Pilot E95S Fountain Pen Overview

The Pilot E95S is a light, compact, affordable 14k inlaid nib fountain pen that is pretty unique as far as fountain pens go. If you are looking for a good portable pen, you'll definitely want to check this one out. The Pilot E95S fountain pen model is also called the Pilot Elite in markets outside of the US.
*UPDATE: This pen now comes with a Pilot CON-40 converter*
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:59 Unboxing
02:09 Color Options
02:39 Features
05:46 Filling Mechanism
06:58 Inking it up
07:45 How it writes
09:05 Comparable Pens
10:11 Take it or leave it
11:25 Conclusion
Links to Products Mentioned:
Pilot E95S: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
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ABOUT GOULET PENS:
Brian & Rachel Goulet started The Goulet Pen Company in 2009 and you can see the evolution of our mom and pop into a full-blown company through this channel. We run a dedicated online store with fountain pens, ink, paper, and other fine writing accessories. Our goal with this channel is to provide fountain pen fans at all levels of experience with comprehensive product reviews, round ups, and how-to videos to answer all the fountain pen questions you may have. Shop at www.gouletpens.com.
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[@fabiolean]

I finally pulled the trigger on this and it writes MAGNIFICENTLY! It's so nimble and light and writes like butter melting on a cloud. LOVE it.

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, this was my first gold nib pen, it's so stylish and unique. The EF writes so thinly, I love it too. Props to the E95s! - Colin

[@ahmedrashed78]

Is it still alive? :D

[@keshavrhm]

@@ahmedrashed78 duh it’s definitely still alive

[@cliffmathew]

I wrote all my high school exams back in the early 80s with this model -- it was a dark green color pen, with Navy Blue ink as I recall. This was a cherished possession for me as a kid growing up in rural India. It was a gift from a family friend who worked abroad, and showing this off to my mates at school was a matter of pride for me. With great nostalgia, I recently searched for it online -- and was surprised to find that it has become an expensive / novelty item now.

[@CasonGray]

sweeeet. good thing i like the burgundy because that’s like all they have@@cliffmathew

[@thomasmoriarty7881]

There is an definite elegance to a fountain pen, that transforms the user back to a more refined time in history.

[@heribertocastro6652]

People who don’t know about fountain pens might be surprised to find out that they know who pilot is. Pilot is also the producer of the pilot g2 which many people know of even if they aren’t pen connoisseurs simply because it writes nicer than a lot of other pens they’ve tried. Ironically, this clocked when I kept hearing the word pilot in your video and made the connection between the two pens. It was seriously a eureka moment and couldn’t believe I didn’t notice earlier since I liked pilots so much in school. XD

[@Gouletpens]

Yep! From Pilot G2s, to these gold nib pens, to maki-e fountain pens that run $10,000. Pilot covers it all when it comes to writing instruments! - Colin

[@rickcroucher]

I just got mine in the mail. I really like this pen. Thank you for your review.

[@Maywek]

I just bought this today, well a few hours ago so yesterday, for my birthday and I’m excited for it to come to be delivered to me. It’s my first gold nib fountain pen! Thanks for the review :)

[@mikeyhill6224]

I ordered this one from you guys! I love the color and design of this beautiful pen. I am a sucker for white/rose gold and red or burgundy/gold combos. Ordered it last month and shipping is taking some time, but it is okay. Worth the wait :) Thanks Brian for all your contributions to the FP community!

[@elliehoyer1804]

😂

[@ronshaw80]

I love the way it looks in burgundy/cream. It looks far classier than its price would suggest.

[@MrGchiasson]

I own this E95S..it writes smoothly, never skips or leaks. Very nice design. I have the medium nib...buying the fine nib.

[@air_]

MrGchiasson have you received the fine nib yet? And if so how would you compare it to the medium nib?

[@MisterCross]

I just got mine yesterday but didn't get a chance to ink it up until this morning (I bought the fine). First impressions: Super-light! Like Brian said even fully inked up with the converter it is so light. I feel like the E95s is going to float away. But boy howdy is it a joy to write with. Smooth, a wonderful writing experience. I love how the cap goes on and off and you get the same feedback/feel when posting it too. The black with the gold just screams out, "Classy with a capital C." If I had to have a complaint, I like a good heft to the fountain pens I use. A good weight puts more weight behind the words I write (Ha! Sorry, ran out of clever long ago). Even though I think it might float away if I don't have a tight grip on it, I really dig it.

[@gwgtaylor]

Nice review! I think this style of pen is called a short-long because of how much a difference there is between the capped and posted length. Pilot, Sailor and Platinum all made tons of these in the 70s and 80s looking pretty much exactly like this which is why it looks so classic. Lots of great 70s and 80s designs out there. Hopefully more will get revived.

