Sailor FP nib size advise

[Jocigar]

Hi everyone, my first post... enjoying FPN very much.

 

I could use some advise on choosing a nib size. I really like the sailor 1911 series and they seem to be a great value. My current and only FP is a MB146 with medium nib. I would like to have a finer line then the MB medium. Should I order the fine-medium or just medium.

 

Also, my 146 feels just a little too small in diameter and length and it seems the new standard 1911 will be slightly bigger and should fit nicely. What do you think?

 

Many thanks!!

[jja]

I'm new to the site also, and think it's great. I have just ordered my first Sailor fp, a Sapporo in med. for my spouse.

 

I am not familiar with the nib sizing of the MB146, but here's a chart of the Sailor nib sizes:

http://www.nibs.com/Tipping%20Sizes%20page.htm

 

If you know the exact measurements of the MB med. nib, then the chart might help.

[wspohn]

I find Montblanc nibs to be a bit on the broad side of what they are marked - I have a F 146 back home visiting der Fatherland for a replacement to an XF right now.

 

Sailors, on the other hand, tend to be a bit finer than markeed, so a Sailor F will be like a MB XF.

 

Now, as to diameter, I can't grab both pens and feel them as my aforesaid MB is off on vacation, but I think the 1911 is not that much bigger than the 146 - pretty close I should think. Maybe others with both pens ready to hand can help out with some measurements.

 

If you want a heftier pen, I'd look to the MB 149, or if you want to try something different, find a Sheaffer Legacy with a F nib, you might like that (and the nibs are good looking).

[philm]

I agree that Sailors are a bit finer than marked, in comparison to many pens.

If you want a true fine that leans more towards XF than medium, then go with the Sailor Fine/Med and not the medium. I have a medium and while it is finer than other mediums, it is not a true fine to me and I have toyed with changing it.

 

As to size, I do not have a 146, but here is a picture I took a while back of the 1911 on top of the larger 149.

 

Good luck in your choice. I think the 1911 is a very good pen and much more affordable than MBs.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/munsonhsr/DSC_0004.jpg

[Jocigar]

Thanks everyone,

 

I think I will try the medium nib since I have grown to like the med- bold lines of the MB but would like something a little bit thinner.

 

1911 black with rhodium trim

 

newbie question: when they say Cartridge or Convertor Fill... that means they come with the convertor but need to buy the cartridge, correct? If so, can I get started by using the MB blue-black ink, or should I use sailor ink.

 

 

[Inkanthropist]

QUOTE (Jocigar @ Apr 11 2007, 06:39 PM)

newbie question: when they say Cartridge or Convertor Fill... that means they come with the convertor but need to buy the cartridge, correct?  If so, can I get started by using the MB blue-black ink, or should I use sailor ink.

Yes, that's what manufacturers usually mean. You might, if you're lucky, get one or two cartridges in addition to the converter. (It's a while since I bought my 1911, so I'm afraid that I can't remember what Sailor does.) Remember, though, that only Sailor cartridges will fit in Sailor pens. If you're using bottled ink, there's no need to use the same brand as that of the pen.

 

Enjoy the pen. I have the burgundy 1911 with a M-F nib, and it's always been a pleasure to use.

 

Neil

[Escribiente]

One of the great things about Sailor nibs--at lest the latest production--is that they are very responsive to pressure. They are not flexible nibs, but they allow you to vary the line with very minimal pressure. The sample bellow shows two kinds of writing with the same Medium nib.

[Jocigar]

Great samples, the first line actualy looks like a MB medium.

 

Maybe I should consider the medium-fine... did you apply more than average pressure?

 

Thanks!

[BobR]

QUOTE (Escribiente @ Apr 11 2007, 05:48 PM)

One of the great things about Sailor nibs--at lest the latest production--is that they are very responsive to pressure. They are not flexible nibs, but they allow you to vary the line with very minimal pressure. The sample bellow shows two kinds of writing with the same Medium nib.

I've found the same even with my 21kt Extra Fine nib. It's really amazing.

[Escribiente]

QUOTE (Jocigar @ Apr 12 2007, 03:38 PM)

Maybe I should consider the medium-fine... did you apply more than average pressure?

The first sample was written using very light pressure. This is an interesting feature of Sailor nibs--current production. They are not flexible at all, but with slight pressure you get a wider line. The second sample was written using no pressure at all.

 

I originally bought the 1911 with a Fine nib, but it was a bit too narrow for what I needed the pen (write outlines, marginalia and quick notes), and send it for a nib exchange, requesting a Fine-Medium, but Sailor told me that they don't have the 1911, rhodium trim, with a Fine-Medium, so I opted for the Medium.

[QM2]

 

 

I had been planning to buy the Sailor 1911 with an XF nib, but keep being dissuaded and warned that it will be _too_ fine. I know that Sailor is thinner than the likes of MB, but how would you say it compares to the Lamy Safari/Studio, which is pretty thin in itself? Would you really say that the Sailor F = to the Safari XF?

 

QM2

[Jocigar]

 

 

Does anyone have a sample of a sailor fine nib in use... I need to have this pen but can't make up my mind on the nib

 

Thanks for all the help.

[dwmatteson]

I've just received a Sailor 1911 with a medium-fine nib. I'll post a sample later tonight or tomorrow if someone else doesn't post something better before then.

 

Don

[lefty928]

I am waiting for my 1911M with an F nib to arrive and you are making me feel nervous!

 

P.S. Hope you end up with the nib you like in the end.

Edited April 13, 2007 by lefty928

[dwmatteson]

Okay. Here's a scan of lines from a few different pens with a few different inks. I tried to include a fairly wide sampling so that folks could get a sense of what's there.

 

Hope this is useful or something.

 

Don

 

edited to add: here's a link to a high-resolution version of this image

Edited April 14, 2007 by dwmatteson

[QM2]

QUOTE (dwmatteson @ Apr 14 2007, 03:52 AM)

Okay. Here's a scan of lines from a few different pens with a few different inks. I tried to include a fairly wide sampling so that folks could get a sense of what's there. Hope this is useful or something. Don

 

Thanks for that last post Don, extremely useful. Looks like I finally have the answer to my question: the F nib on the 1911 should be more than sufficiently Fine if I am used to the likes of Lamy.

 

QM2

[Jocigar]

Thank you! nice samples, I appreciate you taking the time...ink samples are nice too!

 

The med-fine looks perfect, too bad they are not installed on the rhodium finish 1911.

 

Forced to choose I may go with the fine since the medium is wide at .8mm lines.