Sailor Vs. Platinum (Nibs)

[Willis]

I find the level of feedback on both sailor and platinum varies depending on the nib width. In my opinion, platinum broad nibs are very very smooth. Too smooth for my preferences. If you enjoy feedback, I would recommend the sailor. However, it is true that sailors nibs are harder, and also less forgiving. I think this is because of the geometry of the tipping. The tipping on sailor nibs is a more complex series of planes, with inward angle cuts from the sides of the tipping. If you rotate your pen when writing this can be unpleasant. I think part of the confusion about sailors being smooth is what that word means to people. They are definitely not hot butter on glass type pens, but when held correctly I find their subtle textured feel to be exquisite and they glide across the paper. I feel like a drunk driver when I use an overly smooth nib on coated paper, the sailor nib has a sense of surety about it for me. I do feel their nibs are the best out there, but you have to like the feel they are going for.

[Willis]

Also, I recommend getting a medium fine naginata togi nib. To me they are quite easy to use, have more pronounced feedback than a sailor broad, are wetter, and give a subtle variation to your line even when held at a consistent angle. As long as you don't write with an extremely high angle, the line should be pretty broad. You can get them for around or under $200. I saw one on Amazon a while back for $210, prime delivery, with rhodium plating and the 21 k large nib. Not king of pen large, but bigger than say the 1911 standard. If you're ordering from engeika, make sure you email them to enquirer about the availability of the pen you want. Even if it says in stock on their site, it may not be available from sailor at that time. They don't actually have many (or possibly any) of the pens they sell in hand. They order them after you make the purchase. Make sure they can get it first and save yourself a headache.

[Willis]

Woah, looks like I was wrong, Amazon must have sold the ones they had for such a good price. eBay seems pretty slim right now too. I know sailor suspended the production of their specialty nibs, excluding the naginata togi, indefinitely. This might be driving up the price. I don't know if it's still available, but I bought my girlfriend a beige/ gray sailor 1911 standard with a 14 k broad nib a couple weeks ago from engeika for $76 shipped ems. That was a pretty sweet deal I think.

[Buzz_130]

I have the #3776 Century and Nakaya in broad, and these are outstanding nibs. They are smooth, wet writers (realize the width is closer to a modern Western medium) with the perfect amount of feedback on Japanese or Rhodia paper. My Sailors are in M (F is too narrow for my taste), so I avoid giving them a head-to-head comparison.

 

Buzz

[Jezza]

I know Sailors are allegedly known for having a small sweet spot, but I just received a new Sailor 1911 large last week with a fine nib, and it's amazing. Wet, smooth at any angle, great writer. Perhaps it was the luck of the draw, or maybe Sailor is just a lot better than I remember.

[Jezza]

Here are some writing samples--at least, among fine nibs.

 

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqkrpzsre.jpeg

 

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps6lpjzxem.jpeg

[Mew]

I don't have a sailor pen, but I have other 2, a nakaya and a Pilot.

Nakaya nib and a platinum nib are same, except the engravings, so I hope this one counts.

Pilot nibs are slightly springy, and their QC is top notch.

Platinum nibs are much harder, and sailors are the hardest.

Sailor more often than not has QC issues, so unless you are getting a speciality nib, take a sailor pen at your own risk. Yes, others may say that they got a good sailor pen without a speciality nib, but that's their luck, not yours.

[by78]

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.

 

 

 

I hope I'm not too late, but to answer your question, Platinum nibs are ground differently depending on the model. I own two Platinum Presidents and two 3776, all are medium. The Presidents are wetter but give more feedback, like a pencil tip that hasn't been worn-in. The 3776's nibs have moderate flow but write more smoothly, almost satin like.

 

Sailor nibs, on the other hand, give a rather fascinating sensation. I own three 1911L and one 1911S, three of which are medium and one broad. Their feedback is somewhere between my Platinum President and 3776. They feel like a pencil that has developed a flat spot (i.e. worn-in).

 

However, Sailor nibs are less forgiving; they are more sensitive to angle and rotation. It took me several of weeks to learn to properly maintain the sweet spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2017 by by78

[essayfaire]

My Platinum F (.3) Preppy actually writes more smoothly than my Sailor 1911 F. The Sailor is really nicely balanced (I write posted). I realize one of these is a decent pen and the other a cheap one, but if the cheap one writes more smoothly....

 

That being said, if you were looking at M nib sizes I think the Platinum might be too wet for my taste.

[minddance]

Platinum Preppy certainly writes more smoothly than Sailors, any Sailor from EF to B. Sailor M and B are totally different than those nibs MF and finer. All feedbacky. M and B nibs ironically more feedback than finer nibs for Sailor.

 

My Sailor 21k med and broad are so difficult to write with that I sent them back for a refund. However, the cheaper stainless steel Somiko Broad writes alot better, though footed as well, than 21k broad and medium. I have 3 Somiko broads and 2 Somiko mediums. Feedbacky too but works for me. Sweet spot is particularly specific. That nib is an 'angle police' and forces me to write at a very specific angle.

 

Platinum B and broader are smooth and totally different from M and finer. Essentially dry pens with feedback too.

 

Sailors and Platinums are liquid pencils, if you like.

 

Pilots grind their nibs different and would be smoother if you are lucky, very often, there could be unrefined inner tines.