[@Gouletpens]

Gerald Taylor I really don't know my vintage stuff, but I guess my instinct was right that this pen 'looks older' :P -Brian Goulet

[@RobertMaguire67]

I'd prefer not seeing stickers on the products during the marketing videos. Helpful video otherwise and Gerald thanks for the background on the design and some earlier production background.

[@GordieGii]

Bullet pen. Reminds me that I want a Pilot M90.

[@mikeyhill6224]

Yes! I am also desperately hoping thinner pens will be revived. I have small hands and I used mechanical pencils in my highschool and college days. Really used to thin pens.

[@peterpuleo2904]

I have the older version called the "Elite". Performs very well.

[@ryue65]

Peter Puleo it's my favourite pen for daily use. It's perfect for Japanese characters, or for detailed note, e.g mathematics, or writing on small format note pads. My first one from the 70's while, my recent purchase was bought in Tokyo this year. I love them.

[@fiddleleaf]

Very cool pen. I can see this one in my future!

[@Gouletpens]

It was my first big fountain pen purchase (over $100) and I love the EF on this. Very smooth writing. - Colin

[@boogathon]

This pen was given to me in the 1960's when I was in elementary school. Really loved it then, but I forgot about it for 50 years or so. Then I lost it - actually, a teacher 'confiscated' it because I supposedly had it out when I shouldn't have - and I never saw it again. I recognized it from the nib as soon as I saw it. I think I'll buy one, just for the memories.

[@Gouletpens]

Inlaid nibs like this were very popular with fountains of the 1960s, so I don't think it was exactly this model. That said, they aren't common now, so the E95s looks very vintage because of it and is a fantastic writer. - Colin

[@animula6908]

Are you saying a teacher stole your fancy pen?

[@MV33_]

Amazing video quality!! Keep it up:)

[@ronshaw80]

I love this pen. I have the burgundy/gold, and it is my carry around pen. I stick it in a Aston leather pen case. Fits well, looks great, and is effortless to use.

[@israelruelas5756]

Where can I purchase this case you speak of?

[@k.r.9606]

This is on my next level list. Eventually I'll own one hopefully.

[@Gouletpens]

This was my first gold nib pen, such a delight! - Colin

[@MrAndrew1953]

E95S very clever and unique design.

[@bikkies]

I've finally ordered one of these (known as the Elite here in the UK). I've been after one of these for a while now and, having fairly recently bought a Custom 74, it felt like this would be a great companion pen. The soft medium nib on my 74 is a dream, so I'm really looking forward to taking my new Elite/E95S for a spin. I bought the burgundy model so I'm thinking some Yama-Budo would quench its thirst quite nicely.

[@ebtihali]

Which website did you order it from in UK? I’ve been looking to buy one myself too :)

[@bikkies]

@@ebtihali I bought the Elite on eBay from Stilo e Stile.

[@chimpaflimp]

I just bought one of these and can confirm it now comes in a plastic clamshell hardcase that feels like a cheaper version of a Parker box.

[@soren123]

I have a feeling I'll be ordering one of these pens soon...

[@Gouletpens]

soren123 they're pretty cool! -Brian Goulet

[@GenWivern2]

Whoa, that's *gorgeous*! I love the way Pilot have integrated all those Shaeffer / Parker design cues and still come up with something distinctive ... it's the first modern pen which has seriously tempted me in ages. It deserves a nicer name though, and in view of how pretty and petite it is, if I got one I'd call it Audrey Hepburn. :)

[@Gouletpens]

GenWivern2 What's wrong with the name? ;) -Brian Goulet

[@GenWivern2]

Sounds like a droid. Or a tax form.

[@bullsharkreef]

The "E" stands for "Elite", and that is what most people call it( the Pilot Elite, or simply Elite); don't know why Brian abbreviated the name of the pen(in fact he should probably edit the title of the video, since most people searching for reviews and info on this pen would type "pilot elite" and this video would not show up in the result).

[@GenWivern2]

bullsharkreef Thank you, you're quite correct.

[@carolevilleneuve7411]

The Elite is a different model made for, and sold in the korean market. It's confusing because when you see the price difference with some re-sellers, you think it's a bargain, but the changes made in the pen design were to reduce the price gap. I forget which video I saw that explained all of this.

[@elsagoncalves8461]

Hi, love that pen. One question: Does the vintage pen from the 60s or 70s take the same cartridges?

[@nicolle2126]

what a dreamy looking pen, that design is so timeless and unique

[@shaffibagha5836]

Available pilot super 500 vintage fountain pen manufactured in 1959 collectors item .

[@mtnsaray]

This is the smoothest pen that is extra fine. I dont get any scratchy feeling from it. Great for drawing.

[@Larindarr]

thank GOD someone mentioned this. I'm tired of buying throw-away pens... and one of my fav mangaka's uses fountain pens. For me Id be using it to write, draw small reference sketches on the go and also musical notation, which I do need the detail for sharps flats etc. I was so torn between extra fine or fine, as I had read some people complain about it being scratchy... but... I never use cheap paper. Just don't. Always plate surface and music paper are usually thick but smooth even on blocks or notebooks. This helped me decide thank uu!

