Pilot Elite 95S Extra Fine Black Fountain Pen FES-1MM-B-EF

I am now in my 10th month of using this pen. Performance remains optimum. I still hold the position of all the points made in my March 2017 review. However, I must add this: KEEP THIS PEN FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH OTHER HARD MATERIALS. The finish on the cap of my pen has been lightly scratched. This is because I kept it in cases, along with other pens, that did not have individual pen sections. THIS WAS A MISTAKE. While I'm never abusive towards any of my pens, especially the more expensive ones, and believed I was always careful with them, it wasn't enough to keep this one in pristine condition. I'm happy to report that the scratches are not such that one could, at first glance, notice them, but they are there. Would hate this to happy to others. My advice... ... MoreI am now in my 10th month of using this pen. Performance remains optimum. I still hold the position of all the points made in my March 2017 review. However, I must add this: KEEP THIS PEN FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH OTHER HARD MATERIALS. The finish on the cap of my pen has been lightly scratched. This is because I kept it in cases, along with other pens, that did not have individual pen sections. THIS WAS A MISTAKE. While I'm never abusive towards any of my pens, especially the more expensive ones, and believed I was always careful with them, it wasn't enough to keep this one in pristine condition. I'm happy to report that the scratches are not such that one could, at first glance, notice them, but they are there. Would hate this to happy to others. My advice... KEEP THIS PEN IN ITS OWN SLEEVE.

The pen is exquisite.I use this for writing in everything. For sketching manga and music notation paper. I do not find the extra-fine nib scratchy at all. And it has the right size for fine detail in music and manga.The only thing I wish I had known is: that it comes with its own converter. It was not specified and I bought an extra one. But always order one just in case.Other than that, I love the size and lightness when holding it. I will be using this for a very long time and will definitely repurchase it.

Love this pen. This is my 2nd gold nib Pilot and like the other EF nib it’s a bit scratchy in a good way and is a dream to write with. Ink flows evenly and easily. The size is great for me with or without posting but I do have smaller hands.

I dithered a while before buying this pen: Medium, or Fine? I've owned quite a few Pilot pens, and they have ALL, without exception, run about a grade finer than their American or European counterparts. I like a F nib, so with Pilot I've always been happiest with a medium; this has been true most recently with a Pilot Metropolitan and a Pilot Kaküno. I have mediums in both, and they are like a Kaweco or Conklin or Franklin-Christoph or Edison F.However, I have to agree with the review I read someplace that the Elite 95S (or its US-packaged version, the E-95S) does not seem to run finer. I ordered a M, wanting a fine line, and I got a Medium line. So keep this in mind if you're looking at this pen. This is no knock on the pen, but know what you're getting. Why this ... MoreI dithered a while before buying this pen: Medium, or Fine? I've owned quite a few Pilot pens, and they have ALL, without exception, run about a grade finer than their American or European counterparts. I like a F nib, so with Pilot I've always been happiest with a medium; this has been true most recently with a Pilot Metropolitan and a Pilot Kaküno. I have mediums in both, and they are like a Kaweco or Conklin or Franklin-Christoph or Edison F.However, I have to agree with the review I read someplace that the Elite 95S (or its US-packaged version, the E-95S) does not seem to run finer. I ordered a M, wanting a fine line, and I got a Medium line. So keep this in mind if you're looking at this pen. This is no knock on the pen, but know what you're getting. Why this is, I can't say.But that M line is very smooth; flow is probably a tick to the wet side, maybe a 6 or 7; it easily keeps up with any writing speed without being sloppy wet. This is also a small and very lightweight pen. It's plenty long enough even for my meathooks (I wear an 8-1/2 or XL surgical glove, if that helps) and fits comfortably in the hand length-wise. But it's pretty slender, and so lightweight that it feels insubstantial. I'd prefer just a bit more heft.None of these things reflect poorly on the pen per se. If you have a smaller hand and like a light pen, and know what you're getting nib-wise, then you will like it a lot. I like it too, and I'm getting used to these things. But if I'd not inked it, I'd have returned it for the F of my dreams.

This pen was my first gold nib and I was originally unaware of it. I feel like it doesn't really get much love in the FPN community? I don't see why though because it's a solid writing instrument.I've had it in my daily carry since October 2017. The only cons I've noticed are that it kind of tends to be dry on the upstrokes for a few writing sessions after flushing and re-inking. I also made the mistake of carrying it in a zippered pouch with a drafting pencil with a knurled grip and that definitely left some ugly scratches on the gold metal cap. Don't do that...Aesthetically, the look is so classic vintage: the gold and the rich burgundy really complement each other and the design is a retro reproduction too. The inlaid nib is gorgeous and the springiest among ... MoreThis pen was my first gold nib and I was originally unaware of it. I feel like it doesn't really get much love in the FPN community? I don't see why though because it's a solid writing instrument.I've had it in my daily carry since October 2017. The only cons I've noticed are that it kind of tends to be dry on the upstrokes for a few writing sessions after flushing and re-inking. I also made the mistake of carrying it in a zippered pouch with a drafting pencil with a knurled grip and that definitely left some ugly scratches on the gold metal cap. Don't do that...Aesthetically, the look is so classic vintage: the gold and the rich burgundy really complement each other and the design is a retro reproduction too. The inlaid nib is gorgeous and the springiest among all my gold nibbed pens. It just screams class.Overall, this is a superb pen with what is in my opinion a timeless design.

