Sailor Sapporo, Zoom Nib

[quinden]

I have been looking at a lot of pens since I was bitten by the fountain pen bug, and this is my first review! I have read a lot here about Sailor and their amazing nibs, and when I saw this pen, with this nib, I had to get it.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8002/7328158212_c1c9b23f2b_c.jpg

(The Sailor Sapporo - Black with Rhodium trim)

 

Appearance & Design - 10

 

This category is pretty subjective to me, but I love the aesthetics of this pen. 'Small, but perfectly formed' would be my assessment. The black resin body and rhodium trim are classy and restrained, and will look great when I am in meetings and everyone else pulls out their ballpoint pens.

 

Construction & Quality - 9

 

Construction feels solid; my clip feels ever-so-slightly loose; it's tighter than any of my Noodler's pens, though. The converter fits snugly, with no rattling. I can't detect any seams or manufacturing defects.

 

Weight & Dimensions - 9

 

Here's another reason why I love this pen - It's small enough to fit in my pocket, but girthy enough at the section to feel comfortable in my hand. The cap posts securely, and feels well balanced. I have used the pen posted and unposted, and prefer to use it posted; without the cap, it's not comfortable to write with (I have average sized hands, I think, so someone with smaller hands might not have a problem). Since I tend to post my caps anyway, this doesn't really factor into the scoring for me, but you might want to take that into account.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7328159358_0d102b0310_c.jpg

 

(Unposted, from top to bottom: Lamy Safari, Noodler's Ahab, Noodler's Nib Creaper, Sailor Sapporo)

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8022/7328160428_2721fff0ce_c.jpg

 

(Posted, from top to bottom: Noodler's Ahab, Lamy Safari, Noodler's Nib Creaper, Sailor Sapporo)

 

Nib & Performance - 10

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/7328162114_6a83d4bda8_c.jpg

 

(The Sailor nibs have their size designation on the side - Z for Zoooooom!)

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7328163130_b384ddf898_c.jpg

 

(The view from up top)

 

 

The Sapporo I purchased has a 14K Zoom nib; by altering the angle at which you are writing, you can change the line width you will achieve. You can also flip the pen over and get a fine line if you prefer. Writing at lower angles will get a broader line. When I write with this pen normally, it is *super smooth* - none of my other pens can even compare (of course, all my other pens are lower-priced steel nibs). When I flip the pen over and use it upside down, there is some scratchiness, but it still is easy to use and keeps up when I write at speed, and from reading about fine/extra-fine nibs, I was expecting some scratchiness.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7328161148_82c1e690e9_c.jpg

 

(A sample of the various angles and line variations)

 

Filling System & Maintenance - 7

 

The Sapporo uses Sailor's proprietary cartridges or a converter (which was included with my pen). It's an easy system to use and clean, but I think the maximum fill on the converter is .6 mL (not super sure about that), so if you want to use this pen and you will be away from your desk, you might want to carry some spare cartridges or a travel inkwell. On the plus side, if the converter wears out, just purchase a new one and you're good to go!

 

Cost & Value - 10

 

I found this pen in a brick-and-mortar store, looking sad and lonely, and took it home for $100 (it was the last one in stock, and I don't think the store is planning on restocking these)! Looking around on the net, I have seen it new for about $155-$165 dollars, and it pops up on ebay at around $110 for 'buy it now' options (however, that doesn't include shipping, which usually seems to be about $13-$20 for internatinal shipping). I feel like this pen, at the price I paid, is a fantastic value, and I think it's a great value at $160.

 

Conclusion (Final Score - 9.17)

 

If you are in the market for a smaller pen that is still comfortable to hold and writes like a champ, look no further! I know that I will probably be picking up another one of these, and will be exploring a couple of other Sailor pens - Sapporo Mini and Professional Gear, I am looking at you!

[tinta]

An excellent review with fine photography. This is a wonderful little pen.

Enjoy!

I've got one like this coming with a stubbed music nib.

[quinden]

Thanks! This is my first foray into pens by Japanese makers, and I have to say it has me chomping at the bit for more.

[tinta]

You can't go wrong with any of the Japanese Big Three manufacturers. I still have to experience Pilot & Platinum/Nakaya.

