Advice on Sailor nibs

[Shinichiro]

Hi everyone,

First of all, as I'm new here, I don't know if it is the right place to ask my question... so excuse me if I'm in the wrong section...

 

I'd like to buy a pen for my birthday, you see, a nice pen I could keep for a long time. In my research, I came across the Sailor pens, and their nibs. I have try to find informations on them, and have read the reviews on this site in order to get an idea of what they were like, but the point is that I'm a bit lost in all of this...

 

First, I intended to buy a 1911 with a Cross Emperor nib, but I then discovered there were other nibs... and I'm rather thinking of buying a Cross Concord Emperor now... but the problem is that I don't think I can have the possibility of trying the nib before buying it, since I live in Paris, and there aren't many sailors pens dealers there. I'm looking for a very smooth nib, wich would allow me to vary the thickness of the line. Its main use would be to write letters and to be used everyday (I mean, I'm not looking for just a signature pen). I have also looked in the direction of the King of pen and its Eagle King, but I'm afraid it doesn't fit the use I want to make of it...

 

Thank you in advance for your answers and advices!

Yours,

Shinichiro.

 

 

[Mike S.]

If you haven't looked there yet, you might check out John Mottishaw's website, www.nibs.com, and look at the information on his Sailor Pens page. Specifically, he has a page on Sailor's specialty nibs: www.nibs.com/SailorSpecialtyNibs.htm.

 

From your description, it sounds like the Cross Emperor (the Architect's nib) might be just the ticket. However, you might also like Sailor's "zoom" nib -- though not exactly a specialty nib like the ones you've mentioned, the zoom nib allows you to vary the line width by varying the nib angle. Perhaps you can get one in a special King of Pen version?

 

If you order your pen from John, you can tell him exactly how you want it to write and he will test it for you and make sure it's as close as he can get it to your specifications before shipping it out to you. If it's not right, you can send it back to him and he'll keep working on it until it's right.

 

If you are buying an expensive pen like this that you intend to write with for many years, I would really suggest buying the pen from someone like John and having the nib tweaked and adjusted before buying.

[Shinichiro]

Thanks Mike for your advice. I had already checked nibs.com, great website, but there aren't a lots of informations on the special nibs... And I have forgotten to say that I own a Sapporo with a Zoom nib. I quite like it, but I find the nib a little bit stiff, and not as smooth as I would have thought it would be, hence my questions concerning the Cross Emperor or the Cross Concord Emperor...

Thank you for having taken the time to answer me!

Yours,

Shinichiro.

 

[Keng]

You mentioned that you will be using the pen as a daiy writer and also for letter writing. As such I have reservations about the cross emperor nib or other specialty Sailor nibs which tend to lay down broad lines (except for the Saibi-togi which is ef). I have tested several of these nibs. I suggest you consider the standard Sailor nibs which may fit your requirements IMHO.

 

 

[Shinichiro]

Thanks Keng for your thought. Your feedback is very appreciated. Nevertheless, even though I intend to use my pen to write letters and stuff like that, a pen which lay down broad lines and a good amount of ink is precisely what I am looking for.

I am looking for a very smooth nib which would glide well on the paper, and with which I could vary the thickness of the line by putting more or less pressure on the nib when writting, and varying the angle.

With the zoom nib I possess, which is a little bit too stiff imo, (maybe because it is only 14K?), varying the thickness of the line during the process of writing is quite hard, because the nib is a ball, and to press more or less on the nib won't change anyything.

Yours,

Shinichiro.

[gyasko]

Since this is a special purchase, why not treat yourself to a trip to Japan?

 

I bought my Sailor at Shosaikan in Aoyama, in Tokyo. It's a really nice place to buy a pen, and i've heard the staff is multilingual. I tried out many pens, and the winner was a Profit with a Naginata Togi nib. I chose it not for its exotic writing characteristics, but because it was by far the best writer of those i tried.

