Sakura craft_lab 008… meh (at last)?

…and here’s 009 Nebula Black x Porsche Design P’3115 Laser Flex in PVD black. I slipped in a Parker 0.5 cartridge into the PD and it worked beautifully.

17 Likes

Beautiful!

1 Like

Wait, what? So cool. How about Kayou auto? Does it fit?

3 Likes

It took a lot of work thinning down the tail end of the Kayou auto cartridge. I got it to fit in the end but I need to take proper pictures.

3 Likes

I just couldn’t help myself.
To quote Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in The Godfather Part III (1990): “Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in.”

https://craft-lab-craypas-com.translate.goog/010/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

cheers,

elliot

5 Likes

The hammertone paint job looks amazing…

… but is that enough to make up for the very high cost, I wonder. :thinking::face_with_raised_eyebrow:

I like the contrast on the copper one. What is the best way to shop for SAKURA craft.lab products in the US?

Very doubtful there’s a vendor in the USA selling them… and if you do find one, it’ll be like high-end store with markup. I expect the best way is through proxy on Mercari or Yahoo.

1 Like

Yeah, JetPens has a few models but not the ones that I would like (009 and 010). Although, I think I may pick up the 002.

https://www.jetpens.com/Sakura-Craft-Lab-Series/ct/7117

There are also some on AliExpress but I am not very familiar with the website. Are there legit listings on there? Some appear hilariously cheap.

@cytherian : High cost? If I didn’t spend it on pens & pencils what would I spend it on? Wine, watches, fast cars?

And @Ethan_PT7 : I managed to acquire this one from Muse Pens out of HK, the second time I’ve dealt with them (the first being the Sakura craft_lab 009. They were fantastic!

3 Likes

Fair point. A friend said to my wife that I could be a car guy instead of a pen collector. So the cost of my chosen hobby could be much much worse.

Although, after purchasing my first mechanical watch this year, I may have been bitten by a financially dangerous bug. What is your EDC? - #47 by Ethan_PT7

Thank you for the referral to Muze Pens. I will check them out.

1 Like

Oh, don’t get me started on mechanical watches. I’ve been down that deep dark rabbit hole since 1975. Dangerous and bank account draining. Get out while you still can!

3 Likes

It definitely does but help that Hamilton started in the city I live in and still has a boutique shop downtown that is a block from my office.

Other than the watch I shared, I pickup up a cheap field watch by Militado as a “beater” watch[1]. But my YouTube feed and targeted ads are well aware of this new interest. At least Casios are cheap. I need to pick up an F91W.


  1. I do not have pictures of that one. ↩︎

I should have said “relatively” high cost. :smirking_face::wink: Meaning, relative to other writing instruments. But I have to say, the cut holes in the 009 give off a kind of Sakura Archi vibe (IMHO). And the Archi are ridiculously expensive now, even the ballpoints / rollerballs. I may have to get a Lab 009 if a lightly used deal comes up.

Watches… yeah, I can relate. Saw you said you’d gotten into them in ‘75. I lusted after so many after being a member on Watch U Seek for a long time. So many respectable brands. So many beautiful designs. I’d nearly pulled the trigger on a Sinn, Bell & Ross, and on a Ball Watch Co. But I lucked out a long time back buying an old Omega Seamaster DeVille… simple movement (no date, just second hand). Gorgeous satin weave dial and simple bar hour markers. So reliable. I’ve serviced it only 3 times out of routine, then found that I could really go much longer without service because I usually wear it for formal functions or special occasions. My big thing was getting into vintage CASIO. Yeah. DIGITAL (heresy!). But the old digital movements are a whole other collector’s ballgame. There’s so much intriguing for features and displays. CASIO overbuilt and overengineered movements. I’m especially drawn to screw back cases. My favorite is the MRG-1. It’s a good movement and I managed to fit a combi bracelet on one.

Cars? I love cars. Especially vintage European models. I live vicariously through You Tube enthusiasts who buy and fix them. There’s so much great content. But ownership? I admire it, but I am too spoiled by creature comforts and safety features. I think I’d only own one if I’d bought a derelict with blown engine / drivetrain beyond rebuilding, then have the whole thing gutted and outfitted with modern drivetrain and technology, all ensconced by a classic body.

1 Like