[@TheSLODC]

The Con40 will fit it. I was gifted a Japanese edition of this pen and it came with a con40 ... a strange little converted with beads in the shaft of the converter.

[@Gouletpens]

Yes, the Con-40 has come out since this video and does fit the E95s. Those beads are agitators to keep your ink moving around. - Colin

[@MrAndrew1953]

Definitely go for the medium. Converter 20 is better than the Capless/vanishing point converter. I also have 2 Metropolitans. You're not going to lose the cap since you have to use it with a cap.

[@FallyingHigh]

That is the exact same shirt you wore on the Lamy Safari Neon Coral sneak peak vid! XD The videos has been off lately, the background is blurrier than usual, its much darker but the different camera angles especially on the pens is a great idea to break monotony but there were moments at the start when the close-up wasn't close enough but the rest of the vlose-ups of the pen in the later segments made up for it. I've been waiting for the Pilot E95S. I love the compactness of pocket pens, they really do fit in your pockets!

[@samshorto5433]

The background is blurry because they're using a shallow depth of field, it's a camera technique that's used to highlight and emphasise the foreground. It's actually preferable in most cases. Why are you so interested in the background?

[@notashtonkutcher5968]

Looks almost exactly like my Platinum 200! If you want the aesthetics of this pen for like, less than $10, go for the Platinum 200!

[@samshorto5433]

You got very lucky getting an 18k gold nib classic fountain pen for less than $10. Where'd you buy it from? I'm sure everyone here would love to know!

[@woodswalker64]

I wish you would have showed the fine nib. It just makes sense to use a nib in the middle range for reference.

[@tedariesdaguro6517]

Flush nib, friction cap, torpedo shape with squared off end ends this pen screams '70's through and through.

[@bullsharkreef]

Love the 95s, nice soft and springy nib that write more smoothly than anything with ink I've ever tried, all wrapped in a highly portable, light and attractive package. Only downside is the low ink capacity(which isn't that much of a downside if you like to change ink color often).

[@Gouletpens]

bullsharkreef Yeah, I'd love a higher ink capacity, but the Con-20 is 'normal' ink capacity, about what any other cartridge/converter pen holds. -Brian Goulet

[@nickwong5474]

One of my professor has this pen, the old version (80-90's perhaps) of course.

[@Gouletpens]

Nick Wong oh cool -Brian Goulet

[@karmakaramlan]

I have a similar pen from 1975 from my parents. It's still working really well. But Over time the plastic got damaged/cracked. Don't know if there is a way to replace them or restore them. It has a steel nib and somewhat fine and decently wet in terms of writing. But if there's a way to replace the plastic covers somehow, I would like to know it Also got a Pilot elite black similar to this black es95 with a hooded nib which is a nice one as well

[@girlperson1]

I bought an "Elite" fine point. Love the pen. One question: Can I use iron gall ink in the pen? I use either Pelikan or Rohrer & Klingner.

[@Larindarr]

depends on what u want the ink to do. Usually, iron gall and pigment-based inks are waterproof because they adhere to the paper. Vs dye-based. The thing to be careful for though is to always wash it every month and to not have It unused for more than a week because it will get clogged from the pigments settling. However, that type of ink is excellent so that it does not fade. That was the 1st type of ink used in Europe.

[@venturous1v]

I was dead set on the vanishing point until I found out about this pen. Now it will be the one I go for when I have over $100 to spend on a pen.

[@cd3694]

Get the Vanishing Point. Definitely worth the money; it feels like a top dollar pen. This one, while it writes nicely, feels too light and frankly sort of cheap

[@eduardomendez6449]

Pen designed for pen users. Small so can be taken in your shirt pocket. Great nib. Watch palehale video to learn about this pen.Like palehale, I have been using fountain pens for many many years, hence I can tell you this pen writes very well, specially if your hand writing is small.A buttery nib pen is like driving an old American car(soft suspension), a feed back nib pen is like driving a bmw, a fined tuned suspension.

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, it's a great pen. It's the first 'high-end' fountain pen I bought and I've loved it ever since! - Colin

[@ArnimSommer]

So - in format comparable with the OHTO Tasche, but a cool nib and can handle a converter?

[@vimeopictures5170]

Hey...the review is awesome!! My sister got E95 s from Japan from a reputed showroom . But the problem is dat it didn't come with any sort of convertor or cartridge...☹️can I still use it without cartridge or convertor ? I mean directly pouring the ink?

[@Gouletpens]

No, because of the metal components of the pen, it'd react negatively to the ink and cause some issues. The Pilot Con-40 converter (www.gouletpens.com/pilot-con-40-piston-converter/p/PN69810) would be the way to go. - Colin

[@maichen77]

I'm so torn between the classiness and portability of the Pilot E95s and the more expensive but large capacity Pilot Custom 823.

