[kissing]

NIB:

I have a Fine nib, and as most Rotring nibs are well known for - They are as stiff as armour piercing shrapnel . I found the nib quite a dry writer compared to the wet Parkers such as the Sonnet. The nib is smooth for a stiff nib, but not the smoothest Rotring IME. The nib is quite shiny though



BODY:

If I am not mistaken, the Newton appears to be the updated version of the Rotring 600. The Newton has the same heavy hexagonal body, but has an angled grip/cap. I think this design adds a certain modern sophistication to the design.

The Rotring Newton is not the easiest pen to use at first though. I would have to criticise the way that the barrel of the pen opens. You must twist the knob at the back of the pen like a lipstick to unscrew the barrel, and this took a lot of thinking to figure out :doh: Sure, the leaflet that comes with it had illustrated instructions - but they didn't really help me out at all. The only functional advantage of the 'lipstick' barrel feature is that you can unscrew the barrel with the cap still on (if that helps you at all )

The Newton is quite a heavy pen. Most of my other metal pens feel light compared to it For people who like to write with light pens, the Newton may take a bit of getting used to. Posting the cap is quite difficult to write with as it adds too much weight towards the back of the pen.

There is quite a wide range of finishes and colours that the Newton comes in, such as the chrome plated brass in matte black or matte silver. I personally have a "Copper" coloured Lacquer over brass. The Rotring website says that the "Lava" finished fountain pens come in 7 different nib sizes. The clip is nice and firm and the metal trimmings on the pen are highly polished (They're as reflective as mirrors).

The grip and the cap of the newer Newtons fit 'diagonally' (as you can see in the photo.) I'm not sure whether this is an advantage or a disadvantage. To close the cap, you have to align the nib and the clip when you close it. While it does add a modern and sophisticated look, it doesn't seem to make it any easier to use. I took it to a pen shop to get a converter for it...

a) The guy at the pen shop couldn't figure out how to open the barrel :doh:
b ) Then he had trouble closing the cap.


FILLING SYS.

Converter or back-to-back short International cartridges. The thread section in the nib unit is quite long, and you can't see how much ink is left in your cartridge/converter without pulling it out to take a look. Make sure you get the proper Rotring CONVERTER for this pen. A substitute international converter will fit in the nib section, but may get caught when trying to screw on the barrel. I had trouble with this and had to replace the generic international converter to the narrower Rotring converter.


OVERALL

Despite the criticisms I made above, the Rotring Newton sure is an interesting pen in terms of modern appearance. It incorporates an industrial and artistic look and is reliably functional as a writer. While it is not the most comfortable pen to use, the pen sure is a durable one with a nice tough nib. Quink writes quite dry in it, so you might want to use a different ink in it.

The score I give it is 7/10.

This post has been edited by kissing: 17 October 2006 - 05:49 PM

[LapsangS]

Thanks for this nice review, Kissing. I always thought Rotrings as simple and straightforward writing instruments that have no character of their own, at least when compared to other Sanford products. But I guess I was wrong. I am fascinated of the fact that even opening the barrel and closing the cap can be a challenge at first sight...

This post has been edited by LapsangS: 17 October 2006 - 06:16 PM

[Samovar]

Thank you Kissing,
Very interesting review.
I own a Rotring 600 and an Initial and I will buy the Newton when it comes out in Canada. I really don't know when it will be out... Sanford intends to remarket the Rotring brand in America very soon.

[Maja]

Thanks for the review; it's always good to find out a pen's faults in addition to its good points, so thanks for your honesty I have a 600 and as you said, it's quite a dry writer. I never worry about dropping it when I am carrying it around though; it is *quite* sturdy

[kissing]

Oh yes - I forgot to mention the price.

These are listed by rOtring as $75US

(I got mine for free though )

[plasticpig72]

I have just acquired one of the pens from ebay for £19 to add to my growing collection of Rotrings, the majority of which I consider to be manufacture to a very high standard. I was drawn to these pens by there uniqueness and the fact that I used to use Rotring pens when I was a design draughtsman.

The 600 series has always been know as Newton so this will be the third evolution of this pen from the first series which had knurled ends and was in my opinion the best version.

I got this version so that I have all three versions and overall I am not disappointed though I still consider version 1 to be the best. (though I do like my lava version 2)

It is a much updated version though and still has the same high standard of manufacture and uniqueness.

In terms of the pen itself my review (my first) would be:

NIB
As already stated indestructible whilst being a very smooth writer, though in relation to my other Newtons the medium nib on this version is bordering on broad.

BODY
In my opinion the lid is easier to close than the earlier versions. I would not necessarily criticise the opening method, but I don’t see the point other than to allow the angular shapes of the body. The pen, though heavy, is not as heavy in the hand as the earlier version. I would have preferred the nib section to have been metal as in earlier version and obviously it is the use of plastic that reduces the weight. I find the pen comfortable in the hand.

