Thinking about buying a Nakaya...

[tknechtel]

Hi, all. I've been thinking about buying a Nakaya pen for the last year - probably one of the cigar models, the long, simple shape. But I have two big reservations. One is that I like to post my pens. I hate putting the cap down on the desk, in my pocket, wherever - it's just more efficient to post it. And the other is that I prefer filling systems that are integrated with the body of the pen, like pistons or vacuum systems. (I can't get the hang of eyedroppers yet, too messy.) It seems incongruous to buy a beautiful, expensive pen and then find a tiny converter (even one with a goldfish painted on it!) inside the body of the pen.

 

So, given all that - the one thing that could really sway me is how the nib performs. I love the springy, responsive nibs on my Pelikan M1000 and Pilot Custom 823, and was hoping that perhaps the soft nibs on the Nakaya pens would be similar. Are they?

 

I've pored over all the reviews and raves posted on this network - yet most people seem enraptured by the lacquer finish. Is that all there is to this fabled pen?? I'm open to being convinced otherwise!

 

Thanks!

Tom

[MYU]

Tom, I also feel the same way about pens: piston filler, postable cap, and ink window are the three features I value most, outside of a well performing nib.

 

So, with a Nakaya, you have to suspend those requirements as you get none of them. You've got to be in love with the hand crafted work by Nakaya and their amazing nibs to get over it. Otherwise... you may want to consider Danitrio. The larger models are eye droppers, and they're not hard to get the hang of. You get a wonderfully generous supply of ink, too.

 

But generally speaking, you just don't post urushi pens like these, to avoid risk of marring the finish.

[Jopen]

I'll second MYU

 

At first I thought that ED's would mean "mess" and ink everywhere. Once more I was wrong!!

I use a plastic syringe fitted with a plastic needle to fill my ED's. Mikado holds 4cc for example. I never got problems this way and what a pleasure not having to wipe the nib clean after refilling!

I must confess that I don' miss my Omases or Deltas or Pelikans or pistons or levers or windows or ... after trying the Japanese style nibs ...

Yes, they are in fact beautiful pens and nice celluloids, but Japanese pens are other different World, another different concept and a real pleasure to use. I thought exactly your same way one year ago. Danitrio made a drastic change in my pen philosophy, as Nakaya can do with you. No doubt!

The only "con" is the converter ink capacity in converter pens, but this is the same in any converter pen, that is the reason why I like ED's sooo much...

 

Hope it has helped to push you a bit more ?? :hmm1:

[ethernautrix]

I've pored over all the reviews and raves posted on this network - yet most people seem enraptured by the lacquer finish. Is that all there is to this fabled pen?? I'm open to being convinced otherwise!

 

Thanks!

Tom

Eh.

 

The nib, eh.

 

I have better nibs. Or, I should say, I like some of my other nibs better.

 

The finish, though, and the pen itself -- it's beautiful.

 

Not my best nib.

[Blade Runner]

I think their major draw is the finish, ie aesthetics. Nothing wrong with that.

[dudleian]

<<I've pored over all the reviews and raves posted on this network - yet most people seem enraptured by the lacquer finish. Is that all there is to this fabled pen?>>

 

I just wanted to say that my two Nakayas are the best writing pens that I own. They are stunningly beautiful, but that is far from all. When you order a pen, Nakaya ask a lot of questions about how you hold the pen to write. I know some people think that's just BS, but I had the luck to visit the Nakaya workshop and meet some of the people who make the pens, and I'm convinced that they are writing instruments first and foremost.

 

I have a piston-filling, post-able M800, but for me the Nakaya is a better writer.

 

Just my 2p.

[hexyr]

Well, they are gorgeous/. But I find they fantastic writers even the one I got 2nd hand.

CC filler never bothered me one way or another so can't hemp there.

 

I do post my Nakaya and there are no marks so far.

[QM2]

In response to your first issue: It is a misconception that Nakaya pens are too delicate to be posted. Urushi lacquer makes for a more durable surface than materials such as plastic, western lacquer, and various metals. There is a time period of several months during which the urushi goes through its final setting stage, so Nakaya recommends being gentle with the pen during the first months of ownership. After than, the urushi should be pretty tough. I always post my Nakaya pens, and have had no problems.

 

 

[Doug C]

I think it has all been said. You can post most Nakaya's. I show that in the review I did for my Piccolo and Decapod. The difference is that I didn't really post them, pressing down hard enough until they adhered to the body. Just a little too chicken. I have learned that there are certain pens I need to post, and some I don't.

 

I agree with Ethernautrix, in that they are probably not the best nibs I have, but they are right up there. They start instantly, although my fine is fairly scratchy. If was to do it over again (and I will get a third) I would go a size larger, and I would ask for them to have a little more flow. They both write a tiny bit dry.

 

All said there is more than just a pretty face to Nakayas: for the same price as a lot of resin pens, you get a special pen made out of wonderful materials, and they DO write well.

 

One last thing is the great feel they have in your hand.

 

I just got my first Danitrio, and it is great as well, but a completely different experience. Big pen, big writing experience (wide and wet).

 

I love them both. You just need to determine which is right for you..

Edited September 22, 2008 by Doug C

[tknechtel]

Many thanks to everyone for such helpful, considered responses. I think I'll print them all out and put them away so I can consider them all if and when I do decide to get a Nakaya.

