(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
Well, they've done it again. That's what I thought when I laid eyes on the latest pen design from BIGiDESIGN a few months ago. For the uninitiated, BIGiDESIGN is a small design firm that focuses on creating high-quality EDC gear and pens that can accommodate a wide variety (100+) of gel, rollerball, and ballpoint refills. Chadwick and Joe have high standards and great design sense, and it really shows when you pick up and use any of their products.
I've had the pleasure and honor of using several other BIGiDESIGN pens over the years. My introduction to the brand was the Ti Arto EDC — a capped pen that can expand and contract to match the length of popular refills. It's a great pen, and I still enjoy using it. For the times when I want a click pen, the Ti Click is perfect for the job. Again, it expands/contracts to match the length of the refill you want to use, and adds the convenience of a smooth click action. Both of these are great additions to any EDC kit.
The Ti Ultra is the latest addition to the product lineup, and it really lives up to its name. The Ultra is a titanium pen that eschews earlier designs of the BIGiDESIGN lineup in favor of a more classic capped rollerball or fountain pen design. While the pen still has plenty of gaskets and machined details, it also feels a lot more refined and sexy than the other products.
What really sets the Ultra apart is what you get as part of the package. This pen can really do it all. Out of the box, the pen is configured with a fine titanium #6 Bock nib. It includes an international converter so you can instantly fill it with your favorite ink. But, along with the titanium nib, a fine #6 stainless steel Bock nib is also included in a separate storage tube.
For those that don't prefer the springy and light feel of the titanium nib, swapping it out for the steel nib is an easy task. In no time, you have a completely different configuration for your new pen.
But what really blows my mind is the fact that a ballpoint/rollerball refill section is also included! This section operates similarly to the Ti Arto EDC with a collar that grips the end of the refill. The screwing action is done on the grip section and you can hardly tell that the grip is split into two parts since the tolerance and quality of the materials and assembly is so high. The refill section comes with a black 0.38mm Uni-ball Signo DX refill already installed, and it also has a plastic storage tube for safe keeping when not in use.
You know how easy it is to remove and install the grip section of most pens? That's how it easy it is in this case to change your fountain pen to a ballpoint/rollerball/gel ink pen and vice-versa. It's incredible, and I still can't get over how cool it is in practice.
Along with the novelty of swapping the fountain pen section for the refill section, you begin to notice that everything is made of titanium. This makes the pen strong while keeping it lightweight and comfortable to use in either configuration. If the balance isn't quite right, you can always post the cap to even it out a little. When posting the cap, there's a satisfying click that tells you the cap is secured fastened to the butt of the pen. After using this pen for a while, I've come to admire how every little detail was thought out.
So, novelty aside, how does this pen write? Starting with the fountain pen configuration and the titanium nib, I can't be happier with how this writes out of the box. The nib is smooth and responsive. I haven't had any problems with skipping or hard starts, which may be attributed to the gasket that seals the cap to the pen when closed, preventing any air from going in and out to dry out the nib feed.
The titanium nib is springy and delightful to use. And, if you add a little pressure to a downstroke, you can make the line width blossom out to a medium or bold equivalent.
The grip is very textured and provides a lot of stability and control while writing. The grooves that make up the grip texture are smooth and comfortable, and the long nib makes the grip pattern and distance to the paper a great match for my writing style ("normal" three finger claw grip).
I prefer using the pen without the cap posted, but that's my preference with most pens I use. Writing with the cap posted doesn't change the balance of the pen in any negative way, and it does add some more stability. I just don't prefer the longer length.
Overall, I've been really happy with this pen as a fountain pen. That makes it difficult for me to commit to swapping it out for the refill section!
When I do actually swap it out, I'm wonderfully delighted by the process of installing a refill with the hidden grip section controls for the refill tip collar.
Once I have the refill section all installed, I've had nothing but good experiences when using the pen. I'm already accustomed to the weight and feel, and nothing changes with this configuration apart from the distance from my fingers to the paper. The refill section is a tiny bit shorter, but the grip is still comfortable and doesn't cause any problems for my grip style.
The grip texture is identical to the fountain pen section, which means my fingers know exactly what to do. It's a comfortable and familiar writing experience that allows me to write with my favorite refills. In short, I love it.
Overall, I've been really impressed by the attention to detail and excellent design and materials of the Ti Ultra. I certainly still love my Ti Click and Ti Arto EDC, but they aren't being used quite as much of late due to this stellar new addition to the lineup.
The Ti Ultra is available in two finishes: stonewashed (featured in this review) and machined raw. Both look great, and that makes the decision fairly difficult. I've noticed that the stonewashed finish doesn't ding up as easily as my other BIGiDESIGN pens, but that might be specific to my uses. In general, titanium is a material that scuffs and scratches quite easily, which adds a lot of character. I can't offer up any advice over which material to choose — just go with your gut!
Lastly, it's definitely worth talking about price in this case, because the Ti Ultra isn't cheap. At $240, it's one of the most expensive metal machined pens I have in my collection, and it's also not the only one that can pull double duty with fountain pens and refills. But, it is the only one that can fit over 100 refills with ease. I'm not limited to one kind of refill if I decide to swap out the fountain pen section. I can use almost any refill at my disposal, and that's really something special. Considering the fact that everything I've discussed here is included with the price, I think it's a fair deal. You're basically getting two pens for one with limitless options as to how you configure it. The included Bock nibs are great, but you can also easily swap them out for something more unique, and the build quality and materials are such that this pen will easily outlast you on this earth if you take proper care of it. $240 is definitely something to think about, but it makes sense to me in terms of what you get for your money.
If the Ti Ultra speaks to you, you won't be disappointed. But, if it's a bit too expensive for your budget, the more affordable pen options are also excellent choices. Even better, these pens make great gifts due to the endless customization and refills it can accommodate.
(BIGiDESIGN provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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