I have three 1911 Realos, one in this color, one in transparent brown, and one in transparent green. All have medium nibs, which have a nice amount of feedback but are very reliable. I'm not able to do much writing any more, so ink capacity isn't much of a factor for me. I have about a hundred different Sailor inks, and all seem to do very well in these pens.
Thanks for the comment James! Great to hear from a Realo fan. For my pen with the fine nib it lasts me about two months on a single fill so the ink capacity doesn't bother me. Sailor makes so many great inks.
1. The proportions of this Realo 1911, at least in photos, look a little pronounced than on the standard 1911. I find it more attractive. I wonder if the Pro Gear is also slimmer in the Realo version. 2. The Japanese website I have purchased from (pensachi) lists the Realo starting at $350. If you know of another store that sells it for much less, I would love a hint. The US prices put it out of reach, up there with the KoP. 3. Thanks for the informative review.
I don't have a standard 1911 Large to compare it with. You think the shape is slightly different? I bought mine from Amazon Japan: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095PTXA4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Very nice video. I have the Sailor realo in black in both the 1911 Large and Pro Gear regular sizes- and both are in constant use. It was interesting to hear that the design is similar to the Aurora 88- a manufacturer of (IMHO) some of the best piston filling pens around. I think the only drawback to the realo concept is that the pens are slightly more difficult to clean than the cartridge converter pens. Aurora have nibs which can easily be unscrewed for cleaning of the pen, while with Sailors one has to take out the nib and friction fit it back inside, which can be a delicate operation... But overall these are, I agree, fantastic pens and with stellar quality nibs. I have not yet ventured below MF in Sailor nibs, having found that the Platinum F nib I have on a 3776 is really too fine for writing except for correcting manuscripts between lines of typescript or similar. But your recommendation for a Sailor F nib has got me thinking my next Sailor pen should be a fine!
Thanks for your comment Freespirt! I agree that they are more difficult to clean but the pen does feel more premium to me as a piston filler. If you found the Platinum F too fine I am not sure you will like the Sailor one.
Sharp and scratchy nibs are the most damaging. Think of a scratchy extra extra fine nib. Something like a Zebra G nib with fountain pen ink is quite scratchy. A Pilot Falcon nib is also scratchy. When it comes to paper the dense uncoated papers are going to perform the best. I think Mitsubishi Bank Paper is very difficult to damage with a nib. Even in it's 48gsm form it is quite robust. Coated papers have a plastic coating on them and if you break the coating you will typically see bleeding and feathering. Tomoe River and Cosmo Air Light are quite tough. The Rasa 83 paper I tested recently would be an example of a paper that has an easily damageable surface. The paper can hold a lot of ink though with the surface intact.
Hi Gino, I bought mine from Amazon Japan. To order I just went to the regular US Amazon site and looked for Amazon Japan as the seller. If they say something like "usually ships in 2-4 weeks" that means they don't have it and may never get it. The other option is to buy from a Japanese seller on eBay. eBay is more reliable than Amazon Japan.
One of my favorite Pens is a piston fill Pilot Custom 92, I believe only Japanese market ,but Amazon often has them for sale at around $100-$120 or so. A real bargain. It's a fabulous writer and holds lots of ink.
I recommend ordering from Amazon Japan for the best price (though possibly without warranty). Here is a link to their storefront: www.amazon.com/s?me=A3GZEOQINOCL0Y&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER You can also look for Japanese sellers on eBay.
200Bucks for Realo ?` 😯 Not a fan of piston though, like you said its not even bigger than a cartridge, its just a gimmick for the snobs with extra maintenance. Sailor Fine is probably the best sailor size Imo, has that sharp pencil vibe
I like the look of the ink window but for most people I would definitely recommend the standard cartridge converter version. I agree that Sailor's fine grade is their best grade nib.
The US price is high but if it is supposed to compete with the Aurora 88 and the Montblanc 146 then the price isn't so crazy. That said, I think the Aurora and Montblanc have better finishing overall.
I have three 1911 Realos, one in this color, one in transparent brown, and one in transparent green. All have medium nibs, which have a nice amount of feedback but are very reliable. I'm not able to do much writing any more, so ink capacity isn't much of a factor for me. I have about a hundred different Sailor inks, and all seem to do very well in these pens.
Thanks for the comment James! Great to hear from a Realo fan. For my pen with the fine nib it lasts me about two months on a single fill so the ink capacity doesn't bother me.
Sailor makes so many great inks.
Another lovely review, Blake! Amazing pen!
Cheers form Brazil!
Thank you kindly!
Lovely color, Blake! I m yet to try a sailor fine.
