Nakaya Decapod And Piccolo Size Compared To Lamy 2000?

[JustinJ]

Hi,

 

I have started looking at the Nakaya pens. I like the Decapod Cigar and Piccolo Cigar pen. I also like the Neo Standard Black Hairline, but the color may be too similar to my Lamy 2000.

 

I am concerned with the size of the pen where I hold the pen. I hold closer to the nib and was wanting a pen that is just a little bigger in diameter than my Lamy 2000. I do not want a pen that has a narrower grip than the 2000.

 

 

I was hoping that someone who has a Nakaya pen and a Lamy 2000 could elaborate on the size of the pen where you grip it. My Lamy 2000 is almost the perfect size but if it was just a little bit bigger then it would be the perfect size.

 

I have no Nakaya dealers near me or I would go try the pen in person. I plan on purchasing one here in the U.S. instead of ordering through Nakaya.

 

If anyone has any pictures of the Nakaya pen next to the 2000 capped and uncapped that would be helpful.

 

Also, experiences with writing feel and nib feel compared to the 2000 would be helpful. I know the Nakaya is a work of art but writing is still important to me. I will use the pen everyday, so it is not for collecting.

[kiavonne]

Hi, Justin.

 

First, you should be aware that the Nakaya pens are c/c pens and not eyedroppers or piston fillers. I'm sure you know already, but that would be a big item for some folks.

 

I owned the Lamy 2k for a while. I didn't really like the grip area, my fingers never could stay put. Because I no longer have it, I cannot give you comparison pics, but there is a pic of my Nakaya Neo Standard here. (oh, make sure John Mottishaw aligns the clip if necessary)

 

I only have a Nakaya Neo Standard. This is a very nice pen. The grip is longer and a little wider than most (not a huge difference, but very nice) and there is a slight rise at the end to keep my fingers from going on down to the nib. I like it very, very much. It is larger in diameter than the 2k and longer, too, I believe. It has been a bit since I've had the 2k, I sent it off to someone more deserving of it than I. Now, the Neo Standard may be a little larger, but it is much lighter. It's very comfortable to write with, and it is quite capable of handing your every day writing. The urushi finishes are a lot more enduring than some might think (just keep it out of direct sunlight). The finish of your pen will be to your tastes, I can't make any recommendations there, but whatever it may be I'm sure you would be very happy with it.

 

The nib is very nice, and it glides over paper. To understand how nice, I ordered my Neo Standard direct from Nakaya. I got a medium "stub" nib, I believe. Now, that nib was nice in my experience. However, not much stub in the stub. (My mind gets fuzzy on details sometimes here lately, as I've been overwhelmed with problems elsewhere, I'd have to pull my receipt but I'm pretty sure the original order was for a medium stub.) I recently sent the Nakaya and a Danitrio to Greg Minuskin for a bit of tweaking. Greg asked me if something had happened that the tines of the Nakaya were misaligned and was quite surprised when I told him it was what it was direct from Nakaya (in other words, this is highly unusual from the Nakaya company, if it has ever happened before!). Thing is, ink flowed so well and without issue that I didn't even realize there was a problem with the nib tines. It never caught on my papers, so I just didn't know. I didn't use it for very long, though, and it went into storage until I pulled it and the Mikado for some more custom nib work. That is how nice the Nakaya nib was. Trust me, I hate when nibs catch on paper. I just never experienced a problem with the nib. Maybe because I have been enjoying a wetter flow in my pens of late and the ink flow covered the flaw? Who knows? I'm quite happy with the nib though, now as then. I did not care for the 2k nib. It was a bit stiff to me and didn't make me overly happy. The 2k is a nice pen, no doubt, but it was not for me. However, it made the college student I sent it to quite happy. Since you are probably going through John Mottishaw for your Nakaya, I don't think you are going to experience any problems whatsoever and you will have the perfect nib for your writing style.

 

My daily pens of choice are the Pilot vanishing points. I've had some of the nibs custom ground to cursive italics but most are right out of the box fabulous, the medium nibs having quite nice ink flow for me. Once in a while I prefer finer nibs, but the Japanese mediums are that compared to western nibs. I enjoy the Nakaya and my Danitrio pens a lot.

[JustinJ]

Thank you for the through answer to my question, especially regarding the Neo Standard. I do like the idea of the bottom of the pen having the lip. It is helpful especially when considering a pen without trying it. I enjoyed the pictures of your pen.

 

If anyone has any experience with the Decapod and the Piccolo that would be helpful. I am leaning more towards these two model of pens.

[Painterspal]

It’s been a while since I owned a Lamy 2000, but I own all the Nakayas you’re interested in. I’d say that, in spite of its unusual shape, the Decapod is probably closest in size to the Lamy. The section on mine is narrower than the Piccolo and a similar width to the narrowest part of the Neo Standard, but it has a less pronounced bulge at the nib end than either. Both Neo Standard and Decapod are probably a bit wider than the Lamy and less obviously tapered - a picture would help you to figure this out. The Decapod is a smaller, more delicate pen than the Neo Standard, which feels much more substantial but still light and well balanced. Both are very comfortable. If you have small hands, as I have, the Decapod might be better, but I find the Neo Standard equally good. I really like that I never touch the threads when I’m holding these two pens. My fingers felt immediately at home with both. Do you post your Lamy? You can’t really post the Nakayas, so that would be a consideration in favour of the Neo Standard if you want the bigger pen experience.

