Rotring 600 Ballpoint Pen

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Rotring 600/800: Feel, Function, and Quality Concerns

  • Many praise the 600/800 mechanical pencils for grip, weight, and robustness; they suit heavy-handed writers and those with sweaty hands.
  • Some find the 600 ballpoint “unnaturally heavy” at first but then solid and comfortable; others say the knurled grip can be too aggressive and even peel skin.
  • Non‑retractable pencil tips on older 600s are noted as fragile and easy to bend; 800’s retractable mechanism is appreciated for safe pocket carry.
  • Several reports (citing other forums) claim modern 600s suffer cracks and weak metal threads, attributed to post‑acquisition quality decline. Vintage German-made models are viewed as superior.

Refills: The Real Writing Experience

  • Multiple comments stress the body is mostly “a vehicle for the refill”; writing quality depends heavily on the cartridge.
  • Popular upgrades for the 600 include:
    • Uni Jetstream Parker‑style refills (fast-drying, smooth, reliable).
    • Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 (some love the smoothness, others find it underwhelming).
    • OHTO ceramic rollerball refills for smoother ink and an aesthetically pleasing nib.

Alternatives: Ballpoints, Gels, and Pencils

  • Strong enthusiasm for Uni Jetstream (various models and multipens), Pentel EnerGel, Zebra Sarasa (especially “Dry”), Pilot Precise V5, Uniball One, and cheap Bic Cristal / Nataraj Glow as surprisingly excellent, durable performers.
  • Mechanical pencil fans recommend Pentel Graphgear 500/1000, Uni Kuru Toga (including metal versions), Alvin Draft/Matic, Uni Shift, and Pentel Orenz Nero as more affordable or more robust alternatives to Rotring.

Fountain Pens, Inks, and Paper

  • Many consider fountain pens the “pinnacle” for feel and long-term sustainability (bottled ink, refillable cartridges), citing Pilot Vanishing Point/Decimo, Lamy 2000, Safari, Parker, Waterman, etc.
  • Counterpoints: leaks, maintenance, clogged nibs, sensitivity to paper quality, and poor suitability for diagrams or rough use.
  • Longevity experiences vary: some report decades of reliable use; others had modern pens wear out or clog. Cleaning techniques (flushes, ultrasonic cleaners) are discussed.
  • Ink and paper pairings matter greatly for permanence and bleed-through; pigment and “bulletproof” inks plus high-quality, acid‑free paper are recommended.

Left-Handed and Smudge Issues

  • Left-handers describe fountain pens and slow-drying inks as problematic in LTR scripts, leading some back to Jetstream, Sarasa Dry, and other fast-drying ballpoints/gels.
  • Writing technique (page rotation, avoiding the “hooked” grip) is debated as at least as important as ink choice.

Meta: Brand Decline and Tool Fetish vs. Simplicity

  • Several note Rotring (and brands like Parker/Waterman) as examples of reputation outlasting quality after acquisition—likened to a general pattern of “enshittification” or “reputational arbitrage.”
  • There’s tension between enjoying high-end tools for daily pleasure and warnings against over‑fetishizing gear instead of focusing on the actual writing or work.