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A Couple Of Sailor Questions


cadfael_tex

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I posted a thread a day or so ago seeking input on an Edison pen purchase. Strange thing though, even with all the positive comments on Edison Pens I came away wanting a Sailor Sapporo. I've been reading through the reviews etc and I have a couple of questions...

 

1) Mostly it seems that Sailor has a reputation as a great pen builder but there are a few who say they have inconsistent quality; is Sailor a quality build?

 

2) I would get it from Mr. Mottishaw at nibs.com; does he do good work?

 

Bonus question: it appears that Sailor nibs are not interchangeable like say Pelikan nibs - is this correct?

 

TIA,

Tony

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Hi,

 

1) I think they are a quality pen, but their nibs are not always what people expect. They aren't always really buttery smooth, but to be really honest, I like them the way they are. All of my Sailor pens write really well. The build quality of the bodies and fit and finish is very high, and quite consistent. Although Sailor nib engravings can look busy, they are extremely finely detailed and crisp compared to most other pens.

 

2) nibs.com does excellent work. They will make sure that any Sailor you buy writes really well before it leave them. This, combined with the high quality of the Sailor pen, can be a really good combination.

 

3) No, the nibs aren't interchangeable like they are with Pelikans. I would try to buy the nib you would like. Line widths with Sailor seem to be more consistent than most.

 

Good luck with you Sailor search!

 

Dillon

Stolen: Aurora Optima Demonstrator Red ends Medium nib. Serial number 1216 and Aurora 98 Cartridge/Converter Black bark finish (Archivi Storici) with gold cap. Reward if found. Please contact me if you have seen these pens.

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Dillon

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I would recommend that you get on the phone with the people at Nibs.com, and discuss you needs with them. This will ensure that you end up with a nib suited to your needs.

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Oooops. Came here by mistake. Sorry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:)

Sincerely, beak.

 

God does not work in mysterious ways – he works in ways that are indistinguishable from his non-existence.

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The build of a Sailor is exceptional. The nibs though can be problematic when you get in the 1911M range and below. Some say it's because of the small sweet spot on the nib, others say its because of the (crappy) nib. I have had problems with both examples but when it comes to the regular 1911 series and above, I have nothing but high praise.

 

That has been my experience.

What Would The Flying Spaghetti Monster Do?

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I've just got a couple of the 'ordinary' 14k MF nibs on a small yellow 1911 and a transparent Pro Gear slim (Sapporo, I suppose) and they are two of the best nibs I've had. Even better than the 21k M on my larger Realo.

The Good Captain

"Meddler's 'Salamander' - almost as good as the real thing!"

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So now I'm trying to weigh getting a Sailor first of an Edison first.

 

Also, would it be worth spending $70 more to get a 21k nib in a 1991M?

Edited by cadfael_tex
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I've had better luck with the larger 21k Sailors. The 1911M size--even the 21K--has been hit or miss. If you buy the pen from Mottishaw, I'm sure you will be pleased with the result. I would call them as opposed to using email, however. The last few times I went the email route, it took days to get a response. I think Sailor pens are exceptionally well made--as good if not better than most pens.

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I'm very impressed with all the 1911 Standard (mid-size/14k) Sailors I own.

All but two have had nib work done by Mr Mottishaw. His stubs & cursive italics are fabulous. (no affiliation except as a repeat customer)

 

A 14K nib does not mean lesser quality, just a different gold content (& with Sailor, the 14K nibs are a smaller physical size). The important stuff mostly happens at the tip end of the nibs.

I cannot speak for Sailor's stock (ball tipped) nibs, as all of mine have been reground from music nibs & tend to be a fairly wide grade.

 

My Edison Pearl can be set up with either the stock, JoWo, 1.1mm steel stub/italic or with an 0.8 mm. Butter-line stub.

Both of these nib-sets perform beautifully.

 

At first I was skeptical about steel nibs, but if expertly ground, tuned & finished (IMHO) they can write just as well as gold.

There are some who say that 14K gold makes a better nib than those with a higher gold content.

I haven't had the chance to test that theory,...............not yet.

