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Nakaya Long Cigar


King of the Road

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There have been many reviews done on this pen, so I thought I'd approach another from a different angle. I'm going to provide my review and thoughts on the decision making process that went into ordering the pen. Hopefully it will be able to help out someone else during the steps of ordering a custom pen. This pen was my 20th wedding anniversary gift from my wife, and I wanted it to be really special. So I deliberated for a long time over the many options available with a Nakaya, and even agonized over a few of them. So, here goes my very first review ever.

First of all, I have to say this: I LOVE this pen!!! I made all of the right choices, and I wouldn't do anything differently. My first deliberation was on the size that I wanted - Long or Portable? I went back and forth on this for awhile. Would the long size be too long? Could it fit in my suit pocket? I didn't have another pen that would compare. What I finally did was bought some doweling that had the same diameter, and cut two pieces - one to the length of the Long and the other to the Portable's dimensions. That solved the dilemma, and I could see and feel that I wanted the Long size.

Next choice - order from Nakaya directly or from John Mottishaw (Classic Fountain Pens). I was concerned about communicating with Nakaya, especially if there was a problem with the pen once I got it. I had never ordered from John, but a friend bought me a Pelikan M1000 from him, and I absolutely love that pen. So I ordered my Nakaya from John, and I would highly recommend doing the same to anyone else. First of all, the nib work is outstanding! (more on that later) Secondly, the support and service was extremely pleasant and helpful. Jonella and the rest of the staff were very patient with my questions, and made the whole experience very enjoyable. Many thanks to everyone at Classic Fountain Pens!

Now the hard choice - the nib. I wanted something special and different for this nib, something I didn't already have. So, I decided on a Stub. Too scared for a cursive italic, so the stub seemed like a good first step into the world of non-standard nibs. I did a lot of research here on FPN into stub nibs, which helped to give me the confidence to take the plunge. Now the line width. The pens I already have are of the standard sizing - F, M, B. That wasn't good enough for this pen. I printed off Richard Binder's stroke width chart, then played around on it with the pens I already had. For the intended purpose of this Nakaya, I saw that a stroke width of 0.4 to 0.5 as what I wanted. But the 0.5 seemed just a little too broad, and the 0.4 seemed a little too narrow. So I asked Mr.Mottishaw if he could grind a 0.45 mm stub, and he said "no problem". Well, I have to tell you that he got it bang on! I couldn't be any happier. In my research here on FPN, I read an expression used by QM2, which I passed on to John for this pen - "Please maximize the line variation as much as possible while still retaining the stub's super smoothness." I said that because smooth is important to me, and I was concerned that the stub would be scratchy. John came through on this to, and the stub is smooth while showing great variation. I've attached a writing sample. Never attached photos before, so I hope they turn out. If you don't have a stub nib yet, I would highly recommend it. In fact, I don't think I could go back to a standard nib now.

Another choice - the flow. I wanted this to be custom to the pen as well. From what I've read here, the 1-10 flow scale seems to be very subjective. What I might think of as being a 6 could be an 8 to someone else. So I decided to find a flow that I liked on an existing pen that I own, and that I would want on the Nakaya. The choice? My unmodified Pelikan M800 Fine. I asked John if he could match that on the Nakaya, and no surprise by now, he did! Perhaps the same process will help someone else out that's making the same decisions.

I don't think a review of this process would be complete without some thoughts on accessories. My advice - if you're not sure about getting an accessory when you order your pen, just do it. Nakaya won't sell accessories without an accompanying pen. I'm not sure about John though. Regardless, I got the Makie converter, an extra pouch, the single and triple pen pillow. Seeing as it was a custom pen, I also ordered a custom pen stand. The standard stand has a black urushi finish. I asked Nakaya, through Classic Fountain Pens, if they could do one in red (Shu), which they did for an extra charge. I did that because I didn't want the pen to get lost on the stand, as the one would have been black, the other red-black. The red stand really makes the pen stand out. In my world annyway. As you can see from the pictures, I also decided on a gold Zogan, and a Kanji Makie inscription of my given Japanese name.

So I think all in all, it's a very special and custom pen. The whole process started late last fall when I asked for your suggestions on a 20th wedding anniversary pen. After about three months of deliberating on the above choices, and five months of waiting for it to come to fruition, I'm extremely pleased. Thanks for all of your help!

 

KoR

 

 

 

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After about three months of deliberating on the above choices, and five months of waiting for it to come to fruition, I'm extremely pleased.

Did you need 3 months because you had to relay your specifications and requirements to Nakaya (via your dealer)? Or, was it simply because you needed to take 3 months to decide on your specifications before you placed your order with Nakaya? Is a 5-month production time an average for Nakaya?

