compliments for the choice. I went for the standard plain steel nib.

[Ted F]

Does anyone know what the size of the Delta Stub nib is. I don't have any way of accurately measuring it but as near as I can tell it's about a 1.1. Is this right?

[Ted F]

I just found the answer to my own question. According to a Delta site the stub nib is between 1.3 - 1.5 mm.

[RMN]

That could be about right, visually.

I have no callipers or other way to measure exactly.

 

Mine has some flex on it, I would say the line is 1.2/1.3 without pressure and more 1.5 with some pressure.

 

D.ick

[Ted F]

Another question that comes to mind is the number on the pen. Delta lists the The Journal as being in the Numbered Collection. The number on my Journal is 2338. Is this a serial number, a model number, or something else?

[ander75it]

It's a serial number. Mine is #2103.

[notimetoulouse]

Ander, potrei chiedere il vostro Consiglio?

I have €150 to spend on a 'Mini Signature' pen (€150 is all I wish to spend, and wish the best 'bang for my buck').

Two months ago was going to buy a Platinum 3776 but then I found a hardly used Aurora Archivi for a silly amount of money, loved it (strange Aurora nib feedback and all) and that sent me off looking at Italian pens.

So.. my question is... what do you recommend please? I use F and EF nibs, and like the smoothest writing experience possible, coupled with a Wow factor that looks nice in the hand and on the desk.

I'm caught between a Delta The Journal in red/green (steel nib), a Visconti Rembrandt in orange, a Stipula Vedo Rosso and a Delta Markiaro Trentaremi in Red.

Could you help me knock some of these pens out of the ring please?

Or do you reckon the 3776 is a better bet than all of them?

Oh.... and I have small hands!

Spero che possa aiutare..

Jeff

[kamel]

I just received a Delta Journal Tech & Web red/green pen with a M nib. The nib is gunmetal grey.

This nib has been very difficult to get to work correctly. The gunmetal finish is peeling off the nib after only a few uses.

This nib has been the hardest to start of all my pens. Ink will not flow at all well. It glides over the paper but does not put any ink down.

I've replaced it with a 1.1 stub from Goulet Pens.

Now I have a great writing pen.

I would order the Fusion nib with this pen. I have several Delta's with the Fusion nib and they are all excellent writing pens.

[Ste_S]

I just received a Delta Journal Tech & Web red/green pen with a M nib. The nib is gunmetal grey.

This nib has been very difficult to get to work correctly. The gunmetal finish is peeling off the nib after only a few uses.

This nib has been the hardest to start of all my pens. Ink will not flow at all well. It glides over the paper but does not put any ink down.

I've replaced it with a 1.1 stub from Goulet Pens.

Now I have a great writing pen.

I would order the Fusion nib with this pen. I have several Delta's with the Fusion nib and they are all excellent writing pens.

 

I got two Journal Tech & Webs during martemodena's recent sale - a red/green medium and a blue broad. No issues with the finish peeling, and flow is lovely and wet. Even at the non sale price I think they're excellent value for money - well made, turned acrylic body, smooth nibbed pens.

 

I especially like the red/green finish, in some way reminds of a Mabie Todd Swan I have

[kamel]

I too bought mine from martemodena during the sale. I completely agree that they are worth the money. I was disappointed by that particular nib. The pens I received with the Fusion nib have been virtually flawless and good writers out of the box.

[nuts88]

nice pen

[bbs]

I got two Journal Tech & Webs during martemodena's recent sale - a red/green medium and a blue broad. No issues with the finish peeling, and flow is lovely and wet. Even at the non sale price I think they're excellent value for money - well made, turned acrylic body, smooth nibbed pens.

 

I especially like the red/green finish, in some way reminds of a Mabie Todd Swan I have

Yes, that's the colour I've got, and that's what it reminded me of too!

 

Mine is a steel nib, and a lovely writer. Very comfortable pen to use, love it.