The demand for this exclusive limited edition reached such heights that it sold out before its official launch in 2003. Consequently, it is now incredibly rare and nearly impossible to find in today's market in mint, unused condition, making it a coveted item for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
**An Homage to Mr. Nobuyoshi Nagahara**
Through a fruitful collaboration between Sailor Japan and Classic Pens, the LB1 Nagahara series was developed and released in 2003. This series is based on the Sailor 80 model, crafted from high-quality acrylic available in pearlized celadon green, vermilion, and ebony marble. The LB1 Nagahara series consists of 100 hand-crafted fountain pens.
These pens feature two exclusive nibs designed by the legendary Mr. Nobuyoshi Nagahara, crafted from precious 21K solid gold: the hand-crafted Naginata Cross Emperor and the hand-tuned Naginata Togi. Each pen is presented in a handmade gift box and comes with a Sailor warranty, along with a certificate of authenticity from Classic Pens.
Mr. Nobuyoshi Nagahara, a renowned nib designer and craftsman, joined Sailor in 1946 at the age of 14 and dedicated 65 years of his life to perfecting the fountain pen nib. His most famous designs are the Naginata Cross Emperor and the Naginata Togi nibs.
"Naginata" (長刀) refers to the shape of the nib's tipping, which resembles a traditional Japanese long sword. The nib tipping is significantly larger than that of a regular pen and is specially ground to create a wide variation of line widths, emulating expressive brush-like strokes. Writing with the Naginata Togi nib requires some practice, but its large tipping provides a strong stroke start while allowing for a sharp and precise finish.
In the 1990s, the Naginata nib was officially launched during Sailor’s 80th Anniversary, under the guidance of nib master Nobuyoshi Nagahara. Through extensive trial and error, paired with decades of nib-grinding experience, Sailor released a series of Naginata nibs. Today, Sailor’s Naginata nibs are recognized beyond Japan, regarded as among the best for writing characters.
- Details and Features:
- Limited production of 100 LB1 pens
- Cap and barrel crafted from pearlized celadon green, vermilion, and ebony marble acrylic
- Gold-plated full lip, cap band marked with "SAILOR," "NAGAHARA," and the edition number
- Gold-plated Sailor-designed clip and trim rings
- Solid 21-karat gold nib marked "1911," "21K," "875," and the Sailor logo
- Screw-on cap
- Sailor cartridge or piston converter filling system
- Presented in a handmade gift box
- Nib: Exclusive 21 ct solid gold Togi
- Weight: 27g
- Barrel Diameter (at widest point): 13mm
- Cap Diameter (at widest point): 17mm
- Length (closed): 143mm
- Length (when writing/uncapped): 124mm
- Included with the gift box is the original brochure, and certificate of authenticity
Launched in 2003, this handcrafted fountain pen, made of pearlized celadon green, vermilion, and ebony marbled acrylic and mounted with a Naginata Togi nib, was issued in a worldwide limited edition of just 100 numbered pens.
The demand for this exclusive limited edition reached such heights that it sold out before its official launch in 2003. Consequently, it is now incredibly rare and nearly impossible to find in today's market in mint, unused condition, making it a coveted item for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
