Sailor 1911 Classic And Professional Gear

[iceporky]

So, I recently sold my brand new 2-month old Mont Blanc 149, EF nib and use that sale to fund 2 Sailor pens - a Sailor 1911 Classic and a Sailor 1911 Professional Gear. Both my Sailors are 21k, F nib.

To put things into perspective, I have the following pens:

- Pelikan Souveran M605 (EF)

- Pelikan Souveran M805 (EF)

- Pilot Custom Heritage 912 (Soft-F nib)

- TWSBI 580 AL (F)

First, the Sailor 1911 Classic . The 21k, F nib on it is magical. It's needle-like fine but super-smooth. The 21k nib is also very soft, giving the needle-like writing experience a luxurious cushion. The ink flow is amazing. No skid, no skip, no hard start. Writing experience is 10/10. I paid SGD$330 for it. I'd have still bought it if it was priced at SGD$800.

Now, the Sailor 1911 Professional Gear. Again, the 21k, F nib is excellent. It gives a bit more feedback than the Classic nib but is also soft and smooth. Ink flow is exceptionally consistent, though not as generous as the Classic. No skid, no skip, no hard start. Writing experience is 9/10. I paid SGD$330 for it too. I'd have still bought it if it was priced at SGD$600.

I always heard people mentioned how great Pelikan pens are, and how iconic the Mont Blanc 149 is. The truth is, to me, none of them can touch the Sailor 21k nib.

First 2 images below show the Sailor 1911 Classic. The last 2 show the Sailor 1911 Professional Gear.

Edited September 27, 2015 by iceporky

[s_t_e_v_e]

Any pen is only as much as what you think it's worth. There are certain pens that many folks here think are the best pens ever. I think a pen is best only for that individual based on their personal preferences. I don't believe it when people say that you got to have a certain pen because of so and so reason. I have to personally like a pen to own it, else, no matter how much the world raves about it, I won't bother to look that way.

 

So I totally agree with your thoughts. As long as you are happy with a pen or pens, it doesn't matter if the world agrees or not!

 

Congrats on your Sailors! They are indeed great pens!

[pkoko]

Have you tried Pilot Fine nibs? You will also be impressed.

[iceporky]

Have you tried Pilot Fine nibs? You will also be impressed.

 

Yes, but not blown away. I like the Soft-F nib in the Pilot Custom Heritage 912 though. But the Soft-F nib writes a bit too broad for my taste.

[iceporky]

Any pen is only as much as what you think it's worth. There are certain pens that many folks here think are the best pens ever. I think a pen is best only for that individual based on their personal preferences. I don't believe it when people say that you got to have a certain pen because of so and so reason. I have to personally like a pen to own it, else, no matter how much the world raves about it, I won't bother to look that way.

 

So I totally agree with your thoughts. As long as you are happy with a pen or pens, it doesn't matter if the world agrees or not!

 

Congrats on your Sailors! They are indeed great pens!

 

That's wise. Actually, I often mistakenly think that the wants of others are the same as mine. Customising a life for our unique needs/wants is such a fine art ...

[Pen_Noob]

Well, no idea how others are so thrilled about Sailor. Both my Sailors were (bleep).

And all my Pilots are marvellous.

 

Maybe Sailor hates me and Pilot loves me?

[iceporky]

Well, no idea how others are so thrilled about Sailor. Both my Sailors were (bleep).

And all my Pilots are marvellous.

 

Maybe Sailor hates me and Pilot loves me?

 

Haha! If Pilot has been good to you, then you certainly should enjoy and support them.

 

I intend to get a Sailor 1911 Black Luster and a Sailor 1911 Professional Gear 2 very soon. I'm resisting the buying urge as much as I can, but I know I'll not prevail.

[sannidh]

So, I recently ...

 

Thanks for the review/pics. Some writing sample please

 

Well, no idea how others are so thrilled about Sailor. Both my Sailors were (bleep).

And all my Pilots are marvellous.

 

Maybe Sailor hates me and Pilot loves me?

 

Same here. My recent return/refund was a realo medium. And 6-7 before that too. Sometimes I feel its safer to get it from CFP even when you pay a premium rather than from Japan.

[subbu68]

Congrats on your new pens.

[iceporky]

 

Same here. My recent return/refund was a realo medium. And 6-7 before that too. Sometimes I feel its safer to get it from CFP even when you pay a premium rather than from Japan.

Just curious - where did you buy your Sailor from?

 

I bought mine from a high-end pen store. They are not that friendly but they are quite protective with their pens. For example, they don't allow "demonstrator pens" to be dipped into the ink bottle. For the entire visit, a dedicated sales rep will be assigned to you. She'll help you ink-dip your test pen, answer all your questions and watch you while you write.

 

To facilitate the purchase of my Sailor pens, I brought along my Rhodia dot-pad to write on and my Pelikan pens. Basically, I want to compare what I already know (paper + Pelikan) with what I don't know (Sailor). I'm glad that works for me; I can quickly tell if the Sailor pens are for me.

Edited September 27, 2015 by iceporky

[iceporky]

Thanks for the review/pics. Some writing sample please.

As requested, I've uploaded a writing sample.

[jmeldorf]

Have you tried Pilot Fine nibs? You will also be impressed.

agreed

[jameswatts]

Have a Sailor Magellan which is an extremely dry writer, and a Pro Gear that is excellent.

[parnesh]

Congrats. This is probably the first review of non-KOP pen that has described Sailor nibs as soft so now I am looking forward to my Pro gear Realo. I find Japanese pens great value and well suited to my tastes but have gravitated towards Pilot. I recently got a Platinum 3667 Chartes and so I wanted to try a high end Sailor so ended up buying the realo.

 

Will let you know how I go when I get it but thus far I have found Pilot pens and nibs to be very hard to beat.

[DaveBj]

I have no interest in Mont Blancs (or Pelikans), but my very short list of high-end pens that I would like to acquire includes a 1911. Or two. Your pics and descriptions made me drool.

[torstar]

love me the sailors, except for the converters....