Pilot 55C2

[artistmonk]

This was the kind of pen that they ignored, having been placed at the far end of the display shelf at Cosmos Bazaar in Binondo, Manila. The Pilot 55C2 is a rare fountain pen from the 1980s. But they didn't know that, and neither did I. But there it joined the rest of my fp acquisition because the nib said, "Baby, come to meee..."

Later, a quick browse through Google revealed a brief description of this pen. Unlike most Pilots that run on their patent cartridge or converter, the Pilot 55C2 accepts international standard cartridges. This is a wonderful thing!

Postable and with a snap-cap, this light pen does not disappoint. It is about the same length as the Pilot 78G, only slimmer. The ink flow is steady, the pen feels balanced. Just smooth. Why did Pilot discontinue this good pen? We may never know.

 

[hari317]

Hi, I have seen this pen sold in India as well. I am curious how you determined its model number?

 

Pilot makes the cartridge style as per destination country. e.g. the metropolitan takes the int type in Europe.

[artistmonk]

Hi, I have seen this pen sold in India as well. I am curious how you determined its model number?

 

Pilot makes the cartridge style as per destination country. e.g. the metropolitan takes the int type in Europe.

I googled it with keywords similar to "old Pilot fountain pen" or "Pilot with strange nib", something like that. And the search eventually led me to some of the topics inside this forum briefly discussing the Pilot 55C2 with their matching photos.

[Wolverine1]

ArtistMonk- Pilot is a Japanese manufactured pen. Therefore, please do post your review in the correct sub-forum on FPN, the Pens from Japan forum. Thanks.

[artistmonk]

ArtistMonk- Pilot is a Japanese manufactured pen. Therefore, please do post your review in the correct sub-forum on FPN, the Pens from Japan forum. Thanks.

Indeed.

[NavyDr]

I'm pretty excited, I found a NOS 55C2 on ebay for not a lot of money. I couldn't find a ton of info on them, have you perhaps learned anything new about their history? It is a super cool looking pen, I'm almost afraid to ink it up as it's still so shiny!

[Bounce792]

Be careful. The Pilot 55G2 I got accepts the Pilot C/C system. The 55C2 I bought on eBay from an Indian retailer is not very good.

Edited February 10, 2015 by Bounce792

[hari317]

I'm pretty excited, I found a NOS 55C2 on ebay for not a lot of money. I couldn't find a ton of info on them, have you perhaps learned anything new about their history? It is a super cool looking pen, I'm almost afraid to ink it up as it's still so shiny!

It is OK, in performance it is an ordinary pen, so you might not miss much if you decided to keep it mint uninked.

 

This pen is made by Pilot in two variants: international C/C and Pilot C/C.

[shea2812]

Just found one too. Old stock. Comes with Pilot proprietary aerometric converter. Nib needed a bit of work to make it a writer. The round sticker on barrel says F but I think mine is fitted with an M nib. Now it is a wet Japanese M after my tweak. Slimmer than a Pilot Elite and lighter too. Makes an excellent pocket pen I think. I do wish Pilot still make these because it does make a decent starter pen. Good as a Pilot Metro/MR, I just feel that they are a little heavier while Kakuno is clipless. These were standard school pens before the exposed nib style of 78G.

[shea2812]

Returning to my 55G2. Come to think of it I do feel that it is better that the current Metro. It is lighter and in mine at least it is wetter than the few Metros that I have. It also handles the humble Quink Black well.