23:00 - got my ProFit (1911) KoP for $200 less than that, direct from Japan, free EMS expedited shipping. They're only really expensive here in the US. From Japan, they're very reasonable. It's quite mindblowing, the differences in prices.
The King of Pen is my personal favourite fountain pen, but I also think that Sailor should make a larger converter, or at least a long cartridge. It's kinda weird that they haven't done so, because they already have a specially designed small converter for their Mini pens, so why not a big converter for their flagship? Also, did you know that Sailor made a limited edition King of Pen Realo piston filler in 2006 for their 95th anniversary? They only made 3300 of them and after that they never made a piston filler KOP ever again.
Totes agree! I can use one fill in a day with the medium nib, I dream of a large capacity converter for this pen. I was unaware of the realo version and would totally snag one of those as long as it had a larger capacity than the regular sized realo, which holds an incredibly small amount of ink.
Completely agree. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that such a large pen; a VERY EXPENSIVE pen has such a small converter. I mean really, they can't produce a converter for that pen specifically? I can't imagine what the price of a piston filler for the KOP would be? I can understand if they don't want to create a piston filler, as I hear the Japanese culture prefers converters, but this pen needs it's own converter, and if they make one, it should fit existing KOP pens. I was never to buy this pen specifically because of this issue, but I succumbed because of a good deal.
I also wish they'd create a larger converter. I just got two Jinhao Dadao 9019 in the mail with large-capacity screw-in converters which seems only fitting for a model that looks a lot like a Pilot Yukari Royale.
Drives me mad having to fill my KoP with King Eagle nib up every few pages. There was a guy in Australia who was printing a larger converter but it was silly expensive. Come on Sailor, it's not difficult to make a bigger converter!
Great video, Daisy, and thank you. Loved the history, Yes, their converters are subject to disdain lol by some but their nibs... Oh my GOD, their gold nibs are really amazing and my favorite is their medium nib. I'd gladly give up a little ink to be able to write with any of them. Thank you for sharing.
I would love the 1911 KOP with Urushi. If I could find one with Mt. Fugi in Maki-E, I would love it. I was exhausted when packing to move for a University (my first year teaching) to Texas Tech, and I left my climbing stick which had all the stamps burned in for every station including the top. That climb was in 1969. I have only a little symbol you pinned to your cap, but none of the stamps. A pen with Mt. Fugi on it, made in Japan, would be a treasure indeed. Thanks for the overview. I did purchas a ProGear KOP, and the nib is a writer’s nib. love it.
I'm a Pilot fan and don't really like the pencil-like feedback of Sailor pens. But I still watched your video! I'm very interested in the history of fountain pens, so it was a fun video to watch. Thanks for making it and doing all the research.
Such beautiful pens! 😍🥰❤👏 Isn't the pen completely to the right of your tray at 15:23 a Pilot Custom Urushi, instead of the Pilot Custom 845 Urushi? There's only 4.6 mm difference between the 845 and the Pro Gear KOP, capped, whereas on your tray, it looks that there is over 10 mm difference between the 1st one on the left (KOP PG) and the last pen on the right (Pilot with flat ends).
@@Yoseka is it possible to have a video of comparing the pilot custom urushi and sailor kop in different nib sizes? I think there’s a group of people who are interested, including me!
Thank you for always going into the history, the context and the marketing of different stationery items! I enjoyed your Kobe Ink Story video as well. For a long time I have wanted to read a book explaining the history and state of the fountain pen/stationery industry but couldn't find anything.
Didn’t know about the eras of big pens. I wonder if that was the same internationally as many Indian FPs are quite large. Never imagined a big pen is easier for people with arthritis. Sailor nibs certainly have an interesting feel. Have a good summer.
One of the differences between the 2 King of Pen models and their smaller counterparts is that there is more metal around the top of the filling system which adds not only to the weight but also the balance of the pen. You might like to know that Mont Blanc had a series of fountain pens in the 1930's which were the precursors of the 14* series of the 1950's and this series included 2 large pens with a size 9 and a size 8 nib, namely the 139 and 138. An internet search should throw up some images and possibly their old catalogues.
I have very sadly fallen in love with a Sailor King of Pen with a raden river and golden cherry blossoms design. It is incredibly out of my budget, but it looks gorgeous. I have small hands, so I'm wondering if it will still be okay in them. But it's really a hypothetical question because how could I ever afford and justify getting one pen for over $1000?
@theyxaj Visit a pen show, and go to a vendor that carries a sample KOP sample pen, and write a thoughtful note for yourself. You can make the note a keepsake, and experience the oen at $0. Good luck.
Thank you for such an informative video on the KoP. I have been thinking of getting a Montblanc 149, but now my mind is shifting to this beauty instead 😄
This is so helpful, thank you for the thorough explanation! I was so confused about the pro-fit so now I know how to pronounce and how to distinguish it from the others!
I would like for you to have told the U.S. market about the 1911 Realo model, because I view it as one of my best piston-filling pens. It still has all the nib options of a 1911. Great reviews though. Thanks.
Great video! I've noticed there are some variations on the cap bands on some sailors. My PG KoP, for instance, has one resembling more the model on the 1911 shown on this video. Any sources out there explaining the different designs and why they change?
I was able to transform my King Of Pen into an eyedropper a few years ago, and I now have a great pen with a very generous ink supply. For those who have heard that you cannot use an eyedropper to fill a pen with metal on the inside, I doubt it is true because I have also transformed many other pens with metal into eyedropper. But because of the high cost of my KoP, I devised a way to avoid having the ink touch the metal. I posted a video on how I did this on RU-vid. using the identical method for a Jinhao X159 at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9zu0N0BFlVg.html
I've had a KOP. Now I'm using a Jinhao 9019, and for me the difference is functionally negligible. The ebonite KOP cost me nearly a thousand dollars. It had to be treated gingerly, and it had to be kept out of light when not being used. The Jinhao needs no such special care, and for $12 I can get a new one anytime.
Sounds like Montblanc wins again on number of nibs available (and ink capacity). Pelikan sure isn't doing ANYTHING anymore. Disappointing Sailor will not offer their complete nib line up for the King of Pen Models. Many of us have larger hands. Any idea if and when this will change for the US? Some people do other things with Sailor pens and pens in general that just "writing". They are popular with artists too! Artists also write as well. Would make more sense to offer all the nibs instead of just the Medium and Bold. Very limiting really for both art and writing. (imho) I was hoping that Sailor had finally come around to be a true competitor in function, not just looks and price. Nice video however. Informative and well done.
