I Own A Vanishing Point, How Will The Custom 74 Be Different?

[scannon18]

First of all, I know there are a million posts comparing these two pens in some form or another, but I can't really seem to figure out any meaningful information from them so I am asking a more targeted question for my needs. I already own the Vanishing Point and am quite familiar with how it writes. Mine is a fine point, I think it's a great pen. That said, what differences can I expect in a fine point Custom 74?

 

If anyone happens to have experience with both I would like his or her input, keeping in mind the VP can be used as a similar pen for comparison.

 

Thanks guys and happy writing!

[Icywolfe]

You should look at the non normal nib options from the C74s.

 

But F on a VP is more of a West F and not a JP F. While the C74 is a JP F.

 

My C74 is in a MS nib.

 

Oh yeah the C74 uses the large Con70. Which must be the best converter on this earth,

Edited November 26, 2014 by Icywolfe

[j.a.j.]

Custom 74 is substantially lighter and smaller pen compared to VP. If you are happy with how the VP feels in your hand you might want to consider a larger Pilot, for example Custom 912. Off course if you also like other smaller pens, for example Pilot Prera you should be fine with Custom 74.

[scannon18]

You should look at the non normal nib options from the C74s.

 

But F on a VP is more of a West F and not a JP F. While the C74 is a JP F.

 

My C74 is in a MS nib.

 

Oh yeah the C74 uses the large Con70. Which must be the best converter on this earth,

 

The F on the VP seems a lot thinner than the F on my Parker or Waterman pens, is the Custom 74 really that much thinner? Or is it just a drier nib?

[Icywolfe]

 

The F on the VP seems a lot thinner than the F on my Parker or Waterman pens, is the Custom 74 really that much thinner? Or is it just a drier nib?

Well my J95 in SF writes much more finer than my Elabo and my VP. The Elabo and the VP writes about the same thickness. Maybe it's just the J95 thats too thin.

[redisburning]

I can't personally think of a more boring pen than the custom 74.

 

why not save up and get one of the Pilots with some personality, like the 823, 95, etc.?

[debraji]

I have one VP and 2 Custom 74's, all F nibs. The VP nib is much finer than either of the 74's (go figure).

 

Besides the obvious difference (retractable nib), the Custom 74 holds a helluva lot more ink in its CON-70 converter. The ink capacity of the VP is just dinky.

 

I tend to use the VP when I'm at my computer, paying bills/budgeting/marking up monthly spreadsheets/making quick notes.

 

The Custom 74's are better for more extended writing sessions.

Edited November 26, 2014 by debraji

[dspeers58]

Lovely pen with a nib that has little bit more character. More springy. You can get soft nibs that vary in the amount of line variation. I have a soft fine that is downright flexible. The other thing you will like about the Custom 74 is if you buy the con-70 converter. it holds more ink than the con-50 or even the cartridges...It is a great pen, and from some sellers, (e.g. eBay sellers from japan and sometimes on Amazon), a real bargain. (down to $80 or so).

[xwingrox]

You can get SF and SFM and SFM nibs on the C74! Just be prepared to order from a Japanese seller on Ebay or via Amazon.

IMO, the Vanishing Point is a great pen but simply not very comfortable to use compared to the C74

[scannon18]

I can't personally think of a more boring pen than the custom 74.

 

why not save up and get one of the Pilots with some personality, like the 823, 95, etc.?

 

Boring just in terms of design? It seems pretty similar to the 823 to me. And I'm already stretching my savings quite a bit for the custom 74, no further saving can be done for a single pen.

[xwingrox]

Custom 74 is substantially lighter and smaller pen compared to VP. If you are happy with how the VP feels in your hand you might want to consider a larger Pilot, for example Custom 912. Off course if you also like other smaller pens, for example Pilot Prera you should be fine with Custom 74.

 

Actually, I think this statement isn't valid if you post the cap. The C74 is definitely longer in hand with its cap posted compared to the Vanishing Point. I would look at the pen plaza tool on gouletpens.com for comparison pictures

[xwingrox]

 

Boring just in terms of design? It seems pretty similar to the 823 to me. And I'm already stretching my savings quite a bit for the custom 74, no further saving can be done for a single pen.

try buying from one of the Japanese sellers or searching on amazon - I've purchased new C74's for right around $100 shipped. The quality control at Pilot is so good that it doesn't matter where the pen comes from. Just don't buy it at retail price from a US distributor (sorry Goulets)

[Icywolfe]

The clear c74s are US only so they are about 20 usd more expensive in JP sellers.

[j.a.j.]

Actually, I think this statement isn't valid if you post the cap. The C74 is definitely longer in hand with its cap posted compared to the Vanishing Point. I would look at the pen plaza tool on gouletpens.com for comparison pictures

 

VP weights half times more and it's grip width is more than 2mm wider. Also posted 74 is quite top heavy and VP's weight more evenly distributed.. I ended up letting go of my 74 and just bought my second VP..

[scannon18]

The clear c74s are US only so they are about 20 usd more expensive in JP sellers.

 

Yes, unfortunately I am only interesting in the translucent ones. Also, I'm not sure if any of those are available with any of the special nibs pilot offers, I might be limited to the same F, M, etc. stuff we get in the US. Which is fine for me.

[savingbirds]

I own both a VP in blue carbonesque (rhodium-plated 18k M nib) and a Custom 67 in black (14k M nib). The Custom 67 is the older version of the Custom 74 and is essentially the same (just less trimming, no hole on the bottom of the feed, and thinner plastic).

 

I My VP is an extremely wet writer and I can't even see the two tines touching. Nevertheless it is very smooth (second only to my Pelikans) and starts up every time. The Custom 67, in my opinion, is much more of a traditional pen. While it is less convenient without the retractable mechanism, I can write with it for hours on end because of how light it is. It also happens to be wetter than most other Japanese pens but much more controllable than the VP. Like others have said before, the CON-70 converter is well worth it if you're looking for a larger Pilot pen without an integrated filling system.

 

Also as a reference, my C67 M writes like a Pelikan F (steel) while my VP M writes about a Pelikan (14k, M400) M in terms of smoothness and wetness.

 

Good luck on your decision!

[Betweenthelines]

After owning 2 VP's, a C74, and 2 C92's, in my opinion, the nibs on the VP's are frankly just better nibs than the Custom series, at least in terms of smoothness. There's a lot more feedback on the custom nibs, especially the hard ones, whereas the VP nibs are most often buttery.

 

That being said, I adore the Custom 92, and highly recommend it over the 74. It's a wonderfully balanced, perfectly sized piston filler that is both a beautiful pen and very nice writer. I've owned a FM and a F, and prefer the fine. The FM is very close to a Pilot medium, and too broad for me. Plus it was less smooth than my other Japanese pens, despite being broader! After selling it, I just had to get another, this time in fine, and I really love it. The greater amount of feedback actually allows my writing to be neater and more controlled, and it has a softness/flexibility that allows for variation and shading. It is broader than my fine VP nibs.

 

Bottom line, to answer your question:

 

- Lighter pen body

- More narrow, but longer body when posted

- Broader nib

- More feedback in the nib

[arcadeflow]

The Custom 74 is simple and beautiful. It is the best pen I handled. But it is not as convenient as a snap cap or a retractible,