Nakaya Portable Vs Neo Standard

[dneal]

Nakaya. So many choices. Sizes, colors, shapes, etc... Which one to get?

 

I've had this problem a couple of times, so I thought I would compare my two in an effort to help others...

 

Size - At first glance, these two pens are similarly sized.

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya002_zpsc696f720.jpg

 

The length of the Portable is distributed evenly between the cap and barrel, while the Neo Standard carries most of its size in the barrel.

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya003_zps1ff23a0e.jpg

 

Here you can see what that means when held. Both pens are plenty long, and don't need to be posted when writing (I have average sized hands). The Portable feels more balanced to me, and the Neo Standard is a couple of grams heavier with its weight biased slightly to the rear. It's noticeable, but you adjust to it quickly. It's not as dramatic as an M800 or M1000, where the brass piston puts much of the weight to the rear. If you have any concerns, look to the Portable (or Nakai-Ai).

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya010_zpsb55916ed.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya007_zps9544054c.jpg

 

These are not small pens. They are on par with or bigger than a Montblanc 149. The Portable is almost exactly the same size, but lighter and with a thinner section diameter. The Neo Standard is larger in every dimension (except section diameter) and .2 grams lighter.

 

Here is a comparison with a few pens, for reference. From left to right: Kaweco Sport, Neo Standard, Portable Writer, Omas Ogiva Extra, Sailor 1911 L, MB 145, Lamy 2000, Lamy Safari.

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya001_zpsd2eac794.jpg

 

And a few other pens, uncapped for comparison. From left to right: Omas Ogiva, Neo Standard, Portable, MB 145, Pelikan M400.

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya006_zpsb119731d.jpg

 

Nibs - First the size. The nibs are on par with a Bock or Jowo #6. Here's a shot of a few different nibs, same order as the previous picture.

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya005_zpsaa55e946.jpg

 

Both these nibs are flexible medium. They are nice and springy, but even in medium they are writing around a Western fine (or a little thinner). They deliver a perfect flow with no pressure at all, and write immediately. They are smooth, but offer quite a bit of feedback (similar to a pencil). If you want a butter-smooth nib, this probably isn't the pen for you.

 

Writing and line variation:

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya009_zps991170da.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya008_zps925c020b.jpg

 

If I could only have one, it would be the Portable. In fact, I won't buy another Neo Standard again and will probably stick to the Portable. My main complaints with the Neo Standard are the weight distribution and the number of turns it takes to remove the cap. The Portable comes off in 1 1/8 revolutions. The Neo Standard takes 3 full revolutions (which is as much as 6 or 7 twists...). I do prefer the look of the shape of the Neo Standard though.

 

Hope some of that was helpful.

[dms525]

Very helpful! The comparison photos are nice, but the best part is exposure of your thought process in assessing your preferences, especially to a FP noobie. Thinking of all those "What pen should I buy?" topics.

 

David

[ethernautrix]

This is a wonderful comparison - thanks for doing it.

 

My favorite model is the Piccolo, and I recall that the shorter barrel took a little getting used to (very little). I tend to hold the pen closer to the nib, so that's probably a factor.

 

What I also prefer about the Piccolo -- and the Portable -- is that the cap and barrel are flush. I also prefer caps that don't need so many twists.

[dneal]

  On 6/22/2014 at 4:53 PM, ethernautrix said:

This is a wonderful comparison - thanks for doing it.

 

My favorite model is the Piccolo, and I recall that the shorter barrel took a little getting used to (very little). I tend to hold the pen closer to the nib, so that's probably a factor.

 

What I also prefer about the Piccolo -- and the Portable -- is that the cap and barrel are flush. I also prefer caps that don't need so many twists.

 

I think a Long Piccolo will be my next Nakaya. I like the shape, but the little extra length would be nice.

[Anneleen]

  On 6/22/2014 at 4:53 PM, ethernautrix said:

This is a wonderful comparison - thanks for doing it.

 

My favorite model is the Piccolo, and I recall that the shorter barrel took a little getting used to (very little). I tend to hold the pen closer to the nib, so that's probably a factor.

 

What I also prefer about the Piccolo -- and the Portable -- is that the cap and barrel are flush. I also prefer caps that don't need so many twists.

I'm still not sure if I want a naka-ai or a piccolo. The piccolo looks so cute, and it has the same pointy things at the ends. I tend to hold my pens really close to the nib as well, but I have very long fingers. Hmm…

[Alex2014]

Very good comparison. My preferred Nakaya is Long Cigar, but of course New Standard is a nice FP.