 

Once again, this forum is an invaluable asset!

Thanks!

Tom

[Titivillus]

I've been agonizing over a Nakaya for about 5 years now finally deciding to give it a go the end of July. Maybe I could do a fresh from the box and then monthly reviews of the pen to see if it grows on me.

 

 

K

[playpen]

I had the pleasure of seeing John Mottishaw again at the NJ show this past Saturday. Naturally, when I sat down to chat with him, I admired and tried out a few of the Nakayas he was selling. Thank goodness he did not happen to have the particular model I would love to buy: the Piccolo cigar model in blackish red tamanuri. He only had this pen in the writer's model. If he had had the cigar, I would be washing lots of dishes right now....

[tknechtel]

That would be great! It would be good to get a sense of how you adjust to the pen over some months.

[MYU]

In response to your first issue: It is a misconception that Nakaya pens are too delicate to be posted. Urushi lacquer makes for a more durable surface than materials such as plastic, western lacquer, and various metals. There is a time period of several months during which the urushi goes through its final setting stage, so Nakaya recommends being gentle with the pen during the first months of ownership. After than, the urushi should be pretty tough. I always post my Nakaya pens, and have had no problems.

I think it has all been said. You can post most Nakaya's. I show that in the review I did for my Piccolo and Decapod. The difference is that I didn't really post them, pressing down hard enough until they adhered to the body. Just a little too chicken. I have learned that there are certain pens I need to post, and some I don't.

Thanks for clearing that up, QM and Doug. I remembered hearing about urushi being sensitive, but that must've been for just the curing period. It's great to see that you and others have been able to post their pens without any issues.

Edited September 23, 2008 by MYU

[gambosen]

Did you see any Nakaya pens in briarwood? Is it as gorgeous in reality as it is on the nibs.com website?

[playpen]

Because I was not looking for the briarwood, I cannot say for sure whether or not I saw it. Let me just say that I saw many others that I had seen only online and they were all amazingly better looking up close and in person.

 

Another plus to the entire experience with John is that he is totally calm and friendly and was not at all disappointed when I did not buy anything. I will not hesitate to contact him in the future when I am able to order a Nakaya. I wonder though, what the advantages and disadvantages are in ordering from him as opposed to Nakaya directly. If anyone has any suggestions, I welcome them.

[zenshrink]

Order from John. I have a Nakaya from him which is superb. I ordered two from Japan and they didn't get it right 2 times. If you have to send it back for adjustment it will cost you $75 with insurance..

[skipwilliams]

I wouldn't recommend buying an Urushi pen if you really, really have to post them. You'll end up scratching the finish, IME, it's not bulletproof. Buy a pen that's long enough to use unposted.

 

OTOH, the long-model Nakaya is really very big unposted, around 6", IIRR. both the long-model and portable model are very usable w/o posting. I think that the nibs are a little better on the Nakaya's vs. the DaniTrio pens, but the differences is just that, different. Both are nice.

 

If you're in the US, I'd recommend buying a Nakaya from John Mottishaw, as you'll find the tuning an easier experience without the long distances and language problems. Shipping it back and forth is expensive and lengthy. Prices are the same, and John may have what you want in stock, if you're lucky. Custom order times are identical.

 

The "soft" Nakaya nib is very similar to the Pilot 823 in size, but it's much smaller than the huge M1000. The Dani "Flexy" nibs are a tad more flexible than the correpsonding Nakaya nibs. FYI, I have a Soft M Nakaya and three Flexy Dani nibs, two EF's and one Stub.

 

 

[feiye]

Actually, I find that the Elastic nibs on the Nakaya offer more of a springy writing experience. The soft nibs are actually flexy, the tines spread whereas the elastic nib is just a bit more responsive.

 

My Nakaya (thank you Phthalo, she deserves huge props whenever I mention my Nakaya as she facilitated my purchase seeing as I don't own a credit card) came from Japan directly and the nib is sensational. It's a soft & flexible fine that isn't scratchy at all nor is it a dry writer, quite the opposite, it writes smoothly and rather wet - just how I like them. The finish on these pens are sensational.

[Heirphoto]

I bought a Nakaya Cigar Long in red/black from John Mottishaw just before the NJ show. It was a nice experience dealing with them and it was danielle who actually handled the sale and asked me many questions to be sure they got it right. John adjusted the pen and 2 days later it was in my hands.

 

I think the only difference in buying from John is I didn't get a paper from nakaya with the workers names but did get instructions, etc.... and a package of cartridges with it. The plus was not waiting provided John has when you wanted already in stock.

 

The pen looks great but is maybe a bit blacker than expected but over time it will mellow. It writes wonderfully. The only change I would make is a different nib. I love fine pens and this write a beautiful wet line but such a large pen should probably lay out a wider line as it is likely to be used to write bolder statements. The normal length would be more a daily user so a fine would be great there. I do plan to order a Piccolo at some point and may ask John to switch nibs at that time putting the fine in the smaller pen, and a medium in the Cigar Long.

 

One can measure large pens all day long and sketch out the possible sizes but you still will not be prepared for the size of this one. It is a HUGE pen,that to me is best used at ones desk for serious writing. For out and about use a regualr Cigar or Piccolo would be better.

 

Tony