Sailor Pro Gear Slim Review Update - Brutally Honest | writingonsunshine
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- This is a brutally honest update of my Sailor Pro Gear Slim Review. I have been using this fountain pen for a few months now, and I have found some extra information on this pen that I wanted to share. This is the Sailor Professional Gear Slim Fairy Tale series fountain pen in the shade Dragon Palace. I hope that this video could help!
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I have 5 sailors, and the one that is oldest (5 years or so) has no cracks and I don’t baby my pens at all, I toss them around, don’t protect them, etc. All the others are between a year to several years old, and I’ve never had any issues with any of them cracking or anything. Now the TWSBI I had, that’s a different story. Within a year I literally had to replace every single plastic piece on it because of cracking aside from the internals (to TWSBI’s credit, they did replace the parts for free). As far as the converter, sounds like it just needs a little silicone grease on the rubber part, one of mine was dry as well, but it was an easy fix. If it helps, when people have a negative experience with an item, it often makes them upset enough to actually take the time to vent about it online, however most people who are having no issues don’t always feel the need to review anything... which can inflate negative reviews online. Hopefully that’s what is happening here, and most these pens don’t have the cracking defect.
Casey Gorsuch that is great to hear! I will definitely try the silicone grease and see if that helps! Thank you for the suggestion! That makes a lot of sense. I never heard much about why it was so awful, just that it was. My personal experiences align with this as well, but hopefully it will be solved with your trick!
Instablaster...
That's funny about TWSBI...Between my wife and I, we've probably got at least a dozen TWSBIs, from a GO to several ECOs to a Precision. We've never had a single issue with any of the pens (other than running out of ink). They are easy to fill, they write well and consistently, they never experience hard starts. I have no idea why I constantly see reports of them cracking*.
*Out of the sixty or more fountain pens we've accumulated in the past eight years or so, only one Platinum preppy has cracked. No big deal with those pens.
@@jankafka7330 That’s awesome, I hope no one else has the issues I had. They’re beautifully styled pens, I wish my experience had been better!
Thanks for the balanced and honest review. Appreciated.
This is good information to know about these pens! Thank you for bringing up the cracking even though that wasn't your experience. It's an important topic to be aware of for a pen of that price point!
I am pretty much inspired by your two videos on this pen and definitely I am looking forward to buying one..... thank you 😊
I’m so glad to hear that!! My pen collection has grown quite considerably since my last post, and this pen is still one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy 🥰
I can't get over how beautiful it is, you must just stare at it in awe all the time! I'm going to get one as a treat when I hit a major milestone.
I absolutely do! I just got done admiring it haha. That is actually exactly what I did too! Good luck in your future endeavors!
@@writingonsunshine2322 congrats on reaching your goal! and thank you, mine's a way off but i can live vicariously through others for the time being.
@@sahizzurp thanks! I’m sure you’ll reach it in what feels like no time!
Thanks for the balanced review. It was really helpful.
I’m glad I could help!
I fill all of my converter pens with a blunt syringe, filling the converter separately, just like you said. Then I dip the pen in the ink bottle, which quickly primes the pen. Try that next time and see how it works for you 😊
Great idea! I definitely will!
if you use a syringe to fill, you should use an empty cartridge because you’ll get more ink capacity
@@magsos6152 But have a few spare cartridge because they can wear out.
Acrylic is prone to cracking, which is why you see it with TWSBI. Pilot and Lamy use ABS on some of their models and that is a more impact resistant plastic. It doesn’t feel as nice as acrylic though.
Ahh okay! Thanks for the information!
It is made out of resin, not acrylic.
I had the same issue of hard starts with my new Platinum 3776 in Fine nib. It used to write for a while and then used to stop writing, and I had to prime the feed by twisting the converter. I sent it to the seller, and they serviced the pen. The problem was with nib and feed alignment. Ever since I got it back, it has been writing perfectly. I hope you got the issue resolved.
I really like the look of this pen, the color and shape are instant classics. I've never wrote with a Sailor before but I always think in my head one of these weekends I want to drive to Anderson Pens in Wisconsin for a day trip and buy a nice Sailor. I would like to once buy a pen with a real in store experience. I think I might want to go with the larger size, but it sure is an expensive pen at that point! Appreciate the honesty in your review.
