Sailor Compass 1911 Review

[@GoldspotPens]

I tried eyedropper-converting this pen with ink for our video. You're 100% right. It failed. Excellent review!

[@PenFriends]

Goldspot Pens would be awesome if sailor made a more affordable ebonite eye dropper pen!

[@laszlojasz3006]

I might have nabbed an exceptionally well built unit (that was still marketed under the previous "profit junior" moniker), luckily enough eyedropper conversion worked absolutely fine, I have experienced no dome leakage issues at all - the section thread keeps tight as is (without applying any fluid repellent grease) and thank to the excellent feed the pen properly counterbalances pressure (keeps ink) not just to the (of about) last third of the huge total ink capacity (of ca. 2,5 ml!), but nearly to the very last few drops, which is quite remarkable for an eyedropper. considering the thin but juicy line it writes actually for miles/ages. if a relatively stiff and sharp, yet astonishingly precise rather fine nib fits your hand, this is a true bargain that you will quite definitely love.

[@sevenoctobers7471]

That clear plastic feed looks cool! I wish they'd expand the nib range to inclue EFs and Broads. Thank you for reviewing this!

[@mr.maskss5745]

Them clear feeds really catch my eye

[@mr.maskss5745]

@Palash Person you got it exactly!

[@joshuagreenman5868]

Thank you for your reviews, David. I really appreciate them, especially when you focus on cheaper ones that are accessible.

[@ladybeavanerdventures]

its 10:16pm Sunday evening drinking wine a bit tipsy and watching fountain pen videos and got so excited when I saw you posted a new video :D

[@martinlebl631]

Do not watch pen reviews tipsy, that is a recipe for some tipsy pen shopping. :)

[@popparoc46]

I've had mine (in olive) for a couple of weeks - FYI: purchased here in Canada for $66 plus tax. I quite like it. Mine doesn't have that little space on the curve of the clip. I too, enjoy Sailor pens and wanted to try their entry level pen. One last FYI - My first fill of ink in the pen was a dry green ink and the pen wrote like a sharp needle. It wasn't really pleasant and I LIKE a fine nib. Dumped that ink and tried Sailor épinard and suddenly, the nib was wetter, wrote more smoothly, and seemed "broader". Nice. I'm very happy! - roc

[@cesspresso]

This was my first Sailor pen and I found the plainness of the nib to be balanced by the lovely clear feed. I’m always pleased with how it writes and feels in my hand. I do hope this pen is an indication of the upward quality of the other, more costly, Sailor pens.

[@korax67]

It looks exactly like Sailor Jounior which is sold for $20, with the same nib but without the converter.... Sailor Lecoule also uses this nib too. I've used these two pens (Jounior and Lecoule ) and the nib is perfect right out of the box.

[@ambsquared]

I got an email announcing these and went to look at it on goulet pens. I probably was looking within 30 minutes of getting the email. Every color I picked first was sold out. Went to other sites and same thing. Saw the profit jr. on a gray market importer, but once again every color I chose was out. Pretty frustrating, but really, I should not be buying new pens for a while. What I really should do is save for a while to get a really nicepen.

[@martinlebl631]

So it is. I wish the US allocations were larger.

[@wendywander7]

Thank you for purchasing and reviewing this pen. It's my next planned pen purchase (I moved too slowly and my preferred color sold out at Goulet Pens before I ordered). I have a Sailor Lecoule which has a steel MF nib that I enjoy so much, and I wanted another pen with the nib, so I'm very pleased they've released this line. Thank you for your informative review which solidifies my decision.

[@cockypens1660]

I found the Compass to require a bit of tuning out of the box to obtain sufficient ink flow. This required flossing the tines with a brass sheet and then spreading them a bit. The nib and feed are friction fit, so they can be removed. This enabled me to align the nib and feed. Since then, the pen writes consistently and precisely, though it is certainly no gusher. Keep in mind this model is known as the Profit Jr. in Japan; it is also available under that name.

[@davidmcguigan5497]

Thanks, David! Nice to see what a company like Sailor is willing to offer us wee folk in pendom. I have a similar pen from Waterman, the Kultur, that came with an excellent #6 nib. That look at the ink moving through the feed was cool.

[@loveisall5520]

I have had several of the Kultur pens over the last 20 years in different nibs, and they are all terrific. Still own a few, still a great buy as is the Phileas.

[@13noman1]

Always appreciate reviews of respected brands at the more affordable end. I write on the small side and greatly enjoy the M-F nib on my 1911 Large so this is tempting. A comment re: Faber Castell Loom. I absolutely LOVE the nib on the Loom but in my experience, the section is surprisingly a bit slick. Whenever I use it I find myself making micro-adjustments of my grip -- and then see that the barrel is all but unscrewed. Sadly, it sits in storage more often than not for those reasons. Otherwise, it would be "write" up there with my "take to work pens" (as in, 'low worry' pen given the cost).

