Fountain Pen Review: Sailor Pro Gear Slim Purple Cosmos

Review by Laura Cameron

In the past, Ana has let me try writing with her Sailors (specifically the Fresca), and I knew I wanted one.  So when the special edition Sailor Professional Gear Slim in Purple Cosmos (retail: $250) went live, I eagerly pre-ordered. What came next was months of waiting and wondering if there would even be enough pens for everyone to get one. But then it arrived and it was beautiful.

The Purple Cosmos is a deep, dark purple with lots of silver glitter and sparkle.

As I said, it’s a special limited edition and only 800 were made. The pen body is a beautiful violet sparkle resin, and the nib is 14k gold and rhodium plated. In this model I opted for the EF nib. It’s surprising to me that after preferring a wetter, medium nib during my first forays into fountain pens, now I am enjoying a finer line.

The Purple Cosmos has all the usual Sailor touches: the end caps and rims, the Sailor ring around the cap, and the iconic anchor.

The pen is very lightweight (just under 20 grams), which is surprisingly pleasing to me. It’s only surprising because I have definitely stated my preference for a more weighty pen. However, the pen is slim and lightweight and perfect for my hand size. The Purple Cosmos is is 4 7/8″ capped, and 5 5/8″ posted. I don’t usually post my pens, but this one is easily postable and pleasantly usable either way.

I really, really love this pen. I know I say that about most of the pens I review but I feel like it’s even more true with this one. I received it shortly after Thanksgiving and I’ve already had to refill it once because I pull it out and use it almost every day. I don’t have occasion to write that much in my daily job (lots of typing!) but whenever I can use pens and ink, this is the pen I reach for. It has supplanted some of my other favorites.

I find the Purple Cosmos is definitely smaller than my TWSBI Eco and some of the other pens I write with, but about comparable to the Pelikan M200 that my father shared with me over the holidays. I’ll admit – the Sailor beats the Pelikan every time.

Though she be but little, she be fierce.

Editor’s Note: While the Sailor Pro Gear Slim Purple Cosmos was limited edition, other models of the Pro Gear Slim are available and Sailor releases limited edition models throughout the year through various retailers worldwide. So, if you think a Pro Gear Slim might be a pen you want to buy, keep an eye out for options. If a specific limited edition interests you, the secondary market may be your only option and even then, these will sell at a premium.

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Laura is a tech editor, podcaster, knitter, spinner and recent pen addict. You can learn more about her knitting and tea adventures on her website, The Corner of Knit & Tea and can find her on Instagram as Fluffykira.