Luxury and Silent. I. Context

The year 2019 ended with the release of a new version of the Pilot Capless and the rumor of a new capless pen by Platinum. Platinum soon confirmed the new model while starting a careful campaign on the Internet. On the other hand, Pilot's strategy was almost non-existant, and six months later little has been written about that new model.

Pilot Capless LS.

The new Capless LS –Capless Luxury and Silent-- is a new variation of the well-known Capless family of pens. The selling point is the new mechanism to release and retract the nib. On this pen there is still a push button to release the nib, but the retraction is done through a rotating knob located just below the push button. In actual terms, this mechanism is a combination of the knock system of the regular Capless and Décimo, and of the rotating known of the Fermo. The result is a silent acting pen –even more silent than the Fermo— with a hefty price tag: JPY 35000 (plus tax).

This price puts the LS as the most expensive –and more luxurious?-- model of the Capless line by a large margin. The Fermo costs JPY 20000; the Décimo, JPY 15000; and the Capless, JPY 15000 with gold nib, and JPY 10000 with steel nib (see link ::1::).

Current lineup --save changes on color and trims-- of the Capless family of pens.

LS stands for “luxury and silent”, and the luxury part seems associated solely to the price decided by Pilot. It indeed changed the field on which this pen plays in the market, and makes the LS compete with more upscale pens –I am thinking mostly of the Lamy Dialog 3--, although in essence this pen is little else than a regular Capless or Fermo.

Capless on top, LS on bottom. Two different models, a factor 2 on price differences. Same nib units. Newer nib units, though, have a lower content of gold by making the nib neck narrower, as can be seen on this photo.

And that might be the actual hurdle for the LS to overcome—same nib unit as the Fermo or Capless but JPY 15000 or JPY 20000 more expensive for a silent mechanism that can be operated with just one hand. This sounds a tad too expensive.

The Capless LS on Pilot's website. These are the four colors currently available.

The Capless LS comes in four colors. In Japan only two nib points are available: F and M.

Pilot Custom 74, Yamada Seisakusho nib – Sailor Blue-black

Bruno Taut
Nakano, June 3rd, 2020
etiquetas: capless, mercado, Pilot

Luxury and Silent. II. Analysis

So, how does this new Capless perform?

In summary, we can describe the Capless LS as a new box for an old pen. The new box is bigger and heavier. And comes with a new release system.

The raison d'être is this new Capless is the silent mechanism to release and retract the nib. The first operation is done by pressing the end button. And to retract the nib you must rotate a conical knob below the push button. An internal spring –like in the Fermo-- helps to retract the nib once the know is rotated a small angle. Fermo and LS (and Hermes Nautilus) share this feature with the sole difference of how fast or slow the return spring acts.

The LS, as I said, is bigger and heavier than any other Capless. On the table we can see the dimensions and prices of all four current models.

	.Capless.	.Décimo.	.Fermo.	.Capless LS.
Length closed (mm)	141	140	141	146
Length open (mm)	138	137	149	139
Barrel diameter (mm)	13.3	12.0	12.3	13.5
Weight, dry (g)	30.9	20.4	33.9	40.6
Center of mass to nib point (mm)	69	65	80	80
Price in Japan (JPY)	10000 - 15000	15000	20000	35000

Prices before taxes in Japan for the basic models. The JPY 10000 Capless implements steel nibs, whereas the JPY 15000 version uses 18 K gold nibs. There are more expensive models of some of these pens.

Despite the bigger dimensions of the LS, the pushing knob is thinner than those on the Capless and on the Décimo, and it looks a bit out of proportion and even weak. The nose is now conical and, contrary to that on the Capless, is totally detached from the clip. On this detail, the LS is closer to the Fermo. But whether the clip is intrusive or not is up to each user.

The nose and the clip. And the nib too.

The rotating knob used to retract the nib is not perfectly conical. It sticks out on one side to allow for operating the pen with just one hand. In fact, both pushing the knob and retracting the nib can be done with the thumb. This is the selling point of the LS over the also silent Fermo.

