Let's talk about Nakaya pens......

[Formulansx]

So after reading some threads about these pens and doing hours of research about them, I've decided that this pen is really something I should seriously consider getting a hold of. I'm interested to hear from you guys that have one and how the Urushi lacquer wears. I'm looking at a writer version with a clip and plan to put it in my daily rotation. I'll be clipping it a lot actually but I absolutely do not want to wear the finish. I'm considering a 1.1 stub or an italic. Please post up any experience or preferences with these pens. There's a lot of options so I want to make sure I have all my bases covered/considered.

[Bisquitlips]

I own a Nakaya burl wood 1.1 FP.

I would be hard pressed to suggest a better writing instrument! They are one of the best hand crafted FPs in existence!

[Formulansx]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

I own a Nakaya burl wood 1.1 FP.

I would be hard pressed to suggest a better writing instrument! They are one of the best hand crafted FPs in existence!

This is the stuff I want to hear. In my personal experience, there's a night and day difference between "hand made in Italy" and "hand made in Japan". As far as fountain pens go, 2 of 3 of my Omas pens needed some work right out of the box. I haven't posted my latest Omas incoming thread yet of my new lighter colored rosewood Milord but quick preview is, I had to take the pen completely apart right out of the box. As in it wouldn't run at all! Brand new pen even.

[broadoblique]

Real Urushi on ebonite is probably the most durable material there is. Mine show fewer scratches and keep the gloss better than celluloid or polished ebonite. The surface feels harder than others.

Urushi on ebonite pens are light. I like that, especially when carrying it in a shirt pocket all day and for long writing sessions, but others may not. Some of Nakaya's pens are now being made with brass section threads, adding a little heft. And there is another model that has an adjustable brass weight.

You might give the filling system some thought. Many Urushi models are eyedroppers with a brilliant ink shut off. I find they function like a Visconti power filler. Others use a converter, making them simpler and easy to clean.

A number of firms produce hand-made Urushis. I believe the Nakayas are some of the lower priced. But for several years now I've been more attracted to Danitrio. They are coming up with updated versions of the classic styles that attract me. I'm afraid I don't have sufficient good taste to prefer the most simple colors and styles; I like the varied colors and textures possible with Urushi.

Nakaya nibs are based on the Platinum. Sailor and Namiki produce Urushis. Danitrio and Manu Propria use Bock.

Just remember that just one Urushi pen is impossible.
Have fun!

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Formulansx

This is the stuff I want to hear. In my personal experience, there's a night and day difference between "hand made in Italy" and "hand made in Japan". As far as fountain pens go, 2 of 3 of my Omas pens needed some work right out of the box. I haven't posted my latest Omas incoming thread yet of my new lighter colored rosewood Milord but quick preview is, I had to take the pen completely apart right out of the box. As in it wouldn't run at all! Brand new pen even.

One of my sorrows is that I have collected over 100 fountain pens. I own Montblancs, Omas, Parkers, Sheaffers, and just about every other known maker.

When it comes to a FP with a better than ever nib, Nakaya wins every time. But that is my opinion!

Wish I had another lifetime to collect fountain pens.... Yes I do! But I do not. So all you young collectors.... Take your time... Digest your options! And remember......... Nakaya fountain pens are the best you can acquire!

Now...... where is my check $$$$ from my Nakaya friends????

No where ..... Just as expected. But nevertheless! Nakaya FPs are the best! Just the VERY BEST!

They JUST DO THEM RIGHT!!!! Just do them absolutely right!

[Formulansx]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

One of my sorrows is that I have collected over 100 fountain pens. I own Montblancs, Omas, Parkers, Sheaffers, and just about every other known maker.

When it comes to a FP with a better than ever nib, Nakaya wins every time. But that is my opinion!

Wish I had another lifetime to collect fountain pens.... Yes I do! But I do not. So all you young collectors.... Take your time... Digest your options! And remember......... Nakaya fountain pens are the best you can acquire!

Now...... where is my check $$$$ from my Nakaya friends????

No where ..... Just as expected. But nevertheless! Nakaya FPs are the best! Just the VERY BEST!

They JUST DO THEM RIGHT!!!! Just do them absolutely right!

This is kind of my impression of these pens. I've been dancing around with a Visconti speakeasy but in reality, it's just playing around. The Nakaya sounds like a serious pen! The cost to me is about the same for either. If the Speakeasy only held more than .2oz of booze lol! I mean I can only get moonshine so hot and .2 oz just isn't going to get the job done but yeah, the Nakaya is really impressing me right now especially with all the sorting of pens I've had to endure lately. It would be great to get an incredible pen right out of the box. A 1.1 italic is sounding awesome right now.

