Tabs

28 December 2022

Moonman vs. Pilot

Over a year ago, Chinese pen maker Moonman released the model A1, also marketed as Majohn A1. In actual terms, this is a capless pen remarkably similar –being polite-- to the Pilot Capless. So, how do they compare? Or, more precisely, how does the A1 compare to the older original by Pilot?

Size-wise, their dimensions are very close. The Chinese capless is slightly longer and thinner, and is a couple of grams heavier.

Pilot vs. Moonman. A1 vs. Capless.

Externally, the main difference between them is the central ring—almost flat on the Moonman, two toroidal bands on the Pilot. In fact, this flat central ring in the Chinese pen explains its thinner girth.

These are the dimensions of these pens:

.Moonman A1.

.Pilot Capless.
Length closed (mm) 142 141
Length open (mm) 139 137
Max diameter (mm) 12.9 13.2
Weight, dry (g) 33.7 30.0
Ink deposit (ml) 0.9 (cart)
0.4 (conv)
0.9 (cart)
0.5 (CON-40)

The flat central ring in the Moonman A1.

Regarding the nibs, the Moonman comes only with a silver-color, stainless steel unit in EF. The Pilot, let us remember, can implement both steel and 18 K gold nibs with up to six different points –from EF to B, plus a stub— and three different finishes —golden, silver, and black— depending on the specific model. However, the most interesting feature is that Moonman made its nib units entirely compatible with those by Pilot: cartridges and converters are interchangeable between brands, and Moonman nibs can be used in Pilot pens, and the other way around.

The Moonman nib.

And all that at a fraction of the cost of the Pilot Capless. About EUR 30 for the Moonman, and between EUR 80 and EUR 140 for the Pilot. (Japan prices. EUR 140 is approximately the price of the matte black model (FC-18SR-BM). There are more expensive variations in the Pilot catalog).

Then, the question is whether the Moonman A1 is a copy of the Pilot Capless. I think it is, and the fact that the brand Moonman was clearly written on the nib and on the body does not really change anything. After all, nothing truly original can we see on this Chinese pen.

Now, is Moonman legitimized to manufacture this pen? Moonman is not the first company doing so. In Japan, about 100 years ago, Nobuo Ito's Swan was copying UK's Swan pens under the protection of Japanese laws and courts. After all, every industrial revolution –save the British- was made copying other's products. And then the idea of fairness depends on the side of the border we stand on.

The problem, then, is a different one. The current technological environment is very different from that at the heyday of fountain pens. In other words, fountain pens are no longer the essential tool they once were, and their market is not so driven by the necessity as by the craving. Not by the regular user but by the aficionado. And the Moonman A1 does not offer anything the Pilot didn't several years before... save an excellent price.

Is that enough? Regardless of the answer, Pilot –and others– should pay close attention to whatever might come out of China.


NOTE (Dec 30th): An anonymous commenter pointed out a detail I had overseen--there is a clipless version of the Moonman A1, and that caters the claims of a number of users of the Pilot model. This shows the attention Moonman --and other Chinese makers-- pay to the Net and what users and aficionados say in there. I reckon this Chinese clipless capless variation does offer something new, as Platinum did with the removable clip on its Curidas, and it can be an argument for some older users of the Pilot to choose it.

Thanks, anonymous commenter.


Moonman A1 - Montblanc Burgundy Red

Bruno Taut
December 28th, 2022
etiquetas: Moonman, Pilot, capless, mercado

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

So... a blatant heavily subsidised Chinese ripoff. I wonder how long it will hold up in daily use.

Anonymous said...

It's not entirely true that they offer nothing new. They do offer a clipless version, addressing the ubiquitous complaint of the VP's clip interfering with people's grips

Bruno Taut said...

Thanks, Anonymous II. You are right, that is a new feature that could attract some users. I added a note to my text on the matter.

Thanks a lot.

BT

Anonymous said...

I will buy one as soon as they are available on ebay for a good price. For me fountain pens are a commodity, i lose them often before they break, or lose the cap...

Yuan said...

More recently, they are offering the A2 - fingers crossed for a clipless version. The A2 is faceted, but I think their clip to nose transition isn't nearly as elegant looking as the Pilot FCN-500 model, although the colors look very nice.
I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the A1 works out of box. I bought the clipless version myself, as the clip on modern capless is just uncomfortable and unattractive to me.

Bruno Taut said...

Yuan,

I have seen the A2 and looks attractive. Now, i did not know its clip was an issue. Actually, those hating the clip of the modern Capless often said they loved the previous model upon which the A2 seems based..

Thanks por passing by and commenting.

Cheers,

BT

Abhay Agrawal said...

The basic difference between A1 and A2 is that the A1 is full Brass Body, while A2 is Plastic body.

I have been using Pilot Capless for some time, but the Pen I bought came with only convertor, and without the Steel cap, which is required when using a Cartridge. While searching the Internet for the steel cap, I came across the Brand Moonman, which comes both with a refillable Cartridge (alongwith a steel cap) as well as a convertor. So, just ordered A1, which I received today only.

I find Moonman equally good, at almost 1/4th of the price of a Pilot.

Bruno Taut said...

Abhay Agrawal:

I covered the Moonman A2 on a different text: https://estilofilos.blogspot.com/2023/06/moonman-again.html

BT

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