rOtring 600 series pen

[*david*]

Most of them write without effort. It sounds like you got a pen that shouldn't have made it through inspection.

[Bernie0104]

I have one of the original 600s with an EF nib - a fantastic pen which feels indestructible! The older 600s are better in my opinion - the cap posts much more securely then the 600 Newton variety due to the small rubber ring that is inset in the end of the barrel. Having said that, I never use this pen with the cap posted - it's too big! The knurled section gives great grip whilst giving the pen the appearance of a precision tool!

 

I fancy another one of these at some point, but all I can seem to find are the later 600 Newtons which are now also discontinued. Rotring don't make pens like these anymore! The new Newtons are not of the same quality as even the previous 600 Newtons, which in turn were a drop in quality from the original 600s.

[superfly]

I have my Rotring 600 fountain pen for almost 10 years now. It is the very first design series, with grooved grip, and lack of that clip mechanism for holding the cap. Due to this, and the pen's edge, the cap is very easy to come off, which is why I would not dear to clip it on any part of my clothes. That, and the weight. It weighs too much, but not uncomfortable. Mine is black, with the color of the metal starting to show on the barrel and cap. I got it from the antique shop, for 5$. I love German tools. They are joy to use, and built to last...

 

Nenad

[kissing]

I think the "Rotring Newton" is an updated version of the Rotring 600.

 

So technically, we can't say that the 600 is discontiuned

[jsonewald]

I have one each black and chrome, M and EF nibs. The "O" ring that holds the cap when posted has worn out on both. Does anyone know where I can get replacements?

[andy_s]

I've had a rOtring 600 old style EF nib for a few months now. It is discontinued in this form - the knurled 'collar' and rubber posting ring being the main difference between this and the newer version 600.

 

My impressions of the pen:

 

Aesthetics: Is in the eye of the beholder and the purchaser is always biased but to my eye I think this is a stylish, (modernist/Bauhaus), different looking pen, (not many hexagonal barrels out there), which wouldn't look out of place in '2001 A Space Odyssey' but still sits quietly enough in a café or office environment.

 

Construction: It looks solid and is solid, it looks as if it has been hefted out of solid steel by a craftsman with thick fingers, the detail is very good quality - the knurling at the collar of the barrel, the post, the simplicity of the clip, the understated, simple yet very durable nib (inscribed 'rOtring') are all well finished under close scrutiny. It is a traditional barrel and cap design, as mentioned the length of the pen posted is rather long and this combined with the extra weight over most pens feels different - not good, not bad, but different - whether you like this or loath it or couldn't give two figs about it is really your choice - me? I just write without posting the cap....

 

Writing: The nib is the Ef size, the ink is a generic, international size, blue ink cartridge. I have some Lamy blue I will try with the included converter, but for now it is in it's manufacturers basic set-up as it were. I usually write on moleskine, (I know, I know, too much internet time!), paper, (in their smaller books), or general A4 loose paper for sketches etc. Well, I found the nib hard and stiff but precise and very regular in size of line and quantity of ink. I could write very fine, small writing perfectly well with no ink problems or paper-scuffing or anything else......but how does it feel? Well, you can hear it go across the paper - there is a sound as it works away - a scribe sound, and that's how it feels. I wasn't comfortable writing with no pressure but had the weight of the pen down on the surface plus maybe ten percent. It doesn't drag, no, just that you are conscious of the nib moving across the paper in a mechanical interface between wood-fiber and steel. I enjoy it. It's that hard disciplined tool feel that reflects the look of the pen but which rewards in a precise, consistent and delicate line that looks so good and really reminds you of the difference between a good FP and a BallPoint.

 

Summary:

Tooled precision in a cool, designed package delivering a purposeful and involving result.

 

(First review - hope you enjoy!)

 

Edited November 9, 2006 by andy_s

[scribbler77]

 

It is a pity that the Rotring 600 has been discontinued. I have six of them and they are among my favorite pens. (I use them with converters and load different inks in each.) The VF is the best nib for my journal, and I keep it loaded with PR Velvet Black, but the F works in other contexts--one has Aurora Blue in it, another Herbin Lierre Sauvage.

 

They all write smoothly for me and I get little or no feathering on most papers. I suppose I prefer a comparatively dry writer.

