Sailor Vs. Platinum (Nibs)

[MuttonChew]

Hello everybody,

 

I'm getting into purchasing my first Japanese pen (from Engeika) but I just can't decide between Sailor and Platinum.

In particular, in regard to the nibs.

 

I have searched for similar threads, but they all seemed to contain conflicting information.

I have heard that Platinum nibs have more feedback than Sailor, but I have also heard that Platinum nibs are much smoother than Sailor nibs.

Some say Platinum nibs have a better sweet spot, well others say Sailor nibs do.

 

I really like the look of Platinum pens over Sailor, plus they have the added benefit of the slip and seal cap, but in the end it all comes down to the nib.

So if you have experience with both brands I would love to hear which nib you prefer and why.

 

Thanks in advance,

Burtini

 

P.S. I would be ordering a broad or medium nib if that makes a difference.

Edited May 22, 2016 by Burtini

[Bounce792]

You are asking for an arbitrary measurement of a subjective topic. You are also assuming that all nibs are created exactly the same and will thusly have exactly the same feel. This is hardly the case. I am posting in the assumption you're not aware of this.

 

Having owned pens from all three of the Japanese Big 3, my opinion is that Pilot is the smoothest in terms of EF - B. Others will certainly have a different opinion. I also believe Platinum nibs are smoother than Sailor nibs. But I have only compared a Fine nib from all 3 and found that one particular Sailor F to be scratchy and dry. Could have been a feed issue, could have been a minor tine alignment problem. Will never know as I sold that pen. Or it could have been me and my perception of the pen, ink and paper combination.

 

I have played with my father's 3776 Gathered w/ Broad nib (I believe its the same nib as the Century 3776) so its fun to play with but not something I would use to take notes with. He does.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I have no experience with specialty nibs from Platinum or Sailor. Only Pilot's FA & PO nibs. The Sailor super special nibs are the ones everyone seems to be going nuts for.

 

I recommend Platinum because of the 2 pens I've gotten from them, both Century 3776 worked perfectly straight from the box. The Platinum distributors in the US are also super helpful with repairs. Of the 3 Sailors I bought, the first was an absolute disaster. Took a long time and a closeout sale to make me try another. You probably can't go wrong with either brand whichever you choose.

Edited May 22, 2016 by Bounce792

[haruka337]

Platinum nibs are very smooth with a little give. Sailor nibs are smooth, but hard with no give at all. This creates feedback, much like a pencil.

 

Both nibs are great-- comes down to a matter of preference.

[Jezza]

I'm not sure which Sailor fountain pen you are considering. Medium or broad, I would probably go with Sailor. I've not had good luck with the Platinum medium and broad nibs--the three samples I owned all had gaps in the tines that lead to the nibs writing too broad for my tastes, but perhaps they have addressed that issue--if it even was an issue. On the other hand, you're dealing with a substantial difference in price. The 14k 3776 Platinum nib and the large Sailor 21K nib are approximately the same size. However, the Sailor is much more expensive. You could buy two Platinum 3776 Century fountain pens for the cost of one large Sailor 1911. The standard 1911 nib is made in 14K gold, but it is appreciably smaller than the 3776 Platinum.

Edited May 22, 2016 by Jezza

[rutherfordr]

This is extremely subjective, and you're going to find a lot of different conflicting opinions.

 

In my experience, the only Sailor nib I've ever owned that worked really well for me was a 21k broad nib, on a 1911 (Profit) Large pen, and I didn't like the pen very much.

 

Other people, however, will swear by Sailor, and have had fantastic experiences with all the Sailor pens that they own.

 

Your mileage will vary widely -- the only real answer to your question is through experience.

[JuInd]

It all depends on how much you want to spend:

For < $100 I think Pt​ 3776 with a broad or C nib or any Pilot 74/91 etc...

Around $250, Sailor H-B (or H-M) Emperor or Sailor NTB (or NTM) Emperor is the best value from my point of view.​ About the NT nibs, you must practice writing a lot in order to bring out the true potential of those nibs or any Sailor Specialty Nib.

[TheRealMikeDr]

I've got one Platinum nib (3776 Century) and one Sailor nib (on the Cross Peerless 125) and here is my experience:

 

Platinum nib - a little more scratchy - a little more feedback. A little more wet.

