Pilot M90

[Pen2009]

Looks can be deceiving. Actually, the surface is brushed with a very subtle grain that is perpendicular to the pen length. It might be a little slippery if your hands are sweating, but otherwise it's got a nice tactile feel... not something I'd call slippery at all.

Is it comfortable to use it for a prolonged writing / note taking session? Let's say a 2 to 3 hour meeting or conference.

[mucephei]

Looks can be deceiving. Actually, the surface is brushed with a very subtle grain that is perpendicular to the pen length. It might be a little slippery if your hands are sweating, but otherwise it's got a nice tactile feel... not something I'd call slippery at all.

Is it comfortable to use it for a prolonged writing / note taking session? Let's say a 2 to 3 hour meeting or conference.

 

I would say so; not that I've tried that yet but it fits very nicely indeed in my hand.

[MYU]

Looks can be deceiving. Actually, the surface is brushed with a very subtle grain that is perpendicular to the pen length. It might be a little slippery if your hands are sweating, but otherwise it's got a nice tactile feel... not something I'd call slippery at all.

Is it comfortable to use it for a prolonged writing / note taking session? Let's say a 2 to 3 hour meeting or conference.

Yes! The great thing about the pen is that the ink flows easily, while not being really "wet". Thus, you can use it with a light touch and grip for extended writing periods. Plus, the fact that it is a pocket sized pen makes it easy to stash in a pocket.

[Pen2009]

Yes! The great thing about the pen is that the ink flows easily, while not being really "wet". Thus, you can use it with a light touch and grip for extended writing periods. Plus, the fact that it is a pocket sized pen makes it easy to stash in a pocket.

Thank you for your input on this. It seems the USA based web retailers carry only a M nib version. I am going to order this directly with a J-dealer as I can opt for both F and M versions. I can get it at JPY 12,000, which is about USD 130 at the current exchange rate.

 

Can someone comment on how the M90's F and M nibs are? I am always (I repeat) always torn between which nib I should pick for a J-pen. My writing style is more appropriate for smaller lettering instead of a big brush stroke signature style.

Edited July 11, 2009 by Pen2009

[MYU]

I suggest getting the fine nib. It is probably somewhere between a typical Japanese fine and a Western fine. It is very smooth and appropriate for small lettering. You will be impressed with the wide range of angles at which you can hold this pen while still experiencing competent ink delivery to the paper.

[Pen2009]

I suggest getting the fine nib. It is probably somewhere between a typical Japanese fine and a Western fine. It is very smooth and appropriate for small lettering. You will be impressed with the wide range of angles at which you can hold this pen while still experiencing competent ink delivery to the paper.

It sounds like this pen is a good writer. So, an F nib it is for my order. It looks like a sleek ballpoint pen which is good as I like a stealthy fountain pen look. I like Pilot's those unique models such as this and the Capless while I tend to gravitate toward MB, Pelikan, and Aurora for more traditional looking fountain pens.

[Pen2009]

I just got mine. I dip tested it and I find the f nib is a smooth writer (thank god for that). I am going to put in the CON-20 converter in this thing.

Edited July 16, 2009 by Pen2009

[oceansportrait]

I owned one (traded it away recently though). I really loved the style, and just in the aesthetics department, there was nothing to complain about. But I found that having a stainless-steel bodied pen made it hard to grip, and it was difficult to hold the nib in the correct position because it kept slipping all over the place. That being said, it was the first ever fountain pen that I purchased, so it will always have a place in my heart

Edited July 17, 2009 by oceansportrait

[troglokev]

I have to ask: how do you hold your pen? Here's a lousy pic of my grip:

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3756557660_9d38b57623_o.jpg

 

There's nowhere here for a pen to slip to. Unless you press way too hard and it slips along the length of the pen, the standard grip (as taught by ruler-wielding nuns) will form a triangle around the barrel of the pen, keeping it in place with very little effort or chance of undue motion.

Edited July 26, 2009 by troglokev

[sallywally]

The Pilot MYU was a classic pen of the 1970s, and it still looks ahead of its time. Modern Japanese pens tend to be conservative in design, but the M90 revives the MYU series, and harks back to a time when Japanese design was at the cutting edge. The M90 is a limited edition of 9000, and was released to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the company.

 

There has been some controversy over a couple of aspects of the new design, based on the early, very low resolution images of the pen, but seeing it live, they are really not a problem. There is a clutch ring at the join of the section and barrel, which provides an excellent and positive grip on the cap when posted. Visually, this is hidden by the cap, and since this is a pocket pen, it is designed to be used posted.

