[Resolved]Sailor Highace Neo Vs Penmanship Vs Kakuno: Budget Fine Nibs.

[rcazador]

Hi folks,

I've finally stumbled on a local site that stocks some Pilots and Sailors. As someone who prefers fine writing pens, I've picked out the Sailor HighAce Neo -F, Sailor Clear Candy-F, Pilot Penmanship -XF and Pilot Kakuno -F. My first choice was the the Penmanship but reviews are contradictory, while I'm all for super fine Japanese FPs on a budget it has to be usable and not dreadfully scratchy. Sailors have a reputation of lines finer than Pilot so the High Ace should be good. There are of this FP few reviews all of which place it as a good pen - seems like a safe bet -, but the lack of widespread awareness about it is worrying. The Kakuno and Clear Candy are Japanese, so I guess their fine nibs should be a pretty thin line, but with their marketing focus on kids, I'm not sure if its really in the same league as the others.

So guys please pitch in with your real world experience.

Thanks again.

 

PS. they dont stock the 78G or Metro, so those aren't an option right now.

Edited May 11, 2014 by rcazador

[theolu]

I've only used the penmanship and high ace neo. I think foe daily use and carry the Sailor is more practical as it has a more conventional form. The penmanship doesn't have a clip and is a bit of an odd design. I only bought it for the nib which I put on my metropolitan. Between the nibs I also prefer the Sailor, it's smoother and ever so slightly wider.

Edited May 10, 2014 by theolu

[hot cocoa]

The Highace Neo has a great nib and HORRIBLE cheap plastic barrel. Had one break in transit to me, and the other break just in daily use. So, I can't recommend it, good nib notwithstanding.

[madden11]

The High- Ace was the second pen I bought, and after that I was more careful in my selections. There is cheap and there is inexpensive. This pen is just cheap.

[rcazador]

I've only used the penmanship and high ace neo. I think foe daily use and carry the Sailor is more practical as it has a more conventional form. The penmanship doesn't have a clip and is a bit of an odd design. I only bought it for the nib which I put on my metropolitan. Between the nibs I also prefer the Sailor, it's smoother and ever so slightly wider.

 

 

The Highace Neo has a great nib and HORRIBLE cheap plastic barrel. Had one break in transit to me, and the other break just in daily use. So, I can't recommend it, good nib notwithstanding.

 

 

The High- Ace was the second pen I bought, and after that I was more careful in my selections. There is cheap and there is inexpensive. This pen is just cheap.

 

Thanks guys. Seems I picked the wrong set of beginner Fines. For now I'll stick to Heros and look out for a Metro.

[Scribble Monboddo]

The NEO barrel is fairly basic, but 'horrible' seems a bit harsh - it's comfortable enough to hold, at least. It's grown on me, anyway; written review here http://scribbledemonboddo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/sailor-neo-f-nib-2014.html if you're interested.

[Aurko]

The neo barrel is pretty cheap but it's not too terrible. It has survived a good deal abuse in my pockets and in my book bag. It's one of the pens I just toss in and don't think about it twice. I like how securely the pen posts, and I like that it's light weight. Also the nib is pretty good, and in my experience, better than the Pilot Metropolitan/78G nib.