[@katiekoppin]

Thank you so much for your review. This was extremely helpful and exactly what I’m looking for.

[@FigbootonPens]

Thanks for watching!

[@kellieashman6908]

Thanks for the review David. Decent pen but a bit confusing that so many of the Sailor models seem to be called 1911

[@carlatae48]

I believe I got this same pen, sans the converter, from Yoseka Stationary a while back. It was called the Sailor 1911 Junior. (Another name for the Profit model?). I paid $30, so $39 with converter is about the same. I got the clear and like it a lot. Thanks for the thorough review. Cheers!

[@ashay876]

I realised today that you match your shirt colours with pen/ink colors.😂 Wonderful review!

[@alaincoutal9585]

Thanks for this review. Is there another fountain pen with clear feed?

[@nottooherbal]

I like the rather spartan nib; the strong anchor logo is enough. Pity it won't take a medium nib.

[@greenerick]

Great video does it Dry out

[@christopherstarr7607]

I think I will be getting one soon and inking up with noodler's 54th Mass. That ink needs a fine to extra fine nib. Thanks for the review!

[@lcritter]

Thanks for this review. That pen is in transit to me; my first sailor. I now see the nib isn’t going to be my favourite. Off to work it shall go.

[@zoot9393]

Exquisite pen! Also divine shade of pink!

[@1968gadgetyo]

It looks like the SAILOR Lecoule Spear, with founded ends. Lecoule Spear comes in a plastic case without the converter or extra cartridge. The nib and the feed looks identical.

[@Strider1Wilco]

I like your handwriting

[@johnfisher8924]

I have been bouncing around the idea of getting a Sailor but I just can't see pulling the trigger on this one. The price is silly cheap for anything with the Sailor name on it but I think I will save my pennies up to get into the mid range offerings.

[@shadowmihaiu]

Thanks for the very timely review Dave. I just saw this yesterday and bought it from Truphae. It's my 2nd Sailor, the first being a Pro Gear with the gold music nib. It's a step down, but I want to see how Sailor handles a steel nib, and I was looking for a pen in that color (olive). Honestly though, do you think it compares in quality to others in that price range? You mentioned the Loom, which is very high quality at near the same price point.

[@andrewtongue7084]

For an entry level pen, this is a very impressive example - the clear feed is my favourite element of this pen, but I'd need a wider nib than the featured M-F. $39.00 (US) for a demonstrator - I consider this will be a big seller in time to come. Thank you, David :)

[@dennisisit5988]

I have the clear version. Mine wrote well out of the box with Iroshizuku Kon Peki. Love the clear feed! As I don"t see myself affording a gold nib, $39.20 (as opposed to $392.00) is truly an amazing price for this one

[@sofiamelo8980]

Thank you. Love sailor pens.

[@nfo1776]

Hi David, thanks for the review! Does the end of the barrel unscrew? If so, I imagine a little silicone grease would make turning it into an eyedropper feasible.

[@FigbootonPens]

It's glued on. While I didn't experience leaking, I know of others who have.

[@TeamFish15]

Hey David, I’m curious if you’ve flushed the pen yet to see if the clear plastic feed returns to translucent; or if it’s stained? Really neat pen regardless.

[@FigbootonPens]

It cleaned right up. No stains from having ink in there for a couple days.

[@martinlebl631]

@@FigbootonPens The translucent feeds are pretty hard plastic, so they do not stain with normal ink. Now some very aggressive inks could be a different story, as those can stain anything. Looking at you Baystate Blue.

[@CembaloMeister]

That pink ink reminds me of Noodler's Rachmaninoff

[@ReverieOfThorns]

Super late but I thought the same thing! I just bought this pen since I wanted a Sailor pen but can't afford a gold nib at the moment (one day!) and have that ink so maybe I'll be making that my Rachmaninoff pen lol

[@Paul-vi3on]

Why did you not at least make a side-by-side comparison with a 1911S ?! I mean they're both named 1911 for a reason…

[@sbsawler]

Great review. Thanks.

[@FrauStaenki]

Isn't it a bit pricy? I mean, it is nearly the price of a curidas or you could get four prefountes for this amount.

[@Chuck2]

Unfortunately it’s not a design feature:/ mine is perpendicular to the clip

[@maxwells789]

The clear feed is a fun feature for this pen. Thanks for the review! I think the Sailor Ace Neo has a similar clear feed.

[@amandajstar]

Thanks for this. It really wouldn't work for me because I prefer at least a Medium nib, even a Broad.

