Search the Community

If you ask me, I am not really much into pocket pens. But this is a pocket pen I could never ignore, thanks to the excellent reviews from none other than Hari. I doubt if it could be a desirable starter fountain pen, but I do find it as a great VFM, given the stunningly big 14k gold nib. And finally it is good friends with my MTN pen holder. Here is a copy of this review on my blog: Elite 95S Review The Elite 95S (or E95S in US) was released as Pilot’s 95th anniversary pen in 2013, sporting a Pilot 14k nib, which is larger than a standard Pilot#5 nib. The Elite S was originally a pocket pen designed by Pilot in 1968. The second run of these pens occurred in 1974. The 95S is more of a evolution of the Elite S fountain pen and as it was launched 95 years after the company’s inception (i.e. 1918) it does carry the first two digits of the model number as ‘95’ with the S and the third digit is by default ‘1’ usually refers price at launch of the pen (i.e 1 X JPY 10,000). It’s referred as the E95S in the US market due to copyright obligations. The Elite 95S (for the Asian market, Model #FES-1MM-DR/B-EF/F/M) comes packaged in a standard pilot gift box (Z-CR-GN) which is usually more of a protection rather than presentation. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVy918MFP7Q/VfAnBI0ZpKI/AAAAAAAAFdk/WinvMivuiDM/s1600/DSC_6068.jpg DESIGN - FOR YOUR POCKET (6/6) The E95S comes in two standard designs of acrylic resin with a double anodised aluminium cap - Black, Deep Red (or burgundy) in gold plated trims. The acrylic resin material feels sturdy but light, I guess a defining feature for a light pocket pen sharing one dimension with your shirt pocket. You will definitely like the E95S if you like Kaweco Sport pens. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7QnDJIvgSY/VfAnA6IemxI/AAAAAAAAFdg/GFL7E97DuLI/s1600/DSC_6074.jpg The tapered geometry starts with a flattened finial of a pearly cap (with a hint of red shade) with a gold plated clip syncing nicely with concentric cap bands and a differentiated ring from the section before it concludes with burgundy of the barrel. The glossy red resin shines moderately under light and creates a good contrast with the cap. This pen seems to preserve a vintage look both in terms of design and make. The cap is light and and can be pulled out quite smoothly, revealing a big dazzling gold nib. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bpP3S0t-IZ8/VfAnAQrDXFI/AAAAAAAAFdY/syxBzXN6o9w/s1600/DSC_6084.jpg The grip section is moulded from the same burgundy resin and a thick golden step announces its beginning as well as the end stop for posting the cap. But as usual, the nib dazzles out the rest. The posted pen gains considerable length and renders both beauty and a deep red contrast to the pearly finish of the cap. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tu7FwfaAig0/VfAnH6CGu0I/AAAAAAAAFds/PtDIhpr0dnw/s1600/DSC_6088.jpg The snap cap with a slightly domed finial preserves a rather classical look. A few things etched across the lower band of the cap includes the model name of Elite on one side and PILOT & JAPAN on the other. Two concentric bands of golden paint render aesthetics to the entire pen, as the cap is quite significant for this pen. The spring loaded clip with an associate loop, has a rectangular top view with geometrical cuts. It’s engraved with PILOT vertically. The design of the clip is reminiscent of older Pilot pens. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6myhhnZXmqs/VfAnRhk2fYI/AAAAAAAAFew/NRpYMhDpeck/s1600/cap.jpg FILLING SYSTEM (5/6) The barrel unscrews from the section which has a metallic insert carrying the necessary threads for syncing with the resin threads inside the barrel. One of those rare pens, in which the section is considerably longer than its barrel. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9nqKFombjg/VfAnItHuCtI/AAAAAAAAFd8/BfKRHQF7WfI/s1600/DSC_6108.jpg The pen takes only pilot CON-20 (0.5 mL) converter and pilot proprietary cartridges (0.9 mL) because of its size limitations. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl1jSygOJJE/VfAnIlye93I/AAAAAAAAFeA/GRbeD8Gu5OY/s1600/DSC_6110.jpg NIB - ALL THAT MATTERS (5/6) The nib is inset and comes in a 14k design across three stock widths - EF, F & M. The tail end of the nib specifies the month and year of manufacture. It has no other scrollwork apart from branding and nib specs. By the way, the productions are limited to 5000 pieces and that’s why you mostly see 413 (April-2013) as timestamp (or monthstamp) on these nibs. All branding and nib specs namely 14k-585 (58.5% Au Alloy), PILOT, along with the nib width & country of manufacture i.e JAPAN are imprinted below the breather hole. The tines are relatively short, given the longish nib. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJBZbvTTBLI/VfAnJL8huMI/AAAAAAAAFeE/92C_DapDp7c/s1600/DSC_6114.jpg A partially enclosed or rather hooded bluish grey plastic feed with big feeder hole provides ink suction and a decent buffer. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2HUUDsP73c/VfAnKTv9ieI/AAAAAAAAFeM/7AILQMYxqrA/s1600/DSC_6120.jpg PHYSICS OF IT (5/6) – RELATIVELY SPEAKING This is a pocket pen and measures only around 12 cm closed. It is meant to be posted for writing and in addition to the length the cap does add some weight. Though the cap itself is quite light and weighs only 6 grams, the snap mechanism does make it a quick note scribbler. The grip is comfortably tapered ending with a longish nib. Closed ~ 12 cm Uncapped Length ~ 10.5 cm Posted Length ~ 14.7 cm Nib Leverage ~ 2.4 cm Overall Weight ~ 17 g (without converter) Capped, uncapped and posted comparisons with a Pelikan m2XX/4xx go below for your reference. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ0soCVTLV8/VfAnO3mOo2I/AAAAAAAAFec/g9R4qaz8Nms/s1600/DSC_6124.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdcN6mtgxuQ/VfAnPPYxQgI/AAAAAAAAFeg/0I-4FVIG11s/s1600/DSC_6128.jpghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cc7yiDx_MUE/VfAnPfe_giI/AAAAAAAAFek/IYqa_kJJDnI/s1600/DSC_6132.jpg ECONOMIC VALUE (6/6) The E95S retails at around USD 136 in the US, although it sell at USD 100 or even less, in Japanese shops like Engeika or Rakuten. I had bought the first pen from Engeika’s Indian Arm - Pensindia. It’s a definite VFM pen. OVERALL (5.4/6) The fine nib has some feedback but is graced with a wet flow. Although pilot does not associate any softness with these nibs, these nibs are quite springy and have a decent amount of flex, the leverage coming from their unique shape. The verticals can grow thicker with slight pressure. The nib has a moderate flow, taking less than 25 seconds to dry a wet Diamine Majestic Blue ink on MD Paper. The paper grids are 5 mm squares. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBITKFR13ak/VfAnSeFtIyI/AAAAAAAAFe0/ySbwApClgHw/s1600/DSC_6133.jpg Thank you for going through the review. You can find some more pen and paraphernalia reviews here. ADORABLE REVIEWS Hari's Review of Red Elite 95S Black

