Large Variation Between 21K Sailor Nibs

[EDR1633]

I own a 1911L. Smooth writer. Flexible. Wet. Soft.

 

I just received a Pro Gear 21k. Scratchy. Non-flexible. Dry. Hard.

 

See pictures for comparison. Note how small the Pro Gear tipping looks compared to the 1911L.

 

BOTH ARE "H-F".

 

Ebay seller tells me they contacted Sailor in Tokyo and they indicate...

They responded to the nib of the original Sailor Professional Gear Imperial Black 21K pen and the Sailor Professional Gear 21K pen.

There are differences in manufacturing,

the pen nib is handmade, with some differences too.

Reasonable? I think I may return this one. Very disappointed.

Edited March 20, 2018 by EDR1633

[jar]

If you feel there is a defect then ask to return the pen.

 

But neither should be flexible at all; that much should be correct. And nibs can be tuned to be wetter fairly easily using just fingernails. also issues like how deeply a nib is set will change things like feel and wetness. Finally, scratchy is usually caused by the tines being misaligned.

[Bluey]

This is normal and expected. According to Sailor themselves, the width for a H-F can vary by quite a lot:

≈0.30mm (0.25 ~ 0.35mm)

http://www.engeika.com/page/44

[KellyMcJ]

Are the tines aligned and are you using the same ink? "Scratchy" should not be.

 

With the exception of a medium that I got second or third hand, my Sailors have all been perfect out of the box- I don't have more than one of each size to compare. Only the Zoom is just a *touch* soft- not really soft, but has just enough "give" to give a wetter line with slight pressure. The rest are nails or semi-nails. Not "you could use this nib as an ice pick" nails but not soft either.

[EDR1633]

Vendor gave me a partial refund and I decided to keep the pen. I think I can get used to it. It definitely puts down a smaller line than my 1911L, and is definitely a nail vs the 1911L.

 

I have looked at YouTube reviews and I hear just as many folks indicating high feedback nail vs smooth as butter, and everything in between.

 

I guess I am on one extreme end of that range.

 

Thanks Bluey for the tipping variation measurements. Enlightening.

[EDR1633]

I have decided that this nib is just too close to an EF. I think it is essentially an EF. I want to somehow get it fixed to be a true F. Is this even possible from a nibmeister? I guess this means rewelding of new tipping. I would guess $50 at mikeitwor.com or similar?