Pilot "Soft Signature Pen"

July 11, 2009

Recently I bought a pen off of Ebay seller Engeika (actually, I've bought lots of pens from him, an excellent seller) that he titles the "Pilot Special Black Soft Signature Pen". This is a fiber tipped pen that draws up ink through an aerometric filling mechanism similar to a Parker 51 filler. Two pilot cartridges are included.

http://i11.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/36/2f/6d4e_3.JPG

He sells this pen for $15 with free shipping. He also sells a demonstrator Platinum Pen with a similar fiber tip but without free shipping. Since I didn't have any experience with these, I opted for the cheapest route to give it a try.

http://i20.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/36/2f/6e28_3.JPG

The pen comes with two disposable tips. Somewhere I read (on his post?) that a tip should give you two fills of ink. Each tip costs $2, and you can buy them from Engeika. According to the Ebay listing, this pen (and I'd imagine the tips) are only available in Japan.

http://i14.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/36/2f/6e79_3.JPG

I inserted the tip and filled the pen with a Noodlers Purple color (for the life of me, I can't remember the name and I don't have the bottle with me, but it doesn't seem to be made anymore. It isn't an eel or fastdry). I filled and unfilled a few times, and it seems to hold quite a bit of ink.

http://i24.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/36/2f/6ed3_3.JPG

I would have preferred to have written this review after using a tip all the way through. I haven't made it through a complete fill yet though. The ink comes out heavy - like a marker would. It bleeds heavily through molekskine paper, and it stays wet (and smudges) for some time. It feels nice to write with, and if you want a broad, solid line, this pen is great. For a signature on some 65lb paper, this pen would be excellent. I haven't had a problem with feathering, although I haven't written on heavy rag content paper yet.

Generally, I can't find reasons to use it all that frequently.

The pen is small, coming in a bit under 5", but its got a little chunkiness to it. Its a conservative black with gold colored furniture. I prefer big pens generally, but this thing isn't too bad, and you can post the cap. Its got a basic stylish look to it, but simple. Sort of reminiscent of a MB 146 in shape, but considerably smaller.

By the way the ink soaks the tip, I can't imagine that I can change colors without replacing the tip - then again, I haven't tried yet.

Generally, I think its a cool little pen, and worth $15, particularly if shipped free (EMS from Japan can get expensive). When I change inks and tips, I'll post my experience with it. Nonetheless, if you'd like to add something a bit different to your pen collection, then this pen should be fun.

Marc

Edited July 11, 2009 by MYU

July 11, 2009

Thanks for this review, Marc. I added the seller's images... not sure if they'll last. You might want to try saving off the large originals from the auction then uploading to your own photo sharing account.

I think it's a worthwhile purchase, especially since Engeika includes a converter. That's normally a $3-$4 item, which means you are paying just $11 for the pen (shipped). I suspect the tip will last more than two refills if used gently. Overall, a nice pen and a seemingly very good deal.

Edited July 11, 2009 by MYU

July 11, 2009

Heresy, Heresy. Burn at the stake with these surrounding you.

Would I use a ballpoint? NO

Would I use a gel pen? NEVER

This is a hybrid of a ballless ballpoint and an intergalactic alien gel pen crossed with a zombie fountain pen!

Destroy them all!

July 11, 2009

Heresy, Heresy. Burn at the stake with these surrounding you.

Would I use a ballpoint? NO
Would I use a gel pen? NEVER
This is a hybrid of a ballless ballpoint and an intergalactic alien gel pen crossed with a zombie fountain pen!
Destroy them all!

That has all the makings of a B-movie. I can just see the pen crawling out of the trash can and embedding itself in into its hapless owners brain. This could be a lot of fun.

Rick

July 11, 2009

That has all the makings of a B-movie. I can just see the pen crawling out of the trash can and embedding itself in into its hapless owners brain. This could be a lot of fun.

Rick

And the persons eyes turn a deep liquidy solid, like filled with ink, whatever the color was in the pen...

Nice pen! that could be a lot of fun to draw with...

I wonder if filled with straight water, if it would make a high class looking water pen, ie; if it would work right for that.

G.