Sailor
| Sailor Pen | |
|---|---|
| |
| Founded: | 1911 |
| Founder: | Kyugoro Sakata |
| Headquarters: | Hiroshima, Japan |
| Key People: | |
| Products: | fountain pens, inks |
| Website: | http://www.sailor.co.jp/ |
History[edit]
1910s[edit]
Sailor started in 1911 when Mr. Kyugoro Sakata, an engineer from the historic naval port of Hiroshima, was introduced to a Fountain Pen brought from England by a sailor friend. He soon became determined to produce finely crafted writing instruments in Japan with the highest specification and writing performance. [1] In the same year he and his brother started Sakata-Manufactory to produce gold nibs. [2] In 1917 the factory relocated to the next town Hamadacho and the company changed the name to "Sailor Pen Sakata-Manufactory Co., Ltd.". In this year company started manufacturing fountain pens.[2]
1920s[edit]
in 1929, Sailor's fountain pens with gold nibs became very popular and the company continuously developed unique innovative products for the Japanese stationery industry.[3]
1940s[edit]
Shortly after the Second World War and two years after starting this project Mr.Kyugoro Sakata launched the first Japanese produced ballpoint pens in 1948. [3]
In 1949 Sailor started producing Japan's first plastic fountain pens using plastic injection moulding. At that time, the materials of caps and barrels were all made of ebonite or celluloid. [4]
1950s[edit]
In 1954 the Sailor Pen Company invented Japan's first ink cartridges for the fountain pen and introduced them in 1958. [4]
1960s[edit]
In 1963 the Company introduced a mini type portable fountain pen that could be carried in the chest pocket. [4] In 1969 the world's first fountain pens with 21 gold nibs were developed by the Sailor Pen Company. The features of smoothness and elasticity were well-accepted and more than one million pieces were sold. [4]
1970s[edit]
In 1972 the Fude Pen (Brush Pen) went on sale by the Sailor Pen Company for the first time in the world.[5] In the late 70's the trend of fountain pens had started declining. In order to overcome this situation the Sailor Pen Company introduced the "Candy" series for the younger generations in 1976. This was a big hit worldwide and the Sailor sold more than 15 million pens during four years.[5]
1980s[edit]
In 1981 the famous 1911 was created using the accumulated technology and "know how" of the previous 70 year.[6]
Fountain pen models[edit]
1911[edit]
The 1911 pen features a rounded cigar shape and it’s also known as the Profit in Japan. Available in three sizes, 1911 King of Pens with 21k gold nibs, 1911L (large) with 21k gold nibs and 1911S (standard) with 14k gold nibs.
Other versions
1911L ringless, presents the same body as the 1911L minus the cap ring.
Pro gear[edit]
The Pro gear (short for Professional gear) pen features flat end of the barrel and cap. It’s available in four sizes, Pro gear King of pens with 21k gold nibs, standard, with 21k gold nibs, slim, with 14k gold nibs (but occasionally also available with 21k gold nibs), and slim mini, with 14k gold nibs.
The Pro gear slim is also known as Sapporo.
Other versions
Pro gear realo: uses a piston-filling mechanism instead of cartridges and converters and it’s slightly thicker than the standard Pro gear pen.
Compass[edit]
Available in two designs, Compass 1911, a budget version of the 1911, and Compass TUZU adjustable, both with steel nibs.
Fountain pens released[edit]
Cocktail line[edit]
Yearly pens[edit]
Gin based cocktails (2022)[edit]
- Gin martini
- Argentina
- Blue train
- Around the world
- Violet fizz
10th anniversary set[edit]
- 2011 Asian way, 1911L
- 2012 Mojito, Pro-gear
- 2013 Black velvet, Pro-gear
- 2014 Piccadilly night, Pro-gear
- 2015 Old-fashioned, Pro-gear
- 2016 Blue lagoon, Pro-gear
- 2017 Après ski, Pro-gear
- 2018 Tequila sunrise, Pro-gear
- 2019 Angel's delight, Pro-gear
- 2020 Kure azure, Pro-gear
Tequila based cocktails (2023)[edit]
- Mockingbird
- Mexican screwdriver
- Lavender margarita
- Cyclamen
- Blue margarita
Shikiori line[edit]
Breath of the seasons[edit]
- Haruzora (spring)
- Manyou (summer)
- Meigetsu (autumn)
- Yukitsubaki (winter)
Kusa Asobi[edit]
- Flower crown
- Bamboo boat
- Oak
- Snow rabbit
Hisakta[edit]
Based on the 1911 model.