 

To my mind, this design reduces the idea of a pen down to its essence, providing a sleek shape with no distractions. The model name is discreetly placed at the top of the cap, and the company name is embossed in very small letters on the back side of the cap, near the rim.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2933438392_c0a31680d1_o.jpg

 

The M90 comes in a commemorative box, with a screed of Japanese marketing, the usual guarantee cards, and a cartridge of ink. One of the punishments for learning Japanese is that you can read the marketing bumph. :blink:

 

There was a CON-20 converter, as well. None of Pilot's larger converters will fit, so the CON-70 is not an option, alas. The CON-20 is a fairly tight fit in the M-90. Some people have been surprised by this: some firmness may be necessary to fully insert the converter. The image below shows my M90 with a converter installed, together with a spare to indicate how far it needs to be inserted.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3014468646_a13c50c823.jpg

 

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2930132701_e05da63061_o.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2933404350_3bef12f759_o.jpg

 

The nib itself is quite stiff. Mine is a fine point, and as you'd expect from Pilot, it runs finer than most fine points from western manufacturers. The writing in the photos was written with this pen, using Mont Blanc blue ink. Another writing sample below:

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2934067534_3e8a3ce07b.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/2931293452_8db47aee59_o.jpg

I paid $112.68 for this pen through Ujuku. It's a good price for the pen, but they currently have a long waiting list. The M90 is a limited edition of 9000, but it's hard to obtain at the moment. I'm hopeful that Pilot gets a good response to this limited edition, and sees an opportunity to release another MYU-style pen in the not-too-distant future.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2930991918_dea5ae0105_o.jpg

 

Conclusion

Most commemorative pens are expensive, over-decorated, and doomed to a life in a display cabinet. Pilot released a couple of those for the 90th anniversary, but this is the one that people will remember. To their very great credit, the M90 is a resonably priced version of one of their iconic pens: an excellent way to commemorate their 90th anniversary. There is a long wait for this pen, but the wait is worth it.

 

パイロットの創立90周年おめでとうございます！

What about using J Herbin ink in this pen? Diamine, Sailor? Private Reserve? Etc. Is Noodler's the only "dangerous" ink for this? :meow:

[sallywally]

The Pilot MYU was a classic pen of the 1970s, and it still looks ahead of its time. Modern Japanese pens tend to be conservative in design, but the M90 revives the MYU series, and harks back to a time when Japanese design was at the cutting edge. The M90 is a limited edition of 9000, and was released to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the company.

 

There has been some controversy over a couple of aspects of the new design, based on the early, very low resolution images of the pen, but seeing it live, they are really not a problem. There is a clutch ring at the join of the section and barrel, which provides an excellent and positive grip on the cap when posted. Visually, this is hidden by the cap, and since this is a pocket pen, it is designed to be used posted.

 

To my mind, this design reduces the idea of a pen down to its essence, providing a sleek shape with no distractions. The model name is discreetly placed at the top of the cap, and the company name is embossed in very small letters on the back side of the cap, near the rim.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2933438392_c0a31680d1_o.jpg

 

The M90 comes in a commemorative box, with a screed of Japanese marketing, the usual guarantee cards, and a cartridge of ink. One of the punishments for learning Japanese is that you can read the marketing bumph. :blink:

 

There was a CON-20 converter, as well. None of Pilot's larger converters will fit, so the CON-70 is not an option, alas. The CON-20 is a fairly tight fit in the M-90. Some people have been surprised by this: some firmness may be necessary to fully insert the converter. The image below shows my M90 with a converter installed, together with a spare to indicate how far it needs to be inserted.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3014468646_a13c50c823.jpg

 

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2930132701_e05da63061_o.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2933404350_3bef12f759_o.jpg

 

The nib itself is quite stiff. Mine is a fine point, and as you'd expect from Pilot, it runs finer than most fine points from western manufacturers. The writing in the photos was written with this pen, using Mont Blanc blue ink. Another writing sample below:

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2934067534_3e8a3ce07b.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/2931293452_8db47aee59_o.jpg

I paid $112.68 for this pen through Ujuku. It's a good price for the pen, but they currently have a long waiting list. The M90 is a limited edition of 9000, but it's hard to obtain at the moment. I'm hopeful that Pilot gets a good response to this limited edition, and sees an opportunity to release another MYU-style pen in the not-too-distant future.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2930991918_dea5ae0105_o.jpg

 

Conclusion

Most commemorative pens are expensive, over-decorated, and doomed to a life in a display cabinet. Pilot released a couple of those for the 90th anniversary, but this is the one that people will remember. To their very great credit, the M90 is a resonably priced version of one of their iconic pens: an excellent way to commemorate their 90th anniversary. There is a long wait for this pen, but the wait is worth it.

