Sailor Realo (?) Aquamarine

[Uncial]

I'm in the midst of a dilemma. I have a Sailor 1911 in maroon with a super, super-fine nib. I think it may have been a speciality nib of some kind, but I don't like the pen. The nib has too much feedback for my taste (although I do quite like the line), I can only use certain very dark inks in it and the plastic feels a bit on the cheap side to me. A friend has the new-ish Aquamarine, which I think is a Realo (piston filler?). They don't like it because they mistakenly bought a medium nib and want something super-fine. So a swap has been arranged, but now I'm wondering do I really want the Aquamarine. The friend is in a different country so I can't handle and see the pen for myself before the swap. I guess I could arrange to undo it if I don;t like it, but that would seem cruel if they end up falling in love with what I send them. There seem to be no reviews of it here and very little actual information (lots of brief mentions of possible aspects on Market Watch, but that's it).

 

So I'm hoping someone here can give a little more information and perhaps even a few pictures. Firstly; is it a Realo model? My go to Sailor model is the full size Pro Gear - I love them. Looking at pictures it would seem the Aquamarine is about the same size? Secondly; the nib is a Sailor nib I presume, but made with the stamp of a particular pen store as an exclusive, therefore should be pretty much the same as a Sailor nib would normally be? Lastly; what is that finish really like? Rose gold worries me due to it's softness. Does the plating wear off fast (as it has on other rose gold pens I own)? Overall I think the pen looks lovely, but I do have a slight aversion to the glitter thing. Is it...well.....um....a bit girly?

 

I guess I have nothing really to lose considering I really don't like the pen I'm swapping, but your thoughts on this pen - if you own one - would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[mke]

I always forget that I cannot insert Kanji because FPN software thinks it is a hacking attack.

 

So, without Kanji:

This site says it is a Realo: https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/penroom/item/36910/ (lots of photos)

The size information compared with the ProGear Realo page of Sailor indicates the same.
size 134mm (Sailor HP: 135mm)
weight 21g (Sailor HP: 21.0g)

The price of 37000 Yen compares well with the original Sailor price of 32400 Yen.

The full size non-Realo ProGear is smaller: 129mm.

And it is not a ProGear Sigma Realo, which is longer and which would be more expensive. And it also has a different clip.

[Uncial]

Thanks mke. Good to know it is the Realo piston filler and a little larger; I think I'd like that. The pictures are good, but they always have them massively back lit which I don't find very helpful. It's shows off the colour aspect and its transparency, but if someone had this pen and their own pictures it might give me a better sense of its appearance and of course, how prominent the glitter thing is.

[mke]

They also wrote that their nib is based on Sailors technology - whatever based should mean in reality.

When they order-produce a pen at Sailor, they will certainly do this with the nib too.

Edited September 9, 2017 by mke

[Algester]

apparently I was the only one that posted about the said pen of course because I don't know any decent Japanese courier services that can "smuggle" these goods to my country nor could I afford them I can't say anything more about them

[mke]

Algester didn't provide a link to the former discussion about this pen: here it is LINK.

 

There is a posting regarding the nibs which the poster says are NOT Sailor. But it is getting fuzzier and fuzzier.

 

Reference start:

"On a side note, the nib is made by Pent (not sailor), which there's not much information out there on them. As far as my research can tell, Pent nibs come from Onishi Seisakusho and they are affiliated with Pen House (or their exclusive dealer). Somehow Onishi is the successor to Kato Seisakusho. As far as I can tell, they source their nibs from Schmidt and then customize them. No one seems to have complaints about their nibs and if it's through Pen House (I'm guessing they're like the Goulet of Japan, as far as I can tell) and associated with a Sailor body, I imagine they must be of good quality.

 

Edit: It seems as if maybe this nib is done in conjunction with Sailor. The top image says:

 

Pent Logo Set on a 21 Carat Original Pen Tip

The Pent Original nib is 24 carat gold and utilizes a Sailor nib.

With its characteristic touch and softness, we promise you'll have clear handwriting and a pleasant writing experience. "

Reference end

 

Actually, the picture says: The essence of Sailor technology breathing original Pent nib is made from 21K gold.

[KellyMcJ]

Oh my you're lucky! That is my dream pen, but it is (or was, I don't think it's available now) out of my budget.

[Erik Dalton]

Sailor pen and ink are very special to me. But, I've evolved through the pens and inks as time and experience has guided me. I have a couple Realo pens and I have to admit that I use them very rarely. The Sailor 1911 L is also a big pen, cheaper in price, but cartridge/converter filler. Sailor Realos don't come apart, don't hold anymore ink, and cleaning them out is a nuisance. Sailor service in the US in all but non-existent. This has led me to gravitate to the 1911 L and The King of Pen, all cartridge/converter filler, and very special pens, and easy to maintain.

I know that this is heresy to admit, but the King of Pen is more than a match for my MB149. Im only sorry that I waited so long to buy one.

 

Im not going to try and talk you out of buying a Realo. Nobody could change my mind when it was set on a Realo. But think over do your homework before you jump.

 

I've also moved from fine and medium sailor nibs to Sailor Broad nib. 23k Nibs that write much smoother, less feedback, and have a larger sweet spot. These nibs put down an ink line similar to a Pelikan Fine.

Well that's what I've learned after spending a lot of money on many Sailor pens. Hope it helps.

[Algester]

Just for the info the nib is still made by Sailor, this isnt any different from Sailor doing OEM work or other of the shop exclusve pens sailor does just look at Ohashidou where the nib unit is made by Sailor (stamped with Ohashidou marking) and the body and section by Ohashidou and then there Taccia but I havent seen a Taccia sailor nib so I dont know if theres anything special on it

Edited September 10, 2017 by Algester

[nibtip]

Since i possess these two pen i though a few pictures could give a better idea about them

David

[Uncial]

That's great, thank you. From your pictures the glittery aspect does look like a water effect.

[mke]

> the glittery aspect does look like a water effect

I thought the same.

[mongrelnomad]

It's sold out. I have the dark blue, and placed an order for both the clear and the light blue, but Pen House cancelled my order.

[Algester]

I wont be surprised if its out of stock... you can try next month but I dont know the frequency of Sailor shipments to pen-house since this is a shop exclusive and its not limited

[Uncial]

Maybe it's one of those 'one per person' type deals. It's still being extensively advertised on Rakuten.

[KellyMcJ]

I wont be surprised if its out of stock... you can try next month but I dont know the frequency of Sailor shipments to pen-house since this is a shop exclusive and its not limited

 

It's not limited!? Well then I might be able to get one after all!!!

[mongrelnomad]

Maybe it's one of those 'one per person' type deals. It's still being extensively advertised on Rakuten.

And then you buy one, pay for it, and then get an email saying it's no longer available.