That is true! The price jumps significantly with every size increase. That sounds like a fun trip! Perhaps trying the fountain pen in store could lead to your decision on which size you would like to purchase and whether it is worth it.
writingonsunshine most definitely. One day, hard to know when things will simmer down a bit before for fun traveling. You might also consider fountain pen hand model profession, haha, your hands look perfect for selling small goods like pens and jewelry.
@@Otrain82 Haha I've never thought of that before! Perhaps if the opportunity presents itself I will take it.
You’re very articulate. Loved this review. Very balanced and you made sure to draw from your personal experience of the pen. Which is what I’m looking for in a review!
I love this pen, the way it looks and the perfect ink flow, how smooth it feels on every type of paper...such a pleasurable writing experience. I mostly use Sailor cartridges in mine, and I don’t carry it around. It stays on my desk, and I’m very gentle when screwing on the cap and barrel, never too tightly. I haven’t had it very long, so no problems yet. I paid half the $180 retail for mine - there are lots of places online where they can be found for reasonable prices.
Any tips for searching for one at a good price? Which websites are worth checking?
@@royalfutura Amazon has them for half retail, and there is also a site called Endlesspens...though I think they are low on stock, have only white right now.
Oh that’s awesome! I completely agree! Every time I write with it I love it even more. I also baby my Sailor haha. It’s probably my best looking pen! So far I have also had no issues with cracking (or any serious issues honestly).
Very helpful, thank you!
When drawing ink into the converter I always grasp the metallic grip section with my left hand NOT the section of the pen. The converters I have are stiff to operate. S far as cracking of the plastic parts, I wonder sometimes if it is caused by over tightening the barrel or cap to the mating parts.These parts do not need to be “torqued” down!
I also ink my pens that way. That is what I assumed as well, which is why I stated that I try not to overtighten the section. Great minds think alike!
I believe the TWSBI cracking issue was with the Diamond 540/580, not the Eco. Thanks for the honest review though! I have one Sailor, and have been considering this one for a while.
Thanks for letting me know! I'm glad you enjoyed it! The color is absolutely stunning. Since you have experience with the nib, I won't have say anything about it. It grows on me by the day.
Problem was with the eco.
My Pro Gear Slim is my favorite fountain that I've owned so far. Perfect performance right out of the box, unlike some other gold nibbed pens which had skipping and bad starts even while writing slowly. I just wish the pen was a bit thicker because the small grip makes my hand cramp after awhile. Pair this up with a Medium or Broad nibbed pen and you're good to go!
Totally agree with you about the crappy converters. I went through four of them. The first two had poor ink flow, the third one's plunger broke, but my current one is working for now.
My father in law has a nine year old Sailor Realo that still holds up well today! Some scratches here and there but no cracking. As long as it's not bouncing and scratching with other pens or stuff in your pocket, the plastic should hold up. It even fell on hard floors a few times too.
The converter can be taken apart and the piston greased with silicon gel. I do that with mine, and they work just fine.
Thank you for the suggestion! I prefer to just use a syringe to fill it anyways, so it isn’t an issue for me :)
I've only ever had cracking issues on pens which were >£10 so this is a surprise to me, cracks often occur if the section exerts too much pressure on the barrel if it is screwed down too tightly or the O-ring thickness or the thread depth are made slightly the wrong size and the cracking is most often initiated by changing in temperature as cold can increase the force exerted on the parts as they shrink and heat will open up the cracks as it expands. The fact that the material is very scratch resistant actually shows that it might be more prone to cracking as it is very difficult to make any material harder and more elastic at the same time.
Nice to know! I have never personally experienced cracking, so perhaps it has to do with care of the pen as well.
Hi thanks for your honest opinion..now i'm a little worry because i recently purchase one sailor pen for my birthday. Let's see what is going to happen ?
I completely agree with you on all of your points. If you don't have one, even though they don't have as many unique styles, the Pilot Custom Heritage 92 FM is an incredible pen and imo is better than my Sailor Pro Gear 21k M. Pilot pens aren't scratchy no matter what nib size is chosen, where Sailor EF and F are very scratchy compared to the M nib.
Does this pen come with a warranty? It should do at this price so if you see any cracking it should entitle you to a replacement as a manufacturing flaw. Still trying to decide whether to but an Opus 88 Koloro or save and buy this pen.