My collection: 149 EF/F/B/OBB, Collodi B/Twain F/Mann F, 146 M, Silver Barley F, M1000/M800 B'o'B/M800 Tortoise/Sahara/415 BT/215/205 Blue Demo, Optima Demo Red M/88 EF & Italic/Europa, Emotica, 2K/Safaris/Al-Stars/Vista, Edson DB/Carene BS, Pilot 845/823/742/743/Silvern/M90/Makies, Sailor Profit Realo M/KOP Makies/Profit Makies/Profit 21 Naginata MF&M/KOP/KOP Mosaiques/Sterling Silvers,Platinum #3776 Celluloids/Izumos/Wood pens/Sterling Silvers,YoL Grand Victorian, and more (I lost counting)

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Congratulations on your 20th Wedding Anniversary - and on your very well thought out Gift Pen!

Your photos and review are so very helpful - and beautiful - that stand is very desirable - as are the pen pillows! That nib is just what I would expect from John - he is a real Master - and I tell him regularly!

 

I have dealt with Nakaya directly since 2002, and of course with John since that time too - and I agree with everything you say - but if people feel that to deal with Nakaya directly will add to their experience they should do it - they will be very pleasantly surprised - although they won't get the expert nib work unless they then send their pen to John!!

I have four Nakayas, two the same size and shape as yours - one Gold Maki-e and the other 'Shu' - with a fine flex and a medium flex which performed perfectly right from the start.

Nakaya always ship with an ink cart in place - my first "Lizard" model (no longer in production - but has interchangable ends to help with balance choice) came with Carbon ink cart - and a Broad nib. At that time getting translations wasn't so easy - but I managed, over a year, to turn that B into an italic............going where Angels fear to tread!!! I love all my Nakayas.............oh! the fourth? A torti with an EF with extra flex - which was too fine for me - so now has a vintage fine Pelikan 14k nib thanks to a friend who switched the nibs for and with me!

Again! Congratulations!!! May you use your pen in excellent health for many years to come.

Each day is the start of the rest of your life!

Make it count!!!

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I have the problem that I tend to be very pictographic and rarely read any review that has no pictures...I read yours even the punctuation signs! You really got my attention :P ! Now, I'm planning to order my next nakaya from Mottishaw...Nakata directly was problematic for me (language gap did not help at all!).

I have the long writer and although my hands are not big, this pen (uncapped of course) is a DREAM!

I'm glad you got one.

Edited by alvarez57

sonia alvarez

 

fpn_1379481230__chinkinreduced.jpg

 

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I have the problem that I tend to be very pictographic and rarely read any review that has no pictures...I read yours even the punctuation signs! You really got my attention :P ! Now, I'm planning to order my next nakaya from Mottishaw...Nakata directly was problematic for me (language gap did not help at all!).

I have the long writer and although my hands are not big, this pen (uncapped of course) is a DREAM!

I'm glad you got one.

I am glad to hear this - I have a small hand also and am waiting for a Nakaya long cigar Heki Ascending dragon (see my avatar photo) and have worried it might be too big for me, even though I never post the caps on my pens anymore. Thanks for that information! :clap1:

Nakaya Piccolo Heki Tamenuri 14K XF

Nakaya Ascending Dragon Heki 14K XXF

Sailor Brown Mosaic 21K Saibi Togi XXF

Sailor Maki-e Koi 21K XF

Pilot Namiki Sterling Silver Crane FP

Bexley Dragon XXF

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qVJOiluU9_4/THp4iGeCcpI/AAAAAAAAA2A/xh2FRE0B8p0/s320/InkDropLogoFPN3.jpg

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After about three months of deliberating on the above choices, and five months of waiting for it to come to fruition, I'm extremely pleased.

Did you need 3 months because you had to relay your specifications and requirements to Nakaya (via your dealer)? Or, was it simply because you needed to take 3 months to decide on your specifications before you placed your order with Nakaya? Is a 5-month production time an average for Nakaya?

I have been waiting four and almost 1/2 months for my long cigar Heki-Ascending Dragon, which I ordered through Classic Fountain Pens, and they just throw up their hands when they get queries about delivery times. It's perhaps just part of the process....kind of a Zen patience thing, maybe.