This Pilot writes excellently straight out of the box. The nib writes like my Sailor Pro Gear Slim - Fine, except that for the fact that it never skips like my Sailor does. If you touch the paper ever so lightly, it will become clear why this is an EF nib and not an F. You can write the finest lines if you're patient enough to do so.For a nib this fine, it's not scratchy, provided you use use smooth fountain pen friendly paper. It feels a bit scratchy on other paper, but it still won't skip. The ink flow is very consistent.Now the reason I bought this pen is because of the grip. The grip is smooth and without any ridges or wire thread, which is a pure blessing for my fingers.It's an exceptionally light pen, which becomes a 'standard sized' with the cap posted. ... MoreThis Pilot writes excellently straight out of the box. The nib writes like my Sailor Pro Gear Slim - Fine, except that for the fact that it never skips like my Sailor does. If you touch the paper ever so lightly, it will become clear why this is an EF nib and not an F. You can write the finest lines if you're patient enough to do so.For a nib this fine, it's not scratchy, provided you use use smooth fountain pen friendly paper. It feels a bit scratchy on other paper, but it still won't skip. The ink flow is very consistent.Now the reason I bought this pen is because of the grip. The grip is smooth and without any ridges or wire thread, which is a pure blessing for my fingers.It's an exceptionally light pen, which becomes a 'standard sized' with the cap posted. It has excellent balance that way.The only reason why it doesn't get the fifth star is because it is acrylic instead of (artificial) resin. I prefer the slightly rougher surface of the Sailor for that.

Elegant small but with a gold nib

The pen writes smoothy and the tip does its job really well by having a continuous flow of ink throughout the writing. It is not a dry writer though. Therefore have to be a bit careful not to touch what you have written as soon as you've taken the nib off the paper. But it is just a negligible matter when the quality of the pen is considered. The finish is good. But it is not heavy given that it is a premier product and have the elegant look which you usually incorporate with a higher quality pen. But it has a few minor drawbacks too. One is since it is a small pen people with larger palms will find it a bit difficult to handle. And if you are someone who is fond of writing without the cap of a pen this one will not the one foe you since it is a really short pen. ... MoreThe pen writes smoothy and the tip does its job really well by having a continuous flow of ink throughout the writing. It is not a dry writer though. Therefore have to be a bit careful not to touch what you have written as soon as you've taken the nib off the paper. But it is just a negligible matter when the quality of the pen is considered. The finish is good. But it is not heavy given that it is a premier product and have the elegant look which you usually incorporate with a higher quality pen. But it has a few minor drawbacks too. One is since it is a small pen people with larger palms will find it a bit difficult to handle. And if you are someone who is fond of writing without the cap of a pen this one will not the one foe you since it is a really short pen. And the second issue is also associated with the size of the pen. Since it is shorter it can accommodate only the smaller cartridges. So its better to keep extra cartridges with you or carry a back up pen just in case the ink ran out of your Elite 95S. But overall it is an awesome pen and with the 14k gold nib, best value for your money.

This Pen is Way Better than Expected

This is a terrific pocket pen that writes as a full-sized pen when posted. The nib and feed are smooth and reliable and the gold nib has a nice feel. This is my second, the other is a different color. This does not come with a converter, but having used the CON-40 (shared with Vanishing Points), it just does not hold enough ink. I reuse cartridges instead by filling them with a syringe. This pen will be inked and in active use for years to come.

When you have a choice, choose the best in value, looks, and use.

This is a fantastic pen and a great addition to your collection. I have used the extra fine, fine and medium and find the medium to be the better choice. Pilot pens tend to run slightly smaller in line width so a medium is more like a fine. This pen has an excellent, subtle click when closing and the posting is smooth and positive. The material finish is first-rate and wonderfully smooth. One of the few pens in my collection that needed no adjustment of the nib. This pen takes a generous, standard Pilot cartridge which I enjoy refilling with my favorite ink of the week. Pilot cartridges have great capacity and longevity. This pen has a nice, elegant presentation when used; pulling the pen out, uncapping then posting the cap, and then reversing those steps to put the ... MoreThis is a fantastic pen and a great addition to your collection. I have used the extra fine, fine and medium and find the medium to be the better choice. Pilot pens tend to run slightly smaller in line width so a medium is more like a fine. This pen has an excellent, subtle click when closing and the posting is smooth and positive. The material finish is first-rate and wonderfully smooth. One of the few pens in my collection that needed no adjustment of the nib. This pen takes a generous, standard Pilot cartridge which I enjoy refilling with my favorite ink of the week. Pilot cartridges have great capacity and longevity. This pen has a nice, elegant presentation when used; pulling the pen out, uncapping then posting the cap, and then reversing those steps to put the pen away when you are finished. In today's hurried world, this presentation conveys thought, respect, and focus.