Sailor Professional Gear (Naginata Togi)

[tanalasta]

First impressions:

 

This is the latest addition to my fountain pen 'collection' and was purchased as a daily work pen, with rhodium trim which I believe gives it a smart, casual look. I already have a professional gear (H-F) in gold trim and 1911 full size (H-EF), the latter currently away at MikeItWork for flow adjustment. I suppose I am not new to fountain pens, having used them for over a decade. Pens I currently have in rotation are in my signature at the bottom. As the 1911 is currently overseas, the pen on the top is an MB 146 (c2010)

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Sailor_ProGear-1.jpg

 

Purchase experience:

 

Sailor pens are not pretentious. Not their standard ones anyway. Some of their maki-e are divine but I digress. A simple blue 'Parker styled' rectangle box. Included are a convertor and two cartridges. I purchased this pen from Engeika on eBay who I have no affiliation with but have bought from previously. I won the pen on eBay new for $220. A very good price compared to Australian retail which is approx $500 for a naginata nibbed pen. Shipping via EMS was fast and I received it within a week.

 

Construction and Dimensions:

 

The pen is made from PMMA Poly(methyl methacrylate) - a thermoplastic. It is durable, polishes to a nice gloss. The pen is lighter (perhaps thinner construction) than a MontBlanc but relatively durable. Like all resins, keep away from strong heat and solvents as alcohol/acetone can potentially dissolve your pen. Very well made. No defects in polishing or construction to be seen. As you would expect from the Japanese pen maker. It is your standard stubbed cap/tail design.

 

Length Capped - 143mm, Posted - 168mm.

 

A relatively light pen, it is designed to be posted and is well balanced.

 

Cartridge/convertor fill. Convertors are well made, easily replaceable and can be unscrewed and taken completely apart should you wish to clean it. Sailor cartridges are proprietary meaning international sized carts don't fit.

 

Here are some size comparisons: Visconti Homo Sapiens, MontBlanc Dumas, MontBlanc 146, Sailor Professional Gear (H-F), Sailor Professional Gear (NMF). Just what I had inked!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Sailor_ProGear-4.jpg

 

The nib... Naginata Togi

 

The naginata togi is a specialised Sailor nib. The standard nibs are quite stiff, finer than their Western equivalents (my H-F 21k Sailor nib writes finer than my MontBlanc EF). They're still butter smooth. The naginata nibs have a long, swordlike elongated tipping that is ground and finished by hand. And that is what seperates it from their usual nib.Those familiar with how a modern MontBlanc 146 or 149 nib writes will find the nib experience quite similar. There is a hint of feedback as the nib gently whispers and glides across the page. Flow is deliciously controlled, laying a nice line across the page. Writing samples are below: but the naginata M-F writes more like a Western Fine. It is quite a stiff nib. No appreciable flex although I didn't push the point...

 

Those who have full sized professional gear or 1911 with c/c fillers (not the Realo) know that you can swap the sections with nibs between your pens.

 

Compared with the standard Sailor nib (gold) & the naginata (foreground)

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Sailor_ProGear-3.jpg

 

Overall Impressions:

A beautifully, well constructed pen that writes as deliciously well as my MontBlanc 146 or 149. Controlled, generous flow. Smooth but enough feedback to make writing a delight. An in-house, hand finished nib. And no pretense whatsoever ... and all for $220. I like this pen!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/Sailor_ProGear-6.jpg

Edited February 18, 2011 by tanalasta

[Raiden]

Thanks for the review!

[nowzen]

Your review is quite timely as I'm enjoying my newly acquired Pro Gear Naginata Togi (M). Love the nib.

Agree 100% with your review. I do find the pen a little light, but I'll adapt.

You scored a good price from engeika, I gave him $245.

[drifting]

Nice review, thanks!

 

So, the Naginata Togi has a hint more feedback than the standard nib? That's very interesting. I've got a full sized 1911 H-F that I like and try hard to love, but for some reason don't. I've finally concluded that it's actually too smooth for my taste (blashphemy, I know) and I've been wondering what to do about it. I don't dislike the pen enough that I've wanted to sell it on, but if a similar pen with a slightly different writing experience exists...

