Nakaya Long Piccolo, hairline finish, 2-tone music nib.
It’s been 3 years since my first Nakaya. What an adventure in beauty it has been! I have always admired artists who are able to direct the lightning of their ideas through their fingertips. Nakaya’s pens are truly ideas solidified into fountain pen form. They could just as well be watches, or cutlery, or trousers – but all constructed with care around an idea.
Nakaya introduced the hairline finish last year, and intend to make it a regular offering. What was once liquid-shiny urushi is now matte and eats light like velvet. I was happy to find it in the Long Piccolo version, and had the ruthenium clip replaced with an emerald-eyed snake.
The snake isn’t a clip, strictly speaking, but a roll stopper.
As always, the craftsmanship is impeccable. The snake’s details are meticulously rendered, and the emerald eyes provide just the right exotic touch. The contrast between the silver and the hairline finish is lovely. I keep staring at the pen while I write with it.
From left to right, high-shine urushi in heki-tame; stone mimicry in the ishi-me kan-shitsu finish; and hairline. It is both a technical and artistic accomplishment of the highest degree to obtain such different textures from basically a single material.
I opted for a two-tone music nib. The line is slightly finer than Platinum’s.
The most artful-looking pen can turn into an ugly monster if it writes badly. I’m happy to report that’s not the case at all with this pen. The music nib lays down a voluptuous line, and glides over paper. Thanks to Aesthetic Bay for the opportunity to add another Nakaya to my collection. Now if only they made multi-pen kimonos…
Tags: Aesthetic Bay, hairline, Piccolo
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Love the texture of the barrel but a multi-pen kimono sounds, well, a tad risque.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:49 pm
But, but! It would be so handy to have a kimono that would hold more than one pen.
February 18th, 2010 at 10:54 am
How in the world do you write so nice with your fountain pen? It’s like calligraphy! I can never do that with my fountain pen, no matter how expensive … please teach me!
Thomas
February 21st, 2010 at 11:59 am
Thomas, take a look at IAMPETH, they have a lot of resources for anyone at any skill level.
I have a cheat sheet for busy people who want to write just a bit better – I’ll put that up on the blog soon! 
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:14 am
Thank you! I will also check out their signature resource. My 3rd grade teacher who said I have the best handwriting in the entire class would be disappointed if she saw my handwriting now. I need to slow down. Thanks again!
Thomas
PS. Aesthetic Bay is a great place!
June 16th, 2010 at 3:44 am
Hi Leigh, great blog and great FP! (like all Nakaya’s FP)
Could I ask you a question?
I’m interested in the Nakaya Cigar Piccolo Long, I’ve a Cigar Piccolo standard but I find it a bit short.
But I can’ find that Piccolo Long in the Nakaya website! Can you help me to find where to buy it?
I’m looking for a Akatamenuri without clip and with grip section. Can I ask Nakaya for that model?
Thank you very much in advance