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The Fountain Pen Community -> Ball Points/Roller-balls -> Sailor 1911M or 1st Gen Parker Sonnet BP?
Post Info TOPIC: Sailor 1911M or 1st Gen Parker Sonnet BP?
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Sailor 1911M or 1st Gen Parker Sonnet BP?
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In a quandary at the moment...

I've been eyeing two "nicer" ballpoints, and was wondering which of the two I should get. (Yes, one of those questions...).

I have 5 Parker Sonnet BPs, and love the pens. They fit my hand well, are very handsome to look at, and options for the Parker refill are many. But I have 5 of them, all 2nd Gen models, except for 1 "Refresh" from 2009. I can pick up a red or green Firedance Parker Sonnet Premier with the wide band for around $70-85. I believe that is a 1st Gen Sonnet, which I am lacking. They are metal body as well, which I like.

My other eye candy is a Black/Gold Sailor 1911 M (Profit) BP, for about the same price. I hear good-great things about the FPs, and they appear to be close in size to the Sonnet. Plus, I don't have one yet. Flip size is that they take a special (or Sheaffer) refill, which is not as good as the Parker options these days. Sailors are resin-bodied pens, which are much lighter, but acceptable.

Are there any known issues with either pen that might sway a decision? (Durability, finish, repairs, etc.) I've searched and found nothing bad on either pen, but as ballpoints, I really don't expect much out there.

Yes, I've cross referenced the FP variants of each, and based on what I've seen, the Sailor would win hands down. But the BPs are different, and my main decision criteria are underlined above. 

I don't expect a flood of input, given the subject, but I thought I'd ask here, rather than risk a potential barrage of negativity at another place.

Merci buckets, 

Hubert



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Frank


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I would give the 1911BP a shot Hubert! You already have some Sonnet BP's!
I have both a 1911 mid-size FP, and a Sonnet FP- love them both!

Regards,
Frank

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DWL


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I see it the other way, go with the tried & true. Keep adding to the collection. That way you don't have to sweat tracking down other refills and have the odd man out in the pen case..lol.

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I had decided on the Sailor, then before I could order it, Hurricane Sandy was on the TV, and I did not want to risk having it lost in an overturned UPS truck somewhere. Plus the dealer is right in the crosshairs of the storm, so now I don't even know if they will still be there when it's done. Now it's wait and see while I put away the outdoor furniture myself. Indecision is painful, isn't it? frustrated.gif



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My shirt came to me, wrapped up all in black, something funny told me, I'd have to send it back.

Although I couldn't make it fit, I knew I'd have to try. Now I'm telling all of you, I will never buy....

Clothes from Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh...
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Well, I ordered the 1911, and I'm told it is out of stock and new stock is expected this coming week. Count me skeptical, but this vendor is the only one I can find in the US listing a 1911 in the BP format, so I'm not sure Sailor even still offers this pen here in the US. I'll wait until next week, than inquire on the status.

The vendor has been good to me previously, so I'l see if they pull through again. If not, the Professional Gear model is a major step up in size and price, so I'm not sure if I'll bother with that or get one of the Parker Sonnets or agonize over yet another choice. Such agony....lol



__________________

My shirt came to me, wrapped up all in black, something funny told me, I'd have to send it back.

Although I couldn't make it fit, I knew I'd have to try. Now I'm telling all of you, I will never buy....

Clothes from Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh...
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I did get the 1911 in December, and I am very happy! It is a very nice pen! I've used it just a bit, but it feels as natural in the hand as my Montblanc rollerball (a 146, maybe?), and the Sailor BP refill works well, even on all of my cheap paper varieties. The twist mechanism is stiff to work, but because it's very new, and otherwise shows absolutely no binding or slop in propelling the refill in or out. The clip fits well on my dress shirts, but I don't think it would take any thicker material on some casual wear. 

What I don't quite understand is the ink carts and converter included with this ballpoint. Maybe they're encouraging the purchase of the FP as well.... hmm.gif My pen arrived in a nice, but not luxurious box, about what a mid-range Waterman pen comes with. So, overall, a nice pen. Apologies for the lousy photos - I need to brighten them up, I think.

Thanks for your input, Frank, and yours, DWL. I have some funds left, so I've gotta start saving for my Sonnet now!  happy.gif



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My shirt came to me, wrapped up all in black, something funny told me, I'd have to send it back.

Although I couldn't make it fit, I knew I'd have to try. Now I'm telling all of you, I will never buy....

Clothes from Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh...
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I just received my Sonnet BP this past week. I don't have pics yet, but it is a beauty! NOS, 1994-era thin band edition, black body/gold trim (not very exciting, but suits my taste). Complete with box, sticker, tag and papers, this is an elegant modern pen, even though it's almost 20 years old. And unlike some older Cross BPs I own, the twist mechanism is as smooth as any I've ever used. That's quality.

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My shirt came to me, wrapped up all in black, something funny told me, I'd have to send it back.

Although I couldn't make it fit, I knew I'd have to try. Now I'm telling all of you, I will never buy....

Clothes from Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh...
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