Pilot M90/ Myu/ Parker Falcon

[Ylvan]

Dear all,

 

I have decided that my next friend has to be one of the beauties mentioned in the topic title. I have found some interesting objects on ebay, but is there anything I should keep in mind while searching/buying online?

 

Oh I really, really want one of these and even though I know I should try a pen before buying, that's obviously not possible with these pens, any advice?

 

Is the medium nib on the m90 very wide (compared to the fine nib on the Lamy 2000)? If anyonewould happen to know such thing.

 

Thank you!

[myn]

The only thing I can tell you is that nibs from Pilot, Sailor etc. pretty much run smaller then European/N. American nibs of the same size. For example a Fine nib by our standards would be more like a Medium by Pilot or Sailor standards. Their Fine nib would be more like an EF/XF by European or N. American standards.

[MCN]

I purchased an M90 on eBay some months ago. It is an M nib but is about the same width as an F nib from a European maker. I really like the pen so I suspect you would too. Even if you don't, reselling it shouldn't be too hard.

[quinden]

I was able to trade for a Murex and I love it! Mine has a fine nib and I can confirm that it writes like my western extra-fines. My wife also got me a Myu for Christmas...now all I need is a black stripe Myu and an m90

 

Good hunting! It seems like the original Myu and Murex are more affordable on ebay than the newer limited edition m90.

[Ylvan]

Thanks for all information!

 

I have found some interesting objects on ebay, how ofter do they appear? Do I have to be quick?

 

I am trying to decide between the m90 and an NOS Myu... help!

[mirosc]

I have found some interesting objects on ebay, how ofter do they appear? Do I have to be quick?

 

There's not a month without Pilot Myus. Don't worry, they pop up quite regularly. No need to haste. Compare prices of completed auctions and have a look here in Historical Sales to get a feeling what a fair price might be.

I don't know how old you are, but maybe you want to go for one made in the same month as you were born? But then you might have to wait quite a lot of time, because getting special dates is quite difficult.

 

 

I am trying to decide between the m90 and an NOS Myu... help!

It's all down to aesthetics. The orinigal version looks better to my eyes: a bit thinner, no protruding middle ring, flat clip instead of curved one (fits better the streamlined appearance), plain black cap"jewel" instead of flashy blue. But you have the three clips holding the cap in place. It's a more understated look, the modern version is pimped up a bit more. In terms of quality there is no difference, it's simply up to you and your own personal taste of how this pen should look like. No one is better or worse, just different looks.

[Ylvan]

Thanks for your quick reply!

 

Do I have to worry about buying something thats not really a Pilot? There seem to be a lot of NOS, how can that be?

 

 

(And the black striped one are aamaazing, another time... maybe the year I was born... hmmm, ah my partner will leave me! h )

[mirosc]

Do I have to worry about buying something thats not really a Pilot?

No, that design is quite unique. Never heard of a good imitation before.

 

There seem to be a lot of NOS, how can that be?

no idea. I'm wondering myself.

 

(And the black striped one are aamaazing, another time... maybe the year I was born... hmmm, ah my partner will leave me! h )

Wait until you see the white striped one

[AltecGreen]

There seem to be a lot of NOS, how can that be?

no idea. I'm wondering myself.

 

 

 

 

The pens were mass produced (large numbers) and sold through various retail channels in Japan including a lot of mom and pop stationery stores. Many of these stores never sold out of these pens and have them sitting in a back room. Enterprising individuals go throughout Japan hitting these small stores and buy up these unsold pens. They often pay the original sticker price for these pens. Then they put them up on EBay in the US and sell for huge profits. The smart ones dole out the pens slowly to maintain the illusion of rarity.

 

 

(And the black striped one are aamaazing, another time... maybe the year I was born... hmmm, ah my partner will leave me! h )

Wait until you see the white striped one

 

 

The black striped versions have been a much easier to find of late.

 

The white striped one is truly rare. There are not that many known examples. The last time I saw one for sale was in 2010 and it sold for $1500.

[quinden]

 

The pens were mass produced (large numbers) and sold through various retail channels in Japan including a lot of mom and pop stationery stores. Many of these stores never sold out of these pens and have them sitting in a back room. Enterprising individuals go throughout Japan hitting these small stores and buy up these unsold pens. They often pay the original sticker price for these pens. Then they put them up on EBay in the US and sell for huge profits. The smart ones dole out the pens slowly to maintain the illusion of rarity.

 

 

I really wish I could head over to Japan and pick up a few of these for keeps! My Myu 701 should be here soon, and my Murex is great.

[JemC]

I think it's relevant enough for me to ask here - how does the Parker Falcon compare? Specifically, does it feel as solid & well constructed? Also, how do the nibs run, wide like a typical Western nib, or finer?

 

I see plenty of Myu/Murex love, but minimal on the Falcon.

[Ylvan]

Thank you sooo much for all your quick and informative replies!

 

 

I still have some questions though...

 

Some pens seems to come without cartridges and a converter. Are these things possible to buy separately?

