OLD VS NEW - Pilot Elite / e95s Fountain Pen Comparison

[@ddkwski2668]

I have recently purchased a vintage 1972 Pilot Elite w/18K nib from Japan. I usually disassemble and clean all my vintage pens thoroughly and this pen was no exception. Initially the pen did not write good, very stingy on ink flow. Finally discovering how to disassemble it, I took it apart and found there is fiber sponge material that wicks ink from the feed and this was totally disintegrated. The pen was essentially useless with no way of controlling the ink flow........Thinking for a bit I remembered that the current $3 Pilot Varsity also uses this type of ink feed mechanism.....could it be that the fiber piece in the Varsity could be repurposed in the 1972 Pilot? Yes Japanese engineering again! The Diameter of the fiber was perfect and only needed to be trimmed and tapered a bit to fit under the Elite gold nib. It is now an amazing pen that never leaks and writes every time just like my (refillable) Varsity. Thanks for the video, I hope my info helps others that have an old Elite in the drawer. I always appreciate your engineering attention.

[@KnightJRL]

See, THIS is what KZbin comments sections should be. Great feedback and sharing of information. So much negativity and complaining these days. Thank you for posting this! As a fellow vintage Elite owner ('74, here!), I am now armed with additional knowledge should I ever find myself experiencing ink flow problems.

[@widekeepo9416]

Your comment is a godsend! I have a vintage pilot pen and mistook the fiber as dried ink and scraped it out 🫠. Will try out your technique soon

[@Mafia2193]

This is great! When i disassembled my vintage elite a couple months ago, i had the exact same thought. i used a replacement fiber tip for marker pens, sliced and shaved to fit with a scalpel. Works perfectly!

[@evanbasnaw]

My first gold nib was the Lamy 2k F. Great writer. I did get a 1970s vintage Elite last year for $35 at a pen show because it had a mismatched body. I love the old 18k nib.

[@RLSellers]

I would love to find a vintage Elite...the one in the video is superb! The new version is beautiful as well, and nothing can beat a Pilot nib, IMO!

[@ibpopp]

Excellent show. I really like the way your design & engineering background helps frame your comments. Good on 'ya, mate. Cheers from The Bunyips.

[@atirathdhara6868]

Hey Doodlebud, love your channel and videos (including this one)! Recently purchased an E95s for myself after watching your video, and I love it. You mentioned in your video that the modern version had a crimped on clip instead of a spring clip, but I'm very pleased to report that the new ones have spring clips too! What an adorable little pen :) And thank you for making such excellent videos.

[@alohm]

I always love the old versus new to see what has changed, and you can see how they stand the test of time... Cheers, great work as always.

[@Paul.Douglas]

Just got my Elite a couple days ago. It is my 1st gold nib, and the best writer. So smooth, great flow, no skipping.

[@NEMTY48]

First gold nib was in my MB 149 purchased in the spring of 1978 for 100.00 .

[@MarshaLove0723]

For the Elite/95s, I refill cartridges. The CON-40 doesn't bother me that much (I syringe-fill them) in most Pilot pens, but I can't see the ink level in the Elite. I can see the ink when I use a cartridge in that pen. My first gold nib pen was a LAMY Dialog 3. I originally bought it with a F nib, but bought an EF nib about a year later and swapped it out. Sometimes I put the Gold F on a Safari, depending on the ink. 😏

[@sailcat9]

My first gold nib pen, I believe, was a Platinum 3776. I bought it seven or eight years ago and since then I've picked up gold nibbed pens from several manufacturers but Pilot seems to offer the most consistent writers, in my opinion. Thank you for your excellent video and good luck to everyone in the drawing!

[@sruckel]

My first gold nib was a gift of a Parker Duofold in 1987. I still use it regularly. I really enjoy your channel. Your engineering background adds something no other channel does. Well done.

[@thadtheman3751]

Was that the new or old Duofold. I love the design of the nib on the new with the arrow.