 

I bought my first ones from Levenger, lost a couple of them and replaced them. The price varied from about $65.oo at first to much less when they were on sale. When Levenger no longer had them, I found them on Ebay from Lewertowski in Paris. Very reasonable prices, between $30 and $40 with postage.

 

The comment above regarding the cap being a bit loose after use is true. I would not carry one in my shirt pocket or the inside pocket of my jacket. (I use a leather case for two of them, one black, one blue.) Works very well. I can carry it in an outside jacket pocket or, preferably, in my briefcase.

 

As for the esthetics, I like the look and the feel. For me it is neither too heavy nor is the barrel too thin. For some, it might be. Actually, I like the somewhat heavy, solid feel the brass barrel imparts. And the hexagonal shape means you can put it down even on a slightly sloping surface without concern that it will roll off.

 

I imagine these will be available on Ebay for some time since Rotring seems to have cleared out its final stock in discounted quantity sales. The VF nib, however--which is my favorite--is very hard to find these days.

 

 

[sargelee71]

I also love my Rotring 600. I've got the Lava (grey and textured like stone) in the FP, and I love it. I prefer more weight in my pens and use them unposted (European style?). The best part of it is that I found it at Marshall Fields for about $50 (due to a sale and perhaps the sales associate's ignorance--mismarked?) back in 2003 or 2004. Shortly thereafter, I heard it was discontinued. Also have the 600 in black as a rollerball, and love IT, too.

 

I do like Rotring nibs--have the Freeway (black) in a M and I tend to prefer FPs, but I'm very happy with the M. The Freeway is my go-to, throw-in-my-bag pen.

 

 

I'm so glad to see it positively reviewed. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Ann Finley said:

One of the nib choices that the old style has is OM (oblique medium--and they have OB, too), and this is what I was thinking of getting. It probably wouldn't give a good thick & thin out-of-the-box, but could be sharpened.

 

I don't know whether the new style has any offerings of oblique nibs. Somehow I have the idea that the nibs aren't interchangable between the old & new styles--but that may not be true. There must be some differences between the styles, but they look about the same and I can't tell what the differences would be.

 

Thanks for your reply & taking the time to check on the ones you did.

 

Best, Ann

 

[Ondina]

  kissing said:

I think the "Rotring Newton" is an updated version of the Rotring 600.

 

So technically, we can't say that the 600 is discontiuned

 

 

This is the correct information. It has NOT being discontinued but changed into a newer model, the NEWTON. Sometimes I think all this "discontinued" news a re a way of, ehem, "encouraging" collectionist purchases...? Of a pen that is quite nice, indeed!.

Edited February 9, 2008 by Ondina

[LapsangS]

  Ondina said:

  kissing said:

I think the "Rotring Newton" is an updated version of the Rotring 600.

 

So technically, we can't say that the 600 is discontiuned

 

 

This is the correct information. It has NOT being discontinued but changed into a newer model, the NEWTON. Sometimes I think all this "discontinued" news a re a way of, ehem, "encouraging" collectionist purchases...? Of a pen that is quite nice, indeed!.

 

Yes, but the entire Rotring brand of fine writing instruments (owned by Sanford Corporation) has been discontinued. Sanford will move some of the product series under their Parker brand name. Sanford owns Rotring, Parker and Waterman brands + some others. These are not independent companies. Rotring will probably still continue to make technical drawing pens and accessories, but no fountain pens can be found in their catalogues any more. It is sad but true

[Splicer]

  LapsangS said:

Yes, but the entire Rotring brand of fine writing instruments (owned by Sanford Corporation) has been discontinued. Sanford will move some of the product series under their Parker brand name. Sanford owns Rotring, Parker and Waterman brands + some others. These are not independent companies. Rotring will probably still continue to make technical drawing pens and accessories, but no fountain pens can be found in their catalogues any more. It is sad but true

 

The Rotring that made the 600 appears to be totally gone, but the Rotring brand for technical pens and other drafting accessories is owned by Chartpak, not by Sanford (Newell/Rubbermaid). Which is the same company that owns Pelikan, so hopefully they're in pretty good hands.

