The rOtring Tikky

[Pdunc67]

The Tikky series is well-known for its reliability and precision, making it popular among students, artists, and professionals.

I have been researching this pencil and have compiled this from several sources, but a primary source has been @Dux at the rOtring Museum. (https://rotringmuseum.com/history.php)

Here is my (mostly complete) Tikky collection that spans from 1979 to 2024.
I do have some more of the current release Tikky colors on the way!

Tikky F (1979-1883) Fixed sleeve - became the Special
rOtring T Early model w/ Sliding sleeve (pre-1987)
rOtring T (1979-1998) early body style
rOtring TS Slide (1987-1996) Sliding sleeve
Tikky Standard (1983-1986)
Tikky Special (1983-1998) W. Germany
Tikky Special - Pink marble (early 1990s)
Tikky Double Push (plastic) (1988-1996)
Tikky Double Push (metal) (1985-1992)
Tikky Automatic (plastic) (1988-1992)
Tikky Automatic LS (metal) (1988-1992)
Tikky SC (1999-2000) SC = Super comfort (cheap rubber/foam grip)
rOtring T (1998-2008) late body style
Tikky II (1998-2008) same body style as rOtring T
Papermate Tikky (2008-2009) Purchased by Sanford, production moved to China
Tikky x5 (i.e. Tikky III) (2009-current)
Tikky Retro (April 2024)

Missing from this is the rOtring GT (also known as the “Tikky Metallic” later, and the rOtring S.
I am in the market to buy one if you have a spare

EDIT: Also not shown is the rOtring 400.

How the Tikky got it’s name

Some say the rOtring Tikky series of writing instruments is named after the sound made when the pencil’s mechanism is used. “Tikky” mimics the “tick” noise that occurs when the lead is extended or retracted. This playful name reflects the brand’s focus on both functionality and creativity, appealing to users who appreciate the tactile experience of using their products.

Our member @Cytherian posted another possibility on how Tikky got its name:

@cytherian

The original rOtring pen was called “Tintenkuli,” the first mass-produced stylograph. And that name quite literally means “ink pen” in German. When it became very popular, rOtring affectionately shortened the name to “Tiku.” In fact, in the realm of vintage stylographs, you will find some rOtrings named just “TIKU” instead of “TINTENKULI.” I’ve no idea if they adopted that shortened name in response to its use created by an adoring public, or if they coined it themselves.

Text on the Clip:

Dux also had some interesting input about the clip text, specifically about “W. Germany” and the date that surrounds the use of this text on the clips of the rOtring pencils, pens, and fountain pens.

The common thought is that they were labeled such as this:
“W. Germany” designation didn’t go away in 1989, and it was mostly only removed after reunification in 1990.

However, from information he was given by rOtring engineers, they used “rOtring” until 1988, then “W. Germany” until 1995. Then Germany.

I found this to be correct when I reviewed the clip text on the pieces in my collection. I’d love to start some data points on this and get global input. Maybe we can put this to bed one day?

I had to put this together to help me understand the dates and relation to the clip text.

If you have some of the older Tikky models that were sold in the reunification timeframe (T, TS Slide, S Metallic, Special, Double Push, or the Automatics) could you look at your clip text and reply back if A or B is correct?

[Stu]

Great info and a super useful picture - I learned a bunch today.

The TS Slide is the first mechanical pencil I remember. That’s a really special model for me.

[Vici81]

How does the Tikky Retro compare to the original Tikky 2?

[Pdunc67]

The Tikky II has a fixed sleeve and shares the same body style as the later model rOtring T, where the plastic body rises to meet the clip. The Tikky II comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

The Tikky retro has a body and clip style similar to the Special. It has a retractable sliding sleeve and only comes in .5 and .7, and is available in red, blue and grey.

Photo credit: rOtring Museum

[Vici81]

Thanks for the answer. I am aware of the exteror cosmetic differences, but as a long time Tikky 2 user I was interested how does the Retro feel on the paper - any tip wobble, does the cap rattle, does the material feel cheaper or not than the original, internals…

[Pdunc67]

Ahh got ya

I’m at the office for the next 10-12 hours but when I get home tonight I’ll have a look and let you know.

