Rotring Newton Mk 2 Copper F

[ayhc]

Bandwidth warning: This review is graphics-heavy.

 

Rotring Newton Mk 2 Copper F

 

Introduction: Big boots to fill

 

For a number of years Rotring manufactured a series of rock-solid fountain pens with hexagonal barrels called the 600. Late in its production run, however, the 600 was rebranded as the Newton – and it was eventually replaced with the new Newton, which shared nothing with the original except a hexagonal barrel.

 

Does the new Newton live up to the reputation of its predecessor? Well, let's find out...

 

First impressions

 

This particular Newton Mk 2 was purchased as new-old stock from a Hong Kong department store. First impressions were far from promising – the pen was fished out from a large plastic bag filled with other Newtons, with no protective packaging (e.g. bubble wrap) at all. In fact, the store didn't even have Rotring boxes; this pen was put in a Lamy Safari cardboard box.

 

Appearance and design (3/10): George Jetson, or Sirius Cybernetics?

 

The Newton is the sort of fountain pen one might imagine being used in The Jetsons, if anybody in The Jetsons still used fountain pens. There is a lot of chrome brightwork.

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559625_318b673b38.jpg

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559627_85e40c600f.jpg

 

The clip is even attached with fins.

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559628_859a5b8b4b_o.jpg

 

Sadly, this is where things start to go horribly wrong. For starters, the cap is cut at an angle – which is all very exciting, until you discover that this means the boundary between section and barrel is also at an angle.

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559636_ae2fbfeebe_o.jpg

 

Not only is this uncomfortable, it also means that the section cannot be threaded into the barrel in the usual manner. To get around this, there is a threaded sleeve inside the barrel which is rotated by turning the blind cap at the end of the barrel.

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559633_450ea9aa93_o.jpg

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559630_acd641a3e9_o.jpg

 

This has several side effects. First, because the screw threads are part-way into the barrel, there is a bit of free play where the section meets the barrel.

 

Second, the cap can only post one way on the end of the pen.

 

Third, because the section is so deep (to accommodate the screw threads), it almost completely hides the cartridge or converter, making it more difficult to see how much ink is left. Here is the section with a Waterman converter:

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559632_9c40544c88_o.jpg

 

Fourth, there are more moving parts in the pen, and therefore more places where muck and grime can accumulate.

 

And speaking of places where muck and grime can accumulate, the slanted joints and the greebled endcaps will no doubt be difficult to clean. Where the old 600 was “form follows function”, this Newton is the exact opposite.

 

So, in conclusion, not so much The Jetsons as the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation.

 

Construction and quality (3/10): Unexpectedly poor

 

As for the build quality? In a word, disappointing.

 

The section is made out of what feels like ABS plastic. Certainly it feels cheap compared to the rest of the pen. The paint finish isn’t spot-on, either; note the blemish (a small black lump) near the bottom of the cap:

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559638_73da57bbaf_o.jpg

 

Then there’s the free play where the section meets the barrel (as shown in the photo above)...

 

...and the free play of the cap on the section...

 

...and the panel gap when the cap is posted.

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559635_aceb17cadc_o.jpg

 

Weight and dimensions (10/10): Largely unchanged from the 600

 

The weight and dimensions have remained largely unchanged compared to the 600. While the Newton is slightly lighter, it’s still not exactly a lightweight.

 

Nib and performance (9/10): Typical Rotring

 

As far as the business end is concerned, the nib is a stainless steel Fine nib – much as you’d expect from a Rotring nib, it is very firm, but does the job.

 

http://static.zooomr.com/images/8559631_023aab7947_o.jpg

 

Filling system and maintenance (9/10): Standard cartridge/converter

 

The Newton is a standard cartridge/converter filler and will take both short international cartridges and Waterman long cartridges or converters.

 

Cost and value (4/10): You get what you pay for... or do you?

 

This pen was HK$200 (about US$26) as new-old stock from a department store in Hong Kong – so relatively cheap for a Rotring fountain pen. That might have made its various quirks and foibles more forgivable – but when the much more reliable Pilot 78G is available from local stationers for HK$55 (US$7), the price of the Newton becomes much harder to justify.

 

Conclusion (6/10): Form at the expense of function

 

I wanted to like this pen, I really did. But there are just too many design flaws and issues with build quality for me to recommend this pen, particularly when new-old stock 600s are still available.

 

Recommendation: Avoid

[Rena]

Excellent review. Thank you. When I saw your post title and first glanced at your photos, I wanted to like the pen too. But you've pointed out problems that are important in determining the usefulness of the pen. I appreciate your taking the time to post this thoughtful review.

[MYU]

Another very good Rotring review. The Newton is a curious departure from the 600 line. I like that copper coloration they came up with.

[argonavis]

Thanks for a good clean review. It's always good to hear opinions which differ from our own. I like the Newton, and I find it writes better than many more expensive items. It has the smoothest nib I've found on a cheap pen, at least the medium. Design is personal taste, but I'm pretty sure the build/materials are allright for the price. I would however point out that the very smooth, very stiff nib is actually quite fragile and dislikes being pressed down as its weakest point. Also, it posts very high, so unless you like a high center of gravity you use this unposted. This doesn't bother me as I generally never post pens. Anyway, I have four of them, and Parker seems to have made them into the rather higher priced Facet. I agree that they did have to change the clip to get away with it... but I like the Jetsons too.

[nilpf]

I agree with the reviewer on some aspects. I was also a little underwhelmed at first impression.

 

This is not a Rotring; as noted in another review, it is a rebadged Parker. Newton is to Rotring as Austin Maestro is to MG. Wears the insignia, but isn't the real deal.

 

I have been putting a Newton through its paces. So here is my review of the review:

 

. I was also taken aback by the fins

. and the garish chrome

. and the cheap-feeling construction - I expect anything with a Rotring badge to be rough-hewn from girders (in a well-designed and well-finished way. Heavy != well-made

. the barrel/section angle is not uncomfortable - if anything it helps, providing a resting place for the undercurled middle finger.

. The barrel-opening method is neither good nor bad, so since it adds a bit of piquancy to refills without adding any disadvantages, it averages out on the good side.

. I have no free play at the barrel-section joint [EDIT after a couple of hours use - yes I do!], but do have a (cheap-feeling (again)) wobble when the cap is in place.

. I actually like the way the cap only posts one way, as I have an almost OCD habit of making sure the clip lines up with the nib

. the top of the converter or cartridge is hidden so you can't tell how much ink is left? So point the nib to the sky and give it a little flick. Duh!

 

I'll add:

. The two little Rotring-style cartridges idea is silly - and the spare rattles cheaply in the barrel. Particularly silly since a full-size cartridge fits perfectly well. I'll try it with a standard Waterman too - if that fits, it's a plus in my book - inexpensive and easily obtained.

. It's too short unposted and too top-heavy posted.

. It's too slim for my comfort.

. The nib is an absolute gem. Smooth as silk and generous on all paper types.

 

I can't see it ever being my No 1.

 

No matter what I use I keep going back to my Safaris, and they welcome me back every time with a happy surprise.

Edited July 27, 2010 by nilpf

[nilpf]

Having lived with the pen for a few weeks, I wholeheartedly agree with the original review - AVOID.

 

Don't waste your time with this pen. It works well enough but it has no soul.

[dogpoet]

Overly harsh.