Parker 180 Vs. Sailor Trident

[deitic_nib]

Are the two pens similiar or do they serve completely different purposes?

 

[Dan Carmell]

Completely different purposes. The 180 was designed to give you two different nib sizes, not unlike the Vacumatic and other pens of that era, but with a radically different looking nib. The Trident, as I understand it, was intended to provide a "Manifold" type nib to compete with ballpoints and to write at a variety of angles.

 

I'd like to own a Trident one of these days, just to check it out, but I wish the design of the pen itself was a little more interesting!

 

Dan

[deitic_nib]

Completely different purposes. The 180 was designed to give you two different nib sizes, not unlike the Vacumatic and other pens of that era, but with a radically different looking nib. The Trident, as I understand it, was intended to provide a "Manifold" type nib to compete with ballpoints and to write at a variety of angles.

 

I'd like to own a Trident one of these days, just to check it out, but I wish the design of the pen itself was a little more interesting!

 

Dan

Alrighty, thanks for the info. Now I can decide.

[stan]

As Dan notes, the Trident was designed to compete with ballpoints. As such, it was less than successful. One can only imagine the number still sitting in old Japanese stationary shops. It is, however, a different design and, as such, has a certain cachet.

 

You shold be aware the Trident comes inthree basic designs and two nib types.

 

1. Stainless steel. When the model came out there were flow problems with the nib. It is barely perceptable to the inexperienced eye but, Sailor modified the nib design to deal with this issue. The later stainlerss models should be okay. If I am not mistaken, there are some earlier pens that do not take a converter; cartrdiges only. this should be asked when purchasing.

2. Colored models. This was an attempt to upscale the pen when it was not selling in stainless. guess they figured by giving it a colored barrel and cap and a gold clip, it would move. It did not. The black matte model is cool looking.

3. Last throes. The last model was a cheap version with stainless barrel and inexpensive plastic section that was made and mostly sold in Taiwan. They're found in Japan too and often sold as the real thing. At this time Sailor was trying to get what they could from their investment.

4. There are some models that do not bear the Sailor name. these were either made by Sailor or under license. they are usually the cheaper last model in more colorful dress.

 

Hope this helps.

[stan]

Here's a better, no rushed to go to work history.

 

1. Stainless steel. The original model had the T on the clip and Trident written on the base of the cap. They also had 767 written on the side of the cap. When the Trident came out in the early 1980s, flow problems were experienced and unless one used the pen on a very regular basis the feed would clog. It is barely perceptible to the inexperienced eye but, Sailor soon modified the nib design to better the flow. The later stainless models should be okay. If I am not mistaken, there are some earlier pens that do not take a converter and use cartrdiges only. This was common practice with several larger Sailor models, notably occurring on those with plastic threaded barrel inserts. When purchasing a metal Trident one should ask if a converter fits.

 

2. Colored models. The pen was not a hit and not selling so, in an attempt to salvage their investment, Sailor upscaled the pen with a matte finish and lacquered color. Guess they thought the stainless finish rendered it cheap-looking and by giving it a colored barrel and cap and a gold clip, it would move. It did not. However, the black matte model is cool looking. these were the Trident at it's peak. It is worth noting at this time Sailor had a marketting agreement with Sheaffer/Textron and peddled and made several models of Sheaffer for sale in Japan. Some Japanese sheaffers have the barreel and top jewel similar to the colored Trident and clip just like the earlier stainless model but, in gold with an S instead of the T.

 

3. Last throes. The last model was a cheap version with thinner stainless barrel, plastic end plugs, and inexpensive patterned plastic section that was made in Sailors Taiwan factory. They were also marketed in Taiwan at this time. They're found in Japan and often sold as the real thing. At this time all Sailor was doing was trying to get what they could from their investment.

 

4. There are some models that do not bear the Sailor name. These were either made by Sailor or under license. They are usually the cheaper last model in more colorful dress and a thinly gold-plated nib. Mizuho and Spacer are two brand names that immediately come to mind. IMHO, some of these look best. Am not sure of quality.