Nettuno Barricuda

[youstruckgold]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/4047892300_f294f54d5c_o.jpg

 

TRANSLATION (with some edited snippets and changes of mind in voting - so sue me!):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/4081719518_910cb90d61.jpg

FIRST IMPRESSION 7/10

It arrived looking exactly as promised. Fairly tacky box, but the pen immediately stands out and strikes you with its zany design.

APPEARANCE AND DESIGN 7/10

This category is clearly the central one for this pen; and it is certainly different to any other pen in my collection.

The blue semi-transparent plexiglass is a great colour - and I must say that it matches wonderfully with Noodlers BSB (although my tongue is now the same colour and the match is not quite so perfect (note to self: do not lick nib).

The silver section leading to the nib is a nice contrast to the blue; but the fact that you can't post makes this a short pen to write with (a bit annoying) but surprisingly comfortable otherwise.

The cap mechanism is ingenious too - only done by Nettuno to my knowledge - with four silver square magnets on the corners. They match with four more magnets on the cap and join beautifully and easily. The clip also works well, elegantly recessed into the body ( of the cap).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/4080963433_a59dda0b76.jpg

WEIGHT AND DIMENSION 6/10

Capped, this pen measures just over 14.5cm long and just over 1cm wide - a good size. Uncapped, 12cm long exactly - too short and a bit too light - at least not as balanced as I would like.

NIB AND PERFORMANCE 8/10

The nib wrote smoothly and effortlessly from the box. IT's small but responds well, writes reasonably wet, and even has a small touch of flex.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/4081722516_cf37654e49.jpg

FILLING SYSTEM 7/10

Converter filler - certainly better than straight cartridge (but a piston filler this aint)

COST AND VALUE 7/10

(This was an ebay purchase. )Not an expensive pen, it delivers difference and ink to the page in its own way. Certainly worth the money.

CONCLUSION 42/60 (70%)

Another keeper. A few let downs, but overall a fun choice.

Edited December 6, 2009 by MYU

[troglokev]

Looks like you have the posting images things down, now.

 

This is a typical designer pen: beautiful to look at, but the ergonomics leave much to be desired.

[georges zaslavsky]

nice review and yes you can't go wrong with nettuno nibs.

[eric47]

youstruckgold - thanks for the informative review.

 

This is a typical designer pen: beautiful to look at, but the ergonomics leave much to be desired.

 

I held one in a store, and the sharp corner of the barrel dug into my hand. It just didn't work for my hand and grip.

[diplomat]

Thank you for the review. Is it a steel nib or gold?

 

Cheers,

[Doug C]

Looks like you have the posting images things down, now.

 

This is a typical designer pen: beautiful to look at, but the ergonomics leave much to be desired.

 

 

 

 

I have one, and I find very comfortable. Not at all what I initially expected. Mine is green. I believe that Aurora took this model over when they purchased Nettuno and still sell it under a different name (Forme, possibly?).

[diplomat]

Looks like you have the posting images things down, now.

 

This is a typical designer pen: beautiful to look at, but the ergonomics leave much to be desired.

 

 

 

 

I have one, and I find very comfortable. Not at all what I initially expected. Mine is green. I believe that Aurora took this model over when they purchased Nettuno and still sell it under a different name (Forme, possibly?).

 

Aurora purchased Nettuno in 2007 and rebranded the Nettuno Barracuda in Firma (which was the company holding Nettuno brand and a pen maker itself) Qube.

In addition to that they created some fancy acrylic package that was awarded early this year of some international design award.

I have the photo in the magazine but I can't seem to find a good one online...

 

Here's the best I found: http://www.design.tv.it/news/qube-di-firma-alla-46a-edizione-di-expocasa.html

 

Ciao,

[youstruckgold]

Looks like you have the posting images things down, now.

 

This is a typical designer pen: beautiful to look at, but the ergonomics leave much to be desired.

 

ergonomics could be better, but still not too shabby!

 

 

I have one, and I find very comfortable. Not at all what I initially expected. Mine is green. I believe that Aurora took this model over when they purchased Nettuno and still sell it under a different name (Forme, possibly?).

 

Aurora purchased Nettuno in 2007 and rebranded the Nettuno Barracuda in Firma (which was the company holding Nettuno brand and a pen maker itself) Qube.

In addition to that they created some fancy acrylic package that was awarded early this year of some international design award.

I have the photo in the magazine but I can't seem to find a good one online...

 

Here's the best I found: http://www.design.tv.it/news/qube-di-firma-alla-46a-edizione-di-expocasa.html

 

Ciao,

 

Thanks Diplomat for the research. The answer to your question about the nib, is that it is a small, steel nib with iridium point, Medium. That writes quite well.

[Silvermink]

Somebody at the Seattle Pen Club meeting last month (can't remember who) had one of these funny-lookin' beasts. I don't think the design would quite work for me, between the metal section and the considerable step down from the body, but it's definitely nifty.

[Doug C]

Somebody at the Seattle Pen Club meeting last month (can't remember who) had one of these funny-lookin' beasts. I don't think the design would quite work for me, between the metal section and the considerable step down from the body, but it's definitely nifty.

 

 

 

The funny thing is that when you are sitting in a meeting, you tend to twirl the cap in circles, letting the magnets start to grab each corner as they get near it.

 

It is one of those pens that are fun to use in long meetings....

[troglokev]

It is one of those pens that are fun to use in long meetings....

But is it as annoying as a clicking ballpoint?

[MYU]

It reminds me a little of the Kaweco Sport Ice. I do wonder how usable that squared design is over time, though...

[Skyppere]

I have one of these and love it. It is quite comfortable to write with. I wonder if people grip their pens with varying forces. I can't really see this ever 'digging' into me. But there are a wide variety of grips and the like so... but my grip is pretty standard and I like it. Plus, like one person said, it is really 'nifty.' and it wrote perfectly smooth right out of the box.

cheers

skyppere

[youstruckgold]

I have one of these and love it. It is quite comfortable to write with. I wonder if people grip their pens with varying forces. I can't really see this ever 'digging' into me. But there are a wide variety of grips and the like so... but my grip is pretty standard and I like it. Plus, like one person said, it is really 'nifty.' and it wrote perfectly smooth right out of the box.

cheers

skyppere

 

I have a light grip and I actually felt that the square shape made the pen quite ergonomic (in a similar way to the original shape Omas 360). We agree on the nib, which is good, for me the only issue is that without the cap the pen is just too short and a little too light for my preference.

[Doug C]

It is one of those pens that are fun to use in long meetings....

But is it as annoying as a clicking ballpoint?

 

 

 

Nope. Completely silent......but fun...

[opus7600]

The cap mechanism is ingenious too - only done by Nettuno to my knowledge - with four silver square magnets on the corners. They match with four more magnets on the cap and join beautifully and easily.

 

One other example I know of, reviewed at http://www.dansdata.com/pens.htm. It's the USUS Io, reviewed at the bottom.

[Doug C]

The cap mechanism is ingenious too - only done by Nettuno to my knowledge - with four silver square magnets on the corners. They match with four more magnets on the cap and join beautifully and easily.

 

One other example I know of, reviewed at http://www.dansdata.com/pens.htm. It's the USUS Io, reviewed at the bottom.

 

 

Visconti also has the new Rembrandt and Franklin Christoph has magnets.