Sailor 1911 (ef) And Pilot Falcon (sf) For Sketching

[Mockingbird]

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/3069/mg5408.jpg

 

 

Just received my Sailor 1911 this morning and I'm a happy bunny!

 

My first impression is that the Sailor 1911 (EF) fits very well unposted in my hands. I'm amazed at how smooth the EF nib is considering it lays down a needlepoint line.

It pretty much translates every movement to paper, so I've found with writing I'm having to slow down for greater control.

In terms of sketching, the Sailor EF is a dream to use. Unlike the Pilot Falcon, I don't have to worry about any skipping or dry starts.

 

At the moment, my only ink is Lamy Black. I've got some Sailor Kiwa-Guro ink coming in soon so hopefully this may solve the falcons dry starts and I can have some fun with watercolours!

[Lloyd]

It sounds like there may be something not quite right with your Falcon. It should be very smooth when little pressure is applied and only skip if you are doing a lot of flexing and it can't keep up with the ink demand.

[Mockingbird]

The skipping with the Falcon is probably due to my technique whilst sketching: drawing long varying line widths quickly.

I'm still learning how to compensate for this, where shorter slower strokes will work.

 

As for writing with the Falcon, it never skips but suffers from dry starts occasionally using Lamy Black ink.

[limesally]

The skipping with the Falcon is probably due to my technique whilst sketching: drawing long varying line widths quickly.

I'm still learning how to compensate for this, where shorter slower strokes will work.

 

As for writing with the Falcon, it never skips but suffers from dry starts occasionally using Lamy Black ink.

 

I'm glad you're enjoying the 1911, but like Lloyd, am surprised you're having trouble with skipping or dry starts with the Falcon, even used as described. It's certainly worth trying some different inks to see what works better for you - I've had no trouble with Noodler's black, Tsuki-yo, Legal Lapis, among others.

 

Great sketches! I just figure that you now have two great sketching pens instead of just one

 

oh - and for either pen - I really like playing with the Noodler's near-bulletproofs, when you wash over it with water the black stays, and the colored part releases. Fun.

Edited August 28, 2010 by limesally

[Crewel]

Great sketches!

 

I would have to agree with Lloyd and Limesally, your Falcon should not be having that much of skipping issue. Even when I write Copperplate letters with my Falcon, there wasn't any problem. I would suggest a clean and flush to see if that might alleviate your issues. Mine is fairly wet for normal writing so YMMV.

 

As for the Sailor, how smooth is the nib? Does it equal to the praises many have about Sailor nibs?

[Mockingbird]

The 1911 was bought new and the Falcon off an FPN member. I'll leave the Falcon nib in a tub of water overnight and see if a flush and clean will help.

 

limesally: had fun going through your blog. Your sketches are really lively and vivid.

 

Crewel: These are my only fountain pens (for now) so I don't really have the wealth of reference to compare nibs.

After purchasing the Falcon, for contrast I wanted something better for journalling in Moleskines and something with a stiff fine nib.

After a bit of research, I narrowed it down to either a Sailor 1911 ef or Pelikan m800 ef. It seems that the Sailor 1911 was a safer choice with factory nib.

 

I'll see to improving my sketching and handwriting before delving into a Pelikan pen

[jgrasty]

Cool drawings, Mockingbird. The 1911 looks like a real winner!

[bitterwonder]

My Falcon gave behaved as yours does. I eventually sent it to Mike It Work and he fixed the problem and tuned it to fit my drawing hand.

I draw very fast and want a pen to keep up with me.