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.

[@ibpopp]

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

[@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!

[@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 .

[@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.

[@xWyLDe-]

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

[@noregretsguitars]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@peponas87]

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

[@taiko7225]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@wayneo5342]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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 👌👌

[@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

[@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!

[@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. ❤

[@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.

[@carsonpettefer8585]

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

[@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.

[@XionLuis]

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

[@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.

[@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!!

[@tangmo956]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@veirsg]

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

[@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 ❤

[@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 :)

[@andriella19]

My first (and only, thus far) gold nib pen was a Sailor Pro Gear Slim. I have been wanting to try this Pilot model for a while!

[@NauzerMistry]

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

[@mo_roos]

Your reviews are always so thorough and helpful! I have yet to acquire a gold nib, but the e95s/elite is on the short list (along with the Sailor PGS).

[@edgars.rainesjr.3184]

Thanks for the wonderful evaluation of an excellent fountain pen. My first gold nib pen was a Parker 75 with a Broad Italic nib, which I still use for Calligraphy projects. I really enjoy your videos.

[@scottchevalley2067]

I haven't bought my first gold nib pen yet but was looking at the e95s at Farhneys in DC a few months ago. I also looked on ebay for some vintage versions but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Thanks for the review and comparison.

[@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!

[@nash0rn]

My first and only gold nip until now is the Lamy 2000. After your videos I had to get that pen and I love it as a daily for work notes.

[@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!

[@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. 😏

[@andreamassari3849]

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

[@bhuahuahuahua]

My first gold nib was a Pilot Decimo! I still love it, even more so after getting it ground to a MCI.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@masongratrix6290]

My first pen was also a Lamy 2000. Funnily enough, I actually just bought a vintage Elite with the crosshatch pattern a day prior to this video publishing! Still waiting for it to show up, so I'm excited to try it out.

[@peterharris5387]

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

[@WhimsyofThings]

My first gold nib was a vintage Parker Lucky Curve 14. I need to get the nib tuned. It is similar to the ones in this video as it is a pocket pen and really has to be posted to use. I really liked the idea of the Kleenex test!

[@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.

[@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.

[@jpanthony]

Thank you for the video! Always look forward to see your latest take on things.

[@TheAnarki247]

I have the vintage Sailor and Platinum pens in this style. The sailor has a lovely bouncy nib, with quite some feedback. Seems I need to try the pilot version too.

[@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.)

[@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.

[@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.

[@brucecash3939]

My first gold nib was an Eversharp skyline. Really nice writer. Great video and always on point information. Keep it up.

[@hiddenhood483]

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

[@dawnholder8819]

Great comparison video! My first gold nib was a Pilot Decimo 18k (M) - still love it. I also have an early 2000's Vanishing Point with a 14k nib (M). I can tell a slight difference between the two medium nibs with the 18k being a little smoother and a wetter flow. I've wanted to add an e95s to my collection and now you've given me much to consider...vintage vs new.

[@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.

[@kymmerriman7888]

A pro gear slim was my first gold nib. Would love to try the Elite. Thanks for your very informative reviews that are so helpful with your background. I learn a lot.

[@dany1242]

Thanks for this great comparison! I just looked at my “new” Elite 95s, the same in deep red, nib dated 0922. And mine has a spring loaded clip. 🤔

[@paulyarrow333]

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

[@christineb.1]

Great comparison and tip on how to adjust the nib. I love the look of the vintage Elite.

[@erro0257]

My first gold nib was an upgrade for my Kaweco Brass Sport. My first pocket pen was a Sailor pocket pen from 1970. But my current favorite pocket pen to write with is the Korean version of the Pilot Elite with a steel nib from 1990.

[@zxtiz]

That's a lovely looking pen. I am looking at getting my first gold nib pen and this might be one I go for

[@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.

[@kenchoate184]

Really enjoy the channel. No good nib pen.... yet. Have considered finding a pen show this year in search of the vintage elite.

[@johndelancey]

Just about 2 months into my fountain pen journey as a wannabe artist. :D Love the videos. You've helped narrow the field considerably. I've stuck to the lower cost/easier to leave on the sidewalk when urban sketching types of pens so far, but very excited to eventually graduate to the finer stuff, and the Pilots are at the top of the list of contenders. Great stuff!

[@MarcSaegesser]

My first gold nib was a vintage Sheaffer Targa. I haven't used it in a while so it maybe it'll be next in the rotation.

[@jkatkat7950]

My first gold nib was a Parker 45! (yes you can feel the difference)- kind of went down the rabbit hole with colours and different nibs on P45s with stub, oblique, accountant etc. etc.

[@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.

[@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.

[@mariexlupin]

My first gold nib was the Lamy 2k EF I got in 2017 :) I actually just recently swapped that EF nib out for a Medium and it revitalized my love for the pen. Also i just love these long-short pocket pens so much, I'm already browsing ebay to look at the vintage options listed right now haha.

[@rkmansley]

My first gold nib pen was the Pilot Custom 823. My first good fountain pen was the Kaweco Brass Sport. I love the convenience of a pocket pen. I’ve been interested in the Elite as a middle ground between these two pens. Thanks for the review.

[@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.

[@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.

[@AndrejDraskovic-w5w]

Loving the comparison! My first ever gold nib was a Pilot Custom 74, but sadly it had some flow issues. When it worked though, the nib was amazing.

[@shysquatch_72]

My first gold nib was the Pilot Namiki vanishing point that I got as new old stock from the eBay seller you mentioned in a community post. It is hand down my favorite pen. I wasn’t expecting for it to be my first gold nib, I was originally looking at a Mojiang Ti200 with a 14k nib,but when I saw a good deal on the vintage vanishing point I had to pull the trigger.

[@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.

[@sf8949]

New pen enthusiast here. Love your review videos, they always help me pick a new pen.