[@yuklimka7251]

First off, thank you, David, for a great review. In Taiwan the Hi-Ace retails for NT$280, add a converter for NT$150 (less than US$ 15 for both items combined) and you get a slim clear demonstrator with either an anodized aluminum or black cap and a clear feed. The nib is also very plain with a heart-shaped breather hole, the word Sailor stamped on the nib, and the nib size near the section. It also has limited nib size options (F/M), is fairly stiff and definitely has a pencil-like feedback. It's very light and clips right into the pen loops of my planner. This is a great pen for writing Chinese and Japanese, if you have small hands and small handwriting. Also, I don't mind bringing it along unlike some of my nice pens.

[@ALittleBitofALot]

I wonder if I’m the only person who thought this pen is overpriced ? I mean, it honestly feels the same as the Platinum Prefounte, I actually like the M nib better. I mean, it’s cute, but I think you’re definitely paying just for the brand here.

[@tarawood3191]

I'm pretty sure it's the same as the Sailor Profit Junior, which I've seen in the $20 range (although not since they released the Compass), and that feels like a more reasonable price for it.

[@ALittleBitofALot]

@@tarawood3191 I don't have a Profit so I can't compare it to that, but yeah, $20 sure, that's fair, but essentially $40 ? A Narwhal pen is $5 more and I think that's a better pen than the Compass.

[@tarawood3191]

@@ALittleBitofALot Yeah, agreed.

[@MartaZobeniak]

@Figboot on Pens - between the Compass 1911 and Lecoule, which one would be better in your opinion? I assume they use the same nib?

[@arthursmith1539]

Marta Zobeniak do you like rounded ends or squared off ends? That's the difference. And the Compass comes with a converter.

[@MartaZobeniak]

@@arthursmith1539 I'm partial to flat tops, but what I meant was the quality of the materials used. I'd also like to see how they compare in terms of size.

[@arthursmith1539]

@@MartaZobeniak Sure. Same materials. Same nib. The Compass is ever so slightly longer because the ends are round.

[@trocha419]

You sold me.

[@sethcunningham2138]

I'm honestly not impressed. The FC Loom blows this out of the water at this price point.

[@franklinohlin8224]

I looked forward to buying this pen as a "first step to the 1911 Standard". It was a huge disappointment. It is too lightweight and feels cheap in your hand. The highly touted MF steel nib is very dry, it produces too fine a line for a starter pen, and the nib is not replaceable. The converter matches the pen color...big whoop. I sent it back to the retailer for a refund after one day. For $40, buy a Faber Castell, Hexo in the fine or medium nib, or two Pilot Metro's.

[@dashsunil]

You seem to have shared the reality. For this kind of experience, 40 USD is not justified. A Monami Olika with Lamy cartridges writes better than this one with a fraction of its price.

[@meatatarian212]

$30 doesn't seem very reasonable seeing as how you only get one nib size, and a pretty boring nib to boot.

[@franklinohlin8224]

$39.20

[@meatatarian212]

@@franklinohlin8224 whatever

[@welcometotheworldwithsean]

Oh, if only it came with a zoom nib...or at least a broad 😔

[@martinlebl631]

I wish those were available on more affordable pens. Alas, it us all fine, fine-medium, or medium in the affordable land.

[@Sallysaurus]

Shame it only comes with one nib option, wish pen companies would more often give a bigger variety, but maybe I'm a tiny niche market cuz I wanna see one of sailors fude nibs in that pen

[@ssnoc]

I’m surprised Sailor is making such a cheaply made pen - it looks more like a cheap knock-off pen

[@FigbootonPens]

Sailor produces a large number of lower-cost pens...they are mainly for the Asian market, though.

[@ssnoc]

Figboot on Pens - Sailor is still my favorite brand - my 1911 Large is the best writing pen I own - love it.

[@robertweir5755]

I`ve been wondering why you and every pen reviewer I've seen seem to use a different ink rather than standardizing on one ink. I find that I can't try a new to me ink with a new pen without wondering if the ink or the pen is causing a problem when it doesn't perform well.

[@shadowmihaiu]

I am so sorry to point this out; where is the outrage over this blatant copy of a Jinhao standard pen?? (Or for that matter the outage over Monteverde's blatant copy of the same pen, at a triple+ price point, in its "monza"). Now if you've read my past comments when people squeal about Chinese pens being inspired by or blatantly using a European design... you know I think it's dumb. But it is interesting to see what doesn't happen when the ink is in the other cartridge, so to speak.

[@genaishivatov1737]

This nib from Sailor (which they put on many, initial models) I absolutely did not like. Everyone knows, Pilot's initial nib is much better.