These days it seems that the extra price of the Sailor is because the LEs and collabs really do offer more - you can buy a pen so rare that you'll never run into anyone else who has it - and the regular ones are just there because it would be weird not to have a regular one
Nothing wrong with this little pen. One of the few, out of my large collection, that actually fits in some of my smaller dress shirt pockets. A lot of my larger mens are not carried as much because I have to clip them to the placket of my shirt, as they stick WAY out of the pocket. I wind up leaving some very expensive pens at home because they don’t ride well. This is a great pen compared to some of the pocket pens that are offered. So from that perspective it IS well positioned in the market. It has a gold nib, is quality, writes well, and is small enough to ride in the smaller dress shirt pocket.
I think the Sailor Pro Gear Slim is more directly comparable to the Pelikan M400 in size and feel in the hand while writing. I have a Sailor 1911 L and think it is more like my Platinum 3776 when writing although the sailor has a 21k nib compared to the Platinum 3776. However I like each pen equally even though the feel of the nib on paper is different for each, not better or worse, just different. Thanks for the video.
I'd say to Pelikan M200/205. They are roughly the same (small) size. I have both and they are quite similar. Sailor Pro Gear standard (21K) is similar in size to Platinum 3776. But the nibs feel different. Sailor 21K nib is more soft, it has more "feel" when writing. 3776 has fairly stiff nib
I have the 3776 and other Pilot and Sailor pens. Of these Pilot is the smoothest. The Sailor has a nice feedback. The Platinum is perhaps the "scratchiest". As for pricing the Platinum is the least expensive but the build quality of the body is not the same as it had been years ago. I do not have a reason for this change. Sailor is the highest priced but everything about the pen is spot on. For Sailor, it's all about the nib. Pilot is the most consistent in terms of quality.
Don't know about the 3776 but I have a couple of Procyon and they are very good writers with a really sturdy construction, I haven't found a steel nib quite as good as the one on the Procyon.
@@paulmchugh1430 Oh it does for sure (I have 4 preras that I've carried in multiple trips) but I think the Procyon nib is better, it just strikes that perfect balance for me between silky smoothness and pencil like feedback
I think you should include the Pilot Elite 95S in your entry level gold nib comparisons. It can be had for less than these pens and the nib offers a very pleasant and unique writing feel. I recently bought one and I am completely blown away by its performance relative to the price.
Great video as always. I really enjoy your insights and commentary on fountain pens. I'm a bit unsure why I should buy a gold nib if it's stiff as a steel nib. The tipping material is the same after all. Probably manufacturers put more care and effort in the tuning of the gold nib and that's what makes a difference. By the way, I watched a video from another UA-camr who recommended the Sailor Pro Gear saying it was the best "affordable" pen for beginners. And he got really mad when I told him it wasn't really "affordable". So it's nice seeing a more balanced view on the pen.
The gold material does absorb vibrations better than steel, so it does feel smoother vs. steel even if it's a stiff gold nib pen. I agree with you - I don't see the pro gear slim as an affordable pen for beginners given its price. That said, Sailor does offer some great entry level pens these days such as the 1911 Casual
From my experience compared to the Platinum 3776 and Pilot CH 74, the resin/plastic on the Sailor feels more solid, scratch resistant and more "premium" when I twist the body or cap. Also, the finishing on the trim still looks impeccable after months of daily carrying in my front pants pocket. My Platinum showed signs of light wear in just 2 months! Pricing wise, it's because Sailor can get away with it! While the other two deliver better bang for buck (which doesn't make sense when the Safari, Prefounte or any rollerball exist anyway!), Sailors look way more captivating. Sparkles, two tone finials, opaque/transparent combos, romantic names, nature- you name it! It's a marketer and influencer's wet dream! Also, Sailor is purely a pen company. Platinum and Pilot get their money from other products besides FPs, so Sailor does one thing, and it has to do it well. Add in the "uniqueness" factor and FOMO, and sadly, you gets droves of people buying them. And I'm guilty of that because I had 5 of them! 3 Slims, a Realo, and 1911L. As for me, Slims just hit it off most pens don't. The lip is raised just right, while the grip is contoured perfectly. The balance on the pen, posted, is perfect. I can write with them on all manner of paper. The ink flow is just right. Wet enough, but no gushers and they're CONSISTENT! Love em! Their "giant" pocket pen dimensions is perfect for my lifestyle. Lastly, Sailor's scrollwork on their nibs is elegant! Call me vain or whatever, but if I'm spending mad money on something silly, outdated, and outclassed such a fountain pen, looks will be a major factor. The 14K nibs are stiffer by virtue of length. Since the material is longer on the 21K nibs, the metal "flexes" more. IMO, finer 21K nibs but thicker 14k nibs. The "bounce" offsets the feedback of fine nibs, while the stiffer 14K nibs are more consistent when writing throughout. Also, I tend to write with lighter pressure so the flex and dryness of the 21K nibs throws me off guard lol
Sailor is hands down my favorite. My 14EF nib is wet, bouncy, and perfect. That said my 14F nib from sailor is so dry you would think it's a pilot #5F nib. Sailor has that brand new factory to pay for... Why make the home market pay for it that won't put up with it 😇
I have a Sailor Pro Gear Slim , a Pilot Custom Heritage 91 (same nib as the 74) and a Platinum 3776 . Of the 3, the Pilot is probably the best writer but I love the Sailor as well. The Platinum's nib is "soft" but scratchy, while I have other nibs of the same softness but much smoother (like the Pilot Elite). I don't like it that much and I'm considering selling it. I'd say the Pilot Elite (E95S) is probably the best entry level gold nib out there, and it's inexpensive as well.