FILING SYSTEM
Whilst you cannot see all of the ink cartridge you can see sufficient to determine if it is nearly empty, though with a spare in the barrel I don’t see the need to examine how much ink is left anyway.

OVERALL
My assessment would be the same as made by kissing and I would also score it 7/10 with the earlier versions both being a 9/10.

[mmoncur]

I have both a Newton like this one and an older 600 - while I like the look of the old 600 much better, I've been surprised how much I reach for the Newton instead. It feels comfortable in my hand, and it has a much more pleasant texture - the old one gives me a bit of a "fingernails on a chalkboard" sensation.

It works nicely with a converter and is a very smooth writer. (F nib)

[Green Maned Lion]

The Rotring 600/Newton second generation thingy I have is an incredible pen. I like the way it makes a sound of a huge object when it hits your desk. The cap never comes off accidentally, and it feels like a solid, quality object. My dad can't see the quality in my Pelikan, he says it feels cheap.

The Rotring has a certain quality you can feel, its palpable. I like the Pelikan better, its a better writer and stays more comfortable in your hand. But you can definately see where the money goes in the Rotring. You pick it up, and know its not your average cheap dimestore pen.

Excellent review, Kissing.

[djahughes]

Does anybody know where I can get a converter in the UK? I've just bought one of these from eBay also.

Many thanks

[helius]

I think these take international-sized converters.

[mholve]

Thanks for that review!

I'm a big fan of Rotring as well, always have been... I've been using their mechanical clutch pencils, Rapidographs and Art Pens for about twenty years. They all still work, and work very well.

I recently picked up an old school 600 in black/gold trim (fine nib) and it's definitely an armor-piercing projectile. Writes wonderfully though. Naturally I filled it with Noodler's Widow Maker.

I'll have to give this updated design a shot...

[Armchop]

got me a Rotring Newton today. Purchared from Msr L in France. Paid £15.
I went for the chrome model to stop feelig guilty about matching up with a particular ink!
No scores as this is just first impressions.
Design and build
Looks weird at first but grows on you. The hexagonal barrel sits nicely in the hand. The nib section is quite narrow and long so users may need to fiddle about a bit deciding where to hold it. But has a very good weight without being too hefty. To me is quire well balanced. However this is only true while being uncapped.

Nib
Looks dead cheap and just a basic shape. No fins. BUT it is very smooth and quite wet. The medium nib I have has a line a tiny bit narower and slightly drier than my Bexley FPN Simplicity. This however has a B nib so for some I'd guess the Rotring is still quite wide. My preference though. European M = USA B.
I use PR Midnight Blues. In the Rotring there is less saturation but more shading than in the Bexley. Good feedback from the nib but not scratchy at all.

Filling system
No converter. International size does not fit. Not least the ones I get in England. They are too long for the barrel locking system. Parker converters fit though.
The unscrewing mechanism at the top of the pen is whimsical but a bit fiddly.

Overall
A very nice pen. Hate the word nice. Had it beaten out of me at school when I was nine but everyone knows what it means.
Glad I bought it. in rotation from tomorrow. Depending on how it goes may get me a Copper version

Armchop

edit:
Nooooo!
ink all over the shop. The Parker converter dont fit either.
Need Rotring converter.

This post has been edited by Armchop: 19 September 2007 - 08:13 PM

[AndyHayes]

Armchop

Have you thought of trying www.cultpens.com

Although they don't list the converter it might be worth asking. They are usually quick to give an answer, even if it isn't always yes!

[Splicer]

My Copper Newton takes a Waterman/International converter just fine.

[attachment=13601:DSC_3197.jpg]

Here's the trick: drop the section with converter into the barrel just like I'm sure you already have. When it stops short and won't go any farther in, instead of cursing your luck that the engineers at Rotring made a pen that won't take a standard converter, remember that the engineers at Rotring totally overengineered the pen: while the parts of the pen sit loosely together like that, twist the chromed part of the bottom of the barrel... that "unscrewing mechanism" you refer to will pull the section tight, converter and all.

It's not the converter that 's too long, it's the unscrewing/locking design that won't let you force the parts together without getting the parts inside on the threads.

I know, I know, it's crazy, but that's part of the fun of having a pen built by engineers.

And I second cultpens.com. It's nigh unto impossible to get new Rotrings in the United States--not only did cultpens find me my Newton, they were able to get one in a fine point.

Sorry, wish the picture was better. You can't really see the color very well.

[jhender]

hi, i received a Rotring Newton as a gift from a friend, however I find that the Medium nib doesnt suit me. Is it possible for me to change to a Fine nib? anyone knows where I can get one and what's the price?

i do love the construction of the pen. the opening mechanism is fun and unique. i wish it were not so heavy though.

cheers,