Sailor is a renowned Japanese fountain pen brand known for its exceptional craftsmanship, high-quality nibs, and dedication to traditional pen-making techniques. Sailor fountain pens are highly regarded among fountain pen enthusiasts for their smooth writing experience, precision, and reliability.
One of the standout features of Sailor pens is their wide range of nib options, including specialty nibs such as the famous "naginata togi" nib, which offers varying line widths depending on the angle of the pen. Additionally, Sailor is known for producing pens with elegant designs and using premium materials, making them sought after by collectors and everyday users alike.
Here, we’ll take a look at some of the best products that Sailor has to offer.
Fountain Pens
The best of Sailor’s products can be seen in its fountain pen selection.
Compass 1911 Fountain Pen
The Compass 1911 is a budget-friendly alternative to the Sailor 1911 Fountain Pen. Its transparent plastic feed allows for a visible flow of ink from the reservoir to the nib. Featuring a durable steel nib with a firm, medium-fine point, it excels in daily writing tasks. It is available in nine vibrant colors and includes cartridges and a converter.
Compass Fude De Mannen Fountain Pen
The Compass Fude De Mannen fountain pen has a unique bent nib that mimics the strokes of a brush pen. It can also create different line widths depending on the angle at which the pen is held.
Compass HighAce Neo Fountain Pen
The Sailor Compass HighAce Neo comes with an italic calligraphy nib, designed to produce broad downward strokes and delicate lateral lines. With three nib size options, this fountain pen offers an economical means to enhance the charm of handwritten letters and messages. Its transparent barrel allows you to monitor ink levels, ensuring timely refills easily.
Sailor CYLINT Patina Fountain Pen
The Sailor CYLINT Fountain Pen uses a centuries-old metal coloring method from Takaoka, Japan. This technique involves the controlled application of flames and specific chemicals to induce corrosion and oxidation, resulting in unique effects. The CYLINT showcases a body reminiscent of the feathers of a peacock, drawing inspiration from the traditional nuka-yaki metal coloring process. Due to individual treatment, each CYLINT Fountain Pen possesses a one-of-a-kind appearance. With time, its patina will mature, enhancing its distinctiveness.
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen
Named after the year the company was established, the 1911 is Sailor's flagship fountain pen. It boasts a timeless design characterized by rounded ends on both the barrel and cap. Available in two sizes, the 1911L is bigger than the 1911S, catering particularly well to those with larger hands. The 1911L features a 21k nib, whereas the 1911S is fitted with a smaller 14k nib. If you want an even larger fountain pen, the 1911 King of Pen is a great option to consider.
Sailor Pro Gear Black Fountain Pen
The sophisticated-looking Pro Gear, also known as the Professional Gear, stands out as one of Sailor's fountain pens in high demand. It features flat ends on both the barrel and cap, with finials affectionately termed "socks" by fountain pen enthusiasts, occasionally adorned with contrasting colors. The cap's flat end is embellished with an anchor medallion. With a length of just 4 ½ inches when uncapped, most writers will likely find this pen most ergonomic to use with the cap posted.
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Color Fountain Pen
True to its name, the Sailor Pro Gear Slim is a compact version of the ProGear. It measures approximately five millimeters shorter in length when capped, uncapped, and posted. The primary difference lies in its smaller 14k gold nib. Compared to the 21k nib, it offers a less flexible feel, translating to reduced responsiveness to writing pressure.
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Mini Basic Fountain Pen
The Sailor Pro Gear Slim Mini is the smallest option within the Pro Gear range. Measuring under four inches in length when uncapped, it's usually necessary to post the cap for anything beyond quick note-taking. Given its compact size, using bottled inks requires pairing it with a Mini Fountain Pen Converter. Nonetheless, all Sailor cartridges remain compatible as usual.
