Sailor 1911 full size - review

[goodguy]

been planing to get a Sailor 1911 for a very very long time.

I tried few 1911's with M nib and I really didn't like it as the nib was way too smooth and no feedback to brighten my day.

Now after I finished collecting my WE's I have decided its time to get a 1911 but with a F nib.

I was hopping a F nib will give me more feedback.

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC01146.jpg

I bought the pen from a FPN member and very excited I inked it and put the nib on the paper to try the Sailor magic everybody is so raving about.

To my surprise I got a very scratchy nib.

After the initial disappointment passed I have decided to keep the pen and not write a negative review. After all this is not my first pen I get scratchy.

 

So I sent the pen to Sean Gosse (along with my MB 221) and got the pen today.

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC01147.jpg

So knowing Sean's skills my hopes were very high and.............yes he did it again!!!

Now this is a true Sailor nib.

It is ridiculously smooth.

Actually this might be its problem again.

This is almost too smooth for me with its little feedback.

This nib is much better then the M nibs I tried before but still I love more feedback.

So I am still not sure if I love the nib or not but I think, no let me refraze this I KNOW most of you will love this nib as it really is a wonderful smooth nib.

 

Ok now let's talk about the pen.

This pen is simply a Montblanc 146 replica and in first look I couldn't see the difference between these pens.

It feels very good in the hand.

The plastic feels solid and the overall feel of the pen is of a very well designed and made pen.

In the hand is feels well balanced and because it a CC filler it is not a heavy pen.

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/DSC01149.jpg

Conclusion

 

Well I will need more time to decide if I will keep this pen.

I didn't fell in love with its nib right away but to be honest I didn't expect I will.

I will take it to work and only after few days I will know for sure.

My hunch though is that I will keep this pen.

Its a good writer and as a MB fan I love the cigar shape design of the pen.

Would I recommend this pen to other people ?

Yes I would, its a very good pen.

I think a comparison between the 1911 and a MB 146 is in order.

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

[HenryLouis]

Great review. I need to get a sailor soon... one day.

[jigesh]

Nice review. Thanks. Sorry your initial experience with F nib was not so good. Having owned F, M-F and M on 1911 large, I think M is the smoothest (virtually no feedback) as your experience also says; F is having feedback but not scratchy like you had (very fine line though), and M-F is really between an M and an F as far as the feedback goes. If you get a chance, give M-F a try.

[Mrsal]

Great review. I need to get a sailor soon... one day.

 

haha, same here

[georges zaslavsky]

I need a sailor realo but I will find one one day.

[diplomat]

I have a 1911M in medium nib that has a smooth nib, almost close to Omas standards. I like it but I don't use it often because of the c/c filling with proprietary cartridges.

 

I think a comparison between the 1911 and a MB 146 is in order.

 

I'd love to see comparative photographs and your impressions on this "battle". The question to answer would be (IMO): is the Montblanc worth the (many) extra bucks?

 

Thank you for the review, Andre

[greencobra]

As usual, a nice, honest review. I own 2 of these with fine nibs and while I'm not in love with the pens, like them very much. My first one a few years ago (my first real fountain pen) wouldn't write worth a damn. I just ordered a Realo with a fine so I'm hoping it's as good as my others. As far as comparing the 1911 to a 146, I think the 146 blows it out of the water but I'm looking forward to that review.

[Flourish]

Your one little problem of the Sailor nibs being too smooth is exactly the reason I love the Sailor nibs so much, especially in the extra fine nib size. I find that the smaller I write the smoother my nibs must be. I actually love the challenge that smoother nibs present in that hand and eye coordination must be perfectly in synch to create the beautiful flowing letters that I strive to make. Sailor's to me are the best off the shelf nibs that I've used so far because of their smoothness. Usually I have to smooth out my nibs to 12000 grit to get the feel I like in a nib and so far I haven't had to do that with any of my Sailor nibs.

Edited October 28, 2009 by Flourish

[jniforat]

+1

 

and i agree, i'm interesting in a Sailor and MB 146 review. C'mon goodguy, do it!

[goodguy]

I just bought a MB 146 and it needs some work.

Once it will be fix I will do the comparison and then decide what I do with the Sailor (keep or sell).

[jniforat]

sounds good! can't wait to read the review! who knows, maybe it will be, "What will I do with the MB 146 (keep or sell it)."

[goodguy]

Cute

 

I got the MB 146 and it will be on its way to Sean soon for nib work.

[rokurinpapa]

Great review. I have got 1911 Realo(piston filler), but I do not have any 146( I have a 149). So I am

also looking forward to your comparison. Thank you for your review.

 

rokurinpapa

Edited November 1, 2009 by rokurinpapa

[aardvark]

I too am looking forward to your side-by-side reviews of the Sailor 1911 and Montblanc 146. I have a MB146 and the smaller M1911.

 

//mark

[JonDoh]

I had a 146 and it was a lot scratchier than my Sailor.

[encre]

Great news, I cant wait!

 

I just bought a MB 146 and it needs some work.

Once it will be fix I will do the comparison and then decide what I do with the Sailor (keep or sell).

[Flourish]

You all have me rethinking my views, actually my wallet, on Montblancs now. One day I shall have to try a MB 146 as well. But for now I am just enamored with Sailor and Pilot and Platinum and Nakaya.

[kubalai]

Nice review. Thanks. Sorry your initial experience with F nib was not so good. Having owned F, M-F and M on 1911 large, I think M is the smoothest (virtually no feedback) as your experience also says; F is having feedback but not scratchy like you had (very fine line though), and M-F is really between an M and an F as far as the feedback goes. If you get a chance, give M-F a try.

 

Have to second that view. I had the F nib and then went to the MF, writes smooth witha touch of feedback.

[Ed Ronax]

Thanks for the feedback, have been looking at this pen for a while being a 149 fan.

[returnofpenguy]

Usually I have to smooth out my nibs to 12000 grit to get the feel I like in a nib and so far I haven't had to do that with any of my Sailor nibs.

 

What do you use to smooth out your nibs? How do you measure grit? Is there a tool? I have a few pens that I find little scratchy and would like to smooth the nib. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.