Rotring 600

[hunstanton]

Hi Guys, just want to get an opinion on whether the black or silver version is more desirable (both EF and the Old version).

 

Thanks!

[Kurtz]

I prefer the silver version. It stresses its industrial appearance.

 

[fatehbajwa]

I prefer the silver version. It stresses its industrial appearance.

 

I second that.

[Splicer]

I actually like black better than silver, but the point about the industrial appearance is well taken. My favorite 600 is the "lava" version though. Folks seem to like the old style best, but they didn't make those in lava and I'm of the opinion that the refinements of the second generation of 600s were improvements. Note here that I'm in the minority on this issue.

[hunstanton]

Guys, thanks for the input so far. Keep them coming. Could someone also comment on the EF nib of a Rotring 600 v Lamy 2000 in terms of smoothness, thickness of the line etc

 

Thanks.

[zorbey]

What about the scratches?

I am too much worried about the black ones especially after I saw this

http://flickr.com/photos/canuckshutterer/187677247/

 

BTW I neither saw a Lava version live nor touch it. Is it smooth like silver ones or does it have Asperity on it?

 

[eilu]

Do what I did- I have all three.

The silver feels very nice in the hand.

 

BTW I neither saw a Lava version live nor touch it. Is it smooth like silver ones or does it have Asperity on it?

Lava has a pleasant texture to it. It isn't rough, but you can feel it. Sort of like very, very, very fine emery board. This texture tends to hold ink in its tooth, so you need to wipe the section down with a wet paper napkin after inking or else you'll end up with very inky fingers.

[tmenyc]

I now have a silver old style 600 and, although I thought I wanted the black one, really like the silver. A good friend uses the black and loves the scratched, worn look. I feel the same about the silver, which is and will be in my shirtpocket rotation, so scratches will be inevitable. It's just not the kind of pen that needs to look perfect.

 

Tim

[wiglaf]

Black, Black, Black

 

 

 

[chkuo]

I've a black one and my wife has a silver one. I think both look equally nice.

[toyota]

agree with get the lava, the silver and the black, EF and F nibs on mine are equally smooth and the black does get worn down to the metal and the lava gives you a good grip if your fingers ever get oily, wonder why rotring didn't use solid black metal?

[WhosYerBob]

I always preferred the black.

[troglokev]

agree with get the lava, the silver and the black, EF and F nibs on mine are equally smooth and the black does get worn down to the metal and the lava gives you a good grip if your fingers ever get oily, wonder why rotring didn't use solid black metal?

 

Depleted uranium, for example? They probably had their reasons for avoiding it.

[twinofmunin]

I have a silver, but I'm hoping for a black one somewhere in my future. I like the look of the black finish when worn, as linked above.

 

I'm tempted by reports of the lava ones, also, but I'm a little hesitant.

[Silvermink]

I prefer the black. I'm not a big fan of silver pens in general.

[Splicer]

I'm tempted by reports of the lava ones, also, but I'm a little hesitant.

 

A couple of photos comparing the black and lava here (also the "Newton" but don't be fooled... it's a perfectly nice pen but it's no 600)

[MYU]

Both silver and black are nice. It's all up to your personal preference. If you like them equally... get both!

 

As for comparing the Rotring 600 to the Lamy 2000, it doesn't really make sense. These are two very different pens. Generally, they're both smooth out of the box. But any toothy nib can be smoothed out... As for thickness, the Lamy 2000 tends to run one size larger. The Rotring 600 is true to western nib sizes.

Edited January 6, 2009 by MYU

[zorbey]

I am a newbie for this FP business. So, I wonder how much were Rotring 600 retail prices, when they were still in production?

 

 

[Splicer]

I am a newbie for this FP business. So, I wonder how much were Rotring 600 retail prices, when they were still in production?

 

I think the steel nibbed 600s were MSRP $90 at the end of their production. If I recall correctly, they were MSRP $70 in the mid-1990s.

[eilu]

They're around $26 apiece around here- pens tend to be cheaper in Asia.