Pilot Prera

[KCat]

I was first intrigued by this pen from Taki's post here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...33&hl=prera

 

But, needing another pen like I need another hole in my head, I didn't go further than Taki's thread to check out the pen. Besides, the dimensions are important for me. I've got this rather limited range of sizes I can handle for long periods of writing.

 

So...someone knew that my birthday is approaching and someone was a very bad girl and this little jewel arrived in my mailbox this past Friday. Friday the 13th worked out well for me.

 

Please forgive the picture quality. I don't have a decent set-up these days so this is outdoors with a lampshade and a cheap digital camera and failing batteries.

 

I will try to take better pics later when my batteries are recharged. And the camera batteries as well.

 

First, a writing sample plus a rather poor image of the pen.

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t67/kcattx/prera1a.jpg

 

A close-up of the handwriting. I'd planned on writing this review by hand but my handwriting sucketh to say the least. But this pic will give you a comparison of the line width of the Prera Fine, a Namiki VP fine, and one of my Pelikan Place Series Fines. I can't tell you the precise line width - I don't have the tool for that measurement. It is the finest nib I own. Prior to the Prera, my Estie 9128 and my VP F were the finest nibs but they are a hair wider than the prera. Of course, ink flow will make a difference. The Diamine ink in the VP has a little more generous flow than the mix in the Prera so they are not terribly different probably. Suffice it to say, I would call this an XF or XXF, having never used an XXXF.

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t67/kcattx/prera2.jpg

 

Despite this extremely fine line, the nib is extremely smooth. As smooth, if not smoother, than my VP Fine that was purchased from Mr. Binder (who, as we know, checks nibs before they are shipped.) Honestly this surprised me because I didn't believe a nib of this size could get as smooth as my Namiki F. Certainly not smoother. But, there ya go. I do have a light touch - if one has a heavier touch than I do, I believe the nib would give and you would lose some of that smoothness. My VP nib is stiffer than this nib.

 

I was shooting a close-up of unadorned nib when my battery died entirely so here's the next best thing...

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t67/kcattx/prera4a.jpg

 

Dimensions:

Section:

The above image shows the Prera next to my beloved Pelikan M400 White Tortoise. Had I aligned the section ends vs. the other ends of the pen, you would be able to see more clearly that the Prera section is slightly wider than then the Pelikan. At it's narrowest, my calipers tell me it is 12mm in diameter. My M400 at it's narrowest is 11.5mm. For comparison, the M600 is 12.5mm in diameter at it's narrowest. At it's widest, before the section ring, the Prera section is 14mm. You can see from the picture that the section of the Prera is longer (25mm) than that of the M200/400 (15mm up to threads) range and has no threads. Conclusion, If you like the 200 section size but the threads bother you, the Prera should suit your grip just fine. And at the same time, it would allow you to grip a bit higher comfortably if you prefer a wider grip.

 

Length Capped:

Prera: 12 cm

M400: 12.4 cm

M600: 13.2 cm

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t67/kcattx/prera5a.jpg

 

Length Posted:

 

Prera: 13.6 cm

M400: 14.3 cm

M600: 15.5 cm

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t67/kcattx/prera3a.jpg

 

Length Unposted:

Prera: 10.8 cm

M400: 12.1 cm

M600: 12.3 cm

 

In short (pun intended) the Prera is one of few pens I would post. I can use it unposted, but it's more comfortable when posted.

 

Weight:

Unofficially - a tad heavier than the M200. Don't have immediate access to my scale and I nearly sacrificed my Torty to this review* so I'm not carting it back there. The difference is very slight and mostly in the cap. yet because of it's length, the cap does not impact balance negatively. So, to Betty, no this isn't a heavy pen at all. It is plastic, not laquered brass. But the plastic feels substantial, not fragile.

Officially - my scale only goes to 10ths of an ounce and both my 400 and the Prera weigh in at .5 ozs.

 

Other Particulars:

The Prera uses cartridges. I haven't tried either of the Pilot converters in the pen but will do so and update on that. Edit: The Piston converter does fit. I assume the bladder converter will as well but have not checked it.

 

The cap is a snap cap with a good solid snap much like a Waterman.

 

The look is clean and simple. I liked the ivory because, well, I just did. It reminded me of the Waterman Charleston color that I have always liked but never owned. Or the Caran D'Ache Dunas that I also liked but never bought.

 

Clip: I can't evaluate this in depth as clips are of minimal importance to me except in terms of appearances. It's a simple, clean design and seems to slip onto the leather of my pen case easily but securely. But I don't carry pens in pockets much so I can't tell you much past that.

 

Cost: Judging by the prices Taki mentioned, I think this pen is worth its price. I've been using it almost non-stop since getting it. The super-smooth extra fine nib is delightful. Of course, the price you'd pay for it in the US includes the cost of importing it so if you happen to be going to Japan for other reasons, it's probably worth picking one or two up for the more comfortable price that Taki mentioned ($19 I believe was the minimum she found.)

