I keep reading about how good the nib is so I want to go out and try one.

Within the realms of sanity (ie. under $300) which Sailor would you recommend?

NB. My writing preference is for F or EF, wet.

Thankyou in anticipation

In that price range, I personally prefer the full size 1911. But truth is, the 21K nibs in the 1911 are the same as those in the Professional Gear, save for the plating, so it really comes down to what size and shape you prefer.

+1 on full-size 1911. Great size, and a fantastic nib.

+2 on the full sized 1911. Get it in M (they run a size smaller because they are Japanese). Let us know when you make your decision.

+3 on the full-size 1911. I have one in yellow with a medium nib which actually is a fine. It's a daily user and I love it. I also have the smaller 1911 in red with a broad nib in the mail. I'm liking Sailors!

If you enjoy nibs between F and EF, a Sailor F should be fine. I have a Pro Gear F and it writes as an F, not an EF. Just a wonderful pen with a superb nib.

I prefer the Pro Gear as it's not a blatant copy of a MB 146.

Or get a 1911 with Rh trim (like me)

I have a 1911 with a Togi nib and it's great fun but not fine (unless help upside down).

I have a pro gear with a F nib and it's a little flexy which for someone who is not used to flex (like me) is a little strange. It's a very smooth than wet writer though and I like it. Maybe a M might be a little stiffer? Anyone have this experience?

I have a 1911 M nib and a Sapporo F nib. Both are excellent writers, I don't think you could go wrong with either. The 1911 tho' is really everything that people say it is. Best purchase I've made this summer - thanks Pear Tree (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer).

First the question is do you wish a standard (1911M) or oversized pen (1911).

Another vote for the 1911 Large with 21K nib.

A suggestion: some dealers will let you swap if you only dip the nib. That way you could make sure you get the width you want.

This is an important point -- The price difference between the two is $80 to $100.

The Standard, or Mid-sized, 1911 is a 'normal' sized pen, it is a little fatter and a little shorter than a Parker 51.
It has a 14K gold nib.

The Large 1911 is longer and fatter, with a 21K gold nib.

The Pro Gear is almost identical with the 1911, except that the barrel and cap are a little shorter, with flattened ends.

I asked the question about the difference between the 14K and 21K nibs some days ago on FPN, and was told that they are much the same as far as writing goes.

If you can, try both in your hand to decide which size is suitable for you.

I think I may end up with two -- a cheaper 1911M with a medium (= fine) nib as a 'carry' pen and a more expensive Large 1911 with a broad (= medium) nib as a stay-at-home pen.

I've owned/own both 1911M, 1911, and ProGears, and I'm decidedly in your F to EF camp.

Of the sizes, I like the Pro-Gear the best, but I pretty much have to use it posted, or it is too short.

Of the nibs, I like the H-F the best (more than the H-EF, because the H-EF is just a little bit toothy on the paper I use and with the ink I use, and the H-F is just perfect). Wet, fine, all that and a bag of chips.

Now, between the Pro-Gear and the 1911M, there is an important difference - the size of the nib. The 1911M is a fine performer, every bit as smooth, just as wet, BUT, it is smaller, and I got spoiled staring at the big, two-toned nib on the ProGear, and the little nib on the 1911M just looked... small. I like the two-toned so much, I take it out and move it into other pen barrels, so I switch between a Pro Gear in several colors, and a 1911 Sterling, all with the same nib. Also, I like the esthetics of the two-toned nib, especially in the 1911 Sterling, that one just cries out for a flashier nib than the monotone gold.

For under $300, you can get any of the ones you suggested, from 1911M to 1911 to Pro Gear, and you can do a lot better than that if you shop the marketplace here, and have some patience. I've had good luck on ebay with engeika, who also trades under the name japan_antique, I think. The prices usually get up to about $100 on the 1911M's, depending on the nib and color choices, so it isn't a screaming deal, and there's always the other retailers, like Pear Tree Pens, Swisher, Pam Braun, etc.

I like the looks of the Sapporo,but does it come in yellow?

John

This is all looking good. I think the larger 1911 is looking like the preference, now it's just colour. I have enough Black pens, red doesn't do it for me, so it's blue or yellow.

I've tried both the 14k and 21k nibs and couldn't tell a lick of difference. Just as a heads up, the full size 1911 is a good sized pen, but not huge like a Montblanc 149 or a Pelikan 1000 - more like the Montblanc 146, as Siv mentioned. Good luck!

I just received a Pro Gear with H-F nib, and I agree with what everyone said. I was worried that the pen would be too big (I'm used to Sapporo and Sapporo Mini) but it's not bad at all. I can't really tell the difference between 14K and 21K nibs, either but so far my 21K H-F nib seems to write finer than 14K H-F. OTOH I have PR inks on my Sapporo Minis and Waterman ink in Pro Gear, so that may be the reason.

I have a large 1911 in yellow with a Mottishawed CI music nib, and I love it. One of my favorite pens, and a really lovely writer. You'll be happy with either 1911, I think.

Finally bought the Ujuku yellow LE. Very excited!

Congrats! You must have snagged the last one! Seems like almost all those pens went to FPNers.

I wonder if Ujuku is aware of FPN?

you'll love that pen - I can't get enough Sailor's. I have 4 1911's - all the colors - and always get mine from Pooh Corner and Jim Sanders - terrific guy. I'm always thinking about my next Sailor - I think it's going to be a Pro Gear - and I think that Burgundy could be a new color. Black, blue, yellow and demonstrator clear so far so I think Burgundy must be a new color. Wonderful, wonderful writing experience. Enjoy.

I have the 1911 full size in yellow with "M" nib. I find it to be "medium". They also have a M-F, I think, "medium-fine". The nib is truly wonderful.

I think you're right Siv. Saw another stream of discussion where FPNers swapped pics of this pen - part of the reason I found Ujuku's site. Boy do I love FPN!