Professional Gear Slim/sapporo Vs Pilot Custom Heritage 92

[downtheinkwell]

I'm looking for opinions/experiences/considerations etc about either pen, and in particular what people think about one over the other.

 

I have very recently come back to fountain pens after an extended absence, and I find myself really wanting an orange demonstrator. Very odd, considering my usually conservative-leaning-to-bland preferences.

 

It all started with seeing a few pictures of the TWSBI 580 AL Lava and wanting to fill one with a complimentary orange ink. Sadly it's no longer available and I bounced to the VAC700 but have doubts about the styling and writing experience, and unfortunately I can't try one locally.

 

As I am finding is often the case with fountain pens, this all escalated very quickly. So why not invest the orange demonstrator money into a pen that is both orange, a demonstrator, and my first gold nib... Enter the Pro Gear and Heritage 92. So far the main considerations seem to be, other than the actual experience of each, the difference in price (Pilot cheaper than Sailor from what I see) and piston (Pilot) vs converter (Sailor).

 

I have access to both and will be trying them out this week, but any thoughts from this community would be most helpful!

Edited January 22, 2017 by downtheinkwell

[sandy101]

I don't have any experience of these two pens, but i have both piston fillers and cartridges.

 

The advantage of a piston filler is that it writes for a very long time between fills. Piston fillers seem to store a lot of ink. So, if you want something you can use all day without fear of running out of ink, then this is your choice.

 

The disadvanatage is that you cannot easily change ink colours. So, if you like changing inks then a cartidge convertor is easier to clean and fill - and with a convertor you have a bit more control over the amount of ink you put into the pen.

 

Jar has written a comparison of Japanese brands in the reviews section of this site which you might find useful.

[jar]

Actually, I am currently working on a review/comparison of my Pilot 742/74/912/91 vs my Sailor 1911L/1911S/Pro Gear/PG Slim and should be posting it early this week.

Edited January 22, 2017 by jar

[OmegaMountain]

I have a Pilot Falcon with the SF nib and just yesterday received a Sailor 1911 mid-size M-F nib modified for extra flex by John Mottishaw. Both have excellent nibs and both Pilot and Sailor are known for excellent pens. Sailor's nibs are known for having a certain something that's different - it's a feedback that isn't scratchines really. They are know to be a pleasant and unique writing experience and having inked mine up and written with it briefly last night, I can confirm that. It's a wonderful nib. However, you're talking orange demonstrator and the Pilot filling system is going to ultimately be what you need to decide fits you best as a previous poster pointed out. Sailor's converters are not huge which only matters if you write large amounts. The ink will look better rolling around in a piston filler though. Build quality is better on the Sailor I have over the Falcon though they are both pretty much the same price. Hope that helps some.

[flipper_gv]

I'd choose a full size Pro Gear over the CH92 but I'd get the CH92 over the slim or medium version of the pen.

[overwriter]

I will echo flipper_gv's opinion.

[OmegaMountain]

I'd choose a full size Pro Gear over the CH92 but I'd get the CH92 over the slim or medium version of the pen.

This partly depends on what size hands you have too though. I am a 5' 11" guy but I don't have big hands. The 1911 mid works just fine for me. It is small but perfectly usable unposted and just perfect posted. Of course, mine has flex added so a lighter pen in hand works very well with that mod.

[ehemem]

I would choose the 92...but in smoke, not orange. That's just me...

[cattar]

Any Sailor. If it's Pilot, a Falcon SF for me. Sailor nibs have a smaller sweet spot, Pilot nibs not as interesting.

 

Like both slim and fullsize in Sailor Pro Gear. I write uncapped, slim is about 115mm or 4.5in.

 

A recent thread noted that most piston fillers hold about the same as cartridges. I syringe fill cartridges, and use converters when I travel by plane.

 

Yet to have a burpless experience with a piston-filler, including the Pilot CH92. I prefer to write, not wait & prep the pen first, even in winter.

 

Try the pens, discover what you like.

 

Edited to add about nibs.

Edited January 23, 2017 by cattar

[Bluey]

Piston fillers seem to store a lot of ink. So, if you want something you can use all day without fear of running out of ink, then this is your choice.

 

Lots of people often wave the banner for piston fillers as having "lots more ink", but the reality is there's rarely much difference in capacity. Sometimes the converters and cartridges hold more.

It may come as a surprise but the Sailor cartridge holds the same amount(1.2ml) of ink as the Pilot Custom 92 piston.

 

 

Out of the Pilot Custom 92 and Sailor Progear slim, I would give the advantage to Sailor because of the nib. Ink capacity is the same, the Sailor is arguably more attractive(I prefer the chopped off ends shape to the cigar because the cigar is like the Model T Ford in black) and with more colour options.

[downtheinkwell]

I have a Pilot Falcon with the SF nib and just yesterday received a Sailor 1911 mid-size M-F nib modified for extra flex by John Mottishaw. Both have excellent nibs and both Pilot and Sailor are known for excellent pens. Sailor's nibs are known for having a certain something that's different - it's a feedback that isn't scratchines really. They are know to be a pleasant and unique writing experience and having inked mine up and written with it briefly last night, I can confirm that. It's a wonderful nib. However, you're talking orange demonstrator and the Pilot filling system is going to ultimately be what you need to decide fits you best as a previous poster pointed out. Sailor's converters are not huge which only matters if you write large amounts. The ink will look better rolling around in a piston filler though. Build quality is better on the Sailor I have over the Falcon though they are both pretty much the same price. Hope that helps some.

 

I actually tried a Pilot Falcon today, it's a lovely pen. What I really went for though was to try the C92 and the PG Slim, which I did. I think I know what you mean about the feedback on the Sailor, I quite like the combination with how smooth it is at the same time.

 

While I was testing them today I realised that I had unwittingly mixed two wants - 1) a translucent orange pen and 2) a demonstrator that will show off the ink inside with minimal visual clutter. With that realisation the piston/converter became a non-issue for the orange pen. I prefer the aesthetics and build/feel of the Sailor, and I like the way the nib feels, so that pretty much made the decision for me.

 

 

Try the pens, discover what you like.

 

Wise words. Research is well and good, but for most tools I find that how it feels in use is most important. If you don't like it, will you get the most out of it? Unlikely.

 

 

Out of the Pilot Custom 92 and Sailor Progear slim, I would give the advantage to Sailor because of the nib. Ink capacity is the same, the Sailor is arguably more attractive(I prefer the chopped off ends shape to the cigar because the cigar is like the Model T Ford in black) and with more colour options.

 

My thoughts too, having seen and used both I prefer the sharper look of the Sailor including the chopped off ends shape.

 

 

I'd choose a full size Pro Gear over the CH92 but I'd get the CH92 over the slim or medium version of the pen.

 

If only they came in orange eh? I do love the nibs on the standard Pro Gear though! I'm finding that despite having fairly large hands, I seem to like smaller, lighter pens. Time will tell if I got it right for me!

 

- - - - -

 

Ultimately I purchased the translucent orange Sailor PG Slim. To address my want for a demonstrator that will show off ink with minimal visual clutter I also bought a clear TWSBI Vac Mini. I like the clean, uncluttered design, I get to play with a vacuum (for better or worse), and indulge my curiosity with the controversy this brand seems to elicit at times.

 

Thanks all for your input - I appreciate it. If anyone else still wants to chime in I'm keen to hear more opinions and experiences

Edited January 23, 2017 by downtheinkwell