The Depths of a Sailor

Vibrant colors, U.S. exclusives, and new body types: some things change for Japan's Sailor, but the writing quality remains the same

- NICKY PESSAROFF

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.