The Aging Of Tamenuri

[whichwatch]

Tamenuri finishes are characterized by the top coat lightening and the contrasting color becoming more visible with age. I took the photos below to illustrate this behavior for someone and thought they might be of some general interest if I posted them here.

 

Both pens are Nakaya Dorsal Fin 1's in Heki Tamenuri. I think the older pen virtually defines the term "wabi sabi"

 

 

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B45DE604A-D2A7-45B8-BC78-8F3E190D9672%7D/origpict/IMG_2706.jpg

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BA80B9D42-65D8-44BD-8E36-8E37347591F9%7D/origpict/IMG_2707.jpg

[mr_mbp]

Very nice progression, thanks for sharing. Is that a rose gold nib on the right or patina?

[como]

whichwatch: Thank you very much for sharing this. I had always wondered about how Urushi ages and wears. May I ask generally how long did it take to get to this stage please?

Tamenuri finishes are characterized by the top coat lightening and the contrasting color becoming more visible with age. I took the photos below to illustrate this behavior for someone and thought they might be of some general interest if I posted them here.

 

Both pens are Nakaya Dorsal Fin 1's in Heki Tamenuri. I think the older pen virtually defines the term "wabi sabi"

[whichwatch]

Very nice progression, thanks for sharing. Is that a rose gold nib on the right or patina?

 

It is just patina. A few swipes with a jewelers cloth and it will look identical to the other nib.

 

I do have Nakayas with rose gold nibs and can take a picture that illustrates the difference if you wish.

[mr_mbp]

That would be very nice to see those side-by-side. I do love the patina gold nibs develop. Thank you for sharing.

[whichwatch]

whichwatch: Thank you very much for sharing this. I had always wondered about how Urushi ages and wears. May I ask generally how long did it take to get to this stage please?

 

I am embarrassed to say I really do not know. I am not the original owner of the pen, so I cannot be 100% sure of its age, nor can I be certain of the environment to which it may have been exposed. I do know that the pen on the left is quite new and given when I bought the older pen, it is at least quite a few years older.

 

The older pen does have the newer type feed, a change that I believe was made around 2013-2014 or so. But I am not sure that serves to properly date the pen.

 

Environment also no doubt plays a part. I would think that the degree to which the pen is exposed to daylight, as opposed to being kept in a closed pen case, would have an impact. This is conjecture on my part and I do not have scientific data to back this up.

 

I am sorry to have mostly conjecture and so little hard information to provide.

[whichwatch]

That would be very nice to see those side-by-side. I do love the patina gold nibs develop. Thank you for sharing.

 

As you look at the picture, Rose Gold on the left and Yellow gold on the right. It is a pretty subtle difference and patina makes it even harder to separate the two. Frankly, in real world size with my real world old eyes I have trouble telling them apart.

 

I remember from my days collecting watches that not all rose gold is the same. Small variations in composition can cause substantial variations in appearance, and there is no one single formula for what determines "rose gold".

 

I believe Forum software compresses the picture. If so, you may be able to click on it to enlarge it.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B1306BCD1-5D5D-4F8A-8EEA-6F2F3CF11B43%7D/origpict/IMG_2709.jpg

[mr_mbp]

Ah, brilliant! I agree with you, the difference is subtle but appreciable. The tipping on the Rose Gold nib is great.

 

How many Nakayas do you hold on to these days? I had a few and sold them all off except for my Decapod Shu.

[como]

whichwatch: Thank you so much for your detailed answer. And it's an honest and good answer! When I first saw the older pen, I was a little taken back. But I have been thinking about it and I like the way it looks, just as I like the way a vintage pen looks, with some history, either with someone else, or with me. It's nice to see that if it ever happens, it happens gracefully. I much appreciate your comparison.

 

I am embarrassed to say I really do not know. I am not the original owner of the pen, so I cannot be 100% sure of its age, nor can I be certain of the environment to which it may have been exposed. I do know that the pen on the left is quite new and given when I bought the older pen, it is at least quite a few years older.

 

The older pen does have the newer type feed, a change that I believe was made around 2013-2014 or so. But I am not sure that serves to properly date the pen.