 

As you know, the togi nib is the basic Nagahara nib. Mine is a B width. I use it mainly for letters and notes. You can flip it over and use the top of the nib for fine lines. If you're looking for something exotic, this might not be for you. But it's great as an everyday writer.

 

 

[NeoTiger]

If you are looking for an everyday pen with line variation, I also think that the Sailor specialty nibs aren't right. They are all very broad, calligraphic type nibs. I don't think these nibs give much line variation with pressure changes.

 

I'd suggest you look into getting a pen with a flexible nib (would probably be best to get it custom made by a nib meister) or a good italic nib.

[JDFlood]

I have to agree with the recommendation to email or talk to John at nibs.com. He can probably do the best job of selecting and modifying a nib for you. I have found that once one of these guys has done something to the nib it is significantly better than if you just bought it off the shelf. Especially if you are looking for a single pen to us a lot. JD

[Shinichiro]

@gyasko:

Since this is a special purchase, why not treat yourself to a trip to Japan?

Hey, I'd very much like to! A trip to Japan is one my dream... Unfortunately, I'm not that rich... so I'll have to wait... Otherwise, thanks for your thought... I'll consider the Naginata Togi then.

 

@Neotiger:

I see... I think I'm even more lost now! I intended to go for a Cross Concord Emperor, but it seems like such nibs are not fit the use I want to make of them... I'm a bit disappointed, since I found thoses nibs very cool

 

@JDFlood:

Thx for the piece of advice!

[gyasko]

Here's a writing sample from my togi nib:

 

[NeoTiger]

@gyasko:

 

I see... I think I'm even more lost now! I intended to go for a Cross Concord Emperor, but it seems like such nibs are not fit the use I want to make of them... I'm a bit disappointed, since I found thoses nibs very cool

 

Actually, I was about to say, the Concord might be one that is ok for everyday writing, because it writes like a normal fine nib when held right side up, and only gives thick brush-like strokes when held upside down.

 

The Concord Emperor means it has the extra bit on top of the nib to provide better ink flow. The Cross Concord Emperor, means it has a cross slit instead of a straight slit, and this will make it write very broad.

 

The Naginata-togi is also something you can consider, because it is pretty much like a normal nib. Just need to note that it is broader than a standard Sailor nib, my MF is equivalent to a normal Sailor B.

[Shinichiro]

@gyasko:

Hey, thank you so much for that sample! I appreciate it very much! I really thank you to have taken the time to write/scan/post! Thx a lot! And I can now have a better idea of how that nib writes. Nevertheless, I think my preference goes to a thicker line than this...

 

@NeoTiger:

In fact, what makes me go for a Cross Concord Emperor was the sample found here, written with a Concord Emperor. So I think I'll go for a Concord Emperor, or a Cross Concord Emperor... Do you know if the Cross head makes it a lot wider?

 

Thx a lot to all of you who are helping me! It's very very kind of you!

Yours,

Shinichiro.

[NeoTiger]

Yeah I think that the Cross-slit does make the nib write broader and wetter, but I guess it would depend on the location of the cross slit.

 

From the photos, it looks like the cross is on the top side of the nib tip, ie. it only affects the writing when upside down, not when right side up. This is opposite to the normal Cross nib, which has the cross slit on the bottom of the nib tip, influencing normal writing.

 

Don't quote me on that though, I'm just basing this on photos seen.

[Shinichiro]

True, that's indeed what I had noticed earlier, but I wasn't too sure of myself... And don't worry, if the nib doesn't suit me, I'll never blame those who helped me and gave me advice! On the contrary, I really am greateful to you for having taken the time to answer me!

 

Finally, I think I'll go for a Cross Concord Emperor, since I like broad lines. Anyway, I'll keep you informed, and will for sure give you my thoughts on the pen & nib once it will be in my hands.

 

Thx again to all of you! You've been of great help!

 

Cya around,

Shinichiro.

