Sailor pro Gear Slim: An Artist's Review

[@omyogagal]

I'm not a fountain pen enthusiast and know very little about brands and nibs stuff. But everything changed the moment I fallen in love with Lamy 2000. For many years I used exclusively Lamy pens and was happy about it, until I accidentally tried a friend's Sailor Pro Gear Slim couple years ago. I love how some people describe as "pencil-like" feedback feel so mush, once I have my Sailor in my hand and often could not stop writing. A joy to write with Sailor is a understatement for me. Glad I found this video. You inspire me to practice drawing with my Sailor ^__^

[@stepheninks]

Thank you! Another pen that’s people say has that “pencil-like” feedback is the Platinum3776, particularly in the fine-ultra extra fine (uef) nib range. I have one in soft fine (sf) and it’s great. I sort of prefer my Sailor Pro Gear Slim to that one, for arbitrary reasons.

[@omyogagal]

@@stepheninks I've heard so much good things about Platinum 3776 but yet to have the opportunity to try them. Now I'm intrigued and can't wait to try the one with sf nib, because of the "pencil-like" feedback you endorsed. I think I'm kind of addicted to that unique sensations while using my Sailor 😅

[@leefamily29]

Another great review. My Sailor is hands down my favorite pen

[@stepheninks]

Now it’s mine too!

[@paulmarko1829]

Wow! I love that drawing on the ship! Thanks for the video review. I now have my first Pro Gear Slim arriving soon.

[@stepheninks]

Nice! The only thing about this pen that keeps me from using it every day is that I’m worried I might lose it. It is a gem!

[@adrianmuino3412]

Very nice drawing, and it seems that the pen is also great!

[@stepheninks]

Quickly becoming one of my favorites!

[@annamay6351]

Pure enjoyment watching your art and reviews of pens! Thank you.

[@stepheninks]

Thanks! Cant wait to put out the next video!

[@JG3Reviews]

Great sketch, and I really like the color of the Sailor.

[@stepheninks]

I took a risk on the nib size because of the color. No regrets. That medium fine is just about perfect! I can’t seem to find that color anymore online, so I guess I got it right on time!

[@dutch8847]

Stephen, to be honest, I watch your videos mostly for your drawings and less for your pen reviews. I wish that I could draw as well as you! Regards.

[@stepheninks]

That’s nice to hear! I plan to do a few more narrated drawing videos this year (not as popular as the pen reviews, but I love them), so it will be nice to know there are a few people (besides me) who will enjoy them :)

[@valc9726]

I love how you were so excited about getting your pen. It looks beautiful! Lovely drawing as always. I like your narwhal joke. Glad you're finally happy with the result of your drawing too! Have fun with your pen! :)

[@stepheninks]

I took great joy in making this video. Hopefully I passed some on as well!

[@valc9726]

@@stepheninks Hi Stephen. I was wondering if the Sailor Pro Gear Slim feels lighter and less chunky than a Twsbi Eco? I love the Eco but sometimes it feels a bit big for my hand. Maybe it’s the width. I find Pilot Kakuno a bit more comfortable to hold. Would love your input! I may consider getting a Sailor because they’re so beautiful and I haven’t tried a gold nib before. Thanks! :)

[@stepheninks]

@@valc9726 yes it’s a lot narrower, especially the slim. Of the three gold nib pens I have, this one is by far my favorite. Also (surprisingly) the cheapest!

[@valc9726]

@@stepheninks Thanks! Yes, I’ll definitely consider the slim. Cheapest but no converter included. 😂

[@robmc120]

One of my first pens was the Sailor 1911s Royal Tangerine, i was thoroughly disappointed in it (hyped up by Pen Addict podcast); the grip was too small for comfort & the nib wasn't writing well, i almost disregarded Sailor altogether. Then i tried the 1911L 4am to celebrate going down to one job (midnight to 8a) again after double jobbing it for 4 years, the grip was slightly bigger & the 21k (not 24k, thats pure gold which would prolly not be good for writing long term, too soft) nib was a dream to write with. There's a possibility my inexperience expected too much from the 1911s's nib, but that grip was still too uncomfortable, I'm fully enjoying the 4am to this day, the subtle feedback is fun & consistent. I'm glad the pen fits your hand & happy to see how much you enjoy your purchase. I always enjoy a good dad joke now & then, that one was unexpected, thank you & God bless you! P.S. All pens should come with a converter if Chinese mass pen manufacturers can do it at the prices they're selling. I'll never get tired of the jokes making sure other manufacturers know they're coming up short if they don't.

[@stepheninks]

I had a bad experience with the nib on my Sailor Lecoule. I’m glad I was able to do something to make it match me better though. I am throughly convinced that there is no one “perfect” pen for everyone. What you consider “the best” is a very individual choice. I have had a fantastic time looking at the (now 3) gold nib pens I have, but I cannot ignore the great value and quality I have seen in the world of plastic bodies and steel nibs. Some from China, but really, they come from all over. And they almost always come with a converter. I think these less expensive, more innovative designs are a sign of the shift in what pen lovers are interested in, and some of these companies that have been around for 100+ years haven’t quite made that shift. Gimmie that converter, Sailor!