 

[Ondina]

  Splicer said:

  LapsangS said:

Yes, but the entire Rotring brand of fine writing instruments (owned by Sanford Corporation) has been discontinued. Sanford will move some of the product series under their Parker brand name. Sanford owns Rotring, Parker and Waterman brands + some others. These are not independent companies. Rotring will probably still continue to make technical drawing pens and accessories, but no fountain pens can be found in their catalogues any more. It is sad but true

 

The Rotring that made the 600 appears to be totally gone, but the Rotring brand for technical pens and other drafting accessories is owned by Chartpak, not by Sanford (Newell/Rubbermaid). Which is the same company that owns Pelikan, so hopefully they're in pretty good hands.

 

 

This is the information I got from a German friend that works for Rotring, that's why I deared state something on this otherhow much well informed forum. Thanks anyhow. And good for all of us that grew using their technical pens. ( black fingers, expensive ink bottles, mess all over it was. My poor mother..... how patient she was!.

[MYU]

One other thing of note--the 600 takes international cartridges and converters, so you don't have to search out a Rotring branded equivalent. I'm pretty sure Waterman is compatible as well. I had bought a huge package of large size Waterman cartridges and then discovered that they fit nicely in a Rotring 600, filling the entire body. You get more ink capacity with those instead of the converter (which works well if you have a syringe to refill them), because there is no space lost to the piston mechanism.

 

Oh and yes, the "Newton" was the replacement to the knurled grip version 600, but that too has been discontinued. There are sellers out on FleaBay from US and Germany that are still selling them. But who knows how long the inventory will last. I finally grabbed a lava version and have to say it is the best one of all--the grip feels fantastic, not slippery like the silver and black, and it looks great as well as unusual.

Edited June 20, 2008 by MYU

[Dr J]

The old style (knurled) Rotring 600 has become an absolute favorite. It has also become difficult to find and pricey. I note that Levenger has come out with a knockoff, their L-Tech, also a silver-anodized octagonal brass barrel with a stainless steel nib and a knurled grip:

 

http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PROD...P4750&mr:tr

 

The pen is attractively priced at $78. Has anyone tried it? How does it compare to the Rotring 600.

[MYU]

That L-Tech variation of the Rotring 600 is really interesting... somewhat true to the original design, yet different.

 

http://www.levimage.com/IMAGE/PRODUCTS/PEN_INK/PENS/AP4750_E_0908.jpg

 

The cap screws on, rather than slip/snap. I wonder if it weighs the same as the 600. The nib looks really interesting, perhaps a little less firm.

Edited November 18, 2008 by MYU

[luvpens]

I have the original 600 which is one of my favourite pens. I bought it about 14 years ago for around £60. I didn't realise how rare they are now and can sometimes sell for a small fortune!

 

Now, strangely enough, I was in my local art/pen shop a week ago and they had the slightly modified version of my 600 (same pen but without the knurled grip - just smooth) in the Parker display case. The lady said it was NOS - they just found it in the stores. I don't think they realise that these are now rare and have a following, as it was priced at just £58. Should I nip out tomorrow and buy it??

[mana]

No knurlings and nib size selector? That is the 2nd gen 600, also known and marketed by rOtring as the 600 Newton.

 

It should not be confused with the more gimmicky/blingy Newton line of pens that rOtring launched a couple of years after the 600 series pens were discontinued. I think Sanford tried to ride with an established name and cash in... it was at best a confusing flop (IMHO). Oh, that happens in ebay too, it irritates me to no end to see sellers offer Newtons as Newton 600 or 600 Newton... Those pens have nothing in common with the 600 series pens.

 

But yeah, is it a good buy or not... You can get them from ebay for a similar price, most of the times for even less. The first gen models are more rare and are a subject to absurd price gouging in the US ebay. Sometimes the 600 Newtons command bizarre prices there too.

 

Hmm, if the nib size and finish suit your taste then it is not a bad price, not cheap but not expensive either. For example there is one M nibbed 600 Newton in Lava finish for sale in the UK ebay for 60 quid (free shipping it seems...).

[raillink]

Did the 1st gen ones ever come with a 18K gold nib ?

I picked one up recently with a knurled grip in matt chrome finish with what I thought was a steel nib but turned out to be gold.

[MYU]

The original 600 can still be found through sellers on "that auction site" for very reasonable prices (often below $80). Not sure how much the shipping would be internationally, though... The 2nd generation 600's go for a little less, because they are more common.

 

Yes, the original 600 came with a gold nib option for a short while. If you got one for the normal going rate, you scored yourself a really good deal there.

[raillink]

Thanks !

I was lucky to get it.