Pilot Justus 95 M Nib Lined Guilloche

[hari317]

Due to the present board setting limit of 15 pics per post(can this be increased to 50 pls?), I have to split this review into parts.

Part 1:

I was excited about this pen as soon as I read about it on the Pilot website. I was always curious about the original shor lived Justus model but the NOS prices were way beyond what i was prepared to pay. This year I believe is the 95th anniversary of Pilot and they apparently decided to reissue their Justus as the Justus 95 with some changes(snap vs thread cap, clip shape and nib sizes). Engeika statrted auctioning these pens in the last week and I was able to win one at a good price. The pens are available in two variants Straight line guilloche vs barley corn guilloche. I bought the straight lined one. also the pen is being offered in F/FM/M nibs, Ibought the M nib version since Pilots F is really fine and I want something a little fatter for everyday scribbles. Onto the pen...

Packing/presentation:

Justus 95 got a fancy packaging of its own, it is quite classy. It came wrapped and sealed in factory despatch condition:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8488_zps7ba845b8.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8491_zps2932eacb.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8492_zpsb484f752.jpg

Perhaps the packing date seal?

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8494_zpse93fcddb.jpg

The complete model number indicating body pattern and nib width:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8495_zps2787380c.jpg

The wrapper removed:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8498_zps3b93460c.jpg

The outer cover slides off:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8500_zps30a14059.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8502_zpsd70c6e4a.jpg

to reveal the inner box whose lid is simply lifted off:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8504_zps836d57fc.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8505_zps7e2c4684.jpg

using the helpful notch the inner transparent cover can be lifted...

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8506_zpsc9280834.jpg

and after moving the upper sponge layer out of the way, the pen is revealed:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8507_zps3863a9f4.jpg

The cap and pen are held separately, perhaps to showcase the adjustable nib...

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8508_zps11981007.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8509_zps892c43d3.jpg

any Kanji readers? what is written on the sticker?

[hari317]

Part 2:

Clip hang tag:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8511_zps26b168f1.jpg

The pen has been rescued from the packing and is out of the frame, There is one more level below the pen holding foam that holds the bilingual operating manual and complimentary cartridge. the Con-70 comes pre installed in the pen. I am a cartridge fan, so i popped a Namiki Blue cartridge into the pen for first inking.

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8512_zpscd730386.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8515_zps365a9fd1.jpg

The pen:

Flat ends, long and somewhat girthy and a GP sword clip. Plain, undertated looks. I like the GP sword clip, it was previously available only in the white trim on modern Pilots.

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8516_zps84d0459c.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8517_zpsfac45114.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8518_zps7e3875d3.jpg

The nib with the "tension" adjuster on the top:

The term tension used by Pilot appears appropriate. The nib can be adjusted from firm to somewhat floppy using the adjuster. So this single pen can accomodate all types of nib stiffness preferences.

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8519_zpsc59c9bca.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8522_zpsa8d25204.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8523_zps250b0d48.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8524_zps0c7e37d8.jpg

The following pic shows the gap between the tensioner tongue and the nib topside:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8526_zps4103a395.jpg

The pen opened:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8527_zps60cfef0b.jpg

Shiny top of the cap:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8528_zps8ef33bca.jpg

Engraved sword clip detail:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8529_zps4f29d9c5.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8530_zps6c9b9b20.jpg

[hari317]

Part 3:


Engraved lines on the cap:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8531_zps180a5e85.jpg

Cap band engraving:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8532_zpsc696ac44.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8533_zps44892ea7.jpg

Comparison with some other Pilots:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8535_zpsea7e9742.jpg

L-R:743FA, 742PO, 95M, 74F

You can see that the 95 is quite big and nearly the same size as the largest 743.

Nibs comparison:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8537_zps7a3074b7.jpg

L-R: 95M, 74F, 742PO, 743FA

The 95's nib is physically smaller than the nib on the 742 and larger than the 74's nib. The real point to notice is the extra long section on the Justus in order to accomodate the adjuster helical cam. the longer section is a major plus point for me over the other counterparts in the resin Pilot custom lineup.

Writing samples:

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8539_zpsc4a388d7.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8540_zps0e38aed6.jpg

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/hari-317/PilotJustus95/IMG_8541_zps65b8c043.jpg

I could not find any line flex in my example. The nib becomes rigid (but not a nail) at the H end of the adjuster. The flow and the elastic feel of the nib increases on the S end of the spectrum. The line width made by my particular 95, judged by eyeball reckoning is narrower than the line I remember is made by my 742SM.

Conclusions:


I found no flex, I preferrred the feel at the H end of the spectrum. The adjuster is just a gimmick as far as I am concerned and can be a conversation starter.
Pen is a nice writer.
The long section is the real bonus of this model.
The pen size is closest to the 743 and weighs approximately 24gms with full cartridge.
The lined pattern has a subtle beauty over the plain black customs.