 

Environment also no doubt plays a part. I would think that the degree to which the pen is exposed to daylight, as opposed to being kept in a closed pen case, would have an impact. This is conjecture on my part and I do not have scientific data to back this up.

 

I am sorry to have mostly conjecture and so little hard information to provide.

[whichwatch]

Ah, brilliant! I agree with you, the difference is subtle but appreciable. The tipping on the Rose Gold nib is great.

 

How many Nakayas do you hold on to these days? I had a few and sold them all off except for my Decapod Shu.

 

 

The RG nib is a BB. And the tipping is huge, which in my experience is typical for Nakaya BB’s. I like/prefer to buy BB because they can be ground by a good nibmeister to almost anything one might want. My favorites are Architect Point

 

I currently have about 75 Nakayas. Perhaps 20 to 25 are what I consider to be long term keepers. The others typically stay for a while, then go on my table at a couple of shows each year to turn into cash that funds the new additions as they become available or as my tastes change, which is pretty much a daily occurrence.

[jmccarty3]

If you love Nakayas, whichwatch is a very good man to know!

[mr_mbp]

 

 

The RG nib is a BB. And the tipping is huge, which in my experience is typical for Nakaya BB’s. I like/prefer to buy BB because they can be ground by a good nibmeister to almost anything one might want. My favorites are Architect Point

 

I currently have about 75 Nakayas. Perhaps 20 to 25 are what I consider to be long term keepers. The others typically stay for a while, then go on my table at a couple of shows each year to turn into cash that funds the new additions as they become available or as my tastes change, which is pretty much a daily occurrence.

 

Do you have pictures of your entire collection listed somewhere?

 

I miss several of my Nakayas quite a bit. I had a twist KT Decapod with a two-tone spencerian nib that was wonderful. And I do miss the first KT Piccolo I and regular KT Decapod with a UEF nib that I also owned previously.

[whichwatch]

 

Do you have pictures of your entire collection listed somewhere?

 

I miss several of my Nakayas quite a bit. I had a twist KT Decapod with a two-tone spencerian nib that was wonderful. And I do miss the first KT Piccolo I and regular KT Decapod with a UEF nib that I also owned previously.

 

I post pictures of individual pens or small groups from time to time either in response to a question or sometimes just as the spirit moves me, such as in this thread. I have never really taken a photo of the entire group, primarily because it changes so quickly with Nakayas moving in and out on a fairly regular basis. Any such group photo would very rapidly be out of date.

[como]

whichwatch: Another question, if I may. I hope this doesn't come across as intrusive, as this isn't my intention. If I am ever given a chance to buy a Nakaya in such condition (the older pen), what price discount should I offer as fair and reasonable, compared to the same pen in near mint condition? The pen looks like a type of flower pot in the garden, very calming to admire. Thank you.

[whichwatch]

whichwatch: Another question, if I may. I hope this doesn't come across as intrusive, as this isn't my intention. If I am ever given a chance to buy a Nakaya in such condition (the older pen), what price discount should I offer as fair and reasonable, compared to the same pen in near mint condition? The pen looks like a type of flower pot in the garden, very calming to admire. Thank you.

 

 

I have not seen all that many Nakayas that have as much of a vintage look as my pen in the picture, so I really haven't seen a lot of completed sales data for comparable pens.

 

I sell my extra Nakayas at a couple of pen shows each year in order to help fund the new arrivals, which seem to beat a steady procession to my door. I can tell that I had both of the pens in the picture on my table at a recent show at identical prices.

 

I prefer not to introduce specific price discussions into what should not be a sales Forum. If you would like to discuss this in more depth I invite you to contact me by PM or email, which should be available by clicking on my name at the header of this message. Thanks for your understanding.

[como]

Yes, of course. I understand. I will be in touch in private when such occasion arises. Thank you.

I prefer not to introduce specific price discussions into what should not be a sales Forum. If you would like to discuss this in more depth I invite you to contact me by PM or email, which should be available by clicking on my name at the header of this message. Thanks for your understanding.