Question about Sailor 1911

[Samer]

Hi Guys,

I had asked a question about Pelikan pens a while ago here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...0-has-a-feel-or-should-I-get-the-pre-1997-nib

Didn't yet order any pen, but I was wondering if anyone has any opinion on the Sailor pens, especially the 1911?

For anyone who's used a 1911, I really disliked the Lamy Safari and Studio because of the lack of feel there, I know this is in a different bracket but does it give a nice feel or does it write mutely, without character.

Looking forward for your inputs.

Samer

 

[rickcharles606]

Seems like a legit offer and seller, but that price will shoot up at the very last minute....guaranteed I can't offer much comparison between the two pen manufacturers because the only Sailor I own is a Samiko with B nib and have never written with a Pelikan, even though I have two on the way. Now, that being said, my Samiko nib is as smooth as butter and I love it. Get in there and bid, but I'd find out what a 1911 is worth and just set a max bid close to that and watch it.

I'm sure the other's here can recommend a trusted vendor to simply purchase a 1911 and avoid all the hassle, if you wanted to go that route.

 

[cursethis]

If you want a nib with some tooth to it, Sailor isn't the pen for you. They're known for being buttery smooth.

 

[Dave258]

They write fantastic!

 

[syngent]

My pilot had lots of feedback but is still smooth

The sailor I got to play with once was a 14k nib IIRC it had some feedback but not much

 

[Alacrity59]

Pilot is serious about fine though. I have an extra fine vanishing . . . great for small writing in agendas etc. but the ink flow cannot keep up to quick and normal size. I like it for the specific use I have for it.

 

[syngent]

My medium can write fine or heavy medium depending on my pressure... I have found it prefers steeper angles to flatter ones but its still one of my favourite nibs

 

[andrew98]

If you want a nib with some tooth to it, Sailor isn't the pen for you. They're known for being buttery smooth.

None of the 4 Sailors I have owned were buttery smooth. I had a Somiko (M-F nib), Slim Pro Gear (14k M nib) and currently have 2 Pro Gears, both with 21k nibs (one is a F and the other is a Naginata-Togo M-F... which rally falls between a standard Sailor M and B. N-t nibs run broad.). They are all slightly toothy such that you feel the nib on the paper and get a pleasant amount of feedback, which makes for a very tactile writing experience. I prefer this to buttery smooth nibs most of the time. I do enjoy very smooth nibs, but it would be boring if all my nibs were super smooth.

-Andy

 

[cursethis]

None of the 4 Sailors I have owned were buttery smooth. I had a Somiko (M-F nib), Slim Pro Gear (14k M nib) and currently have 2 Pro Gears, both with 21k nibs (one is a F and the other is a Naginata-Togo M-F... which rally falls between a standard Sailor M and B. N-t nibs run broad.). They are all slightly toothy such that you feel the nib on the paper and get a pleasant amount of feedback, which makes for a very tactile writing experience. I prefer this to buttery smooth nibs most of the time. I do enjoy very smooth nibs, but it would be boring if all my nibs were super smooth.

-Andy

I always heard Sailor's reputation was that the nibs were on the smooth side? *shrug*

I only have a Somiko which has a zoom nib, so I have no idea what a "normal" gold Sailor nib is like feedback-wise. My zoom nib isn't the smoothest, but I always just kind of thought that was due to the lower quality nib material combined with the unique traits of the nib.

I guess I need to stop listening to other people.

 

[Samer]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies. I should have added a detail in my question: how does the Sailor 1911 compare to the Pelikan M400 or 600? More specifically an 80s tortoise m400 with an m250 nib as those nibs were used for the export m400s. Whiich should I go for, the 80s 400 or the 1911?

 

[oc_in_fw]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies. I should have added a detail in my question: how does the Sailor 1911 compare to the Pelikan M400 or 600? More specifically an 80s tortoise m400 with an m250 nib as those nibs were used for the export m400s. Whiich should I go for, the 80s 400 or the 1911?

In my opinion, no cartridge/converter pen compares to a Pelikan.

 

[Samer]

But do you mean by that only because of the filling method. I'm thinking more about writing performance, or does cartridge vs plunger affect writing?

 

[syngent]

Both the sailor and pelikan will give you great nib performance, but they are two very different feeling nibs, unfortunately I don't have a lot of time with either to articulate the difference s for you.. and the two I used were different style grinds

But I enjoyed both and want a sailor in my collection as well as another pelikan

 

[oc_in_fw]

But do you mean by that only because of the filling method. I'm thinking more about writing performance, or does cartridge vs plunger affect writing?

Yeah, it is filling mechanism vs price point that affects my opinion. I think the Realto is a piston filler and I would consider that one.

 

[LouieGrandie]

The Sailor is an excellent pen with a wide range of nibs. It's only drawback is that it is a cart/converter while the Pelikans are all piston fill. The Pelikans do not have the range of nibs that Sailor has. I believe they use Bock nibs which are used on a variety of pens while Sailor does there own. A Sailor 1911 large size with the appropriate nib is every bit the equal of a Mont Blanc 146, if not better.

 

[LouieGrandie]

But do you mean by that only because of the filling method. I'm thinking more about writing performance, or does cartridge vs plunger affect writing?

There are those who feel that only piston fills are real pens. Personally I feel it makes no difference what so ever, I feel the argument is just elitest snobbery.

 

[syngent]

Its not that most around here feel only pistons are real,... they just hold more ink and are easier to clean, and the guys find them more fun to use... I like my pistons as they are also demos so I know how much ink I have in them before I shoot out to work

that being said I dont mind converters either

 

[BigWill]

I have no opinion on the piston v cart/converter war. I own both and don't believe one is greater than another.

I just recently received a Sailor Neo from Jetpens.com. Nice writer. My Sailor has a F nib, which lays a very narrow line with B&B 5 O'clock Shadow ink. The Sailor F nib is smoother than my Pilot F nib, FWIW. I do not own a Pelican.

 

[andrew98]

There are those who feel that only piston fills are real pens. Personally I feel it makes no difference what so ever, I feel the argument is just elitest snobbery.

I don't think it's that. It's just personal preference, is all. Ya likes what ya likes. For me, I'm more interested in nibs than filling mechanisms, so I won't let the latter keep me from trying an interesting nib.

-Andy

 

[Doc4]

These discussions tend to remind be of the famous Stone Of Galveston in the original Blackadder series.

Good for a laugh, anyhow.

Ultimately, what you need is the ability to try these pens in person, side by side or in rapid succession. Attending a pen show would of course be ideal.





BTW ... converters and pistons are both fine; both have their strengths and weaknesses. Sailor makes a piston filler called "Realo" which you can get in the 1911 large (and probably still the King of Pen, but that's $$$$). My take: pistons hold more ink (good) but since pistons and converters will both eventually wear out, replacing a converter is much easier than sending a piston pen off for repairs (bad).

Note also that German nibs run larger than Japanese ... a rough rule of thumb is to shift one size for equality (German F = Japanese M, &c.)