They definitely aren't for everyone but the writing experience is distinctive from other Japanese fine nibs.
1. The proportions of this Realo 1911, at least in photos, look a little pronounced than on the standard 1911. I find it more attractive. I wonder if the Pro Gear is also slimmer in the Realo version.
2. The Japanese website I have purchased from (pensachi) lists the Realo starting at $350. If you know of another store that sells it for much less, I would love a hint. The US prices put it out of reach, up there with the KoP.
3. Thanks for the informative review.
I don't have a standard 1911 Large to compare it with. You think the shape is slightly different?
I bought mine from Amazon Japan:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095PTXA4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
@@BlakesBroadcast Thanks for the link. To my eye the Realo comes to a sharper point at each end than the standard.
@@BlakesBroadcast Staring at the Amazon picture, now it looks the same, I must be crazy.
Very nice video. I have the Sailor realo in black in both the 1911 Large and Pro Gear regular sizes- and both are in constant use. It was interesting to hear that the design is similar to the Aurora 88- a manufacturer of (IMHO) some of the best piston filling pens around. I think the only drawback to the realo concept is that the pens are slightly more difficult to clean than the cartridge converter pens. Aurora have nibs which can easily be unscrewed for cleaning of the pen, while with Sailors one has to take out the nib and friction fit it back inside, which can be a delicate operation... But overall these are, I agree, fantastic pens and with stellar quality nibs. I have not yet ventured below MF in Sailor nibs, having found that the Platinum F nib I have on a 3776 is really too fine for writing except for correcting manuscripts between lines of typescript or similar. But your recommendation for a Sailor F nib has got me thinking my next Sailor pen should be a fine!
Thanks for your comment Freespirt! I agree that they are more difficult to clean but the pen does feel more premium to me as a piston filler. If you found the Platinum F too fine I am not sure you will like the Sailor one.
It would be great to know which papers are most damage resistant. As well as which nibs are most damaging.
Sharp and scratchy nibs are the most damaging. Think of a scratchy extra extra fine nib. Something like a Zebra G nib with fountain pen ink is quite scratchy. A Pilot Falcon nib is also scratchy.
When it comes to paper the dense uncoated papers are going to perform the best. I think Mitsubishi Bank Paper is very difficult to damage with a nib. Even in it's 48gsm form it is quite robust.
Coated papers have a plastic coating on them and if you break the coating you will typically see bleeding and feathering. Tomoe River and Cosmo Air Light are quite tough. The Rasa 83 paper I tested recently would be an example of a paper that has an easily damageable surface. The paper can hold a lot of ink though with the surface intact.
That pen is beautiful !! How easy is it to order from a Japanese website?
Hi Gino, I bought mine from Amazon Japan. To order I just went to the regular US Amazon site and looked for Amazon Japan as the seller. If they say something like "usually ships in 2-4 weeks" that means they don't have it and may never get it. The other option is to buy from a Japanese seller on eBay. eBay is more reliable than Amazon Japan.
@@BlakesBroadcast Thanks Blake !!! I will definitely be checking out eBay in Japan.
Found your channel now and subscribed right away 😊
Thank you and welcome aboard!
Very informative! Interesting to compare with a pilot 823.
Glad you liked it!
One of my favorite Pens is a piston fill Pilot Custom 92, I believe only Japanese market ,but Amazon often has them for sale at around $100-$120 or so. A real bargain. It's a fabulous writer and holds lots of ink.
Thanks for the comment Carla. I need to try a Custom 92.
Could you share reliable Japanese stationary where you were able to order these pens? Thx
I recommend ordering from Amazon Japan for the best price (though possibly without warranty). Here is a link to their storefront: www.amazon.com/s?me=A3GZEOQINOCL0Y&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER
You can also look for Japanese sellers on eBay.
200Bucks for Realo ?` 😯
Not a fan of piston though, like you said its not even bigger than a cartridge, its just a gimmick for the snobs with extra maintenance.
Sailor Fine is probably the best sailor size Imo, has that sharp pencil vibe
I like the look of the ink window but for most people I would definitely recommend the standard cartridge converter version.
I agree that Sailor's fine grade is their best grade nib.
I got a pro gear realo, love it
It's quite a nice pen.
Very informative video.
Beautiful pen.....but $$$$.
The US price is high but if it is supposed to compete with the Aurora 88 and the Montblanc 146 then the price isn't so crazy. That said, I think the Aurora and Montblanc have better finishing overall.
I looked at it a lot. It is clear is aestetically not harmonius. A bad copy if a 149!😢
There is no doubt that they are very similar looking pens.