I don't have a PG slim but 2 PG full size. Slim is relative to that for sure. I generally like my pro gears but over time with the nibs were a bit smoother but they feel great otherwise, nice and bouncy and give decent flex. What i wish was different would be the length. An extra half inch would make it look and feel a lot better IMO. Give it the realo endcap and id be happy.
At 220 US dollars, the Pro Gear Slim is definitely expensive, but if you go grey market and get a Japanese domestic market import like I did, then you can get these for 100 dollars. Definitely a better price to pay.
I buy directly from Japan, and Sailor PG slim is the cheapest 14K gold nib pen on the market. Even with shipping and import fees it costs to me roughly 111 USD
I got a deal on this, $65 for an EF. It was so scratchy, and was so tiny, that I sent it back immediately. Quite frankly its clone, the Jinhao 82, felt of at least the same or even better quality at $6. Now of course I’m sure the Jinhao is less durable and machined to lower tolerances, but their nibs are smoother and the overall feel of the pen is more pleasant in my hand. Really a shame.
The Jinhao 82s are great pens! I have 12 of them in many colors. You can switch caps, finials, barrels, etc. I got EF,F,and Fude nibs.. very happy with these. Considering I could buy all 12 for the same price as ONE Sailor..
I just bought one because I was celebrating. Don’t know if it is value for money. But at that moment, it’s all good. I have the 14k nib. Got it for 120 ish directly at a shop.
I was able to grab mine for 79 USD and it was 100 less than the standard so while I probably would have preferred the regular, not worth the extra price.
I just wish Sailor had the good sense to call this the Sapporo in export markets too; having 'Pro Gear' in the name of every flat-top model of their pens makes online shopping for a particular size way more fraught than it needs to be. Who thought having a Pro Gear, Pro Gear II, Pro Gear Slim, Pro Gear King of Pen (not the grammatically correct King of Pens either!) was a good idea?
Also, the things you're complaining about really mean nothing to fountain pen enthusiasts. Lots of someones would paid for a multi-hundred dollar Kaweco Liliput. If you don't like the pen, then just say so, but you feeling cheated and complaining about the pen's features is laughable. "Oh it doesn't have this, or isn't that," so what? It's a Sailor. It was designed that way. It isn't another brand that you like. You complain now, just wait til the Japanese pen price hike hits the beginning of Jan.
These days it seems that the extra price of the Sailor is because the LEs and collabs really do offer more - you can buy a pen so rare that you'll never run into anyone else who has it - and the regular ones are just there because it would be weird not to have a regular one
lol - sad but true
i've been shopping for a new fountain pen and the sailor pro gear line is definitely their limited edition line lol
Nothing wrong with this little pen. One of the few, out of my large collection, that actually fits in some of my smaller dress shirt pockets. A lot of my larger mens are not carried as much because I have to clip them to the placket of my shirt, as they stick WAY out of the pocket. I wind up leaving some very expensive pens at home because they don’t ride well. This is a great pen compared to some of the pocket pens that are offered. So from that perspective it IS well positioned in the market. It has a gold nib, is quality, writes well, and is small enough to ride in the smaller dress shirt pocket.
