rOtring 600 Mechanical Pencil | 0.5 mm | Black All-Metal Body Propelling Pencil | Non-Slip Knurled Grip & Hexagonal Barrel

Product Information

However, we’ll talk about balance and weight (i.e., the feel) in the differences section, which could sway you one way or another. #5 The Eraser The first Rotring fountain pen was unveiled in Germany in 1928, combining an ink flow regulator with a fine nib and regulator wire. While the pens these days are manufactured in Japan, the brand remains steeped in its German heritage – the name Rotring literally translates to "red ring", which you'll see around the barrel of the manufacturer's pens and pencils today. Just like the Leica red dot in the world of cameras (another German firm), it's an iconic symbol that instantly denotes quality. The major difference was in naming: the gold trim Rotring 600 from the ’80s and ’90s are now known as the Rotring 800. Rotring 600 vs Rapid Pro We won’t go into too much detail here. Why? Because they’re both meticulously crafted by the mother of all mechanical pen makers, and thus, each writes wonderfully. Also in later 2019 we learned that red, blue, and green Rotring 600 pens would be released in Japan. These will not be special editions, but rather standard issue 600s. So while the pen may no longer be sold in the US it will certainly live on in other regions and be importable from them. Alternate Versions

Over the years the mechanical pencil version of the Rotring 600 has been available in the following lead diameters [3] Rotring describes the 600 as their "entry into the upscale writing instrument market" [1], "designed with a hexagonal barrel to prevent it from rolling on the architects drawing table. It is machined out of one piece of brass on a lathe, providing it with ample weight to ensure that the architect need not apply extra pressure when creating" [1]. Conversely, you can’t retract the nib with the rOtring 600. Still, it has a stainless steel nib that houses the lead, which is notoriously robust. #2 The Weight, Length, and Width True fans of the pen will also differentiate between the different generations of the original Rotring 600 models. With the ballpoint the largest differentiator within the original run of 600s is between the standard and Levenger models. The Levenger ones were made in Japan and are a clear predecessor to Levenger’s L-Tech line of pens and pencils. The rOtring 600 has a hexagonal barrel that makes it fit comfortably against your hand, like a traditional pencil. However, the grip is rounded, so your fingers will grip it easily. It comes in a sleek triangular box, which is fully recyclable. Conclusion

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If you’re already an avid stationery lover, it probably is no surprise that the rOtring 600 and rOtring 800 aren’t all that different. The brand is the Rolls Royce of mechanical pencils and ballpoint pens, so you can guarantee a high-quality, luxurious writing performance regardless of the model you choose. #1 The Hexagonal Barrel USA only, imported by Levenger, produced to Levenger's specifications in Japan. Not much information is available about this generation. The 4th Generation Second Wave has Levenger printed on the side. Additional silver holding lugs protrude from the grip. [5] A similar pen is still available from Levenger as a ballpoint pen, rollerball and fountain pen, as part of their L-Tech series. [6]. As great as it looks, the feel of the pencil in the hand is what sets it apart from the competition. The weight and balance when writing or drawing is perfect. It is heavier than most drafting pencils but since it is dispersed so evenly you hardly notice. Engineers, architects, and artists all swear by it.

What makes the Rotring 600 so special? The list is long, but I will do my best to summarize. First off, the design is minimalism at its finest. The smooth brass hexagonal body combined with a knurled grip and lead grade indicator give the 600 a clean look. Add in the iconic Rotring red circle and this pencil has classic written all over it. Rotring 600 is printed on the cap. The knurling is not as deep as the previous generation. Bevel above red ring 30% to 70% straight. Rollerball and Gold nib versions were available. [5] 3nd Generation [ edit ] The first notable similarity is the expertly designed hexagonal barrel — rOtring thought ahead during the design stages here!

If you’re now concerned about the hexagonal shape impacting your writing experience, don’t be. The closer you come to the nib, it turns into a cylinder, ensuring it’s pleasant — and more natural — to hold and use. The knurled (i.e., it has small ridges on its surface) texture also works to aid naturalness. And unlike less high-quality brands, it isn’t coarse. Instead, it’s organic and doesn’t irritate your skin over prolonged use.

Overall, if you’re a fan of mechanical pencils, you’ll love the rOtring 600, and you should certainly try one for your design work or even just for writing. Make sure you protect the tip, and you’ll have no issues. What Shape Is The Barrel? Okay, we’ve covered the similarities, so let’s jump right into the differences. #1 The Retractable Pipe The history of the Rotring 600 is not very well documented, at least outside of Rotring, but it was first released as a mechanical pencil in 1988. This design was based on the slightly older Rotring 500 pencil, which was released in 1985. The Rotring 500 was, and still is, a drafting pencil. It was never sold as a pen. Future of the Rotring 600 Of course, no pencils are perfect, and the rOtring 600 mechanical pencil does have some downsides. The biggest of these is that the tip is not retractable; it is fixed. This is quite a major annoyance for many people. The rOtring 800 is retractable and is probably the biggest upgrade over the 600. The main feature you will hear about when investigating the Rotring 600 is the knurled grip. This is the case for a number of reasons, but primarily because Rotring followed up the 600 line with the Newton, which was more common and less desirable. The Newton look very much like the 600 but does not have the knurled grip.

Rotring 600 is printed on the cap. A different colour was used for the print (RAL 3001). Features deep knurling. Bevel above red ring 50% of height, cap is slightly bigger then 1st and 2nd generation. Rollerball and Gold versions were available. 2nd or 3rd generation fountain pens without printing were initially sold via the Rotring branch that sold promotional items to be printed with the promoting company's logo. [5] 4th Generation [ edit ] Rotring’s Rapid Pro ballpoint is quite reminiscent of the 600. And prior to 2018, the Rapid Pro was the only way to get a new Rotring 600-style design, so it became quite a popular option.

The high quality of the best Rotring pens makes them particularly popular amongst professional drafters, students and others involved in technical drawing. But they're also good for outlining, shading, sketching, artwork and calligraphy, making them a good choice for both professional artists and anyone learning how to draw. You want your pencil to stand the test of time, right? Well, the hexagonal barrel increases its usable lifespan as you won’t need to worry about damage from it rolling off your desk. #2 The Knurled Grip There are no other significant disadvantages to this pencil. The rest mostly comes down to personal preference; some find that the barrel is a little thin or the pencil is a little heavy for their tastes, but others feel these aspects are perfect.The eraser in both the 600 and 800 is removable and replaceable. It works just as well as you’d expect! rOtring 600 vs 800: The Differences