[@DMiG1337]

My first gold nib pen was the Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo in medium. Picked it up this year during my first pen show, an intimidating but enjoyable experience. Thank you for the amazing content you share! I have learned so much from your channel.

[@philnaunton7181]

Excellent, excellent. I was switching pens Mid-write, from a steel nib generic Asian pen to a vintage Elite. The difference, the feel was nothing subtle. The Pilot Elite was virtually MAGICAL. Smooth. Expressive. Responsive. Even the resulting script was _so_ nuanced. It literally took my breath away. Thank you for the great comparative review.

[@peponas87]

Congrats for the video! Your comments and advices are valuable!

[@noregretsguitars]

My first FP and gold nib was a Pilot Vanishing Point. Thanks for your informative videos and practical insights.

[@wayneo5342]

Thanks for yet another awesome video. I so much appreciate your expertise as an engineer. Best of luck to everybody on the drawing!

[@Soul_Watcher]

I absolutely love the vintage pilot design and look. I want to get my hands on one of these some day! If memory serves, my first gold nibbed pen was my Platinum President. I purchased it in ultra extra extra fine.

[@000Devin]

Love the videos! I've only been using fountain pens for about 6 months, your content has been a great resource in my journey.

[@salxorw3191]

I got a modern Japan Elite 95s in ivory and burgandy. Great writing pens just don't write with it much being I work with steel on a manufacturing floor. Dont want it to get damaged.

[@matthewscott3689]

My first gold nib pen was the Lamy 2000 in extra fine. Thank's for the review, i've always wanted to see how the modern and vintage elites compare! I thought they would have been virtually identical, but glad to know there are subtle differences that make them unique. Keep up the great work

[@xWyLDe-]

Always enjoy your reviews. You are always very thorough and detailed and I like that you are completely honest on your thoughts.

[@michaelkluge2303]

Thanks for doing the side by side comparison. I really appreciate how thorough your reviews always are.

[@moonlover1313]

My first gold nib was actually my first pen! A vintage Cross Townsend that I got from an antique store for really cheap as it didn't really work. I learned how to take care of fountain pens along with how to use them thanks to that pen, and thankfully wasn't scared away by everything I had to learn. Haven't gotten any other gold nibs since then, but one day maybe another one will be on the way!

[@Littledoggo404]

Writing with my Pilot Custom 823 felt like I was tapping into a reservoir of inspiration. The vacuum filler mechanism and the 14k gold nib turned every writing session into a joyous experience ❤

[@samyeh7995]

Thank you for reviewing the e95s. I especially like that you measure the weight and the dimensions. Those data are even more important today when it's not as easy to find stationers to try the pens in person!

[@ichirofakename]

Two gorgeous, differently-styled pens, but the wiggle introduced in the posted cap of the current model, if actually noticeable to a typical user, is a low-down dirty shame. Please omit me from the drawing as I've already had an Elite. Thanks to you and 365 for the generosity. My first gold pen was a 743 which I still have even though it taught me that I don't like/need flex. You want it? I'm in a tradey mood.

[@SarmadAkram]

I’d be very interested in that 743 FA if you’d be interested in selling :)

[@Doodlebud]

If the pen is just sitting there..... I could see how it compares with my 912FA

[@spiderwrangler4457]

Interesting comparison, my vintage Elite was my second gold nib pen (first was vintage Waterman Commando), and there's a number of things that are quite different between my vintage and yours! Section extends all the way under the nib, no feed is visible at all, and can't see enough of the nib to see if it has a date on it.

[@themisterchristie]

I love my vintage Elite, it has been my daily pen for around a year. I got it to see if I would like the form factor as it was about 1/8 the price of the e95s

[@ChadHerring]

This is great!! Thanks for this video. My first gold nib was a waterman opera that I got just out of college some 25 years ago

[@m7550s]

Looks awesome and has that great Pilot quality and aesthetic. I was surprised for my birthday with my first gold nib, a Pilot Custom 823. Love it in every way.

