What Is The Japanese Fountain Pen Company Quality Hierarchy?

[ObserveClosely]

Great thread! (Love the history stuff. Pretty interesting.)

 

I'd like to add a small tip-of-the-hat to Pilot for the unique and delightful nib design used in the Pilot Parallel. Outstanding. Wish it came packaged in a nice barrel/cap everyday pen.

[rudyhou]

On topic - Yes, I'll agree with everyone who said that the differences were minimal. The high quality is there with all three manufacturers, so it's a question of aesthetics. Me, I love Nakaya's urushi, so that's my favorite, but I wouldn't say that the overall quality was higher than Sailor or Pilot. No, wait, yes, I would, because these urushi pens are all handcrafted and flawless and gorgeous and functional, so, yes, that's my answer. Nakaya first.

 

+1.

i'm an owner of 3 Nakaya fps and some Pilot and Sailor fps. i must say, if i have to give up most of my fps, Nakaya WON'T be on the list. the fact that they are custom-made to my liking make them the more special. and yes, i LOVE the nibs.

[TDL]

On topic - Yes, I'll agree with everyone who said that the differences were minimal. The high quality is there with all three manufacturers, so it's a question of aesthetics. Me, I love Nakaya's urushi, so that's my favorite, but I wouldn't say that the overall quality was higher than Sailor or Pilot. No, wait, yes, I would, because these urushi pens are all handcrafted and flawless and gorgeous and functional, so, yes, that's my answer. Nakaya first.

 

+1.

i'm an owner of 3 Nakaya fps and some Pilot and Sailor fps. i must say, if i have to give up most of my fps, Nakaya WON'T be on the list. the fact that they are custom-made to my liking make them the more special. and yes, i LOVE the nibs.

 

+2 Agree completely. My Blue Dragon and Kuro_Tamenuri will be the last pens with which I part, alongside my Pelikan M900 Toledo. I have a great Sailor, a new Maya, with the Naginata MF nib. But even if / when I work out how to fly the nib effectively, the stunning looks and feel of Nakaya will take my eye, and hand, first.

[rudyhou]

On topic - Yes, I'll agree with everyone who said that the differences were minimal. The high quality is there with all three manufacturers, so it's a question of aesthetics. Me, I love Nakaya's urushi, so that's my favorite, but I wouldn't say that the overall quality was higher than Sailor or Pilot. No, wait, yes, I would, because these urushi pens are all handcrafted and flawless and gorgeous and functional, so, yes, that's my answer. Nakaya first.

 

+1.

i'm an owner of 3 Nakaya fps and some Pilot and Sailor fps. i must say, if i have to give up most of my fps, Nakaya WON'T be on the list. the fact that they are custom-made to my liking make them the more special. and yes, i LOVE the nibs.

 

+2 Agree completely. My Blue Dragon and Kuro_Tamenuri will be the last pens with which I part, alongside my Pelikan M900 Toledo. I have a great Sailor, a new Maya, with the Naginata MF nib. But even if / when I work out how to fly the nib effectively, the stunning looks and feel of Nakaya will take my eye, and hand, first.

 

yeah, my sailor bamboo has naginata MF nib as well. for the life of me, i can't figure out what makes this nib considered to be a much better nib than many others. it's drier and stiffer than a regular pilot nib. still, i can't part with the beautiful bamboo barrel. as for nakaya nibs, no complaints here. just perfect.

[eliaselrod]

My wife just bought the Sailor Hello Kitty pen and loves it. She already owns several Sailors and she says this one writes at least as well as any of the others. She is now queen of the Hello Kitty fans at her office (amazing how many are out there).

 

I tend to agree with the person who said Sailor has the best overall build quality of the three top Japanese manufacturers. And I do like the way they feel in my hand and they don't skip.

[rhk]

The big 3 are all excellent. Though I have not used one (though I intend to purchase one next time I am in Japan), Hakase is supposed to be a cut above.

 

 

I have pens from all of them: Nakaya, Platinum, Namiki, Pilot, Sailor, and Hakase. It is hard to compare these, since the material and nib vary a lot. The quality of all these brands is exllent, and Nakaya and Hakase offer nib adjustment. Sailor offers an incredinle choice of nibs. The maki-e on The pens is great. Try some of them, and determine what you want: urushi finish, a special nib, etc. Ruud

[leod]

#1 is Pilot

#2 is probably a tie on Sailor/Platinum

[Pemako]

I want one of those stupid hello kitty pens so bad. I'm such a girl.

 

I want one too, and I'm a boy!