Makar Torpedo Fountain Pen Review: A Handmade Titanium Pen Unlike Anything Else

Introduction

Every so often a pen comes along that stops you mid-scroll. That was exactly the reaction the Makar Torpedo produced, and after spending time with it, it is easy to understand why. Made by Makar Knives and Tools, a one-man workshop based in Olsztyn in northern Poland, the Torpedo is a fully handmade titanium fountain pen with a visual treatment that feels genuinely fresh.

This review covers the design, materials, nib and writing performance, sizing, and what to expect if you commission one yourself.

Who This Pen Is For

The Torpedo suits collectors and everyday writers who want something handmade, distinctive, and built from full titanium. It is a clipless, torpedo-shaped pen aimed at people who appreciate small-batch craftsmanship and are comfortable paying for a custom piece rather than a mass-produced design.

If you enjoy supporting individual artisans and want a pen no one else will own, this is squarely in your territory. If you prefer a pocket clip, an oversized grip, or a lower price point, it is worth weighing those trade-offs carefully.

What Makes the Torpedo Special

The defining feature is the dimpling. Holes are drilled into the titanium, the entire surface is anodized, and then the material is sanded down so the anodization remains only inside the divots. The result is a textured surface unlike anything else commonly seen on pens, with the purple accent inside each dimple giving the pen its identity.

The pen starts life as a solid titanium rod that is bored out, with the tapered cap point formed afterward. Since this is a custom commission, the maker asks about your preferences along the way, even sending diagrams explaining the options. For this pen, a straight transition from cap to barrel was chosen over a chamfered one, and being part of those decisions makes the finished piece feel personal.

Build, Design, and Materials

The cap comes to a point at the top, though not an uncomfortably sharp one, and the design is clipless. The barrel is straight and tapers to a matching point at the rear, ending in a band engraved with the Makar name.

One of the standout details is the roll stop, made from Mokume Ti, a material created by forging layers of titanium together to produce striking organic patterning. It sits on the barrel rather than the cap, which is a genuinely thoughtful choice: if you set an uncapped pen down, the roll stop still keeps it from rolling away.

The cap twists off with just under two rotations, revealing a number five Bock titanium nib with a purple coating that matches the pen’s theme. The section is covered in dimples and angles up slightly to the cap threads, which are not sharp or uncomfortable if your grip lands on them. Two narrow anodized purple grooves near the end of the section add a subtle accent.

While the dimpled section might look like it would be awkward to hold, the edges are smooth and the dimples are small and varied enough that your grip never locks into one position. It actually helps maintain grip on what is a fairly long, thin section.

Specifications and Everyday Use

The Torpedo is a cartridge converter pen that accepts standard international cartridges, and a converter is included. Because the body is all titanium, it could in theory be eyedroppered, though the narrow section threads would need an O-ring and silicone gel, which most people will find more hassle than it is worth.

The cap does not post, but the barrel is long enough to use comfortably unposted. The pen is well balanced with a bit of heft, though not overly heavy.

Writing Performance

The number five titanium medium nib is outstanding. Titanium nibs can be a mixed bag, but this one has a distinct feel: it is not as stiff as stainless steel, yet it does not feel as bouncy and soft as gold. You can pull a fair amount of line variation from it, and the character sits somewhere genuinely interesting between the two.

Ink flow is decent for a medium nib, reverse writing is a little sharp but workable, and the feed keeps up fine with fast writing. Paired with a rich purple ink, it is a satisfying writer in daily use.

Things to Consider Before Buying

This is a narrow pen, and the thin section will not suit everyone. It was size appropriate here and adds welcome variety to a collection, but it is not a shape you would want across every pen you own. The clipless design and non-posting cap are also worth confirming against your preferences.

On a custom pen like this, the price varies with the options you choose. This particular commission came in at around 575, so expect a similar range. That is not inexpensive, but you are receiving a unique handmade custom piece that is very well crafted, and no two pens will share the same dimpling pattern.

Buying Advice

Makar pens are only available directly from the company website, with occasional releases announced through the maker’s Instagram page. Commissions involve a short back-and-forth about section shape, cap-to-barrel transitions, and other details, with diagrams provided to help you choose.

Expect a lead time and a conversation, not an instant checkout. For anyone drawn to handmade titanium work with real design thought behind it, that process is part of the appeal. Even if you never buy, following the workshop is worth it purely for the craftsmanship on display.

Conclusion

The Makar Torpedo is a rare kind of pen: visually unlike anything else, built entirely by one person, and engineered with details that reward close attention, from the Mokume Ti roll stop on the barrel to the purple anodization hidden in every dimple. At a custom price of around 575 it is a considered purchase, but as a unique, well-crafted titanium writer with an outstanding nib, it earns its place in a collection.