Sailor Pro Gear Slim: Gold Nib, Sizes & 21k Update
The Sailor Pro Gear Slim is a compact Japanese fountain pen with flat ends, an anchor on the cap top and a gold nib known for feedback. Goulet Pens lists it at 123.3 mm (4.9 in) capped and 17.0 g. US models carry a 14k nib; since March 14, 2026 Sailor's Japanese Slim 21 has a 21k nib.
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Product facts
- Product
- Sailor Pro Gear Slim Fountain Pen
- Brand
- Sailor
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- PMMA resin cap, barrel and end pieces; gold-tone or rhodium trim; 14k gold nib (US) or 21k gold nib (Japan)
- Price range
- $$$$over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by The Sailor Pen Co., Ltd., Kure, Hiroshima, Japan; majority-owned by PLUS Corporation since May 2022. Made in Japan: Goldspot's Celestial Outflow listing says "Made in Japan" and that the 14k nib is crafted in Hiroshima. Sailor's Japanese history page says its Hiroshima factory in Kure gained a new building mainly for fountain pen production; its product pages don't print a country of manufacture. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Goulet Pens lists 123.3 mm (4.9 in) capped, 109.7 mm (4.3 in) uncapped and 142.1 mm (5.6 in) posted, at 17.0 g; Sailor's Japanese site gives 124 mm and 16.8 g.
- US Pro Gear Slims carry a 14k gold nib; Sailor's Japanese Pro Gear Slim 21 (11-2151) has a 21k medium-size nib and went on sale March 14, 2026.
- Sailor lists 7 nib widths in Japan: EF, F, MF, M, B, Zoom and Music.
- It takes Sailor cartridges or a Sailor converter; Goulet lists 1.18 ml with a cartridge and 0.67 ml with the converter.
- Sailor's Japanese list price for the Slim 21 is ¥66,000 (about US$418) with tax; Goldspot lists the pen as made in Japan.
What is the Sailor Pro Gear Slim?
The Pro Gear Slim is the compact, lighter member of Sailor’s Professional Gear series: a resin pen with flat ends, an anchor emblem on the cap top and a gold nib. Sailor’s Japanese site says the series keeps the shape of its Profit pens with its own styling, and calls the Slim the thinner, lighter, easy-to-use model.
Sailor was founded in Kure, Hiroshima, in February 1911, and its Japanese history page says that year it began making Japan’s first domestic 14k-nib fountain pens. It is the same company behind Sailor Shikiori Yama-dori ink. PLUS Corporation has been Sailor’s parent company since May 23, 2022, as our story on Japan’s stationery makers explains.
The Slim is widely stocked in the US: Goulet Pens keeps a dedicated Pro Gear Slim collection, and Goldspot stocks it in seasonal, Japanese-scenery and overseas-exclusive editions.
Sailor Pro Gear Slim specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | The Sailor Pen Co., Ltd., Kure, Hiroshima |
| Body and cap | PMMA resin, screw cap (2 turns), flat ends |
| Nib | 14k gold (US); 21k gold, medium size, two-tone (Japan, Slim 21) |
| Nib widths | EF, F, MF, M, B, Zoom, Music (Sailor; Goldspot) |
| Filling | Sailor cartridge or converter |
| Capacity | 1.18 ml cartridge, 0.67 ml converter (Goulet) |
| Length capped | 123.3 mm (4.9 in) (Goulet); 124 mm (Sailor) |
| Length cap off | 109.7 mm (4.3 in), with a 19.2 mm visible nib |
| Length posted | 142.1 mm (5.6 in) |
| Cap | 59.8 mm (2.4 in) |
| Diameter | 12 mm body, 14.6 mm cap (17.2 mm with clip), 9.7 mm grip (Goulet); 17 mm with clip (Sailor) |
| Weight | 17.0 g (10 g body, 8 g cap) (Goulet); 16.8 g (Sailor) |
| In the box | Converter and two black cartridges (Goulet) |
| Made in | Japan (Goldspot) |
Goulet’s figures come from its Eleuthera Island edition; Sailor’s are for the Japanese Pro Gear Slim 21. They agree to within a millimeter and 0.2 g.
Is the nib 14k or 21k?
It depends on the market: the US pens Goulet and Goldspot list have a 14k gold nib, while Sailor’s Japanese Pro Gear Slim 21 has a 21k nib. Sailor’s Japanese site lists the Slim 21 (product code 11-2151) as on sale from March 14, 2026, with a two-tone 21k medium-size nib, gold IP trim and seven nib widths.
The Slim 21 is a Japanese listing; we didn’t find it on US retailer pages in October 2026, so don’t assume a US pen has the 21k nib. Sailor’s history page adds that readers of the US magazine Pen World voted its pens the best-writing fountain pens in the August 2023 issue, with its 21k and 14k nibs rated highly 6 years running.
How do Sailor nibs write?
With a fine line for its size and some feedback: Goldspot says Sailor makes the nib in Hiroshima with close attention to tolerance and feedback. Japanese nib sizes generally write finer than European ones, so a Sailor F is narrower than a European F; Sailor’s Medium Fine (MF) fills the gap between its F and M.
