Sailor 1911 Sterling Silver, MF

[Tsujigiri]

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj309/tsujigiri01/_MG_3196.jpg

 

When I bought this, I thought of it as the ultimate pen, without any needless jewels, artificial scarcity, or brand name. Later, I came to the realization that for me, an ultimate pen must be piston-filled, but this is very close. Unfortunately, the manufacturers design the pens, not the consumers, but I’ve found myself liking this pen very much despite the conventional filling system. Mine is the older version of the pen, with a trim ring at the grip and the old, simple nib engraving (which I think looks much better, hence the effort to make sure it was this particular model).

 

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj309/tsujigiri01/IMG_4157.jpg

 

Build Quality: 10/10

 

Sailor’s pens really shine in this category, their pens are top-notch. The trim bands are etched in around the edges to give them more depth in appearance. The clip is its own piece, not a cheap contraption attached to a ring. The body and grip are sealed with an o-ring, just in case. After seeing the attention to detail that Sailor applies to its resin models, I was curious about what they would do with a Sterling silver one. Unfortunately, it is a snap-cap, but it clips on firmly with some metal leaves in the cap. Everything fits together perfectly. The finish is hand-polished, and is smooth enough to be reflective, but also matte enough to not show scratches and fingerprints so clearly. The cap has an imprint saying “sterling silver .925.” It came with a nice velvet-lined balsa box, too.

 

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj309/tsujigiri01/IMG_4155.jpg

 

Grip, Balance, and Feel: 10/10

 

It is a little heavy, being a metal pen. But this is not very noticeable unless you write with it posted, and even in that case, it’s still very well-balanced. It does not appear that the cap scratches the body very much when posting, despite the all-metal interior of the cap. The absence of threads is a real plus in this category: the grip is smooth, uninterrupted, and comfortable. It’s not an oversized wide grip, but it has a comfortable size.

 

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj309/tsujigiri01/_MG_3200.jpg

 

Filling System: 6/10

 

Cartridge/converter… so boring. But at least it is functional and reliable. Sailor uses a different size of converter, that has a wider mouth to keep the ink flow up. It seems to work well, as I’ve never had any problems with skipping, and this pen is particularly good about starting up immediately after being uncapped for a while, or left alone for a few days. But that is most likely an attribute to the feed.

 

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj309/tsujigiri01/_MG_3199.jpg

 

Nib: 10/10

 

This is my favorite nib in my collection. It is incredibly smooth, with just a tiny bit of feedback to remind you of its presence. I’m not the type who likes tooth, I want my nibs as smooth as they can be, but this is really the perfect feel. It feels expertly-made, not just like a crude hunk of machined iridium, like so many others do. This nib feels personal, which it is true, as all Sailor nibs are handmade and hand-tested. The company has really done a stellar job with this: Montblanc is the only other company who makes their own nibs of which I have a pen from, and it does not come close to paralleling this masterpiece of craftsmanship. The lines the Sailor nib makes are wet, clear, and dark, but also precise and even. Many pens make lines with fuzzy edges, but not so with the Sailor. This large-sized nib (Within Sailor’s lineup, that is. Larger than the 1911m) is 21k gold, the highest karat value I know of in any modern pen. This does not translate into a better writing feel, but it is a nice touch. There is very little flexibility to this nib, and only if you press rather hard. It is not meant for ornate writing, but it does make regular writing a more pleasurable experience than I could expect to experienced elsewhere. The size I got is the Medium-Fine, a size unique to Sailor. It is approximately the size of a western fine, perhaps a little larger. This size has proved for me to be the perfect size for any occasion: bold enough to be noticed, but fine enough for most small writing. The thinner size of the nib also makes its smoothness all the more remarkable. I can honestly say that I have encountered no match for this nib.

 

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj309/tsujigiri01/_MG_3197.jpg

 

Value: 10/10

 

These seem to be discontinued now, but they are still easy to find. They run for about $300, I got mine for that much from Swisher Pens. For a Sterling Silver pen with an amazing nib and executive build quality, I would consider this a good value.

 

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj309/tsujigiri01/IMG_4156.jpg

[CharlieB]

This is a fantastic pen. I purchased mine from John Mottishaw about four months ago, and I love it. In fact, these are so nice, I may buy a second one.

 

Blue ink is especially well-suited to this pen. I have used Sailor Blue in mine, but I can imagine other blue inks looking equally nice when paired with the shiny silver body of the pen.

Edited March 22, 2008 by CharlieB

[encremental]

Do you know if Sailor silver pens are rhodium plated? Personally I would prefer it if they weren't, but I know a lot of people do like this.

