Best Under $100 Platinum, Pilot, And Sailor Pen

[bone215]

Planning out moving up the quality ladder and am looking for suggestions for best under a hundred bucks for a pen from Sailor, from Pilot, and from Platinum.

 

I like the Pilot mediums that write like fine nibs, Platinum preppy in F is ok size wise, and I own an inexpensive Sailor that is a M-F that I consider a fine nib.

 

I can handle thin or larger diameter pens. I seek best value for the dollar, meaning best nib, best maintenance free pen, durable, reliable.

 

I don't care if pop off or screw cap.

 

Your knowledge and experiences would be appreciated.

Some on the list:

Platinum 3776 Maestro

Pilot Lucina

Sailor procolor

Sailor promenade 1911 profit

Platinum 3776 centrury Chartres blue

Sailor 1911 profit

Pilot Custom 74

Pilot Grance

 

Best of each brand? I know this is tough.

[Algester]

I would consider Pilot gold nibs to be on the european standard size (or thats because of my experience handling an SM and F gold Pilot nibs)

3776 century is ok the nibs are JP standard size

I can't comment on the Sailor pens though

Edited November 20, 2015 by Algester

[parnesh]

Pilot 91 (because of the chrome trim) and platinum 3667. Of the two, I would get the pilot for soft nibs or larger ink capacity of the Con-70 but the platinum is great value I must say.

 

Don't have experience with Sailor at that price range.

[Bounce792]

Pilot Custom Heritage 92. Japanese nib sizes in a piston-filler and a good price.

[Aurko]

In my experience, all three of the Japanese pen companies consistently make great pens and it's a matter of preference which one between the three makes the best pen. I've always had a fondness for Sailor, though I still love Pilots. I'm a little iffy on Platinums but I have been coming around to them. I would recommend:

 

• The Pilot Custom 74, since it is one of their most popular options. It's well made, a good writer, and can take the Con-70. Like the others on the list it is a c/c, and maybe in some ways the least interesting of the bunch. It's a solid writer and has one of my favourite nibs, though I don't really care for the demonstrator look.
• The Sailor Promenade. Though I like the 1911S a lot, as far as maintenance free goes the Promenade wins because it has a spring loaded sealing inner cap, which will keep the pen from drying out. All my Sailor [gold] nibs have felt smoother than any other nib of a comparable nib grade, and they feel a hair smoother than Pilots and much smoother than Platinums. They have a really unique feel to them. My Promenade is no exception, but I haven't had enough time to check the seal on that. You wouldn't go wrong with the 1911S either, of course.
• The Platinum 3776 Century. Again, very reasonably priced, but a pretty toothy nib. That could take some getting used to. It's not scratchy at all of course. It also has a great slip and seal mechanism, and they came up with the original. They claim that the pen will write after being stored for up to two years. I have only tested several months, and it works! It's truly impressive, and the toothy nib has grown on me a little bit.

[vjones]

Are any of those actually under $100??

[Algester]

at present day conversion yes... most of these pens sell at 10K yen in Japan heck thats even the SRP

the Grance pen in question is the Resin version not the sterling

Edited November 20, 2015 by Algester

[Oranges and Apples]

The Pilot Custom 74, I'm biased towards them because I have two and don't own any of the other pens mentioned.

[Dr.Grace]

I'd order a Pilot Custom 74 from J-subculture.

[Kataphract]

Are any of those actually under $100??

Yes. You don't even have to go through a Japanese vendor. Amazon usually has the various pens being discussed for under $100 and even shipped Prime. Various Japanese dealers often have their pens pre-shipped to Amazon warehouses in the U.S., so you can often get both good prices and fast delivery. You can get them even lower priced direct from Japan, but you either have to wait forever and a day for delivery, or you lose a lot of the savings over Amazon Prime for expedited shipping. J-Subculture has a good reputation if you want to deal direct with Japan (but omigawd, their search engine is the pits!).

[bone215]

Thank you all for your valuable insights.

I think three reasonably priced pens for "presents" to myself is a great idea.

Along with your help and the help of the pen spirits I will make great choices, hopefully the best/value of each brand.

[Algester]

I would go for Pilot pens that can accept a CON-70

but thats because I'm probably a Pilot user bias I do like their soft nib selection after all :3

C74 would be on your list but you can probably get CH91 but I'm not sure what pen form factor you really like

either way its cheap in a good way really

Edited November 21, 2015 by Algester

[bone215]

Algester

Your Pilot expertise is most welcome.

Here are the Pilots I presently own and some comments

78g M, F, B

Metropolitan M

Cavalier F

Prera 2Ms

Custom M

 

I like all the M nibs except gold custom m, it is a fatter line than the others. I would prefer the Custom to be a bit more precise like the other Nibs that are M. Otherwise the custom is flawless in performance.

