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.
![Nakaya Piccolo "string rolled" Nakaya Piccolo "string rolled"](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/P1110116-600x450.jpg)
The finish is shiro-tame (white), and the effect is unexpectedly like shiny terracotta.
![String accent String accent](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/P1110122-600x450.jpg)
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.
![Nakaya Piccolo string rolled, uncapped Nakaya Piccolo string rolled, uncapped](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/P1110045.jpg)
I chose an elastic extra fine nib for this pen, and had the clip changed from matte to polished gold to match the nib.
![Elastic nib action Elastic nib action](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/P1110072-600x450.jpg)
The elastic nib bends away from the feed and then returns.
![Nakaya nibs - writing samples Nakaya nibs - writing samples](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/P1110138-600x450.jpg)
I’m quite fond of elastic nibs for drawing, and the String Rolled has quickly found a place in the rotation.