Pilot Custom 92 Piston Filler Fountain Pen: Quick Comparison Against A Pelikan M205

[Sallent]

Today at the office, I received a little package from Japan. Inside an unassuming black box was a very exceptional little pen...the Pilot Custom 92 fountain pen. Please excuse the pictures. They are quick photos taken with my cheap phone.

 

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/sallentlaw/WP_20140414_09_36_00_Smart_zps280cee52.jpg

 

Although I have not had time to properly play with it or review it, I have made a few observations about this pen in comparison to the pen I normally use here at the office, a Pelikan M205.

 

My Pelikan M205 is my daily pen. No matter what other pen I may use daily, I always have my M205 with me, inked and ready for action. So how does this Japanese piston filler look, feel, and write in comparison to my much beloved M205? As I mentioned, this is just based on my initial observations from today. I have not yet had the time to properly test the Pilot Custom 92 for any length of time as I received it today.

 

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/sallentlaw/WP_20140414_09_43_18_Smart_zpsd980c484.jpg

 

At first sight the Pilot Custom 92 appears to be much larger than the M205. However, this is due to the rather large cap of the Custom 92. In reality the Pilot Custom 92 is only slightly larger than the Pelikan M205, and when posted the large cap posts deep on the barrel, so both pens are almost the same size posted. The deep post of the Custom 92's cap means that the cap fits extremely secure on the barrel and will not come lose (a problem I've experienced at times with the M205)

 

The Custom 92 is also slightly heavier than the M205, but the balance on the pen is spot on. The slight difference in weight is due to the fact the Custom 92's piston filler has a metal collar, instead of the plastic collar on the M205. I feel this is also a huge plus for the Pilot, as the piston mechanism will probably last much longer than on the Pelikan given the better material used on this critical area of the piston filler mechanism.

 

The Custom 92 also has a larger section to hold the pen, which means that my fat fingers can grasp the pen without feeling the threads. The M205 has a smaller section, and as a result you will feel the threads at times (doesn't bother me most of the time.) This could be an issue for some, and I feel this is another plus for the Pilot Custom 92.

 

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/sallentlaw/WP_20140414_09_37_17_Smart_zpsb720b9ad.jpg

 

There are two final observations I made. First, the 14K nib on the Pilot Custom 92 is springy, and feels extremely smooth as it glides on the paper. It is the nicest nib I've written with so far. In the brief time I've had to compare both nibs, I think the Piliot's nib may have slightly more springiness than the Pelikan M205's nib. That does not necessarily mean the Pilot nib is better, as some people prefer stiffer nibs and others prefer springier nibs.

 

Where I really noticed the difference was on the piston filler mechanism. I always used to think Pelikan piston fillers were the gold standard for smoothness, but the Pilot's piston mechanism is the smoothest piston filler I have ever used. I would not have believed such a smooth piston mechanism would be possible unless I had experienced it for myself. I'd have to give Pilot a huge plus over the Pelikan M205 there. And this is not the first Pelikan I've owned either. I have had almost 20 Pelikans in my time as a FP user, and none could ever compare to the smoothness of this Pilot's piston filler mechanism.

 

So anyway, that's my brief observation. Maybe in a few days I'll finally be able to give the Pilot Custom 92 a proper review.

 

 

 

 

[migo984]

I love my Custom 92. I have never had a duff Pilot nib and the FM on my 92 writes like a dream. I think overall the 92 is a perfect size & weight. Enjoy your new pen.

[savingbirds]

Thanks a lot for your comparison! I'm currently debating on adding a few workhorse pens for university this fall. I've decided on the Lamy 2000, just because of the size and materials; however, I need a whole lot of willpower not to go for the Pilot or Pelikan as well!

[savingbirds]

I love my Custom 92. I have never had a duff Pilot nib and the FM on my 92 writes like a dream. I think overall the 92 is a perfect size & weight. Enjoy your new pen.

I have a quick question: whereabouts can I find a Custom 92 with a FM nib? It seems like an interesting size, but most seller's that I've encountered only offer the standard FMB sizes.

[Sallent]

I have a quick question: whereabouts can I find a Custom 92 with a FM nib? It seems like an interesting size, but most seller's that I've encountered only offer the standard FMB sizes.

 

Ebay

 

I have an orange Custom 92 with an FM nib coming from Japan. I bought it on Ebay for $157 (including shipping)

[migo984]

I have a quick question: whereabouts can I find a Custom 92 with a FM nib? It seems like an interesting size, but most seller's that I've encountered only offer the standard FMB sizes.