[@ichirofakename]

Would you say the 21k nib is noticeably better than the 14k?

[@robmc120]

@@ichirofakename I do think the 21k is noticeably better than the 14k, but please take into account: 1) i heard high praise about Sailor from the Pen Addict podcast & community, so my expectations may have been too high 2)The wider grip from the 1911L may factor into comfort along with more experience with other nibs 3)I was inexperienced in the hobby (~1 year), so again, i may have been expecting too much for what i paid God bless, thanks for responding (Matthew 5:45)!

[@stepheninks]

@@robmc120 I appreciate this comment thread, because I was just wondering the same thing.

[@aladdinkayqubad1645]

A PEN REVIEW! FINALLY!

[@stepheninks]

It HAS been a while…

[@h4r4s4r4]

I can't justify to buy a pen in that price range (AND NO CONVERTER?!?), but I'm pretty happy with the pens I already have. For example my beloved Jinhao 85, thank you again! Brings me so much joy since I got it from you!

[@stepheninks]

The converter thing is egregious, to be sure. The pen is positively resplendent! But yes, indeed there are a lot of fantastic steel nib pens that come with everything you need, the Jinhao 85 included. Glad to know it is bringing you joy!

[@animula6908]

For that price I expect them to spend every dime on quality. I sometimes prefer the convenience of cartridges anyway, so I don’t want to pay for yalls converters lol. But I do wish retailers always offered the convenience of just checking a box to add a converter to the purchase. To me, the lack of free converter is their way of saying you’re going to have this pen so long, you won’t even remember we didn’t give you that free converter.

[@mariangroeneveld7401]

Stephen, looks like a great fountainpen! What a great drawing you made, I like your way of drawing landscape and nautical themes, greetings!

[@stepheninks]

I’m glad you enjoyed my little doodle. It was a labor of love!

[@LordWhatever]

Glad to hear you really enjoyed your pen. Drawing was great as always and to be honest it showed really well the art qualities and performance of the pen. As it did to you; 🤔 I'm totally rethinking my "utilitarian mid price art pens approach"

[@stepheninks]

Most of my pens still follow that approach! I feel really lucky when I spend this much money and end up with a pen that feels “worth it,” because it’s so disappointing when it falls short.

[@daily_cookies]

Great Review! Thank you and keep up the good work 👍

[@stepheninks]

Thank you!

[@loondabo9207]

I love this video. The sarcasm was hilarious. The sailor pro gear edition I'm waiting on seems to come with a converter, so at least they're learning?

[@stepheninks]

I hope so. It’s positively a crime that these higher end pens that supposedly are attuned to their communities interests aren’t providing the essential tools for their customers. By the way, I have more pen videos coming, and always with plenty of sarcasm. That (unlike Sailor converters) is always included for free.

[@ichirofakename]

I am now on Team Sailor since my recent acquisition of a Pro Gear. It is an order of magnitude better than any other pen I have. I'm curious about the difference (if ANY) between my bigger 21k nib and your 14k nib. I may add a Pro Gear Mini in some cool color(s) next.

[@stepheninks]

This is one pen I wouldn’t mind getting a few versions of (even though that’s not my usual style). I am also curious if there is a noticeable difference between the full size Pro Gear and the Slim. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how well the smaller design fit in my big clumsy hands. On an (unrelated?) note, the Sailor Pro Gear Slim Cocktail Collection is giving me some feelings…

[@graciousideals1509]

It's nice seeing a review that puts more "stress" on the pen. The drawing is nice! Reminds me a little bit of the stopmotion scene from Elf lol Since Sailor PGS pens are resin with gold nibs, how's the weight? Is it front heavy?

[@stepheninks]

Thank you! It’s very light. I kind of like heavy pens, so I wouldn’t mind more weight, but it really just weighs enough to feel to feel like it’s made of quality stuff.

[@taptoentername]

I hope you really did keep the box, because there's a converter included under the top layer. You just have to pull the tab on the side. Easy to miss!

[@stepheninks]

I'm not sure if you had a different pen than I did, but I checked my box again just to be sure, and I did not see a converter in there. It is possible that certain editions of the pen include one, while others do not.

[@upyours6000]

That pen is great value for the money. I own the KOP version of it. Other than the size it's not that much better tbh.

[@stepheninks]

Totally agree. I feel like every pen collector has their price point where more expensive than that is just diminishing returns. For me, it’s around $200. Anything much more than that, and you’re paying for an art piece more than a writing instrument. There’s value to that as well, to be sure, but I like pens that you can use like pens.

[@upyours6000]

@Stephen_Inks Absolutely, most of the expensive pens I have are purchased for their aesthetic and craftsmanship. It is like buying an art piece, but you can use it. The writing experience just feels much more special. Does it make my handwriting any better....no....it still looks like I have parkinson. 😜

[@dhartworkz]

Hi, What’s the official color of this pen? Is it metallic?

[@stepheninks]

This particular pen does have a slightly metallic sheen to it. It’s a sort of forest green. The name of this finish is “mannyo,” which I am told means “spring” in Japanese.

[@eyekzmusic]

You have a lot of patience to do all the water texture, with line no less.

[@stepheninks]

It’s surprisingly therapeutic.