Sailor Pro Gear Mini

[I am not a number]

Sailor Pro Gear Mini, Black, H-M Nib, Gold Trim

 

A lot of folk spend a lot of time waxing lyrical about Sailor pens and the quality of the nibs that they have. Accordingly I spent a lot of time listening to the background chatter before I finally made the move to find out what the fuss was all about. There are a couple of reasons why it took so long, the first is that I am naturally predisposed to the stubs and obliques of this world (which the Sailor range seems somewhat light on) and I am one of those folk who tends to back away from mass hysteria about how good any product is.

 

So when a Pro-Gear Mini came up on the mighty e-bay at a reasonable price I decided that I wouldn't let trifling matters like the gold trim (I prefer silver with black), the Hard-Medium nib, (I prefer a soft stub) or the fact that it looked as if it would fit comfortably into a matchbox (I prefer larger pens) sway me away from this experiment. I did the normal (and by now highly polished) act of self-delusion and imagined several situations in which it would be not so much of some use, but the only possible pen to use even given a very wide array of alternatives. The bid went in and slightly to my shock about a week later the miniature masterpiece arrived in the standard blue Sailor box.

 

Initial Impressions - 8 out of 10.

 

There is something about the phrase "small and perfectly formed" that seemed appropriate to this pen, perhaps in this case I would have amended it to read as "small, slightly chubby and otherwise perfectly formed" but that is a trifling matter. I'll be honest, it looked a bit lost in the medium size box. It was one of those pens that I just wanted to ask if it wanted me to help find its mum. The initial impression was that I had bought something which was immaculately crafted, I was just slightly unsure of what it was. Having placed it on the desk (rather unwisely next to a DaniTrio Mikado) I set about finding out how it performed.

 

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/photoboris/Capped.jpg

 

Appearance and Finish – 8 out of 10.

 

The finish is (as I now know) the standard Sailor level of attention to detail and perfection. There is nothing that I could call into question about the way that these pens come from the factory. I stated earlier that with a black pen I prefer silver trim and as little adornment as possible, this was gold and the band at the bottom of the cap had a slightly too high bling factor for me but overall the look was good. Apart from one thing. It was about 2 inches too short. I tried and tried and tried again to get this new shape assigned a bunk in my mental happy place, but it wasn't going to happen immediately.

 

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/photoboris/LongView.jpg

 

Design, Size and Weight - 10 out of 10.

 

This is the clever bit, after the initial double take at the overall capped length of the pen I unscrewed the cap (yes, it's not a snap cap so I have alerted my dry cleaner that I've bought another suit challenge). The cap fits on to a threaded section at the end of the barrel which is arranged such that the clip can either be upward-facing in alignment with the nib or it can face down when posted. As far as I am concerned being of the quite tall and large persuasion, posting the cap on this pen is essential, I am sure that some of the more delicate flowers out there will be able to use it perfectly well without having to do this and I doff my hat to them.

 

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/photoboris/Overall1.jpg

 

Once the cap is posted there is something of a caterpillar into butterfly moment and the overall proportions seem far more what my eye is used to. The weight (given that I like a heavier pen) is refreshing and the balance is superb. All in all this is suddenly a serious player for long stints of writing (although due to the size of the nib for me it will be confined to editorial comments, mathematics and marginalia).

 

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/photoboris/Posted.jpg

 

The Filling System – 5 out of 10.

 

Sorry, it's Sailor cartridges only in this short barreled beauty. Sailor designers, lose 5 points and have an hour on the naughty step to think about what you have done.

 

The nib - 10 out of 10.

 

Seriously, I'd give it more. This is a Spinal Tap moment, it goes up to eleven. The performance of this nib and feed is simply stunning. I don't even like medium nibs (and given that this is a Japanese nib it equates to a Western fine nib, which by rights should have me reaching for the grinder and a large bottle of mind bleach), but this is something else indeed. It's pointless to bang on at length about a Sailor nib, you have either tried one and experienced it or you haven't. In my opinion, if you haven't tried one you should attempt to do so as only then will you understand what the converts like me are going on about. The pen is a flawless starter and is impeccably behaved under all the conditions I have used it in, if only it were possible that all nibs could be this way.

 

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/photoboris/H-M.jpg http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/photoboris/Fins.jpg

 

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/photoboris/BusinessEnd2.jpg http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/photoboris/DownNib1.jpg

 

Cost - 9 out of 10.

 

It's really all about the nib on this pen. Don't get me wrong, the finish and attention to detail are superb but they have to take second place. You won't find these at bargain basement prices and in all honesty there are ways to get better value for money in the pen world but for something that I know is going to be reliable and faultless for many, many years, this is a small piece of heaven at an attainable price. Look for them where you can, they hold their value well, (you don't see many on the second-hand market). If you get one, the chances are that it will be with you for the long run.

 

Overall - 50 out of 60.

 

On reflection, 50 seems to me as if I am in some small way being uncharitable to this pen but stepping back from it I don't think that is the case. My tastes are going to be different from others and what I look for will vary from what others seek. I have tried to be as objective as I can in this review and this pen, whilst a wonderful performer will never be my "go-to" pen simply because I favour stub and oblique nibs. It travels with me clipped into the business card pocket in my suit lining and is a godsend when it comes to making small annotations and densely written notes and calculations, but it will never be the primary for me. It is however, going to be in every way shape and form the perfect pen for someone, and just possibly, they might have found it here on the FPN...

 

IANAN

[DanS]

great review. Not too critical, but not overly generous with the ratings either.