 

of these

Pilot Lucina

Pilot Custom 74

Pilot Grance,

If I order one of the three above in F nib, which is the best writing experience per dollar spent?

[bone215]

Aurko

Thanks for the details.

• The Sailor Promenade. Though I like the 1911S a lot, as far as maintenance free goes the Promenade wins because it has a spring loaded sealing inner cap, which will keep the pen from drying out. All my Sailor [gold] nibs have felt smoother than any other nib of a comparable nib grade, and they feel a hair smoother than Pilots and much smoother than Platinums. They have a really unique feel to them. My Promenade is no exception, but I haven't had enough time to check the seal on that. You wouldn't go wrong with the 1911S either, of course.

If you had to choose between the

Sailor procolor

Sailor promenade 1911 profit

Sailor 1911 profit

and were purchasing a F nib, which one would you think represents best writing / cost ratio?

Thanks

[Aurko]

Aurko

Thanks for the details.

• The Sailor Promenade. Though I like the 1911S a lot, as far as maintenance free goes the Promenade wins because it has a spring loaded sealing inner cap, which will keep the pen from drying out. All my Sailor [gold] nibs have felt smoother than any other nib of a comparable nib grade, and they feel a hair smoother than Pilots and much smoother than Platinums. They have a really unique feel to them. My Promenade is no exception, but I haven't had enough time to check the seal on that. You wouldn't go wrong with the 1911S either, of course.

If you had to choose between the

Sailor procolor

Sailor promenade 1911 profit

Sailor 1911 profit

and were purchasing a F nib, which one would you think represents best writing / cost ratio?

Thanks

 

I would probably pick the Sailor 1911S, because it has more sentimental value and I like how it looks more [also because I think that the clip, resin, etc. all feel slightly more quality on the 1911S], and I appreciate that the inner cap is relatively easily removed for cleaning, but I think the best writing/cost ratio would be the promenade, since it is slightly cheaper and has pretty much the same nib as the 1911S. The Procolor is a steel nib, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with that [i like my Sailor steel nibs too], I find that Sailor steel nibs tend to be a little on the dry side. Not unusable, but not as pleasant as the slightly wet gold nibs. The Promenade also has a spring loading cap, which, although you can't take it out to clean it, it will keep the pen from drying out while capped for much longer in theory. In practice, both my 1911S and Promenade have gone at least two weeks without being touched without any major issues.

[Algester]

Algester

Your Pilot expertise is most welcome.

Here are the Pilots I presently own and some comments

78g M, F, B

Metropolitan M

Cavalier F

Prera 2Ms

Custom M

 

I like all the M nibs except gold custom m, it is a fatter line than the others. I would prefer the Custom to be a bit more precise like the other Nibs that are M. Otherwise the custom is flawless in performance.

 

of these

 

Pilot Lucina

Pilot Custom 74

Pilot Grance,

If I order one of the three above in F nib, which is the best writing experience per dollar spent?

the gold nibs tend to be fatter at least I can call them true to european size if you think you like european F nibs the gold nibs will work out just as well but if you like them to be more "japanese" then I would opt for the EF point

Lucina and Grance are more of a "pocket" friendly size if you more like "standard" size I would opt for the C74

Pilot CON-70 converters hate thick inks though just be warned (while yes you get more inky mileage from them, they just hate those sailor inks)

Edited November 22, 2015 by Algester

[bone215]

Thanks

A special thanks to Algester and Aurko.

 

I discussed my plan with the Warden (affectionate title) and she said buy what you want. I just love that approach !!

 

I chose:

Sailor 1911 profit standard color 1019 edition yellow F

Platinum 3776 Century, Chartres Blue F

Pilot Custom 74, dark green F

 

Hopefully, after receipt of pens, holiday celebrations, massive quantities of alcohol, a few family fights, and much play time, I will write up my experiences and comparisons of the 3 F nibs/pens and share with you all.

 

May everyone have happy holidays, good times, etc.

 

Be nice to everyone.

 

Regards,

[bone215]

are they here yet grin

 

 

tick tock

 

 

 

tick tock

[Algester]

good luck when testing out the purchases

[parnesh]

Thanks

A special thanks to Algester and Aurko.

 

I discussed my plan with the Warden (affectionate title) and she said buy what you want. I just love that approach !!

 

I chose:

Sailor 1911 profit standard color 1019 edition yellow F

Platinum 3776 Century, Chartres Blue F

Pilot Custom 74, dark green F

 

Hopefully, after receipt of pens, holiday celebrations, massive quantities of alcohol, a few family fights, and much play time, I will write up my experiences and comparisons of the 3 F nibs/pens and share with you all.

 

May everyone have happy holidays, good times, etc.

 

Be nice to everyone.

 

Regards,

 

Great choices. Have fun!