The final choice - Sailor Naginata Togi

[greencobra]

Well, my final decision for my first, what I would call, "good" fountain pen is the Sailor Naginata Togi. If I'm reading the criteria correctly, it should be a rather larger size pen around the circumference, not break the bank, and be a decent writer with cartridge/converter fill, with the classic lines I like.

 

OK, the money questions...what do you all think? Couldn't find mention of it in the review section, just the 1911's, which I guess it is????

 

The nib, I'm leaning toward F but don't really have a feel for different line widths yet. I read Japanese nibs write finer than European nibs and if you're not sure go with a M. I could agonize over this for weeks. Any thoughts on this???? I have a Waterman Carene with a M and holy cow, it throws a lot of ink!

 

If I get the F and I'm not happy because it's too fine, can it be reworked to put down a broader line? (my e-mail to a nib specialist hasn't been answered yet)

 

I'll probably send in the order tonight after work unless some of you cry foul on this model.

 

Lastly, thanks to all who took the time to answer my newbie questions in my prior posts and posted links for my FP ED 101. I value all your thoughts and opinions.

[Guest Saints1976]

Before ordering I have a feeling that the Togi is a speciality nib and not a standard nib which comes in different sizes.

 

This webpage seems to show it as a $230 speciality nib anyway.

[Sciopod]

I think the Naginata Togi nib comes in 3 sizes - Fine/Medium; Medium; Broad. According to the nib equivalence chart on the Andy's Pens Sailor page, the Fine/Medium is still finer than a Pelikan or Omas fine. Andy's Pens Sailor nib equivalence chart

 

I'm sure you'll be very happy with the Togi nib - what pen are you putting it on?

[lordjeebus]

I have used but not owned this pen. The nib is extraordinarily smooth, but don't expect to get as much variation in thickness (as you change the angle of the pen).

 

I'm pretty sure it's not available in F. Is there any reason why you've decided against the standard 1911 nibs? When I bought my Sailor Professional Gear, I went to the store intending to get the Naginata Togi but was completely satisfied with the standard Sailor M nib.

[greencobra]

Here's the pen and the ad copy for the pen. I might be wrong but I thought it was some sort of special edition of the Sailor 1911. God it's terrible to be new and ignorant.

 

Sailor Naginata Togi Black Fountain Pen

Sailor Naginata fountain pen comes with 21K gold NAGINATA - TOGI nib. It is unique to Sailor and the nib is exceptionally smooth and the tip is hand made precisely. After forming the nib from 21K gold, the tip is carefully tip with irridium with certain nib width determination. With careful precision, the nib is severed along and exact vertical line to insures correct air flow and flexibility unique to each pen. The Naginata - togi nib is created by master nib-designer, Nobuyoshi Nagahara.

 

System: cartridge / converter system.

 

Nib type: Handcrafted finely engraved 21k gold nib

 

I'm having problems posting the photo, will try later.

[greencobra]

This is it.

 

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8530/286ig1.jpg

[lordjeebus]

The pen body is the same as that of the regular 1911. The difference is the nib.

 

Some sites have close up pictures that show the difference: the Naginata Togi has a long curved surface that can contact the paper (inspired by Japanese swords) and supposedly by altering the angle between pen and paper one can alter the broadness of one's writing. In practice I found this effect to be minimal.

 

However, the pen is still extraordinary. The special Sailor nibs (of which Naginata Togi is the cheapest) are the only nibs I have tried that are smoother than my regular Sailor nib.

 

They're not really special editions, but specialized nibs for pen enthusiasts. My understanding is there's a lot more work done by hand relative to standard nibs.

 

If you're not satisfied with the pen, it'll probably be cheaper for you to sell it here and get a new one than to have it adjusted.

[Guest Saints1976]

Greencobra, I have a Sailor Sapporo (similar to a 1911M) with a 14K zoom nib which is exceptionally smooth and a pleasure to write with and I have a 1911 with a 21K fine nib which to me is more like a hypodermic needle than a nib I am getting used to it though.

 

I am quite a fan of Pelikan Souveran pens but could quite easily live with a nice new Sailor Togi pen. My opinion, for what its worth, is go for it - I don't think you will be disappointed. Your biggest problem will be deciding on the correct nib width because, unlike Pelikan, the Sailor pens do not have easily changeable nibs.