[@Gouletpens]

I'm not sure ink capacity is worth $150 more... I have the E95s and I love it. It should perform just as well as the 823. - Colin

[@BehzadBhandari85]

Hi.. I'm a big fan of ur videos.. Need ur guidance.. I usually fine. Nibs..in Parker lamy.. How do u thing the e95s ef will write.? I don't like scratchy pens.. Do u think fine will be better?

[@Gouletpens]

The EF nib on the E95s would be significantly finer than the the Parker/LAMY nibs you write with. You can compare them for yourself with our Nib Nook tool (www.gouletpens.com/pages/nib-nook ). If you're looking for a similar writing experience, I think a medium E95s is probably your best bet. - Colin

[@sergiogarcia478]

Umm guys, just want to say that you should try to replicate the look of this video. It's well shot and the illumination theme you took is really well chosen. It gives Brian a good glow and the faded background gives a lot more emphasis on the primary subject. Great photography for a youtube video.

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks Sergio. That video was shot about two offices ago, so we'll have to play with the lighting a bit, but good to know! - Colin

[@annmarie5554]

I am going through all my pens and smoothing them on the micromesh. And when I was working on my E95S (the scratchiest pen I own), I found that as the nib gets smoother, it puts down a thicker line and it becomes wetter. I suppose that's because when it's smoother, more of the tipping material is touching the paper.

[@carolevilleneuve7411]

I got mine this winter from Goulet, and I find it scratchy as well, or is it toothy? I'm disappointed because at this price, I expected smoother writing. I have a fine nib. When I compare it with my Pilot 78G fine, the 78G is definitely smoother! I don't dare polish it to void the warranty, and I'm not yet skilled, but I would've expected better quality and correct tuning for the nib? This doesn't detract from the beauty of the pen, I just love this vintage style. Like you, Annmarie, there is quite a difference between my Pilot metro medium, to the point that I thought I received an extra-fine by mistake. Actually, I'm still wondering...

[@viewer3147]

I have a pilot myu90 where the nib is part of the body. It's a beautiful pen that writes nicely with no bite. It's all stainless steel.

[@professionalpotato4764]

+A Zee Wow that one is really rare! How much did you get yours for? I just ordered a myu 701 which is the predecessor at about $190. Was wondering how the m90 compares in price.

[@allanchong5322]

+Jason Tay originally $140 from fountain pen hospital. only 9000 made worldwide. about $400 on eBay now.

[@professionalpotato4764]

Well... More motivation to work extra shifts during the holidays XD

[@rknine7998]

Brian, I would like to know if there are any type of twisting converters that fits into the E95 Fountain Pen, similar to how the CON-50 works. Also, I'm a big fountain pen Enthusiast. I love all your videos.

[@Gouletpens]

Pilot has recently introduced the Con-40 which acts exactly the same as the Con-50 but it can fit the E95s and older VP models. They haven't made their way to the US yet, but I think you can find them available elsewhere. - Colin

[@AshleyRyan15]

As of now they're available on amazon.

[@mary_katie_9199]

Would you consider this pen to be as extra-fine as the Platinum Carbon deskpen? I'm looking to buy more super extra-fine pens.

[@Gouletpens]

The E95s in EF can't get quite as fine as the EF on the Carbon Desk Pen, but not much really can. Maybe the Platinum 3776 UEF? You can compare for yourself with our Nib Nook tool: www.gouletpens.com/nib-nook - Colin

[@MrAndrew1953]

How much Australian would I be looking at for an E95S. Told I'd have to get one through an international supplier if I wanted one.

[@MrProductionist]

I have one and it came with the Pilot CON-40 Piston Converter instead which is so much better instead of the converter you show there. Also the one you show there the barometric sells for 6 dollars which is the same price the Pilot CON-40 Piston Converter sells for and is definitely much better than the barometric.

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, the Con-40 came out after this video was released. It was a redesign of the Con-50 to actually fit both the E95s and older Vanishing Point models so you don't have to use the Con-B squeeze converter anymore. - Colin

[@wittwittwer1043]

Call it a friction or interference cap. The pen may also be seen as the Pilot Elite.

[@luisocampoaltamirano2890]

Can you use converter on this pen ? Can you swipe nibs ?

[@ameliabuns4058]

lower weigh actually means less force on drops. so it's more durable IMO :P

[@RichardAdkins]

Can you recommend a medium to heavy weight pen with a fine or preferably extra fine nib in the $250 or less range? I much prefer pens that write with black ink. I'm assuming changing ink color is just a matter of filling the pen with whichever ink you would want. I prefer a pen that would be similar in appearance to the E95S. Black with gold or silver highlights. My dream pen would be the Bexley Sheherazade in gray with silver. That pen seems to be difficult or impossible to find and may not even be available in extra fine or fine nibs.