Sailor nib - smooth nib. Probably the smoothest Japanese fine nib that I own actually.

 

The differences are pretty small really - they're both quite good. If you made me choose I would take the Sailor by a hair.

[Bluey]

The Platinum that I have is a 14k 3776 extra fine and extremely feedbacky(or scratchy, depending on how you feel about the pen) and very stiff, but this is in line with expectation as Platinums are known to have more feedback than most other pens as well as being among the stiffest of nibs. It really does need the lightest of touches to make it usable so that you're writing with the air of a ballet dancer, otherwise the pen will dig in uncomfortably into the paper and make you wish you'd used a broken pencil to write with instead. The flow is excellent and pretty near perfect.

 

The only Sailor I have is a zoom nib so comparing an extra fine to a zoom nib is apples to pears, but what I've heard about normal Sailor nibs is that they are equally as stiff and equally as feedbacky, but Platinum pens are easier to use because Sailors have a foot(similar to the Lamy 2000) rather than a ball for tipping and this means that it will be an uncomfy experience if you don't hit the sweet spot square on. The zoom nib is very broad and is nice to write with if you have the right ink, with just enough feedback to make you feel the paper.

 

Personally I would go with a Pilot which tend to be softer and more forgiving, but if you had to choose either Sailor or Platinum then Platinum would probably be easier for you because the sweet spot is wider. If you choose to use a converter with your Platinum, ensure you apply silicone grease to it when you first get it to prevent it from seizing up.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Bluey

[Brian C]

I've handled over a dozen pens each from Platinum and Sailor. I hate Sailor nibs. I'm not saying Sailor nibs are necessarily bad, they just aren't my thing. They have a teeny little sweet spot, very little iridum. They feel like using an italic nib with none of the line variation. Platinum nibs feel wonderful. Nice and wet with just enough feedback to let you control the nib. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the slip and seal mechanism. I don't think it really helps much, just a nice sales pitch.

[jar]

I have far more experience with American and European pens than with Japanese but do have a few from each of the big three Japanese companies. Widths range from fine to double broad. My experience (remember there is a limited sample and so I can not make broad recommendations) has been that the Platinum nibs have been the more consistent over time, next Sailor and Pilot nibs the least consistent over time.

[Bounce792]

How long is that time frame, Jar?

[displacermoose]

I have a Platinum 3776 in soft fine and Sailors in fine and medium-fine. I like all three, but that is largely because I have no problem adjusting nibs to get them the way I like them. I had to do quite a bit of smoothing on the medium-fine Sailor, but the fine was wonderful out of the box. I happen to like the foot, to me it makes the pens feel precise. The Platinum came very dry, but once I opened the tines a bit it became a wonderfully alive writer. The soft nib makes it feel less formal to me.

 

They are totally different writing experiences, and I am glad that I have both.

Edited May 23, 2016 by displacermoose

[jar]

How long is that time frame, Jar?

I think the earliest Japanese branded nibs were from late 80s or 90s, the latest are from this year with the majority probably this century. Generally the nibs have been 14-18K so none of the carat war nibs. But again, the sample size is really small, maybe a half dozen or so each of Pilot and Sailor (and some Sheaffer pens with Sailor nibs that I think were from the 70s) and slighty more Platinum and Nakayas. Pen models have been Vanishing Points, Pilot/Namaki Maki-e, Sailor 1911s (large and mid size), Platinum Standard, early #3776, Century #3776, Maki-e, President and Nakayas.

[MuttonChew]

Thanks to everybody for all the responses!

I realize that everybody has different experiences with their nibs,

i'm just trying to find out what would generally suit me best.

 

I have far more experience with American and European pens than with Japanese but do have a few from each of the big three Japanese companies. Widths range from fine to double broad. My experience (remember there is a limited sample and so I can not make broad recommendations) has been that the Platinum nibs have been the more consistent over time, next Sailor and Pilot nibs the least consistent over time.

That seems to correspond with what I have been reading.

I like the look of Pilot pens but it seems like their QC is a bit off...

 

I've handled over a dozen pens each from Platinum and Sailor. I hate Sailor nibs. I'm not saying Sailor nibs are necessarily bad, they just aren't my thing. They have a teeny little sweet spot, very little iridum. They feel like using an italic nib with none of the line variation. Platinum nibs feel wonderful. Nice and wet with just enough feedback to let you control the nib. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the slip and seal mechanism. I don't think it really helps much, just a nice sales pitch.

