Sailor 1911 or Pilot Custom 823?

[sonia_simone]

Which would you choose and why? They seem similar to me. I know there aren't a lot of us with 823s, but perhaps someone has experience with both?

[Jonathan]

I like the Sailor, sailor nibs are just awesome. I have been using a 1911, the old style with the anchor on the cap top. Great pen!

 

Whichever you get will be nice, but thats my opinion.

[robson]

I don't know Sonia, but I'm interessed by prices of these pens...same price?

 

regards.

[RyanL27]

I've had a couple of each pen, and they are both fantastic. My 823s both had broad nibs, and I've had a Medium and Broad 1911.

 

The 1911 has a nicer nib - typical of Sailor - but that doesn't mean the 823 isn't a superb writer. The Sailor nib just slightly edges it out in terms of ultimate smoothness.

 

The 823 definitely has a better filler - the vacuum filler is very impressive. It is very quick and easy to fill, holds a ton of ink, and has a shut-off valve for airplane use.

 

In terms of fit/finish, the 823 also seems to edge out the 1911. It's heftier and more solid feeling than the Sailor, and the cap screws down more satisfyingly (something I'm a stickler about, for some reason).

 

All that said, you really can't go wrong. I'd take one of each if I could afford it. Let me know if you have any more specific questions

[Lloyd]

If it means anything to you, Pilot has an excellent service dept. I'm not sure the same can be said of Sailor.

[Nimrud]

I have both and like both. The writing experience is slightly different between the two. Sailor is smooth at any angle of attack, which makes for a very comfortable but slightly detached writing experience. The Pilot is "sharper", still smooth, but gives pleasant feedback.

 

As for filling system, Pilot has the more interesting and capacious vac-filler, but be careful of stains. My clear demonstrator is stained, ironically by the Pilot ink which came with the pen. Also, if you like to change inks often, there is no easy way to reduce the ink intake, so the large ink capacity may work against the Pilot.

 

I find build quality to be about equal. The Sailor nibs are better made, but Pilot has a slight edge when it comes to the rest of the pen. Both pens are very well constructed. I am nitpicky when it comes to build quality, but I have not had any problems with either pen.

[MYU]

There are some nice writeups on the Sailor 1911 over at the Reviews forum. I love those Sailor nibs--very unique.

[lanatir]

i have a Sailor 1911 with togi nib

 

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/sailor1911

 

and a 1911 medium with music nib

 

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/1911m

 

and a custom 823

 

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/custom823

 

have to agree with the guys that the sailor nibs are superbly smooth but i must say that the 823 feels like a better made pen which nib is no slouch either and the pen has very nice heft.

[MYU]

Great photos, Kelvin!

 

Are you a professional photographer? I love your work.

[John Cullen]

I have had both and the Pilot nib was smoother than the Sailor. Generally, I think Namiki makes wonderfully smooth nibs. Honestly, Sailor nibs are my least favorite of all modern pens I have tried. I've had four Sailor FPs in the last ten years. I had a Fine point Magellan that was amazingly smooth and the guy I sold it too was dancing in the streets over it. The other three---all 1911's---- were bit toothy, stiff and sharp mediums. Too bad, as I like the look of the pens. Just my impression, j

[sonia_simone]

This is awesome, thank you all!

[wiglaf]

Oh come on Sonia Simone- like your name, Sailor is much more sibilant than Pilot-

plus your avatar resembles one more intent on the sea than the sky!

 

Tony

[lanatir]

Great photos, Kelvin!

 

Are you a professional photographer? I love your work.

thanks MYU

 

yes i am at times a professional photog

[TMann]

As I recall, Stylophiles Online had a great write-up of the Pilot 823, complete with mouthwatering photos (as per usual.)

 

TMann

[sonia_simone]

They did indeed, I've read it something like eight times!

 

I'm feeling a definite lean.

[Mike S.]

I bought the Pilot Custom 823 after reading that Stylophiles review and have not regretted it. (I got mine from Ron Dutcher, who sells pens on eBay.) It's a very substantial pen -- much more solid-feeling in the hand than you'd expect from the photos -- and is very well-built. The filling system works really well.

 

As you know from reading the review, you have to unscrew the blindcap a few mm in order to write with the pen (sort of like a Danitrio Densho) and you have to leave it unscrewed to keep the ink flowing. That means there's a gap between the pen and the blind cap when you're writing with the pen. If you post the cap, it's no big deal. If you don't, it might bother you. Also, you can't just pick up the pen and make a quick note with it - you have to take a couple of extra seconds to unscrew that blindcap first. If you don't get it open enough, it sometimes starves out and skips, so it takes a while to get the hang of it. I wouldn't call it a serious inconvenience, but it's worth noting.

 

Also, the Pilot is heavier than the Sailor 1911 (partly because of the way it's built, and partly because it holds so much ink). If you like heavy pens, great. If you don't, you might prefer the Sailor.

 

I have a bias in favor of the Sailor because it was my very first fountain pen and my sentimental favorite. However, if the Stylophiles review intrigued you, the pen will not disappoint.

[georges zaslavsky]

I like the pilot 823 much more but both are great pens.

[Inkling13]

If it means anything to you, Pilot has an excellent service dept. I'm not sure the same can be said of Sailor.

Sailor's customer service has been very helpful, but they channel all their inquiries through Itoya (returns(at)itoya.com). Most usually, your pen will have a small service fee, but that pays for a trip to Japan.

[parnesh]

I have an 823 M and love it.

 

I was wondering how the sailor nibs compare in terms of softness. The pilot nib just has a hint of spring which is very nice.

[WilsonCQB1911]

I really need to try a Sailor. My 823 in medium has one of the nicest nibs I've ever used, so if the Sailor is better is must be unbelievable. I love the 823. My 2nd favorite pen.