[MYU]

Great review, IANAN. I hadn't seen a review from you in a while, so this is a nice unexpected surprise. I think your score is well balanced. All too often, people give high marks for a pen from the "thrill of the moment", then don't come back after they've come back to Earth and revise their findings. 50/60, an 8.3, is a respectable score. I too would give Sailor a stern look for their inability to engineer the pen to accept a converter--only cartridges. I also wish Sailor would stop being proprietary and make cartridges to international specifications.

 

If you ever get to a pen show, you must stop by the Sailor table if they are present and sample the nib range.

[saintsimon]

... I too would give Sailor a stern look for their inability to engineer the pen to accept a converter--only cartridges. I also wish Sailor would stop being proprietary and make cartridges to international specifications.

...

 

If you want converters take the full length standard Pro Gear or Pro Gear Slim/Sapporo. The Minis of both are cartridge only, but the Sailor carts have a mouth with a larger diameter and contain more ink than a international cartridge. Plus the great quality of Sailor inks.

Edited April 14, 2009 by saintsimon

[mucephei]

Seems a fair assessment given what IANAN has in his collection! I'd love to own a Sapporo or a Pro Gear Mini but they are a bit on the small side for me as well.

 

The Japanese pen makers have clearly focussed on getting their nibs right, rather than doing the European thing and getting obsessed with filling systems. I think they (the Japanese) have got the balance right as you may not notice or care much about a piston or C/C filler, but you will notice a rotten nib every time you use the pen.

 

Thanks for the review. I have a review of another Japanese cartridge pen up my sleeve which I'll post here once I can be bothered to load the pictures, edit them etc.

[Greenpiece]

Which brand and color of ink did you use in the handwritten section of your review?

[I am not a number]

Which brand and color of ink did you use in the handwritten section of your review?

It's Sailor blue from the original cartridge mixed with some homebrew (which is Parker Quink based).

[aerofish18]

I feel exactly the same way about gold trim, I just cannot bring myself to like it. As well I prefer larger pens.

I did pick up a Sapporo in deep blue from the bay, for a very reasonable price, but I am having a hard time getting used to how small it is. And the fine nib really is fine!

 

I cannot imagine using a mini.

 

...So when a Pro-Gear Mini came up on the mighty e-bay at a reasonable price I decided that I wouldn't let trifling matters like the gold trim (I prefer silver with black)... or the fact that it looked as if it would fit comfortably into a matchbox (I prefer larger pens) sway me away from this experiment...

 

 

 

[saintsimon]

IMO, all the Professional Gears and Sapporos (both standard and mini respectively) are meant to be posted. Only posted they are complete, balanced and usable. They are a kind of modern descendants of the slimmer Japanese pocket pens of the '60s and '70s, which also were only usable when posted.

 

The diameters of the Pro Gear and Sapporo (the sections of the respective standards and minis are interchangeable) are not small at all. The Pro Gear is quite fat.

Edited April 15, 2009 by saintsimon

[timbrown]

Mine came with a small converter, apparently available in Japan. Seller: very reliable Engeika, who does lots of Sailor pens on ebay and is extremely reliable. Also does Namiki VP's (which i bought and can't use), Platinum, Pilot. You get your pen (to USA) in 3 days. Might not pay just for the converter, but if you buy a pen or ink, he will combine it with that to save shipping.

 

[jlepens]

Glad you love it. Great review.

 

I just sold my Sapporo Mini with an Mottishawed H-M nib, because I got a Sapporo Regular with the music nib. If you like stubs, try that nib. And the Sapporo nib assembly is the same as the Mini.

 

I'm not sure if the Sapporo = Professional Gear. I have an Ebonite Pro Gear. I will have to experiment. :hmm1:

[rwilsonedn]

What a beautifully written review! Thank you!

ron

[Rosa Mundi]

Thank you, IANAN! Your review was the push I needed to make my 1st FP decision. It is going to be Sailor (Pro Gear, though) ...

[I am not a number]

Thank you, IANAN! Your review was the push I needed to make my 1st FP decision. It is going to be Sailor (Pro Gear, though) ...

Glad to be of service ma'am!

 

IANAN tips Stetson and rides east* toward the sunset (managing to only fall off twice...)

 

* Yes, I know, I have a bit of trouble steering the things so from time-to-time I have to take a less than ideal route.

[paul l]

I'm in that category of 40+ returning to fountain pens and getting hooked nib by nib. After a year with a Cross Apogee my Parker 100 arrived this morning.

 

A Sailor of some description is on my short-list (although probably a 1911 large) so I have soaked up web info like a sponge. One eBay advert took me by surprise today as it showed a 1911 cartridge-convertor which appears to push on and not screw-in. It struck me as cheapskate to be honest.

 

The reason I mention it is that if the diameter is the same, it would be mighty tempting to simply cut a Sailor CC down to a length to fit the smaller Sailor models. Perhaps it has ben considered and dismissed before, if not it might be interesting to explore.

Edited April 16, 2009 by paul l

[I am not a number]

Thanks Paul and welcome in to FPN! I'm also something of a Parker 100 fan...

 

I will have a look at a couple of Sailor converters that I have and examine the art of the possible. Failing that I may just get a few of the shorter versions mentioned above shipped over from Japan.

[Izzy]

Great review ianan,

 

I have the 1911 'Naginata Togi' the nib is just gorgeous, super smooth, it rates as one of my favourite pens

 

Regards

NIGEL

[Loddonite]

Thanks IANAN, an informative read that provides me with some confirmation of my choice of the Sapporo as my first Sailor - I have the converter.

 

Please do not attempt to tell Mrs Loddonite that I got something right - she'll never believe it.

[Diastole]

Great review! A true literary masterpiece. Just bought one for the wife for her birthday. I will post her reaction when she opens it in 2 days. When I tried the pen in our local pen store I was amazed at the smoothness of the nib (a fine). I also prefer a larger pen but when posted the Pro-Gear Mini seemed quite adequate.