If I were to be reincarnated as a pen, I’d like to be a Nakaya. In my next life I would like to be serene, subtle, quietly reeking of artistic merit, and fully functional, instead of frivolous, clumsy and more obvious than a horn on a unicorn.
During a quick trip to Aesthetic Bay a couple of months ago (practically a lifetime in internet years), I decided to bring home a new Nakaya Piccolo, with a “string rolled” design.
The finish is shiro-tame (white), and the effect is unexpectedly like shiny terracotta.
The artist wrapped string around the barrel and the cap, then lacquered over it. The wrapped part is raised compared to the rest of the pen; the string’s texture can be felt through the lacquer.
I chose an elastic extra fine nib for this pen, and had the clip changed from matte to polished gold to match the nib.
The elastic nib bends away from the feed and then returns.
I’m quite fond of elastic nibs for drawing, and the String Rolled has quickly found a place in the rotation.