 

Having said that, if your have $6000+ to spare you could go for this set of Sailor nibs (with pen)

[NeoTiger]

Just a note to add to the confusion, there is a Sailor pen called the Naginata, which is slightly different to the 1911. The Naginata also has 2 types, the plain finish and the ribbed finish (which is more commonly seen).

[Nimrud]

Just a note to add to the confusion, there is a Sailor pen called the Naginata, which is slightly different to the 1911. The Naginata also has 2 types, the plain finish and the ribbed finish (which is more commonly seen).

That's what greencobra is talking about - the Naginata-togi pen. As Neotiger says there is a smooth version and a ribbed version. It is distinct from the Sailor 1911, but takes the same nibs as the full-size version of the 1911 (the section is interchangeable).

 

The difference between the two is that the Naginata-togi pen is larger than the 1911, and comes with Naginata series nibs. The basic togi is normally supplied, but you can switch that with its more expensive brethren like the cross, eagle, etc with an increase in the price.

 

Sailor does not officially supply 1911s with the Naginata nibs, although you can buy the nibs separately and they will fit your 1911.

[Nimrud]

By the way, with the Naginata-togi nib, the thing about Japanese nib sizes being smaller goes out the window. Naginata-togi nibs have an extra large tip. An Naginata-togi M will be closer to a broad, and will write very wet!

 

(If you read Andy's chart carefully, he says the measurements only apply to Sailor standard nibs, not the specialist nibs.)

Edited September 9, 2006 by Nimrud

[greencobra]

Alright, I didn't get the Togi because I didn't realize it came from Malaysia. Had a bad experience with something being bought there. But I still got a Sailor Maginata in flat black, only with a standard Sailor M nib. I've admired the looks of this pen in flat black for a while. It was an E-Bay buy from Japan (gulp, never bought outside the US before since the Malaysia thing). I did however ask the seller if it could be exchanged for a F or MF, but the M will work if not. I don't mind sharing what I paid, $177 USD + $13 S+H. I've never seen this pen cataloged in the US so I don't know if I did well, but the last 2 I saw go off went for $200+ and $185. I'm sure I'll be happy and as of now I think I have a keeper.

Again, my thanks for the advice and opinions. Coming soon, my nebie review of this pen and updates on the hunt for a Shanghai!

 

http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/8884/7112fa8.jpg

http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/7610/9312qr2.jpg

[Guest Saints1976]

If you bought it from the seller on Ebay call engeika then you absolutely nothing to worry about. I bought my full size Sailor 1911 from him and the time taken between winning the auction and my pen arriving in the UK was 3 days

[greencobra]

If you bought it from the seller on Ebay call engeika then you absolutely nothing to worry about.  I bought my full size Sailor 1911 from him and the time taken between winning the auction and my pen arriving in the UK was 3 days 

Yes, that's who it was. Thanks for the heads up, as you can imagine, I was concerned.

[sonia_simone]

Congrats, i bet you will adore it. Be sure and tell us all about it when you get a chance!

[rosey]

Very nice purchase! I second the motion for a review when you get the pen.

[Nimrud]

Alright, I didn't get the Togi because I didn't realize it came from Malaysia. Had a bad experience with something being bought there.

If the Malaysian shop you were thinking of buying from was Pengallery, you needn't have worried. Lai is a good guy, and the shop is a real brick & mortar. Here's a link to the FPSEA forum showing pics taken by lanatir of the first meeting of FPSEA there.

 

http://users.boardnation.com/~fountainpens...did=16;start=20

[Amy1234]

By the way, with the Naginata-togi nib, the thing about Japanese nib sizes being smaller goes out the window. Naginata-togi nibs have an extra large tip. An Naginata-togi M will be closer to a broad, and will write very wet!

 

Picking up this thread ten years on....has anyone got a handwriting sample with a naginata togi medium fine nib?

[Doug C]

I have one with the fine nib, and I find it unusable for the most part. At the angle I write, it comes across as a very broad. It will write finer with the pen completely vertical but who writes like that?

 

If you could turn the nib upside down and use it as a fine/medium, it would be a much usable pen. As it is, I don't use it often.

[Amy1234]

Thanks for your reply....I must admit that would really put me off...I write quite small and I wouldn't like a line too broad or wet. Has anyone got anything positive to say about this pen ?

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