[@brethilebontree6672]

My first gold nib was my late father's vintage Aurora Hastil in medium, it's super smooth. The first one I bought myself is my Sailor PGS Manyo Willow in MF. I agree with you that the vintage one has a lovely look that I wish the new version would come in as well!

[@taiko7225]

Another great review as always - I love the visual from the tissue blotter test! I'll be using that ;)

[@katarinajanoskova]

Ohhh, never had a gold nib but one day I hope. In any case, adore your channel. Please keep doing what you are doing!!

[@BlinkiesNoGood]

I recently inherited my mom's vintage Parker 75 with a beautiful silver "cisele" design very similar to that vintage Pilot. Such a beautiful and timeless look. I also love that even though the pen is over 50 years old it takes the exact same coverter and cartridges as modern Parkers.

[@zazaincalifornia]

Thanks for that informative video! I took a break from KZbin but I wanted to mention how your handwriting improved, it’s beautiful and fluid 👌👌

[@veirsg]

My first gold nib was a Pilot Custom 823. Great, smooth writer and I love that it holds so much ink.

[@odinson364]

Thanks for the opportunity. My first gold nib pen was a Lamy 2000 medium. Since then, I have been considering getting it ground to an architect...

[@thedreadednyondo]

Very new to all this and fell into fountain pens only a couple months ago. Learning a lot from your vids! Love the look of the e95s.

[@johntoledo4438]

It's so nice how it goes from a pocket pen to a full-length pen and looks good while doing it. My first gold nib was a Pilot 74 sm. It's very nice.

[@bencole3741]

My first gold nib was a Lamy 2000 EF - a really precise sweet spot that’s lovely to write with (not so great if you tend to roll a nib when writing, but amazing if you don’t!). Thank you so much for the great content - as always!

[@peterharris5387]

My first gold nib was on a Sailor 1911S Good review of the Pilot pen

[@tgfflynn]

I discovered your channel a few month ago and have since watched all and have gone viewing at past postings. I like your approach and vibe of the individual episodes. I have really liked your tips, tricks and did you knows; like the tissue wetness test. Well Done.

[@ScatteredGeek]

I’ve been using fountain pens so long I’m not positive of my first gold nib. I believe it was my Namiki Faceted Vanishing Point in burgundy with a medium nib.

[@hubertwozniak3631]

Pilot e95s is my dream buget gold pen. It would a great gift for starting college

[@hiddenhood483]

A very unique looking pen, and it pulls it off very well. Such a staple of the fountain pen world.

[@caleba9648]

I've never had a gold nib pen before, but I was actually planning to have the e95s as my first gold nib:)

[@TK-lu7vq]

I love my Elites. I wish there was a way to take the nib section apart for proper cleaning

[@jon-paulcooper8336]

I’m sooo looking at acquiring this pen! With a fine nib, because I want to journal on lined paper of varying quality.

[@detpekandefingret]

It's a cool and different pen. I had a vintage Pilot Elite 18k, but found the converter would only fill halfway, and would only last a page or two. 11:30 very cool dry-test, I'll definitely put that to use, thanks!

[@blktauna]

I fill the converter from a syringe for this very reason.

[@detpekandefingret]

@@blktauna Yup, that would solve it. I thought of it as an excuse to sell it to someone who wants it more, and instead use another pen. I used to use it at work (fit in the shirt pocket), I now use parker 51, which is just perfect. It's discrete, fast to uncap, looks like a normal pen, just works, never fails, holds plenty of ink.

[@BTMcSweeney]

Sailor and Platinum also made long-short pocket pens like this back in the 70s. They aren't as popular as the Elite and can be found remarkably cheap for gold nibs. I have a Platinum with a flex nib and it's a great writer.