[Shinichiro]

I am now the proud owner of a Sailor 1911 with a Cross Concord Emperor in my hand

 

I'll try to give you more informations on the nib later since I don't have much time right now, but I can tell you it is great! When in normal position it is a fine smooth nib, suitable for any normal writing, and when upside down, it gives bold strokes like a brush. I think it will take me some time to "master" the beast, but it is really fun to write with it, and it gives your handwritting an interesting style.

 

Thx again to all of you for your advice!

 

Yours,

Shinichiro.

 

P.S.:

I'd suggest you look into getting a pen with a flexible nib (would probably be best to get it custom made by a nib meister) or a good italic nib.

By the way, I have also followed that advice of yours and I'm waiting for a VP with a cursive italic from Mr.Binder to be dropped in my mailbox

Edited April 4, 2008 by Shinichiro

[Dr.Grace]

I just got one of Richard Binder's "Condor" nibs, which are modeled after the Nagahara Concord nib. It works just as you've described--fine line when used right-side-up, and brush-like strokes when used upside-down. I agree that it takes much practice to get good results. But it's a lot of fun to use for Chinese or Kanji characters.

 

Don

[Sailor Kenshin]

I am now the proud owner of a Sailor 1911 with a Cross Concord Emperor in my hand

 

I'll try to give you more informations on the nib later since I don't have much time right now, but I can tell you it is great! When in normal position it is a fine smooth nib, suitable for any normal writing, and when upside down, it gives bold strokes like a brush. I think it will take me some time to "master" the beast, but it is really fun to write with it, and it gives your handwritting an interesting style.

 

Thx again to all of you for your advice!

 

Yours,

Shinichiro.

 

P.S.:

I'd suggest you look into getting a pen with a flexible nib (would probably be best to get it custom made by a nib meister) or a good italic nib.

By the way, I have also followed that advice of yours and I'm waiting for a VP with a cursive italic from Mr.Binder to be dropped in my mailbox

 

I already have a Sailor pen with a zoom nib, and it took me a while to get used to it.

 

Let me know how you like the Concord.... maybe post a writing sample! ^^

 

[NeoTiger]

Hey congratulations on the new nib Shinichiro!

 

You should post some writing samples when you get more familar with the pen. Many of us would be very interested

 

Edit: Just saw that you did post a new review. Looks great!

Edited April 5, 2008 by NeoTiger

[Shinichiro]

Edit: Just saw that you did post a new review. Looks great!

Yep I was so happy with my pen that I wanted to share my joy with you Writing examples can be found here, but it was the first time I used that pen & nib...

Cya around!

Shinichiro.

 

P.S.: Bad news... I just received today a letter from the french customs saying that they intercepted my order from Richard Binder (a VP with a cursive italic and a stub) and that I have to communicate them the details of the transaction so that I'll pay taxes on it

Do any of you know if I'll have to pay a lot? Thx...

Edited April 5, 2008 by Shinichiro

[Shinichiro]

I just got one of Richard Binder's "Condor" nibs, which are modeled after the Nagahara Concord nib. It works just as you've described--fine line when used right-side-up, and brush-like strokes when used upside-down. I agree that it takes much practice to get good results. But it's a lot of fun to use for Chinese or Kanji characters.

 

Don

 

I had seen that nib as well on Richard Binder's website, and it did look like the Concord nib of Sailor. The cross concord emperor is a bit different, because it is a double-blade nib, split like a cross. But in the end, they provide the same kind of writting. The nib can be seen here. Mine is exactly the same, except it has an "emperor", which is a solid gold bar whose aim is to provide better ink flow.

 

Althought I'm not writting kanji with it (I still haven't got time to learn japanese! But I will for sure ^^), I enjoy very much that nib. It's great to see that I'm not the only one! Because today, happy as I was with my new pen, I showed my friends how amazing it was that we could write from fine to extra-large with a single nib, which 1°) is pretty 2°) gives a lot of pleasure... but... they just said : "What's the use of such a thing?" So I put back my pen in its leather case...

 

Cya around!

Shinichiro.