Thanks for your insightful and interesting review. I have the KoP (profit) and it’s the only pen I use. I purchased it from Japan and maybe I was lucky to get such a fantastic nib. I have learned that the lighter I hold the pen and press on the nib to write, the smoother the experience and almost zero feedback. It’s perfect for me. Thanks for the heads-up about air travel; I didn’t know that. I think everyone who is considering the purchase of a Sailor KoP should watch your review.
Hmm, I have two Sailor KOP Pro Gears, one of which I took on flights multiple times, and I did not encounter the issue with ink overflow... Could it be because I didn't fill it up fully or maybe I just don't see it since mine isn't a demonstrator? IMO like the MB 149, the regular Sailor KOP aren't worth the price new unless you can find it on sale. However they are splendid writers.
I' not tried one of these, though from other Sailor's I have used I imagine it is very good. A clear demonstrator with a standard converter just doesn't do it for me. At the price there is no excuse for dirt inclusions in the glue. I expect this is a petrochemical based acrylic / plexiglass? Nothing wrong with that it's a good pen material which should last well. But the price is, to me exorbitant. Wasn't this the pen that prompted Pilot to design the Custom 823 as their answer to it? I lie Sailor and Pilot and agree with your previous comments that they can offer superb value. This does not, for me. Thanks for another great review. Cheers.
the plain white clear demonstrator of Sailor does look disappointing, even from its lower lineup the 14k and steel/Procolor size, its so apparent. Pilot does feel more complex in the hand, but where it is not so much so on Sailor 'all injection molded plastic with some glue visible', the color options are far less constricted than any other Japanese manufacturers, but then it came back again that too many of them came with MF size only, as if they encourage you to buy another one, plainer black but with nib option and swap around everything. Edit: KOP colors are sadly limited and upmarketed by exclusivity 😭
I am not a fan of demonstrators with converters. Sidenote, vac fillers are best for demonstrators, but I digress. However, with Sailors I like the demonstrators. I don't know why they haven't made a Realo demonstrator, again I digress. I think the big hunk of metal to hold the converter is what does it. On the standard models there is a metal part that wraps around the section as well that is acceptable. It brings some symmetry to the pen. I am sorry though that you could see the glue in the finials. Regardless, as odd as it seems, one does buy the KOP for the nib. I also agree with you, that this is a pen for writing, not note taking, or carrying around. I just purchased the 1911 KOP. It says "King of Pen 1911" on the band. Never thought I would buy it because the C/C for that size really bothers me. If it's going to be a C/C, given Sailor converters are proprietary they could have made a larger converter. Is it worth it? Whose to say, but it's hard to find another pen that size with that large a nib for less. While it is a C/C, who else has a 21k nib?
They don't in their normal production line. I'm not sure if Sailor ever made a special edition with a music nib. Sailor does / did offer a variety of special nibs in the KOP size but I don't own any. I guess I'm not super adventurous with Sailor nibs haha.
Hi, I’m graduating from grad school and thinking about getting either the Pilot 845 or Sailor KOP. Can you compare the nibs in general, feel/quality comparison (Pilot vs sailor), reliability?
The Pilot is Urushi except for the grip section. The Pilot size 15 nib is glorious. Much less feedback than a Sailor nib. While I like Sailor nibs, I prefer Pilot's and Pilot's fine nibs. (The King of Pen is only usually available in medium and broad.) I am not a fan of Sailor's plastic. Feels a bit cheap to me. The 845 urushi feels very nice. The Pilot 845 feels a bit light to me though. I prefer the Pilot 823 - a truly excellent pen at that price. However, both excellent pens.
In the US, the price at retailers is closer to $800. In Asia, the price is closer to $450 depending on exchange rates any particular day. I based it off the going price here.
@@davyj5216 I partially agree. If you care about a warranty or if you want to support your local retailer, you will pay more. Sailor has strict discounting policies.
I would never spend that much on a pen unless it was super unique and beautiful, like the opera elements. You could probably buy a pen that looks like this one for 59 bucks from China. And probably writes as well.
You can probably buy a lookalike for far less anywhere. The 21k Sailor nib is pretty spectacular in my opinion....it'd be hard to match the writing experience. I think the KOP is overpriced but it is one of my favorite pens.
it's different to compare a China $59 pen to a flag ship pen. it's like comparing an evian water to normal tap water. both are water but it's the little things in it that makes it different. agree that branding plays a big part in marking up the price but if you appreciate it closely, it is different and unique in its way
You are one of the most honest reviewers, thank you.
i am celebraing a promotion this month and looking to head to Yoseka in brooklyn to pick up this beauty as a reward.
i can't wait.
Thanks for your insightful and interesting review. I have the KoP (profit) and it’s the only pen I use. I purchased it from Japan and maybe I was lucky to get such a fantastic nib. I have learned that the lighter I hold the pen and press on the nib to write, the smoother the experience and almost zero feedback. It’s perfect for me. Thanks for the heads-up about air travel; I didn’t know that. I think everyone who is considering the purchase of a Sailor KoP should watch your review.
