Sailor´s Paradox

I have already complained on these Chronicles on the difficulties, on modern Japanese pens, to find interesting nibs combined with self-filling systems other than the boring –albeit convenient— cartridge-converter scheme.

The "Mannenhitsu Doraku" pen released on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Sailor. It implements a beautiful Cross point nib, and a sad converter.

Two Cross points. On the right, the nib implemented in the above mentioned "Mannehitsu Doraku". On the left, a two-fold nib made by nibmeister Yamada based on a Pelikan M800. Both nibs are very similar. However, Yamada´s work is backed by a big ink deposit operated by a piston.

The case of Sailor pens is particularly interesting. This company is arguably the most exciting producer of nibs nowadays. Sure enough, other companies make good nibs, but none of them has reached, in my opinion, the level of sophistication and innovation achieved by nibmeister Nagahara for Sailor. His combination of overlapped nibs and overfeeds and variable points has introduced a new dimension to the idea of nib and to the actual writing experience with a fountain pen.

The Sailor catalog does not consider the Naginata Togi nib as a specialty nib by Mr. Nagahara. However, a number of his creations are based on this variable point nib. On the image, a Naginata Togi in M.

This is one such case—the Concord nib with the emperor (overfeed) is based on the Naginata Togi.

Most of those nibs, and certainly the Cross (two-fold nib) and the Eagle (three-fold) ones, with or without overfeed, are high on ink demands. And here we have the paradox: Those nibs are always associated to cartridge-converter systems whose ink deposits are never that big. At the same time, the contrast between those exquisite nibs and the unsophisticated cartridges and converters is too hard to ignore. Exactly the same cartridge or converter can be found in a big oversized King of Pen in lacquered hard rubber, and in an all plastic Clear Candy. The piston-filler model Realo, let us remember, is only available with the standard triad of nibs —F, M and B—, at least in the Japanese market according to Sailor´s catalog.

The Cross Music. A magnificent two-fold nib.

The disappointing insides of the pen with the Cross Music nib.

Can we avoid our disappointment? Is it too much to ask for equally sophisticated systems on nibs and on filling systems? Sailor has already made the hardest part; that is, creating unique nibs unmatched by any competitor. The rest should be a lot easier.

And I know I am not the only one who thinks this way.

My thanks to my friends Mr. JLML, Mr. Noguchi, and Mr. Yamada.

(Sailor Profit with Naginata Togi nib – Diamine Evergreen)

Bruno Taut
September 20th, 2011
[labels: Sailor, soluciones técnicas, plumín, Yamada]

Kubo Kohei

To my friend Noritoshi.

Music nibs are a favorite of mine, as could easily be understood from these Chronicles. So, it is not difficult to imagine how delighted I became when this friend gave me this present.

The imprint on the nib is as follows: "STANDARD / NK / JIS logo / IRIDIUM / -<2>- / NPK".

This music nib is engraved with the Japanese Industrial Standards logo and, besides some other information, the initials NK. They stand for Nobel Kubo. Nobel was a pen brand owned by pen master Kubo Kohei (久保幸平) —my friend´s mentor— about which not much information can be found. Kubo Kohei was also involved in the better known brand Elliott, active between 1930s and 1950s, and based in the Kita ward of Tokyo.

A Nobel pen, model Super Gold. A cartridge/converter pen from, probably, early 1960s.

An Elliott in celluloid. This pen´s filling system is a blow-filler or nakaoshi-shiki in Japanese.

This size 2 music nib is made of steel and is slightly flexible. Its point is, surprisingly, quite symmetric and barely shows any line variation unless some pressure was applied. This nib could easily pass as a medium-fine or medium point.

The Twsbi Diamond 530 with the steel music nib.

The nib point is very thin despite the three tines.

This text was written with the NK music nib attached to the Diamond 530. Barely any line variation unless some pressure was applied, as ca be seen at the bottom. Then, the ink flow increases and so does the drying time.

I have attached it to a Twsbi Diamond 530 —remember, the box had already been open— and the results are very pleasant. This nib matches quite well with the Twsbi feed and the resulting ink flow is quite generous, which is very convenient for the demands associated to two slits and to the limited flexibility. Limited, I said, but needed to create any line variation with this nib. At the same time, this ink flow contributes to the overall smoothness of the well made and attractive nib.

