Sailor 1911 Large vs Platinum Century

[@roderickfemm8799]

Thanks for the comparison. I'm not a fan of Sailor compared to Platinum and Pilot, mostly because of their marketing and pricing tactics. I think they get away with the price differential because they persuade us to compare it to their own smaller pen (1911S) rather than to the competition. For the same price as this Sailor, you could get a Pilot Custom 823, a much better pen in my opinion. In any case, it is nice to see them side by side.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks! Happy the video was useful

[@TheDesius]

I am not sure where you are from but in the netherlands the sailor 1911 is 150 euro and the pilot custom 823 is 350 euro

[@jaystone4816]

@@TheDesiusHi, the price Michael quoted for the Sailor is for the 1911 Large (1911L). The lower price you mention is for the smaller version, the 1911. The 1911 Large in the U.S. is usually discounted to $312, which makes it comparable in price to the Pilot Custom. Prices can vary between the EU and the U.S., but usually they're in the same range.

[@JoelTurrell]

This is a very helpful video for those of us who are considering such pens. You did.a fine job in an even-handed manner.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Joel Turrell thanks a lot for your kind words!

[@ironmic9244]

Yes, I too was very perplexed at how the 1911, the 3776, and the 146, 149, looked so similar. Because of it, I collecting a sub-set, within my collection of all three brands, and insanely spending on pens that look similar. What we do for fountain pens.

[@crazycool1128]

The platinum with its unashamedly plain and oversized clip and the flared, flattened nib, has a more quirky, iconic look. The Sailor is all about refinement of a classic design.

[@peterhofmann8292]

Danke, for the great comparison. I have both pens (different nibs on them) and I find them both fun to write with. Seeing the comparison was still useful.

[@GuilhermeAtencio]

Thank you SO MUCH, I have the Platinum 3776 and it is one of my favorites. I have been wanting a Sailor for quite a while and I wasn't sure which one to get. Now it is easier to choose. Many thanks.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Happy the clip was helpful 😊

[@GuilhermeAtencio]

@@Scrivelynotes it really was! I have seen plenty of reviews of those pens, but never a comparison of the two. I have to buy all my pens online, so I only had an estimate of the size of the Sailor.

[@alexhackmann]

Excellent comparison. Thank you very much!

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks much for the comment. Appreciate it.

[@polksie]

Excellent review! You did both pens justice. My Platinum 3776 is my favorite pen, and was looking at the Sailor 1911L. I now know I will be buying one. Really, a great video.

[@Scrivelynotes]

TJ Zidaroff thanks for your kind words! The black Sailor there happens to be up for sale - just in case of interest.

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

The thing I really enjoy about the Platinum 3776 is the Ultra Extra Fine nib. My favorite nib for writing. What I should do is fly over to Japan and buy straight from the vendors, just to see what our outlets aren't getting.....plus have fun touring. Great review.

[@Scrivelynotes]

X-change, X-out, X-oner8 good plan! Never been to Japan, but I guess it’s totally worth going.

[@chiarac358]

The Sailor 1911 platinum trim is really nice. I heard or read somewhere that the plating on the nib is very thin and that the 21kt gold of the nib shows through it. Is your pen like that, or does it look well plated? I prefer the Sailor nib design because the 3776's flat-topped nib reminds me of shield bugs that eat my Swiss chard...

[@Scrivelynotes]

Hi Chiara. The plating on my Sailor 1911L there seems perfect. I have this pen since a few years and there is no sign of the plating coming off. In fact, there is no chance I spot any gold shimmer through the plating. It looks like a solid thick silver. I do also prefer the Sailor nib design. They seem to have a new one though, for some of their pens, which I have not yet seen in person.