[alexander_k]

Excellent review. I have exactly the same model and nib and my experiences are the same. It's a short pen but posting the cap works fine for me too.

[quinden]

You can't go wrong with any of the Japanese Big Three manufacturers. I still have to experience Pilot & Platinum/Nakaya.

 

I have been drooling - drooling, I tell you - over the images of the Nakayas at Classic Fountain Pens (nibs.com), especially the Decapod and the Mini Decapod. They are beautiful!

[Uncle Red]

Great review, well done.

[goldiesdad]

Excellent review .... Great pics ... I have never heard of that nib before so I learned something today ....

 

Thanks for posting ...

 

Scott

[Oranges and Apples]

Excellent review. I have exactly the same model and nib and my experiences are the same. It's a short pen but posting the cap works fine for me too.

 

The Sailor Sapporo is less than a centimeter longer than a Pilot M90 unposted and the M90 is a long/short pen which was built to be posted. I can only assume the same for the Sapporo.

[quinden]

Excellent review .... Great pics ... I have never heard of that nib before so I learned something today ....

 

Thanks for posting ...

 

Scott

 

Thank you! I saw some great reviews on Sailor pens in the review index and they inspired me to do my own - hopefully it will be the first of many

[FredMannis]

Thank you for the review. I just purchased the mini version of the Sapporo - in black with gold nib and trim. The mini is only 105 mm, but the nice thick section makes it very comfortable to write with. My Pelikan M320 is the same length, but is not as comfortable because it is much thinner. This is my first Sailor and I am very happy with its EF nib. Quite smooth and fairly dry which keeps it from bleeding through when making notes on thin paper.

Edited June 5, 2012 by FredMannis

[VillersCotterets]

Great review.

 

Sailor makes the smoothest nibs.

 

Don't throw away spent cartridges. You can refill them with a syringe. They hold 1.0 ml. I find them easier to use than the converter. And, they are very durable.

[quinden]

Thank you for the review. I just purchased the mini version of the Sapporo - in black with gold nib and trim. The mini is only 105 mm, but the nice thick section makes it very comfortable to write with. My Pelikan M320 is the same length, but is not as comfortable because it is much thinner. This is my first Sailor and I am very happy with its EF nib. Quite smooth and fairly dry which keeps it from bleeding through when making notes on thin paper.

 

I'm very interested in the Sapporo Mini - I have several of them 'watched' on ebay right now!

[quinden]

Great review.

 

Sailor makes the smoothest nibs.

 

Don't throw away spent cartridges. You can refill them with a syringe. They hold 1.0 ml. I find them easier to use than the converter. And, they are very durable.

 

That is a great idea - I have seen the syringe kits for sale on the Goulets' website and it looks really easy to do.

[VillersCotterets]

That is a great idea - I have seen the syringe kits for sale on the Goulets' website and it looks really easy to do.

 

Order the syringe kit and a sample of all Sailor inks. You won't regret it.

Edited June 5, 2012 by VillersCotterets

[Earthdawn]

I would love to find one of these nibs to replace my Medium nib

 

Great review by the way... excellent pics !

[alexander_k]

Excellent review. I have exactly the same model and nib and my experiences are the same. It's a short pen but posting the cap works fine for me too.

 

The Sailor Sapporo is less than a centimeter longer than a Pilot M90 unposted and the M90 is a long/short pen which was built to be posted. I can only assume the same for the Sapporo.

 

When drawing with the Sapporo I don't always post the cap but then I hold the pen differently.

[breaker]

nice review and pics!

thanks!

[IWantThat]

Fantastic review It prompted me to ink up my Sapporo. They are fantastic pens. I, too, was quite pleased with the overall fit, since it's such a small pen. You're right, the extra girth helps to make it comfortable in the hand.

[quinden]

That is a great idea - I have seen the syringe kits for sale on the Goulets' website and it looks really easy to do.

 

Order the syringe kit and a sample of all Sailor inks. You won't regret it.

 

My Goulet cart seems to be growing and growing - seriously though, I have ordered from them once and it was a great experience (TWSBI 540 and replacement O-rings for my Ahabs), so I'm excited to order from them again.