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Pilot Justus 95 M Nib Lined Guilloche

hari317

By hari317
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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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I was excited about this pen as soon as I read about it on the Pilot website. I was always curious about the original shor lived Justus model but the NOS prices were way beyond what i was prepared to pay. This year I believe is the 95th anniversary of Pilot and they apparently decided to reissue their Justus as the Justus 95 with some changes(snap vs thread cap, clip shape and nib sizes). Engeika statrted auctioning these pens in the last week and I was able to win one at a good price. The pens are available in two variants Straight line guilloche vs barley corn guilloche. I bought the straight lined one. also the pen is being offered in F/FM/M nibs, Ibought the M nib version since Pilots F is really fine and I want something a little fatter for everyday scribbles. Onto the pen...

 

Packing/presentation:

 

Justus 95 got a fancy packaging of its own, it is quite classy. It came wrapped and sealed in factory despatch condition:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8488_zps7ba845b8.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8491_zps2932eacb.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8492_zpsb484f752.jpg

 

Perhaps the packing date seal?

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8494_zpse93fcddb.jpg

 

The complete model number indicating body pattern and nib width:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8495_zps2787380c.jpg

 

The wrapper removed:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8498_zps3b93460c.jpg

 

The outer cover slides off:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8500_zps30a14059.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8502_zpsd70c6e4a.jpg

 

to reveal the inner box whose lid is simply lifted off:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8504_zps836d57fc.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8505_zps7e2c4684.jpg

 

using the helpful notch the inner transparent cover can be lifted...

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8506_zpsc9280834.jpg

 

and after moving the upper sponge layer out of the way, the pen is revealed:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8507_zps3863a9f4.jpg

 

The cap and pen are held seperately, perhaps to showcase the adjustable nib...

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8508_zps11981007.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8509_zps892c43d3.jpg

 

Clip hang tag:

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8511_zps26b168f1.jpg

 

The pen has been rescued from the packing and is out of the frame, There is one more level below the pen holding foam that holds the bilingual operating manual and complimentary cartridge. the Con-70 comes pre installed in the pen. I am a cartridge fan, so i popped a Namiki Blue cartridge into the pen for first inking.

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8512_zpscd730386.jpg

 

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8515_zps365a9fd1.jpg

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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The pen:

Flat ends, long and somewhat girthy and a GP sword clip. Plain, undertated looks. I like the GP sword clip, it was previously available only in the white trim on modern Pilots.

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8516_zps84d0459c.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8517_zpsfac45114.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8518_zps7e3875d3.jpg

The nib with the "tension" adjuster on the top:

The term tension used by Pilot appears appropriate. The nib can be adjusted from firm to somewhat floppy using the adjuster. So this single pen can accomodate all types of nib stiffness preferences.

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8519_zpsc59c9bca.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8522_zpsa8d25204.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8523_zps250b0d48.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8524_zps0c7e37d8.jpg

The following pic shows the gap between the tensioner tongue and the nib topside:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8526_zps4103a395.jpg

The pen opened:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8527_zps60cfef0b.jpg

Shiny top of the cap:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8528_zps8ef33bca.jpg

Engraved sword clip detail:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8529_zps4f29d9c5.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8530_zps6c9b9b20.jpg

Engraved lines on the cap:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8531_zps180a5e85.jpg

Cap band engraving:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8532_zpsc696ac44.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8533_zps44892ea7.jpg

Comparison with some other Pilots:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8535_zpsea7e9742.jpg

L-R:743FA, 742PO, 95M, 74F

You can see that the 95 is quite big and nearly the same size as the largest 743.

Nibs comparison:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8537_zps7a3074b7.jpg

L-R: 95M, 74F, 742PO, 743FA

The 95's nib is physically smaller than the nib on the 742 and larger than the 74's nib. The real point to notice is the extra long section on the Justus in order to accomodate the adjuster helical cam. the longer section is a major plus point for me over the other counterparts in the resin Pilot custom lineup.

Writing samples:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8539_zpsc4a388d7.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8540_zps0e38aed6.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8541_zps65b8c043.jpg

I could not find any line flex in my example. The nib becomes rigid (but not a nail) at the H end of the adjuster. The flow and the elastic feel of the nib increases on the S end of the spectrum. The line width made by my particular 95, judged by eyeball reckoning is narrower than the line I remember is made by my 742SM.