 

*Sailor 1911S, Black/gold, 14k. 0.8 mm. stub(JM) *1911S blue "Colours", 14k. H-B "M" BLS (PB)

*2 Sailor 1911S Burgundy/gold: 14k. 0.6 mm. "round-nosed" CI (MM) & 14k. 1.1 mm. CI (JM)

*Sailor Pro-Gear Slim Spec. Ed. "Fire",14k. (factory) "H-B"

*Kaweco SPECIAL FP: 14k. "B",-0.6 mm BLS & 14k."M" 0.4 mm. BLS (PB)

*Kaweco Stainless Steel Lilliput, 14k. "M" -0.7 mm.BLS, (PB)

 

 

 

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iirc you can change nibs between sailor sapporo and 1911m and between progear and 1911 L .Not experienced first hand , this info is what i read from fpn .

 

Bonus question: it appears that Sailor nibs are not interchangeable like say Pelikan nibs - is this correct?

Edited by TakeoJiro
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Sailor nibs are not easily exchanged or removed by the average user. Their nibs & feeds are friction fit to their sections.

The Edison JoWo nibs-sets & the Pelikan nibs as well, are easily unscrewed from their sections.

I believe this is also true with Kaweco nibs.

*Sailor 1911S, Black/gold, 14k. 0.8 mm. stub(JM) *1911S blue "Colours", 14k. H-B "M" BLS (PB)

*2 Sailor 1911S Burgundy/gold: 14k. 0.6 mm. "round-nosed" CI (MM) & 14k. 1.1 mm. CI (JM)

*Sailor Pro-Gear Slim Spec. Ed. "Fire",14k. (factory) "H-B"

*Kaweco SPECIAL FP: 14k. "B",-0.6 mm BLS & 14k."M" 0.4 mm. BLS (PB)

*Kaweco Stainless Steel Lilliput, 14k. "M" -0.7 mm.BLS, (PB)

 

 

 

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I found one of sources https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/97089-changing-nibs-on-a-sailor-sapporo/ mainly sections are between sapparo and 1911m and progear and 1911L are interchangeable . If you have pens you can change sections freely between them .

Also i have quite opposite experience with my sapporo , it was very easy to remove nib i had much difficulty with chiness pens .

 

 

 

 

Sailor nibs are not easily exchanged or removed by the average user. Their nibs & feeds are friction fit to their sections.

 

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I prefer the 21K to the 14K...I have both. However, both the Pro Gear and the Sapporo are high quality instruments. I also have an Edison Beaumont, I would take the Sailor Sapporo. John is one of the best,period. I cannot answer the third.

Edited by Edwaroth
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I prefer the 21K to the 14K...

 

I'm intrigued - most people claim not to feel a difference. What is it about the 21k? You don't have to be scientific.

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To TakeoJiro & the original poster:

 

The nib-sets (nib, feed & grip section) of the Sailor pens with 14K nibs are all interchange with each other. The section threads are identical & fit the barrels.

Similarly, the 21K pens (ProGear & 1911L) can interchange their nib sets. The larger 21K KOP nibs are an exception.

 

I match the colour of the nib (yellow gold or Rhodium) with the rest of the pen's furniture, but often change a nib-set from one 1911M pen to another.

eg: A Burgundy pen may get either a burgundy or a black grip section.

 

I let he experts do the pulling of feeds & nibs on friction-fit setups. I just enjoy fountain pens for their nibs & writing quality.

Letting an expert set up my nibs & feeds ensures that I will get a positive writing experience nearly every time. At least up to now, this has worked for me.

*Sailor 1911S, Black/gold, 14k. 0.8 mm. stub(JM) *1911S blue "Colours", 14k. H-B "M" BLS (PB)

*2 Sailor 1911S Burgundy/gold: 14k. 0.6 mm. "round-nosed" CI (MM) & 14k. 1.1 mm. CI (JM)

*Sailor Pro-Gear Slim Spec. Ed. "Fire",14k. (factory) "H-B"

*Kaweco SPECIAL FP: 14k. "B",-0.6 mm BLS & 14k."M" 0.4 mm. BLS (PB)

*Kaweco Stainless Steel Lilliput, 14k. "M" -0.7 mm.BLS, (PB)

 

 

 

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I have 3 sailor

progear slim nib 14k MF

Progear A mode orange nib 21k F

procolor nib F

procolor and Progear A mode had defects – procolor too dry nib

ProGear scratchy nib and tines is not alignment

With Progear sapporo I had no problems
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