Sailor Pro Gear Realo Fountain Pen
The Sailor Pro Gear Realo has a unique twist on the classic Pro Gear model by incorporating an internal piston-filling mechanism instead of cartridges or converters. Unlike conventional Sailor converters, which are known for their modest capacities (a standard international converter holds approximately 0.7 ml of ink, while a full-size Sailor converter holds only about 0.5 ml), the Pro Gear Realo boasts a generous ink reservoir capable of accommodating up to one milliliter of ink. This expanded capacity is particularly advantageous for writers with extensive writing needs. Moreover, the pen features a slightly thicker profile than the standard Pro Gear, catering well to individuals who find traditional Pro Gear pens a bit too small.
Ballpoint Pens
Sailor 1911 Standard Ballpoint Pen
The Sailor 1911 ballpoint pen is recognized for its elegant design, smooth writing experience, and reliable performance. Crafted with attention to detail, it embodies the same quality and craftsmanship associated with Sailor's fountain pens. The Sailor 1911 Standard ballpoint pen is smaller and more compact. Compared to the Large, it has a slimmer barrel and a shorter length, offering a lighter and more portable option for everyday use.
The 1911 ballpoint pen is appreciated for its balanced weight and comfortable grip, making it suitable for extended writing sessions. It also features refined finishes and durable construction, appealing to collectors and everyday users alike.
Sailor Pro Gear Black Ballpoint Pen
The Sailor Professional Gear Ballpoint Pen excels as a top-tier writing tool for multiple reasons. Its ergonomic design ensures comfortable, fatigue-free writing, while the high-quality refill provides smooth, skip-free performance. Crafted from durable materials, it guarantees long-lasting reliability, and its refillable design promotes sustainability. Combining functionality with style, its sleek appearance adds a touch of sophistication.
Fountain Pen Inks
Ink Studio
The Ink Studio collection comprises 100 distinct colors, each presented in 20ml square glass bottles and identified by a three-digit number. This expansive collection of inks is exclusively accessible through designated Sailor US retailers.
Jentle
The Jentle collection, available only in North America, showcases six delightful hues in 50 ml round glass bottles. However, this line has been discontinued.
Sailor Manyo Ink Bottle
The Manyo collection comes in 50 ml square glass bottles and is exclusively available overseas (accessible everywhere except Japan). Inspired by flowers often referenced in Japanese poetry, these colors evoke a sense of natural beauty.
Sailor Pigment Ink Bottle
The Pigment collection showcases Sailor's range of waterproof inks, highly favored by artists seeking permanence in their work. Packaged in 50 ml square glass bottles, these inks are also conveniently available in cartridge form.
Sailor Basic Range Ink Bottle
The Standard collection comprises basic ink shades, including Black, Blue, and Blue Black. These are housed in 50 ml square glass bottles and are additionally offered in ink cartridges, which are exclusively sized for Sailor pens.
Sailor Shikiori Japanese Fairy Tales Ink Bottle
The Shikiori collection draws its inspiration from the diverse colors found in nature. Featuring more than twenty shades in 20 ml bottles, you can expect to captivating shading or sheening effects in some of these inks. Souten and Yamadori are two from this selection that are renowned for their popularity. Many of these colors are also offered in ink cartridges for added convenience.
Sailor Yurameku 1st Edition Ink Bottle
The Yurameku ink collection, introduced in 2022, offers a selection of innovative multi-tonal, chroma-shading, color-shifting ink colors. These distinctive hues exhibit appearances that change over time and on different paper types. Packaged in square 20ml glass bottles, they promise a dynamic and evolving writing experience.
The Bottom Line
Sailor continues to stand as a beacon of excellence in the world of fountain pens, offering a diverse array of products that blend traditional craftsmanship with innovative design. If you’re looking for a Sailor fountain pen to try, or perhaps even a ballpoint pen or fountain pen ink, look no further than this list. From the iconic 1911 series to the versatile Pro Gear line, Sailor pens and inks cater to a spectrum of preferences and needs, ensuring a delightful writing experience for enthusiasts and everyday users alike.
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
