The forgotten tier of fountain pens! Great pens under $75 from Pilot, Sailor, Platinum
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2022
- It's always seemed strange to me that people gravitate towards both the lower end and higher end of pens from these Japanese brands. The under $30 pens are very popular (Kakuno, Plasir etc). The over $150 pens are popular as well (Custom 74, 3776, 1911 etc). What about the pens in the middle?
I may be late to commenting by quite a bit, but I think many of these pens just aren't carried by online retailers now, and that's why they are forgotten. The retailers are pushing the "lowest end pens" and the "gold and higher end pens" and not so much the transitional pens, or at least that's how I feel the marketing is going. Though, I also question if some of these pens that you have shown... are they still in production? I'm not sure if you're purchasing from Japan and receiving them elsewhere or being able to receive them directly in Japan, but as a consumer from the U.S. I don't see any of these pens for sale easily.
So true. The Pilot Lucina seems great but I can’t find it online.
Note that a lot of pens from these three brands cost twice as much or more if you buy them from an American storefront versus a Japanese ones as well. I only realised this recently, when I was thinking of getting a Pilot E95S and watching reviews on it; One commenter mentioned they got the pen for cheaper by importing it themselves, and I thought, "Oh, I'll save a few bucks by doing the same." Note that on American storefronts, including Amazon (there's a $78 "Elite 95" on Amazon, but reviews say that it's the Korean knockoff version which is itself only about $30 MSRP, and not the version shown in the images which is the 14k Japanese E95S), the pen is about $140, and it is frequently said _(at that price point!)_ to be the cheapest gold-nib pen on the market. On Amazon Japan, where I ordered it from (and it came and it is in fact the "real" version) it's just over $60 at present, which with the fastest shipping it's still just $76. Same 14k gold nib, less than half the price.
My point is that American storefronts aren't just pushing the low-end and high-end and ignoring the midrange/transitional pens, as you say; They are pricing the midrange/transitional pens as though they were high-end, creating the false impression that, for example, you can't get a gold nib for less than $140. They may be doing the same with lower-end pens, but since so few are actually made in America, paying the shipping on those as an average consumer buying a single pen will still jack up the price to more than you'd pay to a domestic storefront with free shipping; They buy in bulk so they get cheaper shipping per-pen.
This is the single best fountain pen video I’ve ever seen. It introduced me to multiple pens that I had never heard of and peaked my interest. I would get the pilot Lucina but I’m having trouble finding one in the states. I do however plan on purchasing the pilot 1911 casual. I can’t find any other reviews on it so it’s great that you’re spreading awareness about such a great deal! Keep up the great work 👍
I was intrigued when I saw this video on my feed because I'm also a fan of the Pilot Lucina and the Sailor Pro Color (similar to your Stardust), but I was shocked to see your Procyon with a 3776 nib (I'd like to see more about that) and I've never heard of the 1911 Casual, but I'm interested! 😀
The Procyon and the 3776 have the same section (though different colors). The lazy thing to do is just swap the whole unit. However, since the nib is friction fit, it's pretty easy to swab the nib + feed.
Omggg it’s Miss Cathy!! I’m a fan :D haha
Didn't know pilot and sailor has another type of steel nib other than their metro / compass range! And these are so much more closer to their gold nib in terms of aesthetic. Really interesting!
Am learning a lot with you, thank you!
Hey, I'm a lurker here for the most part, but I've subscribed and I watch all your videos. I really, greatly appreciate your perspective. Every time. Thank you.
Thanks so much for your kind words!
This video has so much great information in a very reasonable amount of time! You have a great attention to detail, and even when you only talk about a pen for a few sentences, I feel like I understand the essence of what makes that pen special to you. I've subscribed and bought the Stardust :)
ayo you're at 1000 now!
I'm new to the hobby, but I bought a Lucina and Procyon early on and love them. I've always been confused as to why more people don't have them or talk about them. The Procyon in particular is one of my favorites. I will definitely be looking for those Sailors now! Thanks for another great video.
As a newbie any reviews is interesting. Thank you for the video
Ironically, ‘Casual’ is the classiest of these pens and it’s a steal at $40 !
Hoping against hope that it’ll get launched in India soon, so this can be first ever Sailor in my collection !
Interesting take! I am quite surprised with the swap in procyon. You should make a dedicated video of interchangability of different models. That would be very helpful. 😊
Thanks! Not too many interesting options come to mind - typically only within the same family when propriety nibs are used. I've read somewhere that Pilot #10 and 15 nibs share the same section but I'm not sure why you'd swap those. The only other interesting example I can think of off hand is swapping in a Pilot #10 FA nib into a Pilot Justus 95 to have a more controlled FA experience... You can also buy custom feed units to use various nibs with Jowo or Boch sections. I've only done that once to use a Sailor nib in an Opus pen.
@@seattlepenclub I think what you just rote would be a very interesting video. Seeing how you swapped it to a gold nib in and of it’s self would be interesting. I’m at that even of learning
I found that the Pilot gold #5 nib can fit to other pilot steel nib pens such as the metropolitan, kakuno, and prera.
I enjoyed this review. Thank you.
Great review lot's of good insights and your experience really makes the video a good watch.
P.S. Yes! Pilot Blue Black, which is the same as the more expensive Pilot Namiki Blue Black is my go too Blue Black, shading, subtlety, it has them all. 👍
Great selection!
Appreciate you addressing this enticing price point. Just off hand, it looks like the difference between several of these is accounted for by the use of a steel nib vs. gold (makes sense). I've learned that stainless steel does just fine for most all of my use.
Very interesting review..thank you.
Really interesting, but barely audible 😕 This is an affordable price range, so very relevant.
Also, could you please list the pens, esp because it was so hard hear you. What was the one before the Procyon, Platinum Cool?
