namiki yukari nightline

[davyr]

i first spied this pen about 17 years ago, as a poor, starving student. i think the store was bertram’s inkwell, although it’s been so long i can’t recall clearly. what i do remember was being enchanted by the art of maki-e. i was not interested in fountain pens at all at the time, and my roommate and i walked into the store on a whim. seeing the namiki line for the first time was certainly an eye-opener. my roommate, chip, was hooked by the sterling collection, and i by the yukari and emperor maki-e pieces. (i’ve since lost contact with my old friend, and will gladly get him a sterling namiki upon meeting him again.) i remember drooling over both the yukari and emperor nightline models, and i think i fainted upon hearing their retail prices, especially that of the emperor's. it was because the staff was so patient with us that i returned to bertram’s 10 years later to purchase a black stealth namiki vanishing point, in my then brief foray into fountain pens.

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/5530/dsc030433ol.jpg

 

fast forward to last summer, when i resumed my interest in fountain pens. i had been searching the web fruitlessly for the nightline, recalling the impression it had made on me. it had since been discontinued and consequently difficult to obtain. at the summer dc supershow, i became excited when i saw a nightline at bertram’s table for something like $1000 – alas it was the ballpoint model. i then saw the fountain pen version at the airline international table and bought it without hesitation. score! the dream pen of my young adulthood was now mine, bwahahahaha! :ph34r:

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/4563/dsc03137resized1nu.jpg

 

this nightline hails from the yukari range – smaller in size than the yukari royale or the ginormous emperor lines. the yukari line consists of lacquer-coated, brass-barrelled pens decorated with maki-e. current yukari fountain pens typically sport traditional japanese motifs like indigenous flora and fauna - apricot trees and warblers, nikko hydrangeas, cherry blossoms, fireflies, etc. many are hand painted, with sprinkled gold dust and bits of raden (tiny pieces of pearlescent shells) providing embellishment, and then hand burnished to a glossy shine. the nightline is somewhat atypical in that it's subject matter is nonfigurative, consisting only of thin, staggered strips of raden and sprinkled gold powder, recalling the skyline of a city at night.

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5972/dsc03125resized1hi.jpg

 

the wonderful raden casts myriad jewel-tone colors of blue, purple, green and yellow, which change as you turn the pen, like a kaleidoscope. the raden strips on the torpedo-shaped body and cap are carefully matched such that the colors always line up no matter how the cap is screwed on. sweet. the simple ball-clip is solid 18k yellow gold. a thin rim of black lacquer breaks up the raden between the cap and body. there’s no other trim to speak of, which lends the pen a clean appearance. the section is black resin and flared at the end. one finds the artist’s mei (signature) and kao (seal) painted in gold and red, respectively, on the back of the barrel.

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/4953/dsc030513ah.jpg

 

the pen is packaged in a simple unfinished wooden box, which also contains a bottle of namiki blue ink. the ink is a nice medium blue which demonstrates pleasing subtle shading.

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/2011/dsc03077resized1mf.jpg

 

unposted, it’s well-balanced. posting is a no-no if one wishes to protect the lacquer finish. it has a comfortable and not unruly heft, given the brass underpinnings. the cap comes off in two turns. the yukaris are similar in size to the lamy 2000, the old omas paragon, and the pelikan m800, being just a few millimeters longer, but slightly skinnier than those comparison pens.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7618/dsc03144resized6qn.jpg

 

the nib is 18k yellow gold, with scrolls engraved around the periphery. in keeping with japanese simplicity, the color is monochromatic, which I favor over the current trend for two-tone nibs. the feed appears to be plastic. mine has a Japanese medium point, more similar to a western fine. this nib is the epitome of smooth, as silky as my montblanc franz kafka or omas arco paragon. it’s also one of my most reliable pens - never ever skipping or hesitating, even after more than a month of disuse. it makes the act of writing a sheer pleasure. it's about average flexy in my flock of modern pens. my only complaint is that the pen is skinnier than i prefer – i’d imagine the yukari royale size would be more ideal.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8391/dsc031523rm.jpg

 

ink is contained either in a cartridge or button converter. ink capacity in the converter is satisfactory, and the push button mechanism actually performs well. no, not as good as a piston fill, but pretty nice for a converter.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9729/dsc031746rz.jpg

 

 

test results

 

cap and body (19/20): the maki-e and raden are first rate, as is the fit and finish

section (8/10): flared black plastic resin

nib performance (19/20): extremely smooth nib a joy to write with

writing comfort (18/20): well-balanced and good heft, would gain higher mark if it were slightly fatter

design (9/10): timeless maki-e paired with sparse but perfect details

value (7/10): obtained for $1600, rare & out of production translates to lofty price, NOT a value pen, but in this case, you do get what you pay for

filling system (7/10): efficient cartridge/button converter

total: 87/100 (100 would be the perfect pen, which as you & i know, doesn't exist, unless of course you think otherwise, but then pray tell)

 

the yukari nightline is probably my favorite pen. no, it’s not perfect, but it comes quite close. perhaps the emperor size nightline may come even closer to pen nirvana, but that has an angina-inducing entry fee of $6000! in the meantime, i’m satified and quite content to “put up” with my yukari.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9137/dsc032000tc.jpg

Edited February 27, 2006 by davyr

[amin]

Thanks for another great review Dave. I'm guessing that most people who own that pen don't write with it, but I admire the fact that you do! $1600 :blink: .

