Battle of Flagship Fountain Pens | Montblanc vs Pelikan vs Sailor vs Pilot

[@audiolover]

Montblanc is jewellery brand today, Pelikan is still pen company. Sailor and Pilot are workhorse pens with soul.

[@lazar2175]

Pelikan is what you want it to be. They make $5 pens and $500 ones. However, above $100 or so, it's more about premium materials and finishes than the actual engineering and quality behind the pen. So if you just want a fine writing instrument, M150 might be your choice. But if you wish to flaunt your riches, the M1000 would be proper.

[@thomasrothbacher5849]

Or if you just don't like small pens...also a factor to consider, though I agree from a value perspective the price increase for oversized pens is pretty ridiculous (at least for the established old school brands), but they just feel better to me. For example I got a NOS old style paragon in grey celluloid from Omas for a really good price because it had some engravings on the cap, but I can't enjoy it because I find the section too small to write with comfortably. If anyone's interested it's up for sale lol

[@blaiseutube]

I think the brass mechanism in the 800 is a big jump in engineering from the rest of the smaller pens.

[@trulsdirio]

It is the Rolex of the pen world. Mechanically or quality wise nothing special, but crazy expensive, since it has become a status symbol for people not in the respective niche. You can get the same quality from equally established brands for way less, or get way more for the same price, but the business model seems to work for them, so more power to them I guess.

[@omeryehezkely3096]

I have them all and the Pelikan is by far my favorite. It is the smoothest of them all and as a bonus it is also the cheapest.

[@jmccarty3]

I have all four of these pens, in fact, more than one of each except for the Pilot Custom Urushi, and would have to say that this review has summed up the pros and cons of each pen very well. I wouldn't want to be without any of them. Very nice job!

[@gky7170]

I prefer the springiness of the Pilot Custom Urushi nib. The tip is stamped out a bit narrower than the rest of the nibs presented. That gives it more flex. The 149 is the stiffest nib that you can actually use with carbon paper.

[@paulmchugh1430]

I have the King of Pen. It is a firm nib but after writing with it for a number of years and it writes well. I have the ebonite version and I have eye dropper the pen. It works very well. Yes it has metal fittings but they are gold and do not corrode. I will certainly consider the Pilot Urushi pen. Love Pilot pens. Thank you for the review.

[@TwoMiceOnMyBookshelf]

I am very intrigued by how Sailor has the highest gold content but never the softest. I would love to hear you compare these with a Platinum 😊 Montblanc is increasingly the most overrated fountain pen for me. You are buying social status there. Like Louis Vuitton and their monogram logos. Slap anything with it you have a thousand dollar item with not that much merit in relation to the price. I LOVE love Pelikan and Sailor (and recently, Platinum). BUT at times truly love Pelikan for allowing us to change and clean our nibs so easily 😁 Pilot Custom Urushi is in my line of sight next. Thank you for this!

[@mavleashutosh]

That’s because Sailor uses thicker gauge for making their nibs

[@rcvchr5146]

Because gold content isn’t a good indicator of softness, not at all. Geometry of the nib and thickness of the gauge are way more meaningful. PS, a suggestion based on experience, don’t let the perceived status of something influence you, in either way.

[@juostion2]

I have a 1911L and find the nib to be really soft, just not very "flexible." The tines certainly spread a bit with the lightest touch, but not super far. My 823 felt like a nail compared to it, though. I just traded the 823 for my first vintage pen, a 1937 Vacumatic, so we'll see how that goes!

[@williamhughes1067]

Great review! I also own all four of these pens, except that my KOP is in black rather than blue. In terms of favorites, my choices are aligned exactly with yours. It's very gratifying to find another pen enthusiast who shares one's views. Again, thanks for the excellent review.

[@spacecat7715]

I must someday have all of those! 😂 I think my Grail pen list just grew another foot long.

[@adrianhughes5831]

Thank you. This is a really informative video. I have a MB149 from the 1960's, so the pen has a plastic piston filling mechanism, but retains its older, softer nib (18c rather than 18k). I should love one of the 1950's models with a brass piston filling mechanism but sadly these are way beyond my budget. I have a Sailor KOP but a cheaper resin entry-level model, which is far more reasonably priced for those with more limited budgets. Make no mistake - all of these pens are wonderful.