I think the Sailor Pro Gear Slim is more directly comparable to the Pelikan M400 in size and feel in the hand while writing. I have a Sailor 1911 L and think it is more like my Platinum 3776 when writing although the sailor has a 21k nib compared to the Platinum 3776. However I like each pen equally even though the feel of the nib on paper is different for each, not better or worse, just different. Thanks for the video.
I'd say to Pelikan M200/205. They are roughly the same (small) size. I have both and they are quite similar. Sailor Pro Gear standard (21K) is similar in size to Platinum 3776. But the nibs feel different. Sailor 21K nib is more soft, it has more "feel" when writing. 3776 has fairly stiff nib
I have the 3776 and other Pilot and Sailor pens. Of these Pilot is the smoothest. The Sailor has a nice feedback. The Platinum is perhaps the "scratchiest".
As for pricing the Platinum is the least expensive but the build quality of the body is not the same as it had been years ago. I do not have a reason for this change.
Sailor is the highest priced but everything about the pen is spot on. For Sailor, it's all about the nib.
Pilot is the most consistent in terms of quality.
Don't know about the 3776 but I have a couple of Procyon and they are very good writers with a really sturdy construction, I haven't found a steel nib quite as good as the one on the Procyon.
@@paulll47 I understand the Pilot Prera is a very good nib.
@@paulmchugh1430 Oh it does for sure (I have 4 preras that I've carried in multiple trips) but I think the Procyon nib is better, it just strikes that perfect balance for me between silky smoothness and pencil like feedback
@@paulll47 as for Platinum, if you can find one, get the President. It may have the best Platinum nib.
@@paulmchugh1430 Been on the lookout for it for a while, they are still around although not common, heard really good things about them.
I think you should include the Pilot Elite 95S in your entry level gold nib comparisons. It can be had for less than these pens and the nib offers a very pleasant and unique writing feel. I recently bought one and I am completely blown away by its performance relative to the price.
Plenty of nice vintage elites and pocket pens from plat and sailor too
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add it to my list of pens to consider!
Definitely should add the Pilot Elite 95S to your list. A very nice pen.
Great video as always. I really enjoy your insights and commentary on fountain pens.
I'm a bit unsure why I should buy a gold nib if it's stiff as a steel nib. The tipping material is the same after all.
Probably manufacturers put more care and effort in the tuning of the gold nib and that's what makes a difference.
By the way, I watched a video from another UA-camr who recommended the Sailor Pro Gear saying it was the best "affordable" pen for beginners. And he got really mad when I told him it wasn't really "affordable". So it's nice seeing a more balanced view on the pen.
The gold material does absorb vibrations better than steel, so it does feel smoother vs. steel even if it's a stiff gold nib pen. I agree with you - I don't see the pro gear slim as an affordable pen for beginners given its price. That said, Sailor does offer some great entry level pens these days such as the 1911 Casual
From my experience compared to the Platinum 3776 and Pilot CH 74, the resin/plastic on the Sailor feels more solid, scratch resistant and more "premium" when I twist the body or cap. Also, the finishing on the trim still looks impeccable after months of daily carrying in my front pants pocket. My Platinum showed signs of light wear in just 2 months!
Pricing wise, it's because Sailor can get away with it! While the other two deliver better bang for buck (which doesn't make sense when the Safari, Prefounte or any rollerball exist anyway!), Sailors look way more captivating. Sparkles, two tone finials, opaque/transparent combos, romantic names, nature- you name it! It's a marketer and influencer's wet dream! Also, Sailor is purely a pen company. Platinum and Pilot get their money from other products besides FPs, so Sailor does one thing, and it has to do it well. Add in the "uniqueness" factor and FOMO, and sadly, you gets droves of people buying them. And I'm guilty of that because I had 5 of them! 3 Slims, a Realo, and 1911L.
As for me, Slims just hit it off most pens don't. The lip is raised just right, while the grip is contoured perfectly. The balance on the pen, posted, is perfect. I can write with them on all manner of paper. The ink flow is just right. Wet enough, but no gushers and they're CONSISTENT! Love em! Their "giant" pocket pen dimensions is perfect for my lifestyle. Lastly, Sailor's scrollwork on their nibs is elegant! Call me vain or whatever, but if I'm spending mad money on something silly, outdated, and outclassed such a fountain pen, looks will be a major factor.
