Rotring 600
| Rotring 600 | |
|---|---|
| Also called: | 600 |
| Manufacturer: | Rotring |
| Pen Type: | Fountain Pen |
| First released: | 1989 |
| Discontinued: | Still available |
| Made in : | Germany, Japan |
The Rotring 600 was first released in 1989.[1] Its design can be traced back to the preceding Rotring 500 series, which debut in 1985 with burgundy plastic barrels and metal knurled grips. The Rotring 500 is contemporary with the almost identical Rapidomatic series by Koh-I-Noor USA, which was bought over by Rotring in 1985. The Rapidomatic series of 'fine lead mechanical pencils' was a refinement from Koh-I-Noor's Select-O-Matic II 2.0mm leadholder, which is itself a refinement of the company's Select-O-Matic 5617 (1955–1984), which featured a hexagonal metal body, knurled grip and patented lead hardness indictor in the push button. The first version of the Rotring 500 did not have a 'red ring' around its lead indicator knob.
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].
The Rotring 600 was originally made in Germany before production moved to Japan.
Red Ring
A late 1988 catalog lists the first version of Rotring 600 only in 0.5mm lead diameter. It was offered in silver or black color and featured a 'thin' red ring around the lead indicator knob. The familiar 'thick' red ring was only introduced in 1990.
Knurling
The early Rotring 600 pencils used to have a coarser knurling grip with the same pattern as the lead indicator.[2]. At that time Rotring also released a similar Koh-I-Noor branded pen which shared the coarser knurling. One explanation for the transition to the later, finer knurling might be a desire to appeal Japanese tastes [2]. The current (2018) knurling on the grip is the same as the one found on the early 600 ballpoint [2].
Mechanical Pencil Version
Over the years the mechanical pencil version of the Rotring 600 has been available in the following lead diameters [3]
- 0,3 mm / 0,35 mm (the current 2018 version is labelled '0,35 mm' and is not available in all countries)
- 0,5 mm
- 0,7 mm
- 0,9 mm / 1,0 (discontinued) According to JetPens 0,9 mm and 1,0 mm leads are interchangeable [4]
- 2,0 mm (not available in all countries)
Ballpoint Pen Version
The Rotring 600 was also sold as a ballpoint pen, in either black or silver (matching trim) or with gold trim.[5]
In 2018 the ballpoint was re-released as the Rotring 600 (knock) and Rotring 800 (twist).
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1989 Entry Rotring Heritage
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Comment on video The Japan Specs Rotring 600 mechanical pencil by Guillermo de la Maza, YouTube
- ↑ My Rotring 600 leadholder collection, Unofficial Rotring
- ↑ Mechanical Pencil Lead Size Comparison, JetPens
- ↑ Rotring 600 Ballpoint Unsharpen.com