Matthew Martin OG2 Review: A Titanium Fountain Pen With Real Character

Introduction

Some of the best discoveries in the fountain pen hobby come from small makers working quietly outside the mainstream. Matthew Martin is one of those makers. Coming from a family of craftsmen, he grew up around high-quality handmade production and started out making tactical pens for the knife community before expanding into fountain pens. His latest model, the OG2, distills that experience into a titanium pen that is simpler, more affordable, and in our view, more appealing than ever.

The name OG simply stands for “original”, the name of his first design, and the moniker stuck. The OG2 is based on the same geometry as the OG1, but with a unibody construction instead of several screwed-together pieces, which brings the cost down. We spent time with seven different versions, and this is what you need to know.

Flamed Finishes That Are All One of One

The OG2 is made from titanium and available in six finishes. Five of them are flamed, and the naming is delightfully quirky: rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, and well done, like cuts of meat. Counterintuitively, the rarer treatments bring out more of the purples, reds, and blues, while the more heavily treated versions reveal more of the rainbow spectrum. The sixth finish is a plain satin titanium, and there is also an experimental finish that sits outside the standard lineup.

What makes these finishes special is the technique behind them. Matthew uses a proprietary process he claims produces intense swirls of color unlike any other titanium finish in the world, and the results back that up. Each flamed pen is genuinely a one of one: no two color patterns will ever match.

Construction and Design

The OG2 has a rounded tip at the end of the barrel, angling up before running straight for roughly two inches. The cap twists off with about one rotation, revealing the nib and section. The barrel steps down from the cap with a small rounded transition and tapers gently toward a rounded end. It has a decent heft and feels comfortable and well balanced in the hand.

One thing to note: the pen does not post. And with a metal-on-metal body, you probably would not want to force it, since posting could scratch the finish over time. In practice, this is not much of a drawback given how well balanced the pen is uncapped.

Section Options: Spiral and Taper

Two section designs are available, and both are genuinely interesting. The spiral section is a standout: slightly thicker, with a distinctive spiral look that also helps maintain your grip. It is easily one of the most appealing section designs on the market today.

The taper section takes the opposite approach to conventional geometry. Instead of the narrowest point sitting nearest the nib, the flare sits there, creating a smoother transition from section to threads. Grooves at the end keep your fingers from slipping off. The reverse geometry takes a moment to get used to, but it works.

Filling and the Nib

The OG2 is a cartridge-converter pen, but since titanium is generally safe from corrosion, you can also eyedropper it if you wish. If you go that route, a bit of silicone grease on the section threads is advisable to guard against leaks.

The pen comes with a number six stainless steel nib from Fountain Pen Revolution, currently available in fine only. The section is compatible with standard nib units, so you can swap in whatever unit you prefer.

Writing Performance

The fine stainless steel nib delivers a decent amount of line variation from light to heavier pressure. We would not call it a flex nib, but the variation you can get is impressive for this class of nib. Ink flow runs on the lighter side. Reverse writing produces an extra fine line.

The nib is not overly smooth; it carries a bit of fine feedback. It never drags excessively or scratches into the paper, reading more as heavy feedback than scratchiness. And for fast writing, the feed keeps up just fine.

Price and Availability

Pricing depends on the options you choose. The satin model starts at around $200, while the flamed finishes run about $250. For a quality titanium pen with a unique flame treatment and one of the coolest section designs available, that feels reasonable. Matthew will also be appearing at the Dallas Pen Show, which is worth checking out if you want to see the finishes in person.

How the OG2 Compares to Other Metal Pens

Side by side with other metal pens, the OG2 holds its own. The OG Chunk from the same maker is significantly chunkier, especially with its thick spiral section. Comparisons with the Lami 2000 stainless steel model and other artisan metal pens with copper patina, carbon fiber, and knurling show just how much variety exists in this niche. The OG2’s mix of unibody simplicity and dramatic flamed color makes it one of the more distinctive options in the category.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The no-post design is the main compromise, and the fine-only nib availability limits out-of-the-box choices. Neither is a dealbreaker, but buyers should know what they are getting. The trade-off is a well-balanced, well-made titanium pen with finishes you literally cannot get anywhere else.

Buying Advice

If you value craftsmanship, unique aesthetics, and a pen that performs as well as it looks, the OG2 is easy to recommend. The flamed finishes are the draw for most buyers, and the satin model is the entry point if budget matters. Whichever you pick, you are getting a one-of-a-kind object from a maker who clearly cares about the details.

Conclusion

The Matthew Martin OG2 is an excellent pen: very well made, thoughtfully designed, and a pleasure to write with. The flamed titanium finishes are unlike anything else available, and the section designs alone set it apart. At around $200 to $250 depending on the finish, it delivers genuine value for a handcrafted titanium fountain pen. If a distinctive, high-quality pen is on your list, the OG2 deserves a close look.