[southpaw]

Wow! Great that you could acquire a childhood dream. It's nice to be able to vicariously experience a pen like this, which is the only way for some of us on such a pen. Much appreciated and a very nice review.

[DrPJM1]

Great Review!

[wimg]

Hi Davy,

 

Wonderful review, with marvelous pics, of a pen to drool for!

 

This is one that I have been eying for a long time, too, and the eying will continue for some time to come still, I am afraid .

 

But, wow! What a beauty...

 

Warm regards, Wim

[Blade Runner]

Dave,

 

The pattern reminds me of a streaking comet with particles trailing off.

Absolutely gorgeous pen.

 

Regards,

J

[klemenv]

Wow, I am happy that you have bought your dream pen and you are well right to ink it! This must be one of rare Yukari's that is actually being used for writting. Well done.

[RichardS]

Fabulous pen. fabulous pics. Deeply envious!

[Flere-Imsaho]

Yes! That is also the pen of my dreams. I have craddled this pen in my hands several times in the shop in Maastricht. But the price asked there is way too high for me.

 

I envy you.

 

Thanks you for the great review and photos.

 

Now all you need is the two tone mount Fuji nibhttp://home.planet.nl/~flere-imsaho/misc/NamikimountFujinib.jpg, and ofcourse a decent watch.

Like this one http://home.planet.nl/~flere-imsaho/misc/RadoATP320.jpg

 

/:) Hans.

[maia]

Wow, very nice color

It's an impressive pen with a great looking nib

[Flere-Imsaho]

My poor man's variation on this theme.

http://home.planet.nl/~flere-imsaho/misc/namikifbradoatp.jpg

(I mean of course the poor quality of this picture )

Have a nice day,

/:) Hans.

[chainwhip]

Congrats on netting the pen of your dreams!

 

Thanks for the wonderful review and stunning pictures - I'm still seeing stars!

 

[davyr]

hi southpaw, drpjm1, wim, jeen, klemenv, richard, hans, maia, and chainwhip. thanks for the kind words - it's my pleasure to share.

 

i make it a point to ink every pen i have - no safe/vault queens for me. iirc, winedoc inks up most if not all of his really, really nice maki-e pens.

 

 

jeen Posted on Feb 26 2006, 12:57 AM

The pattern reminds me of a streaking comet with particles trailing off.

funny you should mention that...i also saw this pen by platinum, the aurora (northern dawn.) it's the pen on the left. when i first saw it, it reminded me of a comet... retail $2000!!!

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/999/platinumaurora3ui.jpg

 

 

Hans Geelen Posted on Feb 27 2006, 03:31 PM

  My poor man's variation on this theme.

http://home.planet.nl/~flere-imsaho/misc/namikifbradoatp.jpg

(I mean of course the poor quality of this picture

ok, if i were a rich man (sing in topol's/tevye's voice)...i'd pair the dunhill/namiki motorities maki-e (gulp $40,000!!! ) with the gold rado royal dream w/194 diamonds and ruby hour markers - some bling to accompany the bugatti veyron (costs a cool mil, 1000 hp!). epitome of good taste, eh?

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4760/dunhillmotorities6st.jpghttp://img474.imageshack.us/img474/9554/radoroyaldream4bm.jpg

[davyr]

http://home.planet.nl/~flere-imsaho/misc/namikifbradoatp.jpg

 

hi hans, nice rado (and namiki)! is it a current model? i'm not familiar with it...

[Flere-Imsaho]

RADO is, or was, a sponsor for the ATP tennis tournament. For this they made a

special version of the RADO DiaMaster Chrono, the RADO DiaMaster Chrono ATP.

The DiaMaster Chrono ATP is no more in production. But you can find them from

time to time via the internet.

Enjoy,

/:) Hans.

Edited February 28, 2006 by Hans Geelen

[RSM]

My first post!

 

I really enjoyed your review, and felt compelled to add that I have the 'sister' pen to the 'Nightline' - the 'Firefly'. I agree with everything you say about the beauty and reliability of these instruments, and how perfectly they write, never skipping or scratching.

 

I frequently use mine - mostly letters to friends overseas - I think it makes a nice change for people to get real letters in this day and age, instead of yet another email. And I do all my Christmas cards with it too!

 

I am no expert on fine writing instruments and was amazed, when searching the net for info prior to buying my Yukari, to find that many people never ink them at all. Sacrilege! Perhaps we could start a subdivsion of the club for members that actually use their pens.

 

Rose.

Edited August 27, 2006 by RSM

[Flere-Imsaho]

I would say we have to cherish the pluriformity of the fountain pen community. Except for trolls, you have to draw a line somewhere. And think about it, the people who do not ink their pens give you an oppertunity to buy a great pen sometime in the future.

Enjoy and welcome.

/:) Hans.

[sonia_simone]

Such a lovely pen, it's a wonderful use of the techniques.

 

And great point, Hans.

[rokurinpapa]

Nice review! Splendid pen! I also become happy to read your review.The Night Line discontinued ,sad to say.Now I am looking for the pen to use of course.I think fountain pens are fountain pens.Pens perhaps are happy to be written with.

 

rokurinpapa

[Mrsal]

that pen looks amazing!