Rotring 600

K Williams

K Williams

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Joined
Nov 17, 1998
Messages
3,284
I read a post in the Practical Tactical forum that mentioned the Rotring 600 pen. How good are these pens? Which finish is the best? I like the looks of the lava finish, but will that wear away with time? Thanks in advance.
 
I don't have the 600 but I do have several other Rotring pens (Ballpoint, fountian and drafting) and I am very pleased with them. One called the Quatopen I have carried for years and it looks and works like new.
 
The shafts are made out of solid brass, which makes them pretty good defensive weapons. I always had a problem with the ball points as they glob quite often. The Lava finish was Rotring's attempt at pleasing all the loyal customer that complained when they stopped knurling the grip portion of the shaft. It's very grippy and durable, but will chip if you drop it, or drop something hard on it. I've been using Roting as my primary mechanical pencil since high school (about 25 years ago) and they've never given me a problem.
 
Thanks for the replies. I remember looking at Rotring drafting pencils when I was in high school(Civil Engineering major...yeah in high school), but I never had the money to buy one. Since the Lava finish chips, I think I might go with the Chrome finish. Hey Tonyccw, you didn't by any chance go to Brooklyn Tech HS did you?
 
If you can find the earlier knurled versions, they're great. The ink on the stock ballpoint cartridges can get "gloppy" (?) over time, but the pen accomodates a standard Parker refill, so quality refills shouldn't be a problem.

I have a silver ballpoint/pencil set, and I'm looking for a black set before they're extinct.
 
I recently acquired some old style Rotring 600 mechanical pencils (with the knurled grip) on ebay from a guy in Germany. He posts them fairly often. I'm really enjoying mine, and the fellow is very friendly and easy to deal with. I can e-mail you a link to his current auctions if you're interested.
 
Originally posted by K Williams
Hey Tonyccw, you didn't by any chance go to Brooklyn Tech HS did you?
Click to expand...
No. I turned down Stuy to go to Aviation.
Originally posted by L.O. Little
They still sell the knurled versions, with "Levenger" on the barrel.
Click to expand...
That's a special run they did for Levengers. It's a smoother knurl than the old style, which was known to work as a small rasp when called upon.h
 
I bought mine from Weber as well. Very friendly, quick with shipping, my transaction with him went very well.
 
The Rotring 600 ballpoint arrived today. I like the lava finish. The only thing is that it's kind of small. Time to buy the rollerball. I'll probably get that one in matte silver.
 
Make sure you look for the older Rotring 600's made in Germany.

The newer Rotring 600/Newton's are not nearly as nice IMHO.

I've purchased several off of Ebay from a couple of guys in Germany and another in Vienna, Austria. All transactions went smooth as silk.

If you want something a little larger in the barrel, get the Rollerball. The ballpoints are very similar to the ~$3.50 Parker's you can buy at Wal-Mart which I think are called jotters.
 
The mailman just dropped off my Rotring 600. It is one of the older versions with knurled grip.

I like it. Construction seems to be of good quality. For some reason I was expecting the pen to be heavy, its not.

I plan on getting some gel refills for it.
 
Yes, the solid construction makes you think it should be heavier then it really is. The more I use mine, the more I like it.
 
Would somebody please explain the difference between a ball point and roller ball pen?
Thanks,
Lenny
 
Anyone know of any online retailers who are still selling the "old" model? I'm interested in the ballpoint and the rollerball.

Slim pickins on eBay, and "weber" is apparently no longer around. Maybe it's a temporary dry spell. Or do I need to check German eBay? :confused:

TIA for any leads.

- abanytime
 
I got several pens from Torsten Shrage from Germany. One from a D. Martini and, a couple from a gentleman in Vienna, Austria.

Be patient. Sometimes the pens got bid up way to high. Other times, they sold at the introductory price. It took me about a month but, I got all the pens I wanted at a fair price.

Ebay does have one silver rollerball from Europe right now for a reasonable price.
 
Thanks Sid. I'll keep my eyes (and my options) open and I'm sure I'll find what I'm looking for.

-AB
 
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