 

The Piccolo is very chunky and I don’t like the section on mine, but on photos I’ve seen the shape seems to vary. It’s a short pen for its width and feels small, but I was surprised to find it a similar size to my Aurora Optima, so the size thing is a bit deceptive. YMMV as they say.

 

I didn’t get on with the Lamy – my hand used to slide down the grip and I never felt comfortable with it, so I quickly moved it on. The firm Nakaya nibs are excellent and some of my best writers. For me, all the Nakayas are in a different league in terms of comfort, and the aesthetics are obviously exceptional. Good luck with your choice!

[JustinJ]

Hello Painterspal,

 

Thank you for the good response. This is the type of information that I am looking for. I write with my pens usually unposted. Sometimes, I will post them but rarely.

 

 

It is sounding more like I may have to go with the Neo. I really did not want a clip but if the pen has the right fit then a clip is not that bad. I think the Piccolo may be too short in my hand.

 

I was looking at nibs.com and compared the size of the Portable cigar to the Neo Writer. The measurement seem similar but there is a difference in pen shape. At least I'm narrowing down my choices, except I may have to consider the Dorsal Fin.

[AltecGreen]

 

It is sounding more like I may have to go with the Neo. I really did not want a clip but if the pen has the right fit then a clip is not that bad. I think the Piccolo may be too short in my hand.

 

 

If you don't want a clip order one without a clip. The pens are all custom made. John just orders the popular standard models and colors for sale. You can always get it the way you want. A custom order doesn't cost more it just takes time for delivery. I have two Neo Standards on order in custom colors.

 

If you prefer the Piccolo you can order a long Piccolo from Aesthetic Bay in Singapore (it's now exclusive to Aesethic Bay).

[reprieve]

I took some comparison shots (please excuse the poor lighting--it is very dark and snowy here, and I had to utilize the light from my desk lamp!).

 

 

From left to right: Nakaya Decapod, Piccolo, Lamy 2000, Long cigar, Lamy 2000, Portable cigar.

 

Capped:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5433828211_1d87d39bb4_b.jpg

 

Uncapped:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5434442512_c19683cebb_b.jpg

 

 

I quite like the Piccolo, but it might be too short for you. I find it very comfortable (despite liking larger pens generally), but you would probably be happier with one of the other sizes. More similar in length to the Lamy 2000 is the Decapod or the Portable. The Long is probably too, well, long. I don't have a Neo Standard, so I'm not sure about that one. I think it is similar in size to the Decapod and Portable. There are exact measurements on the Nibs.com site. Re: the grip, I too grip my pens close to the nib; the nice thing about the Nakayas, which Kiavonne pointed out, is the beautiful curved section--the subtle flare at the end prevents your fingers from slipping. For me, it's a non-issue. I hope this helps! Oh, and let us know which pen you get!

[JustinJ]

This is a great picture it really gives me an idea of the size of the pens. I appreciate you taking the time to take the picture. I noticed the diameter size on nibs.com but it was for the maximum diameter not near the bottom of the pen. It was hard to visualize the pens.

 

I think that I would agree with your statement about the decapod and the portable cigar being a close to good fit. I think out of all the Nakayas, the Neo Writer seems to have the closest shape to the Lamy 2000 . I find it interesting that you have two Lamy 2000s with your other pens. I really like my Lamy 2000 but like the aspect of the handmade and various finishes on the Nakaya. Since I grip closer to the nib, the decapod might be a better choice.

 

I was considering a decapod with the same finish as yours. I like the red and black but there is something about the brown and green that has more of an organic feel to me.

 

I also noticed the Sumi Palmet Neo Writer which looks interesting but I would have to order it. I do not know much about the Sumi finish but it sounds like it may have a nice feel. The sumi finish seems on the opposite end of the spectrum compared to the Urushi.

[reprieve]

I love the Heki-tamenuri finish! The depth of the brown changes depending on the light (it can range from dark, almost-black-espresso brown to a lighter, milk chocolate color). The underlying sea foam green really does complement brown, and the Decapod allows the colors to shine through. I love the dramatic pinstriped look. Another wonderful thing about the clipless Decapod is that it won't roll off your desk. I don't post my pens--I usually put the cap on the table--so I appreciate not having to worry about it rolling away.

[ballboy]

I love the dramatic pinstriped look. Another wonderful thing about the clipless Decapod is that it won't roll off your desk. I don't post my pens--I usually put the cap on the table--so I appreciate not having to worry about it rolling away.

One reason why I wish to consider this as my first possible Nakaya :hmm1:

[bassplayrr]

 

Capped:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5433828211_1d87d39bb4_b.jpg

 

Uncapped:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5434442512_c19683cebb_b.jpg

 

 

 

Great comparison photos. Thanks for posting them.

 

Measurements on a site are a good start, but it can be difficult to imagine the true size and layout of the pen without seeing it compared to others.

[ethernautrix]

I took some comparison shots

 

 

Ooo! Gorgeous Nakayas! Nice little group of pens you have there!

[ethernautrix]

I took some comparison shots

 

 

Ooo! Gorgeous Nakayas! Nice little group of pens you have there!