[@doc8125]

IIRC Platinum was the original one actually then the other companies followed

[@alexmood6407]

Sailor made the first long/short format pen, soon followed by Platinum. I have about 10 of these and they are lovely

[@howardvidaver8994]

My first gold nib was a Parker 51.. it was my every day work pen for fifteen years plus. I still have it, shows a lot of wear at this point.

[@ThisisMichael1984]

The Lamy 2000 was my gateway into the world of gold-nib fountain pens. Its minimalist design and the unique Makrolon material perfectly complement the smoothness of its gold nib.

[@ThomasGarnett-oo8xi]

I am new to the fountain pen hobby and am still looking for my first gold nib pen. Many have suggested pilot custom 823 or the lamy 2000. I watch all your videos on pen, paper and ink and I appreciate your knowledge of manufacturing. This sounds like it would be a good pen to start with. Thanks for your videos.

[@ngtianbeng]

Unboxing my Montblanc Meisterstück 149 was a defining moment. The weight, the craftsmanship, and the gold nib made me feel like I was holding a piece of writing history in my hands. Cheers mate!

[@joem.383]

My wife and I both have the newer version like yours in this video. They both are medium nibs and write wonderfully well…a bit soft but smooth as butter! I have the black and hers is the burgundy color. Fantastic writers for sure. Lots of bang for the buck. We especially like the friction fit of the cap. A distinctive closure when replacing the cap when done as well as when posting during writing. I would highly recommend this pen to both beginners as well as experienced writers. Nice job on your videos! I’m a subscriber. Joe M. Kansas City, USA.

[@AlexKovalenkoArt]

I like your tissue paper test, it’s simple and visual. My first gold nib was Pilot Vanishing Point and I still love it.

[@tangmo956]

Nice review. My first gold nib was a vintage platinum pocket pen. Second was a Lamy 27. Current is a Platinum 3776 Gathered.

[@carsonpettefer8585]

Such a satisfying pen! From the way it writes, to capping and uncapping, to the feel in the hand. Great comparison doodlebud!

[@elborracho81]

I recently ordered several Pilot gold nib pens as I heard about the price increase, they are the first in my collection: Custom 743 (FA nib), VP (Rhodium Stripe, F), Decimo (black, EF), VP LS (black, M), Falcon Elabo (brown, SEF), and a rare pen I haven't seen covered the Grance (dark blue, F). I was considering an e95s but I purchased the vintage Shaeffer Targa in this style of nib. ❤

[@MordeKaiser29]

My first gold nib pen is the pilot capless I bought recently. I’m using the provided empty cartridge to fill Noodlers Bulletproof Black. I have majohn converters and cartridges too.

[@NauzerMistry]

Thanks for this video. My first gold nib pen was a Parker 45. Have a great week ahead!

[@inlesinlet]

My first gold nib pen was the Sailor Pro Gear Slim. It's been amazing. The Pilot Elite was an option even back then in 2016, and somehow it's still on my list of pens I'd like to get.

[@ladylillymoss]

Thanks for the video. The tips and tricks seemed very useful. Filling up ink in a pen can be more than a little messy when you first get started. Also the trick about how to tell which pen is wetter was very useful.

[@noamgal4947]

I love how the E95s writes. It’s so fine and precise. It’s amazing. No other fountain pen I have can do it

[@wisdomteethsoup]

my first and only gold nib pen is my second hand pilot falcon which I love. The fine nib on it is my absolute favorite size.

[@steerjonathan]

i'll be honest I like the con40 because I love changing ink colors. nice job, cool to see these side by side thanks! first gold was parker 51 -- didn't love it sadly.

[@nikossiotas]

Same here, i like the con-40. Btw, was it the old parker 51 or the new releases? The new aren't so good.

[@blktauna]

Exactly I would change every other day if I could get away with it :)

[@PeanutButter-rp8kg]

My first gold nib pen is my Sailor 1911S in MF. I have started to write since the 9th of January this year and started with my Pilot Kakuno. After finishing 2 journals, I moved to the Sailor 1911S. But I can seem to be comfortable enough to carry it with me to work so in the office I just use a normal rollerball. Great video btw. An in depth comparison is always nice. Very informative for newbies like me.

