Nakaya Pen Pillow Has Rough Air Bubbles (?)

[Keyless Works]

I didn't notice this until after I bought it that the pillow has rough air bubbles on the edges right where it comes in contact with the pen.

 

I also have a three pen pillow from Nakaya and it doesn't have this issue. I bought it from Itoya in Tokyo a couple weeks ago :/

 

Can I sand it down? If so what sort of grit would I use?

[FarmBoy]

You can not sand it down if you want the finish to survive.

 

You should contact Nakaya.

 

Bring it to the Pen Posse on Sunday the 12th. Several will want to see it.

[j1020]

My 3 pen pillow has a couple of little imperfections but I don't care, it performs its function.

 

It's not perfect like the pens are.

[Keyless Works]

I agree that my pen pillows and desk pen stand are not finished to the same standard as the pens but there shouldn't be rough spots that come in contact with the pen.

 

I will reach out to Nakaya and see what they say.

[Keyless Works]

I heard back from Nakaya today and this was their response:

 

"Thank you very much for your inquiry.

The pen pillow sometimes have some air bubbles
in Urushi.
We regard it as acceptable codition.
We hope you will accept it."

 

I have sent them a picture and asked them again if it will scratch my Nakayas. Maybe I will try a polish to get it down...and if that doesn't work I guess I will toss it in the trash.

[FarmBoy]

I'd still like to see it before anything is attempted. I've long been curious about the finish it playing with an in maher pen is not my first choice.

[j1020]

You might try very lightly buffing the affected areas with fine steel wool which would probably get rid of the bubbles but also slightly dull the finish. Then perhaps apply a light coat of clear lacquer or clear nail polish to the affected area.

[fplover5]

don't mess with it, polishing urushi is prone to to much removal

[Newton Pens]

I had air bubbles in the section of my old Nakaya. They quoted $160 back in May 2017.

So I left it alone and sold it later on.

 

[Larry Barrieau]

Am I understanding this correctly? "They quoted $160 back in May 2017." Is that the price they would charge to fix their mistake?

[MoriartyR]

These examples are disappointing and if Nakaya’s response was not to replace, repair or accept the return of these products then we are left with only one conclusion, which is that Nakaya considered these to be representative of the product standard they offer. How else can it be interpreted?

 

I have to say that I have three Nakaya urushi pens and they are all completely flawless, so I am confident that Nakaya, in fact, does far better work than this far more frequently. Outstanding work, actually. So I am baffled by their response.

 

I understand, like the OP, that the pen rest may not be finished to quite the same quality as the pens but even so, I believe this example is below an acceptable standard. If it was me I would insist on returning the pen rest to them.

[Newton Pens]

Am I understanding this correctly? "They quoted $160 back in May 2017." Is that the price they would charge to fix their mistake?

I think that was to replace the section completely. But I didn't ask b/c I wasn't going to spend the money.

[Larry Barrieau]

Thank you.

[MichalK]

* these are not air bubbles but small pieces of lint or dust in the lacquer.

* yes, they are super frequent in urushi. Even if you work in dust free room and filter lacquer 5 times they still happen.

BUT

* they should have been sanded and polished BEFORE uwazuri (polishing)

* on pen a dust this size I would consider it as flaw not a feature. But in case of pillow - i'd accept as a part of urushi. If inspect any urushi pen closely it always has some imperfections, uneveness, brush strokes visible etc. If it doesn't - i'd suspect industrial process od dilluted urushi with artificial thinners. It is just impossible to create a parefect surface by hand.

 

DO NOT sand it yourself if dont know urushi.

DO NOT polish urushi - polishing process of uwazuri is ADDITIVE not subtractive. you need urushi (kijomi) to polish urushi.

 

It is possible to get rid of it , but this place would still be visible (but less). sam very local sanding, tuchups with kuro-roiro, then localc sanding, polishing and whole uwazuri process on this surface. 2 weeks and as new

 

Does it make sens to corect this? NOPE.