Sailor 1911L Kagero Green Foutain pen and giveaway!

Pen Boutique in Columbia, Maryland was founded in 2004 by Leena Shrestha-Menon. They are a wonderful member of the pen community and the surrounding community as well. Leena is always championing fundraisers for amazing causes or donating to the “Share the Wealth” table or “Fountain Pen 101” classes at the Baltimore Washington International Pen Show. They have had a few store exclusives over the years which have always been beautiful and recently Leena had a second run made of the Sailor 1911L in Kagero Green. I had to have one as I did not have a 1911L in my collection and the color grabbed my attention. Thank you, Leena, for your help with this purchase, and including an extra Yak leather sleeve for giveaway. If you would like to enter to win the Yak single pen sleeve, please visit my Instagram page and look for the post about this review.

Packaging: The pen comes in a dark blue box with a white outer box. The outer box has an informational sticker the reads “Sailor distributed by Itoya Profolio.” The opposite side of the box has gold embossed writing that reads “Sailor PG-12” with the Sailor anchor logo. The end of the box has a sticker “1911L Kagero Green (M).” The blue inner box is embossed in gold with the Sailor anchor logo and “Sailor.” The inside of the lid has the same anchor logo and “Sailor” imprinted on it. The pen rests on a grey velvet bed held in place by a wide silver ribbon. Under the pen is a user guide, warranty card, 2 cartridges, a converter, and a matching green Yak leather single pen sleeve.

First Thoughts: This is the most perfect green I have seen on a pen and the gold trim compliments it perfectly.

Design: The 1911L follows the traditional “cigar” shape of pens. The entire pen, except the trim, are made from a deep translucent green acrylic. The cap finial is dome shaped and sits on top of a gold cap ring and clip ring. The top of the clip is squared and tapers down to a rounded clip end. The center of the clip has a raised design, and the clip holds firmly onto pockets or pen cases. An inner cap is visible through the translucent cap, which helps to keep the nib wet and ready to write. The bottom of the cap has a cigar band style cap band which is engraved “Sailor Japan Founded 1911.” The bottom finial is more of an elongated dome which rests atop a gold barrel band. The body gradually widens from the bottom finial until it reaches a slight stepdown to the cap threads. Infront of the threads is another gold barrel band at the back of the grip section which then tapers slightly before reaching a flared finger stop.

Per the product description: “The name “Kagero” (kah-geh-ro) comes from the Japanese name for mayflies, a semi-aquatic insect that inspired the pen’s rich green color. Mayflies are notable for their unique life cycle, in which they may live as long as several years before molting to their adult form for one of nature’s most brief mating periods. For a single day in the spring or summer, they form huge swarms to mate all at once before laying eggs and dying. Besides being a fascinating natural spectacle, mayflies are an important part of the ecosystems where they live. They represent a significant part of the diets of many species in river habitats, and the presence of mayfly nymphs is used as an indicator of an ecosystem’s health, as they’re among the first affected by pollution and changes in acidity.We chose this naturally inspired color because we appreciate the outdoors. We value efforts to protect the environment and educate the next generation about the importance of conservation.”

Nib Performance: Wow! I have used extra-fine and fine Sailor nibs in the past and I have always had a love of that feedback that invokes such a love it or hate it response. I ordered this model in medium to try something a bit different and step out of my comfort zone. There is almost no feedback with the medium nib and it lays down a beautifully wet medium line, never skipping or hard starting. The 21kt nib has “H-M” inscribed on one side of the nib for “Hard-Medium,” there is decorative scrollwork around the edges of the nib and tines, below the breather hole is “1911”, and anchor logo, “21kt”, “875”, and “Sailor.” This is an amazing nib and such a joy to write with.

Filling System: Proprietary cartridge/converter

Value: $390 but on sale for $312

Overall: I finally understand the hype around the Sailor 1911. This is a perfectly balanced and beautiful writing fountain pen, and the material and finish make this such a unique pen. Pen Boutique did a great job with this, and the matching pen sleeve is a delightful treat. This would make a great next level pen for any avid pen user, and in my case, something to pass to my daughter when she is old enough as she loves green and is getting into fountain pens.

Specs:

Name: Sailor 1911L Kagero-Green (Pen Boutique Exclusive)

Design: Resin

Length:  140.7mm (5.54in)

Posted: 153.4mm (6.04in)

Diameter: 13.1mm (0.52in)

Weight: 21g (0.74oz)

Nib: 21kt gold

Filling System: Proprietary Cartridge/Converter

Pros: Stunning materials, wonderfully tuned nib, perfect balance

Cons: Honestly none that I can think of

In the same price range:

Montegrappa Harry Potter

Lamy Dialog CC

Pilot Justus 95