Sailor Pro Gear Ii?

[Lyander0012]

So, I came across a page on the net about these new Pro Gear series pens (formerly known as the Pro Gear Sigma series), and I was curious as to whether or not anyone here has had a chance to try them out yet.

 

Apparently, the only real difference between these and the previous-generation Pro Gears is their design and sizing (the II series is slightly larger than the original). There is, however, a fairly significant price increase that seems kinda off-putting for what you're getting (that's just my opinion, of course). Now, if these Pro Gear II pens were all piston fillers, I'd be more understanding of the price differential. That isn't the case, though: there's a separate Realo line, as was the case with the Pro Gear and 1911 series.

 

Source:

http://www.nibs.com/sailor-pro-gear-sigma.htm

 

Any thoughts, opinions, or advice for a person who's looking to get his first Sailor FP?

 

Cheers!

 

Kevin

[Edwaroth]

The other difference is the clip...said to have an anchor design. To me it looks more like a Pelikan. Don't know why the price increase for such a similar pen. My guess would be that if you want the classic design, buy it now for it will probably be discontinued. I have the older model and actually prefer it as I bought it for the shorter, slightly fatter size.

 

Best,

 

Ed

Edited September 30, 2013 by Edwaroth

[Lyander0012]

Makes sense. As far as I'm concerned, while I actually do prefer the newer design (based solely on pictures, as I've yet to see the new one in person), it's not with that much more money. Either I'll wait for one to go on sale, or I'll just stick with the classic design.

 

Cheers!

[lightless]

Makes sense. As far as I'm concerned, while I actually do prefer the newer design (based solely on pictures, as I've yet to see the new one in person), it's not with that much more money. Either I'll wait for one to go on sale, or I'll just stick with the classic design.

 

Cheers!

I like the newer design better, too, and really like the clip, which almost no one else seems to like. I do wonder about that $80 premium over the 1911L and the Pro Gear models. It doesn't cost that much to put out a little more plastic. They also seem to have shipped them with F, M, B nibs only, but I think nibs.com can transplant other nib widths onto it. What's REALLY curious is that the Matte Pro Gear II costs about as much as the matte pens in the regular Pro Gear. So in the regular models, the matte finish commands a ~$160 dollar premium at MSRP, but $80 for the Pro Gear II? I really wanna know how their (suggest MSRP) pricing works.

Edited October 2, 2013 by lightless

[Edwaroth]

[sannidh]

Makes sense. As far as I'm concerned, while I actually do prefer the newer design (based solely on pictures, as I've yet to see the new one in person), it's not with that much more money. Either I'll wait for one to go on sale, or I'll just stick with the classic design.

 

Cheers!

Did you finally get it? I kind of like the two-tone nib of the pro gear sigma. Have ordered a pro-gear sigma slim with a 14k nib from Indian branch of engeika.

[Lyander0012]

Er, confession:

 

I finally got to see a Pro Gear II in person and... well, I stopped liking it. Haha
So, since I had a fairly hefty budget (relatively speaking), I ended up getting a classic 1911L with a Naginata Emperor nib. It's currently away for tuning and repairs (inner cap stuff), but it's an amazing, conservatively styled writer. No regrets skipping over the PGII for this one!


Cheers!

Kevin

[Aurko]

Enjoy the emperor nib! I hope to hear about it soon! The clip strikes me as somewhat unattractive overall, and the worst thing to me is that the concept had potential. I like the Sailor Promenade clip that I'm seeing around a whole lot more, but that may be Japan only. That being said, I do like the fact that you get a two-toned nib with the Sailor ProGear Slim II. If only the normal Sapporos came with two-toned nibs. . .

[sannidh]

Enjoy the emperor nib! I hope to hear about it soon! The clip strikes me as somewhat unattractive overall, and the worst thing to me is that the concept had potential. I like the Sailor Promenade clip that I'm seeing around a whole lot more, but that may be Japan only. That being said, I do like the fact that you get a two-toned nib with the Sailor ProGear Slim II. If only the normal Sapporos came with two-toned nibs. . .