[ethernautrix]

  On 6/22/2014 at 5:08 PM, Anneleen said:

I'm still not sure if I want a naka-ai or a piccolo. The piccolo looks so cute, and it has the same pointy things at the ends. I tend to hold my pens really close to the nib as well, but I have very long fingers. Hmm…

 

The Naka-ai is bigger than it looks, but it's a very comfortable pen. The Naka-ai is a combination of my two favorite models, the Piccolo and the Desk Pen. I really like the Naka-ai, but when I put it in the pen case with my Piccolos and an Aurora Optima, it, um, stands out. So, I have three Piccolos and the A. Optima in the pen case and the Naka-ai in a pen sleeve.

 

If you're concerned about length, I'd think you couldn't go wrong with the Naka-ai.

[Namo]

Very helpful. I am hesitating since so many years about getting a Nakaya. If I ever do it, it's going to be a desk pen, and your comparisons just convinced me that the section might be long enough for my needs. Thanks! t

[TradArch]

Lovely comparison. Thanks for sharing. I love my Neo Standard, and don't mind the balance, but the number of turns to uncap it DOES make me sigh each day I take it with me.

[zzbr76]

Thank you for the review! You saved me from ever buying a Portable.

I now know never to buy a Portable and a Piccolo.

You should buy a Danitrio Genkai, try that for a size...

[nojanv]

Thank you for the review, it helped me a lot. After researching a lot, I think the Naka-Ai is the best choice for me in my first Nakaya! :-) Maybe my second can be a Piccolo? ;-D

[lennymarchese]

The hardest part about Nakaya pens is deciding which is the most beautiful. I usually go back and fourth between the Naka-ai and the long Piccolo, but the styling of the Neo Standard also catches my eye.

[dneal]

I was torn between the Nakai-Ai and Neo Standard as well, and in hindsight probably would have preferred the Nakai-Ai. I keep telling myself "just one more", and am back to the original problem of which one and what color...

[rudyhou]

thank you for this. especially for the clear pics. i have always wondered if i should get a neo standard and how it would be compared in size and weight to a lamy safari. plus, now i get to see the size comparison to pelikan m400, which i was thinking of getting someday.

[Anachronos]

Thank you soooo much for the pictures and review. I will be going to the DC Pen Show this weekend (9/9/2014) and may come back with a Neo, but the Cigar and the Naka-ai are still calling to me. I would love a Dorsal Fin or a V2 but I could buy 2 for the same price! I have been putting this off for a year and it's time to get off the proverbial rock ! I'm leaning toward the Neo because I love the shape, but I'm worried about the balance. I have small hands and am a leftie. I wanted to add the Zogan inlay and Kanji, thought I might as well go all the way at that price, but don't know if I could wait another 6 months. My patience is running thin. Any thoughts from the more experienced Nakaya owners?

[orfew]

Not having access to pen shows this review was very helpful. I have been considering a Nakaya for several months but I always become bewildered by the vast array of choices to be made. I really like the look of that neo standard as I like a larger pen. The styling is also interesting.

 

Great review, thanks for the many details you provided.

[Oregon Duck]

+1 on the great review. I especially value the comments about the number of turns it takes to remove the caps. Nothing drives me bonkers more than needing to turn a cap several times to get it off -- it's a bit of a pet peeve of mine. I find myself using Pelikans quite a bit because of this.

[tursilmatik]

  On 6/22/2014 at 3:56 PM, dneal said:

(...)

 

If I could only have one, it would be the Portable. In fact, I won't buy another Neo Standard again and will probably stick to the Portable. My main complaints with the Neo Standard are the weight distribution and the number of turns it takes to remove the cap. The Portable comes off in 1 1/8 revolutions. The Neo Standard takes 3 full revolutions (which is as much as 6 or 7 twists...). I do prefer the look of the shape of the Neo Standard though.

 

Hope some of that was helpful.

 

 

Hello, that was the struggle in my mind for days. ı am about to buy a Nakaya but ı want to buy the FASTEST-TO-UNCAP model. What you said confused me, you claim Neo Standard takes more time to uncap but from its photos, I see that the screwing part on barrel is much shorter compared to any other model of Nakaya. Referring to this photo:

 

  On 6/22/2014 at 3:56 PM, dneal said:

 

 

 

 

The length of the Portable is distributed evenly between the cap and barrel, while the Neo Standard carries most of its size in the barrel.

 

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa163/roomdog/Pens/Nakaya/Nakaya003_zps1ff23a0e.jpg

 

 

Left one is Neo Standard right? And its screwing circles seems to be much less??? Could you enlight me, because I am about to order a Nakaya considering the feedback coming from this thread.

[The Good Captain]

Mine's a Portable Cigar, Midori finish with rose gold M nib.

 

 

The rests are just ceramic chopstick holders costing a few £GBPs and the pillows were made by my wife, literally for 'pennies'! (Picture quality isn't great as it's a dull day today.)

Edited August 14, 2015 by The Good Captain

[mirosc]

Nicely done, thank you!

 

I still have one Piccolo and one Naka-ai left.

The shape of the Portable never appealed to me and as you said: the weight distribution and the turns of the cap on the Neo are really a drawback - still I think it's a great shape for a fountain pen!