(Twsbi Diamond 530 with NK music nib – Diamine Evergreen)

Bruno Taut
September 13th, 2011
[labels: Twsbi, Nobel, Elliott, plumín]

Size 10

Most pen companies nowadays barely go beyond the F, M and B triad of nib points in their pen catalogs. The exceptions to this general rule are either variations on those —mostly in the shape of extra fine (EF or XF) or double and triple broad (BB) nibs—, or either non-symmetric points—stub/italic and oblique nibs.

These five exotic nibs by Pilot.

And this scarcity of nibs is a common complaint among pen aficionados. Japanese companies, though, seem to have a wider policy of nib points. Pilot, for instance, manufactures its size 10 nibs in fifteen different points. Ten of them are variations on the F-M-B theme, albeit with the very nice addition of soft, i. e. semi-flexible, variations for F, FM, and M nibs. The remaining five nibs do show some exciting character. In no particular order, they are as follows:

-- Waverly nib (WA). This is a very smooth fine nib. Its geometry allows for a wide variation of writing angles. No line variation can be achieved with this nib. Sheaffer had a similar waverly geometry on its iconic triumph nibs.

All in all, this is a very comfortable F nib.

Size 10 waverly nib.

-- Posting nib (PO). This is a very characteristic one: the nib point is hooked down. It makes this nib very rigid and draws a very thin line. As a result, this point is quite toothy—after all, the contact between nib and paper is very reduced.

In conclusion, a very rigid extra-fine nib.

The posting nib. Very rigid and extra fine.

-- Falcon nib (FA). This is the very flexible version of the size 10 nib. It has the sides cut to allow for the impressive flexibility, at least in contemporary pens. The problem, though, is that the feed does not seem to be up to the challenge of providing all the ink the nib demands. In dipping mode, however, the pen behaves nicely. Its bigger relative, the size 15 falcon nib, does not show these problems.

Therefore, this is a very flexible nib with serious performing problems.

The very problematic falcon nib in size 10.

-- Stub nib (SU). This type of point is relatively common in other manufacturers. It is non-circular: the vertical stroke is wider than the horizontal, thus allowing an obvious line variation. It is fairly smooth and nicely wet.

In summary, a nicely performing stub nib, like some others in the market.

The stub nib on top, and the music nib on bottom.

-- Music nib (MS). Only Japanese pen companies seem to implement their pens with this type of nib. It is a variation on the idea of a stub nib—an additional slit and a third tine make this nib richer in ink flow and thicker in stroke. This Custom 742 with music nib has been reviewed on these chronicles.

As a result, this is nicely looking and original stub nib with a generous ink flow.

Writing samples with the five nibs covered on this chronicle. The squares on the paper are 4x4 mm^2.

Pilot also offers a coarse nib (C) among its more exotic variations, but that is only an extra wide point (BBB) and, therefore, it is not unusual to Western users. All in all, these exotic nibs enlarge the writing experience, and that is what many of us look for in pens.

My thanks to Kinno-san.

(Pilot Custom 742 with several nibs – Diamine Teal)

Bruno Taut
August 15th, 2011
[labels: Pilot, Sheaffer, plumín]

Pandora's Box

Once the lid is open we all know it is just not possible to close the box and pretend nothing had happened.

I —and many others— succeeded in implementing a different nib in a Twsbi Diamond and there is no way back. I did that with a Pilot no. 5 nib in 14 K gold. It not only worked well but also looked beautiful—the rhodiated nib matched perfectly with the silver accents of the pen.

A Twsbi Diamond 530 with a 14 K medium nib.

Pilot manufactures that nib in eleven different variations, which allow us to create eleven different chimeras. One of the most interesting might be a Twsbi Diamond 530 with a music nib. Indeed a good match—the high ink demands of the double-slit nib are supplied by a big ink deposit and a beautiful piston.

A Twsbi Diamond 530 with a 14 K music nib.

Another options I have explored are Sailor’s. The junior nib fits wonderfully on the Twsbi. The result is a nice looking demonstrator with a smooth 21 K gold nib. The only problem is the lack of color coordination between nib and decorative elements—clip, rings, etc.

A Twsbi Diamond with a 21 K medium fine nib.

Other Twsbi users have tried other combinations. Pelikan nibs from models 200, 400 and 600 seem to fit well and are easily available in the market. And those come in a variety of styles including oblique points.

So, we all opened the box and the field is ready for our experiments. Twsbi company, on its side, might want to supply more exciting nibs on their already interesting pens. But if Twsbi did not try, we users have already open Pandora’s box. We are already working on it, doing our best. And with good results.