[Formulansx]

Just watched a review of a Nakaya in aka-tamenuri again and I really don't think I can resist much longer now the big question is.......do I need a converter hand painted with goldfish!! Seriously, I'm thinking about it! How crazy Japanese is that??

[jar]

Originally Posted by Formulansx

Just watched a review of a Nakaya in aka-tamenuri again and I really don't think I can resist much longer now the big question is.......do I need a converter hand painted with goldfish!! Seriously, I'm thinking about it! How crazy Japanese is that??

If you do try filling it with some Kon-peki. It is one of the strange experiences, the ultimate inside joke, you know the little fish are swimming among the seaweed while you write and no one can see them yet everyone is wondering why you have that silly grin on your face.

Danitrio was also mentioned above and it too is a great choice. My personal choice is Danitrio for Maki-e and Nakaya (and Platinum) for urushi.

[Formulansx]

Originally Posted by jar

If you do try filling it with some Kon-peki. It is one of the strange experiences, the ultimate inside joke, you know the little fish are swimming among the seaweed while you write and no one can see them yet everyone is wondering why you have that silly grin on your face.

Danitrio was also mentioned above and it too is a great choice. My personal choice is Danitrio for Maki-e and Nakaya (and Platinum) for urushi.

These are all awesome pens. Unfortunately my bank account was hit very hard due to recent "interests" and California's political climate forcing purchases of such "interests" before Jan 1st. The Nakaya project is on hold but not forgotten!!

[Andad]

I was the lucky recipient of this one a few years ago thanks to Steve and TRF.

Thanks again to Steve and the moderators.

[jar]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I was the lucky recipient of this one a few years ago thanks to Steve and TRF.

Thanks again to Steve and the moderators.

Yay Music nibs. Mine is on a Piccolo and another on a Platinum Century #3776 Chartres Blue.

[Juantxo]

I know there is a Google wizard that knows all but I'll venture to ask here because I hold your opinions in higher esteem: What is the difference between urushi and Maki-e (is the capital M properly used)...? Thank you.

[Juantxo]

So I couldn't wait and went to the Nakaya and Classic Pens website to look into Nakaya. I confess that for years I've remained loyal to Pelikan in order to avoid confusion and for the proverbial if it works, don't fix it. But I must confess tearfully that I have fallen hard for the Japanese pen. And the world of Japanese pens is confusing for the uninitiated.

To start, there is Nakaya, Platinum, Danitrio... As a beginner, I'm mostly interested in writing quality: the nib. That's for starts. Nakaya's medium flexible sounds like celestial music to my ears. I don't much care for very large pens (Pelikan 800, 1000). For now, I'd rather keep it simple in terms of barrel, etc. I'd like a new pen.

Please guide me to my first Japanese fountain pen. Please open the doors of pen heaven for me. I'll appreciate it. Thank you so much.

[jar]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

I know there is a Google wizard that knows all but I'll venture to ask here because I hold your opinions in higher esteem: What is the difference between urushi and Maki-e (is the capital M properly used)...? Thank you.

Urushi is a coating, a lacquer made from tree sap. Actually it is the same base as what you get from poison oak or poison sumac or poison ivy, urushiol.

It is put on in very thin layers and then cured, polished and additional layers added. Once cured it is transparent, plays with the light, feels smooth and never slippery and will last for several lifetimes. Gradually over time it will get increasingly transparent.

Maki-e is a painting technique, primarily with powered metals like gold, silver, brass, copper but also other materials. In the best cases the designs are done by hand by a master craftsman, an urushi shi. There are other techniques such as raden where other materials are put into the still damp usushi finish. Some examples are dove egg shell bits, abalone and mother of pearl, snail shell or really thin strips of precious metals.

Today there are also very nice entry level Maki-e objects where the design is silk screened onto the pen. Sometimes as many as seven screens are used to create very colorful and detailed pictures.

The designs, once completed and cured generally get covered by yet more usushi as a preservative.

Here are some just urushi pens.





And some examples of entry level maki-e...



... and finally some examples of maki-e done by hand by masters.

