Nakaya – Deeper Into The Woods

[whichwatch]

I got my first nakaya from nibs.com last year. A dorsal fin 2 heki-tamenuri and it the most exquisite writer. But 100 nakayas?!? Wow. Use them all well. So envious.

 

A DF2 in Heki is still on my "some day" list. You're a lucky man/woman. How about posting a picture?

[whichwatch]

Love that brown in the Bamboo Woods.

 

Thanks. It's hard to choose between the two. I suppose that's how I ended up with two! :-)

[jmccarty3]

I love my portable Bamboo Woods, a pen that I had lusted after ever since I knew what a Nakaya was. Both of yours are beautiful!

[Linger]

I am amazed. Until today I sort of discarded the maki-e and other kinds of pictorial motifs on pens. But this is s t u n n i n g l y beautiful!!! Is this part of a standard program? Of is Nakaya issueing Limited Editions? And what price level are we talking? I realise i have to read up on this famous brand...even though I own a Decapod cigar in aka-tamenuri and a Portable writer in heki-tamenuri...

[whichwatch]

I am amazed. Until today I sort of discarded the maki-e and other kinds of pictorial motifs on pens. But this is s t u n n i n g l y beautiful!!! Is this part of a standard program? Of is Nakaya issueing Limited Editions? And what price level are we talking? I realise i have to read up on this famous brand...even though I own a Decapod cigar in aka-tamenuri and a Portable writer in heki-tamenuri...

 

In addition to their "standard" pens, Nakaya makes or has made a very wide array of specialty pieces. These can be viewed at their website www.nakaya.org and some can usually be viewed on their dealers' websites.

 

There are of course a wide variety of prices as well. For reference, list price for the Bamboo Woods without clip (on left in my photos) is USD $2000 and the Neo Standard on right is USD $2600. Different pieces are available at both higher and lower price points.

 

While most of the pieces are not specifically Limited Editions even though there may not be many made, Nakaya has done some numbered Limited Editions for individual dealers. For example, here in the US the exclusive dealer has commissioned several numbered Limited Editions.

Edited April 7, 2020 by whichwatch

[Linger]

Thanks, whichwatch, for opening yet another parallel universe.

 

I just browsed the site a bit and am very much overwhelmed... The only bamboo pen currently listed is the #11022 which has a list price of USD 8.000...

[whichwatch]

Note that the pen is not bamboo, only the design is. The pen is ebonite.

 

For a somewhat simpler display, you can check the website of the US dealer at www.nibs.com Click on "pens" then scroll down to "Nakaya" and click on the "Special Editions" and you will see quite a selection, although not all are in stock and available.

 

It appears you are in Netherlands. Dealers in Europe listed on the Nakaya website include:

 

EPDG in Poland

Iguana Sell in Spain

Landolt-Arbenz in Switzerland

Sakura Pen Gallery in Belgium

P. W. Akkerman in Netherlands

 

Of course there are additional dealers in Asia. You can check their websites (listed on the Nakaya site) to see if they show specific pens with prices.

Edited April 7, 2020 by whichwatch

[whichwatch]

Here is a very different Nakaya with a bamboo theme. This is "Bamboo Wind", a limited edition from years ago of only 15 signed by the artist. The pen is ebonite and the coating and design is Sumiko, which is done with charcoal ink. It looks a bit plain next to the Bamboo Woods, until you pick it up and look closely at the lovely design work and understated elegance with its luxurious feel in your hand.

 

 

 

 

[Linger]

Note that the pen is not bamboo, only the design is. The pen is ebonite.

 

For a somewhat simpler display, you can check the website of the US dealer at www.nibs.com Click on "pens" then scroll down to "Nakaya" and click on the "Special Editions" and you will see quite a selection, although not all are in stock and available.

 

It appears you are in Netherlands. Dealers in Europe listed on the Nakaya website include:

 

EPDG in Poland

Iguana Sell in Spain

Landolt-Arbenz in Switzerland

Sakura Pen Gallery in Belgium

P. W. Akkerman in Netherlands

 

Of course there are additional dealers in Asia. You can check their websites (listed on the Nakaya site) to see if they show specific pens with prices.

