Delta - Fusion 82

Updated: January 19, 2013 - This limited edition pen flows from a collaboration between Delta Pen and Pen Time/Chatterley Luxuries. In 2013, Delta issued the Fusion 82 as a new line of pens to profile their new fusion nib. Chatterley worked with Delta to create the Fusion 82 in four special colours (flecked red, flecked blue, marble brown and shimmery yellow) with a limited run of 18 pens in each colour.

This partnership is an example Delta's approach to manufacturing. I discussed this with Delta when I visited their headquarters in 2012. I include a write up, Visit with Delta. The company focuses on small production techniques. They can create very small quantities of a pen line.

I purchased this pen from Bryant Greer of Pen Time, and as always Bryant provided excellent service.

When I saw the pens on the Pen Time web site I was drawn to the bold colours. I also saw that he sold them with a Stub nib, and with those two factors, and his good reputation, I ordered the pen. I have always been impressed at the nib selection that Bryant provides. When I saw the pen was available with a Stub Nib, that was it. The Delta-Chatterley Fusion 82 comes in five nib styles (Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad and Stub).

The packaging of the pen is modern, and after meeting their staff, who do their own design work, the packaging of the pen looks very real and connected with the company. An attractive acrylic cover includes the artwork of the fusion nib. I would not call it a collector box.

The finishings on the pen are basic. The clip is plain, with a slight bend, and has a stylish look. It is quite strong, nothing flimsy here, and clipped into your shirt pocket, this pen should not slide out. At the base of the cap is a single band with Fusion 82 engraved in a retro style font.

For the Delta-Chatterley Fusion 82, just above the band, engraved in the cap is the pen number. I am fortunate to have #14 of 18.

The cap screws off the body of the pen and will post, with a twist, on the body of the pen, giving the pen a bit more length. Personally I almost always cap a pen and I like a longer pen to rest in my hand as I write. Even capped, the pen feels just a bit small in my hand.

The pen with cap on has a length of 5.5", with the cap posted, the pen measures 6.25". The pen is about .5" in width.

For me, this pen is all about the nib. I have a Dolcevita fitted with a fusion nib (medium) and I love writing with that pen. Where I thought I would use the pen to a lesser degree because of the medium nib - not so. I find I use it quite a lot. So now I have a fusion stub. What was it like?

The fusion nib is all about ink flow. The theory behind the nib is that the two metals of the nib enhance the physical-chemical properties of ink. A steel allow nib is covered with a layer of 18 kt gold. The is better flow because of the conductivity of the gold plate that transfers heat to the underlying steel. I know little of the chemistry of ink and I can't really say what happens, but after writing with my Dolcevita Fusion for almost six months I, and anyone that has used the pen have all comments on the smoothness of the nib and superb flow of ink.

When I filled this pen up and first wrote with it the nib was wet and the ink was flowing. It took a few wipes and strokes of the nib to get to the normal flow of ink. It is very smooth. Once this was accomplished I am very pleased with how this nib writes.

The stub is quite broad. I write large and find the pen/nib okay, but for some with small writing, the line the nib lays on the paper may be too broad.

I write with large stub nibs quite a bit, so I have gotten the feel of just how to hold the pen, and above is an example of the writing with the Stub Nib. As I think you will be able to see, it lays a smooth, broad line of ink on the page. I write large so it fits my writing style.

By the way, the pen is loaded with Diamine Twilight - a beautiful blue-black ink that I have found performs well in a wide range of pens. I can now add the Delta-Chatterley Fusion 82 to the list!.

The pen body and cap is made from a solid bar of resin which is a method more aligned with high end pens than injection mold bodies and caps. Each colour options has visual depth. The red and blue are aptly called flecked as there are flecks of white to give the appear of the pen interest. The Fusion 82 released by Delta comes in black, blue, mauve, green, brown and white resin colours. The all resin body and cap means this pen is very light. For those who lean away from heavy pens, this is one to consider.

The 18 kt gold that is fused onto the steel nib is substantial, so you do have a pen with silver-tone trim, and basically a gold nib. While often the nib and trim are matched in colour, with the red the gold does look good. So I now have a fusion nib in Stub, and I enjoy the writing experience of the nib. I find the colour cheerful and it has an understated look that does not look out of place in a business meeting.

So I now have a fusion nib in Stub, and I enjoy the writing experience of the nib. The pen, well a red pen is always something I like. I find the colour cheerful and it has an understated look that does not look out of place in a business meeting.