Hmm, I have two Sailor KOP Pro Gears, one of which I took on flights multiple times, and I did not encounter the issue with ink overflow... Could it be because I didn't fill it up fully or maybe I just don't see it since mine isn't a demonstrator?
IMO like the MB 149, the regular Sailor KOP aren't worth the price new unless you can find it on sale. However they are splendid writers.
I' not tried one of these, though from other Sailor's I have used I imagine it is very good. A clear demonstrator with a standard converter just doesn't do it for me.
At the price there is no excuse for dirt inclusions in the glue.
I expect this is a petrochemical based acrylic / plexiglass? Nothing wrong with that it's a good pen material which should last well. But the price is, to me exorbitant. Wasn't this the pen that prompted Pilot to design the Custom 823 as their answer to it? I lie Sailor and Pilot and agree with your previous comments that they can offer superb value. This does not, for me.
Thanks for another great review.
Cheers.
the plain white clear demonstrator of Sailor does look disappointing, even from its lower lineup the 14k and steel/Procolor size, its so apparent. Pilot does feel more complex in the hand, but where it is not so much so on Sailor 'all injection molded plastic with some glue visible', the color options are far less constricted than any other Japanese manufacturers, but then it came back again that too many of them came with MF size only, as if they encourage you to buy another one, plainer black but with nib option and swap around everything.
Edit: KOP colors are sadly limited and upmarketed by exclusivity 😭
I find your reviews pertinent and refreshingly frank and devoid of any sense of promotion of brand. More people should view them.
Great video, very informative. Thanks
If the ink capacity isn't sufficient why don't you carry a few cartridges with you? That's one of the biggest advantages of C/C pens.
I am not a fan of demonstrators with converters. Sidenote, vac fillers are best for demonstrators, but I digress. However, with Sailors I like the demonstrators. I don't know why they haven't made a Realo demonstrator, again I digress. I think the big hunk of metal to hold the converter is what does it. On the standard models there is a metal part that wraps around the section as well that is acceptable. It brings some symmetry to the pen.
I am sorry though that you could see the glue in the finials. Regardless, as odd as it seems, one does buy the KOP for the nib. I also agree with you, that this is a pen for writing, not note taking, or carrying around.
I just purchased the 1911 KOP. It says "King of Pen 1911" on the band. Never thought I would buy it because the C/C for that size really bothers me. If it's going to be a C/C, given Sailor converters are proprietary they could have made a larger converter. Is it worth it? Whose to say, but it's hard to find another pen that size with that large a nib for less. While it is a C/C, who else has a 21k nib?
Hello, By chance do you know if sailor pro gear KOP comes with music nib?? Like the platinum century 3776 with music nib.
They don't in their normal production line. I'm not sure if Sailor ever made a special edition with a music nib. Sailor does / did offer a variety of special nibs in the KOP size but I don't own any. I guess I'm not super adventurous with Sailor nibs haha.
Compared to 1911 L is 370$ difference is HUGE or minor ??
Great review! 👍🏻
I love pens
God bless you
Sailors pen are masterpiece
Hi, I’m graduating from grad school and thinking about getting either the Pilot 845 or Sailor KOP. Can you compare the nibs in general, feel/quality comparison (Pilot vs sailor), reliability?
The Pilot is Urushi except for the grip section. The Pilot size 15 nib is glorious. Much less feedback than a Sailor nib. While I like Sailor nibs, I prefer Pilot's and Pilot's fine nibs. (The King of Pen is only usually available in medium and broad.) I am not a fan of Sailor's plastic. Feels a bit cheap to me. The 845 urushi feels very nice. The Pilot 845 feels a bit light to me though. I prefer the Pilot 823 - a truly excellent pen at that price. However, both excellent pens.
Why is the pen worth $700? Because there are people that will pay that much for the pen.
As the standard KOP pro gear can be bought brand new for around USD$500, then no, it's obviously not worth USD$770
In the US, the price at retailers is closer to $800. In Asia, the price is closer to $450 depending on exchange rates any particular day. I based it off the going price here.
@@seattlepenclub We're in a global market now, there is no 'here'. :)
@@davyj5216 I partially agree. If you care about a warranty or if you want to support your local retailer, you will pay more. Sailor has strict discounting policies.
Yes it is a nice pen but I feel no pen is worth that much money.
WHAT!? IT ISN'T MADE OUT OF PRECIOUS RESIN?!
lol...
Imagine tomorrow he finds out it's a fake.
The pen not being made out of polycarbonate or acrylic is a joke. Maybe it is, but it doesn't sound like it
I would never spend that much on a pen unless it was super unique and beautiful, like the opera elements. You could probably buy a pen that looks like this one for 59 bucks from China. And probably writes as well.
You can probably buy a lookalike for far less anywhere. The 21k Sailor nib is pretty spectacular in my opinion....it'd be hard to match the writing experience. I think the KOP is overpriced but it is one of my favorite pens.
it's different to compare a China $59 pen to a flag ship pen. it's like comparing an evian water to normal tap water. both are water but it's the little things in it that makes it different. agree that branding plays a big part in marking up the price but if you appreciate it closely, it is different and unique in its way