The push button, and the rotating knob.

The extra weight and the new mechanism affect the writing comfort—the pen is not only heavier than the Fermo, but also pushes up the center of mass to a similar point as in that model, which is higher than in the two other Capless models. But again, it is up to the user to decide whether this detail is cumbersome or not.

Aesthetically, the LS does not depart much from the regular Capless. However, there are some minor details that might displease some—the shiny central ring (on three of the colors), the thicker aspect ratio, the additional knob below the push button...

Written sample. Capless LS (M nib) with Iroshizuku's Yama-budo.

In conclusion, the Capless LS –Luxury and Silent-- is an expensive version of the Capless family. It is bigger than any other model. The mechanism works well and delivers the silent performance the name of the pen suggests. Whether this pen is luxurious is a different matter.

Pilot Capless LS - Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budo

Bruno Taut
Nakano, June 4th, 2020
etiquetas: Pilot, capless

Capless Speciation

Up to the Capless model of 1971, the decision of whether two Capless pens were different models or just variations on one single model was relatively easy: each Capless model had its own type of nib unit. And even though there existed variations, most types of nib units –check, for instance, all the variations in models from 1964, nib type II, and 1965, type III--, all of them were compatible and interchangeable (albeit with some occasional problems, as was pointed out on these Chronicles).

Capless nib units from several models--the key to separate models from variations?

This characteristic changed with the 1973 model (CN-400BS). From 1973 on, all nib units are compatible. One could, in fact, use 1973-nib units on current (model of 1998) Capless models including those called Fermo (2006) and Décimo (2005). And the other way around—current nib units could be implemented on old Capless from 1973.

Model of 1998 on top, and of 1973 on bottom. Their nibs are not identical, but can be use in any of the empty boxes.

This new feature has several effects. The most obvious is the convenience of use—the user has now a large number of pen bodies in which to install that nib unit of choice, that favorite writer.

But traders can also take benefit of this to create perfect-looking but anachronic combinations, like a 1981 model (FCN-500R) with a nib manufactured, say, in 2010. This, we know, might be all right for many users and totally unacceptable for many a collector.

From top to bottom, Fermo (2006), Décimo (2005) and Capless (1998).

Finally, this compatibility among these nib units (the type VIII) makes it more difficult to decide whether that new Capless is a new species or just a cosmetic variation of a known model. Case in point: are the current Capless , the Décimo, and the Fermo different models or mere variations on the modern concept of capless pens according to Pilot? This is a sterile discussion, of course; one with no end or conclusion. Both answers have their merits, but for the taxonomical purpose, some decision must be adopted.

Décimo (on the front) versus the faceted model from 1981 (on the back). Different models or just variations?

My decision is to consider the variations in shape and structure in Capless pens after 1973 as different models. And my final argument is purely utilitarian: the description of each model will be easier.

Back to the "Pilot Capless - 50 years" page.

Sailor Pro Gear Senior – Daiso Black

Bruno Taut
Shinjuku, April 16th 2014
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless

Brazilian Capless (II)

NOTE (April 23rd, 2023): I have added a couple of sentences and a picture of the instruction sheet to show the lack of mention to ink cartridges re how to ink the Brazilian Capless.


There is nothing like reading the pen.

Some months ago I published a text on the very obscure Pilot Capless made in Brazil. Now I have on such pen in my hands and can look further into the details.

The Brazilian Capless. A revolutionary pen, apparently.

A direct comparison between these two pens shows some subtle differences:

Brazilian on top (teal), Japanese on bottom (red).

– The Brazilian pen implements a steel nib, and both nib and body are labeled as products of the “Industria Brasileira” (imprints “IND. BRAS.” and “IND. BRASILEIRA).

On its side, the Japanese Capless sports a 14 K gold nib marked with the JIS logo and imprint “MADE IN JAPAN”.