[@cs94]

May not be similar in appearance, but I prefer heavy pens as well and I bought a Monteverde Invincia and I like the weight. Depending on model it's 50-90ish dollars. I figured it was worth mentioning.

[@davidhelscher5758]

Where can I buy a Con-20? I recently bought an Elite 95 with no cartridge and no converter. Would prefer to have a converter but cannot find a Pilot converter that is designated for the Elite.

[@chadmiky88]

Brian should review this great movie.

[@Perktube1]

I've seen this in a catalogue. It says it was styled after their 60's pens.

[@Gouletpens]

Definitely. It has such retro stylings! It's probably my favorite looking pen we offer. - Colin

[@stanfordforrester518]

i love how this pen writes and posts. the big ? pertains to the durability. which i can answer bluntly-it doesn’t hold up. the cap easily dings like no other and i’m careful with my pens. the clip almost snapped off with a tiny bit of pressure. pen world magazine did a series of articles on pocket pens which just ended with the last issue and mentioned the same thing. pilot needs to correct these two things. so close yet so far. i’m very disappointed since it has amazing potential. note i have the all black version and the maroon one. the maroon one has the metal cap.

[@whiffysiamang3674]

Is the trim actual gold or just gold colored?

[@dyloak6450]

Is the extra fine just as smooth?

[@Susazeu]

I think this is the ideal companion to any agenda, and specially to the Traveller's passport size. I think I'll pick one up. Although the queen of quick draws is still the Vanishing Point. Any recommended carts to buy? From Pilot?

[@Gouletpens]

The VP will always be the quickest, can't beat the retractable nib. As far as cartridges, Pilot doesn't have a huge selection (www.gouletpens.com/pilot-ink-cartridges/c/178), so I'd really utilize the converter that comes with it.

[@Susazeu]

Does the new Con 40 fit? Thanks!

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, that's one of the reasons they came out with it, to fit the E95s and older VP models (www.gouletpens.com/pilot-con-40-piston-converter/p/PN69810). - Colin

[@pielover204]

Are you gonna make a video on the new postable TWSBI Classics?

[@Gouletpens]

pielover204 Yes, I will pretty soon. -Brian Goulet

[@calebpope2880]

Personally I really enjoy the look on this pen yet this is the American version the Japanese version has instead of just that beautiful "E" it says Elite on it and you can actually buy that one from Amazon for $81 if you don't want to spend $130-140 on this pen.

[@mateomarquez4343]

random guy is it real?

[@DD-d6d3]

Matthew Marquez yes

[@carolevilleneuve7411]

This version was apparently subcontracted for the korean market, and I'm not sure the nib is gold...

[@deezem5294]

@@carolevilleneuve7411 no u are getting this all wong. The Korean one is a hooded nib

[@Morobi1]

Hello: I bought a Pilot E95 med nib on Amazon that arrived from Japan. Worked fine at first, then stopped writing (no ink flow). It did not come with a converter inside, and there is no metal cartridge sleeve like on my Vanishing Pt. Have tried to clean it following your online tips, but can't get any flow. Am using the same Pilot/Namiki as my Vanishing Pt., which may be the problem. Don't know what more to do. Help?

[@Gouletpens]

+Bob Hines you don't need a sleeve on this pen. Try cleaning it out and using a new cartridge and see if that helps. Otherwise...I don't really know. that's the roll of the dice with Japanese Amazon sellers. Try returning it. -Brian Goulet

[@drago4803]

Does the body get scratched when the cap is posted??

[@tuhkathri9126]

Reminds me of the m90

[@h-lad]

Hello! Are you able to get an italic nib for this pen? Maybe a 1.1 mm stub?

[@Gouletpens]

Unfortunately not, Pilot doesn't offer a stub nib on the E95s, wish they did though! I believe the VP is the only Pilot gold nib pen with a stub option. - Colin

[@jessicachen]

Could you please do a comparison between Pilot Custom 74 and Pilot E95S? Thanks.

[@Gouletpens]

jessicumberbatch I'll look into that, that'd be an interesting comparison! -Brian Goulet

[@almati03]

I'm certainly interested in this pen, but I'm curious as to how the fine and extra-fine nibs compare?

[@Gouletpens]

They are pretty similar in terms of line-width, but I think the EF gives a bit more feedback when writing. You can compare the 2 for yourself using our Nib Nook tool: www.gouletpens.com/nib-comparison-tool - Colin

[@leo035]

It looks like a vintage lipstick from the 1950's lmao

[@nathanhu4325]

can u do a vid of your top 10 pens?

[@Gouletpens]

We did do exactly that! Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnzbaauaa7FmZ8U - Colin

[@rhyslam5617]

Are there any see through ink converters that would fit this pen ? Thanks :)

[@Gouletpens]

+Rhys Lam As of right now, no. The E95S can only take the Con-20 converter as the Con-50 is too wide for it.