 

John

Edited March 23, 2008 by encremental

[Tsujigiri]

No, it's solid sterling silver, all the way through. When you look at the pen next to a polished stainless steel one or a rhodium-plated one, you can see the golden tint to the Sailor's finish. When I bought mine, a silver-polishing cloth was provided to scrub off the tarnish. But I, too, like the look of the genuine sterling silver metal.

Edited March 23, 2008 by Tsujigiri

[Martius]

Awesome review! Thanks. I have been looking at these for months and now I am trying to decide between this one and the YOL Viceroy Grand.

 

Best,

Summer Greer

[AndyHayes]

Brilliant review. Thanks for making the effort.

 

This has been on my lust list for a long time, but I seem to have stalled on pen buying at the moment whilst I count the pennies.

 

I am sure that there will be one of these in my future.

[kubalai]

I have the same pen with the same MF nib and agree with the review. However I would prefer a slighter finer nib. I did try the F nib but found it a bit more toothy for my tastes. the MF has a slighty toothiness but is very smooth. Probably this may be the holy grail of FP!! Must also agree that blue ink is the best color. I have tried Wateman Ink and it doesn't match for some reason. I use Waterman Florida blue or Cross blue. Might try MB Royal Blue next.

 

Must post a scan to see if other users have the same size of lines etc..

Edited December 23, 2008 by kubalai

[Fountainista]

I will not thank you for posting this. Someone has hit my soft spot for Sailor 1911 craftsmanship, again. I wanted to wait for piston filling system but now... forget it. Sterling silver obviously is better against the resin version (read "cheap plastic" called by others) as collector item. But I prefer resin, I cann't hold sterling silver for longer times. It is not pleasant... but this is personal thing so it doesn't mean much. I hope you will enjoy detailed craftsmanship of 1911 without any problems for many years to come. I love those mechanical wanders coming from Sailor. I need hold off my impulses for couple more days but decision was already made...

[Tsujigiri]

I will not thank you for posting this. Someone has hit my soft spot for Sailor 1911 craftsmanship, again. I wanted to wait for piston filling system but now... forget it. Sterling silver obviously is better against the resin version (read "cheap plastic" called by others) as collector item. But I prefer resin, I cann't hold sterling silver for longer times. It is not pleasant... but this is personal thing so it doesn't mean much. I hope you will enjoy detailed craftsmanship of 1911 without any problems for many years to come. I love those mechanical wanders coming from Sailor. I need hold off my impulses for couple more days but decision was already made...

 

Be strong! It is a great pen, but I like the Pelikan m1000, which I got for the same price, a little better mainly because it is piston-filled. Imagine what a Sailor piston-filled pen would be like!

[georges zaslavsky]

One can only hope Sailor turn its whole collection into piston fillers, then the pens will probably outsell MB and even Pelikan.

[Tsujigiri]

Something tells me that if they did that, though, that would cause a lot of riots in pen shows and stores... given that Sailor isn't very concerned with high production numbers and pen sellers often sell out of their pens.

[Dutchpen]

i have the same pen only with a sterling section too, i have a medium nib in it.

it would be very nice if this pen was available in a piston filler. and maybe a two-tone nib like the one on the pro gear...

 

 

Lennard

[pkoko]

Just FYI, I find the pen a little too heavy for long time use. I actually refer the regular resin 1911 b/c of its lighter weight.

[schadowrider]

I have two 1911's right now: this one and a resin (burgundy), both with H-EF nibs -- can't believe how smooth they are for such a fine nib! Going to be thinning the collection down a bit to make room for some other pens I've been wanting, and between the two of these, it's probably the resin one that will be sold -- I actually like the weight of this silver one...

[revbyrd1]

I have been looking at this fountain pen for quite a while. Thank you for all of this in-depth information and an excellent review. I hope to acquire one in the near future.

 

Peace

[M@rtin]

very good looking pen!. Here doesn't exists

[MaxFrank]

Okay I have found my new grail pen. What a beautiful, though slightly understated pen. It is not as in your face as a MB. Are they readily available? I have to start saving up for this beauty

[ballboy]

Okay I have found my new grail pen. What a beautiful, though slightly understated pen. It is not as in your face as a MB. Are they readily available? I have to start saving up for this beauty

I've just been looking at a Realo and thought I'd come and read a review of something similar. Now that I've been reminded of the merits C/Cs hold, I could be torn...

Pilot VP dry? That'll explain the unsatisfying lack of wetness.

[professionaldilettante]

Not to necropost, but the box is actually made of Paulownia, a valued wood of Asian origin, used in presentation boxes, chests and other things.

[dhaines]

Cool pen! Can you post a writing sample?

Thanks!