I’ve always believed that great things deserve to be brought back—whether it’s a brilliantly engineered engine, an iconic film long gone from theatres, or simply your grandma’s pie recipe you grew up loving. Sailor seems to share the same belief. After a ten-year hiatus, it has officially brought back its most distinctive specialty nib—the Naginata King Eagle. Returning to the catalogue with the same technical precision and expressive character, it once again takes its place as a benchmark for collectors and calligraphers alike.
The Concept Behind the Nib
Unlike standard nibs, the Naginata King Eagle is remarkable in its very anatomy. At its core lies a three-layered nib tip—essentially three sheets of gold fused together—that creates a visibly taller and more sculptural profile than a conventional nib. This architecture gives the tip a greater surface area and a distinct geometry, enabling the writer to achieve pronounced line variation. Depending on the writing angle, strokes can shift from hairline-fine to broad and expansive, while horizontal strokes acquire a brush-like softness rarely seen in fountain pens.
The feed has been engineered to deliver a generous ink supply, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted writing even on textured or highly absorbent papers.
Crafted from 21-carat gold and finished with a gold-plated IP coating, the nib is probably every calligrapher’s dream. The cap, barrel, and grip of this edition are made from polished PMMA resin, accented with metal details in either gold or black IP. Measuring 141 mm in length and weighing approximately 24 grams, the pen is well-balanced and feels comfortable in the hand even during prolonged writing sessions.
The Utility
Who is this pen for, you may probably ask? Well, the King Eagle is such a versatile option and is designed for those who want more than uniform lines on a page. Its generous ink flow, combined with the three-layered tip, makes it a versatile tool for exploring creative handwriting, calligraphy, or sketching. By adjusting angle and pressure, the user can move seamlessly from fine strokes to broad, brush-like lines—opening up a dynamic range of expression that, in my opinion, is where this pen truly shines. And if you choose to use it as a daily writer, it will serve you just as well.
By reintroducing the King Eagle, Sailor recognizes the enduring demand for specialty nibs that broaden the possibilities of handwriting. At a time when most pens prioritize uniform efficiency, the Naginata King Eagle stands out as a reminder that a writing instrument can still embody craftsmanship and give character to every line on the page. With this comeback, Sailor strengthens its commitment to high-performance nib making, reaffirming its position as one of the few manufacturers still producing such complex, hand-finished nibs at scale.
For collectors and writers alike, the King Eagle is a fantastic chance to experience Sailor at its finest, venturing beyond the brand’s more familiar nibs, which are nevertheless exceptional in their own right.
The edition is priced at €1,650.00 and can be found at authorised retailers throughout Europe.
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