Never had heard of the Pilot Lucina - I'll have to check it out.
Great point you make! I ve just ordered from Japan a Sailor Profit casual fountain pen, so with a steel medium nib! Same pen I guess. It looks the same, made with pmma resin like all the sailor standards. Can t wait to try t out! Thanks for the video, regards from the Netherlands!
I have to say that yours is the most underrated UA-cam channel within the entire pen community. I am into the hobby since last October and you just gave me new perspectives to approach. Video liked, and I am subscribed. Well done! 👏🏻👏🏻
I found this video because of the UA-cam algorithm, I stayed for the calm explanation!
That is a great price range for fountain pens. A lot of quality in that range. I have three Pilot Lucinas and they write very well. The Sailor Shikiori with the white cap is also a great pen. I have one and it's a great writer.
I like that the reglus has a snap cap. I wish the 1911 casual had that feature
As a rabid Platinum fanboy, I think the Procyon is very underrated.
Great video. I’ve been eyeing a Sailor Casual for a bit now. I wonder how the nibs compare!
Thanks for this, now considering swapping my custom 74 to a steel nib so I can press hard on it the way I do my other pens
not sure which steel nib would fit a 74. Perhaps the one from the Lucina but that pen is now discontinued
Aloha! Found this very interesting, although I believe many are non-USA models, so can be hard to find? Sailor also had different names for their Japanese only models and even offers a 21K nib in a 1911S (nib seems to be the same size as the 14K?) I will definitely seek out the first Sailor you showed (would of loved to have seen writing samples) and I have always had my eye on the Pilot Lucina, but can't seem to find it online. I do own the Procyon and to be honest, not very impressed. Will be watching your other videos (have watched bit and pieces of most of them) and hope you continue creating content as I enjoy your style. Mahalo, Thomas
Like your show.
However, I can barely hear you. It almost sounds like you're whispering, or trying not to wake someone up in your house.
might be the result of relying on an iPhone mic haha - will try to talk louder next time!
Unfortunately those models arent available in my country and if i had to buy it from amazon or other marketplace, the total cost including shipping fee will be more expensive than the sailor pro gears or platinums sold here :(
Plus If youre trying to make it ASMR or something at least go all out with good mic and cinematography? People are confused of why youre whispering, or maybe provide explanation to justify your style of narrating
Procyon is my go-to EDC! I have them in all different colors.
I can confirm that the 1911S Casual can swap with a 1911S 14k nib. Also, the Procolor's steel nib is interchangeable with a Sailor Pro Gear Slim gold nib and a Taccia Spotlight steel nib.
Ahaha
And this turned out to be your most viewed!! Love it.
The pilot lucina doesn’t seem to be easily available and when it is it’s close in price to a Custom 74 which is a great value I think particularly if you get it used.
great video! do you know if there is a Lucina but with a snap cap?
The closest is probably the Prera but it doesn't have the same nib.
I think the main reason Sailor would want to make a resin pen that looks like metal with the Reglus is one of the nuances of the pen hobby. I think there's enough people who don't like the feel of a metal pen but like the look that people would choose that over a comparable pen that is metal and at the same price point that it sells fairly well. I don't think it's so much of a cost saving move, as much as a personal preference.
I liked this video...very informative. Unfortunately, I could barely hear what you were saying (with my speaker volume at max). Despite that, I subscribed. Hope you can get the volume issue fixed.
I have searched for the pilot Lucina and can’t find it. Where did you purchase it?
This is a great segment to cover, thanks! The Pilot Lucina is intriguing, where did you buy it? (I'm also in US.)
..Mike
I got the one in the video from Amazon. Unfortunately, I believe Pilot discontinued the Lucina since I made this video. Prices are a bit crazy these days.
@@seattlepenclub Bummer. But thanks for the intel. Have you ever ordered from a vendor in Japan?
Thank you for sharing these. Can you tell me where you found the 1911 Casual?
Amazon...
@@seattlepenclub Thank you!
Trying to find the Lucina in a medium nib. I am finding fine nibs all day long. Any suggestions? Great videos!
I looked back at where I got mine. I bought it on Amazon 2 years ago. Seems there's a lack of medium nibs now - not sure why. Hopefully they come back in stock!
@@seattlepenclub is this a nib replacement opportunity?
Thank you for your response! Great idea on a nib replacement..
So beautiful vedios you have
I have a yellow Lucina 😃
I'm not very familiar with the Sailor brand. Why do you like the 1911 Casual but not the 1911 Compass? How are they different?
They are very different pens. The only similarity is the size. The Casual has a much nicer, more expensive nib. It's a steel version of Sailor's 14k nib.
I would recommend to you Faber castell loom
Very unique nib
jowo 5* how is that unique ? though yes its great nib and faber castell is overall great in everything.
For me, writing trumps all else, so the Lucina is my choice in that lineup.
I can't hear you!
3776 is mundane and ordinary. Interesting. That’s a pretty highly thought of pen by many.
Nice finds. Did I get them in Japan?
I actually bought all of them in the US aside from the Platinum Cool which I bought in Hong Kong several years ago. These might be easier to find in Japan though :)
@@seattlepenclub thanks
In fact, with reviews you should also try to make those available to the viewers. In other words; please try also to ship it to viewers; as many of them do not have the easy access to the products.
Making it available by being intermediary will boost, not only, the viewership but also to the products through you.
Dont worry about UA-cam's dumb algo about who watches what. All your videos are great.
Volume so low on my iPad, with earbuds I could not hear understand or hear it,so I did not watch and cancelled the video. A shame.
Pleese.Why you speaking with out voice
Been looking for a halfway decent pen for weeks this really helped. Thank yew 🫶🏾