I’m always on the search for a great “everyday pen.” I’ve spent the last few weeks trying out the rOtring 600 ballpoint pen as my go-to writing pen. In this article, I will share my thoughts about it.
So if you’re looking for your next favorite pen you may have come across the rOtring 600. What is so special about this ballpoint pen and will it become your next pen?
The rOtring 600 ballpoint pen is a pleasure to hold and write with. It features a knurled grip, hexagonal shaft, and pocket safe click to retract design. It is compatible with Parker-style refills.
If you’ve used a rOtring pen or pencil before you know their level of quality. If you have not, this full rOtring 600 ballpoint pen review will cover everything you will need to know.
Table of Contents
rOtring 600 Ballpoint Pen Review
The rOtring 600 is for you whether you are highly critical when it comes to your writing implements or happy with anything that writes. This design from German company rOtring has been well-loved since its early models in 1989. With over a century of experience, rOtring knows its pens.
However, it isn’t enough to say that this is a great pen. You need to know what features it has in order to decide if it is better than others. To begin I will cover the pen’s strengths: its outer casing and mechanism designs. This includes the following aspects.
- Knurled design
- Barrel design
- Tip design
Next, is the ink used and refill compatibility. These two areas cover the more important aspects of the ballpoint pen. Though this latter area isn’t as strong as the former, there are enough options that you’ll be able to get what you want out of this pen.
Features of the pen’s outer casing
There isn’t any part of the rOtring 600 ballpoint pen that is unique to this pen alone. Other pens have knurled grips. The hexagonal barrel isn’t the only one of its kind. Many pens have satisfying nocks and well-designed tips. It is the way that the various physical aspects combine in this design that makes it such high quality.
First, the knurling. There are two parts that have knurled texture. The grip has very fine knurling that provides a comfortable yet non-slip space to hold. There is more knurling on the other end. This space is purely for aesthetic purposes.
Between these two knurled parts is the main barrel. As mentioned above it is hexagonal in shape. This is designed to prevent the pen from rolling off a desk. It serves this function well in addition to adding character. It gives the pen a sleek clean design. The overall casing comes in five colors: red, green, blue, black, and silver.
It did take some time to get used to the hexagonal design. It definitely felt different when writing with it for the first time, but it didn’t take too long to get used to it.
Features of the pen’s refill compatibility
Exterior appearance and function aside there is the matter of the ink and refills. Depending on your perspective this is the more important side of a pen. A pen can be comfortable and look nice but if it doesn’t write well it isn’t worthwhile.
I should start by saying there’s nothing wrong with the refill that comes with the pen. It comes with a decently smooth-flowing black ink. This is where personal preference comes into play. If the included refill is not to your liking you can replace it with a different ink. Luckily you have a few options.
The rOtring 600 ballpoint pen is compatible with all Parker-style refills. Two common choices for replacement refill are Schmidt Easyflow 9000 medium and Pelikan Giant 337 refill. If you have a different Parker-style refill you like that is a possibility. Other styles of refills are possible with adapters that lengthen the refill to fit the space. These might not work as well, however.
I really liked pairing the rOtring 600 with a blue Schmidt Easyflow 9000 refill. It’s the configuration I used the most.
Due to its customizability, this pen is a great choice when it comes to ink. If cost is not an issue you can quickly replace the included ink.
- Ink flow starts directly and without any delay, even after a longer pause of writing
- Easily, as never seen before, you get a writing that is regular, strong, precise and clean
- Due to the excellent cap-off time, cap sealings are not required
- Suitable for retractable push and twist pens without cap - and this without using any safety mechanisms
- 3 Black Ink, 3 Blue Ink, Medium Point
rOtring 600 Pros and Cons
The rOtring 600 is a masterfully constructed ballpoint pen. You will be hardpressed to find many flaws aside from the occasional unfortunate defective products.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Balanced | Comparatively expensive |
| Durable | Decent heft |
| Won’t roll easily | Average original refill |
| Comfortable grip |
Naturally, some of these points are subjective. Your experience with the rOtring 600 may be different. The weight of this pen may not seem much to you or perhaps you will enjoy the original ink.
What can’t be denied is the attention to detail on this German-made pen. If any of the features of this pen seem like what you’re looking for then try out a rOtring ballpoint pen.
For now, I think the rOtring 600 will be my everyday pen! If you’d like to purchase the pen, you can conveniently purchase it on Amazon.com, by clicking here.
- Smooth writing, long lasting and precise pen filled with high quality black ink
- Full metal body provides the ideal balance of weight and feeling
- Hexagonal shape keeps pen where you want it and reduces fatigue
- Non slip metal knurled grip is comfortable for frequent writing and drawing
- Click to retract design is both pocket and airplane safe; refillable