To be honest I am not quite sure. There is some paperwork that came with the pen, but it was all in Japanese. If it does come with a warranty it is probably only for a year or so. I know if you have an issue right when the pen arrives you will be able to get a replacement, but I don’t think you will for many years into the future.
So far I have had no issues with cracking at all!
Hi there! It's been 2 months now and I am curious if you have any updates on this pen. I'm seriously considering buying it but it is such a luxury for me. Thanks for your help!
My pen collection has grown quite a bit and this pen is still one of my favorites! It is a stunning and reliable writer. All of the comments in the video still stand true.
Honestly with day to day use I have no issues at all. I was mostly trying to be as picky as I could because of the price haha. If you like thinner nibs with some feedback I would say this would be perfect for you! If you like buttery smooth nibs, I would go with some European manufacturers instead.
I got this recommended again, wished you didn’t stop posting
My experience with Sailor pens is limited to the Shikiori model; of which I have a Tsukuyo-no-Minamo Burgundy Yodaki and a Hisakata Black Stardust. I love to write with them. The first, which I bought in 2018, has a crack where the clip connects with the cap, and the golden finish has discolored (Only carried in a leather case, inside a briefcase, never dropped!). With the second, bought shortly after, I had no problems. This made me not buy another, more expensive, sailor pen. Thanks for the video.
That is quite unfortunate. I’m glad your second pen worked out though! I’m glad you enjoyed the video!
I have exactly the same pen - Dragon Palace color. It was problematic in the beginning, very dry and scratching. Not because of the nib, the nib is OK, but the ink flow obstructed from time to time. After multiple flushing with soapy water, and matched ink, it writes very nicely.
That small ink capacity is my biggest worry. I run through a full twsbi eco fill about every 3 days, I expect to be filling the sailor multiple times per day which might get very annoying.
Great place to post my "3 yr later" / new buyer experience with this same Sailor Dragon Palace PGS fountain pen.
I was able to buy this authentic Sailor 14K gold nib PGS "hard" MF pen on $AMZN for $70 USD (Spring 2024.) The deep discount was why I was willing to try a hard MF nib knowing it was going to be finer and "scratchier" than I like. At this price point, W O W! Yes, the first few days I was miserable with the black Sailor cartridge and the much- too- fine nib. BUT, as this reviewer mentions the gold nib does adapt to the owner's style. After a couple of weeks and experimenting with various inks and papers (and the converter), I am very happy with the look and feel of this PGS. I'm convinced the 21K gold actual medium nib on the larger Pro Gear would probably be the perfect pen. When a GREAT deal comes along, I'll find out 😏 Til then I'm convinced the PGS nib has "relaxed" / smoothed enough to make it a pretty great writer. Hope this helps. Write on 🖋
Very interesting review! I have a Twsbi 580 ALR that also cracked, never knew how because it never fell off. And 4 Sailor PG fountain pens that I take care of so much I barely touch them with a rose petal (joking, but almost). One of those is this very pen you are reviewing. With my handwriting, the full converter lasts 4.5 A5 size pages (Clairefontaine), which is a reasonable amount to me. Apparently all Sailor nibs have low flow issues. The MF is usually on the dry side, so I've turned into Zooms that work best for me. Anyway, my Sailor PG Dragon Palace seems to flow better and better the more I use it, so probably you're right with your tight tides theory. I really recommend the Platinum 3776 soft fine nib: it is wet and bouncy, you couldn't ask for more.
Yeah, Sailor is really commited to making a multitude of colour combinations. Recently, I've been eyeing the Midnight Sky, but then again, it's about time for the 2020 cocktail series (given how 202 is turning out so far, they should just pick a cocktail that gets you shitfaced in 20 seconds or less).
As for the converter - i've had no problems with filling mine, but I will note that it is fairly low capacity, and the zoom nib I use is quite "thirsty", which translates to more frequent refils, but that is a very minor annoyance. If you want a high capacity pen, it's hard to beat Pelikan, since they're pure piston fillers, not converter pens.
For gold nibs with some flex, Platinum makes a "soft fine", and on the other end of the spectrum, Edison with a tuned steel nib is a super-smooth writer.