- Sakura
- Hoshikuzu
- Akanezora
- Uchimizu
Tsukuyo-no-Minamo[edit]
Based on the 1911 model.
- Yozakura
- Yodaki
- Yonaga
- Shimoyo
Japanese fairytale[edit]
- Dragon Palace (spring)
- Vega (summer)
- Princess Kaguya (autumn)
- Grateful crane (winter)
Sound of rain[edit]
- Haru-same (spring)
- Sui-u (summer)
- Kiri-same (autumn)
- Tou-u (winter)
Sansui[edit]
- Yuu-tsubame(spring)
- Komakusa (summer)
- Nadeshiko (autumn)
- Kamoshika (winter)
Other pens[edit]
- Minori
Themed pens[edit]
Solar term[edit]
- Fuki
- Tako
- Hagi
- Yuzuyu
Seasonal festival[edit]
- Seri
- Momo
- Koi
- Sasa
- Kiku
Japanese sweets wagashi[edit]
- Sakuramochi
- Nerikiri
- Kohakuto
- Manju
- Tsukimi dango
Smoothie[edit]
- Wild berry
- Blue moon
- Passion fruit
- Ocean water
- Cantaloupe
Princess raden[edit]
Decorated with maki-e and raden.
- Uguisu
- Ochikubo
- Shirotae
- Koto
Veilio[edit]
Pillow book[edit]
Pro gear KOG, Pro gear and Pro gear slim.
- Spring sky
- Winter sky
- Midnight sky
- Autumn sky - ?
Tea time around the world series[edit]
Fika[edit]
Inspired by Sweden
- Fika cup
- Hallongrotta
Christmas tea time[edit]
- Christmas spice tea
- Christmas pudding
Afternoon tea[edit]
- Three tiers
- Scone
Moroccan tea[edit]
- Moroccan mint tea
- Mint & sugar
Universe series[edit]
- Blue green nebula
- Blue dwarf
- Iris nebula
- Stellar black hole
- Blue quasar
Galaxy series[edit]
1911L ringless model
- Pleiades
- Orion
- Magellanic clouds
- Crab nebula
- Andromeda
Jellyfish[edit]
1911S model
- Violet
- Sea nettle
- Fried egg
- Freshwater
- Ohwan
Manyo 1[edit]
Manyo 2[edit]
Manyo 3[edit]
Pen of the year[edit]
- Celestial grey (2024)
- Golden olive (2023)
- Soda pop blue (2022)
- Sparkle Cranberry (2021)
Stand alone pens or not yet classified[edit]
- Loch Ness monster
- Too hot Habanero, exclusive to North America
- Follow the mermaid
- Umi to gekko
- First snow
- Storm over the ocean
- Moonlight over the ocean
- Sunset over the ocean
- Every rose has its thorn, exclusive to North America
- 4am transparent
Collaborations[edit]
Line friends[edit]
- Cony
- Sally
- Brown
Bungubox[edit]
Hachimonjiya[edit]
Ancora[edit]
Lichtope[edit]
Ninja yuubi collection[edit]
- Tsuki
- Oshiro
- In
- Gojoh
Urushi[edit]
Kaga[edit]
- Black
- Smoke gray
- Pine green
- Teal blue
- Slate blue
- Dusk blue
- Cherry red
- Maroon
- Lilac
- Wine red
- Sunflower
- Amber
Endangered species[edit]
The deep creature collection[edit]
Susutake collection[edit]
Arita[edit]
Porcelain pens
Nibs[edit]
- Medium fine nib
- Zoom nib