The Brazilian engraving is fainter than the Japanese. Note also the old Pilot logo --with the L underlining the O-- on the Brazilian nib.

– The central ring on these Capless are different. It is a groove on the Japanese pen, and is flat on the Brazilian unit.

The very different central ring. Brazilian on top, Japanese on bottom.

– Contrary to what I had said, the Brazilian pen does use a converter. It is a form of CON-W, as the nipple corresponds to a double-spare cartridge.

In this regards, both the Japanese and the Brazilian Capless are not different. However, the Japanese pen was not marketed with the converter attached.

The nib unit with the red tail corresponds to the Brazilian pen, with the converter attached. The Japanese unit shows a metallic sheath to cover the cartriges and provide the necessary length for the release mechanism to operate.

We could question then whether double-spare cartridges were actually marketed in Brazil or these pens –and others like later Capless and the model 77- relied solely on inkwells as ink supply. In fact, the instruction sheet of this Capless pen does not mention the use of cartridges at all.

Instruction shet of the Brazilian Capless written, obviously, in Portuguese. To fill the pen, it says, immerse the nib in the inkwell and pump ink into it. There is no mention to any type of cartridge to ink the pen.

All this is relevant because there exist the question of whether this Brazilian Capless was actually made in Brazil or merely assembled in Brazil out of parts sent out from Japan. An obvious third option would have been that the whole pen had been manufactured in Japan and sent to Brazil for the local market.

So far it is not possible to know which one of those possibilities was the right one. Only a peek onto the Brazilian records of Pilot do Brasil would give us a complete answer, but they seem to be off-limits now. In Japan, Pilot does not have records related to the foreign production.

But the details above described, especially those on the different central ring, do point out at a different manufacturing line for the Brazilian Capless.

Because in the absence of records there is nothing like reading the pen. Instruction sheets are also helpful.


My thanks to TM.

Parker 51 aerometric, burgundy – Tomikei Blue (Sailor)

Bruno Taut
April 20th 2023
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless, Brasil

The Nib and the Click

Review of the Pilot Capless model from 1998.

Although I have written several chronicles on the Pilot Capless model (1964, 1965, 1968, 1971, Sesenta/Décimo), I had never thought of making a review of the current model. I had, however, spoken about the differences among the nib sets (Capless Nibs I, and Capless Nibs II) available for this family of pens, but a pen is not just a nib.

Just recently I inked a regular Capless pen (1998 model) equipped with an 18 K gold nib in F. The ink, Sailor Sei-boku (青墨)—a permanent nanopigmented blue black. The combination is wonderful, and writing this review was a real pleasure. I hope, however, I kept some critical view on this pen.


1. Appearance and design. (8/10)
This is the current Capless model, originally released in 1998. More in detail, this unit is gold plated (push button, rings, clip and nose cone), and the body enamel is green with some black details resembling the pattern of some Scottish kilt.

This pen is now so well known that all its unusual look might have vanished into the custom of seeing it on a regular basis, at least by nuts like us, stylophiles. But this is indeed a strange looking pen—a big push button, an apparently misplaced clip, how the pen opens and how the nib unit is removed… It really looks like a ball pen, save for the fundamental difference that the nib can –and must— be refilled with water-based ink. But it can also be fairly said that the essence of a Capless is an empty box.

However similar in looks to a ball pen, the clip is located close to the nib instead of to the push button. The reason lies on the need to keep the nib in upright position when the pen is clipped to a shirt. Some users complain that this position was intrusive to their way of grabbing the pen. Indeed, nothing that a proper grip could not solve.

At the end, the design works well, and the looks are attractive.


2. Construction and quality. (9/10)
As is the case with most modern Japanese pens, the construction quality is very good. The Capless model is particularly critical on this given its moving parts: the pushing mechanism not only moves the nib unit (nib and feed and ink deposit) back and forth, but also a small hinged door on the nose cone. This door closes the pen when not in use to prevent the nib from drying. The mechanism is precise and reliable. The loud click –for some— is also reassuring.