This review covers the Elite 95S(FES-1MM-DR-M). On the 95th anniversary of Pilot, they have reintroduced the long discontinued Elite long-short model. The USP of this model is the short capped size of the pen which can easily fit in a small shirt pocket, the cap when posted makes the pen as long as a regular fountain pen thus the functionality and ergonomics is not compromised. The 95S is available in two finishes, all black and one with deep red resin and a pearly steel cap. I went for the latter and this review will document this model. Troglokev in his excellent review has already covered the all black 95S. The pen came in the standard Pilot box, sealed in the usual polyethene sleeve and tags etc. Pilot has wisely not attached any nib width stickers which can be difficult sometimes to remove cleanly. http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8707.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8709.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8710.jpg Freed from captivity: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8711.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8712.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8713.jpg I purchased the pen from a different source this time, and this is the first time i have got this card, I believe this is a guarantee card? Any help on this will be appreciated: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8714.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8715.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8716.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8718.jpg The pen arrived this Monday. I quickly took some pictures. On Tuesday early morning, I had to fly to another city to attend a review meeting, I decided to take the new arrival along as the sole writing implement, the pen saw some intensive use on Tuesday and Wednesday, I have taken rest of the pics today: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8724.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8725.jpg Loaded with a Pilot black cartridge http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8726.jpg The 95S features the really superb inset nib. Pilot is one of the few companies that have the expertise to offer such nibs and the 95S has been given this nib. The original pens had the thumbnail nibs and some had the inset nibs also as can be seen in this excellent blog post. Comparing this pen to a 70's Silvern Crane: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8731.jpg Not a very small pen, The nibs: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8733.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8735.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8737.jpg The Silvern's inset nib is quite large as compared to the 95S. The feeders(the feeder is totally enclosed inside the shell on the silvern pens): http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8738.jpg The clip is spring loaded, a very good job: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8739.jpg Vintage type PILOT marking on the clip http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8740.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8741.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8743.jpg I fortunately can write comfortably with any size of pen and have a collection of pens in all sizes. The Elite compared to some well known small pens: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8728.jpg L-R:Elite, Pelikan M320 Ruby, MB Mozart, English Parker Lady, Omas Extra: The small pens posted, can be revealing: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8730.jpg Comparing with the Pilot custom 74: http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8744.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8745.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8747.jpg http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/PilotElite95S/IMG_8749.jpg The girth at the gripping point is very similar, I like the long smooth tapered section on the 95S, the threads are somewhat sharp on the 74 and come where I grip the pen, the 742 has a slightly longer section that helps me a lot. That is the reason I have many more 742s than the 74. Writing: The pen is a flawless writer, the moment I popped in the cartridge, I knew I could trust it to take it along as the single pen for the trip. Very smooth, even flow. The nib is soft, a very nice nib. The pen is very comfortable to be used when posted as you can see the pen is nearly full sized when posted. Cost: This is the best part. even though this is a 95th anniversary reissue, Pilot has priced this pen with a 14K solid gold nib at just 10,500JPY MSRP. I think this is unmatchable by any other company outside of Japan, this is what full in-house manufacturing and continued conservation of expertise can achieve. After 30% discount and including EMS shipping to India, I paid just around 83USD. Tremendous value. I bought this from a new pen vendor in Tokyo and I think they are going to get some good custom from me in the coming days. I highly recommended this pen, very happy with it. I think the 5000 pens production(read it somewhere that the 95S will be 5000 pieces) will be sold out very soon. I hope you find this review and comparisons useful. Cheers! Hari

This review is a sequel to my Review of the 95S in Deep Red, The pen in this review is essentially the same as the other pen but for the color and nib size. The model documented here is the FES-1MM-B-EF Super impressed with the Elite, I ended up ordering a few more, this Black EF for me and a Black F for a very good friend (also an FPNer). Same Packaging: http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8811.jpg http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8812.jpg http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8813.jpg http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8814.jpg The pens compared: http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8815.jpg http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8817.jpg The nibs: The M nib has seen a few weeks of use, the EF is pristine. http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8818.jpg The tipping: http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8820.jpg the EF is so much smaller than the M, really Pilot precision:notworthy1: http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8822.jpg The black has such a glossy captop. Some writing samples comparing the new arrival with some other inked ones in the tray: http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8828.jpg EF Vs M: http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8830.jpg http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PilotElite95SBlack/IMG_8829.jpg Cheers! Hari