(Pilot Decimo – Sailor Yama-dori)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, February 28th, 2011)
[labels: Twsbi, Pelikan, Pilot, Sailor]

Música

Today I wanted to show some more music nibs (I, II, III). I must confess my attraction for them—on top of being visually very appealing, their writing is a real pleasure. Music nibs are, in essence, a complication on the idea of a stub nib—wide vertical line and fine horizontal stroke. The addition of a second slit (third tine) simply adds more ink flow to the nib.

The only music nibs on which I have put my hands are Japanese. And not much information can be found on the Internet about non-Japanese music nibs. I wonder if all this was a good indicator of the actual differences between Japanese and non-Japanese companies regarding nibs.

A Platinum P4 from 1950s. The clip is remarkably similar to that of Parker.

The first nib I am showing is a Platinum P4 from 1950s. It is a “shiro” nib in, of course, steel.

The engraving on the nib reads “PLATINUM / PLADIUM / (Company logo) / JIS logo / -<5>- / P-C”. Most likely, “pladium” is a misspelling.

Platinum music "shiro" nib.

The nib on the right belongs to a Pilot Super 100 (1960)--a self filling pen. The one on the left belongs to a Custom model from the late 1960s--a cartridge/converter pen.

The second nib belongs to a cartridge-converter Pilot Custom from late 1960s or early 1970s. It is very similar to the nib of the 1960 Pilot Super 100 already analyzed on these chronicles.

Pilot Custom from 1970s.

Finally, the third music nib is installed in a Pilot Custom from the 1970s. It is a more modern design.

Three different music nibs by Pilot. On the top, a Super 100 from 1960. On the left, the Pilot Custom from late 1960s. And on the right-bottom corner, a Pilot Custom from the 1970s.

The final picture show three Pilot music nibs and shows the different shape of the points.

My thanks to Mr. Yamada, nib master.

(Pilot Super 100 with music nib – Pilot Blue)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, November 25-27th, 2010)
[labels: Pilot, Platinum, plumín, evento]

Super 200. Music Nib

Pen review of the Pilot Super 200 with music nib.

In 1955 Pilot launched the “Super” series of pens as its workhorse. From the Super Ultra 500 –already mentioned on these chronicles— to the smaller Super 50, they were the equivalent, dare I say, to today’s Custom range.


Fifty-something years later, they are very interesting models as they feature two characteristics many a stylophile enjoy—a suggestive selection of nibs, and a self-filling mechanism. Pilot still implements non-boring nibs in some of their pens, but they are not combined with filling systems of interest, much to the disappointment of us pen users.

The pen I am showing on this chronicle is a Super 200 with a fingernail music nib.

1. Appearance and design (8.0/10).
As a fountain pen, this Super 200 is certainly not a fashion statement. It is a formal looking pen in black and gold, although the wide golden ring on the cap and the short clip give the pen a more daring look. Some variations on this model had gold filled caps.


2. Construction and quality. (9.0/10)
This pen is about fifty years old and works perfectly. Sure it needs some maintenance, mostly replacing the sac, but so far it is in quite good shape. Minor scratches can be seen on the body—normal tear and wear that do not affect its functions.



The push-in cap fits perfectly onto the barrel both when closed and when posted.


3. Weight and dimensions. (8.0/10)
Medium to small sized pen. Well balanced if unposted; posted, though, is perfectly usable.

Dimensions:
Diameter: 11 mm.
Length capped: 133 mm.
Length uncapped: 118 mm.
Length posted: 146 mm.
Weight: 17 g.



4. Nib and writing performance. (9.0/10)
This pen is a smooth and wet writer with a clear line variation, as is mandatory in any stub or music nib. The nib geometry allows for some flexibility. The horizontal line is about 0.5 mm wide, and the vertical ranges between 0.9 and 1.9 mm.


The fact that the feed is single-grooved is not a problem to supply ink to this wet nib.


5. Filling system and maintenance. (8.0/10)
This pen uses a quarter turn filler: a knob rotates 90 degrees to move a plate against the internal rubber sac. Sure it is more exciting than any cartridge/converter system, but at the end this sac’s capacity is not bigger than that of the excellent Pilot converter CON-70.


The use of self-filling systems imply a more difficult cleaning and maintenance. The case of this pen is not particularly complicated, though—the whole pen can be disassembled easily.