[@Lovepreet_Singh93]

Should I buy a pilot custom 74 or not????????

[@Zu_Einfach]

I’ve been looking at getting an e95s but I also saw that there are pilot elites (sometimes called the elite 95?) and I was wondering if anybody might know how they’re different? I can’t find anything about them other than that the elite is $90 and it’s supposedly the pen for the Japanese market but then I’m not sure how I’d be able to buy it here in America if it’s japan exclusive. Any knowledge would be highly appreciated, thank you!

[@doc8125]

The E in E95S stands for elite. They couldn't use it in the US due to some copyright or trademark issue if I recall correctly

[@Ameylynn]

So… I write on crap paper at work (mason copy paper)… would this pen do well? Should I go with a fine nib? Thank you in advance…

[@doc8125]

It's fairly dry, and if you get the extra fine you're not putting down a lot of ink at all. It's my personal choice for a pen for any paper

[@zzbb2335]

my pilot e95s is lovely and smooth but it skips A LOT! What can I do? Is it possible that something is wrong with the nib?

[@Gouletpens]

Make sure it's cleaned out completely and then maybe inspect the nib. Flossing the tines with a brass sheet could free up debris that was causing flow issues. Also the tines might be misaligned so it's clipping on certain strokes. - Colin

[@zzbb2335]

Thank you Colin! It's a brand new pen so I don't think there would be lots of debris in the nib. I will check if the tines are aligned properly!

[@alexmood6407]

Not sure why you equate weight with sturdiness and durability. By this logic racing cars should be very fragile. The cap is kept in place with a clutch mechanism, set of spring steel that press against the section and clutch ring. Great little pen at reasonable prices. When Parker tried something similar with P51 they were selling it at inflated prices and the section cracked. Looks like Pilot didn't let their expertise go away. I wish Parker could learn from them and reissue 51 at this price.

[@Gouletpens]

+alex mood the weight thing is more of a perception than reality. The 51 was a great pen, I wish they'd bring it back, too -Brian Goulet

[@robertharris1748]

I got this at the beginning of the year direct from Japan. It has a REALLY nice smooth and "soft" nib. Not really flexy or with line variation, but the very opposite of a "nail". Really lovely to write with. It's also a great travelling pen because of it's small size. The durability seems to be fine. I have been just throwing it into a pocket. Cap has been slightly dented, but more from my teeth (my bad!) than throwing it around in a backpack. Only slightly downside is that it does dry out a little after maybe 2 weeks (because of the slip cap). A small drop of water dabbed on the nib gets it going immediately though. Incidentally another good pen from Japan that may be coming over that I would try and get hold of is the Pilot Custom Heritage 91 which comes with a variety of "soft" nibs. (e.g. SFM SF etc)

[@robertharris1748]

Oh and I hate posting my pens in general (small hands here), I still love this pen despite needing to post it.

[@robertharris1748]

The Goulet Pen Company I totally agree that two weeks ain't bad for drying out. I've definitely got pens that are far worse. It's not the Metropolitan though, so I thought I'd just mention it. Glad to hear you're getting some of those soft nibs later this year. They're really nice, particularly with R&K Alt Goldgrun (my favorite), or other shading inks. And my handwriting is lousy!

[@Gouletpens]

Robert Harris yeah, I'm pretty excited to get those. -Brian Goulet

[@nighthawk602]

Saw the video at 999 likes had to fix it 1k now

[@s2korpionic]

How could anyone not know Pilot?!

[@Gouletpens]

***** true, a lot of people know the G2's, not so much the Pilot fountain pens. -Brian Goulet

[@RayneTube]

Hi, i am in India. So if i receive a damaged product, can i return it and have the full amount refunded in my original payment source?

[@midshipman8654]

“for those of you not familiar with pilot” i think the humble g-2 makes that an unlikely occurrence.

[@softlion97]

so confused between this and the Aurora Duo Cart (Bordeaux). Though this is gold nibbed, that one is said to have a nib 'as fine as gold', plus it comes with the ink bottle and cartridges and a vintage pen case. ah, extremely confused now

[@Gouletpens]

I would go with the E95s. I think the inlaid gold nib is a lot nicer than the hooded nib on the Aurora Duo Cart. The Duo Cart also writes really wet, can't get quite as fine of a line as this Pilot pen. Personal preference though! - Colin

[@softlion97]

The Goulet Pen Company so would the E95 be better for students? the fine nib in pilot is too fine for my taste, i’ll have a look at the nib nook for a comparison between a fine and a medium though. which one would you say would be a better value for money, though, out of the two?

[@softlion97]

The Goulet Pen Company thank you so much for your help :D

[@malinbokne9903]

In this video Brian puts a little question mark about the durability - any thoughts on this now that it's been a few years?

