sailor 1911 purchase

[snowyowl]

I just received my new Sailor 1911 with fine nib. With all the posts I've read about the smoothness of the Sailor nibs, I was surprised to find it somewhat toothy. It is however, finer than any other fine I own which could be part of the explanation.

 

While not glassy smooth, I find I have a little more control of my writing with the toothiness and extra fine line. It helps my typically poor handwriting. I've been working lately on un-learning finger writing but it does take time.

 

My Pelikan M200 fine is considerably smoother than the Sailor as is my Waterman Phileas. Is this typical or might it be a less than perfect nib for Sailor?

 

thanks

Jerry

[southpaw]

I just received my new Sailor 1911 with fine nib. With all the posts I've read about the smoothness of the Sailor nibs, I was surprised to find it somewhat toothy. It is however, finer than any other fine I own which could be part of the explanation.

 

While not glassy smooth, I find I have a little more control of my writing with the toothiness and extra fine line. It helps my typically poor handwriting. I've been working lately on un-learning finger writing but it does take time.

 

My Pelikan M200 fine is considerably smoother than the Sailor as is my Waterman Phileas. Is this typical or might it be a less than perfect nib for Sailor?

 

thanks

Jerry

You probably should keep in mind that comparing the M200, Phileas, and Sailor nibs in fine width isn't exactly an equal comparison. The Sailor, being a Japanese fine, lays a significantly finer line than the other two. However, it does cost quite a bit more.

[Matt]

Jerry,

 

I also have a 1911 in fine nib. For how fine the nib is (really an xf) it is remarkably smooth, but like you said not as smooth as a Pelikan fine. My guess is that if you tried a Sailor medium or even broader it would be just as smooth as western pens.

 

It's a great pen and I am really enjoying mine.

 

Matt

[John Cullen]

I am glad someone else finds sailor nibs a bit toothy. Most people find these nibs really wonderful to write with. I have tried a few and sold them off. Something about the feel of them just didn't sit right with me.

 

I hope you get used to yours and enjoy it. It is a nice looking pen. jc

[lordjeebus]

I recently had the opportunity to test Sailor 1911 with a variety of nibs: EF, F, M, Naginata (M I think), Concord Emperor, Cross Emperor, and at least one other.

 

The EF and F were both a little toothy, but still seemed quite smooth considering the thinness of the lines they put down.

 

The M is very smooth. I bought it.

 

The Naginata Togi was air-hockey table smooth, but somewhat broader than the regular M.

[Apollo]

It all depends on the nib size you get and how you write. My Sailors have medium nibs and are very smooth, but Japanese medium nibs often write more like Amer/Euro fine nibs. As such you have to adjust your writing based on the width of the line it lays down.

[snowyowl]

Thanks for the feedback. I love the looks and feel of the pen and I'm sure I'll get used to the feel. It's just a little toothier than I expected but like it was mentioned, it's really like an XF. I may someday buy a fine nib for it and give it a try.

 

I bought some Noodler's red-black ink with it. Beautiful ink!

 

thanks

Jerry

[Blade Runner]

Jerry,

The way I look at, it is a good thing to have a variety of nib types includings a few extra fines.

I use them for long letters or notetaking when I want to write small and quickly, marginalia, editing, checkbooks, or when I encounter bleed prone paper (Moleskines for example), all things that my wider nibs can't do so easily.

I've used fps a long time, and I use to think glassy smooth nibs were the end all, but I now prefer nibs with slight feedback/tooth for better control. When nibs are glassy smooth, especially with wet flow, I have less control.

That's a nice pen. Enjoy!

J

[Stylo]

The M is very smooth. I bought it.

Is it more comparable to say a Pelikan M or F in terms of line width, or is it somewhere in between?

[chupie]

I just got my Sailor 1911M with a zoom nib 2 days ago. Jury is still out on this. To be quite honest, I am mostly seeing a very broad line and a finer one if you turn it over. However, I also wonder if I don't need different ink. I do not have bottled so I emptied a couple of waterman blue cartridges in a container to suck up in the converter. So maybe a different ink would lay a different line. The pen is quite nice though. I got the red which is really quite nice. It's a deep red that is closer to maroon than not. Feels nice to hold. Any suggestions from those out there who have this nib?