[@davidottman9501]

Very cool pen(s)! Not sure why I've been reluctant to grab one of these, there's a lot to like. Thanks for posting!

[@alexhackmann]

Hi! Nice vid! My first gold nib was a Pilot Custom 74 M. Thanks!

[@gaganmohan]

I was researching for my first gold nib pen, it will be great to have this ! Watched lot of your videos for information on pens , but subscribed recently.

[@JaimeLi00]

My first gold-nib fountain pen was a Pelikan M800 Souverän, and the smoothness of its nib made every stroke a luxurious experience. It was like gliding on silk.

[@sluggger]

My first gold nib was a 912. I've always been curious about these long-short pens, both the new one and the vintage one.

[@zeus52452]

Another nice review DB. My first gold nib was an E95s in Burgandy/Ivory Fine nib. I liked this style of pocket pen so much I've since acquired 3 vintage Sailors, 2 vintage Platinums, and a vintage Pilot Elite. My most recent acquisition - a vintage 1976 Pilot Myu 701!

[@Chrysoula9]

First gold nib was also my first fountain pen: Scheaffer Intrigue, black & gold, purchased new around 2002-03. Despite its problematic filling mechanism, it’s a beautiful pen that I still love.

[@murkser4149]

My first gold nib was the Sailor Pro Gear Slim. Still have it years later and enjoy writing with it. Thanks to Doodlebud and 365DaysStationery for the giveaway and good luck to everyone!

[@XionLuis]

My first gold nib pen was a Pilot Custom 74 . still love that pen! that burgundy on the E95s though, it is spicy!

[@mediavita1662]

I have one vintage pilot pocket pen, Pilot Elite 22 (22k gold nib),has some ink flow issue I need to work on, but still a great pen. My favourite vintage japanese pocket pen is Platinum PKW-5000, it has a 14k two way nib like parker 180 , it's just gorgeous, good looking and write very well.

[@paulyarrow333]

My first gold nib was a vintage Parker 51 which I love. Thanks for the comparison, really interesting to see how they compare.

[@andreamassari3849]

I appreciate all of your knowledge and observations that you share with us. Those are gorgeous pens.

[@Killerobot212]

My first gold nib was a Pilot Heritage 91 and is awesome. I love how stylish is it

[@l5s5p7]

Love pocket pens. This e95s has been in my list for some time. Classic!!!

[@skylachamard7444]

Thank you for the video. I enjoyed learning how to test for wetness. I've only been collecting using fountain pens since last summer. So i'm considering getting an e ninety five s for my first gold nib. I'm so grateful for the gentlemen who gave me my first couple of fountain pens. I've always hated writing and therefore keeping track of events and journaling. Using the fountain pen. I have gotten so much better.

[@golfer1950]

I never miss one of your videos and I am a Pilot fan with 823, Custom 74 and 2 Falcons. What I would love to have is a Elite ne95s. All my Pilots are F nibs, so this one is a perfect fit.

[@mbilaliqbal]

If I remember right, my first gold nib was either a Porsche Design (made by Pelikan) or a Pilot VP. But they went into storage and it was until years later when I got myself a Wing Sung 698 that I truly began to appreciate the subtle ways in which modern gold nib pens are different to steel nibs.

[@javierperez-uz9lc]

My first gold nib was a Pelikan M800 Demo that I got at an antique store in Boston. Still one of my favorites even with its complicated barrel issues. Cheers!

[@deandesrosiers6857]

My first gold nib pen I bought last week in Vancouver at Charals. Pilot Capless, VP medium nib. Blue/flat black. I tried the Moonman A1 first over a year ago and it works for my hand and note taking needs. My Pilot VP feels worth every extra penny I paid.

