Sailor Realo Pro Gear Review

[@josh1216]

Have a 1911 Realo and it is my favorite pen. Love writing with it. It does have a touch of feedback, but wouldn't call it scratchy. Just enough feedback to give writing with it a nice tactileness. You can feel the paper as you write. And I personally love that: helps to get lost in the pleasure of writing.

[@fuwaneko]

I've been an owner of that pen for a couple of years now, and it's my favourite pen. Sailor makes fantastic nibs and the body is super comfortable for my hand, even uncapped. I prefer it even over Pelikan M800 and, my second-favourite, Lamy 2000.

[@SamLaw0]

one thing worth noting is, they actually have a spring loaded inner cap much like the platinum 3776 century, and it functions in the same way. (I just hope they would eventually upgrade it to the standard large size one)

[@tedariesdaguro6517]

Thanks for opening the Piston vs. Converter argument. For me a twist converter is but an internal removable piston...but as someone who switches inks all the time, i find piston fillers take too long to empty and I rarely fill them even halfway unless I really like the ink

[@CMBDIA]

ive always wanted a nice pen in the traditional black with gold trim but seeing this burgundy color really makes it attractive!

[@caomhan84]

A lot of people criticize this pen for having an ink capacity of only 1.0ml. And some that have disassembled it have said it looks pretty much like a captured converter. But y'know what? I don't care. I've wanted one since forever, Sailor makes a quality product, and the burgundy color is really attractive. Plus, 1ml is still plenty of ink.

[@Reader314159]

I got a pro gear imperial black for just over a hundred USD on a Japanese market. Best purchase I've ever made :)

[@richardsimms251]

Very very excellent review, as usual, Stephen. Thank you. RS. Canada

[@SmashTactics]

I love my Realos but I do wish they make them even half an inch longer

[@timothyabraham7803]

Excellent review. I am thankful you let us know ahead of time that it is not buttery smooth. Thank you so much for enlightening us.

[@Shub99]

Oh dear... Down the rabbit hole... I've been stalking this fora while... Won't need much more than this review to push me over the edge and get this Sailor

[@wisperingbeard]

Great review Dr. Brown. On a side note, those church bells are absolutely charming.

[@janscott9151]

Excellent review. I have a broad 1911 and think it's slightly finer than a Pilot medium. And I love it. Feedback is to my mind like a pencil. A very good pencil. Love the ink window.

[@LennartWennberg]

Thanks for another great review! I happen to own this pen since 2010. In my opinion it's one the best pen ever made. It oozes quality and performs very well.

[@CashCatMoney]

Looks like this is my grail pen. I use extra fine nibs, so I'm used to feedback. I also have really small hands, so this sounds perfect!

[@gray_gogy]

Don't know if you got it yet, but I don't know if you'd like this as a GRAIL pen. It's a bit too plain to be a Grail in my opinion haha. And probably too small even for very small hands, as a Grail pen is usually a bit oversized for the user. But then again, Grail is defined differently by everyone

[@PensandTea]

I'm hoping to get this or the pro gear soon. I flip back and forth daily haha

[@2bsirius]

I wish you could get your hands on a Caran d'Ache Caelograph Sirius Star Limited Edition fountain pen in 18k Gold. I obsess about that writing instrument. I recently discovered that it can be ordered in a broad nib option. Unfortunately, the price tag is a bit stratospheric. It would make me very vicariously happy to watch you put it through its paces.

[@brainsqueegee2]

The Delta Federico Stantuffo piston-filler has an ink window you can see when capped. But I've never seen a Sailor with an ink window. Great review as always, thanks. I keep vacillating between purchasing a 1911 Standard and 1911 Large-not sure if the money is worth the larger size.

[@JohnAceti]

I have both the Sailor standard and the large. I would say I have average man's hand size. While aesthetically the Large looks more pleasing to the eye - they both perform well. When capped the standard feels fine for long writing sessions as does the large - except I can write withe the LArge posted or unposted - the standard must be posted for me to write with it. So I think it comes down to your preference for the look of the pen.

[@jeko32]

There is a Realo version of the 1911 as well, so if people like cigar-shaped pens that might appeal to them more.