The Zoom and Music nibs are specialty grinds. Sailor sells them in Japan at ¥68,200 (about US$432) with tax for the Slim 21, ¥2,200 (about US$14) more than the standard widths.
What’s the difference between the Pro Gear, Slim and Slim Mini?
Size and nib: the full-size Pro Gear has a large nib and weighs more, the Slim has a medium nib, and the Slim Mini is a pocket version.
| Sailor Japan model | Nib | Size | Weight | Price with tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Gear 金 (11-2036) | 21k, large | φ18 × 129 mm | 21.6 g | ¥77,000 (about US$487) |
| Pro Gear Slim 21 (11-2151) | 21k, medium | φ17 × 124 mm | 16.8 g | ¥66,000 (about US$418) |
| Pro Gear Slim Mini 21 (11-2155) | 21k, medium | Compact; posts to full length | Not stated | ¥66,000 (about US$418) |
All figures are from Sailor’s Japanese site; diameters include the clip. Sailor says the Slim Mini reaches a comfortable writing length with its cap posted and takes a separate mini converter.
How does it compare to the Platinum #3776 Century?
They are close rivals: the Pro Gear Slim is a little shorter and lighter, the Platinum #3776 Century has the Slip & Seal cap.
| Sailor Pro Gear Slim | Platinum #3776 Century | Pilot Falcon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capped | 123.3 mm | 139.5 mm | 136 mm |
| Weight | 17.0 g | 20.5 g | 19.0 g |
| Nib | 14k gold (US) | 14k gold | 14k gold, soft |
| Sealing cap | No | Slip & Seal | No |
| Price band | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ |
Platinum and Falcon figures come from their guides. Compare the Pilot Custom 74 for a third Japanese gold-nib option.
Where is the Sailor Pro Gear Slim made?
In Japan: Goldspot lists it as made in Japan, with the nib crafted in Hiroshima. Sailor’s Japanese history page says it moved its head office to its Hiroshima factory in Kure and built a new building there mainly for fountain pen production.
How much does a Sailor Pro Gear Slim cost?
It’s in our $$$$ price band, over $75 per pen. On October 21, 2026, Goulet Pens listed its Pro Gear Slim editions at US$340 to US$360, and Sailor’s Japanese list price for the Slim 21 is ¥66,000 (about US$418) with tax. Limited editions vary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Sailor Pro Gear and the Pro Gear Slim?
The Slim is the smaller, lighter version. Sailor's Japanese site lists the full-size Pro Gear at 129 mm and 21.6 g with a large 21k nib, and the Pro Gear Slim 21 at 124 mm and 16.8 g with a medium-size 21k nib.
Is the Sailor Pro Gear Slim nib 14k or 21k?
US models listed by Goulet Pens and Goldspot have a 14k gold nib. In Japan, Sailor's current Pro Gear Slim 21, on sale since March 14, 2026, has a 21k nib.
Why do people say Sailor nibs have feedback?
Goldspot says Sailor makes its nibs in Hiroshima with close attention to tolerance and feedback, meaning a slight drag on the paper rather than a glassy glide. Japanese sizing also writes finer, so a Sailor F is narrower than a European F.
Does the Sailor Pro Gear Slim take international cartridges?
No. It takes Sailor's proprietary cartridges or a Sailor converter. Goulet lists 1.18 ml with a cartridge and 0.67 ml with the converter.
Can you post the Pro Gear Slim's cap?
Yes. Goulet says the screw cap posts on the back of the barrel, making the pen 142.1 mm (5.6 in) long.
Why are there so many Pro Gear Slim colors?
Sailor releases many limited and shop-exclusive editions. Goldspot describes Celestial Outflow, for example, as part of an overseas-exclusive Universe Series.
Where is the Sailor Pro Gear Slim made?
In Japan. Goldspot lists it as made in Japan with a nib crafted in Hiroshima, where Sailor makes fountain pens at its Kure factory.
Sources
- プロフェッショナルギア スリム 21 万年筆 (Sailor Japan product page, 11-2151: 21k medium nib, PMMA, gold IP trim, φ17 × 124 mm, 16.8 g, ¥66,000, March 14, 2026, JAN codes)
- プロフェッショナルギア 金 万年筆 (Sailor Japan product page, 11-2036: 21k large nib, φ18 × 129 mm, 21.6 g, ¥77,000)
- プロフェッショナルギア スリムミニ 21 万年筆 (Sailor Japan product page, 11-2155: compact Pro Gear, 7 nib widths)
- プロフェッショナルギア シリーズ (Sailor Japan series list and prices)
- 沿革 (Sailor Japan history: 1911 founding in Kure, Hiroshima factory, Pen World 2023 reader vote)
- Goulet Pens: Sailor Pro Gear Slim, Eleuthera Island (dimensions, 17.0 g, capacities, 14k nib, converter and two cartridges)
- Goulet Pens: Sailor Pro Gear Slim fountain pens (collection)
- Goldspot: Sailor Pro Gear Slim, Celestial Outflow (14k nib, 7 nib widths, 124 mm, 16.8 g, made in Japan)