 

パイロットの創立90周年おめでとうございます！

Mine came in the mail today and it's quite neat! The converter was in the pen out of the box and my problem is not putting it in but getting it out! I'm afraid to pull any harder than I have for fear of harming it, but I don't want to fill it if I can't get the converter out to flush it. I don't want to be limited to refilling cartridges as I am with my old style VP and the sterling silver crane.

 

Any thoughts?

[troglokev]

Mine came in the mail today and it's quite neat! The converter was in the pen out of the box and my problem is not putting it in but getting it out! I'm afraid to pull any harder than I have for fear of harming it, but I don't want to fill it if I can't get the converter out to flush it. I don't want to be limited to refilling cartridges as I am with my old style VP and the sterling silver crane.

 

Any thoughts?

 

If you look at this picture:

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3014468646_a13c50c823.jpg

 

you'll see there's whole lot of friction there, but there's nothing you're likely to damage. The converter just pulls straight out, though it might be easier if you turn it a little just to break the friction.

 

Basically, pull harder.

Edited July 30, 2009 by troglokev

[tawanda]

I received mine as part of a trade a couple of weeks ago, and I love it! I have the fine nib which, though fine, is not too fine as some of the Asian pens can be. I have it filled with PR Avacado and it writes like a dream.

 

I like the metal section. It feels stable and solid in the hand. I have problems with slippery plastic ones more (HATE the Phileas for that reason).

 

I can see mine being in use forever.

[enricof]

Seen/handled one yesterday in a B&M shop (at 198€), ordered it today (Ebay, where is the finger crossing icon, 155$ shipping included).

 

I usually prefer large pens, but after seeing it "live" I decided I simply had to get it.

 

On the watch for the postman...

[mucephei]

Good choice Enrico. The M90 is my favourite pen.

 

And Sallywally, I have used Diamine ink in mine with no problem at all. Noodler's should be no problem.

 

(Right now I have Pilot Blue in mine.)

[mstone]

Just picked up an M90--I love it! The fine is very smooth, and it's a very usable pen. It's a very light writer with the included blue cartridge; I'm going to try it with Noodler's Ottoman or Midnight next.

[MYU]

At a dinner party last night, I showed my M90 to a fellow who was sporting the Montblanc 100 years anniversary pen. He was immediately taken by the sleek design. "How well does this steel nib write?" I left the room and returned with some good quality paper and let him have a go of it. "I'm... astonished. This is better than the Montblanc!"

 

[pmphillips3]

I've had mine for about a week now and have enjoyed it immensely. Glad to hear that the cartridge which is included hold more ink than the bladder, writing notes on my patients became painful when I ran out of ink halfway through and had to steal a pen from the nurse......I'm going to swap out the ink supply the next time my bladder empties.

 

Where is the date stamp on the pen?

What are some good sites for ordering refills for the cartridges?

What's the best way to clean the bladder once I remove it?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited August 1, 2009 by pmphillips3

[MYU]

The date stamp is very small... you'll likely need some magnification to see it. Turn the pen so that the curved feed side is facing you, then look at the bottom end just above the threads. You'll see a 3 or 4 digit number and either an 'F' or an 'M' for the nib type.

 

Pilot cartridges are extremely common... easy to find on eBay, that's for sure. However, I find it much more enjoyable to refill the cartridge with my ink of choice. Being in the medical field, take a syringe, blunt the end of it (a good metal file will do the trick), and then use it for this purpose.

[kushbaby]

At a dinner party last night, I showed my M90 to a fellow who was sporting the Montblanc 100 years anniversary pen. He was immediately taken by the sleek design. "How well does this steel nib write?" I left the room and returned with some good quality paper and let him have a go of it. "I'm... astonished. This is better than the Montblanc!"

 

 

::chuckle::

 

I have a lot of different types of pens (a hazard of being on FPN!), and the M90 is one of the favorite "go-to" pens for me. I liked it so much I got both F and M nibs, and I adore them both! Incredibly smooth!!!!

 

(They're filled with Pilot Iroshizuku ink, of course! Asagao and Ajisai...)