Nakaya Portable Writer: Kuro-Tamenuri

[TheRealMikeDr]

Nakaya Portable Writer Kuro-tamenuri

 

 

Presentation:

Superb! The pen arrives in a light wooden box with Japanese writing on it. You open it up to find the pen tucked inside a little kimono, sitting on a red velvet lining. Very nice. The box also comes with 10, yes 10, black Platinum ink cartridges inside.

 

 

 

Appearance:

The Portable Kuro-tamenuri has a coat(s) of red urushi covered by several coats of black urushi. It has a deep sheen that looks pure black in some light and almost glows light red in other. This is certainly the reason you buy this pen and for me it didn’t disappoint. Otherwise the pen itself is the classic cigar shape with no “bling” whatsoever beyond the clip I had them attach (making it the Writer version of the portable) – I find it to look not only classic but classy with zero pretension. Simple – but not in a bad way.

 

 

 

Construction:

Nakaya pens are hand crafted from ebonite – then coated with Urushi lacquer. The pen feels similar to most resin pens I have. When you screw-unscrew the cap it has a different feel and sound, almost a mechanical feel, and I find myself not wanting to tighten it too much. The pen is quite light and to my hand it feels fragile although that may be mostly in my head – that said I wouldn’t want to test it out by dropping it!

 

 

Weight & Dimensions:

It’s a pen that feels light in your hand – coming in at 26 grams with the converter and some ink (maybe half filled) and 18 grams with the cap off. Compared to the Pilot 823 which is 30grams with cap and 23 without – about ¾ filled with ink. The 3776 is 25 grams capped and 15 grams without. The Lamy is much lighter at 18 grams capped and 10 uncapped. The photos below show how the length compares to (left to right) Pilot custom 823, Nakaya Portable, Platinum 3776 Century, Lamy Safari. The 823 is the closest in comparison although the Nakaya has a longer section above the nib and is just a tad “girth-ier” if you will.

 

 

 

Nib:

The nib on mine is wonderful. I ordered it from nibs.com – they test and tune the nib to your preference before shipping and mine writes perfectly for my taste. The nib (fine) has a touch of feedback but less than my Platinum 3776 Century. It writes from any angle (I did a full 360 rotation and it never skipped) and the flow is great. It’s certainly equal to the Sailor nib on my Cross pen (which is very smooth) in every regard. The nib itself is 14k gold and I upgraded to the two-tone nib for a bit of pizazz. The two-tone is subtle - I find the nib to be quite attractive with just a little bounce to it. I didn’t try to flex it at all – can’t report on that!

 

 

Writing comparison:

 

I find the fine nib to write almost identical to the fine nib on my Platinum 3776, and a hair "wetter" than the Pilot 823. The Lamay Safari with the EF nib writes just a tad wider to my eye.

 

 

Filling System:

The pen ships with a Platinum screw type converter. Nothing new-age or high tech here. You’re not buying this pen for the filling system.

 

Cost/Value:

I would almost say this is Not Applicable – if you’re shopping for this pen you’re not interested in making what most would consider a value purchase. With the two-tone nib and rhodium clip this one landed at $660 – which included shipping and the tuned nib. I didn’t buy this as a collector – I bought it to enjoy writing with it – and along those lines I’m very happy. If value is your thing you will be very happy with a Platinum 3776 Century at a fraction of the cost!

 

 

Conclusion:

A semi-unique pen (each one is hand crafted – each pen takes months to complete) that is understated on one hand and simply beautiful on the other. A fine writer and very pleasant to hold – a pen I hope the grandkids enjoy using for decades after I’m gone!

 

[visvamitra]

Stunning pen Thank you for nice review.

[Dickkooty2]

A great review of a pen who's characteristics far exceed a cost/value comparison! And a recognition of the importance of these characteristics to the purchaser as the aesthetics of the pen and the nib providing the desire. I won't write justification. The need for justification is unneeded.

[jar]

Beautiful pen. I have the lighter red on red aka tamenuri.

[josepllcs]

Really nice, these fountain pens are artwork. Enjoy it with health!

[GardenWeasel]

I love these pens...just gorgeous! Fantastic review too!

[TheRealMikeDr]

Stunning pen Thank you for nice review.

 

Thanks!