 

Yeah they are ebonite. Thanks for the dealer list. I knew about the ones in NL (that is where i bought mine), Belgium, and Spain, but not the other ones. And for availability, these seem a better start than the brand’s website.

 

Again, I obviously was aware of all the design possibilities and variations, and read about it in the respective books. I am just surprised how surprised I am by finding this bamboo design so beautiful.

[Ed333]

Newbie question from an old newbie...that finished clip, are you concerned that the finish will not hold up in use? Or is a pen like that not to be carried?

 

Another newbie question, I recently acquired (from Scotland) an inexpensive ebonite pen, a Namisu Horizon, with a polished finish. I have been quite taken with the feel of that polished ebonite, and the simple unadorned (no clip) design. this has led me to start looking into Nakayas and other ebonite pens. I have never held an urushi finished pen, would I feel much difference from the polished ebonite?

 

Being on social security and with a shrinking IRA, I cannot afford to be looking at items such as your pens, but I could sell enough 'stuff' to get into a lower level Nakaya or the like. And I can admire the wonderful photographs of your beautiful pens, real works of art. Do you dare to use them much?

[whichwatch]

Newbie question from an old newbie...that finished clip, are you concerned that the finish will not hold up in use? Or is a pen like that not to be carried?

 

Another newbie question, I recently acquired (from Scotland) an inexpensive ebonite pen, a Namisu Horizon, with a polished finish. I have been quite taken with the feel of that polished ebonite, and the simple unadorned (no clip) design. this has led me to start looking into Nakayas and other ebonite pens. I have never held an urushi finished pen, would I feel much difference from the polished ebonite?

 

Being on social security and with a shrinking IRA, I cannot afford to be looking at items such as your pens, but I could sell enough 'stuff' to get into a lower level Nakaya or the like. And I can admire the wonderful photographs of your beautiful pens, real works of art. Do you dare to use them much?

 

 

I haven't held a Namisu but I certainly have held other polished ebonite pens. I may not be the best person to ask, but personally if there is a significant difference in feel between polished ebonite with or with our Urushi, I can't feel it. I do, however, feel that I can see the difference, as the depth of a Urushi finish is unparalleled in my opinion.

 

I never really gave a thought to longevity of the painted clip on that Bamboo Woods, as I never really considered carrying that particular pen in my pocket. I use almost all my Nakayas and do carry some in my pocket from time to time, and often at pen shows. I suppose if for some reason I wanted to carry that particular pen in my pocket, I might consider switching the clip with one of the gold plated clips from a different Nakaya. The clips are easy to remove and install as the finial that holds them in place is attached with a simple screw accessible from inside the cap.

Edited May 3, 2020 by whichwatch

[Silvire]

@whichwatch

 

Apologies to necro such an old thread, but I just wanted you to know that your post inspired me.

 

I placed an order with Nibs.com about a year after your post, and they informed me it was ready... Just two years later. 1 year and 10 months, if I'm not wrong.

 

It's certainly a wonder.

[Dillo]

Just an fyi that nibs.com is not a dealer for them. They were removed after some time. I imagine they source using some other ways.

[Christopher Godfrey]

<Just an fyi that nibs.com is not a dealer for them. They were removed after some time> 

 

Yes, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if there isn't an American dealer again soon enough: see that John Mottishaw is back in business -- with Mike Masuyama, as Pacific Pen Works.  Wouldn't it make sense, bearing in mind his history with Nakaya?

[jmccarty3]

Today being Nakaya Day, I am celebrating by using my Bamboo Woods Cigar Portable at the office. Cheers!

[Linger]

Huh? Nakaya Day? What is that?

 

My Bamboo Woods is not performing 100%...the nib dries out overnight even thought the converter is full...irritates the h*ll out to me...

[stan]

Try flushing the feed well and using a different ink.

[Linger]

That is not a bad suggestion. Currently inked with MB Kipling jungle green. What would you recommend? A “watery” ink, i.e. with a low viscosity?

[stan]

Try anything Japanese for starters. I favor Pelikan Royal Blue as it seems to have no issues. Basically, experiment.

[dms525]

I didn't know "Nakaya Day" was a thing! In any case, today I am using my Nakaya Naka-ai in akatamenuri with a double broad nib ground to cursive italic.

 

David