Sailor Realo 24Kt?

[Obyekt]

Hello,

 

I'm considering purchasing a new Sailor Realo. I'm particularly interested in the pro gear version, since I don't like bullet-type pen bodies. On ebay, there are a few sellers who offer the pens from japan, at a very low price (well, relatively low )

 

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR4.TRC1.A0.H0.Xsailor+realo+24k&_nkw=sailor+realo+24k&_sacat=0&_from=R40

 

My concerns are as follows:

- These 24k nibs, if I'm correct, sailor only made these until ~25 years ago. Is it possible that these ebay sellers still have these pens as new for sale?

- Can these sellers be trusted? I see that they all have 1000+ positive reviews, but I still want to be cauteous.

- What are your experiences with import from Japan? I often hear that import taxes aren't always charged from Japan. I live in Europe (Belgium).

 

Thanks in forward.

[Chrissy]

I have never bought an expensive pen from Japan. However, I've bought a cheap pen and some ink from Japan and had no problems.

 

The seller you mention is a Top Rated seller with excellent feedback so you should have no worries there.

 

IMHO you will be very likely to pay import tax if this pen comes from Japan to Europe. So I would factor in whatever your VAT rate is plus extra for the delivery calculation

[proton007]

There's no 24k nibs, only 21k. It's possible the ebay listing refers to the gold accents, they may be 24k.

[trulylefty]

The picture where you can see the nib is 21K. The listing is probably just wrong. I would contact the seller.

[Tombstone]

Three points:

 

- as already written, 24-k-nibs do not exist - they are always 21 k. They speak of 24 k only for the surface-treatment.

 

- I can only speak for pisuke2005, kyoto.pen.store and cerisiene-japonaise (or something like this, was a french name): all of the deals worked perfectly

 

- the import taxes depend on many points, but two are most important: your general regulations insode Belgium and the creativity of the seller.

[mineiro]

I never ordered from Japan, but my experiences from the US and other Asian countries are that there are always import taxes. Worse than import taxes are VAT and handling fees. If sent through EMS or USPS, the package is transferred to the Belgian Post and usually gets a lengthy inspection by customs where they sometimes open the package completely and request to send the Paypal bill to release it. It goes much smoother and faster with DHL, Fedex or UPS, who take care of everything themselves from door to door. As said above the amount to pay depends on the creativity of the seller and good luck.

[Obyekt]

Hi,

 

I have understood that the pen I'm considering only comes in 21k anymore.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/61859-sailor-24k-nibs/

 

This thread speaks about 24k sailor nibs.

Also, Visconti makes 23k nibs.

[rafapa]

Hi,

 

I have understood that the pen I'm considering only comes in 21k anymore.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/61859-sailor-24k-nibs/

 

This thread speaks about 24k sailor nibs.

Also, Visconti makes 23k nibs.

But Visconti 23k nibs are not gold ones.

[Lyander0012]

Small input:

Sailor used to make 23k nibs, I think. The design was similar to the Lamy 27 in that the nib was semi-hooded and the body was streamlined.

 

 

Kevin

[Algester]

But Visconti 23k nibs are not gold ones.

good point LOL if people still forget Visconti uses Palladium as their "premium" nib second is the 18kt chrome...

[ehemem]

Small input:

 

Sailor used to make 23k nibs, I think. The design was similar to the Lamy 27 in that the nib was semi-hooded and the body was streamlined.

 

 

Kevin

 

You are correct. I have a Sailor pocket pen with a 23K nib.

[aawhite]

My 2 cents:

 

As is, 24 kt gold is too soft for the purpose of a "bare/open" fountain pen nib. At least a small amout of alloy is required to toughen the metal, and therefore making it no longer 24 kt.

 

However, the exception could be a hooded nib (not bare/open), like Parker 51, where the nib is encased and supported.

 

[proton007]

My 2 cents:

 

As is, 24 kt gold is too soft for the purpose of a "bare/open" fountain pen nib. At least a small amout of alloy is required to toughen the metal, and therefore making it no longer 24 kt.

 

However, the exception could be a hooded nib (not bare/open), like Parker 51, where the nib is encased and supported.