[@Rabixter]

I've seen a black version of the Sailor Pro gear Realo from a Japanese eBay seller for £195 inc shipping.

[@polksie]

Good review, Stephen. Thanks for doing this (thank you Azizah for getting the pen). This one has been on my radar as I've developed an interest in Asian pens. It's now moved up the list of pens to buy,

[@jakedooom]

Yes, disassembly, if you could ... (That would be, (like) "wow") I'd really want to know if I could clean out the nib and the feed in particular. The other Sailors I have are push-fit feeds, and they are really easy to clean. And they are great pens. I'd like to know if the Realo's cleanable.

[@Huskymotard88]

Even if piston filler are much wonderful and ink capable (three times more, in case of Sailor) than converter fountain pens, i think that if you don't write a lot the capacity of the piston filler is quiet enough (most of all with F or EF nibs) for good usage. In this case my preference is for converter pens, that are more easy to clean, because you can disassembly the pen, clean it better and let it dry easier. You normally can't disassembly a piston filler pen, so you have to clean it, charging and pouring many times clean water with the piston... Personally i am very happy with my Sailor Sapporo EF (best price pen for such a super nib), in combination with Sailor Kiwa-Kuro ink (super lubricant, dries fast and water resistant)... a pleasure to write with

[@clarenceyee3529]

It's interesting that engeika's top seller this week is....Sailor Pro Gear Realo but in black.

[@danc3127]

Love your review. I also have a Realo in Broad and find this nib fascinating. Does yours also exhibit a bit of Zoom behavior? I find that mine will write almost extra-fine vertically. and broad-ish when writing low and flat to the paper. The tipping seems tear-drop like under the loupe.

[@HookahBurdar]

Well Sailors are my favourite pens, even with small converters. My best fountain pen is in fact a Pro Gear small in "Sky" limited edition (clear blue demonstrator) which has an incredible 14 k Extra Fine nib. The nib is not a flexible one, but, as opposed to the typical german steel nibs, it is lively, and, without any effort, shows minor line variations. It is thus very "expressive" and quite smooth. Highly recommended. All my other 4 Sailor perform very well, even the Lecoule wiith a steel nib. The 1911 Large, which has the same 21 k nib than the piston filler Realo models is perhaps a tad smoother, but not more flexible than my 1911 standards (with 14k) Mark that those are japanese F, my Large is Medium, but writes a rather thin line. Flow is always exceptional. They do not skip. All in all, they are way better than my Montblanc, and for the small models, way cheaper. If you. Get them from Japan, even with Custom duties, the bigger ones are also cheaper than on Western retail shops.

[@alb.1911]

what a beautiful pen!!!

[@my-spinning-wheel]

Why is the intro to this video Byzantine chant?? Interesting surprise.

[@AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Thank you, Stephen.

[@marcusallen99]

Thanks for all ur videos I watch all

[@dakingdog]

...Well, that just made the choice a lot harder. I'm teetering between this and a MB146. Any chance of a shootout, or have you already done one? Edit: I should add. I'm looking at a vintage MB146 rather than new, obviously. $300 won't get you too far in terms of a new MB.

[@Bruusky]

How easily does the pen disassemble for cleaning? (is it like a TWSBI and take it a part with ease, or is it like a Montblanc; don't try without the proper tools...) Wonderful review! Thank you!

[@sbrebrown]

I don't think it disassembles easily.

[@robertocolanzi]

lovely church bells during the writing sample (?)

[@shizan]

Awesome video. I’ve got the 1911L Realo & can’t figure how to disassemble it for cleaning. Any tips please?

[@sbrebrown]

Norizan Shahabudin Yes, check this out: kmpn.blogspot.ca/2009/09/sailor-1911-realo.html?m=1

[@shizan]

Thanks very much. It doesn't seem to need any tool (like the twsbi), but I fear breaking the pen if I apply too much pressure in trying to unscrew it.

[@sbrebrown]

+Norizan Shahabudin I have done it on mine before: I just warmed up the section a little with a hairdryer for 10 seconds or so and that helped to soften the sealant. It was easier than it sounds

[@shizan]

Ah okay. Thanks so much. That makes me a lot more optimistic about the job.

