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Pilot Penmanship


ehebert

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Brief introduction: I mostly use cheap pens (Preppies & a Lamy Safari), so I can’t compare the performance of this pen to finer ones. The pictures were taken with a very old digital camera, so I apologize for some of the blurry shots.

 

I first noticed this pen, called the Pilot Penmanship, on Jetpens. It was sold out, so I googled it like crazy. I couldn’t find it anywhere else, including Pilot’s (U.S.) website. I got a few when they were back in stock.

Here’s the wrapper:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_AgN0oo42viI/SkyS1K6tXSI/AAAAAAAAADk/txEFTeVG5qw/wrapper.JPG

 

Design/Appearance: This pen comes in two colors: clear & black. It’s long and slender with a tapered barrel. From the tip of the nib to the end of the barrel, it measures 5 & 5/8 inches. That’s about 3/4” longer than an uncapped Preppy. The section is shaped very much like that of the Lamy Safari, with a rounded triangular grip. The small cap screws on tightly. It can be posted, but looks a little silly. The “ears” on the cap keep it from rolling around.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_AgN0oo42viI/SkyS1G79W2I/AAAAAAAAADo/EF143u_AcAE/vert%20pen.JPG

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AgN0oo42viI/SkyS1DaWDeI/AAAAAAAAADw/JJic8jSSRbY/s800/pen%20w:%20cap.JPG

 

This image from Jetpens site of the black version really shows the shaped grip:

http://www.jetpens.com/images/pilot_p-fp-50r-b-ef_1.jpg

 

Construction: This pen feels much more substantial than my Preppy pens. I have had one or two Preppy barrels crack. Currently, I only use one as an eyedropper (I usually refill their cartridges with a syringe). On the Pilot, the threads that hold the two parts of the pen together are very tight. The parts screw together without any wiggling. There aren’t any air holes at the end of the barrel. To convert to an eyedropper, simply cover the threads with silicone, screw the pen together, and wipe off the excess. No O-ring necessary.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_AgN0oo42viI/SkyS9GhU9VI/AAAAAAAAAD8/37qSX971KrE/s800/full%20pen%20w:ink.JPG

 

Nib: These pens are only available in extra fine. The printing on the nib says, “Pilot/ Super Quality/ Japan/ EF” I wouldn’t say it’s buttery, but it writes extremely well. I was taking notes with this pen and I had very few problems with it starting up after leaving it unused & uncapped for 15 minutes or so. I have filled my two pens with Noodler’s Eel inks, so that may have added to the smoothness.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AgN0oo42viI/SkyS1d69dkI/AAAAAAAAAD0/nAOhU5SbQr8/nib.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_AgN0oo42viI/SlHYqXjrsEI/AAAAAAAAAE0/A7K8l5GlVd0/s800/nib%20w:ink.JPG

 

Here’s a writing sample:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_AgN0oo42viI/SlHSTuWGQOI/AAAAAAAAAEY/DLS1s1pTj5s/s800/writing%20sample.jpg

 

Filling system: The pen comes with one cartridge of blue ink that is unlike any others I have seen. Jetpens does not sell any separate cartridges for this pen. I have not tried using the included cartridge yet. Who needs a cartridge when you can fill the whole pen with ink? I have no idea if a converter would work in this pen.

 

Cost/Value: For 7.50 USD, I think this pen is a great bargain for people who want to try an extra fine nib and/or an eyedropper. For me, the main drawback is the teeny, invisible cap that easily disappears on a cluttered desk (guilty). Luckily, it seems to work well when left uncapped for a little while. For others, drawbacks may include its filling system & limited availability.

 

I have really enjoyed reading all of the ink & pen reviews here since joining FPN about seven months ago. I hope you enjoyed my small contribution!

 

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The included cartridge looks like a standard pilot/namiki cartridge. Also don't forget the drawback of not having a clip for those who carry their pens clipped to something.

 

Thanks for the review, I might have bought one of these if I had heard about them before I ran out of budget...

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Great review---the body kind of looks like the Plumix body but the nib is obviously different.

My latest ebook.   And not just for Halloween!
 

My other pen is a Montblanc.

 

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Great review---the body kind of looks like the Plumix body but the nib is obviously different.

 

I have one of these: The gripping section is about the same as the Plumix-- different nib, though-- but the cap and body are different.

 

I hadn't considered using this as an eyedropper. I had a Plumix with a hole in the body and things didn't work out so well. However, different body, clear pen...