6. Cost and value. (9.0/10)
Although Pilot Super pens are not unusual in the second hand market in Japan, those with music nibs are not common at all. So, its rarity makes them more valued.

In any event, this is very interesting pen with quite unique features. The price, in my opinion, was fair.


7. Conclusion. (51/60 = 85/100)
An exciting nib in a self-filling pen with more than fifty years of history—not bad at all. However, this high score might be driven by some romantic consideration for those features more than by the real virtues of the pen.

Speaking personally, I am very happy with this pen.

(Pilot Super 200 with music nib – Pelikan Brilliant Brown)

Bruno Taut
(Inagi, October 10th, 2010)
[labels: Plumín, Pilot]

Encore

Pen review: Pilot Custom 74 with music nib.

Living in Tokyo, running into a music nib is very easy. Pilot’s overwhelming presence in department stores and stationery shops is often shown with a tray with eleven Custom 74 pens on it—each of them with a different nib. And the last one on the right hand side is the music nib. So, there is no need to ask anybody for an inkwell and a piece of paper. The pen is inked and the paper is right there.

Some weeks ago, I wrote a chronicle ("Ongaku") on music nibs, and I used a Platinum 3776 and a Pilot Custom 742 as the testing subjects. The later has the size 10 Pilot nib. The ubiquitous Custom 74 has the smaller size 5 nibs. Then, is there any difference between them? That is the point of this review.


1. Appearance and design. (7.25/10)
The Custom 74 is, once again, a black torpedo à la Mont Blanc. It is slightly shorter than the 742 model and looks less balanced in its proportions. Material-wise, this one is made with the same plastic —or is it a precious resin?— as its bigger relative.



2. Construction and quality. (9.0/10)
Solid. Good quality. No flaws.


3. Weight and dimensions. (7.75/10)
It is a well balanced pen when unposted. Being this pen shorter than the 742, this pen feels closer in the hand to the nicer balance of the Platinum.

Dimensions:
Diameter: 13 mm.
Length capped: 143 mm.
Length uncapped: 125 mm.
Length posted: 160 mm.
Weight: 22 g.


4. Nib and performance. (7.75/10)
The nib is a 14 karat gold one with two slits. The feed is conventional with only one ink groove. There are occasional loses in the ink flow.


This nib—with the testing ink, Sailor Red Brown—shows some feedback, without becoming uncomfortable.

This is, in fact, a very interesting point. At the shops where I tested this pen so many times, this nib felt quite smooth. The ink in its cartridges —at the shop— was almost invariably Pilot Black. But for the purpose of this reviews I wanted to use a non biased ink; not Pilot, not Platinum—a Sailor ink. We certainly know that no pen works well with absolutely every ink, nor any ink works well in every single pen out there.

Deals

Speaking some days ago about my experiments swapping nibs and feeds between a Platinum and a Nakaya I said I had to speak about its economic aspects. So, here I go.

The two nibs.

The basic facts are these:

Price in Japan of the cheapest Nakaya (celluloid): JPY 36750
Price supplement in Japan of the Nakaya music nib: JPY 10500
Price in Japan of the Platinum 3776 with music nib: JPY 15750
Price in Japan of the Platinum 3776 with a non-music nib: JPY 10500

A Nakaya in red lacquer with its original soft-fine nib.

The numbers are easy to add:

Option one:
Celluloid Nakaya with music nib: JPY 47250

Option two:
Celluloid Nakaya: JPY 36750
Platinum 3776 with music nib: JPY 15750
Total: JPY 52500

The Platinum 3776 with its original Platinum nib.

In the second case, those extra JPY 5250 buy an additional nice writer with a Nakaya nib. The main inconvenient? Having a Nakaya with a Platinum-engraved nib, and a Platinum with a Nakaya engraving. Is it so grievous?

A Platinum with a Nakaya nib.

These options make sense in the case we could not find a Platinum music nib and feed sold as separate parts. The alternative is to look in the second hand market for a used Platinum music nib pen. But I have rarely seen any of those for sale.

The decision, of course, is on the side of the buyer.

Platinum Celluloid pen with music nib. This one belonged to Leigh Reyes, whose picture I gratefully acknowledge.

All these considerations did not make sense some months ago, when the Platinum 3776 in celluloid with music nib was still in the market for JPY 31500. That is no longer the case. Was it a case of direct competition within the same company?

(Pilot Custom 74 music nib – Sailor Red Brown)

Bruno Taut
(Inagi, August 22, 2010)
[labels: plumín, Platinum]