Originally I wanted the acid green one - nomen est omen - but it was sold out in the small store in Wiesbaden, Germany where I saw this pen for the first time in real life a year ago. So I decided that I would take the translucent red one and I did not regret this so far...

The Nettuno Barracuda was issued in four different colors some time ago (my guess is somwhere around 2005-2007):

• acid green
• intense blue
• translucent red
• pure transparent

Both fountain pen and rollerball were available.



The pen is basicly put together of three parts: the cap, barrel and section completed with a piston converter. Both cap and barrel are cut from a solid block of translucent acrylic resine. The four colors not only look differently because of their tint but also because of the way the resine has been treated. The green, colorless and blue ones are completley transparent - the blue pen appears almost crystal-like - while the red one is slightly hazy. Only the outside has been polished on the red version while the inside remained dull giving the pen a slightly more mysterious, frosted appearance.



I must admit the pen looks like a mixture of something else (just not a pen), a pen which is still boxed in its packaging and cheaper give away ballpoint pens but maybe that's what it makes it so interesting.



The cap is being held in place by four little magnets in the cap and four little magnets in the barrel which makes opening and closing as much convenient as well as tactily pleasant. Cap and barrel are of the exact same length. The rhodium plated clip is embedded in the cap's edge so it does not distract from the very simple shape.



The gripping section seems to be chromium plated and is equipped with a small Nettuno stainless steel nib which was available in medium width only.

The pen takes international cartridges or ink from a bottle using the supplied piston converter.

Once the cap is gone the pen feels surprisingly well balanced. Of course there is no possibility to post the cap...

The medium nib is pretty stiff but writes very smoothly; I was surprised by the good ink flow the pen shows. Trying out more different inks will have to prove this in the future (I cannot wait to use Diamine Vermillion in this pen as it should be a perfect match to the orange red color of the BARRACUDA).

The pens come in an opaque rubber box. Each pen is laser engraved with NETTUNO BARRACUDA and the individual number of the pen - I don't know if it was a limited edition or not.



Priced at 98 Euros this is an affordable choice if you like something eccentric but not excessively overdone design-wise.


...I cannot wait to take this pen to the next meeting at work...


Michael

That pen is wicked cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must have several of them. Thanks for posting this.

Fascinating pen, definitely thanks for posting. It looks like the section/barrel junction would be uncomfortable to me, though....

Love the clip and the rare earth magnet cap closure. Brilliant solution.

Very interesting pen. Does the large square pen body get in the way of a good grip? How about carrying it in a pocket? Does the recessed clip function well? How about size in a pocket, too big? OK?

I would love to get my hands on one to see if I like it! Even if it did not carry well in a pocket it would be a neat novelty to have on the desk.

Thanks for the review, I've been waiting to hear from someone that had tried this pen.

I agree with your review completely. This is a very neat little pen that never got much attention. I have it in the green version, and love it.

Two things that I might add. I normally dislike metal sections, but for some reason this one doesnt bother me. Your's sounds just like mine in that the medium nib has a nice even flow. I always wonder why most gold nibs don't have this consistency. It is more comfortable to use than it looks.


The other thing is just now addictive the magnetic closing for the cap is. I had a Franklin Christoph with the same type of cap, but it didnt feel the same as the Nettuno.

The fact that you can twist the cap when it is on the body, and feel it 'catch' as it starts to move close to the next magnet (fun to do during long meetings). Tough to describe, but it is probably something I shouldnt do a lot since Nettuno is now gone and there would no way to get it fixed.

Not for me; it is actually quiete nice to hold. The nib is not in one line with the sides of the barrel so the sides of the barrel are slightly twisted so it rest comfortable on your hand while writing. It appears to be well balanced even the section is heavier compared to the rest of this pen.



I have not had the chance to carry it in my pocket but due to the position of the clip it might be a little uncomfortable.

The clip is attached to the cap in a flexible way (just like on most modern Tibaldi or Visconti pens).

Cheers

Michael

I know; what a pitty

Michael

I just heard the rumor, that Aurora (who bought the "Nettuno" name) might reissue this pen under the name "firma", but I don't know any details so far.

We need to wait for FPN member Dib to help us out here

Michael

Much as I love Nettunos, I could not bring myself to like this pen.

I kept thinking,
"We are the Borg. Resistance is futile."

So, is Aurora resurrecting Nettuno, or just the Barracuda?

Fascinating review for a fascinating pen.

What happened to Nettuno?

Weird... writing with a rectangular block. I guess the rounded section makes it tolerable, but somehow I just can't see it. Anyway, a very cool looking pen nonetheless. Enjoy!

Hi Michael,

the Nettuno barracuda will in the future be just a "firma", no Nettuno anymore. But there will be some nice coloured Nettunos, the same shape as the skipper and others.
The pens (and the Aurora permanento and the demonstrator) are shown in the middle of june to the international distributors.
Best
Dirk

very unusual and original pen

Yes, guess why I wanted the green one originally :-)


Michael

Aurora bought them, and they were never heard from again.

I'm glad they'll be back.

now I recieved more informations:
the pens are called Qube, made by Firma. They are available in FP (steel nib in M), BP, Roller. Colours are crystal, smoke-gray, red and blue. All pens are numbered. The pens are not the same as the old barracuda. There are more metal parts and the converter looks different. There is a transparent gift box.
Best
Dirk