Haha! I second that notion! I can’t wait to see what they come out with.
I completely agree. Practically all of my converter pens need to be refilled frequently.
I have had my eye on a SF Platinum 3776! I would definitely love to own one one day.
My pro gear skin is very beautiful, and has a very distinctive nib. I love it, but I’m glad I didn’t pay full retail for it.
I like a wet bouncy nib. It does a very different thing and does it well. I respect it, but the converter just sucks. But it’s so pretty, and it’s a unique feel. But it’s not my favorite.
my convertor is super-easy to use. compared to other convertors, ex. Parker convertor is very tight
I have a Sailor 1911S in Wicked Witch Of The West. It is just ok.
Just remember you may hear of 1 or 2 issues but Sailor make millions of pens each year
That is very true!
Nice hand and nice voice.
Thank you!!
Have you disappeared? How is Miss Luna?
Thank you for your concern! I am currently undergoing a move, so I haven't found time to film and edit. Rest assured I will be posting soon!
I really appreciate the review.
Looks like there's too much quality control issue from Sailor.
I do really love the new limited edition, but having to gacha the pen quality isn't something I want with expensive FP.
What I want is buy it and get a peace of mind and get writing and not worrying about any of it for decades to come.
I highly recommend sailor pens. Sailor actually takes quality control very seriously. It is kinda rare to have problems with sailor pens. One problem stated in the video was that they tend to break at the grip section (which does not happen often). Cracking can only occur from over-tightening the barrel. This is the case for everything with treads.
Thanks for this honest review. This Sailor pen seems made to prove Murphy's Law- that if anything can goo wrong, it will!
We do not buy a pen for the mere looks. A pen should hold ink, write well, and not crack. And a pen costing $180, should not develop so many cracks, so soon. And the unsatisfactory converter! These are unacceptable.
I have long felt that the high cost of most of the modern pens is not necessarily due to the excellence of the material and the standard of workmanship ( as if each pen is individually hand made) , but they mainly reflect the high cost of living in the countries where they are made, and an unreasonable premium on the brand.. Plastic is surely not a durable material, and these days of eco-consciousness, they should in fact be avoided, when better alternatives are available. Even so, there are plastics and plastics, and a company like Sailor should use the best grade-no excuses here.
I have been using Indian ebonite pens for 40 years. None cracked. I have been using Indian metal pens for 30 years- there is no question of cracking! Nibs? We can get the best nibs separately and fit into any pen. Even my ordinary Indian plastic pens -costing hardly $5 have not cracked in five years. There surely is something rotten in the state of Sailor!
I also agree that there is a premium on the prices of the pens, especially when imported, which is to be expected. I agree with the fact that fountain pens can and should be durable, many vintage fountain pens are even being resold and used today. Partially why I personally began using fountain pens was for the eco-friendly aspect, so I agree with the fact that it is disappointing when fountain pens of a supposedly higher caliber do not last. There have been some discrepancies in customers who have experienced cracking, so I will definitely update on my personal experience!
I have never tried ebonite fountain pens before, but I anticipate the day I can get my hands on one. I think the main draw of plastic pens are their lightweight and cheaper costs so that the consumer can buy them at a lower price. I believe the Sailor Pro Gear Slim only retails at around $130 in Japan (or even less) when compared to the $180 price tag in the US. That is quite a big discrepancy, so some of the problems could be understandable to customers who purchase it at a lower price. Plastics also allow for a plethora of shades and textures, for example, my personal Sailor has gold glitter suspended in the plastic. Of course, a pen should not solely be bought based on appearance, but I have to say, just looking at this gorgeous pen really brightens my day.
First off, Sailor uses a material called PMMA resin, which is a high-end plastic. They do not use a cheap type of plastic. This material should not crack unless it is under pressure, like over tightening the barrel. I personally have never had problems with my sailor pens.
Fat pens are called slim
First offSailor Pens are NOT plastic or acrylic, the area PMMA RESIN. Is your review based on your pens cracking or other peoples pens cracking. If it is about other peoples pens, then it’s not your review. Just a little wishy-washy that way. I’ve never had one sailor pan crack and I have over 100 of my personal collection.
Thank you for your input! I just wanted to include that information in the review because I had not heard any video "reviews" stating it, even though I had seen multiple sources stating it.