Is This Normal For A Pilot Prera

[inotrym]

I purchased a Pilot Prera (quite some time ago) and used it as an eyedropper with Parker Quink Blue, Black and Green.

 

I decided to flush the pen out and found that nomatter how much I try, there is a dark-shaded ring left on the inside of the pen body.

I can't remember if that "stain" was always there or if that happened because of the ink.

 

So, is this a pen's feature? Does your pen also have it?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

PS. I attach a picture that indicates the ring. Hopefully you can see what I'm talking about.

 

 

[Aramchek]

I can see one on my beige Prera, but only if I hold it up to a strong light, and even then it is quite faint.

[kidde]

I know on the clear Prera that is a blind cap, and the ring is where the threads would end. My advice would be to unscrew the cap and wipe the ink out. Should be easy, so good luck.

 

Paul

[inotrym]

OMG I had no idea that the end was screwed in! I just dissasembled it (it took quite a bit of force to break the glue) and indeed there was ink stuck in there!

 

Thank you both for your replies!!

[kidde]

You are more than welcome. This board has repeatedly done this for me and I'm happy to return the favor.

So how do you like the Prera? I want one but am afraid it may be too small for me. I really like the Pilot pens I have, may have to break down and just get one.

 

Paul

[inotrym]

I really like my Prera. It is indeed a smallish pen, but it's cute, fun, colorful and a pleasant writer. Makes a cool pocket pen for all ages.

 

I don't like the con-20 converter though. I will probably order the con-50 along with a plumix to play.

 

 

 

IMO, this pen is straight competition to the Lamy Safari (colorful, plastic, cartridge/converter, easy disassembly for cleaning, 4-5 compatible nib sizes including an italic...even the price is pretty close - just checked ebay and it seems that you can get one for $32 shipped) but for some reason, whenever someone seeks for a first FP everyone thinks of Lamy...

[migo984]

So how do you like the Prera? I want one but am afraid it may be too small for me. I really like the Pilot pens I have, may have to break down and just get one.

 

Paul

Get one! Now!

IMO the Prera is the one of the most under-rated pens on the market. I have 6 of them. They are top quality for the price (you can get one for under $30 if you shop around). The nibs are fantastic, very elegant design, & can easily be swapped around. I happen to love Pilot standard ink so am happy with their (large capacity) cartridges, but converters are also readily available. There is a perception that the pens are small, which they are, but they are not "mini", and in use they are extremely comfortable to hold. It's barely any smaller than a Pelikan 200 series when posted. The materials used for construction are robust, the "plastic" used for the body feels tactile, not slippery, & is comfortable in the hand (a zillion times better than the nasty Safari plastic), the trim is good quality & looks expensive. It is a well-designed, elegant little pen & if you like sleek, modern looks then you'll like the Prera.

My favourite is the Slate Grey, followed by the Dark Brown (it's almost black).

They are robust too. I chuck mine in my bag, without a case, & it handles the knocks easily. I have one in the pen loop on 3 of my journals & they take the bumps without complaint.

Oh & did I say that they write like a dream? Smooth, smooth nibs, straight out the box, in all nib sizes, good ink flow, soft/slightly springy &, like all Japanese pens, on the fine side. The calligraphy nib on the Iro-ai (demonstrator) is good too.

Can you tell I like the Prera? Lol. The perfect pen for me.

*now wants to go and buy another one!*

[kidde]

I have some 78g's (don't ask how many, but I do have every size nib offered in it). I love Pilot, but I worry about size. I'm a big guy (6'3" 240#) with large hands.

migo489, will it replace my 1745? It is small, but that soft nib has made it my go everywhere pen. I do find your views well thought out, so advise and I shall listen.

 

Paul

[migo984]

Paul

 

For comparison here are 2 photos :-

 

The Prera in slate grey with a Parson's Essential and a Pelikan M250

 

 

 

And the Prera in royal blue with my Kaweco AL Sport in stonewash blue (a very cool pen too)

 

 

 

Hopefully you can see that the Prera is a perfectly usable size. I have 78Gs as well but I much prefer the Prera.

