Sailor Pro Gear Slim - What Converter Should I Use

[Alliejay]

I have just purchased a Sailor Pro Gear Slim and didn't realize that this listing does not appear to include the converter:

 

https://www.writeherekitenow.co.uk/sailor-professional-gear-sky-slim-fountain-pen.html?gclid=CKbl0Z7i_tQCFU08Gwod42QBvA#productViewTabs1

 

I was a little miffed by this because I believe that a pen of this price should include the converter. This is not the fault of the retailer, of course. However, when I went searching for the converter, I have found some conflicting information.

 

Some say this converter works for all Sailor Pens except the Chalana as stated here: https://www.writeherekitenow.co.uk/nibs-converters/sailor-standard-ink-converter/sailor-standard-fountain-pen-ink-converter.html

 

But other sites say that it does not work on slim pens: https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/SR45779/sailor-standard-converter

 

Can anyone please clarify for me which is correct? Has anyone used a standard converter with a Sailor pro gear slim and had issues?

 

Thank you in advance!

[Alliejay]

Update: I contacted the vendor and it appears these pens do come with a converter and it was simply left off my order. For reference, they do seem to use the standard sailor converter and the vendor will be sending me one separately. Excellent customer service!

 

 

  On 7/11/2017 at 9:26 AM, Alliejay said:

I have just purchased a Sailor Pro Gear Slim and didn't realize that this listing does not appear to include the converter:

 

https://www.writeherekitenow.co.uk/sailor-professional-gear-sky-slim-fountain-pen.html?gclid=CKbl0Z7i_tQCFU08Gwod42QBvA#productViewTabs1

 

I was a little miffed by this because I believe that a pen of this price should include the converter. This is not the fault of the retailer, of course. However, when I went searching for the converter, I have found some conflicting information.

 

Some say this converter works for all Sailor Pens except the Chalana as stated here: https://www.writeherekitenow.co.uk/nibs-converters/sailor-standard-ink-converter/sailor-standard-fountain-pen-ink-converter.html

 

But other sites say that it does not work on slim pens: https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/SR45779/sailor-standard-converter

 

Can anyone please clarify for me which is correct? Has anyone used a standard converter with a Sailor pro gear slim and had issues?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

[Driften]

The Pro Gear Slim is the same as the 1911 Standard/Medium. It is not really slim unless you compare it to the ProGear or 1911 Large. You got a nice pen I hope you enjoy it! I like my 1911 which other then having rounded ends is the same pen.

[Erik Dalton]

I agree with Driften, the term slim is a misnomer. This pen takes a standard Sailor Converter. It should say standard not slim. Many times you will see an 's' in the name of the pen. It stands for standard. It's the same barrel and section thickness as the 1911s. Similar to a Pelikan M600, Parker Sonnet etc. The next size up is the 'Large', then the biggest is their 'King of Pen'.

I've always found this confusing I prefer the large size and find that I have to read the pen description carefully before ordering.

 

The slim pens that people are talking about is the "Chalana". It's a very slim pen that takes a special converter.

[Alliejay]

  On 7/11/2017 at 6:39 PM, Driften said:

The Pro Gear Slim is the same as the 1911 Standard/Medium. It is not really slim unless you compare it to the ProGear or 1911 Large. You got a nice pen I hope you enjoy it! I like my 1911 which other then having rounded ends is the same pen.

It really is a very nice pen. The shop I got it from quickly got me the converter and I got going with it. It writes beautifully!

 

I got a fine nib and in retrospect should have gone for a medium, but I still think it writes very well.

[Alliejay]

  On 7/11/2017 at 7:21 PM, Old Salt said:

I agree with Driften, the term slim is a misnomer. This pen takes a standard Sailor Converter. It should say standard not slim. Many times you will see an 's' in the name of the pen. It stands for standard. It's the same barrel and section thickness as the 1911s. Similar to a Pelikan M600, Parker Sonnet etc. The next size up is the 'Large', then the biggest is their 'King of Pen'.

I've always found this confusing I prefer the large size and find that I have to read the pen description carefully before ordering.

 

The slim pens that people are talking about is the "Chalana". It's a very slim pen that takes a special converter.

Being relatively new to the hobby I too wish these descriptions were more standardized. It creates a lot of confusion when you find conflicting information on different websites.

[Driften]

Sailor can be very hard to understand their names. For example the 1911 Standard is also called the Profit, the 1911 Large is Profit21 in some markets. It goes on and on with them. You will find more information in the Japan subgroup here.

[Noihvo]

And the ProGear Slim is called the Sapporo, if I'm not mistaken.

Edited July 15, 2017 by Noihvo

[Erik Dalton]

  On 7/15/2017 at 11:33 AM, Noihvo said:

And the ProGear Slim is called the Sapporo, if I'm not mistaken.

