Which one - Sailor KOP or Pilot Custom Urushi

[Mustang Mars]

Which one should I get? Or, which one would you get? Tossing up between a Sailor KOP and a Pilot Custom Urushi Black or Red. $120 difference with KOP being the more expensive. Never seen them in the flesh so will be buying (maybe) sight unseen. Appreciate your thoughts. Cheers....Mars

[guyy]

The KoP nib is superb, with a unique feel. KoP, without question.

[Wile E Coyote]

It would be like choosing your favorite of two children. You love them both, but each has its own unique virtues.

My recommendation would of course be; get both. If you have both Sailors and Pilots, get the brand you prefer first.

[sworist]

mmm

To me the custom urushi is not something worth getting. It's a factory made piece that fits perfectly together, a cookie cutter model..... industrial. If you like that sort-a thing then by all means get it, but to me a urushi fountain pen is something that should be personalized, where you get a homogeneous body and grip that has the warm and smooth feeling that urushi is known for. It doesn't even have differing nib - you can get it on any 823 or the corresponding 724? (forgive me if the numbering is off)

KOP is a bit pricey - you just get a slightly bigger nib and body versus the Pro gear reg/1911L while there is a huge price premium. I think it is worth having one, but I never found it to be good enough to keep in my rotation. The nib also drains ink very fast, and it only takes c/c .... though I guess there are empty cartridges meant for re-use that sailor is selling which alleviates some of the problems with the converter.
Both has its advantages, you should see which nib you prefer first, then the body shape/size.

I suggest you look at stylo art or Namiki offerings if pilot is what you're interested in

[Mustang Mars]

Thanks all. When in doubt.....do nothing. Reassessing if I need another pen or if should just rationalise down to 3 - 4 out of the 20 or so in the collection.

[Jofrogger]

Why not a KoP urushi?

[Mustang Mars]

Why not a KoP urushi?

Big price difference between a Urushi and Ebonite.

[sworist]

Why not a KoP urushi?

Big price difference between a Urushi and Ebonite.

It's cheaper to get a ebonite KOP ($700-800) and then have it lacquered with urushi through commission ($300-400)..... This is true for most pens, but specially the KOP retail price of $1900-2100
I guess the markup is what you pay for your time and effort to have it lacquered. Let's not talk about the limited edition stuff that sailor does.....

On endless pens the KOP urushi is on sale though which brings it a bit closer

[mulrich]

Why not a KoP urushi?

Big price difference between a Urushi and Ebonite.

It's cheaper to get a ebonite KOP ($700-800) and then have it lacquered with urushi through commission ($300-400)..... This is true for most pens, but specially the KOP retail price of $1900-2100
I guess the markup is what you pay for your time and effort to have it lacquered. Let's not talk about the limited edition stuff that sailor does.....

On endless pens the KOP urushi is on sale though which brings it a bit closer

Do you have recommendations for commissioning urushi work?

[sworist]

mulrich, I will create a post in the Asian Pens sub-forum because I have gotten some questions in the past regarding urushi experts ... hopefully someone can sticky it so that new comers and people looking for reference can use it, plus people can add to the current list of known artists

[mulrich]

mulrich, I will create a post in the Asian Pens sub-forum because I have gotten some questions in the past regarding urushi experts ... hopefully someone can sticky it so that new comers and people looking for reference can use it, plus people can add to the current list of known artists

Thanks! The post was very helpful; hopefully more artists will be added to the list over time.

https://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread...s-(Commission)