Sailor 1911 Large Wicked Witch of the West: A Deep Purple Beauty With a Distinctive Nib

Introduction

Some fountain pens are bought after weeks of comparison. Others grab you on sight. The Sailor 1911 Large Wicked Witch of the West falls firmly into the second camp. It was a special edition created by Sailor for the North American market, and it stands out as one of the few Sailors at launch to feature black trim rather than the usual gold. That detail alone was enough for many collectors to pre-order it without seeing it in person.

This is a sizeable pen with real presence, and it earns it. Between the resin, the trim, and the nib, there is a lot to unpack here, so let’s work through it piece by piece.

What’s in the Box

The pen arrives in a standard navy Sailor presentation box with the pen nested in a protective sleeve. Alongside it you get the filling instructions, a bookmark with warranty information from Sailor North America, and a small warning card advising the use of Sailor inks only.

More practically, Sailor includes both a proprietary converter and two black ink cartridges in the purchase. Since Sailor is a proprietary filling system, that inclusion genuinely matters, and it means the pen is ready to write the moment you open it.

Design and Resin Quality

First, a quick naming note: the 1911 designation refers to the year Sailor was founded in Japan, and the rounded ends of this model (rather than the flat ends of the Pro Gear) mark it out. The “Large” is somewhat misleading, since it is really Sailor’s medium-size pen, sitting between the smaller 1911S and the much larger King of Pen.

The resin is the star of the show. It’s a semi-translucent smoky deep purple that shifts depending on lighting conditions, with faint reddish and pinkish undertones buried deep in the material. In the right light you can catch a hint of the metal innards through the body. It’s the kind of resin that rewards you for picking the pen up repeatedly. The black trim is a perfect complement to the dark, mysterious colour, and the material itself feels noticeably more substantial than ordinary plastic pens.

The cap screws off in about two rotations to reveal a straight section with a subtle flare at the end for grip. The threads are flat and unobtrusive, and the transition from section to barrel is handled with a couple of tiered steps rather than one big ledge, which keeps the grip comfortable.

One small construction note: the barrel screws onto metal section threads inside a plastic barrel, and some reviewers of this range have noted a little dust inside the barrel. It’s a minor thing, but worth knowing. Sailor also includes an O-ring on the section to help prevent over-tightening the barrel, and it works well.

The Nib and Writing Performance

This pen carries a ruthenium-coated 21k gold nib in a medium point, and it features the older Sailor nib icon, which many people prefer for its classic look. The markings appear almost imprinted into the nib rather than deeply engraved, an inset quality Sailor is one of the few makers to use.

On paper, the pen starts right away and writes wet. The line is true to a Japanese medium width, laid down generously and smoothly. There is audible feedback as you write, a soft pencil-like sound, but it is purely audible: the nib glides smoothly in every direction. With the eyes closed, it feels closer to running a felt-tip marker across paper than a scratchy nib.

The feed keeps up with no problems, which is characteristic of Sailor’s reliability. There is no meaningful flex, but the nib does have a pleasant bounce to it. Despite being labeled a hard medium, it is a softer nib, laying down a slightly wetter and slightly wider line with a touch of pressure. Whether that softness comes from the 21k gold or the ruthenium coating is debated, but the overall feel remains unmistakably Sailor: someone familiar with the brand could probably identify it blindfolded.

Size and Comfort

Size is where this pen wins most people over. The 1911 Large sits in the Goldilocks zone of Sailor’s lineup. The smaller models like the Pro Gear Slim and 1911S can be too small for some hands, while the King of Pen is almost comically large and not for everyone. This one will fit the majority of users and hand sizes comfortably, which makes it an excellent reference point if you are unsure which Sailor size to choose.

Buying Advice

The pen retails for around 320 US dollars at most retailers, but it can be found fairly easily, including on Amazon or direct from Japan, for under 200 dollars and sometimes closer to 150 to 160. At those lower prices you will naturally face limited colour and nib size options, but the pen itself is identical in quality.

As a purchase decision, the picture is nuanced. At full retail, there are arguably better first gold-nib pens for the money. But at the discounted prices commonly available, or for someone with the budget who wants it anyway, this is absolutely worth it. It is a fully functional, comfortable, beautiful pen, and nothing quite feels like a Sailor. If you have tried Japanese pens but never a Sailor, this is a great entry point.

One practical tip if you are debating sizes: if you’re torn between the small and the large, save up and get the medium-size model first. Buying the small version tends to just leave you wanting the bigger one anyway.

Conclusion

The Sailor 1911 Large Wicked Witch of the West is a special edition that earns its special status. The smoky purple resin and black trim give it a look few pens can match, the 21k gold nib delivers a wet, smooth, distinctly Sailor writing experience, and the medium size makes it comfortable for almost anyone. Whether it’s your first Sailor or another for the collection, it’s a pen that keeps drawing you back.