Pilot Elite 95S A Good First Fp?

[Kuhataparunks]

I have a Pilot Metro, Penmanship (same nib as Metro, but extra fine), and recently got a Pilot 78G, which is quite notably smoother than the other three, I assume due to the gold plating of the nib.

It's about time to step up a notch; there's an eBay offer for $85 for a new Elite 95s.

 

Does anyone have any comments about the 95s? Would it be a wise investment? Or would one be more wise to simply pay a bit more for a falcon?

 

Thanks very much for your time and sharing thoughts.

Edited July 28, 2014 by Kuhataparunks

[Algester]

if you like small pocket pens with an inlaid nib then sure why not else I would be getting a Custom or Custom Heritage (they are ideally still the same price of 10K yen meaning 100USD)

Edited July 28, 2014 by Algester

[KBeezie]

Or you can get a vintage (~ 70s) Pilot Elit Mini I love my Elite Mini with the 18K Soft fine Nib.

 

It's one of the few pens I feel comfortable carrying around with it's large metal cap.

 

The Falcons come with a soft nib, you may find it uncomfortable or too wet for everyday writing if you're not used to soft or semi-flexy nibs. I know the 95S and likewise the 70s Elite Mini came with more than just soft offerings (I actually don't see that many soft nibbed minis, mainly manifold, fine, extra fine, etc).

 

While it's not nearly the same thing (but has nearly identical body/size/weight) you can always try out the Korean made Pilot Elite to get a feel for it:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pilot-Elite-Black-Gold-Big-Cap-Fountain-Pen-Extra-Fine-Nib-Mint-NOS-/371037824996

 

Posted comparison between that and an Elite Mini of the same era.

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/pilotelitemini/compare_posted.jpg

 

capped comparison

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/pilotelitemini/compare_capped.jpg

 

Uncapped

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/pilotelitemini/compare_uncapped.jpg

 

Not sure how exactly they stack up to a modern 95S in terms of weight/feel/size.

 

I don't currently have the korean made one inked, but in this older write sample the steel nib does have a tiny bit of flex (very bottom left), but not so much so that it would impede on normal writing. It behaves similar to the Century 3776 with a soft fine, which can be scribbled thru easily with consistent line width until you actually give it pressure, as opposed to the Falcon with a soft fine, which I see some small variations just in normal writing. (but least with a 95S or Elite Mini you don't have to get a soft nib, you can just get a straight fine or extra-fine).

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/inked/rhodia_inked_may30.jpg

 

Primary reason I mention the Elite Mini is because you *might* be able to get one at a better deal than a 95S, might even get a soft fine if you're into that.

 

I have a Pilot Metro, Penmanship (same nib as Metro, but extra fine), and recently got a Pilot 78G, which is quite notably smoother than the other three, I assume due to the gold plating of the nib.
It's about time to step up a notch; there's an eBay offer for $85 for a new Elite 95s.

Does anyone have any comments about the 95s? Would it be a wise investment? Or would one be more wise to simply pay a bit more for a falcon?

Thanks very much for your time and sharing thoughts.

The gold plating (which I doubt is even actually gold on the 78G) has no bearing on it's smoothness (the plating if any would be worn off quickly from the tipping, if it was even on the tipping), both the 78G and Metro have steel nibs, and the 78G is plated with a gold coloring but if it was gold plated it would have it marked (ie: 14KGP). The smoothness on the mass produced nibs have more to do with alignment and surface texture, so if the same nib on the metro isn't as smooth, check for alignment of the tines, that's usually a common factor to scratchiness.

Edited July 28, 2014 by KBeezie

[Dillo]

I have a Pilot Metro, Penmanship (same nib as Metro, but extra fine), and recently got a Pilot 78G, which is quite notably smoother than the other three, I assume due to the gold plating of the nib.

It's about time to step up a notch; there's an eBay offer for $85 for a new Elite 95s.

 

Does anyone have any comments about the 95s? Would it be a wise investment? Or would one be more wise to simply pay a bit more for a falcon?

 

Thanks very much for your time and sharing thoughts.

 

The Elite is quite nice actually. You can also find new old stock ones too. If you like the style, then I think you should consider it. It's a unique pen. I don't think it would make something good for investment purposes though since the pens so lose a fair amount of value as soon as you ink them. Pens don't really make good investments. I think liking the pen is a far better reason to consider getting it. If you use it as an investment, you are liable to be quite disappointed.

 

Dillon

[Kuhataparunks]

He dropped the price to $75, has 99% +ratings, AND it's local pickup, double bonus! I'm picking it up today.

It'll be my first mid-high priced fountain pen, and if I like it, the resin Namiki Falcon will be on it's way to my front door! Thanks for the advice everyone

[KBeezie]

He dropped the price to $75, has 99% +ratings, AND it's local pickup, double bonus! I'm picking it up today.

It'll be my first mid-high priced fountain pen, and if I like it, the resin Namiki Falcon will be on it's way to my front door! Thanks for the advice everyone

 

Pics or it didn't happen... j/k enjoy!

[Dillo]

Enjoy! The Pilot pocket pens are really nice!

 

Dillon

[baf]

Hello my friends,
I have an Elite plastic on the body engraved with the initials RE 08 has a gold nib 14K-585, SF, H477. the H477 could mean in April of 1977? We show that the proper publisher Pilot also on the nib date of manufacture? RE08 you think it means?

Fabrizio

[zchen]

Hello my friends,

I have an Elite plastic on the body engraved with the initials RE 08 has a gold nib 14K-585, SF, H477. the H477 could mean in April of 1977? We show that the proper publisher Pilot also on the nib date of manufacture? RE08 you think it means?

Fabrizio

 

R: 1977

E: May, Hiratsuka Plant

04: 04th day

 

H: Hiratsuka Plant

4: April

77: 1977

 

See the very useful articles at Crónicas Estilográficas

Pilot Nib dates

Pilot Pen Body dates

[rwilsonedn]

If you like the Japanese pocket pen style but hesitate on the price of a new 95s, I think Speerbob still has some new old stock Pilot Elite pens with F steel nibs for a quite reasonable price on his eBay store. (no affiliation other than happy customer). They are only $25, I believe. The vintage pens are perhaps lighter-built, and then have steel rather than 14K nibs, but they are wonderfully made and write very well. (I can tell because I have one in the rotation this week.)

ron

[shea2812]

The new Pilot Elite with 14K nib is a smooth writer. High polished double enamel finis on cap and body is nice too and it looks really 'Japanese'. I do remember old Pilot pocket pens from the 70s but those were more generic steel nib with alum/plastic combi. If memory serves me right those were Pilots that were widely available before 78G came along.