 

I guess there is a normal pro-gear with a two toned nib. You might do a search in engeika as well.

Here is a link to the pen for Indian arm of their engeika. Check below.

 

http://pensindia.com/605-sailor-professional-gear-black-color-silver-accents-21k-gold-rhodium-plated-bicolor-nib-all-nib-sizes-fountain-pen.html

Edited September 4, 2014 by soniknitr

[Lyander0012]

Enjoy the emperor nib! I hope to hear about it soon! The clip strikes me as somewhat unattractive overall, and the worst thing to me is that the concept had potential. I like the Sailor Promenade clip that I'm seeing around a whole lot more, but that may be Japan only. That being said, I do like the fact that you get a two-toned nib with the Sailor ProGear Slim II. If only the normal Sapporos came with two-toned nibs. . .

 

Haha, I feel much the same way about the 1911 series! A two-tone nib would make this a much cooler pen, provided they align the rhodium detailing correctly; I'm personally a bit of a stickler for tiny things like that, so it'd be an instant deal-breaker for me if there was anything wrong with the plating. I tried out a bunch of Sailor two-tone nibs though, and haven't noticed anything wrong with them.

 

... Come to think of it, do any of the specialty nibs come in two-tone?

[Aurko]

I'm pretty sure that if you order a Professional Gear with a specialty nib, it would come in two tone. I can't guarantee it though, and you'd have to ask. I've only had a chance to try a couple of specialty nibs, and they were all on the 1911L, which doesn't offer two toned nibs.

[mtbradley]

 

I guess there is a normal pro-gear with a two toned nib. You might do a search in engeika as well.

Here is a link to the pen for Indian arm of their engeika. Check below.

 

http://pensindia.com/605-sailor-professional-gear-black-color-silver-accents-21k-gold-rhodium-plated-bicolor-nib-all-nib-sizes-fountain-pen.html

 

I recently ordered and received a Pro Gear Black w/ Rhodium with a standard 21kt nib and it came two-tone. I've already ordered a second (yellow w/ rhodium) and the sales person said it would come with a two-tone 21kt nib as well (though the website shows it completely plated w/ rhodium). I'll let you know Monday when it arrives.

 

Matt

[sannidh]

 

I recently ordered and received a Pro Gear Black w/ Rhodium with a standard 21kt nib and it came two-tone. I've already ordered a second (yellow w/ rhodium) and the sales person said it would come with a two-tone 21kt nib as well (though the website shows it completely plated w/ rhodium). I'll let you know Monday when it arrives.

 

Matt

It would be nice if you can share a writing sample of the new Pro-Gear. What's the nib size ?

[mtbradley]

I'm happy to. I'll try to do that later today. To be clear, mine is the original Pro Gear, not the II. Both pens are M/F and came adjusted by Mr. Hottishaw.

[Lyander0012]

Well, who says we'll never need another review of a particular pen? We all have our different tastes and whatnot, so I'm fairly certain that reading the review would make for a refreshing experience. Get to know it, and tell us all what you think about it later on, mtbradley!

 

 

Cheers!

Kevin

[sannidh]

I did receive the PG Sigma Slim this week and here goes the review for the pen

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/274918-sailor-pro-gear-ii-%e2%88%91-slim-review/?p=3129464

[Lyander0012]

Haha, what a coincidence: I actually saw your review before I checked in on this post, soniknitr! I'm reading it right now

[ink-syringe]

Sad tombones on that ugly clip. oof.

[Sailor Kenshin]

I did receive the PG Sigma Slim this week and here goes the review for the pen

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/274918-sailor-pro-gear-ii-∑-slim-review/?p=3129464

I like the review...not the look of the pen.

 

I have a LE PG in MF...the Black Velvet model. There is something mesmerizing about the finish and the MF works well enough but I should have ordered a B. It's just that I wanted EVERY stock nib Sailor offers and I must have had a momentary lapse of sanity.

 

If I get another PG for the B nib, it won't be the new model.

[ink-syringe]

Lots of places still have the old style. So at least for now we have choices. I got one recently with the old style on sale. I wonder how much longer they will make the Pro Gear I or if they are on the way out.