Conclusions:

  • I found no flex, I preferrred the feel at the H end of the spectrum. The adjuster is just a gimmick as far as I am concerned and can be a conversation starter.
  • Pen is a nice writer.
  • The long section is the real bonus of this model.
  • The pen size is closest to the 743 and weighs approximately 24gms with full cartridge.
  • The lined pattern has a subtle beauty over the plain black customs.


I hope you find this useful.

Cheers!
Hari

Some interesting material on the Justus:

Justus New Vs Old

How the adjuster works

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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AKAGodSent Extremely Rare

AKAGodSent

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Thank you for the detailed review!

“It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.” Voltaire

"'The French Soldier,' pronounced Rostopchin, 'has to be incited to battle by high-sounding phrases; the German must have it logically proved to him that it is more dangerous to run away than to advance; but the Russian soldier has to be held back, and urged to go slowly!'" War and Peace

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Montblanc owner and lover Vintage

Montblanc owner and lover

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very complete and informative review,really well done with a lot of pictures of an exceptional pen in the first sense of the word

A people can be great withouth a great pen but a people who love great pens is surely a great people too...

Pens owned actually: MB 146 EF;Pelikan M200 SE Clear Demonstrator 2012 B;Parker 17 EF;Parker 51 EF;Waterman Expert II M,Waterman Hemisphere M;Waterman Carene F and Stub;Pilot Justus 95 F.

 

Nearly owned: MB 149 B(Circa 2002);Conway Stewart Belliver LE bracket Brown IB.

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Simius Rare

Simius

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Thanks for the review. Or should it be no thanks, because after seeing the terrific pictures, my resistance is crumbling. I suspect I'll soon slouch toward the next auction and start bidding for another pen that I neither need nor can afford. What is it about Pilot pens that make them so irresistible?

 

Seriously, that was a very informative review, and answered many of my questions.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Thank you all for the kind comments. Do feel free to ask, if you have any questions about what I might not have covered.

 

Best

Hari

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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terminal Collectors Item

terminal

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Great review Hari. Ever since I read about this pen it's been #1 on my list too.

 

As a result of this review it has tumbled. I thought for sure "soft" would also include some flex, which is why I was excited about the pen (MODERN flex... not going there). This is actually an enormous disappointment for me. I'm so so glad I read your review before sinking ~$300 in to one of these.

"One always looking for flaws leaves too little time for construction" ...

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Great review Hari. Ever since I read about this pen it's been #1 on my list too.

 

As a result of this review it has tumbled. I thought for sure "soft" would also include some flex, which is why I was excited about the pen (MODERN flex... not going there). This is actually an enormous disappointment for me. I'm so so glad I read your review before sinking ~$300 in to one of these.

 

I am glad my report could help in your decision.

 

Definitely don't buy the M if you want flex. Troglokev on the other hand in his excellent review has reported at best semiflex with his F nib example set to the full soft setting. maybe you can look into getting F if you really like the Justus otherwise :)

 

Best

Hari

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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Abhik Extremely Rare

Abhik

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Hello Hari,

I simply missed this excellent review! Looks great. Followed your provided links and both versions looked attractive.

So, you think nib adjustment part is to some extent marketing gimick? No change in writing with adjustment control?

Enjoy!

Abhik

Edited by Abhik
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sjs Rare

sjs

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Fantastic review as always, hari.

 

The size and shape of the pen are very intriguing (almost like the 845), and I was delighted to see it can be bought in the elusive FM nib size (unlike the 845). Very tempting.

Steve

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Thanks! can some one who reads Japanese decipher what is written on the sticker?

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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mongrelnomad Collectors Item

mongrelnomad

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Thanks Hari. I just ordered a barleycorn one from Engeika. Let's see what this puppy's like...

Too many pens; too little writing.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Thanks Hari. I just ordered a barleycorn one from Engeika. Let's see what this puppy's like...

Excellent, I am sure you will love the feel of the nib on the paper, it is special. what nib did you get?

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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mongrelnomad Collectors Item

mongrelnomad

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Excellent, I am sure you will love the feel of the nib on the paper, it is special. what nib did you get?

I was weighing up between an F and an MF but went for the F in the end. I think it I went too wet at the firm setting I'd never use it (assuming my example has some flex!)

Too many pens; too little writing.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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I was weighing up between an F and an MF but went for the F in the end. I think it I went too wet at the firm setting I'd never use it (assuming my example has some flex!)

I hope it turns up well for you. Do report back once you have it in hand.

 

Best

Hari

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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