[@tfjarvisgirl]

Great review. Thank you. I have the Pelikan and Pilot. Both are greatly loved and no regrets. I don’t care for KOP and Montblanc but not to say I won’t change my mind in the future. I am curious about them. Thanks again!

[@ambientplast4598]

Try KOP and forget Montblanc. I have both , but the KOP nib is like butter

[@dashsunil]

The custom urushi writing feels and looks spectacular. Very good video. PS: I found you from the KOP video. Keep it up. Merry Christmas. 😊

[@04rit]

What a great video! Nice work man!

[@TheMagicalSock]

I was so happy to snag an M1005 Stresemann. Such a beautiful pen.

[@RyC2004]

If I have to start with one pen which one should I buy? great review thank you

[@belphegor_dev]

You mean among these? Get the Custom Urushi.

[@RyC2004]

Thanks for your reply ​@@belphegor_dev

[@zaheedhasib]

I have Pilot Custom Heritage 92, Custom 823, and buying the Namiki Emperor in vermilion next. Cartridge Convertor is a no go for me.

[@jameskeener7251]

I took delivery of a 149 today and have aa bit of buyer's remorse. But, as I think having a snowflake emblem is the sine qua non for pen quality, perhaps I made the right choice.

[@mikequinlan9585]

I picked up a used Montblanc 145 at a pen show. I took it to a Montblanc dealer they installed a new nib, and polished the pen. Now my pen looks and writes like brand new. I have several other pens in my collection but this one stands out as my favorite. 😊

[@klt479]

Another great review. Very accurate, fair snd balanced.

[@TINGSTARR]

Lots of good details in this review. I have all four and mainly agree with the contents.

[@anirbanbhattacharjee3474]

Very nice comparisons and points. I agree with some and disagree with some others 😁. Having said that, I will say that fountain pens likeability differs from person to person as they are not ball points or gel pens. FP are used by people who appreciate a good writing instrument, just like a Zippo lighter. You need to maintain, clean, rotate usage, and take care of these pens which is not needed for other writing instruments. When you talk of Pilot, the Metropolitan writes really well, is well built (metal) and the ink does not dry up if not used for some days. In piston fillers, nothing can beat a TWSBI. Their Precision Gun Metal series is very good and well priced. But you will find many who dislike these pens. Same with MB, Pelikan, KOP, etc., none are perfect, all have some flaws. So price, brand, gold content, weight, brass or plastic piston, etc. don't matter if you don't enjoy writing with the pen, which is the main thing. If you like a pen while holding it, while writing with it, you should buy it, irrespective the price. Same goes with fine mechanical watches. Please note, that my comment is based on my personal usage and ownership of these models IMHO 👍

[@dab7963]

I always wanted to see these compared. I am about to add the Pilot Custom (I own the 845) the only one I am missing is the KOP sailor. In fact I do not own any sailor pens. I need to try one. I love my 149 F but why on earth did they change the piston to plastic?

[@hedge5322]

Really informative and well shot!

[@charlesjacques750]

Soft nib guy here .. how does that Pilot Custom Urushi compare to the Pilot Custom 823 nib? I have a vintage MB 149 (f) but it’s just not my favorite for reasons you articulated so well!

[@OwlxArt]

They are comparable in terms of how they write but Custom Urushi is more soft and more bouncy which I personally prefer. I still like the custom 823 as evidenced by the 2 custom 823 models I own.

[@mrsushihut]

I own both, and can echo that the Custom Urushi is bouncy which cushions the writing in a really nice way, it's also a bit smoother.

[@NicholasPaulFranks]

Thank you for your quality video. Just one quick question as someone who is leaning towards Pelikan:- why is the price a con when it’s a 1/3rd less than Mont Blanc and even more less than the Pilot?

[@michaelbradley6488]

The Pelikan is every bit as well made as the Montblanc, I have both and am happy that I do. The Pelikan has a softer nib and requires a softer touch while writing.