I hope you find this useful.

Cheers!
Hari

Some interesting material on the Justus:

Justus New Vs Old (http://translate.google.co.in/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-TW&u=http://goutzchien.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/pilot-justus-v-s-pilot-justus-95-??????)/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://goutzchien.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/pilot-justus-v-s-pilot-justus-95-%E6%96%B0%E8%88%8A%E7%89%88%E5%A4%A7%E6%AF%94%E6%8 B%BC%EF%BC%89/%26biw%3D1920%26bih%3D977)

How the adjuster works (http://translate.google.com/translate?depth=1&hl=en&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://goutzchien.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/pilot-justus-v-s-pilot-justus-95-%E6%96%B0%E8%88%8A%E7%89%88%E5%A4%A7%E6%AF%94%E6%8 B%BC%EF%BC%89/%26biw%3D1920%26bih%3D977&rurl=translate.google.co.in&sl=zh-TW&u=http://pens.biolab123.com/%3Fp%3D289)

[peterpen53]

Very nice, Hari. I've only recently started looking into Pilots, but for its general appearance this pen reminds me of the 845 (without the urushi finish of course). Would you agree or am I way off the mark here?

Cheers,
Peter

[hari317]

Very nice, Hari. I've only recently started looking into Pilots, but for its general appearance this pen reminds me of the 845 (without the urushi finish of course). Would you agree or am I way off the mark here?

Cheers,
Peter
Thank you Peter. I can answer reg the 845, it is my favorite Pilot. The 845's cap and the cap top (finial) are much more straight in profile. The 845 looks a million dollars and it has an understated presence, the 95 IMO is two steps lower in looks to the 845. I hope this helps.

[peterpen53]

I agree on the 845. It looks a very classy pen without being loud.

[drgoretex]

Remarkably thorough photo-review, thank you!

I kind of thought that the tension adjuster may not be as big a thing as suggested, but as you say, interesting conversation-starter.

I may just have to look into one of these, because I just kept thinking 'cool...' as I looked over the review. :)

Ken

[KrazyIvan]

I really like the look of the pen. While I am not a good flex writer, the writing samples look disappointing. I though it would have at least a little more variation.

[hari317]

Ken, Ivan, thanks for the kind comments.

[pelahale]

hi hari, I also saw your review in FPN, but wanted to respond here - I got the fine nib I get make the tine spring from 1:4 on the Justus 95 - with standard pressure. I might be able to push it farther but I'd over-spring the tine & damage it. Your review made me want to get one along w/Michel deMontreal's vid review of his old 1980 Justus - Thanks. I don't know if fpgeeks allows links to a YT vid but here's a try:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEJY1aofy_4

[writingrav]

Thanks for a good review. I was tempted by this pen. Now I'm not. That's what good reviews should do (or the opposite, when appropriate.) :)

[hari317]

hi hari, I also saw your review in FPN, but wanted to respond here - I got the fine nib I get make the tine spring from 1:4 on the Justus 95 - with standard pressure. I might be able to push it farther but I'd over-spring the tine & damage it. Your review made me want to get one along w/Michel deMontreal's vid review of his old 1980 Justus - Thanks. I don't know if fpgeeks allows links to a YT vid but here's a try:

Hi, I watched your video review. Thanks, it is very informative. personally I am more comfortable with the waterman's type pressure. Once upon a time i used to even flex my sonnet 18k nib, no longer.

I am still on the first cartridge of the 95J and I do use it from time to time, mostly in the full H setting.

Best
Hari

[hari317]

Thanks for a good review. I was tempted by this pen. Now I'm not. That's what good reviews should do (or the opposite, when appropriate.) :)

I feel sorry if my review has hurt sales of the 95 since it is a nice pen that I like and it fulfills(IMO) its claim of giving a hard vs soft feel from the same nib. It is however NOT a flex nib and Pilot also does not claim such attributes so people who are looking for flex better avoid modern (IMO)and look at vintage. much cheaper to buy and more satisfying from flex POV.

[jde]

Thanks for the review hari. Great photos, too.

I spent a couple weeks using a friend's Justus 95 with an F nib. It was one of THE neatest nibs I've ever used! As you said, it's not a flex nib... it goes from hard to soft, and as you say, that's not the same thing. To me, what's neat is the nib is super, sweetly smooth... and you get more shading when you move to the soft end of the dial.

The only reason I didn't steal this pen from my friend is, uh, well, we don't steal from friends now do we? :) I found the pen too heavy—weighted near the nib end in a way that was uncomfortable for my small hand which would cramp after writing for long periods of time. *sigh* The nib is superb, I think, as a lot of Pilot nibs are.

Cheers,
Julie