The pen is screwed together at its center. Both threads are metallic and there seems to be no reliability problem. Opening the pen and removing the nib is a fundamental part of the filling process.


3. Weight and dimensions. (7/10)
The weight of the pen –not so the size— often conceits criticism from its users who, in turn, look at the thinner and lighter Pilot Decimo. Some others might prefer a heavier tool. I think that for a long period of writing this pen might be a tad too heavy.

The regular Capless is well balanced, with its center of mass at 68 mm. from the extended tip. It fits well into the tripod of the orthodox grip.

These are its dimensions:
Diameter: 12 mm.
Length closed: 140 mm.
Length open: 138 mm.
Weight: 31 g.
Center of mass at 68 mm from the extended tip.
Ink deposit: 0.9 ml (cartridge) / 0.8 ml (CON-20 converter) / 0.6-0.7 ml. (CON-50 converter).


4. Nib and writing performance. (9.5/10)
Come for the click, stay for the nib.

Capless nibs are widely praised for their smoothness and reliability, and I have no objection to that conclusion. However, for the Japanese market, there are two nib units made of stainless steel (gold plated) whose performance is slightly less satisfactory. Following I include the list of Capless nibs currently available:

The unit under review uses an 18 K gold F nib, non rhodiated; production date of February 2008. It is smooth, nicely wet, very reliable… Event though these nibs are not new to me, I was gladly surprised when I inked this pen again. Maybe, I reckon, it has something to do with the ink—Sailor Sei-boku.

Having expressed my satisfaction, I should also add that there is nothing fancy on these nibs. They are boring symmetric points –some nibmeisters out there customize them--, and they offer no line variation. But there is something very pleasant on them, and that brings another metaphysical question—what are the elements that make a pen enjoyable? But that should be the topic of another text. Suffice to say now that this F nib is always ready for the action, and that it performs admirably.


5. Cleaning and Maintenance. (7.5/10)
This is a cartridge converter pen, and that makes its cleaning simple. Disassembling nib and feed from the nib unit requires some special tool.

To ink the pen out of an inkwell –that is, with a converter attached— it is necessary to take the nib out of the housing. Otherwise, the nose area, including the hinged door mechanism, would become filled with ink and prone to stain any document or shirt or pen case. Some ink, though, might remain in that area, and soaking the section in water now and then would be useful too keep the pen clean. I suffered of no stains coming from this pen.

The nib-retracting mechanism needs no maintenance. I have never had any problem with a Capless pen.

About cartridges and converters suitable for the modern Capless, three are the options: Pilot proprietary cartridges, new or refilled (0.9 ml); bladder type CON-20 converter (0.8 ml); and piston-type CON-50 converter (0.7 ml). In some markets –not in Japan— the converter CON-50 comes with the pen. This is the least satisfactory solution in terms of ink capacity and of the problems generated by the converter. This last issue seems to have been solved with the implementation of a metallic piece inside the converter. This new version of the converter has an ink capacity of 0.6 ml.

My favorite option is to refill empty cartridges with a syringe—optimum ink capacity and the possibility to check the remaining ink in the pen.


6. Cost and value. (9/10)
In Japan, a Capless pen with a gold nib costs (MSRP) JPY 15000, plus tax. In the US market it can be found for USD 100. Cheap or expensive is at anybody’s appreciation. I think it is a good value given the originality of the design and the quality of the nib.


7. Conclusion. (50/60, 83/100)
It took me some time to get use to the idea of this pen, but once I put my hands on one I quickly learned to love it. As I said before, I got it for the click and kept it for the nib.

Of course, this is not a perfect pen, but it works very well and it provides some advantages over regular, capped pens.

Pilot Capless 1998 model, 18 K gold F nib – Sailor Sei-boku 青墨

Bruno Taut
June 6th, 2012
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless

Curidas. 1. Context

Finally the Platinum Curidas arrived in general retail shops in Japan; the wait is finally over and we can buy it at regular shops –instead of only at a couple of them--, and even at discount shops. Then, how is it?