[@NicholasPaulFranks]

@@michaelbradley6488 thanks michael

[@azamatbezhan1653]

Does Montblanc nib has greater quality than Pelikan

[@belphegor_dev]

​@@azamatbezhan1653No. You don't buy MB or Visconti for quality. You buy these pens for the name and prestige.

[@bullseye11b]

So far I only have the M1000. It’s a fantastic pen. Next I hope to get the custom Urushi. I have the 845 and love it.

[@crouserm]

A splendid comparison! I only can hope one day to have one such pen. The m1000 series appeals to me most, for its understated sophistication, quality construction, and ease of maintenance. All four pens are at the limit, for my thinking, of what one actually would use to write much. I have admired the artistry of the David Oskarson pens; but would I ever risk inking it? And, as for the Montegrappa monstrosities! Well! Actually, the only super-expensive pen I would ink and use is the out of stock Onoto Spitfire -- made to use, but never to lose.

[@101Checks]

I ink my David oscarson (that I got for a steal…)! They’re fantastic writers. If you meet David at pen shops or pen shows, he inks all of his own pens and writes with them everywhere. They’re beautiful and meant to be written with! Other high end pens like those here are certainly meant to be written with.

[@crouserm]

@@101Checks Lovely! Made to use, never to lose!

[@azamatbezhan1653]

Does Montblanc nib has greater quality than Pelikan

[@crouserm]

@@azamatbezhan1653 I'm afraid that the last time I wrote with a Montblanc nib was when I had to test it in a stationery store in 1995, so, no way for me to answer! Perhaps ask on the Fountain Pen Network?

[@trulsdirio]

I just love the Pelikans, but actually prefer the old style with its transparent stripes and plastic finial. The M600 may be the best value and size in my opinion, but the brass mechanism of the M800 is something pretty neat as well. One day I will get one!

[@vinaynagdev03]

In four fountain pens which 2 win the battle? I like both Japanese fountains becoz they know very how to make fine nibs

[@OwlxArt]

I prefer Pilot Custom Urushi and Pelikan M1005 over the other two mainly because I like softer nibs but you decide whats best for you based on the pros and cons of each pen I listed in the video.

[@gasken2182]

Do you prefer a Custom Urushi or a Namiki yukari royale?

[@ArthurPhillip7]

Hey love your videos. See you haven't posted but maybe you still check these messages. For the custom Urushi, are you happy with the MF nib or know if the medium is better? Someone who is experienced/has a ton of pens and loves the custom Urushi also but said he found the MF a tiny bit scratchy. Have you tried any other nibs? In Pilot my favorite nibs are SF/SFM + the FA 15 is my favorite nib. Thanks for any help before I pull the trigger.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Excellent review. Why stopped posting new videos?

[@janwilson9485]

Insane prices for pens a bit bigger than their smaller pens. It would be interesting to compare these top of the line pens with the next couple of series down versions mainly for writing quality. Are they better or is it just status. I dont buy the companies needing to spend massive amounts on R & D as fountain pen technology doesnt move on much and if it did would probably go against the desires of fountain pen lovers who love timeless old technology. Precious resins also make me giggle as there doesnt appear to be a definative definition of what this is - it could be precious amber ( fossilised tree resin) or some heavyish form of plastic.

[@user-qi5jw2hg1c]

Precious resin is just the German translation of a certain grade of higher quality resin. Its the same with the term Meisterstück- it means masterpiece when translated literally, but doesn't follow the same meaning as in English

[@erro0257]

Excellent overview, great analysis

[@malcolmgay2206]

Very thorough and informative Thank you Have a 146 on the way and i think the harder nib is me, but I now know where to go if it is too hard

[@dab7963]

Like your videos. Would not buy a KOP because it's not a piston pen. I love my Pelikan M1000 I did not know they even made a 1005. I always wanted a 149 but I still think it's overpriced. The urushi I have an 845 and love it. Thanks for your videos

[@azamatbezhan1653]

Does Montblanc nib has greater quality than Pelikan

[@dab7963]

@@azamatbezhan1653 to be honest they're both fantastic

[@Penoblo-com]

Well done!

[@peterpuleo2904]

I hate piston fillers on expensive pens; c/c all the way for me. I wonder how these would compare top line Graf von Faber Castell pens?