[@Wolverine3660]

Why do you need to disassemble the Realo pen? It is near about the stupidest idea I have heard of. You dont need to disassemble the pen to clean it.

[@creativewatercolor]

Looks really nice, enjoyed the review as always!

[@vizart6101]

is there a Sailor really for KOP?

[@Merackon]

Hi Stephen, do you think that you will be doing a review of the London Fog at all?

[@sbrebrown]

It is already shot, so keep an eye on my channel.

[@Merackon]

Always am :-)

[@rafaelpapp]

Hi!, do you know if there is also rhodium plated versions? Thanks

[@rafaelpapp]

Thanks, I was referring to the Pro Gear version.

[@kchan1701]

Hi Stephen, I'm considering buying a Sailor Pro Gear but I would like to ask. Can the piston of the realo be taken apart for a thorough cleaning? Thanks in advance.

[@sbrebrown]

I've been unable to do it.

[@kchan1701]

Any suggestions for cleaning a pen with piston in general?

[@sbrebrown]

+K Chan Drawing up water end expelling it. That's the only way to do it

[@kchan1701]

+sbrebrown Okay, thanks for the advice. Appreciate your work.

[@lewis7607]

Hey Steve, great review but how would you disassembly the pen?

[@sbrebrown]

Lewis It can be disassembled but I was unable to do it completely.

[@lewis7607]

sbrebrown Thank you anyway Steven! Great review as always !

[@vincentzhang1448]

sailor's nib ,great ;sailor's barrel,not big enough for me;sailor's converter,worse than my Jinhao 159.However,I still love it.The nib writes spectacular It gives me the greatest writing experience it's not butter smooth actually is the moderate feedback makes things perfect(I hate platinum 3776 too much feedback) 。

[@neekeeteen]

Great review! Thanks!

[@Benjiaboy]

Hi, is the 21k nib larger than the 1911s 14k nib? Also are both the pro gear realo and 1911 realo the same size? Thanks

[@sbrebrown]

Yes and I don't knowm

[@quinnm7226]

You are my only favrite reviewer. You are a sweet young man; not in the least bit snobby or a show off--which is uncommon. Most of these guys are jerks with "ewww what they have now, how much it is, how unusual it is .... and the ever male assertion--how big it is (nib.) And a limited edition.

[@sbrebrown]

+Quinn M Thank you

[@jisa39]

Writing sample 11:02

[@criscavi19]

I've purchase this pen and I regret it. This thing has nothing more than a nice design. Watch out with the very soft nib!

[@Rabixter]

Can I ask, if you were to use your own money, would you buy this pen?

[@sbrebrown]

I probably wouldn't, but only because it is too small for me. There is nothing wrong with the quality of the pen though.

[@Rabixter]

Yes, I have a Sailor 1911 standard, and even that is a bit larger uncapped i believe. If it was slightly bigger it would make my decision a lot easier. I'm looking for a "higher end" pen now for around £200.

[@sushaneraviteja7389]

is this pen heavy

[@sbrebrown]

No

[@Geemeel1]

Are you Dutch? how is it that you speak English almost perfect??? Could have fooled me..:-) the poster in the back clearly in Dutch gives you away!! 😉

[@zenrazor659]

Cap is too thick respect the body pen😢

[@glenconverse1327]

I have a good friend I work with in the hospital who got her degree in nursing in the town where in work and go to school.

[@mfcoom9485]

Sailors don't skip

[@MrPleers]

Something tell me that you live close to a church. (Nice review as Always.)

[@peterhermina656]

Why would anyone buy this over Pelikan M600

[@sbrebrown]

+Peter Hermina Because tastes differ?

[@peterhermina656]

I understand that... I also like Sailors ink window better. But Sailor's Realo pricing makes no sense. Why is it much more expensive than the c/c version? And when you compare it to M600-- you get much more for your money 1- Bigger ink capacity 2- More finishes/colors 3- Ability to easily swap nibs 4- Very easy to service and clean piston system 5- M600 also posts a lot better.