Titan Pens Custom Triangular Fountain Pen Review: A Bespoke Home for a Jowo #8 Nib

Introduction

Occasionally a custom pen comes along that feels less like a commission and more like a pen that was always meant to exist. This one from Titan Pens started with a simple problem: a large Jowo #8 nib in 18K gold, a size that has become genuinely hard to find, with only one pen in the collection capable of housing it. The solution was to send the nib to William Shakur of Titan Pens in the United Kingdom and ask for something new to be built around it.

The result is an unnamed triangular fountain pen with a piston filler, a translucent grey body, and craftsmanship that deserves close inspection. This review covers the design, the nib, the writing experience, and what a buyer should know before reaching out.

Design and Materials

The pen uses a rounded triangular profile, immediately reminiscent of the Omas 360, and it is a shape that earns its place here. The material is a translucent grey resin that looks refined in person and has a practical benefit: you can see the ink level and part of the piston mechanism through the barrel. The brass mechanism visible inside gives it a mechanical charm that suits the pen well.

The Titan Pens logo and “Titan Pens United Kingdom” engraving are cleanly done, and the same logo treatment appears on the titanium nibs the maker is known for. A detail worth appreciating: the facets of the piston turning knob, barrel, and cap all line up perfectly when the pen is capped. That kind of alignment takes deliberate effort, and it shows.

It is a fairly large pen, oversized when placed next to something like a Pilot Metropolitan, but not absurdly so. Unlike some of the very large pens on the market today that look disproportionate, this one keeps its proportions sensible. It was designed as a genuinely usable pen rather than a showpiece.

Nib and Writing Performance

The Jowo #8 nib in 18K gold is finished in a broad point with no logo on it, just the markings “18K 750” and “Broad” at the bottom. It is a clean, understated design that suits the pen. The feed is ebonite rather than the usual plastic, which was typical for nibs of this size, and it delivers good flow characteristics.

On paper, this nib has long been loved for one specific quality: a slight touch of feedback. It is not glassy smooth, and that is the point. It writes with a pleasant, tactile feel, consistent ink flow, and a fairly wet line. Line variation is naturally limited since this is not a flex nib, though a tiny amount can be coaxed out with a gentle hand.

One caveat worth knowing: reverse writing does not really work here. The nib goes through the motions but delivers little more than a scratch into the paper, so it is not a pen for that style of writing. The faceted grip also makes holding the pen at a reverse angle awkward by design.

Comfort and Handling

The section is triangular with nicely rounded facets and a subtle step down toward the nib that is so smooth you simply do not feel it. The corners are not sharp at all, beautifully rounded and pleasant to the touch. The nib alignment is spot on, so the pen meets the paper correctly when held naturally, which matters with a faceted grip where misalignment can otherwise become an issue.

As a piston filler, the ink capacity is substantial. It was clocked at roughly 3.5 millilitres, filling essentially the entire barrel. Compared to the roughly 0.9 millilitres of a standard converter, that is a serious reserve, especially welcome on a broad nib that consumes ink quickly.

Things to Consider Before Buying

There is very little to criticise here. The main points to weigh up are practical rather than flaws:

• This is a large pen, so it suits writers who prefer oversized instruments.
• The nib is a broad, so line width is generous; those preferring finer lines would need a different point.
• Reverse writing is not viable with this nib.
• The Jowo #8 nib format itself is increasingly scarce, though some stock may still be found with a dedicated search.
• As a bespoke commission, the pen has no model name, no retail box, and ordering works differently from buying off a shelf. Titan Pens also offers a lineup of standard models and dip nib holders for those who want the maker’s work without a custom project.

Buying Advice

If you enjoy larger pens with real presence but dislike the disproportionate monsters that have become common, this design threads that needle well. The balance is excellent, the proportions feel deliberate, and the finishing is outstanding: what should be rounded is rounded, what should be crisp is crisp, and nothing catches or rolls in the hand.

The 3D-printed construction is worth mentioning because it does not look 3D printed. There are no visible layer lines, and the polishing is so well executed that you would not guess the process from the finished surface.

For anyone drawn to a distinctive, conversation-piece pen backed by genuine skill, Titan Pens is worth a look. Contact the maker directly, describe what you want, and be prepared for a project that takes time. The waiting proved worth it here.

Conclusion

This is a pen that hits every mark its owner asked for: a comfortable triangular profile, a substantial piston filler, a rare and characterful Jowo #8 broad nib, and craftsmanship that holds up under scrutiny. The verdict from daily use is simple: it is hard to put down. For fountain pen enthusiasts who value comfort, ink capacity, and a nib with personality over polish-free smoothness, this custom Titan Pens build is about as close to a perfect pen as it gets.