(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
It's been quite a while since I'm thrown a pocket ballpoint pen into the rotation, and the Delfonics Lengend Hexagonal twist ballpoint pen was just what I needed to change up the pace a bit.
At a mere 3.9 inches, it's easy to pocket or stow away in a bag or sleeve. It also features a smooth twist mechanism for extending/retracting the refill tip, but the small size doesn't really impact usability. It's certainly not a pen I'd take with me to write a midterm essay in class, but it's great for quick notes and signing receipts. At under 4 inches, it's right on the edge of tolerable for my hands. I don't think I have large or small hands — somewhere in between. I don't like writing with the Kaweco Sport uncapped, but this Delfonics pen is more comfortable for my writing style. That being said, it's awesome to have a Kaweco Sport with an option to extend the overall length with the cap. But, the Delfonics is just one piece and there's no cap to lose.
The exterior of the pen reminds me of a really short Caran d'Ache 849 ballpoint pen. The hexagonal shape is iconic for the Caran d'Ache, and I think the Delfonics walks the line in terms of copy vs. hat tip with their design. It's obvious that the nose section is a different piece, which is a major deviation from the 849, so that's good. Other than the body shape, that's really where the comparisons end for the Delfonics Legend.
There's a small pocket clip on the pen that reminds me of the shape that Fisher includes on their Bullet Space Pen. It's a strong clip and works well, but the placement really bothers me. It doesn't get in the way when I'm writing — it's just the aesthetic. It's positioned in the middle of the pen, and that just really bothers me. I understand how it needs to be this way to allow the twist mechanism to work properly, but that doesn't help me like it any better. I'm considered removing it several times, but I'm worried that I'll scratch the exterior of the pen.
Speaking of the exterior, it's a fantastic color of unique material that is both hard and soft at the same time. It has a fairly soft touch, but it's certainly completely solid. I'm assuming it's some kind of adhesive covering over a metal body, and I really like how it feels and the color of the blue they chose. Unfortunately, it appears to chip and scratch incredibly easy. I haven't abused this pen by any means — it's only been in my pocket by itself or in a bag pocket by itself. I'm not sure how the chips happen, but I can assure you it wasn't due to any kind of accident, drop, or scratch from my own use. This doesn't bode well for how the finish will hold up over time with more strenuous use.
Moving on to the innards of this pen, the tiny refill is a mixed bag. It always starts a bit rough and takes a few lines to "wake up," but it's really smooth and dark once it's writing properly. For a ballpoint, this slow start isn't alarming at all, but just something to note if you plan on grabbing this pen to jot down quick notes. It requires a few scratches to get the ink flowing. I really like the line that this refill makes. It's a bold 0.8mm black ink with crisp edges and great flow. The refill can definitely be replaced, but that comes with its own caveat. I haven't been able to find this refill for sale online. I've found a couple of retailers that have a product page, but the product isn't in stock. The refill looks like a standard Parker refill that's been cut really short. At just 2.3 inches or 6 cm, it's definitely unique. I checked all of the refill guides and the product catalogs for a few major refill manufacturers, but didn't have any luck finding it. That being said, I'm not sure this pen has much to offer outside of the life of the included refill.
At $10, the Delfonics Legend Hexagonal Twist pen is certainly affordable at first glance, but the unavailability of the refill does make me pause and consider different pens that have more refill options. The Fisher Space Pen has many, many options to consider, but the Fisher refill is anything but smooth and bold. The Lamy Pico is just a tad larger, but the initial purchase of the pen and the small refills are pricey compared to this one. It's tough — the ink formula in this refill is great, and it would be an easy pen to recommend if the refill were readily available.
(Vanness Pens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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