 

Obviously much depends on what other pens you use - I wouldn't recommend the Prera to someone who likes and uses heavy, wide girth pens regulalry - but if you get on with Pilots generally, I think you'll appreciate the Prera. I also know someone who's 6ft 2" and he really likes Preras and uses them regularly. I have a lot of Pilot pens ans this is amongst their best on a cost:quality measure.

 

Hope the photos and my comments help. At the price I'd say it is well worth a shot - and I'm sure you could sell it on if you don't like it.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 13, 2014 by migo984

[Aramchek]

I love mine, and I too have big hands. I do have to post the cap though if I want to write more than a few characters.

 

I'm intrigued that the blind cap part can be unscrewed (even though there is apparently a bit of glue making it difficult - I'm not too keen on trying it since I'm a coward). I don't have a con-50 converter, does it fit in the prera and, if so, would it be possible to fill the pen by removing the blind cap rather than the entire barrel?

[inotrym]

I love mine, and I too have big hands. I do have to post the cap though if I want to write more than a few characters.

 

I'm intrigued that the blind cap part can be unscrewed (even though there is apparently a bit of glue making it difficult - I'm not too keen on trying it since I'm a coward). I don't have a con-50 converter, does it fit in the prera and, if so, would it be possible to fill the pen by removing the blind cap rather than the entire barrel?

 

I am pretty sure the con-50 fits. The transparent version of the Prera comes with the piston converter out of the box.

I don't think that you can operate the piston by unscrewing the blind cap, though.

Just found this picture on google and it seems that the piston ends exactly where the threads of the body do.

 

The blind cap is indeed glued in place, so I guess it is not "supposed" to be unscrewed. It's just a manufacturing thing that they do to put in place that chrome ring. I had to try it because of the stain and I was a bit scared myself, as it took some force to make it happen. I had to use a rubber band for better grip.

 

I am happy to report that even though the glue is broken and the blind cap is not permanently attached anymore, the threads are really tight and the pen does not feel any loose at all. It's actually as good as new.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77rHyAI3HA4/TaWb8allKaI/AAAAAAAAC9o/N8SQHkMAScs/s1600/Prera%2B3.jpg

 

 

PS. I have a feeling that a royal blue Prera is going to be a perfect companion for my yellow buddy!

Edited April 13, 2014 by inotrym

[Aramchek]

Ah yes, I had forgotten that the transparent Prera ships with the 50. And now, after seeing the photo, my desire for one has been rekindled. Drat!

Makes sense that they ship different converters with the two models. The 20 (presumably) is a fair bit cheaper to make, but it has two disadvantages over (under?) the 50 when it comes to a transparent pen that it doesn't look as good, and you can't see how much ink it holds.

[cleosmama]

One of the earliest pens I bought in the over $30.00 price range was the Pilot Prera. Mine is the soft blue. I love the line it lays down.

[yamborghini]

Get one! Now!

IMO the Prera is the one of the most under-rated pens on the market. I have 6 of them. They are top quality for the price (you can get one for under $30 if you shop around). The nibs are fantastic, very elegant design, & can easily be swapped around. I happen to love Pilot standard ink so am happy with their (large capacity) cartridges, but converters are also readily available. There is a perception that the pens are small, which they are, but they are not "mini", and in use they are extremely comfortable to hold. It's barely any smaller than a Pelikan 200 series when posted. The materials used for construction are robust, the "plastic" used for the body feels tactile, not slippery, & is comfortable in the hand (a zillion times better than the nasty Safari plastic), the trim is good quality & looks expensive. It is a well-designed, elegant little pen & if you like sleek, modern looks then you'll like the Prera.

My favourite is the Slate Grey, followed by the Dark Brown (it's almost black).

They are robust too. I chuck mine in my bag, without a case, & it handles the knocks easily. I have one in the pen loop on 3 of my journals & they take the bumps without complaint.

Oh & did I say that they write like a dream? Smooth, smooth nibs, straight out the box, in all nib sizes, good ink flow, soft/slightly springy &, like all Japanese pens, on the fine side. The calligraphy nib on the Iro-ai (demonstrator) is good too.