 

 

In any case, nibs beyond 18k start to venture into 'nail' category, as the material loses springiness. I understand Sailor makes 21k nibs, but it's just proving a point more than any performance benefit.

[Lyander0012]

 

In any case, nibs beyond 18k start to venture into 'nail' category, as the material loses springiness. I understand Sailor makes 21k nibs, but it's just proving a point more than any performance benefit.

 

Seconded, haha. My 21k nib is actually less springy than my 14k one. It's cool to know about the extremely high gold content on the nib, but I feel that's about all there is to the nib. Oh, the increased softness (not springiness) of the nib body itself makes adjusting flow very easy! It requires less force than other nibs, so in the event that something unthinkable happens to the nib, repairs shouldn't be too much trouble.

 

 

 

You are correct. I have a Sailor pocket pen with a 23K nib.

 

Yeah, that's the one I'm talking about! I've been looking for one for ages. I'm a bit of a Sailor fanboy, you see, and I do need a pocket pen for when carrying around a full-sized one is quite inconvenient. I realize there are any number of manufacturers nowadays that offer good pocket pens, Kaweco being the first that comes to mind, but I've decided to try adding at least one vintage FP to my stable

 

 

Cheers!

 

Kevin

[aawhite]

My extra 2 cents more:

 

The physical properties of a metal alloy depend on what are added to the mix. Two gold alloys can be 18 karats but can exhibit entirely different hardness, flexibility and color depending on what were alloyed (mixed).

 

Added to that, the properties of a nib not only depends on the composition of the metal but also on the design, that is size and shape of nib, length of nib and slit, thickness of metal, and possibly heat treatment.

Edited June 14, 2014 by aawhite

[dcwaites]

The nibs are solid 21k with 24k gold plating. It's called gilding the lily, I believe?

I have one in Naginata Togi Medium Fine on my Sailor Pro-Gear.

[Dillo]

Three points:

 

- as already written, 24-k-nibs do not exist - they are always 21 k. They speak of 24 k only for the surface-treatment.

 

- I can only speak for pisuke2005, kyoto.pen.store and cerisiene-japonaise (or something like this, was a french name): all of the deals worked perfectly

 

- the import taxes depend on many points, but two are most important: your general regulations insode Belgium and the creativity of the seller.

 

24K nibs actually do exist, only for Sailor though, and they are extremely rare. None have been made in the past 30 years as far as I know. They can be very springy, but I've heard that they are relatively delicate. This nib was achieved through very careful tempering. To this day, I've only seen one. Typically, though, Sailor makes 21K nibs.

 

Dillon

[Lyander0012]

 

24K nibs actually do exist, only for Sailor though, and they are extremely rare. None have been made in the past 30 years as far as I know. They can be very springy, but I've heard that they are relatively delicate. This nib was achieved through very careful tempering. To this day, I've only seen one. Typically, though, Sailor makes 21K nibs.

 

Dillon

 

Actually, I believe Danitrio uses a solid 24k nib in their Yokozuna pen, though these are probably rare enough that the model name isn't in most FP aficionados' vernacular.

 

 

But yeah, I only just recently found out that the 21k nib on the larger Sailor pens have an additional layer of gold plating. Makes me wonder why anyone'd bother

 

 

Kevin

[aawhite]

 

. . .

 

But yeah, I only just recently found out that the 21k nib on the larger Sailor pens have an additional layer of gold plating. Makes me wonder why anyone'd bother

 

It is possible that they want to get the true color of near pure gold on the nib.

Edited June 25, 2014 by aawhite

[Dillo]

Actually, I believe Danitrio uses a solid 24k nib in their Yokozuna pen, though these are probably rare enough that the model name isn't in most FP aficionados' vernacular.

 

 

But yeah, I only just recently found out that the 21k nib on the larger Sailor pens have an additional layer of gold plating. Makes me wonder why anyone'd bother

 

 

Kevin

You're right about that the Danitrio has one too. I forgot about that one. The nib is a sight to see. Sailor's versions are somewhat hooded. The Realo never had a 24K nib.

 

My guess was that the 21K nibs were too pale yellow for their taste, and they wanted something darker yellow or perhaps wanted to match the colour of the trim to that of the nib.

 

Dillon