Hmmm...

 

Ryan.

[georges zaslavsky]

nice review and thanks for sharing the only sailor I am willing to get was and is the 95th anniversary realo

[tanalasta]

Nice review, thanks!

 

So, the Naginata Togi has a hint more feedback than the standard nib? That's very interesting. I've got a full sized 1911 H-F that I like and try hard to love, but for some reason don't. I've finally concluded that it's actually too smooth for my taste (blashphemy, I know) and I've been wondering what to do about it. I don't dislike the pen enough that I've wanted to sell it on, but if a similar pen with a slightly different writing experience exists...

Hmmm...

 

Ryan.

 

Hi Ryan,

 

I find my H-F nib quite dry, although i is also smooth. The tipping on the H-F is significantly smaller than that of the togi. There is nothing wrong with liking a pen that's not too smoot and I for one agree with you. There is a hint of tooth/feedback on the Togi, not unlike a MontBlanc EF in my sample. Much less than a stock Aurora Optima nib which is quite well known for being toothy. As the nibs are hand finished I can't generalise to other Sailor naginata togi nibs or the broader widths. As to what to do about it? You could email Mike Masuyama to see if he has any naginata togi nib units he could sell you or perhaps buy another pen and offload the one you don't like.

[reprieve]

I have a sterling silver 1911 with the Naginata medium nib. I love the hint of feedback and the variety of angles I can use with this nib. Mine is moderately wet and works well with every ink I've tried. Perfect right out of the box!

[Bladerunner]

Thank you for the very informative review. As a result my pen is in shipment, and is much anticipated. Since pulling the trigger on a Vanishing Point, and then a Fermo, I can honestly admit that I have been bitten by the FP Bug! I can't believe that I am still eyeing a Homo Sapiens! Again thank you for the review. I sure that you like myself, are on

[tanalasta]

Thank you for the very informative review. As a result my pen is in shipment, and is much anticipated. Since pulling the trigger on a Vanishing Point, and then a Fermo, I can honestly admit that I have been bitten by the FP Bug! I can't believe that I am still eyeing a Homo Sapiens! Again thank you for the review. I sure that you like myself, are on

 

Congratulations. I hope you enjoy your sailor The naginata nib is very nice and perhaps one of the nicest writers in the list you've written.

 

The Homo Sapiens is quite a different pen altogether.

 

Having been in your position, I suggest spending some time enjoying your pens before buying lots of new ones. Hurts the bank balance less!

 

Let us know how you go with the Sailor

[Bladerunner]

Thank you for the very informative review. As a result my pen is in shipment, and is much anticipated. Since pulling the trigger on a Vanishing Point, and then a Fermo, I can honestly admit that I have been bitten by the FP Bug! I can't believe that I am still eyeing a Homo Sapiens! Again thank you for the review. I sure that you like myself, are on

 

Congratulations. I hope you enjoy your sailor The naginata nib is very nice and perhaps one of the nicest writers in the list you've written.

 

The Homo Sapiens is quite a different pen altogether.

 

Having been in your position, I suggest spending some time enjoying your pens before buying lots of new ones. Hurts the bank balance less!

 

Let us know how you go with the Sailor

 

It is here! Fascinating! I have not put this pen down all day. I have been toying with what I call the 3 P's. Paper, Pressure, and Position of the nib, and I am truly liking this pen! The graphic possibilities seem endless.

 

I experienced nib creep with the ink cartridges included with the shipment, and it delivers quite a flow of ink! Switching to Noodler's Red Black gives a much more efficient flow for my style of writing.

 

I am very happy to acquired this pen.

[troglokev]

Thanks for the review of a pen with a very interesting nib.

 

There was a discussion of how to get good variation from the Naginata Togi nib, a while back. Pixwriter provided a most interesting sample here.

 

The description of how he did it came a couple of posts later.

Edited March 5, 2011 by troglokev

[nicholasyeo]

I have seen some complaints about the Naginata Togi, so it'll be good to hear what you say about it!