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Great review - Thanks. Regarding the Pelikan pens. I agree with you. They are very well made and write rather nicely. I paid $360 a year ago for an M805 including 20% tax here in the U.K. It might be worth folk in the U.S. buying from a pen shop in Europe? I don't rate the Montblanc at all given their very poor value. e.g. what you get for your money. FWIW my Ultimate pen for fine writing and great balance is the Onoto Magna Plunger Filler. They are hand made to order and they are beautifully done with great thread precision etc. The fittings are solid silver, or solid gold on the gold trim models and the nibs are exquisite to write with. And, they are still cheaper than a Montblanc. Thanks for this thoughtful well informed vlog. Do I recognise your voice and thoughtful style from another vlog?

[@peterpuleo2904]

Where is a good place to get the Onoto Magna?

[@kevinu.k.7042]

@@peterpuleo2904 Hi If you get in touch with Onoto they will tell you if they have an outlet in your country. It's worth having a chat, or emailing them if you want the pen varied a little. Because every pen is made by hand they are more than happy to accommodate small changes. They are really friendly and helpful folk. I bought a second one some time after the post above. They have developed a plunger filling mechanism. It costs a lot (all hand made) but it is simply stunning. Good luck.

[@peterpuleo2904]

@@kevinu.k.7042 Thank you. I tend to prefer c/c. I will contact them.

[@kevinu.k.7042]

@@peterpuleo2904 It actually is a CC, but one which vacuum fills. International fitting. Very high quality and works well. I hope it goes well.

[@gaeleus]

Great review! Thanks for sharing..

[@wachinstuf]

Is the Pelikan more too heavy vs the KOP and custom urushi? I tend to not like the feel of those

[@Andrei-Rex]

Amazing review. Thank you.

[@drnimish333]

Good comparison video

[@klt479]

I love the Pelikan m1000 and and Pilot Urish are great writing experiences. The KOP is a very enjoyable writer for many. The 149 writing experience is similar to many cheep steel nib fountain pens in my mind because of the hard nib.

[@Tennishead21]

That Sailor Urushi is really spectacular.

[@rajarshiroy85]

Are you sure the MB 149 has a plastic piston? I think MB149 also has a brass piston

[@michaelbradley6488]

My 149 piston is brass.

[@mrmf4712]

Nice vid! Now you just have to donate one of those to community :)

[@ichirofakename]

I'm so enamored of my Pro Gear that I really want a KoP. However I keep hearing about how unique the M1000 nib is, so I would probably go with that to get something different. In the real world, I hope to dog I never give in to temptation and waste $800+ on one pen.

[@CookieCurls]

It’s unfortunate that all of these “flagship” pens have such limited nib options. None of them come in extra fine, and aren’t really suited for daily use imo. And they are made of such cheap materials that charging as much as they do is insane. Acting like making them out of rubber instead of plastic is somehow “premium” is wild to me.

[@rds4629]

I think the MB is really good if you want a pen that non-pen afficandos will know about and respect. It's like getting a Rolex or even a fake rolex. This isn't intended to slam Rolex btw; their watches are built top notch w/ great quality control but just that the public have the brand highlited.

[@klt479]

Agreed. Rolex and today's Montblanc fountain pens are very comparable. The quality of both are marginal with a significant price premium.

[@T.R.A.N.C.E]

You wont find the older Montblancs behave like this review indicates, I have a 1980’s Montblanc 146, fine nib, and it writes similar to a Pilot 845 I have in Broad nib, except the Montblanc has more flex and puts down way more ink! So it does have more character on the page, but rather similar in terms of writing feel, extremely smooth with barely any feedback. Its kinda hilarious Montblanc called this gush machine a fine nib. Id wager a Pilot 912 in soft medium nib would write fairly similarly to this vintage Montblanc 146 while being a lot cheaper, except for the sheer amount of ink put out by the Montblanc, that would require an ebonite feed upgrade for the Pilot to compete. Going by this review and others the newer Montblanc nibs write much closer to advertised size and have no flex. Honestly Im more of a non flexy nib person most of the time, my handwriting tends to suffer with flexy nibs.