 

I also traded in about half of my pen collection - the ones I never used but they were very nice - to pay for this pen. But I think it was/is worth it! :cloud9:

Nakaya Piccolo Heki Tamenuri 14K XF

Nakaya Ascending Dragon Heki 14K XXF

Sailor Brown Mosaic 21K Saibi Togi XXF

Sailor Maki-e Koi 21K XF

Pilot Namiki Sterling Silver Crane FP

Bexley Dragon XXF

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qVJOiluU9_4/THp4iGeCcpI/AAAAAAAAA2A/xh2FRE0B8p0/s320/InkDropLogoFPN3.jpg

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Wow! When the photo came up with the pen on the stand I had an urge to bow! Beautiful. I want...need a Nakaya so badly, it's high on my to get list. I'll go your route too and get it from John Mottishaw, it might save some hair pulling since I speak no Japanese. Congrats on 20 and the pen. A nice choice.

JELL-O, IT'S WHATS FOR DINNER!

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Great pics of the pen and stand.

Thank you for sharing the info with the FPN team.

 

Classics :thumbup:

"Churn the Butter"

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You could not have done any better than the combination of the pen finish and the red stand. A stroke of genius.

 

We do however, need at least one more shot, preferably a close up of that pen....

the Danitrio Fellowship

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Sorry this reply took so long.

It took me 3 months to make up my mind on all of the options. For this price, I wanted everything just right. It took close to 5 months from the time I ordered it to the time it arrived. As SallyWally said, patience is the key, but it's sooooo worth it.

 

KoR

 

 

After about three months of deliberating on the above choices, and five months of waiting for it to come to fruition, I'm extremely pleased.

Did you need 3 months because you had to relay your specifications and requirements to Nakaya (via your dealer)? Or, was it simply because you needed to take 3 months to decide on your specifications before you placed your order with Nakaya? Is a 5-month production time an average for Nakaya?

 

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Thank you for your kind words! Your comments confirm something for me - one Nakaya hardly seems like enough!

 

KoR

 

 

Congratulations on your 20th Wedding Anniversary - and on your very well thought out Gift Pen!

Your photos and review are so very helpful - and beautiful - that stand is very desirable - as are the pen pillows! That nib is just what I would expect from John - he is a real Master - and I tell him regularly!

 

I have dealt with Nakaya directly since 2002, and of course with John since that time too - and I agree with everything you say - but if people feel that to deal with Nakaya directly will add to their experience they should do it - they will be very pleasantly surprised - although they won't get the expert nib work unless they then send their pen to John!!

I have four Nakayas, two the same size and shape as yours - one Gold Maki-e and the other 'Shu' - with a fine flex and a medium flex which performed perfectly right from the start.

Nakaya always ship with an ink cart in place - my first "Lizard" model (no longer in production - but has interchangable ends to help with balance choice) came with Carbon ink cart - and a Broad nib. At that time getting translations wasn't so easy - but I managed, over a year, to turn that B into an italic............going where Angels fear to tread!!! I love all my Nakayas.............oh! the fourth? A torti with an EF with extra flex - which was too fine for me - so now has a vintage fine Pelikan 14k nib thanks to a friend who switched the nibs for and with me!

Again! Congratulations!!! May you use your pen in excellent health for many years to come.

 

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Let us know about your next Nakaya experience through Mottishaw. "DREAM" on!

 

KoR

 

 

I have the problem that I tend to be very pictographic and rarely read any review that has no pictures...I read yours even the punctuation signs! You really got my attention :P ! Now, I'm planning to order my next nakaya from Mottishaw...Nakata directly was problematic for me (language gap did not help at all!).

I have the long writer and although my hands are not big, this pen (uncapped of course) is a DREAM!

I'm glad you got one.

 

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Thanks. Although I'm sure ordering from Nakaya directly would be fine, saving a few precious hairs from being pulled out was exactly why I ordered it from John. I can't emphasize enough how easy the staff there made the whole experience. It's almost like they're trained pen psychologists that ease you through the whole nerve racking process. Should it be nerve racking? Nope. But they understand how important every decision is to the buyer.

 

KoR

 

 

Wow! When the photo came up with the pen on the stand I had an urge to bow! Beautiful. I want...need a Nakaya so badly, it's high on my to get list. I'll go your route too and get it from John Mottishaw, it might save some hair pulling since I speak no Japanese. Congrats on 20 and the pen. A nice choice.

 

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Like this? I don't have really good lighting where I happen to be at the moment. I hope this is what you're looking for.

 

KoR

 

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I also traded in about half of my pen collection - the ones I never used but they were very nice - to pay for this pen. But I think it was/is worth it! :cloud9:

How much was it? Does the pricing vary depending on how you customize the color and the design?