 

I have a Lamy 2000 and I think it has something called a piston something (am I right?). I like that, it is easy to handle and refill with ink from a bottle. How does the converter work in m90 and MYU pens?

 

What is the difference between MYU and MUREX?

 

There is obviously enough variations of these pens to keep my interest for quite a while...

[AltecGreen]

Some pens seems to come without cartridges and a converter. Are these things possible to buy separately?

 

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

What is the difference between MYU and MUREX?

 

 

Take a look at Russ Stutler's article. Russ is very 'enterprising'.

[quinden]

I think it's relevant enough for me to ask here - how does the Parker Falcon compare? Specifically, does it feel as solid & well constructed? Also, how do the nibs run, wide like a typical Western nib, or finer?

 

I see plenty of Myu/Murex love, but minimal on the Falcon.

 

I actually just sold 3 Falcons to pay for a Murex - I never inked them, but I can say that the Falcons felt pretty good in the hand; the tipping seemed larger than what I have on my Murex. The Murex has a spring-loaded clip (I don't believe the Myu has this) and I like it a lot more than the Falcon's arrow clip. The stainless Falcons I had seemed to be pretty sturdy, but the matte brown Falcon had some chipping on the end of the barrel where the metal showed through. I might end up kicking myself for selling all of them but for right now I am glad that I got the Murex.

 

Thank you sooo much for all your quick and informative replies!

 

 

I still have some questions though...

 

Some pens seems to come without cartridges and a converter. Are these things possible to buy separately?

 

I have a Lamy 2000 and I think it has something called a piston something (am I right?). I like that, it is easy to handle and refill with ink from a bottle. How does the converter work in m90 and MYU pens?

 

What is the difference between MYU and MUREX?

 

There is obviously enough variations of these pens to keep my interest for quite a while...

 

You can still use the cartridges that Pilot sells in several colors. The pen is too short for the Con-50 or Con-70 converters, but I think you can use the Con-20 converter, which is a squeeze converter and still made by Pilot. You will not get anywhere near the ink capacity of most piston fillers.

 

The Murex is a later integrated-nib pen, also made by Pilot. For a good overview, check out Russ Stutler's page.

 

Edited to add - Whoops! AltecGreen beat me to the punch

Edited November 26, 2012 by quinden

[schin]

I have an M90 and a Falcon, both are great. I find that the M90 is a little slippery though, since it is all metal and not as comfortable to hold. Also, it is rather short.

 

Here's a question for other M90 owners, mine is an XF and is VERY DRY. So dry that a single sentence can get from wet to dry to wet again. I have tried using different inks but it is the same. Is there something wrong with the alignment on my tines? Or is this normal?

[JemC]

I actually just sold 3 Falcons to pay for a Murex - I never inked them, but I can say that the Falcons felt pretty good in the hand; the tipping seemed larger than what I have on my Murex. The Murex has a spring-loaded clip (I don't believe the Myu has this) and I like it a lot more than the Falcon's arrow clip. The stainless Falcons I had seemed to be pretty sturdy, but the matte brown Falcon had some chipping on the end of the barrel where the metal showed through. I might end up kicking myself for selling all of them but for right now I am glad that I got the Murex.

Yeah, it was actually your classified that got me thinking about the Falcon again, and then this thread popped up.

 

Honestly, I was tempted to bite, but I have no clue what they are/should be valued at, and haven't read as many in-depth reviews on them compared to the Myu/Murex line.

And I'm still a pretty "fine line" kinda guy, so a western fine on an integrated nib would probably end up getting minimal use.

 

Like most of the people in this thread (I imagine), I absolutely love the aesthetics of these pens: the integrated nib, the streamlining, the long-cap, a nice metal barrel that's not just shiny adornment.

[quinden]

JemC, totally agree on the aesthetics of these pens! They have a very "futuristic in a retro way" thing going on that I find very appealing.

[Joe in Seattle]

I bought the M90 in F a couple years back. I find the Japanese F nib on this pen just a touch broader than, say, a Sailor F. It writes like a ball bearing gliding over the paper. Really unique feel and lubricated just right. The all metal design is a bit awkward to hold, but what a look and design! Glad I got it for $158. I couldn't have afforded to buy it on a whim just because I liked the looks at today's prices.

[quinden]

I bought the M90 in F a couple years back. I find the Japanese F nib on this pen just a touch broader than, say, a Sailor F. It writes like a ball bearing gliding over the paper. Really unique feel and lubricated just right. The all metal design is a bit awkward to hold, but what a look and design! Glad I got it for $158. I couldn't have afforded to buy it on a whim just because I liked the looks at today's prices.

 

Well if you ever get tired of it you know who to call - actually, you would probably have people lined up around the block for it.

[Ylvan]

It's done. A M90 F.

 

I'm scared.

I have bought two expensive pens in just two weeks. I haven't even used ebay before this. Am I completely mad?

 

And I still have a little list of pens that I want (written in mystery black)... not good. Not good at all.