The Platinum Curidas. At last!

A lot has been said already (::1::, ::2::, ::3::) after all the hype Platinum wisely generated to release its second capless pen after the Platinum Knock in 1965. The Knock was the first attempt of Platinum to compete with Pilot on its own grounds. But the Knock was short lived –a couple of years in the market-, and now it is more of a well sought-after anecdote than a real landmark in the history of pens.

Then, 55 years later Platinum tries again. This time, the strategy is totally different. In 1965, the Knock rivaled with the Pilot Capless in similar terms—both were in the same price range between JPY 2000 and JPY 3000, and both with gold nibs (model C-300SW and variations). Pilot, however, also marketed the cheaper C-100RW model for JPY 1000 with a steel nib in that same year of 1965.

Three capless in 1965. Only two Capless: C-100RW (top), and C-200SW (middle). And the Platinum Knock (bottom).

The situation now is different—Platinum's bet is on an inexpensive pen –JPY 7000—to challenge the Pilot's supremacy in the capless market.

The obvious competitor for the new Curidas is the cheapest version of the Pilot Capless—the regular model (FCN-1MR, 1998) with gold-plated steel nib sold at JPY 10000 (plus tax). But I can also think of a second competitor on the side of Pilot—the previous model of 1984 (FCN-500R and FCN-800R of 1984); also named as the faceted Capless.

Three current capless, only one Capless. The FCN-1MR (top) and two Curidas.

Although this model was discontinued in 1998 and there is an active second hand market on it, it is also possible to find old remains of unsold units at the original price. At least in Japan.

On the following table we can see the basic characteristics of these three pens:

	.Platinum Curidas 2020.	.Pilot FCN-1MR 1998.	.Pilot FCN-800R 1984.
Length closed (mm)	153	141	137
Length open (mm)	140	138	135
Barrel diameter (mm)	13.5	13.3	11.7
Weight, dry (g)	25.5	30.9	17.5
Ink deposit (*) (ml)	1.1/0.6	0.9/0.5	0.9/0.5
Nib points (**)	EF/F/M	F/M	F/M
Price (***)(JPY)	7000	10000	8000/market

*: Capacities of proprietary cartridges and converters. In the case of Pilot, the converter is the CON-40.
**: Steel nibs. Pilot offers six nib points on gold nibs.
***: MSRP prices without taxes. The FCN-800R commands high prices on the free market.

The old faceted Capless FCN-800R (also labeled as FCN-500R) of 1984, on top on the picture, is also a valid rival to the Platinum Curidas, particularly if found at reasonable prices.

The Curidas has just arrived and it is still difficult to gauge the impact it might have in the market beyond the initial waves wisely managed by Platinum. Its future might strongly depend on the interest of the company in making more variations, more luxurious based on this canvas.

This new pen poses some interesting questions—is the latest battle in the fountain pen market focused on the low to middle end segment of pens? Can Platinum compete with the Chinese production of fountain pens? And finally, is the Curidas going to change Pilot's policy regarding its Capless family of pens?

Platinum Curidas, F nib - Diamine Teal

Bruno Taut
Nakano, March 22nd, 2020
etiquetas: Pilot, Platinum, capless, mercado

Moonman Again

Some months ago I analyzed the Moonman A1, the capless pen made by the Chinese company. The main conclusion in that text was that the Chinese copy was a good product for a very good price. But did it offer anything new with respect to the Pilot original? The answer, suggested by a commentator, was the existence of a clipless variation of the model.

Moonman, apparently, had paid close attention to what some enthusiasts had said in the Net: the clip in the Capless was a nuisance to many.

Following that strategy it was only normal for Moonman to try to replicate the popular and missed Pilot Capless FCN-500R (and variations)--the faceted model in the market between 1984 and 1998. And that attempt is the Moonman A2. But, how faithful is the replica?

