I have looked through the threads on Sailor pens, and I haven't seen the answer to this question, although I may have missed it.

Is there a noticeable difference between the standard Sailor 14k and 21k nibs of equivalent width, i.e. medium?
If there is a difference, is it worth the extra $80 or so?

Do the standard Sailor nibs give any character to your writing? For example, my Parker 51s are beautiful to write with, but they have all the character of a fine felt-tip pen. My Jinhao Dragon's Descendent, OTOH, behaves like a smooth italic pen and will shade with any ink from dishwater on upwards.

I experience no functional difference in mine.

They are both (well made) nails, which suits me.

I agree with the position that anything over 14K for a nib is marketing.

I agree with RLTodd. I have both the 14k and the 21k. I bought the 21k for the difference in writing, but it wasn't as I had thought. I found that they are equivalent, though the 21k actually seems even more like a nail than the 14k. It doesn't sound logical, but that's the way it is. Both are marvelous pens - won't give up either of my 1911s!

Erick

Hi,

The 21K is often stiffer than the 14K. I happen to prefer the 14K.

Dillon