 

Try http://stores.ebay.co.uk/eselljapan/

 

Mine was $120.00 + $18.00 shipping to UK ( I paid the extra for expedited EMS shipping) Wonderful service and great communications. I recommend him

 

Price has gone up a bit (possibly due to recent Japanese sales tax increase) but only by $9. He has one left http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pilot-NAMIKI-Japanese-FP-Custom-HERITAGE-92-14K-FM-nib-Transparent-New-/351043845989?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51bbd7ff65

Edited April 14, 2014 by migo984

[Sallent]

 

Try http://stores.ebay.co.uk/eselljapan/

 

Mine was $120.00 + $18.00 shipping to UK ( I paid the extra for expedited EMS shipping) Wonderful service and great communications. I recommend him

 

Price has gone up a bit (possibly due to recent Japanese sales tax increase) but only by $9. He has one left http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pilot-NAMIKI-Japanese-FP-Custom-HERITAGE-92-14K-FM-nib-Transparent-New-/351043845989?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51bbd7ff65

 

Hey, $147 street price is still a heck of a deal. Even the $220 full retail price is a heck of a deal, specially when considering that a Pelikan M400 (Pelikan's cheapest piston filler with a gold nib) is now $430 retail price, $340 street price, and the Pilot comes with a steel collar on the piston mechanism vs a plastic collar on the M400...though I don't know how much that may or may not contribute to the incredibly smooth performance of the piston filler on a Pilot.

[vistafan]

 

Try http://stores.ebay.co.uk/eselljapan/

 

Mine was $120.00 + $18.00 shipping to UK ( I paid the extra for expedited EMS shipping) Wonderful service and great communications. I recommend him

 

Price has gone up a bit (possibly due to recent Japanese sales tax increase) but only by $9. He has one left http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pilot-NAMIKI-Japanese-FP-Custom-HERITAGE-92-14K-FM-nib-Transparent-New-/351043845989?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51bbd7ff65

 

 

Did you have to pay customs, migo984?? It's a really good price, but I hate the £8 handling charge.

Edited April 15, 2014 by vistafan

[Scribblesoften]

Very tempting. I recently gave my workhorse M200 to my niece. Is the 92 available in solid colors or only as a demonstrator? I feel myself slipping.

[Lou Erickson]

Only the demonstrator, Scribblesoften. That's made it easier for me to resist.

[migo984]

 

 

 

Did you have to pay customs, migo984?? It's a really good price, but I hate the £8 handling charge.

 

 

That one managed to slip through.......... unusual these days sadly.

[migo984]

Very tempting. I recently gave my workhorse M200 to my niece. Is the 92 available in solid colors or only as a demonstrator? I feel myself slipping.

 

There's the 912 if you don't want a demonstrator............

[chad.trent]

Whatever Pilot is doing in their nib department is working. I have a Custom 92 and a Custom 74 and both have great nibs. Even the Pilot Varsitys that I carry around have better nibs than some pens I have that cost over $100.

[migo984]

Whatever Pilot is doing in their nib department is working.

 

Too true. They're fabulous and very reliable. I'm currently loving the sutab nib on my 743 and 912 and the FM on the 92

[parnesh]

Whatever Pilot is doing in their nib department is working. I have a Custom 92 and a Custom 74 and both have great nibs. Even the Pilot Varsitys that I carry around have better nibs than some pens I have that cost over $100.

 

Indeed. After writing with a $15 Pilot MR for 20 mins, I questioned why you would spend any more.

[Sallent]

I just got my second Pilot Custom 92 today, and the FM nib is delicious.

 

Well done, Pilot!

[migo984]

I just got my second Pilot Custom 92 today, and the FM nib is delicious.

 

Well done, Pilot!

 

It's blooming brilliant isn't it?! Wonderful nib

[holgalee]

The 92 in smoke is very close to a non demonstrator. Thanks, OP, for sharing your impressions of my favourite pen.

[Sallent]

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/sallentlaw/WP_20140416_09_35_06_Smart_zpsb95bff9b.jpg

 

Another Pilot Custom 92 has joined the office pool. It's an orange one with a tasty FM nib. The piston filler mechanism is as smooth as the one on my other Pilot (above anything I've experienced with Pelikan) and the nib is once again perfect!

 

As you can see, When posted the pens are almost the same size, though the Pilot Custom 92 is slightly bigger.

 

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/sallentlaw/WP_20140416_09_33_38_Smart_zps2d3a9c98.jpg

 

The Pelikan m200/M205 nib is a little bigger than the Pilot Custom 92 nib, but the nib on the pilot is a little more decorated, 14K as opposed to steel on the Pelikan, and is slightly springier and smoother than the Pelikan nib.

 

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/sallentlaw/WP_20140416_09_33_52_Smart_zps38eeccf5.jpg

 

Both pens are beautiful though. Can't go wrong with either.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Sallent

[Bemo]

I have 7 (I think) Pelikans. Everything from a new 805 to a 100n, 120, 400nn, and 400, 215 (ummm, actually I think I have more than 7 now that I think about it). If I'd have gotten the 92 first, well, I may never have gotten any Pelikans at all. Then there's the Pilot 823.....