The faceted Moonman A2.

Just a quick inspection of the A2 shows some clear differences with the Pilot model:

– The Moonman A2 is bigger than the Pilot FCN, as can be seen on the following  table:

	.Pilot Capless FCN.	.Moonman A2.	.Moonman A1.
Length closed (mm)	132	141	142
Length open (mm)	133	139	139
Max diameter (mm)	11.8	12.2	12.9
Weight, dry (g)	17.6	20.8	33.7
Ink deposit (ml)	0.9 (cart) 0.5 (CON-40)	0.9 (cart) 0.4 (conv)	0.9 (cart) 0.4 (conv)

Pilot Capless FCN-500R (front) and Moonman A2 (back).

– The original Pilot FCN implements a very clean solution for the clip—it is made out of the same piece that conforms the nose of the pen. On the contrary, the A2's clip is closer in design to that of the regular Capless and of the Moonman A1: a separate part attached to the nose.

This is no small detail as the FCN's clip is often regarded as less intrusive and more comfortable than that of the current Capless model.

The clips. Pilot's on front, Moonman's on back.

– The previous table also shows that the A2 is slimmer and lighter than the A1. Moonman accomplished this removing the internal metallic thread in the A2. But this results in a metal-to-plastic thread in the A2—a weak point shared with the Pilot FCN. In fact, it is not uncommon to see cracks on the area of the plastic thread in the Pilot model.

Moonman S2. Metalic thread on the left, plastic thread on the right.

In any event, the parts of the A1 and A2 are fully interchangeable as these two models share their threads and internal dimensions. This is not the case with the equivalent Pilot models (the old FCN, and the current FC).

Moonman Frankenpens. But they work!

Therefore, the conclusion is that the A2 is little else than a A1 in different costume. Sure there are some changes –the shape of the clip, the absence of metallic thread in the upper body--, but the basic structure and internal dimensions are common to both models.

Then, is the Moonman A2 a copy –or a fair substitution-- of the Pilot FCN of 1984? in my opinion, less so than the A1 with respect to the current Pilot Capless FC.

Capless FCN (burgundy) and Moonman S2 (blue).

Capless FC (front) and Moonman A1 (back).

Other than this, A1 and A2 models use the same nib unit made of steel with only one nib point—a smooth nominal EF. And this unit is perfectly compatible with those made by Pilot.

Moonman A2 - Diamine Bilberry

Bruno Taut
June 28th, 2023
etiquetas: Moonman, Pilot, capless

The Capless (1924)

About forty years before the first Pilot Capless had been released (1963), a small company by the name of Capless Kogyosho released an original pen with the name of “The Capless”. The owner, Shôsuke Hatano, had filed the corresponding patent on the previous year, and started the advertisement campaign claiming it was “The World’s Novel Invention”. The actual marketing of The Capless started in 1924. This was the first time ever in which that name was used.

This pen came in a variety of finishes. The one on display today is silver overlaid over an ebonite core. This was a beautiful and luxurious looking pen. However, in a pen like this, the most interesting aspect of it is lies in the internal mechanics. To release the nib, the user must first open manually a small window to allow the nib in and out of the body. Only then, the nib could be slide off by means of a lateral lever attached to the nib unit.

The pen is clearly labeled with the brand "The Capless". On the picture, the window for the nib, now closed.

The Capless with the nib released. This is a replacement nib.

But the pen also shows some sort of cap, albeit very smoothly coupled to the body. Opening it we have access to nib and feed, and to a guiding bar. Seen like this the pen strongly resembles a regular capped pen and, in fact, preserves the basic structure of such—cap, section and barrel. Only that guiding bar revealed some unusual features.

The Capless, paradoxically, uncapped.

Regarding the filling system, there were few options and the time, by the mid 1920s, and using an eyedropper was the easiest option. So, to ink this pen, the now visible section had to be unscrewed from the barrel, as shown on the picture.