I was thinking of going with Sailor at first but after reading a bit about the nibs it seems they're actually almost the opposite of what i'm looking for.

I love wet, broad nibs with a decently sized sweet spot. I also enjoy a bit of feedback when i'm writing.

Platinum is sounding just about perfect to me.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Burtini

[bone215]

My experience with Platinum, Sailor, & Pilot are with F nibs so comments may not apply.

I bought:

Pilot custom 74 F

Platinum century 3776 F

Sailor 1911s.

Out of the box nib assessment:

1 sailor

2 platinum

3 Pilot

 

5 months later

Same.

 

I had to work the pilot nib (a first out of 8 pilots that I own. )

The platinum is finest in line width.

Sailor is smoothest.

Pilot is now much smoother than before.

 

I enjoy all three-they are all 'precision writing instruments'.

All three manufacture great nibs and pens but sometimes you just get one that doesn't suit you.

Good luck.

[Olya]

I have only used Pilots and Sailors and I find the Pilots all very smooth. I am sadly not a great fan of Sailor nibs, they are very hard which does not bother me, but they have quite some feedback, i.e. I don't find them that smooth at all. I don't know why everyone says Sailors are super smooth.. So far no other brand I have tried has had as much feedback, except Aurora.

[Aramchek]

Of those I have with gold nibs from the big three, Sailor is probably the smoothest, but I prefer the way the Platinum and Pilot pens write although there is possibly as much variation within one brand than between them.

[Leftytoo]

I have a new Platinum Century EF and 5 Sailors (2 Realos, 1 1911 Full size, 1 ProGear, 1 Sapporo. The Sailors are all F or M.

The Platinum has an infinte sweet spot (will write perfectly no matter how you hold it). Impossible to dislike this nib. Sailors are known to have small sweet spots (must be held in a specific way).

 

My opinion is the Platinum has classic, carefully designed good looks, and is very ergometric, works well unposted. The Sailors, set side by side with the Platinum and picked up, are somewaht clunky in comparison. The Sapporo really feels cheap, with a huge mold line and terrible threads and semi-transparent plastic (not done on purpose).

 

My Sailors are dryer and have more feedback, which I like. On nib alone, I prefer Sailor. You may not.

 

Both pens write well on good quality paper, but the Sailors do better on cheap paper (smoother, less bleeding). I believe this is because the Platinum nibs are long, thin, and flexy. So they vibrate like tuning forks when presented with rough paper. I think that is why my 2 best fine nib pens are from the 1950s - much better that these modern pens. Both have small, stiff nibs: a 1950s hooded Aurora 88 and an Eversharp Skyline.

 

Leaving out the Sapporo, both brands are well built and finished. The Platinum is "eye candy" to me; the Sailors not. The Platinum special cap has a neat feel when it is screwed in place, which I love to do.

 

Sailors tend to be small pens with big caps. So, to get a regular size pen in your hand unposted, you need the Large size 1911. That costs twice as much, or more, than the Platinum. On a price - quality basis, the Platinum wins easily. The special quality of the Sailor nib (hard or stiff; feedback; drier)will be worth the price. For others, these are negative qualities.

 

My Platinum is the Chartiers blue with Rhodium trim, and is one of my best looking pens.

[Algester]

down to it it's all a matter of subjective test but as you said your going to buy yours from engaika so testing will be an issue your probably better off buying the pen and then have it smoothed out yourself or by a nib master if your not satisfied with the nib's feeling

[Moynihan]

Hmmmm

I have 4 Sailors (2 m and 2 zoom)

3 Platinum 3776 Centuries ( 2 fm and one )

About 2 dozen Pilots.

 

My Smoothest nibs of the above :

 

Namiki (aka Pilot) Falcon SB

Sailor 21 kt zoom (which are almost all "sweet spot", (but are an unusual nib, not recommended by me as a "first" Japanese pen)

Pilot custom 742 WA (waverley nib)

Sailor 21 kt m

Pilot Custom 743 sfm (soft-fine-medium)

Platinum b

Pilot Custom 742 music

 

all of them are wet to very wet (the Namiki)

Edited May 29, 2016 by Moynihan