A Sailor pen is easily identifiable. Each Sailor writing instrument has a body of ebonite or acrylic with metal appointments including the anchor-inspired clip. Sleek and highly polished, Sailor body types are one of two varieties, generally speaking. Its line of 1911 writing instruments is a classic torpedo shape, while its line of Pro Gear and Pro Gear Slim writing instruments have flattened cap and barrel ends.
"Generally speaking" is the key caveat. There are always exceptions. When this Japanese company released its 110th Anniversary limited edition writing instruments two years ago, even Don Takemura, president of Sailor's U.S. distributor, Itoya ProFolio, was taken by surprise.
"I think a lot of people expected some special King of Pen," Takemura says, referring to Sailor's line of Emperor-sized writing instruments, "but many of us were really surprised to see an all-new design with those pens. The Sailor 110th Anniversary collection features big pens but with metal bodies, a clear top finial, no clip, and a very straight and long cylinder shape. Now we see that design translated into the Ebonite Sculpture series, which has been selling very well, and I hope the design will be used in future pens."
In so doing, this 112-year-old company has showcased its adaptability and its capacity to keep customers engaged: just when you thought you saw everything Sailor can do, it does something new. The company pulled a similar trick with its popular series of U.S.-exclusive Sailor 50 States inks, nominated this year for an Ink of the Year RCA. Never before had Sailor created a comprehensive ink line inspired by and targeting its U.S. customer base, and in hue and chroma, those inks are quite different from Sailor's traditional ink lines while maintaining all the chemical elements that make Sailor inks so good for fountain pen writing.
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Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av PEN WORLD.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)
On August 24, 2024, calligrapher Ward Dunham passed away.
The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot
Do you like black pens? If so, you are probably already familiar with the fun, frivolity, and fellowship associated with the Black Pen Society (BPS).
Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show
Daisy and Neil Ni's twist on the traditional pen show is about community, not commerce.
"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)
The Italian pen company's experiment in modernism led to a revolution in late 20th century pen design. A two-part series.
GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit
With new collections inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and Fender guitars, artisan John Greco is tapping into cultural trends.
Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "
The Taschenbegleiter hand-made planner system from German artisan cooperative Roterfaden features a modular organizational system that grows with the user's ambitions.
S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne
The French atelier continues its forays into popular culture with a new, officially licensed Game of Thrones collection.
More Mail, More Dip-Less
The six-part series on dip-less (or one-dip) fountain pens garnered some major attention through its run from October 2023 through August 2024 (Vol. 36 No. 6 Vol. 37 No. 5).
David Oscarson: A Reflection
The artisan pen maker celebrates 25 years of luxury writing instruments with a new collection that harkens to his Art Nouveau roots.
The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen
The Jotter was advertised as Parker's first ballpoint pen, but a novelty item that played on the Hopalong Cassidy culture craze predated it.
