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Pilot Japan 1930's Vintage Lever Filler Flexible Nib Review


Pen_Noob

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I think this is a very rare find. Due to the looks and construction of the pen I dated it around 1930, but I could not find any information about these pens on the net, so maybe somebody can help out here.

 

Appearance and size: 10/10
As you can see this is a midsize pen, comfortable to hold and by far different than the mostly bland today's Pilots. It was made I think for export since it had english letters on it. The cellulloid? is quite stunning, one of the most beautiful pens I have ever seen. Also it is in a terrific shape, doesn't seem to have any discoloration, only maybe some tiny brassing spots, to be seen better in photos, not with the naked eye.

 

post-123226-0-15702800-1449245535_thumb.jpg

 

Construction: 10/10
Quite balanced pen, very well constructed. It shows to me why the current japanese pens have this good name. They started making good pens long long ago ...

 

post-123226-0-15061400-1449245651_thumb.jpg

Filling: 9/10
Standard lever filler, easy to fill, harder to clean. So a 9 for me, since I rotate pens often.

 

post-123226-0-83723800-1449245621_thumb.jpg

Nib: 10/10
One of the best nibs I ever wrote with. With no pressure it writes wet and smooth, a joy to use, like it a lot. And with pressure comes the flex. Joy again. It is quite flexible, probably in the superflex category.

post-123226-0-21462100-1449245676_thumb.jpg

 

Test Drive: 10/10
Very very nice to write with. If it would be a little bigger, probably it would be my favorite pen of all

 

post-123226-0-58217100-1449245719_thumb.jpg

Overall: 10/10
As you can see I am in love with it, so ....

Edited by Pen_Noob
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Is that a heart shaped breeding hole? Gosh, looks marvelous!

I've never seen one on a Pilot, would be my dream pen.

I have dreamt of the day where I am holding a Waterman Carene. Sigh... seems too distant I can only see the fog far away.

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Its a beauty! Please share how did you find it and I see a nice imprint. What is written there? Can you please enlarge that part?

Enjoy.

Abhik

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It is written like this:

PILOT

THE PILOT PEN MFG CO LTD.

MADE IN JAPAN

 

And on the nib:

WARRANTED

PILOT

14K

MADE IN JAPAN

-< 1 >-

HARDEST

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I didn't even know Pilot made pens back then, let alone flex like that. Thanks for showing your lovely find!

Noodler's Konrad Acrylics (normal+Da Luz custom flex) ~ Lamy AL-Stars/Vista F/M/1.1 ~ Handmade Barry Roberts Dayacom M ~ Waterman 32 1/2, F semi-flex nib ~ Conklin crescent, EF super-flex ~ Aikin Lambert dip pen EEF super-flex ~ Aikin Lambert dip pen semi-flex M ~ Jinhao X450s ~ Pilot Custom Heritage 912 Posting Nib ~ Sailor 1911 Profit 21k Rhodium F. Favourite inks: Iroshizuku blends, Noodler's CMYK blends.

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Nice pen. Congrats and thanks for reviewing it.

 

Your pen appears to be from the Pilot 53 family.

 

http://estilofilos.blogspot.jp/2014/10/53r.html

 

These models were also manufactured in India but as plain EDs without lever filling:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/296710-pilot-eyedropper-filled-pen-made-in-india-celluloid/

 

Best

Hari

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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if anyone would get over their prejudice this is a world war 2 era pen so the lack of gold was because of the gold reservation clause made by the Japanese government as they invade China

so Pilot had to make do with steel and made the "Shiro" nib as the result does seem to go with the Pilot 53 family but according to Cronicas Estilograficas this is the Pilot R series

I'm not sure who of the big three came first though Pilot was founded in 1918

Sailor at 1911... so whats left is Platinum...

Edited by Algester
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Beautiful pen and nib. :thumbup:

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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Nice pen. Congrats and thanks for reviewing it.

 

Your pen appears to be from the Pilot 53 family.

 

http://estilofilos.blogspot.jp/2014/10/53r.html

 

These models were also manufactured in India but as plain EDs without lever filling:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/296710-pilot-eyedropper-filled-pen-made-in-india-celluloid/

 

Best

Hari

 

Nice find Hari. The pen 5th down from the top seems to be a match. The pen 2nd down from the top looks like it may be a Raden inlay.

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  • 10 months later...

Sorry to revive this thread, but I found a pen that looks exactly like this one on the outside but with a different filling system.

It seems to be a Nomikommi-shiki, but the only place I found any reference to that is on the link.

Is it maybe a frankenpen or just a rare combination?

Thanks in advance.

http://i.imgur.com/dflF1SE.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Vsgp6xR.jpg

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  • 5 months later...

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