If You Had To Choose: Twsbi Or Sailor

[OmegaMountain]

So, I am looking for pen next because I have a bottle of Diamine Oxblood that needs a nib to flow through. I love - LOVE - line variation. If you had a choice, would you get a Vac or Al MINI in 1.1 or a Sailor 1911 in fine or medium to perhaps have some flex added to at some point? I want a Pilot FA nib, but it may be a tad pricey right now. I know we're talking $70 vs roughly $150 here, but one is gold nib C/C vs a known good steel nib with a larger and different filling system. I have an Eco but no Sailors. My only other gold nib is a Pilot resin falcon which I love. All thoughts are appreciated.

Edited January 16, 2017 by OmegaMountain

[Bluey]

I'm not sure why you would want to get a Sailor with the prospect of adding line variation afterwards. The way I see it, you're best off buying based on the strengths of the particular nib rather than buying from a brand and trying to make it something else.

People buy Sailors because they seek out a nib that's reliable, not too wet or dry(but slightly towards dry) and that has a unique pencil like feedback due to the tipping. You won't get much in the way of softness unless you want to spend around $800 for a King of Pen. In my opinion Sailors make perhaps the best nibs of all.

 

Which type of line variation are you referring to - italic or soft/flex? It's just that you mention about the 1.1 nib on the Vac and then mention about the FA nib and the Falcon.

 

If you have a Pilot Falcon, I wouldn't bother with the FA nib. It will be quite a bit softer but that's really it's only strength is. If you're hoping for calligraphy flex you're going to be very disappointed. It just isn't designed for Western type alphabets and will railroad horribly.

All the FA nib is is a Pilot Custom 742/912 soft nib with 2 semi circle cutouts either side of the nib, something you could do with 5 minutes using a dremel.

 

 

Out of the Vac Mini 1.1 and a Sailor, I wouldn't need to think twice about picking the Sailor. I have both the Sailor 1911 and the full size TWSBI Vac 700 with a 1.1 Bock nib(and some others) that I fitted myself. The writing experience is just so much nicer on the Sailor. The original Jowo nib on the TWSBI I replaced because it was boring and stiff. The Bock made it boring and slightly soft.

 

Hope that helps.

Edited January 16, 2017 by Bluey

[OmegaMountain]

I'm not sure why you would want to get a Sailor with the prospect of adding line variation afterwards. The way I see it, you're best off buying based on the strengths of the particular nib rather than buying from a brand and trying to make it something else.

People buy Sailors because they seek out a nib that's reliable, not too wet or dry(but slightly towards dry) and that has a unique pencil like feedback due to the tipping. You won't get much in the way of softness unless you want to spend around $800 for a King of Pen. In my opinion Sailors make perhaps the best nibs of all.

 

Which type of line variation are you referring to - italic or soft/flex? It's just that you mention about the 1.1 nib on the Vac and then mention about the FA nib and the Falcon.

 

If you have a Pilot Falcon, I wouldn't bother with the FA nib. It will be quite a bit softer but that's really it's only strength is. If you're hoping for calligraphy flex you're going to be very disappointed. It just isn't designed for Western type alphabets and will railroad horribly.

All the FA nib is is a Pilot Custom 742/912 soft nib with 2 semi circle cutouts either side of the nib, something you could do with 5 minutes using a dremel.

 

 

Out of the Vac Mini 1.1 and a Sailor, I wouldn't need to think twice about picking the Sailor. I have both the Sailor 1911 and the full size TWSBI Vac 700 with a 1.1 Bock nib(and some others) that I fitted myself. The writing experience is just so much nicer on the Sailor. The original Jowo nib on the TWSBI I replaced because it was boring and stiff. The Bock made it boring and slightly soft.

 

Hope that helps.

Well, you make good points. I like variation through flex, but I am not against a good stub. If I did add flex to a Sailor nib it would be via nibmesister at some point probably. Not 100% though. It might well always stay standard. Not right away at any rate. I am trying to get a good variety of nibs and keep reading Sailors are excellent. If Sailor had a stub option, it wouldn't really be a question what I would choose. I suppose I should add a bit more: I don't like a lot of feedback. I have a Franklin-Christoph steel nib in fine and it's just a bit too toothy for how I would prefer. It's a nice nib but I need to smooth it some. Makes a beautiful sound on paper though. Edited January 16, 2017 by OmegaMountain

[bbs]

If you want the line variation, get the TWSBI. If you want a nib that's a joy to use, get the Sailor.

[OmegaMountain]

Yeah, I guess it was a silly question in a way. I went with a 1911 mid-size in medium-fine. I don't have large hands and I think it will be fine posted. I ordered from Mottishaw's shop so I know it comes to me sorted. I will get a Vac Mini but that's a cheaper(ish) buy in a few weeks.

[Cryptos]

It seems to be, in my limited opinion, that a lot of problems people experience with various nibs are incorrectly attributed to the nib itself. The FA is a case in point. Using it to create large copperplate-type shades is going to end badly - bent nib, or more railroads than Waterloo Station. The nib is not designed for this. Incorrect use is a fault of the user and not the nib.

 

I've had the 912 FA for quite a while now and find it to be a rather nice writer. However, it does require a degree of control / skill on the part of the user.

[Bluey]

Yeah, I guess it was a silly question in a way. I went with a 1911 mid-size in medium-fine. I don't have large hands and I think it will be fine posted. I ordered from Mottishaw's shop so I know it comes to me sorted. I will get a Vac Mini but that's a cheaper(ish) buy in a few weeks.

Good choice. The MF writes very nicely and is a practical width. Enjoy your new pen.

[sciumbasci]

There are cheaper alternatives than the 1911 if you really want a Sailor.