[@Xingqiwu387]

Excellent review from which I learned a lot! Thank you. Please do all the non-native speakers of English a big favor and enunciate your words more clearly. It was often difficult for me to understand the words because they were sort of mashed in together.

[@INTERNETDWARF]

149 has a brass piston FYI

[@OwlxArt]

Not the modern 149s.

[@INTERNETDWARF]

@@OwlxArt I own a boutique purchased modern 149. I assure you it does.

[@OwlxArt]

@@INTERNETDWARF I have the calligraphy 149 and the platinum 149 both of which are modern 149s from montblanc retailer and neither have brass pistons. You can verify the information online calling Montblanc yourself or any authorized montblanc retailers :)

[@INTERNETDWARF]

@@OwlxArt Are you quite sure?. I bought a 149 at the boutique last year and can literally go unscrew the piston and see brass.

[@OwlxArt]

@@INTERNETDWARF I think I should have clarified the spindle which you will see when you take apart your Montblanc fountain pens is plastic. The entire piston mechanism isnt plastic, there is a forum out there that demonstrates the differences between the eras of 146 and 149 piston fillers that is easier to understand. I just believe Pelikan's piston mechanisms are more durable and smoother than Montblancs

[@GED7773]

Montblanc is Montblanc, big boys...no way

[@Krishnakumar-wl7ih]

Imagine charging nearly a 1000$ for a pen and giving plastic pistons for filling ink... Even 100$ pens come with metal pistons. Montblanc is no longer a hierloom pen. It won't outlive one generation

[@tireiron1760]

It’s weird when you bring up social cues when talking about more expensive pens. It’s kind of like you’re projecting why someone might buy them based on comic book clichés. Idk, I have a dozen monteblacs, and the more or less have to do with Proust, Dostoyevsky, Hitchcock…etc. I also have a few dozen Nakaya pens, never one did I think people will think I’m rich if they see me with this pen…

[@OwlxArt]

I bring up social status factor only with Montblanc even though there are 2 other pens more expensive than this in the lineup. It is well known that the Montblanc logo and name carries heavy portion of the price which I pointed out. Keep in mind I do own montblanc pens so I am not bashing the brand for the sake of it but pointing out the stigma and reason for the price around it since I believe that is an important detail to be mentioned when discussing Montblanc prices.

[@tireiron1760]

@@OwlxArt Yeah, I understood the video. I wouldn’t say it’s well known, I would say, however, that’s based on the idea value is the parts combined. That implies all things are equal. Low end brands do not have the overhead, r&d, 401ks, as most of smaller brands are basically clones of older technologies. I do not believe you’re bashing Mont Blanc, I think you are making a category mistake, value and ethics. I believe you are saying they charge whatever they want, because people will pay for the prestige, where their competitors charge the same, or more, for mere copies, we’ll done copies, of past technology.

[@pencollectionscambodia5407]

😍😍😍

[@bobmajor2204]

Excellent systematic presentation BUT poor diction. I use LAMY Safari pens with broad nibs and LAMY ink. One has a convertor and the other is cartridge. They write quickly ,easily and neatly and are easy to clean. They cost $55 Australian . I don't need expensive brand pens. The only problem with my LAMYs is that the caps became loose and I had to buy new ones. Perhaps you could review cheaper fountain pens in future. Thank you for the review. Bob Major Adelaide South Australia

[@timeisahumanconstruct9251]

"Not great, Bob!"

[@tomcatkzn]

Potentially good review spoiled by poor sound. Even at full volume it was difficult to hear you.

[@bigstroke2069]

You seem to have bias against MB because they are well known. IMHO.

[@asoloma]

Such a bold statement from just one particular nib in each case. Each nib is different, particulary in Montblanc. My MB 149s are not stiff. All have line variation, from my EF to my Mediums. Pilots are perfect with pleasurable feedback. Pelikans are perfectly boring like a roller.

