Old style rotring 600, am I missing something?

[woodsteel23]

Hi guys, I just picked up an old style rotring 600 silver ballpoint pen with the knurled grip, and I'm extremely pleased with the heft of the pen and the way it writes.

One thing puzzles me though, at the top of the pen, below the "clicker" is a display window that can be rotated and displays 4 colours: green, red, blue and black.

I'm pretty sure mine is a straightforward ballpoint and not one of those multi-function pens, so what is the display window used for?

[rmfromm]

I believe that you just turn it to the color ink you have in the pen. It just serves as a reminder, I have a 600 rollerball and it just has 2 colors in its window (black and blue).

[JoeyBones]

wow, i have one of these pens and had no clue how pricey they are....I need to go get a refill somewhere and start using it!

[chas9rr]

Hey wood... where did you get it and how much for? I have been wanting one for awhile, but cant find one reasonably priced. Do you have a F-701 to compare it too? I wonder if its heftier than the 701.
Charles

[crossroads]

I used to have a mechanical pencil rotring 600, excellent construction. Charles, while I've never used an F-701, from what I've read, I'm almost certain the rotring would have been heavier.

[woodsteel23]

Thanks for the replies guys! I knew there had to be a purpose for that window.

Chas, I snagged it of ebay for about $65, and while I do not personally own an F-701, I've tried one out in a stationary shop before and the Rotring is definitely heavier in weight.

[chas9rr]

Nice snag there woods! I really like my F701 with a space pen cartridge, but am looking for a pen to use Parker style refills for the wide range of refills and ink available. Might have to try the retro51 knock off for about half the price...
What ink cartridges do you like to use best?
Charles

[woodsteel23]

Thanks chas, the retro 1951 sure looks like a decent pen, I might be tempted to pick one up in black since I have the silver rotring already.

Cartridges wise, I use the stock rotring blue one that came with the pen and it's serving me just fine. Might go with a parker black ballpoint though. Cheap and easily replaceable.

[davem]

I used to have a mechanical pencil rotring 600, excellent construction. Charles, while I've never used an F-701, from what I've read, I'm almost certain the rotring would have been heavier.

Hey Crossroads, your post prompted me to buy a knurled Rotring 600 0.7m mechanical pencil. It just arrived and I just opened it.....VERY NICE!!! It's a little lighter and a little slimmer than my knurled Rotring 600 pen, but I really like it. Exact same finish...side by side they look like a set. I went for the 0.7 as opposed to the thinner leads b/c I tend to press hard and the lead is always breaking. Also, I got a great deal at ipenstore.com, only $53.65 including shipping. Whatta bargain! Didn't include a fancy box, but I always throw the box away anyhow so that's fine with me! Excellent fit and finish. I don't use pencils too often but maybe that's about to change! Thanks!