I use to think that Sapporo was a more entry level pen with steel nib. Doesn't appear that way any more. Confusing, all the "ProGear" and Sapporo look alike to me.

I write unposted and find the Profit / 1911 to be just a touch longer in the body. The longer cigar shape fits into my hand much better than the ProGear/Sapporo.

I have a couple ProGear, when they first came out, I thought they were quite handsome, but became frustrated with the shorter length. One of my favorite pens is the little Pelikan M200. These ProGear seem shorter and less stable in my hand than the M200.

I love the Sailor gold nibs, especially the Broad ones. Went back to the Profit/1911 style pens, and I'm a happy writer.

I read all Sailor Product descriptions VERY carefully these days. I take the time compare the wording with similar product ads, before clicking on 'Buy'.

[tinta]

Welcome to the hobby Alliejay.

 

AFAIK, Sailor only produces two converters for their many pens: a small narrow unit to fit the Chalana series of pens & a Standard twist/piston converter for the rest of their Cartridge/Converter pens, including their top-of-the-line King Of Pens.

 

-Most stores or on-line sources should sell the Standard converter, in its little white box.

-If it has an instruction paper tucked inside, you are in luck, as it gives you helpful filling instructions.

-Make sure that your converter is pushed in snug onto the feed nipple & that the chrome ring at the unit's back is screwed tightly to the tube.

-There may be some white manufacturing residue on the converter's piston head & inside the tube. It is best to rinse out any such residue before filling the converter with ink.

-I've had very positive experiences buying from Cult Pens (no affiliation) Excellent service from their staff, on-line & on the phone.

[Alliejay]

Thank you all for the responses. I contacted the shop that I bought the pen from and they had simply forgotten to include the converter. They shipped me one (standard converter) right away so I got it all sorted out.

I find that it fits the pen very well (no wobbling). I got a fine nib on this one and it is very fine indeed! So much so, that some of the inks I was using were making the pen struggle a bit. I ordered some Sailor Jentle ink from cult pens (I love them as well, tinta! They are so prompt!) and it's running much better now.

 

I might consider trading my fine nib for a medium one in the future, but I am not sure if I have to be a gold member to trade in this community.

[EHV]

Japanese nibs tend to run finer than their Western counterparts and so far for me, Sailor has been the finest of the fine of the Japanese nibs. Given that they can also be prone to some feedback, what you are experiencing is pretty normal.

 

I find that using Sailor inks or other "wetter" inks helps greatly so the Sailor ink that you receive should hopefully heighten your experience. I tend to go medium or broad with my Sailor nibs as the fine is just too fine for me. :-)

 

Lastly, if you are going to use the converter as your main ink source, I'd say to keep an extra Sailor converter on hand. I have mostly been OK with their converters but many claim that it is a serious, Sailor weak point, which is so surprising considering the quality of their pens and nibs.

  On 7/17/2017 at 9:45 AM, Alliejay said:

Thank you all for the responses. I contacted the shop that I bought the pen from and they had simply forgotten to include the converter. They shipped me one (standard converter) right away so I got it all sorted out.

I find that it fits the pen very well (no wobbling). I got a fine nib on this one and it is very fine indeed! So much so, that some of the inks I was using were making the pen struggle a bit. I ordered some Sailor Jentle ink from cult pens (I love them as well, tinta! They are so prompt!) and it's running much better now.

 

I might consider trading my fine nib for a medium one in the future, but I am not sure if I have to be a gold member to trade in this community.

[Alliejay]

Great information, EHV! I am going to the London pen show in October, so I'll add 'extra sailor converter' to my shopping list.

 

And yes, as you said, I really should have gone with a medium. I have a pilot with a medium nib and that is fine enough for me, but I thought I'd risk it. I have tried it with the Sailor Jentle (blue black) and as you say, the experience is much enhanced. It does write very well and the quality of the nib is clear. I just might need to go for a medium next time!

 

 

  On 7/17/2017 at 10:48 AM, EHV said:

Japanese nibs tend to run finer than their Western counterparts and so far for me, Sailor has been the finest of the fine of the Japanese nibs. Given that they can also be prone to some feedback, what you are experiencing is pretty normal.

 

I find that using Sailor inks or other "wetter" inks helps greatly so the Sailor ink that you receive should hopefully heighten your experience. I tend to go medium or broad with my Sailor nibs as the fine is just too fine for me. :-)

 

Lastly, if you are going to use the converter as your main ink source, I'd say to keep an extra Sailor converter on hand. I have mostly been OK with their converters but many claim that it is a serious, Sailor weak point, which is so surprising considering the quality of their pens and nibs.