[@wolfamd]

Fantastic review, it is a good example of Pilot's mastery when it comes to making fountain pens

[@davisperry597]

My first gold nib was the Lamy 2000. Bought it on vacation to NYC not realizing how rare a Lamy store was in the US at the time. Will always love that pen.

[@TheGorillaHaramB]

My first gold nib was a Sailor 1911 Large with a medium sized nib ! Such a beautiful pen, took a bit of time to get used to the feedback of sailor pens but it was a great experience

[@charlesbrough6185]

Thanks DB! Learn something new every day! Date code was new to me. I usually refill empty cartridges in my Pilot short-long pocket pens because I like to choose my ink, the cartridges are sturdy, and have decent capacity. I have found them a pleasure to use

[@iluvyoumetal]

My first gold nib came on a Sailor Pro Gear Slim I purchased used from the Pen Swap subreddit. It was a broad nib, and although I didn't appreciate it's line weight at the time, I've come to really enjoy it with drier inks. Thanks for the videos, Doodlebud!

[@Infamus21626]

Only a few months into using fountain pens and the Elite is the pen I would like as my first gold nib. Thank you for all the pen and ink videos you make.

[@raresdragan4610]

It's nice to see the pen is being brought back to life. It is a great looking pilot, very elegant, very good looking without being over the top.

[@taishoku14]

My daughter works at Muji. I'm looking forward to a real fountain pen to use on the paper she sent me. It's time to retire my Zebra Fuente. You've given me some good ideas. Love your down-to-earth style!

[@TheNeebs]

I'm a little over a month on my fountain pen journey and this Pilot E95s quickly made its way on my list. Your channel is my favorite due to your engineering approach as it fits with my interests in many things and now fountain pens too. I've been cruising around eBay in hopes of finding the same vintage one you have but am sure I will buy the new one soon. That is unless I'm the lucky winner. Thank you for all the reviews and content you produce.

[@gigiwhizz494]

My first (and for the moment only) gold nib pen was the pilot E95s! The burgundy and gold. It's such a beautiful pen to use, and just to look at and turn over in your hands, taking the lid on and off etc. I'm totally in love with it. Since I have one already I'm not angling for the draw, but congratulations to whoever wins it, it will make them very happy!

[@195516Z]

LAMY 2000 was my first gold nib. I was skeptical at first but just writing with it changed my perspective. For what it's worth, you have a clear and pleasant voice for your reviews. Thanks.

[@haroldmarenger3435]

Another great video. Thanks for the comparison. I’ve been keeping an eye out for a similar vintage Pilot Elite as yours in the video. I have the newer version you tested in the video, and it works great, with no wiggle in the posted cap. My first gold nib pen that I actually used is/was a Lamy P48 (I still have the pen and the original packaging, shaped kind like a bullet). Thanks again.

[@NicMcPhee]

I think my first gold nib pen was a Sheaffer Targa italic. My wife and I bought each other matching Targas as wedding presents back in 1989, and we still both enjoy using them to this day! (The caps don’t seal _super_ well, though, so they’ll dry out if we’re not using them regularly.)

[@ExpertAquariumGirl]

Your voice is super soothing. I just figured out why. “Ahhh Peter? I’m going to have to ask you to come in on Saturday. I’m going to go ahead and have to ask you to come in on Sunday, too. Thanks!” 😂

[@Doodlebud]

We have sort of a problem here.... yeah, you apparently didn't put one of the new coversheets on your TPS reports. Yeeeeahhh.... If you could just go ahead and make sure you do that from now on that would great....

[@ExpertAquariumGirl]

@@Doodlebud omg! This made my day!!!! Those tps reports!!! Imagine three bosses telling you about how you messed those up! 😆 I can’t be the first person to say you sound like Lumbergh, right? I hope I am but I just can’t be. 🤣🤣🤣 You’re the best! I love that movie so much and watch it at least twice a year since it came out. 🙂 Also, your fountain pen stuff is the bees knees, too. ❤️