The 14K nibs are stiffer by virtue of length. Since the material is longer on the 21K nibs, the metal "flexes" more. IMO, finer 21K nibs but thicker 14k nibs. The "bounce" offsets the feedback of fine nibs, while the stiffer 14K nibs are more consistent when writing throughout. Also, I tend to write with lighter pressure so the flex and dryness of the 21K nibs throws me off guard lol
I hear you, and i agree that msrp in us market is too high.
That said, mine was $68 + tax. At that price its kind of in a league of its own.
Wow!!!
Sailor is hands down my favorite. My 14EF nib is wet, bouncy, and perfect. That said my 14F nib from sailor is so dry you would think it's a pilot #5F nib.
Sailor has that brand new factory to pay for... Why make the home market pay for it that won't put up with it 😇
I have a Sailor Pro Gear Slim , a Pilot Custom Heritage 91 (same nib as the 74) and a Platinum 3776 . Of the 3, the Pilot is probably the best writer but I love the Sailor as well. The Platinum's nib is "soft" but scratchy, while I have other nibs of the same softness but much smoother (like the Pilot Elite). I don't like it that much and I'm considering selling it. I'd say the Pilot Elite (E95S) is probably the best entry level gold nib out there, and it's inexpensive as well.
The Sailor dries out, the other two don't, in hot and dry wheatbelt Western Australia when used and stored in the same careful way.
I personally don’t like the Sailor 14k nibs but I agree with your points!
I don't have a PG slim but 2 PG full size. Slim is relative to that for sure. I generally like my pro gears but over time with the nibs were a bit smoother but they feel great otherwise, nice and bouncy and give decent flex. What i wish was different would be the length. An extra half inch would make it look and feel a lot better IMO. Give it the realo endcap and id be happy.
At 220 US dollars, the Pro Gear Slim is definitely expensive, but if you go grey market and get a Japanese domestic market import like I did, then you can get these for 100 dollars. Definitely a better price to pay.
I buy directly from Japan, and Sailor PG slim is the cheapest 14K gold nib pen on the market. Even with shipping and import fees it costs to me roughly 111 USD
I got a deal on this, $65 for an EF. It was so scratchy, and was so tiny, that I sent it back immediately. Quite frankly its clone, the Jinhao 82, felt of at least the same or even better quality at $6. Now of course I’m sure the Jinhao is less durable and machined to lower tolerances, but their nibs are smoother and the overall feel of the pen is more pleasant in my hand. Really a shame.
The Jinhao 82s are great pens! I have 12 of them in many colors. You can switch caps, finials, barrels, etc. I got EF,F,and Fude nibs.. very happy with these. Considering I could buy all 12 for the same price as ONE Sailor..
There’s a reason why the extra fine is cheap in the first place.
I just bought one because I was celebrating. Don’t know if it is value for money. But at that moment, it’s all good. I have the 14k nib. Got it for 120 ish directly at a shop.
Its slim compared to a Pro Gear and really slim next to a King of Pens. They aren't concerned about comparing to other brands.
Interesting, thank you!
I was able to grab mine for 79 USD and it was 100 less than the standard so while I probably would have preferred the regular, not worth the extra price.
I just wish Sailor had the good sense to call this the Sapporo in export markets too; having 'Pro Gear' in the name of every flat-top model of their pens makes online shopping for a particular size way more fraught than it needs to be.
Who thought having a Pro Gear, Pro Gear II, Pro Gear Slim, Pro Gear King of Pen (not the grammatically correct King of Pens either!) was a good idea?
It is a more expensive version of a Pilot
Prera.
I'd say it's closer to the (unfortunately) discontinued Pilot Stargazer / Stella 90s
No-one buys Sailors/Pilots/Platinums from US retailers, surely. Double the Japanese price, for what ? None of mine have come from US retailers.
Pens have been over-priced for several years IMO. I think people should stop buying.
Also, the things you're complaining about really mean nothing to fountain pen enthusiasts. Lots of someones would paid for a multi-hundred dollar Kaweco Liliput. If you don't like the pen, then just say so, but you feeling cheated and complaining about the pen's features is laughable. "Oh it doesn't have this, or isn't that," so what? It's a Sailor. It was designed that way. It isn't another brand that you like. You complain now, just wait til the Japanese pen price hike hits the beginning of Jan.
@ichirofakename5441 Did I go crazy, or did my comment disappear?