[@Gouletpens]

I've had mine for nearly a year and haven't noticed any sort of wear or tear. I mean, it's not as durable as a metal pen (like Karas Kustoms) but should be in line with most other Pilot gold nib pens. Adding a Nock case with it isn't a bad idea to be sure. - Colin

[@malinbokne9903]

That's good enough for me, thanks! I wasn't looking for a pen to throw across the parking lot.. :p

[@slayer21450]

Can someone help me find a pocket pen like the Pilot Myu (or Platinum/Sailor variant). I've looked all over the internet and can only find the expensive originals which run an insane price. This Pilot E95s doesn't have the right looks for me (nib type and material colors).

[@FieryCheeze]

+Brendan O'Neil The Japanese Big 3 have not made any modern pocket pens save for Pilot's E95S, M90, and Silvern. Of these, the Elite 95S is the most affordable. Only the MYU, Murex, and M90 are the ones which have a nib that is part of the pen's body. I haven't heard of Sailor or Platinum equivalents, hence why the MYU is tossed about as the Grail pocket pen and the original Elite is its cheaper cousin. There are NOS steel-nibbed original Elites on the Bay for less than $50 but those are from the now-defunct Pilot Korea, not from Pilot Japan. If you hunt hard enough, you get the original 18K Elites for $60. Pocket pens are a niche within a niche. Pilot knows its got a small but devoted fanbase in its pocket pen range. You either accept buying vintage and the variable prices or you take the modern interpretations with stable pricing. Alternately, wait 2 years for the Pilot 100th Anniversary and see what re-interpreted models they release. The MYU was re-done for their 90th Anniversary. The Justus and Elite were re-done for the 95th Anniversary. Stands to reason that something is gonna be rolled out for the big 100.

[@nathanhu4325]

Hey goulet, the nib of my e95s recently came loose, it seems to working by simply sliding in and out of place, as of now it doesnt seem to have any writing issues but is this something this i should be concerned of?

[@Gouletpens]

Hmmm, that doesn't sound good. I hadn't heard of the inlaid nib coming loose, so I would probably reach out to Pilot directly about it. They should be able to help you out, even if it doesn't appear to be causing writing issues. - Colin

[@ThighMom]

Is this pen good for highschool/college? (ink capacity, writing, all that) is the pilot vp better for this purpose? Love the design and would like it to last me through that.

[@Gouletpens]

I think the VP would be a better choice. Having the retractable nib is great for note-taking. The E95s isn't a bad choice, but I would prefer the VP. - Colin

[@Ucceah]

it feels like heresy to make a comparison to a $3 pen .. but as lightweight pens go, the hero 329 is amazing. then pen is around 7g, the cap 6g, and it's long enough that posting is optional. out of the box, it's dry and scratchy. but with some manging (adjustlent) of the nib, it becomes *very* juicy, and honing it on the finer sides of a $2 nail polishing block makes it really smooth. PS: it's sac only, dries out fast, can be reluctant to get going after sitting for a few days, and you gotta MAKE it work .. but to draw with, it's magic! you can rip meters of lines without running it dry. (atjust to a 0.06-0.10mm GAP)

[@stargazer1359]

Perhaps this pen has a Mid-Century aesthetic?

[@ProximaCentauri88]

Looks like a lipstick. 💄 Does a Con 40 fit on it? Thanks.

[@Gouletpens]

Yes, the Con-40 fits in this! - Colin

[@viola89]

I read from the Japanese site it can fit a con 40. Is it true??

[@Gouletpens]

We haven't tested it yet, but Pilot is advertising that it fits the Con-40, so I would say so. - colin

[@hiroshi2046]

Pilot Elite 95s vs Pelikan M400 Tortoiseshell Brown? Can you give me an advice?

[@hiroshi2046]

thanks for reply ^^. Do you use EF (E95s)?

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, I like a really fine line, and the EF E95s is perfect for that. - Colin

[@hiroshi2046]

thank you ^^

[@Kazoozo-jj2tj]

I assume you cannot replace the tip on the pen?

[@Gouletpens]

No, unfortunately not. With these inlaid nibs, what you get is what you're stuck with. - Colin

[@Pranaysood1]

you got really bad penmanship for a pen seller. no hard feelings, your work is top notch.

[@maichen77]

I'm so torn between the classiness and portability of this pen and the cool and modern design of the retractable pilot vanishing point

[@Gouletpens]

Now that's definitely a tougher choice. If you're one for quick notes, I'd definitely go with the VP, it's super convenient. But otherwise, I think the E95s is uniquely eye-catching. - Colin

[@volimvolim1]

I cannot deal with retractible one as the clip annoys me and the area where my fingers hold the pen is too wide thus e95 much more comfortable especially if like thin lines and write on small side

[@MrAndrew1953]

Still available in Australia in 2018.? Very collectible in terms of its unique design.