[@lorenzodellaquila4468]

😰🥰🇯🇵 🇩🇪

[@jungroe]

At $1400 and $1900 cost of the Pilot and Sailor cartridge converter pens, the Montblanc is a bargain, you get a proper proven piston filler and wonderfully rich and characterful stubbish nib. My second choice would be the M1005. I think the Pilot Custom 74 for $100 to $200 writes every bit as good as the Custom Urushi and KOP. If you want inspired vintage like soft flexible nib, look for the MB 149 Calligraphy, it's in a class of it's own. It's hard to find, but worth it. With the MB, it cleans out so easy, I don't know why you would need to take it apart. It's not necessary if you clean it out regularly with a good flush.

[@OwlxArt]

You're not taking into account the urushi factor when considering the retail price points of the Pilot Custom Urushi and Sailor KOP Urushi. I do not recommend paying retail for any of the pens and those pens second hand are fairly priced imo. I do own the MB 149 calligraphy and its not a class of its own. You seem to be a very big fan of Montblanc evidenced by calling it a "bargain" when in every aspect from writing to build quality, the Pelikan M1000/M1005 pens objectively are better priced for what you get.

[@AlexD12345]

Excellent review 😃, atrocious diction😔.

[@doctorfairlight2792]

I could barely understand a word of this.

[@davidreynolds9092]

Are you serious???

[@robvanderwell5695]

MontBlanc should not be in this list; this brand is a total joke. An insult to every customer looking for a real product.

[@Solrac924]

yoo haf veddy bloken Engrish.

[@davidreynolds9092]

So what? If you can't understand what he is saying, I would suggest it's you that has poor English!

[@Solrac924]

@@davidreynolds9092 nope. Don't try to simp.

[@gaeleus]

I’ll stick with Pelikan and Montblanc - thank you . Prefer European pens to Japanese ones

[@azamatbezhan1653]

Does Montblanc nib has greater quality than Pelikan

[@Igor_Itkin]

Sailor is highly overpriced.

[@abeyabraham4738]

Cant understand one word of what this chap says.

[@Igor_Itkin]

I can and it is informative.

[@JJPanozzo1]

Probably should get your hearing checked

[@explorerextraordinaire5472]

you could buy a used car for that kind of money! Maybe several used cars! WOW

[@maximilianschwab9668]

The Montblanc fountain pens ARE NOT MADE OUT, OF PLASTIC BUT RESIN, resin is a natural product, mostly you get them out of trees. I would also dare to say NONE OF THOSE PENS ARE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC!!!!!

[@AlexDaziano]

Montblanc body it's not natural resin, nor a Dupont material call Zytel, similar than fiberglass. Lamy use Makrolon from Bayer (fiber carbon), Pelikan celluloid. No one uses natural resin anymore.

[@maximilianschwab9668]

@@AlexDaziano All those companies use those materials you mention for their normal lines of pens they sell and, I am pretty sure, they use many more. I am not a coworker of any of those companies, so I do not know what is exactly they use to build their pens. Pelikan - just as an example - uses also many natural materials in the Maki-E series also small parts of shells for other special models, the same occurs with Montblanc and their very different special models and pens of the year. Lamy is VERY Bauhaus so they use for sure only synthetic materials, Makrolon is just ONE of them. Then if we talk about Japanese pens, we must say something about Urushi lacquer and Ebonite, both are natural products and of course, I must mention all the brands that use them for example Sailor, Pilot, Namiki, Nakaya, Taccia, Wancher, and Danitrio all of them use many natural materials for the different colors and in the bodies and art, they put in their pens. Summa summarum, it is difficult to say what all those companies really use, because they produce many different kinds of pens and they do not tell their "secrets" of construction openly. Many of those products are natural, without the shadow of a doubt, not only for decoration. The actual problem I had in this special video here was the word "plastic" (a material that possesses the ability of plasticity and is made out of petroleum), which seems the only word many people know to describe the materials used in a pen. A word that is first incorrect and if you say "all those pens are made out last plastic" that is a grave error in the information you are giving to others.

[@belphegor_dev]

Wrong. It's plastic.

[@belphegor_dev]

You're extremely pretentious and trying soooo hard to sound smart. You're really not fooling anyone.

[@maximilianschwab9668]

@@belphegor_dev nobody knows the real formula they use for their resin. Did you work for the company? Because you seem to be so sure about it?