A Pen In Uniform: Thoughts On Sailors Wanted

[syngent]

These things are haunting my want list these days, specially the new realo line with the piston fill. But the 1911 or pro line is hovering around the 350 mark which also puts up against the Pelikan 600 class, which is also something I like, I know about pelikans, we see a lot of posts about them, but the sailors seem to be hit or miss, Ive seen no one here with the realo pen yet.

I may end up with a basic 1911 and upgrade the nib which would also put me around the 330 mark, and before i save that kind of coin to toss on a pen i would love for those that have experience to share their thoughts, everything from fit and finish, to how well they write, and how comfortable to hold

All you Nibers out there who love a pen in uniform please speak up, and help me become enabled please

Specially those with both a 600 pelikan, and a sailor !

 

[Doc4]

engeika on e-bay sells Sailors straight from Japan. You can usually get a large 1911 with a naginata togi nib for under $200 on his auctions if you are patient, and a Realo 1911 with a specialty nib can be had around the $300 mark.

Or BIN this naginata togi for $235 ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sailor-1911...034?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cfce8a22

 

[syngent]

Thanks for the heads up Doc, have you ever used a M600 before, would you take your sailors over the pelikan ?

 

[Dave258]

I have a Realo, James.


I like it a lot! I bought it from John Mottishaw at nibs.com with a .8 mm Stub nib. His custom ground nib is a joy to use! The Realo is the same size as the full sized 1911. They are a little longer and wider than the mid size 1911.
I once ordered a Pelikan M600 from Richard Binder. I ordered it with a custom ground nib. When it arrived, it did not have the grind. Turns out, I was glad he did not grind it because I was not too thrilled about the M600's size. I ended up working it out with Richard Binder to return the M600, and go with the Black and Silver M805 with the custom .8mm stub.
As much as I like the Sailor pens (I have 3 now), if I had to pick between Sailor and Pelikan and really could only pick 1, I would go with the Pelikan. But, that is my opinion.

 

[brianw]

Flying in the face of Nemo....

Sailor's all the way.

 

[nemo]

I have three Sailors, two 1911M models and a standard 1911, they are nice pens and are what I would call a Montblanc 146/149 knock-off as far as looks, shape, and styling. I've paid less than $100 for some, one from engeika -- brand new in the box. Good seller, Doc4 is on the mark.

They don't hold as much ink as a MB of course, the puny cartridge or converter is no match, therefore enter the Realo. I think the 1911M is about the same size as my M600 and feels lighter in my hand. I find the nibs smooth (I have an F, never tried an EF) and the Music nib, similar to a broad stub, is wet and wide.

edit: OK, I have four Sailors, I just checked size and the 1911M (or is it Profit?) is longer than the M600 capped but shorter when posted. The cap on my yellow is cracked. I don't reach for them as much as I used to, I hope this helps.

Flying in the face of Nemo....

What's this, Brian?

 

[syngent]

Flying in the face of Nemo....

Sailor's all the way.

Not really as im sure Dougs answer here wouldn't be a M600, but a vintage Pelikan, which i guess i should take into consideration here as well

 

[brucered]

I am new to all this James, but from what I have handled and wrote with, my 1911 is a beauty. It is very well made, has great feel, the cap fits nicely and the fit and finish on it is amazing.

My nib is a bit scritchy on normally paper, but when I pull out some fancy cotton paper to play around with, it's much smoother. I think you know the one I traded for on the BST, the Large Rhodium 21k M-F nib.

I love it so much, I've already put in a few bids on other Sailors on eBay

Not sure if that helps you at all, but it's all I got to offer with my limited FP knowledge. I will say this, I like quality items and I am not disappointed with any aspect of it, it's a top notch pen.

 

[Dave258]

I bought a mid size 1911 black with rhodium accents from engeika for around 100 bucks, new in box.

The other is a mid size with a music nib I bought from the Goulets when they had them on close out.

 

[strop]

I have 2 midsize, and F and a M. My 600 is an M so hard to compare, but the Pelican is just a shade ahead because of the piston fill. I've had my eye on these and likely will my next major pen purchase. I've been thinking about getting one as a gift for my son when he completes his degree, and I couldn't get him something I wouldn't use myself, now could I.

 

[andrew98]

You have to do some test purchasing, Mark. You know, to make sure you're getting your son something nice.

I have a Sailor Sapporo (aka Professional Gear Slim) with a Medium 14K nib. I have a limited edition, sort of mint green (fell hard for that color), Professional Gear with a 21K Fine nib ($165 shipped) headed this way and a Professional Gear with a Medium-fine (MF) Naginata Togi nib (just under $200 shipped) following shortly (things got out of hand quickly).

Anyway, I've always wondered if there was a difference between Sailor's 14K and 21K standard nibs. Can anyone comment on that? The 14K Medium on my Sapporo is wonderful, but I'm finding I like slightly larger pens. I should probably let the Sapporo go soon, but I would consider replacing it with a 1911 with a Medium 14K nib in the future.

I really like Sailors with rhodium or chrome trim. You can get a medium size 1911 with chrome trim and a 14K nib for $80 if you want to test the waters and like that style and nib.

-Andy

 

[oc_in_fw]

On looks alone, I would go Pelikan- but I do not know enough about Sailors to lend a good opinion.

 

[syngent]

You can get a medium size 1911 with chrome trim and a 14K nib for $80 if you want to test the waters and like that style and nib.

-Andy

cool, but uh, where ?

 

[andrew98]

cool, but uh, where ?

The 'bay, but I can't find them now. I removed them from my watch list a day or two ago. They must have ended. The seller had something like 10 of them, so keep an eye out. They may resurface. I would consider going that route because I couldn't care less what trim these pens have, so long as it's silver colored.

-Andy

 

[andrew98]

It's also possible that I'm losing my mind and confusing the $95 nickel chrome model being sold by pisuke2005 with something else I saw for $80. If you can find one with a rhodium trim for around $100, I'd do that. It's 100 times rarer than gold, after all.

-Andy

 

[syngent]

I am new to all this James, but from what I have handled and wrote with, my 1911 is a beauty. It is very well made, has great feel, the cap fits nicely and the fit and finish on it is amazing.

My nib is a bit scritchy on normally paper, but when I pull out some fancy cotton paper to play around with, it's much smoother. I think you know the one I traded for on the BST, the Large Rhodium 21k M-F nib.

I love it so much, I've already put in a few bids on other Sailors on eBay

Not sure if that helps you at all, but it's all I got to offer with my limited FP knowledge. I will say this, I like quality items and I am not disappointed with any aspect of it, it's a top notch pen.

Thanks Bruce... I trust you can tell a good fot amd finish from a poor one, and it says a lot that you would buy another one

 

[celestino]

James, good luck with your decision. Both pens seem quite lovely. Boy, you gents sure know your pens!

 

[Dave258]

Well James, I just want to let you know that you scored yet another enabler point with this thread....

 

[Doc4]

Thanks for the heads up Doc, have you ever used a M600 before, would you take your sailors over the pelikan ?

I haven't gone further in the Pelikan world than a 215.

I can't think of anyone who does nibs like the Nagahara nibs on the Sailors.