Rotring Germany

July 10, 2013

Anybody know when they dropped the nib-indicator ring? Also, I could have sworn I saw one on eBay with an ink-color indicator ring (since the nib changes less often than ink color, one would hope!)

When did they stop knurling 600s?

July 10, 2013

Anybody know when they dropped the nib-indicator ring? Also, I could have sworn I saw one on eBay with an ink-color indicator ring (since the nib changes less often than ink color, one would hope!)

When did they stop knurling 600s?

I can't tell you when, but they did drop the size indicator when they "updated" the series. Most of the time referred to them as "Newton 600" or just 'Newton'.

Those have the smooth grip section, and no size/hardness indicator ring on the FPs, MPs, and no ink color ring on the BPs, RBs.

So what you have seen was a rollerball.

Hi,

I was corresponding with someone from Rotring recently, and yes, they are still owned by Sanford. I also asked if they were planning to introduce any fountain pens again beside the Artpen range, and they told me that was classified information, so I guess we have to wait and see.

In the meantime, I still enjoy my two Rotring fountain pens and a multi pencil.

Dillon

Lets hope for the best! It was kind of a surprise they brought back the 600 pencils, so who knows what they might be up to....

Edited July 10, 2013 by attika89

July 11, 2013

I know the intention of whoever started this thread was a propos of pencils; but -- since fountain pens <have> been mentioned (and quite rightly so) -- can anyone tell me whether the 600 FPs can have their nibs modified to make them more springy and flexible?

I do not know enough yet to know <what> is involved in making a nib more flexible, although I know of several technical folk who offer that service. What makes one nib suitable for modification and not another?

I love <the heft> of this admittedly heavy fountain pen; but find the 18ct nib just too firm for my usual writing (sorry: it ain't for sale, those who reply saying that i cannot be "modded"!) Mine is the post-knurled grip sort, with gold tip to the cap.

July 12, 2013

Hi,

Usually only 14K nibs are made flexible because they are more predictable with the way they flex. 18K and other higher karat nibs tend to flex and bend in a more unpredictable way. This can lead them to getting sprung more easily or in an unpredictable way. Also, the shape of the nib on the Rotring isn't very conducive to making more flexible. To make a nib more flexible, you need at least two things, a shape that lends itself to being more flexible, and a material that has a predictable spring. You also need the nib to be attached in a way that allows it to flex without causing the body of the pen to crack. While I've made nibs more flexible for people in the past, it is a very involved process. One needs to reshape the body of the nib as well as alter the curvature. Even with these changes, I'm pretty sure that this cannot be done to the Rotring.

Dillon