Pilot vs Sailor: Comparing Japan's Two Greatest Pen Makers

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Pilot and Sailor are the two most celebrated fountain pen makers in Japan, each with a passionate global following. While both produce exceptional writing instruments, their philosophies and writing experiences are distinctly different. This guide will help you understand what makes each brand special.

Company Heritage

Pilot was founded in 1918 in Tokyo and has grown into Japan’s largest pen manufacturer. They are known for innovation — the Vanishing Point (Capless) retractable fountain pen and the vacuum-filling Custom 823 are both engineering marvels.

Sailor is actually older, founded in 1911 in Hiroshima as Japan’s first fountain pen manufacturer. They take a more traditional approach, focusing on perfecting their nib craftsmanship rather than reinventing mechanisms.

The Nib Experience

This is where the two brands diverge most dramatically.

Pilot Nibs

Pilot nibs are known for being butter-smooth. Their 14K and 18K gold nibs glide across paper with virtually zero feedback. The Custom 823’s nib, for example, is often described as writing on glass. Pilot also offers the widest nib selection in the industry — the Custom 742 alone comes in 15 different nib options, including specialty grinds like Falcon (FA), Waverly (WA), and Posting (PO).

Sailor Nibs

Sailor nibs are the opposite — they offer distinctive pencil-like feedback. Their 21K gold nibs have a satisfying tactile quality that many writers find addictive. You can feel every fiber of the paper beneath the nib. It is not scratchiness — it is controlled, pleasant feedback that gives you a connection to the writing surface. Sailor nibs come in fewer options but include the unique Zoom (Z) nib that varies line width based on writing angle.

Which Is Better?

Neither. It comes down to personal preference. If you want effortless gliding, choose Pilot. If you want to feel the paper and enjoy tactile feedback, choose Sailor.

Filling Systems

Pilot offers more variety in filling systems. The Custom 823 uses a vacuum filler with massive ink capacity. The Vanishing Point uses cartridge/converter. The Custom 742 and 74 use the CON-70 or CON-40 converter.

Sailor sticks almost exclusively to cartridge/converter across their entire lineup. While this is less exciting, it is practical and makes ink changes easy. The one exception is the King of Pen, which also uses a converter but in a much larger format.

Price Comparison

Range	Pilot	Sailor
Entry	Metropolitan ($20)	No direct equivalent
Mid	Custom 74 (~$160)	Pro Gear Slim ($160)
Premium	Custom 823 ($270)	Pro Gear / 1911L ($240)
Flagship	Vanishing Point ($180)	King of Pen ($800)

Pilot generally offers better value at the entry level. Sailor’s prices have increased significantly in recent years, but the Pro Gear and 1911 Large remain competitively priced against the Custom 823.

Design Philosophy

Pilot tends toward practical, understated design. The Custom series features classic cigar shapes in black resin. The Vanishing Point is a triumph of function. The LAMY 2000 influence is visible in the clean lines of the E95s.

Sailor is all about color and expression. They release an extraordinary number of limited edition Pro Gear colors — often dozens per year — that fuel a passionate collecting community. The flat-top design of the Pro Gear is iconic, and the bi-color 21K nibs are visually striking.

Our Recommendation

Choose Pilot if you:

Prefer smooth, feedback-free writing
Want a wider range of nib options
Value innovative filling systems
Need a strong entry-level option (Metropolitan)

Choose Sailor if you:

Enjoy tactile feedback while writing
Love collecting limited edition colors
Appreciate traditional pen design
Want the unique character of a 21K gold nib

The truth is, most serious fountain pen enthusiasts end up owning pens from both brands. They offer such different writing experiences that they complement each other perfectly.