My collection: 149 EF/F/B/OBB, Collodi B/Twain F/Mann F, 146 M, Silver Barley F, M1000/M800 B'o'B/M800 Tortoise/Sahara/415 BT/215/205 Blue Demo, Optima Demo Red M/88 EF & Italic/Europa, Emotica, 2K/Safaris/Al-Stars/Vista, Edson DB/Carene BS, Pilot 845/823/742/743/Silvern/M90/Makies, Sailor Profit Realo M/KOP Makies/Profit Makies/Profit 21 Naginata MF&M/KOP/KOP Mosaiques/Sterling Silvers,Platinum #3776 Celluloids/Izumos/Wood pens/Sterling Silvers,YoL Grand Victorian, and more (I lost counting)

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Let us know about your next Nakaya experience through Mottishaw. "DREAM" on!

 

KoR

 

 

I have the problem that I tend to be very pictographic and rarely read any review that has no pictures...I read yours even the punctuation signs! You really got my attention :P ! Now, I'm planning to order my next nakaya from Mottishaw...Nakata directly was problematic for me (language gap did not help at all!).

I have the long writer and although my hands are not big, this pen (uncapped of course) is a DREAM!

I'm glad you got one.

 

 

Dear Kor

 

It's going to take a little while for I'm now at a $$$ Tsunami (I own my business) and paying for licenses, vacations, etc.....BUT I shall as soon as I get it. I love my long cigar Aka-tamenuri and you know how is this @@*##@@!!! addiction.

sonia alvarez

 

fpn_1379481230__chinkinreduced.jpg

 

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I have the problem that I tend to be very pictographic and rarely read any review that has no pictures...I read yours even the punctuation signs! You really got my attention :P ! Now, I'm planning to order my next nakaya from Mottishaw...Nakata directly was problematic for me (language gap did not help at all!).

I have the long writer and although my hands are not big, this pen (uncapped of course) is a DREAM!

I'm glad you got one.

I am glad to hear this - I have a small hand also and am waiting for a Nakaya long cigar Heki Ascending dragon (see my avatar photo) and have worried it might be too big for me, even though I never post the caps on my pens anymore. Thanks for that information! :clap1:

 

 

Sally:

 

Here are pictures of the long cigar in my hand. Because it is soooo light, it does not bother me at all although it may look awkward in my hand. I got it [oniline] about 2-3 yrs ago from a store in Kuala Lumpur and it was the only size available and apparently in the elastic nib (see my avatar). I was initially disheartened by the size, but quickly got used to it and the "Zen" beauty of the pen.

 

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/13678/2266272410105226730S425x425Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/4014/2971399800105226730S425x425Q85.jpg

 

 

pen looks a bit darker than what really it is

Edited by alvarez57

sonia alvarez

 

fpn_1379481230__chinkinreduced.jpg

 

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  • 1 month later...
I have the problem that I tend to be very pictographic and rarely read any review that has no pictures...I read yours even the punctuation signs! You really got my attention :P ! Now, I'm planning to order my next nakaya from Mottishaw...Nakata directly was problematic for me (language gap did not help at all!).

I have the long writer and although my hands are not big, this pen (uncapped of course) is a DREAM!

I'm glad you got one.

I am glad to hear this - I have a small hand also and am waiting for a Nakaya long cigar Heki Ascending dragon (see my avatar photo) and have worried it might be too big for me, even though I never post the caps on my pens anymore. Thanks for that information! :clap1:

 

 

Sally:

 

Here are pictures of the long cigar in my hand. Because it is soooo light, it does not bother me at all although it may look awkward in my hand. I got it [oniline] about 2-3 yrs ago from a store in Kuala Lumpur and it was the only size available and apparently in the elastic nib (see my avatar). I was initially disheartened by the size, but quickly got used to it and the "Zen" beauty of the pen.

 

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/13678/2266272410105226730S425x425Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/4014/2971399800105226730S425x425Q85.jpg

 

 

pen looks a bit darker than what really it is

Alvarez,

 

I got my long cigar, and it is wonderful in my hand....somehow a great sense of belonging and warmth results when I've written with it awhile.

 

There was a minor change in the urushi from the photo I ordered from, and Nakaya has said to send it back (via Classic Fountain Pens) and they'll adjust it.

 

My only problem is that I haven't been able to get myself to send it back, and it's been a month since they agreed to do this!

 

Here is a photo of my pen closed :cloud9: , and the Dragon I ordered pictured on Classic Fountain Pens' site :wub: :

post-22972-1252117987_thumb.jpgpost-22972-1252118460_thumb.jpg

 

Nakaya Piccolo Heki Tamenuri 14K XF

Nakaya Ascending Dragon Heki 14K XXF

Sailor Brown Mosaic 21K Saibi Togi XXF

Sailor Maki-e Koi 21K XF

Pilot Namiki Sterling Silver Crane FP

Bexley Dragon XXF

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qVJOiluU9_4/THp4iGeCcpI/AAAAAAAAA2A/xh2FRE0B8p0/s320/InkDropLogoFPN3.jpg

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