Difference between the variograph, the micronorm, and variant?

[Splicer]

I have a Variant point as well as a Micronorm point, and I can't tell the difference between either of them and a modern Isograph point except that the Isographs have the removable collar for cleaning the helix without disassembling the pen.

 

I think the Micronorm is the original name for what we now call the Rapidograph (as distinct from older piston-fill rapidographs) as the Micronorm has the underlined lowercase 'm' that appears on Rotring Rapidographs. But other than the color of the plastic parts, I don't see how the Variant umm... varies from the Micronorm.

 

Anyone have knowledge of the difference between these old Rotring stylographic technical pens?

[artcat]

I have a Variant point as well as a Micronorm point, and I can't tell the difference between either of them and a modern Isograph point except that the Isographs have the removable collar for cleaning the helix without disassembling the pen.

 

I think the Micronorm is the original name for what we now call the Rapidograph (as distinct from older piston-fill rapidographs) as the Micronorm has the underlined lowercase 'm' that appears on Rotring Rapidographs. But other than the color of the plastic parts, I don't see how the Variant umm... varies from the Micronorm.

 

Anyone have knowledge of the difference between these old Rotring stylographic technical pens?

[artcat]

Hello-I just bought a Rotring Micronorm m set in Varioscript on eBay. I like using dip pens for drawing, and hope this can be used more portably. Caring bottles of ink around can be challenging. So do you think this is going to be useful for me, or only for drafting? Since you use them I hoped you could give me some tips, even though I can't answer your question. I would appreciate any helpful information, as I am a beginner. Do you have to use only Rotring ink? How do you keep the ink flowing nicely, and the point clean? What solvent do use? Any problems with softer art papers? Thanks

[Steph Dale]

Splicer,

 

As you say, the Micronorm pen is pretty much the same as the Variant. I think all the parts are interchangeable, in the case of all parts other than the nibs they appear identical apart from the colour.

 

The Micronorm range seems to have been launched to acknowledge the German standards (DIN 1451, 6776, etc.) for lettering and line width - 'Norm' being German for 'Standard'. At the same time the colour coding for the various nib sizes was altered to align with the new drawing standard (the number of which escapes me at the moment).

 

The m symbol merely denotes that the pens are in accordance with the relevant standards.

 

Artcat,

 

You may be better starting a new thread but to quickly answer your questions; they may be usefull for your drawing, though obviously best for drafting - the nib widths are (of course) designed to remain constant in use. You can use other inks (some on here even use Noodler's!) I use either Rotring or Staedtler drafting inks - it depends upon what colour I want. To keep them clean I use a small ultrasonic cleaning bath, no solvents, only warm clean water. If you get the nibs gunged up then Rotring sell a pen cleaning concentrate which works. In terms of paper, I've only ever used them on smooth-finished media - film, cartridge paper, bristol board or manilla.

 

Have a play and see what you find!

 

Steph

[Drycured]

I am an artist specialising in pen and ink drawings. I use a variety of Rotring Rapidograph and Isograph pens from 0.10mm to 1.0mm.

The Rapidograph uses strictly Rotring Rapidograph cartridges, the type that have a threaded end and come with ink sealed inside.

The Isograph uses push fit reusable straight sided cartridges that are refilled from the Rotring ink dispenser. The two types of cartridges are definitely not interchangeable as the nib units are different designs.

I also have a number of new Rotring Micronorm nib units but neither Rapidograph nor Isograph cartridges fit these.

 

Does anybody know what sort of cartridges fit these Micronorm nib units?

 

PS The older Isograph pens are a bit longer and more comfortable to use if you have a choice.

Rotring ink is absolutely the best, most dense ink available, at a cost.

If your Rotring gets bunged up, use Rotring cleaning fluid. It works like magic for me, even better than my ultrasonic water bath.