Fusion - A New Nib Technology

Updated: 29 Sepotember 2012

When I visited with Delta Pen this summer I had the opportunity to try out a new technology for fountain pen nibs. The Delta fusion nib.

The fusion nib is produced at the Delta center, located outside of Naples, Italy.

The nib uses technology based on the fusing of two different metals.

Each metal with its own characteristics in terms of use in a fountain pen nib. When the two metal are fused together, the new nib, with two metals has its own unique characteristics. Much is the heat characteristics of the metals used and how the influences ink flow.

Delta will include the new nib on the 1982-2012 Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Pen. Details on the line is coming, but I understand the celluloid pens will come in three colours patterns: deep and light frowns, black and tan, and red with blue veins. The pens will use a lateral filling system. More on those pens in the next few months.

The Fusion Nib

 

The fusion of the two metals allows for nib production in steel alloys, which offer a similar - or better - writing experience to gold, with greater flexibility and mechanical resistance. Delta's tests indicate this fused metal enhances the chemical-physical properties of ink and the nib.

On my visit with Delta, Ciro Matrone, Salvatore Matrone, and Antonio di Maio literally walked me through the entire process from concept, through production, packaging and shipping. It was all very interesting.

When I met Ciro Matrone and Salvatore Matrone they showed me one of the new fusion nibs. Ciro Matrone, one of the three owners of Delta Pen, was especially proud of the new nib. When I say new, these nibs were not yet fitted in a particular line of pens, they had just finished their testing and had made the commitment to use the new fusion nibs in one of their next lines.

I wrote with a pen while at Ciro's desk, and yes, it was a very smooth writing experience. My first impression was very positive.

At the end of my visit they presented me with a special Dolcevita Medium Size fountain pen, fitted with the new fusion nib and told me to write with it, and let them know my view. So here it is.

 

 

This nib got a workout right from day one. Being on holidays in Italy for a month, I was writing in my Travel Journal each day. The nib performed well. I found it responsive to various writing pressures. I tend to write with a heavy hand, and the nib was fine.

Even when I was making small entries, making notes on receipts etc and I would writing with a gentler touch, there was no drop in performance.

The nib laid a very smooth solid line of ink. I was using Waterman Black, Aurora Black and Delta Black ink while traveling and performance was consistent regardless of the brand of ink.

My Travel Journal is one of the Clairefontaine grid notebooks. That is very good quality paper. I thought it would be interesting to see if there was any difference in performance once I get back to Canada and use the pen at the office. Back in the office I would be writing on a variety of quality paper. Everything from good bond for letters, photocopy paper to make notes on reports etc., signing forms etc all with various paper quality.

The pen and it nib continued to perform well.

I have been asked if this is different from a good steel nib. I think it is. I have a number of pens with steel nibs. Some are very good writters. The fusion, however, in terms of its ink flow and smoothness across the paper, I think is better I know I have used my Dolcevita Fusion alot more than I thought I would have given the size of the nib (medium vs broad or stub).

Well done Delta!