[jar]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

So I couldn't wait and went to the Nakaya and Classic Pens website to look into Nakaya. I confess that for years I've remained loyal to Pelikan in order to avoid confusion and for the proverbial if it works, don't fix it. But I must confess tearfully that I have fallen hard for the Japanese pen. And the world of Japanese pens is confusing for the uninitiated.

To start, there is Nakaya, Platinum, Danitrio... As a beginner, I'm mostly interested in writing quality: the nib. That's for starts. Nakaya's medium flexible sounds like celestial music to my ears. I don't much care for very large pens (Pelikan 800, 1000). For now, I'd rather keep it simple in terms of barrel, etc. I'd like a new pen.

Please guide me to my first Japanese fountain pen. Please open the doors of pen heaven for me. I'll appreciate it. Thank you so much.

So lets start with some boring details.

Remember that the pens you are talking about are truly hand made. Nakayas total staff is four individuals. That means there will be variations between each and every pen.

Note that the dimensions and weights vary even between models of the same pen from the same maker.


*barrel length measured from nib tip to end of pen:

Next sizes. Most Danitrios are BIG but they are also light. The Danitrio Hanryo is the smallest currently offered.

Nibs. The Nakaya and Platinum nibs run close to typical Asian nibs, about one size narrower than the same European size. A Japanese M and Pelikan F will be about the same width.

Danitrio though uses Bock nibs and so widths are similar to those on European pens.

Posting. Generally most urushi and maki-e pens are designed to be used without posting.

And just to help you avoid confusion there are also the great Pilot and sailor pens from Japan.

[Juantxo]

So I got a little info. Platinum and Nakaya are owned by the same person. Nakaya is basically a higher-end, as much as it can be bespoke, product. Like Seiko and Credor and Grand Seiko. There is a wider choice of nib options for Nakaya. Nakaya has models not made by Platinum. Yet there seems to be one model common to both brands. These seem to be large pens, over 5 1/2" capped.

I'll look into Nakaya. Classic Fountain Pens seems like a good place where to start asking questions. Any recommendations and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

So I couldn't wait and went to the Nakaya and Classic Pens website to look into Nakaya. I confess that for years I've remained loyal to Pelikan in order to avoid confusion and for the proverbial if it works, don't fix it. But I must confess tearfully that I have fallen hard for the Japanese pen. And the world of Japanese pens is confusing for the uninitiated.

To start, there is Nakaya, Platinum, Danitrio... As a beginner, I'm mostly interested in writing quality: the nib. That's for starts. Nakaya's medium flexible sounds like celestial music to my ears. I don't much care for very large pens (Pelikan 800, 1000). For now, I'd rather keep it simple in terms of barrel, etc. I'd like a new pen.

Please guide me to my first Japanese fountain pen. Please open the doors of pen heaven for me. I'll appreciate it. Thank you so much.

You will not be dissatisfied with a Nakaya. Or Platinum for that matter.

This is my very next Japanese FP. I have lusted over it for the last 3 years and after my recent Platinum purchase this one has moved to the top of my A list.

http://www.nibs.com/NakayaPortableHekiTamenuri.html

[jar]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

You will not be dissatisfied with a Nakaya. Or Platinum for that matter.

This is my very next Japanese FP. I have lusted over it for the last 3 years and after my recent Platinum purchase this one has moved to the top of my A list.

http://www.nibs.com/NakayaPortableHekiTamenuri.html

It's a great choice. I'm using one today.

[Juantxo]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

You will not be dissatisfied with a Nakaya. Or Platinum for that matter.

This is my very next Japanese FP. I have lusted over it for the last 3 years and after my recent Platinum purchase this one has moved to the top of my A list.

http://www.nibs.com/NakayaPortableHekiTamenuri.html

Perfection. The size is just right. What size nib, though...? Their nibs run very fine. I'm thinking broad.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Juantxo

Perfection. The size is just right. What size nib, though...? Their nibs run very fine. I'm thinking broad.

You can choose any style nib Nakaya has.

I will likely get a medium cursive italic, but haven't decided yet.

[jar]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

You can choose any style nib Nakaya has.

I will likely get a medium cursive italic, but haven't decided yet.

Here are some writing samples of different Nakaya nibs.

[Juantxo]

Jim, you rock the world...!!!!! Wow...!!!!!! So much useful and wonderful information. Amazing and utterly interesting. Thank you so much. I think I have a clear idea of where to start now. Rest assured that I'll post pictures and a report a soon as I can.

By the way, your pictures are truly amazing. What an educational experience. Thank you.