The pen with the section detached from the barrel, ready to be filled with ink.

The pen shown in this Chronicles has a replacement nib. These “The Capless” are very rare pens and we couldd not be very demanding on their condition. Mr. Masamichi Sunami and Mr. Andreas Lambrou reported on this pen in their book Fountain Pens of Japan (ISBN: 978-0-9571723-0-2). Interestingly enough, it is covered in the chapter on Pilot pens.

My thanks to Mr. Sugimoto.

Pilot E-300 (1969) – Wagner 2008 ink

Bruno Taut
Yokohama and Machida, July 2013
etiquetas: soluciones técnicas, Pilot, Capless, Capless Kogyosho

Matching (XXII). Lily 910

The Pilot Capless is one of the modern icons in the world of fountain pens. We know there is over 50 years of history behind that particular brand, and that there are a number of other pens with a similar structure: Lamy, Stipula, Visconti… Some, of course, are better made than others.

I have already shown a Chinese capless pen of acceptable quality named Dagong 56. It has a number of flaws, but it does its job.

The Lily 910.

The Lily 910 is another such example of Chinese capless. At first sight, this is an attractive pen of very clear lines. The steel body is well polished, the connection between body and gripping section smooth and beautiful, the clip is sturdy and flexible, the release mechanism is smooth and reliable… However, a closer inspection reveals an interesting feature that could compromise the actual functionality of the pen.

The filling system is aerometric.

This capless pen has no shutter whatsoever. There is no internal lid on the nose of the pen. The nib, therefore, is constantly exposed to the external environment; it is never confined inside the pen. Two are the consequences, of this simplification of the design. First, in case of an ink leak on the nib, there is no barrier and the stain on the shirt or on the carrying bag is almost certain.

Steel nib, gold plated.

The second issue is that an uncovered nib will be prone to becoming dry and to having very slow starts after some time unused. But, is this the case?

To my surprise, this nib is very resistant to dryness, and when dry, it does not take much to re-start it. This is in fact a very reliable nib, and a very reliable pen.

These are the dimensions of this pen:

Length closed: 144 mm
Length open: 151 mm
Diameter: 12.0 mm
Weight: 28.5 g
Ink deposit: around 1 ml

The writing quality is more than acceptable. Some might say that the nib is too rough, or that it has a lot of feedback. That is always a personal appreciation, and I find it very usable if not pleasant. That lack of smoothness might be the price to pay for a nib to be very resistant to drying.

Writing sample of the Lily 910. Sailor ink, copy paper.

This Lily 910 is one of the better known Chinese capless pens, but there is very little information about its maker. The absence of documentation about Chinese pens in startling and we are bound to rely on the small bit of anecdotal information that now and then arrived in the Net.

Lily 910 and Pilot Capless C-400SS (1971).

Apparently, this pen was made in the city of Hefei, in the province of Anhui in PR of China. But based on this city there are at least two companies producing stationery products: Heifei Wentai Hexagon Co. Ltd. and Hefei Reiz Stationery Co. Ltd. Nothing have I found, though, on the production period of this pen, although some sources mention year 1992. (My best guess is that it belongs to the 1970s or early 1980s.)

On top, the Pilot Capless from 1971; then, the Lily 910; nib unit of the Pilot; nib unit of the Lily.

The noses of both pens. The Pilot pen implements an internal shutter to keep the nib wet when not in use.

If compared to the gamut of Pilot Capless models. this Lily 910 strongly reminds of the Capless model of 1971 (C-400SS).

The conclusion is that the Lily 910 is an interesting and reliable, despite its obvious flaws. However, it cannot really compete with the current more inexpensive versions of the Pilot Capless. Pilot’s is a lot more refined and their prices are quite similar around JPY 10000. The availability of the Chinese model is, on the other hand, quite erratic.

Lily 910 – Wagner’s 2008 ink (by Sailor)

Bruno Taut
Nakano, January 2017
etiquetas: Lily, capless, Pilot