[Knockologist]

@Vici81

as a long time Tikky 2 user I was interested how does the Retro feel on the paper - any tip wobble, does the cap rattle, does the material feel cheaper

I’ve been using a Retro almost exclusively for a few weeks. There is a wee wee wee bit of sponginess on the tip but it’s really insignificant. No cap wobble. Totally quiet pencil. Material does feel a bit different. Being so used to the originals will make the new material seem cheaper but it’s mostly just different.

I do recommend having a few of these lying around the house, office, or studio.

[Pdunc67]

Thomas’s observations were spot on. No rattle, but there is a very slight tip movement, presumably introduced by the sliding sleeve?
To give you a comparison (IMO) the Retro wobble is less than the rOtring 800.

When knocking the Retro, the click is louder and the knock travels further than the Tikky II.

Using a sound meter while knocking it, the loudest reading I got with the Tikky II was 44.2dB. The loudest reading I could get on the Retro was 48.6dB. So while the Retro is quiet as far as rattle goes, there is an audibly discernible difference between it and the Tikky II when knocking.

Interestingly they both weigh in at 11g. As Thomas noted there is a tactical difference between the materials used for each. The Retro has more of a plastic feel, so I assumed (incorrectly) that it would be lighter.

The grips are very close in size: Tikky II is 9.14mm and the Retro was 9.36mm.

Lastly, precision. I knocked each 10 times and measured the lead that was extended.
The Tikky II only had 4.35mm of lead extended, while the Retro had a whopping 8.05mm, which probably explains the knock travel I mentioned previously.

I’m not trying to beat up on the Retro, but if your go to technical pencil is the Tikky II you may be disappointed. IMO the Tikky II is a rock solid pencil. I do think that the Retro is a great pencil, but I don’t think it would be a suitable substitute for technical use.

Hope that helps.

[Leonov]

When it comes to rOtring Tikky, I’m all in for the older models, up to those that lack the body protrusion to accommodate the clip. Say, the first 7-9 models in @Pdunc67 's magnificent shot.

Those bulbous grips are fantastic, the pencils all have a magnificent balance, the 0.3 versions are spot on, the round body allows for a nice rotation of the object during any session, and they work flawlessly as daily writers or drafters, especially if one wants to avoid the heavy weight of metal bodies (rOtring 500, 600, etc.).

On the other hand, I must regretfully acknowledge that I had a terrible experience with the newer types of Tikky (Tikky II and the ones with rubber grips): the diameter feels all out of balance to me (annoyingly too thick), the rear end is too heavy, the 0.3 tip is too thin compared to the whole structure, the clip is harder (if not impossible) to get rid of… so I stopped looking for them after the first, unfortunate purchase.

I have mixed feelings towards the Tikky retro (lacking any personal experience with the item), but I’m afraid the cylindrical, bulbous grip area would pale in comparison with the conical, precisely placed conterpart on the older model, so I think I’ll stick to the burgundy versions I have, and call the case closed.

Still, great lineup and very relevant pencil: I don’t think there are many comparable series which can rival the Tikky, especially when linked to their grand-grand-parents made in the earliest days.

[First_Sail]

These are my two Special, both bought new, the burgundy one is already very worn (the yellow one is intact), with that Tikky I solved Everest sudoku.

[Pdunc67]

@First_Sail

Everest sudoku.

Nice

[Anaz]

Thank you for sharing! The original Rotring Tikky is my favorite mechanical pencil for sentimental reasons. As my first post on this forum, I’d like to share my original Tikky collection:

[Pdunc67]

Hey @Anaz thanks for posting. I love your collection. Those stands are nice!

[Knockologist]

Howdy @Anaz! Welcome and great collection!!

[Anaz]

Thank you @Pdunc67 and @Knockologist!

[Pdunc67]

I picked up a few more Tikkys

[Anaz]

Congrats, the colors look awesome!

[First_Sail]

Has anyone tried the 1.0mm Tikky III?

[Pdunc67]

Was the Tikky ever released in ivory or is this just an off colored white?

they are on the far right in this picture

[drifand]

Tikky III Ivory was part of the ‘4C’ family of colors that were updated every couple of years. It is not the same as White. Here’s a screen shot from the 2013 catalog: