Sailor Susutake 2016-2
Each Bamboo Susutake fountain pen body is unique, cut from individual pieces of bamboo salvaged from the ceilings of traditional Japanese homes as they have been torn down. So each pen has its own history gained from centuries of smoky wood fires. The nibs, on the other hand are the product of unsurpassed Sailor technology. We carry the unique pens and nibs in Sailor's exclusive Bespoke collection, including Sailor Specialty nibs and writing instruments such as this Bamboo Susutake.
The literal translation of Susutake is "smoked bamboo." Each of these pens is unique and handmade. The bamboo was obtained from the ancient roofs of traditional Japanese thatched-roof style houses. Due to the scarcity of this material and the craft involved in working with it, production of each individual pen can take up to two years.
The pen seen here has a pronounced node at the crown of the cap (the node is the joint between the culms, the main stem of the bamboo plant). The ends, top of cap, and bottom of barrel are fitted with a hardwood looking much like walnut. It completes the pen in a color that is a little darker than the bamboo. Because the bamboo is so completely aged, it is very hard and stable.
The coloring comes from continuous exposure to the "Ironi," a Japanese sunken fireplace. Different color tones were created depending on where the location of the timbers were and the amount of smoke they were exposed to. This material, exceeding 150 years in age, is becoming increasingly rare in a Japan that is rapidly urbanizing. The bamboo for these pens is chosen for the wabi sabi (beautifully aged) quality that it already possesses.
With the retirement of nib master Nobuyoshi Nagahara, who personally hand-crafted each Susutake pen, production of these pens is now in the hands of his son, Yukio Nagahara. These pens can be filled with bottled ink using the provided converter, and can also use Sailor brand ink cartridges.
The Susutake can also be provided with the full range of standard 21k nibs.
Sailor 21k nibs are well-suited to customizations including Stub, Cursive Italic, or Left Oblique.
Please note that the material for these pens is very scarce and that they are very time-intensive to create - wait times of more than a year for back orders are frequent.
A fabric kimono clasped with a spear of bamboo protects each pen. A softwood presentation box, larger than the standard Sailor wood box, is covered by an outer paper box, giving full protection to this one-of-a-kind pen.
Measurements & Specifications
| Ink Capacity | 0.9 ml |
| Filling System | Cartridge-Converter |
| Cap Type | Snap |
| Clip | No Clip |
| Cartridge Capacity | 0.9 ml |
| Converter Capacity | 0.5 ml |
| Postable | Not Postable |
| Pen Weight | 36 g |