 

A great review of a pen who's characteristics far exceed a cost/value comparison! And a recognition of the importance of these characteristics to the purchaser as the aesthetics of the pen and the nib providing the desire. I won't write justification. The need for justification is unneeded.

 

Thanks. It's hard to quantify value for this - I I certainly find value in the pleasure of writing with it!

 

Beautiful pen. I have the lighter red on red aka tamenuri.

 

That was my first choice but instant gratification won the day! That said - I'm just thrilled with the Kuro-tamenuri!

 

 

Really nice, these fountain pens are artwork. Enjoy it with health!

 

Thanks!

 

I love these pens...just gorgeous! Fantastic review too!

 

Gorgeous indeed!

[whichwatch]

Excellent review! Your admiration for the pen comes shining through.

 

I have Portables in Aka, Kuro, and Ao Tamenuri as well as a few Naka-ai's and one Neo Standard in various finishes and nib sizes. Love them all, although they're clearly too many. I just can't decide which should be placed in foster care.

 

These things are infectious, and I bet your Kuro Tamenuri won't be your last! I hope you enjoy it for many years!

[The Good Captain]

I've the Portable Cigar in Midori, with a rose-gold nib. Wonderful!

 

[shuuemura]

I used to own a Kuro-Tamenuri but sold it away because it wasn't getting much use. After seeing your beautiful photos, I realise that this model looks much better with your choices of a rhodium clip and a two-tone nib. Congratulations on your pen!

[TheRealMikeDr]

Excellent review! Your admiration for the pen comes shining through.

 

I have Portables in Aka, Kuro, and Ao Tamenuri as well as a few Naka-ai's and one Neo Standard in various finishes and nib sizes. Love them all, although they're clearly too many. I just can't decide which should be placed in foster care.

 

These things are infectious, and I bet your Kuro Tamenuri won't be your last! I hope you enjoy it for many years!

 

Oh my! I'm quite sure my wife would heave me out in the street if too many of these started showing up on the doorstep!

 

 

I've the Portable Cigar in Midori, with a rose-gold nib. Wonderful!

 

 

Very nice! I love the pen pillows - I'm planning on making one for myself soon with some red oak I have in the basement. Should be a fun project!

 

I used to own a Kuro-Tamenuri but sold it away because it wasn't getting much use. After seeing your beautiful photos, I realise that this model looks much better with your choices of a rhodium clip and a two-tone nib. Congratulations on your pen!

 

Thanks! I was actually expecting a gold clip but I'm happy they put a rhodium clip on it!

[0xabad1dea]

I'm just a bit jealous, I wish I could spring for a really, really nice Japanese pen but that's not anywhere in my future... wish I could see what urushi looks like in person at least.

[rudyhou]

congrats on your new nakaya. it is a stunner. simplicity at its best but with elegance that no other brand can match. i have a piccolo and a decapod, but am craving to get another nakaya. they truly are addictive.

[TheRealMikeDr]

I'm just a bit jealous, I wish I could spring for a really, really nice Japanese pen but that's not anywhere in my future... wish I could see what urushi looks like in person at least.

 

It's a very nice looking pen but best of all it writes just perfectly! It may be my favourite nib of all time - nice wet thin line that never misses a beat!

 

congrats on your new nakaya. it is a stunner. simplicity at its best but with elegance that no other brand can match. i have a piccolo and a decapod, but am craving to get another nakaya. they truly are addictive.

 

Thanks! I have many other pens to try (Pelikan, Edison, Waterman, etc) first but I'm fairly confidant there will be other Nakaya's in my future. I think I'd like to order one special with some small Japanese writing on the side - I love the way that looks!

[jar]

 

It's a very nice looking pen but best of all it writes just perfectly! It may be my favourite nib of all time - nice wet thin line that never misses a beat!

 

 

Thanks! I have many other pens to try (Pelikan, Edison, Waterman, etc) first but I'm fairly confidant there will be other Nakaya's in my future. I think I'd like to order one special with some small Japanese writing on the side - I love the way that looks!

The writing should say "My other pen is a _________________."

[TheRealMikeDr]

The writing should say "My other pen is a _________________."

 

Well - I was thinking of something along the lines of "Mike is great..." but your idea is funnier and far more mature

[pictogramax]

Beautiful pen, beautiful review. Thanks!

[mulrich]

I recently bought a neo standard in the same finish and love it.

[ak2k5]

Amazing pen..too bad I can't afford them.maybe in future.