Inktend / Pen library / Cigar Long
Nakaya
Cigar Long
A model in Nakaya's fountain pen lineup. Specs below reflect the typical configuration across Nakaya's core range.
This sits at the upper end of the hobby — a pen most people buy after they already know their nib and grip preferences, often as a long-term or milestone piece rather than a daily-carry first pen.
Specs
About Nakaya
Nakaya Fountain Pen was founded in 1999 by Toshiya Nakata of Platinum Pen, together with veteran craftsmen who had spent decades at Platinum's factory; the name comes from Platinum's original trading name, Nakaya Seisakusho. Pens are turned from ebonite and finished by hand in urushi lacquer, with maki-e and other decorative work available to order. They use Platinum-made 14k gold nibs in a wide range of sizes and grinds with a cartridge/converter filling system, and prices typically start around $500 and rise well beyond that for decorated pieces.
How to fill the Nakaya Cigar Long
Fill it two ways: snap in a pre-filled international cartridge for convenience, or use a converter — a small plunger or twist mechanism that installs the same way a cartridge does — to draw ink from any bottle. The converter route opens up the entire world of bottled ink, which is where most of the hobby's color variety lives.
Choosing a nib size
Nib size determines line width, not writing pressure — fountain pens are meant to glide, never press. Extra-fine (EF) suits small, dense handwriting and thin paper; fine (F) is the most broadly recommended default; medium (M) shows more ink character and shading; broad (B) and stub grinds favor bold, expressive strokes and calligraphy-adjacent writing. The Cigar Long's gold nib will also flex slightly with pressure, giving line variation that a steel nib of the same size won't produce.
Keeping it clean
A quick flush with cool water every time you switch ink colors — and a full clean every 4–6 weeks of regular use — is enough to keep the nib and feed performing well. Inktend's cleaning reminder is tuned to a 21-day baseline and adjusts naturally to how often you actually refill.
Pairing inks with the Cigar Long
Because refills are quick with a cartridge or converter, this is a good pen for rotating through several colors rather than committing to one; sample vials work especially well here.
Frequently asked questions
More from Nakaya
Specs reflect the typical configuration across Nakaya's core lineup rather than this exact model — check current listings before buying.