[@chiarac358]

@@Scrivelynotes They made the announcement roughly at the end of 2018: they removed the scroll-work from the nib and changed the cap band on the pens with the specialty (bespoke) nibs only. I'm not crazy about the nib but like the cap band quite a lot. Here is the link in Japanese, but the pictures tell the story www.sailor.co.jp/pdf/release/specialnib_20180928.pdf

[@jaystone4816]

Nice comparison, Michael. My experience with the Sailor 1911L is they're a good pen, but definitely overpriced as you point out. However, my experience with the Platinum 3776 has been troubled. I have several Platinum Presidents, each of which cost less than the Sailor 1911L, and they are excellent writers. Build quality is the same as Sailor. Because of that positive experience, I recently purchased a Platinum 3776. Definitely a very noticeable step down from the Sailor and the Platinum President. That didn't bother me very much, because the 3776 is priced lower, it comes in a larger variety of colors than Platinum's President , and has a 14K gold nib. However, I was very disappointed in the 3776's nib. It feels like I'm writing with a dull #2 pencil. Lots of feedback, the nib tip feels enormous on the page, and it has a tendency to skip on the final curve of letters d, b, o, etc. I may just have received a bad nib, but the difference in build quality, finish - and less than stellar nib, means I will probably never buy another 3776.

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks for sharing your feedback, Jay. I never tried a President, but would want to at some point in the future. Your experiences with the 3776 do indeed sound a little like bad luck to me, indeed. I've tried maybe a handful, and also had one among them that was sub-par. The others were all stellar, and I do indeed know people who would claim that Platinum makes some of the best nibs out there (at least it is the same nib that is also installed on the Nakayas, if I am not entirely mistaken).

[@andrewtongue7084]

Michael, both noteworthy scribes, but if I could indulge my own wishes, here, I'd place that Soft Fine nib on the Sailor - that is where (I consider) Platinum has the edge. I do agree that the Sailor buid quality seems to be rather more robust - but as you state - not worth 100 euros, more. Fantastic comparitive, my friend - keep 'em coming !! Andrew :)

[@Scrivelynotes]

Thanks for stopping by :)

[@andrewtongue7084]

Always, my friend :)

[@librarianrobert7426]

I bought a 1911 Standard and I'm very happy with it! Broad nib, which actually writes pretty broad--significantly broader, I think, than a European medium. I like it so much, I'm thinking of getting a 1911 Large--in Royal Tangerine! No sense getting black and pretending that it's a Mont Blanc! :)

[@jaystone4816]

The 1911 and 1911 Large are nice pens., and they are available in some interesting colors. The issue with the 1911 Large is many people consider it to be overpriced. The 1911 Large isn't a whole lot bigger than the regular 1911, but the price sure is!

[@nitina8564]

I love japanese made fountain pens.. i would go for pilot fountain pens and then platinum and sailor is the last in my list. But i still like sailor pens they are not bad in anyway but pilot is better in my opinion.

[@pigsydney]

That was a very helpful video,I have a Sailor 1911 with a music nib a great pen.The Platinum Century is very nice.I was able to purchase a Pelikan Stresemann 605.such a beautiful pen and the extra fine nib is a dream to write with.

[@Scrivelynotes]

pigsydney gotta love those Pelis 😊

[@kokopeds8588]

good review. I was thinking of getting one of these two

[@georgegarcia566]

Excellent description of writing feel. I do prefer Pilot soft bibs.

[@Scrivelynotes]

George Garcia thanks!

[@peterpuleo2904]

Japanese v. German would be interesting.

[@korax67]

Very nice video, thank you. I'll go for the Platinum.

[@Scrivelynotes]

korax67 thanks! Glad it’s useful!

[@okinawapunter]

I would buy Pilot Custom 74 F.

[@richardc6932]

14.5 minutes before you get to the most important and interesting part of the review! Who really cares about the packaging?

[@Scrivelynotes]

Richard Croft everyone that posted grateful and positive comments instead of your useless negativity.

[@chiarac358]

First of all, it's 4:05 minutes for both packaging. And second of all, you do know you can skip ahead to the part you think might be of interest to you, right?

[@himurakenshin6053]

The packaging is very important especially when considering to gift some one a pen, beside the better protection during shipping etc. Presentation is everything but since it’s been 4 months, I hope you’ve grown up and changed your bitter views. I thank the reviewer@Scrively for a great review. I have benefitted alot, keep the great work friend.