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A con-50 converter fits the Pilot Penmanship. Most likely a con-20 would fit as well. I have in black and one that's clear. Will try some Noodler's eel in it since the last ink I used made it scratchy as all get-out. I've had four Preppy pens crack on me, and one cracked that I had given to a friend. These look more substantial. There's a little indentation on the end of the barrel and I thought that might be an air hole, so I hesitated to use the pen as an ED filler. But now I just poked it with a pin, and it's not a hole at all. So an ED conversion may well be in the works. Thanks for the review!

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Without a clip! Not a good pen to carry around in pocket. But it looks great, I prefer EF and transparent ones.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I bought one of this pens and I like it, it writes very thin line thou it's a bit scratchy.

trinity completed, Lamy 2000 (EF), Pilot Decimo(F), Sailor Sapporo(F).

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how does the con-20 converter work?

 

The con-20 does not form a good seal no matter how hard I push it in. It sits too loosely in the section. The con-50 worked fine though. I had it in the pen for two weeks and no leaks or problems--other than the pen's scratchy nib, which had nothing to do with the converter.

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Your review convinced me to order one. Not that it was a hard sell, since I prefer ergo grips, demonstrators, and eyedroppers! This is the only pen I've seen (so far) that has all three.

 

Anyway, it's in the mail. Fingers crossed it isn't too scratchy...

 

 

crazy about Pilot

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I got a pilot plumix for $6 from target and it looks strikingly similar to this pen. The only difference I see is that all plumix's that I saw were transparent and the nib. The nib on the plumix is a beautiful, buttery smooth, medium stub :) it's my first stub nib and this pen has all the qualities I look for in a pen. Cheap, durable, wet writing, smooth, and cheap. Also, the blue ink cart that came with the pen has the nicest blue ink I have ever seen in it :) I bought the pen on Monday and wrote it out in 3 days :)

 

I might do the eyedropper conversion for my plumix because of the transparent body and the lack of holes.

 

This looked like another pen that I would buy because I love the plumix so much but once I read all the scratchy nib comments that idea went out the window.

Jazz It. Rock It. Paint It Blue. Paint it black. Tell your folks. Tune in. Turn off. Love it. Hate it. Do what you want. Do what you're told. Follow your heart. Follow your gut. Follow your brain. Hello. Goodbye. Try. Fear The Metal.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Anyone know where I can get a Pilot Penmanship in the UK?

 

Getting it from JetPens USA doubles the price!

 

Thanks

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Anyone know where I can get a Pilot Penmanship in the UK?

 

Getting it from JetPens USA doubles the price!

 

Thanks

 

Hmm... arrange a trade with a US member ... for a Pilot Pluminix? ;)

My latest ebook.   And not just for Halloween!
 

My other pen is a Montblanc.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I <3 this pen... it's my first fountain pen that writes as thin as my favored gel pens. I'm not as fond of the grip, but for $7.50, it's a toothless complaint. Plus I can put the nib/feed into my Prera.

 

I'd be up for doing an over-the-pond trade with this pen (I'd send a new one, 'course ;) ) ... those ASDA notebooks look intriguing!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Ismellarat, if you've had a chance to do it, how did you eyedropper conversion work out?

 

May you have pens you enjoy, with plenty of paper and ink. :)

Please use only my FPN name "Gran" in your posts. Thanks very much!

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I was thinking of ordering one but I don't have any silicon grease to use on the threads... Would Vaseline work? Sorry if it's a stupid question.

 

Also, should I go for the black or the clear?

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Henrylouis16/Aurora%20Talentum/IMG_3779.jpg
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I'm no expert but I would NOT use petroleum jelly on a pen. I have a Recife eyedropper pen that uses a simple O-ring sealer. You can get O-rings at the hardware store for pennies.

My latest ebook.   And not just for Halloween!
 

My other pen is a Montblanc.

 

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Without a clip! Not a good pen to carry around in pocket. But it looks great, I prefer EF and transparent ones.

 

I agree

In the days gone by, people believed that if a person touched an object, that object would form a bond with a part of their soul.

Today such a thought seems almost absurd....Until you enter the realm of Montblanc's master craftsmen.

Montblanc - Soul makers for over 100 years

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I'm no expert but I would NOT use petroleum jelly on a pen. I have a Recife eyedropper pen that uses a simple O-ring sealer. You can get O-rings at the hardware store for pennies.

 

ah do you know why for I am curious

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Henrylouis16/Aurora%20Talentum/IMG_3779.jpg
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Why no petroleum jelly?

 

I'm just guessing, but it has a really low melting point and can probably creep into all the parts of your pen you don't want it in. Maybe even clog the nib or feed.

My latest ebook.   And not just for Halloween!
 

My other pen is a Montblanc.

 

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