[@Gouletpens]

Not sure if it's available in Australia, but it's a regular edition pen from Pilot (not discontinued), so you should be able to find it: www.gouletpens.com/pilot-e95s/c/197 - Colin

[@professionalpotato4764]

How does this compare to, say an Edison nib or a Metropolitan in terms of smoothness?

[@allanchong5322]

hard to say because first it is stainless steel hence no flex and secondly it is a medium nib. it actually feels like a gel pen.

[@professionalpotato4764]

Hmmm, but according to Brian from Edison pens... Steel and Gold nibs have 0 difference in terms of smoothness as long as the tipping is done properly. Ignoring the flex factor, I was just wondering if the E95S literally glides over paper with no resistance. Because I tried my friend's Lamy Dialogue and it was so smooth there's 0 resistance between paper and nib. Whereas the more common workhorse pens like the MR and Twsbi have a little bit of a feedback to the writing.

[@caomhan84]

+Jason Tay It depends on the nib you get. I have an E95S in Fine and Medium. The F has some tooth to it, as expected with a Japanese fine. But the Medium...whoa. It has a fat blob of tipping on it and just glides over the paper. My Lamy 2000 and a vintage Pelikan are the only pens I've ever used that compare to it in smoothness. It also writes wider than my Pilot Custom 823 in Medium, more like a fat western M line than a Japanese. I like them both. The Elite 95 is a great pen, and if you're still on the fence about it, you should consider one before Pilot retires the design again.

[@68jjk]

Iam drawn to the E95s, but I like the Lamy 2000, just with Lamy had a better finish, $100 more for the stainless makes no sense and not sure the finish would be any better, I have been looking at fountain pens for year , can’t make up my mind

[@ShashwatShukla10]

So what do you say now Brian about the durability of this pen? It has been 6 years now. BTW I just love the way how this looks and posts.

[@Maraaha55]

hi. thanks for this review ... and I'm in interested to note you kept the pen. Nice I have a request for all pen reviewers. .... not just you☺ please instead of saying a pen is small or big use dimensions. this is after all a pocket pen. it is not a small pocket pen ... i think? I have small hands ... my grip on a pen, from nib to rest on index knuckle is about 6.5cm or 2.5in. I am using a J Herbin tiny tiny pen just now unposted at 10cm. posted it's 14 cm and I can use it like that but the balance in my hand is not quite as good and my writing is slower. but you can see MOST pens are - for me, and for many women, too big, and often too heavy even unposted. Sadly (!) many pen reviewers appear to have big hands ... and make no apology for this!!! even boast! Haha. I will I am sure end up being one of those niche within a niche pen people buying pocket or 'lady's' pens. I've enjoyed this look at the e95s, and feel reassured that there ARE some pens out there that will fit my hand. it would be good to see more such reviews. .... BTW so far my few pens are very understated. I really want to see some bling flashy rampantly colorful pocket pens ! either that or pens the colour of food (coffee cake, pistachio ice cream, peach melge, Eaton mess, clapshot, poached egg, smoked salmon and cream cheese, ...) or drink (tia Maria, pine colada, tequila sunrise, raspberry cider, guinness). oh yeah! lol .

[@Gouletpens]

That's definitely something we can keep in mind going forward. But it's important to note that all the measurements are on the product page (www.gouletpens.com/pilot-e95s-fountain-pen-burgundy-ivory-fine/p/PN60840) under the 'technical specs' tab. Also, do check out the Pen Plaza (www.gouletpens.com/pen-plaza) where you can compare the size of a certain pen to others we offer. - Colin

[@MsDaem0n]

Hi yall at the Goulet Company, how long is this pen unposted? In cms if you can find out about that! I've got small hands, and my Sheaffer VFM sticks out significantly unposted :) But if I HAVE to post this E95s, it's a no-go for me because those caps throw my whole balance off! Such a gorgeous pen though.

[@Gouletpens]

It is a very tiny pen when unposted! I haven't had any balance issues posting it, but mileage may vary. You can see pics of it unposted with our Pen Plaza tool and compare it to other pens as well, including the VFM: www.gouletpens.com/pages/pen-plaza - Colin

[@MsDaem0n]

@@Gouletpens great, thanks! It actually seems like I'd be able to use it unposted as it's about 10.5 cm (I counted the dots on the paper and put a ruler on my hand lol); I must have really tiny hands, I never realised that before! Cheers

[@kato2395]

does the extra fine feels scratchy?

[@Gouletpens]

I wouldn't say scratchy, but with it being a Japanese EF, it does offer plenty of feedback when writing. You wouldn't be gliding across the paper like you would with a broader nib. - Colin

[@kato2395]

Thanks!

[@nathanhu4325]

Does his pen work with the con-40?

[@Gouletpens]

We actually don't have the Con-40 available just yet, so I can't say for certain, but I do believe it does fit the E95s. - Colin

[@CaptainWumbo]

It fits but you will not be able to see the ink because it sits too deep.