rOtring CORE

[MYU]

Good point, dedalian. I do see the similarities. Perhaps rOtring was trying to compete with the successful Lamy Safari/Al-Star line.

 

RLTodd, when you say "children", I think more of the teenage crowd as the target market for this pen. Certainly the wide range of colors and variations, plus the overall design, makes for a less than adult flair. But then, no reason why it can't speak to the youth within. You're right about the cartridge lifting. I tested it out and found that when it "clicks", it has lifted the cartridge partially up off the feed dock, enough to let some air through. Nice feature, so that you' don't have to unscrew the whole barrel to adjust the cartridge. I'll update the review.

[Pippin60]

I like it too. It seem like a good "weekender" or dedicated checkbook pen. I'll be keeping an eye out for one.

 

 

It's a belting review but on a personal level I can't get past the demented ski-pole look and the very unusual section. I have one, I'm trying to like it but it's just not been working out for the last six years or so...

 

 

I think the pen was designed in the marketing department to target children. It has all the looks of it. A slightly nichey school pen with very good engineering in it.

 

The orange fixture in the section lifts the cartridge off the piercer with a quarter turn. This allows the writer to use the last bit of ink in the cartridge and so write on....

 

I find them fine writers unposted but the style is ugly.

 

I think I'd have to agree with all of the above. I have what I believe is the technor version. Its the pen I'll carry around on the weekend in a pair of jeans as it takes some abuse. I also find the nib stiff enough to use on carbons. But it still is kind of ugly. I got it on ebay very cheap and figured why not try it as I was curious about it and since I collect the series one pens I brought this at the same time as one of my series 1 600 FP.

 

[Cessna811]

I don't want to confess to how many of these I own. I think I bought out some of Levenger's last supply many years ago. I gave several away to my nephews but still own two, yes two of the ballpoint pens (the grey one at the end) which I love. I can throw it into my purse and not worry about it. The barrel is thick and I can write with it for a long time (taking notes) without my wrist hurting.

 

The Rollerballs and Fountainpens I still own are down to less than 8; and if I searched, I'm sure I'd come up with more. I think this pen represents my love of the outdoors and my athletic side. I'm an old Field Hockey player (seven years in school) and this pen also seems to fit the Starbucks "no longer produced" rugged "climbers" and "hikers" travel mugs (which I also own and have given away many) that they promised would keep the coffee "in" when hooked onto your belt. Sure, that worked!

 

Anyway, thank you for a great review of this weird pen group. I have nothing more to offer except that I was considering putting one or two on Pay It Forward but now think it may not be a great idea. I, too, will have to ink the fountain pen again. Just checked one of my FP's and it does have a converter. Judi

Edited June 7, 2009 by Cessna811

[jacques2009]

Out of curiosity, just got one from swisher pen. I turned the barrel counter-clockwise as indicated by the red arrow stated "turn this way", it was turned for several turns then it struck; can not turn any further. What is the function of that red/orange ring in the middle section? I can not remove the barrel to install neither the cartridge nor the converter.

[PacificCoastPen]

Out of curiosity, just got one from swisher pen. I turned the barrel counter-clockwise as indicated by the red arrow stated "turn this way", it was turned for several turns then it struck; can not turn any further. What is the function of that red/orange ring in the middle section? I can not remove the barrel to install neither the cartridge nor the converter.

 

I just undid mine, open and closed..no problem. The red/orange ring is just for decoration. You might have a defective one. Can you return it?

(I have three of these crazy pens.)

[MYU]

Screw it back closed, then unscrew again. You should be able to take off the barrel completely, unless that little orange retainer is somehow stuck. You can pinch the fins of it and get it to slide out... that might help.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Great review, AWESOME pics.

 

Yes, this is definitely Worf's fountain pen. I have the orange one. I love everything about it: the nib, the look, the way the nib writes.

 

Everything except the grip! It's agonizing for me. That'll happen when you have Klingons on your design team.

[jacques2009]

I was able to unscrew the barrel with the help of swisherpens customer service representative. Just need somebody “for holding hand and talk me thru how” to do it.-) It appears that there is this little orange thing "child proof?’ which hinder the barrel to turn freely at the end; so it needs a little more force to turn near the end. Yes, just like the “child proof” cap on the medicine bottle; children know how except the fool like me. :embarrassed_smile: Attached a picture showed the orange device. Thanks.

[moonriver17]

Great review on the Rotring pens. I own a couple of them and although their not a favorite of mine, they certainly are different! I guess that I'm such a "pen nut" that I like anything that will make a mark on a piece of paper! Ha! If Rotring wanted something a little different, they sure got it with this collection!

Moonriver17

Edited October 15, 2009 by MYU
removed full quote of original post

[PatientType]

Thanks for one of the most entertaining reviews I've seen posted! I learned something, too. Loved that you had the picture of the Klingon endorsing the pen.

[imau]

Hi, i just bought one of this pens to be my work horse, just keep it at my backpack, ( i can't bring myself to treat my lamy 2000 like that), but it didn't brought a converter.

 

Does anyone know where i can buy one ?

I want to use Sailor Kiwaguro, my favorite ink.

[Sailor Kenshin]

I think isellpens has rotring converters; maybe also jetpens. But with a plastic pipette, you can refill a cartridge many times with any ink you choose.

[imau]

Thank you for the reply

[AlejoPlay]

I must confess this is one of my favorite pens. I don't mind the design (even though it's not my style). It is a very strong pen and the XS nib on mine is incredible. One of the best nibs I own. I'm currently carrying mine around, which I keep inked with a Waterman Florida Blue cart (the pen loves this ink).

[vans4444]

Thanks for the review. After reading it I have just got one for daughter for school. £6 including postage.

[luvpens]

I've had one of these for a couple of years now and I love the way it writes. Watch lovers tend to have a "beater" watch - this is my "beater" FP

[imau]

I now own 2 from the well known french ebay seller. I like them because get the sense they are indestructible. So i treat them like that and i haven't got any "written complaint"

 

I will carry one for vacations, i especially like the nib, I think it is better than the Lamy Safary one. At least of my 3 lamy safaris (all EF) only one had a decent nib.

Edited July 25, 2009 by imau

[Chthulhu]

A SWAG on XS and XL: "L" is possibly abbreviating "schön," which can mean "fine," though usually referring to quality; while "L" is possibly for "Landstraße," one of whose translations is "broad." "X" may be "Xtreme" in fitting the design of the pen. <G>

 

Regardless, I'm enjoying playing with the Lysium version I received today, even the deep purple-blue ink it cam with, and look forward to seeing how well the "write on system" sometime soon. This should keep me happy until the Noodler's Black arrives.

[r1chard]

I got one too. mine is coridium, xs nib. i like black. it writes well. no problems so far.

i bought two more, rubidium and rexor. bought them since each comes with a case and free shipping :roflmho:

i like the red one but not the blue one. i plan to give it as gift to my brother. btw, i hate the rubber-ed cap. even the current tikky line, lots of rubber

[Pensta]

I have a hard time gripping the FP, it hurt my hand. After a few months I started to have major feed problems. :bonk: Gave it away.