Namiki Bamboo or Sailor 1911?

[Ron C]

I recently purchased a Namiki Falcon with a soft medium nib. I love the pen, especially the nib. It is flexible enough to produce a wider line for flare when the slightest is applied. Yet with little or no pressure applied, it produces a wet, consistent line, even when quickly dragged sideways to produce an "underline" for a word or phrase. My experience with the Falcon has given me an appreciation of the outstanding smoothness and ink flow characteristics of Japanese nibs.

 

I am now considering getting another pen for more rapid, extended writing, and am considering either a Namiki Bamboo or a Sailor 1911. I believe both have nibs which are firmer than the Falcon's. I understand that the Bamboo holds more ink than the 1911 because it uses a pump converter.

 

I would appreciate any experiences and other information anyone has with either of these pens that might help me decide between the two (or possibly another pen model). I'm interested in performance and quality control first and foremost.

 

Thanks,

Ron C

[Ron C]

I'd appreciate any preferences anyone may have for either of these pens and the reasons therefor. Thanks, Ron C

[Ron C]

Would appreciate any comments about either the Bamboo or the 1911 or both, as to writing ability, reliability, filling issues. Thanks.

[Taki]

I don't have either pens, so I can't really help. Bamboo is very cool looking pen, though

 

I have used CON-70, the larger converter (came with my Legance). It is OK and it does hold more ink than other Pilot converters, but I could not get it filled quite full.

 

I don't think you have reliability issues with either one. Hope someone who have used those pens can comment to help you decide!

 

[satrap]

I don't have either pens, so I can't really help. Bamboo is very cool looking pen, though

 

I have used CON-70, the larger converter (came with my Legance). It is OK and it does hold more ink than other Pilot converters, but I could not get it filled quite full.

 

I don't think you have reliability issues with either one. Hope someone who have used those pens can comment to help you decide!

===

 

Hi Taki!! Yes, my name is diane (SO boring when compared to 'satrap').

 

Anyway, I have a black Nmiki Bamboo. Got it from Pam Braun. Now, I am a Waterman person, but somehow, I ended up buying this pen (Pam is good). I was not disappointed.

 

The nib is smooth, no need for prompting to write. This is a long pen, I think it is longer than my LeMan 100s. When I post the cap and lay the pen on my keyboard, it goes from Q to the end of P. Closed, it goes from Q to end of I. The length is fine for me; I'm a woman, so it just goes into a purse. Clipping on a shirt pocket...I don't know.

 

I thought it would be a bit difficult to get used to a tapered body, but this pen is very comfortable. Not as heavy as my Waterman pens, but not feather-light either. Nib has a little more flex than what I am used to (nails, and I love 'em).

 

I really like this pen. My only regret is that it does not come in other colours.

 

 

diane

 

(Taki, did I do it right?)

[langere]

Ron, I have both the 1911M and the 1911 (21k gold nib). Neither have a lot of flex. I was surprised that the 21K gold nib would have so little flex, but that's the way it is. They are precision writers - great for grading papers and getting the marks in just the right places. I love them, but they are the opposite of flexible (I'm getting a Namiki Falcon - it's in the mail -so I can have a very different writing experience!).

 

I'm afraid I don't have, nor have I tried the Bamboo.

 

Good luck with your purchase!

 

Erick

[Taki]

I really like this pen. My only regret is that it does not come in other colours.

 

In Japan they have blue and "deep red" in addition to black. Japanese Pilot ones have rose gold trim. I might have been hallucinating but I feel like I've seen a silver one, too

 

http://www.pilot.co.jp/products/pen/founta...mboo/index.html

Edited March 9, 2008 by Taki

[satrap]

I really like this pen. My only regret is that it does not come in other colours.

 

In Japan they have blue and "deep red" in addition to black. Japanese Pilot ones have rose gold trim. I might have been hallucinating but I feel like I've seen a silver one, too

 

http://www.pilot.co.jp/products/pen/founta...mboo/index.html

===

 

There is one that is rhodium, but I would be interested in getting a blue one. Thanks for the info!

 

d

[Immoteus]

I have used/tried both pens (both are great pens) and it really depends on what kind of nib you're looking for. If you're looking for the standard size nibs (Fine, Medium, Broad) then the Bamboo would be a good choice (good ink capacity as well, 1.7 ~ 1.9 ml iirc). However, if you want more specialized nibs (w/o spending extra for a nibmeister) then the 1911 is a good pen with a wide variety of nibs. There is also the Pilot Custom 742/743 that offer a number of nibs as well (I'm tempted to try out the POsting nib).

Edited March 10, 2008 by Immoteus

[winedoc]

For me, the Sailor 1911 fits better in my hand because it does not have the "step down" at the section which is uncomfortable for me after prolong use. As for the nibs, they are both stiff, but smooth. Both reliable out of the box. The bamboo will hold slight more ink compare to the 1911.

 

Kevin

[Ron C]

For me, the Sailor 1911 fits better in my hand because it does not have the "step down" at the section which is uncomfortable for me after prolong use. As for the nibs, they are both stiff, but smooth. Both reliable out of the box. The bamboo will hold slight more ink compare to the 1911.

 

Kevin

 

Thanks Kevin.

According to a nibs.com chart, the pump converter of the Bamboo will hold a maximum of 1.7 ml. of ink whereas the 1911 will hold only 0.9 ml.

Is there anything about the pump converter that prevents one from filling it to the max to get that 1.7 ml.? I've noticed with the Falon's converter that even holding the pen at an angle while filling will not completely fill the tube up to the bottom of the piston. When giving the chart maximums, are the figures referring to the volume of the entire tube up to the bottom of the piston, or are they referring to the amount of ink you are actually able to suction into the tube in the real world given the limits to the vacuum created and the counterbalancing effect of gravity?

Finally, do you know if either Namiki or Sailor make a larger than standard converter that would fit these pens?

Thanks,

Ron

 

 

[winedoc]

For me, the Sailor 1911 fits better in my hand because it does not have the "step down" at the section which is uncomfortable for me after prolong use. As for the nibs, they are both stiff, but smooth. Both reliable out of the box. The bamboo will hold slight more ink compare to the 1911.

 

Kevin

 

Thanks Kevin.

According to a nibs.com chart, the pump converter of the Bamboo will hold a maximum of 1.7 ml. of ink whereas the 1911 will hold only 0.9 ml.

Is there anything about the pump converter that prevents one from filling it to the max to get that 1.7 ml.? I've noticed with the Falon's converter that even holding the pen at an angle while filling will not completely fill the tube up to the bottom of the piston. When giving the chart maximums, are the figures referring to the volume of the entire tube up to the bottom of the piston, or are they referring to the amount of ink you are actually able to suction into the tube in the real world given the limits to the vacuum created and the counterbalancing effect of gravity?

Finally, do you know if either Namiki or Sailor make a larger than standard converter that would fit these pens?

Thanks,

Ron

 

 

 

The trick to get the max amount of ink is to submerge the whole nib in the ink, then give quick succesive pumps antil the bubbles are gone. You will see bubbles getting less and less with each successive pumps. Try practicing this with water first so you get a hang of this and not knocking your ink botttles down.

 

namiki and sailor does not have larger converters for their pens.

 

Best,

 

Kevin

[azulparsnip]

Thanks Ron for the detailed post on the Falcon. I was considering getting one. The price is quite reasonable but I wasn't sure how it would perform. Sounds like what I want. Gotta something to save for now.