 

I don't seem to have any complaints. I suppose my major complaint would be that it is only available through an importer like Ujuku and I doubt that will change. If Pilot won't sell the Decimo here, why would they sell this one here? And of course, I always prefer piston-fillers to cartridge fillers but because I am learning to love Pilot pens, I'm learning to get over that one. Pilot carts are proprietary of course so that may be a drawback for some.

 

Thank You Thank You to the wonderful person who sent me this lovely Birthday Gift. Not just because it's a great little pen, but because it was such a kind and thoughtful gesture and clued in on the things I like most about pens. I guess that's why it's hard for me to find any negatives re: this pen.

 

Finally, I dunno why, I just liked this picture

 

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t67/kcattx/prera6.jpg

 

KCat

 

*I was measuring my torty and juggled it onto the tile, nib down. First ever nib-down pen drop. ACK! Knocked the nib out of kilter with the feed but it seems okay now.

 

(edit: typos)

Edited December 26, 2008 by KCat

[Emil]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with this lovely pen. I am impressed by your writing style either.

[meanwhile]

This is one of the best looking pens I've ever seen on FPN!

[artaddict]

beautiful pen!

[KCat]

QUOTE (meanwhile @ Apr 15 2007, 04:49 PM)

This is one of the best looking pens I've ever seen on FPN!

I'll try to get some better pics - and now that I've done the review, I'll take the tag off. Maybe the sticker, as well.

 

It is a very clean, pretty little pen - no fluff, no awkward bits sticking this way or that. I like the way the cap bands are done. Reminds me of a much more expensive pen I've seen somewhere.

[Taki]

The squeeze (bladder) converter fits. I'm using the one from my Pilot 78G. Speaking of 78G, the nib and feed on Prera is identical to that on 78G except for the color

 

KCat, I like the Purple Martin/Black mix

Edited April 16, 2007 by Taki

[Ged]

Thats a very nice looking pen! The ivory is very nice. Tempted to get another pen I am. Must resist the siren call

[KCat]

Some new pics. May want to click to view the full size on some of them.

 

http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/founts/41607b1.jpg

 

http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/founts/41607d1.jpg

 

http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/founts/41607h1.jpg

 

sorry for the fuzzy bit on the nib

http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/founts/41607i1.jpg

 

you can almost see the Pelikan-like curve of the underside of the clip.

http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/founts/41607j1.jpg

 

Yes, I'm very fond of this pen - Probably end up being one of those very few models that makes it onto my "worth getting multiples" list.

Edited April 17, 2007 by KCat

[Maja]

Excellent review and great close-ups shots, KCat! I missed your birthday butI hope you had a good one!

 

Sorry to hear about "Torty's" near-demise (wasn't she called "Honey" before? Maybe she's a bit miffed at the name change and decided to do a swan dive onto your floor?

 

The Plera looks great and it's nice to see that it writes as good as it looks. That Ivory colour is quite fetching! Thanks for the info on the pen, Taki; I went and ordered one for myself today

 

 

[helius]

Thanks for the review. So many colours to collect...

 

Just one quick question: How does it compare to a Pilot 78G in terms of "general feel" of the plastic?

[Taki]

Just one quick question: How does it compare to a Pilot 78G in terms of "general feel" of the plastic?

 

I have both 78G and Prera. Probably plastic material itself is similar but I think Prera feels a little bit nicer because of real metal trim rings(vs. "printed" rings on 78G). Also as KCat mentions in the review, the cap has a little weight and it closes with a nice click with a kind of "airtight" feel.

 

Maja, which color(s) did you get?

[Margana]

Love the ivory! Has anyone experience with the broad nib? I wonder if it has the stub-like shape of the 78Gb?

[Taki]

Love the ivory! Has anyone experience with the broad nib? I wonder if it has the stub-like shape of the 78Gb?

 

Margana, unfortunately it's available only in F or M nibs

 

[Margana]

Thanks, Taki. It'll be the medium for me.

[Maja]

Just one quick question: How does it compare to a Pilot 78G in terms of "general feel" of the plastic?

 

I have both 78G and Prera. Probably plastic material itself is similar but I think Prera feels a little bit nicer because of real metal trim rings(vs. "printed" rings on 78G). Also as KCat mentions in the review, the cap has a little weight and it closes with a nice click with a kind of "airtight" feel.

 

Maja, which color(s) did you get?

Ivory, like KCat's....

 

[artaddict]

Can anyone tell me where I can get a converter for the Prera? TIA

[Taki]

Standard Pilot/Namiki converters (CON-20 or CON-50) should fit. Try Pilot dealers.

[artaddict]

Standard Pilot/Namiki converters (CON-20 or CON-50) should fit. Try Pilot dealers.

 

Thanks for the info, Taki!

I got an Ivory one too, although I liked the soft blue and lime green ones too. Tough to decide so I went conservative.

Edited April 26, 2007 by artaddict

[georges zaslavsky]

a nice looking sober pen

[KCat]

a nice looking sober pen

 

I like the understated ivory.

 

But... since I'm enjoying this pen so much, I'm thinking it deserves are more outgoing sibling.

 

Maybe even the green!