The more and more I’ve used pens, the more and more I feel that most of them end up looking or feeling the same. It seems like rarely do I see pens nowadays that make me stand back and take a second look.
Known mostly for his knife designs, Darriel Caston of D Rocket Designs has also dabbled in pens over the years, one of which is the predecessor to the Oval 2 we’re checking out today. To take a look at that one we have to go back to early 2015 where I was able to review the prototype of the original Oval as well.
This will actually be a two part series as Darriel also sent me some prototypes of another pen, The Obelisk, that I’m sure you’ll like to see. Stay tuned…
I’m going to start off by saying that I don’t consider Mr. Caston simply a “maker”. He has a very clear sci-fi aesthetic and style that fuses through much of his work, and he doesn’t just create usable items. I’ll just say it, he creates art. That may sound over the top, but it isn’t. Like I said above, when a new pen comes out it usually looks just like something else, but Darriel pushes the envelope of design unlike really anyone out there. The only brand that I feel pushes these limits in the space (well, used to at least) is Lamy. Whether it be a knife or a pen, his designs remind me of something that a prop maker would create for a futuristic film.
The Oval 2 is so named as it is the second of two pens that have a similar shape/experience, but he’s taken the shape up several notches on this one.
At it’s core, the Oval 2 is a bolt-action pen with the mechanism being a thumb activated affair on the side of the barrel. Pull the knob down into the j-slot and the refill is extended. Pull it back and let the knob snap back into place for the refill to be retracted.
I was sent three prototypes of the pen in zirconium, bead blasted titanium, and a tumbled copper. All three look stunning, but I fear that I am becoming beholden to the zirc material… so sleek as it is a naturally dark, almost black metal that carries a shine or mirror like quality. And, is a bit heavier than titanium, but not as heavy as copper or brass.
The knobs on each were different: copper on copper, bead blasted titanium on titanium, and on the zirc a Mokuti type material that is bluish purple. The knobs are fastened to the inner bolt piece via two torx screws.
The clips are machined as well from titanium and bead blasted except for (again) on the zirc we have a blue anodize.
At the top of the clip there is a single hole where you can see another torx screw used to affix it to the barrel. I tend to find that single screws for clips never really seems to work out well as they quickly loosen up and start to sway side to side. Granted, these are prototypes, but they suffer from the same fate. If possible, I would love to see somehow a second screw used, or a hidden notch cut into the barrel where a machined pin can pop inside to prevent back and forth. It looks super sharp, but if plans were to keep as an EDC the loosening clip would begin to be an annoyance.
Extending the tip is straight forward and easy to execute. The spring tension is a little stiff, but not unruly. I actually prefer when retractable pen mechanisms have some extra tension and makes me work for it a little bit. If too loose it makes me feel like it might go off on its own…
Near the tip of the pen you’ll find 17 machined grooves, each individually cut to make the grip section. These are extremely useful and functional, but also provide some cool texture to the pen. The zirc, since not tumbled or bead blasted on this version, had some slightly sharper grooves than the others. Not uncomfortable, but noticeable.
Writing with the Oval 2 is surprisingly comfortable. You would think the oblong “oval” shape might be odd, but not being a truly round oval and having two flat sides creates a nice surface for your thumb and middle finger to press against with the index finger resting on one of the peaks.
The prototypes currently takes an Ohto fine point, but Darriel has re-engineered the design to also accept a more universal Parker style refill which opens up quite a few options.
If you know Darriel, one of his all-time favorite pens is the Lamy Unic (one of mine as well). Sadly, this pen was discontinued by Lamy back in either the late 80s or early 90s, but is such a cool design. See image below of the Unic from my post on collecting “Grail Pens” from a few years back.
Grip and tip sections of the Lamy Unic ballpoint pens.
The Oval 2 pays some homage to this favorite pen of his in not only the look of the grip section, but also in a new surprise he added in a telescoping tip while extended. On a machined pen like this one this is a pretty awesome addition. To achieve this he had to machine a thinner tube of material, encase it in two corresponding springs, and finish it off with a ring to hold it together. This is highly elaborate and a pretty cool bit of engineering for, you know, “just a pen”. (Would say the non-pen person…)
Getting to the refill is a bit of tricky business since you unscrew the holding ring, pull out the tube, hang onto the two springs, remove/replace the refill, and then put it back together. Definitely more involved than your standard pen, but the end result is pretty cool. And, if cruising through a refill every month or two shouldn’t make the process (about 30 seconds) too unbearable. The cost of art folks!
Little sneak peek at the group of Oval 2 and Obelisk pens
Overall I really enjoy Mr. Caston’s designs and the Oval 2 is no exception. His designs are definitely not what many would consider highly practical, but that is certainly not the point. Pens like this are not purchased simply to be used, but are to be looked at, fidgeted with, and enjoyed for the unique “things” that they are. Take a pen like this out in a meeting and people will definitely notice. Frankly, I really hope Darriel continues to make a stronger name for himself in the pen world because we need more fresh and interesting designs like this.
If this design resonate with you, these pens are available now for preorder at his website and range in price based on material. Thanks again to Darriel for letting me take a quick look at these prototypes!