Can you tell I like the Prera? Lol. The perfect pen for me.

*now wants to go and buy another one!*

how on earth did you get them for under $30? I pride myself in being able to get pens at the cheapest price possible and the cheapest I've ever seen is $35. I bought my set of 10 with a leather display box for 330. (postage was $50).

[migo984]

how on earth did you get them for under $30? I pride myself in being able to get pens at the cheapest price possible and the cheapest I've ever seen is $35. I bought my set of 10 with a leather display box for 330. (postage was $50).

 

There are deals out there but you have to be patient. I recently struck lucky wth some of the crazy Pilot deals from Santa Trading. Usually delivery to UK is free (but slow).

Example

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004NBJXX2/ref=s9_bbs_gw_d42_g229_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0W261ENW95JKR9CCW0TV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455333147&pf_rd_i=468294

He doesn't always come through but I've been lucky.

Where did you get your set of 10 in a case? That sounds great.

[yamborghini]

 

There are deals out there but you have to be patient. I recently struck lucky wth some of the crazy Pilot deals from Santa Trading. Usually delivery to UK is free (but slow).

Example

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004NBJXX2/ref=s9_bbs_gw_d42_g229_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0W261ENW95JKR9CCW0TV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455333147&pf_rd_i=468294

He doesn't always come through but I've been lucky.

Where did you get your set of 10 in a case? That sounds great.

I bought mine from Engeika (aka Taizo) off ebay. It was a close out of the old demonstrator models with the non transparent accents. He sells the box for $80 and I thought with 10 preras, why not. Since then I've given one to a friend since it was a double in colour.

 

Thanks for the link. Shipping to Australia is like 10 pounds though so it's not worth it for me.

Edited April 15, 2014 by yamborghini

[migo984]

I bought mine from Engeika (aka Taizo) off ebay. It was a close out of the old demonstrator models with the non transparent accents.

 

I keep looking for those as I'd really like some. Any info on where to get them gratefully received (assuming that Taizo has sold out)

[yamborghini]

 

I keep looking for those as I'd really like some. Any info on where to get them gratefully received (assuming that Taizo has sold out)

 

I haven't seen them since I bought them actually. The only ones seem like the clear ones now. At first I thought I bought fakes, but they were too good quality and a googled around a bit and found they were just the older models.

[thanossapiens]

I purchased a Pilot Prera (quite some time ago) and used it as an eyedropper with Parker Quink Blue, Black and Green.

 

I decided to flush the pen out and found that nomatter how much I try, there is a dark-shaded ring left on the inside of the pen body.

I can't remember if that "stain" was always there or if that happened because of the ink.

 

So, is this a pen's feature? Does your pen also have it?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

PS. I attach a picture that indicates the ring. Hopefully you can see what I'm talking about.

 

 

I am from Greece too

Where did you buy it from?

[inotrym]

Γεια σου Θάνο,

 

Την αγόρασα πριν από αρκετό καιρό (κανένα χρόνο; ) από το stationeryart.com.

Θέλανε να διώξουν το στοκ που τους είχε απομείνει και είχαν ρίξει αρκετά τις τιμές, οπότε σκέφτηκα να την δοκιμάσω.

Πολύ όμορφη πένα. Η F μύτη είναι όντως πολύ λεπτή, οπότε σκέφτομαι να πάρω και μια Μ.

 

Το κατάστημα που σου λέω δεν την έχει πια, αλλά μπορείς πολύ εύκολα να την βρεις είτε σε βρετανικά online καταστήματα -πχ cultpens.com- (στα οποία δεν θα έχεις το φόβο του τελωνείου) είτε στο ebay για (πολύ) καλύτερες τιμές (έρχονται κατευθείαν από Ιαπωνία). Πολύ καλές τιμές μπορείς επίσης να βρεις στο engeika.com (ειδικά αν παραγγείλεις 2 ή περισσότερες οπότε θα μειωθούν τα μεταφορικά ανά πένα) . Θα πρέπει να δημιουργήσεις λογαριασμό για να δεις τις προσφορές τους.

 

 

Μυρτώ

Edited April 16, 2014 by inotrym