Seeeking Recommendation: Nicer Than Pilot Metro, Yet Less Expensive Than Custom 912

[DigitalArchivist]

Hello all, I'm writing to ask for a Japanese pen recommendation. I'm fairly new to fountain pens, learning with Pilot Metros until my recent purchase of a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with the "FA" Falcon nib, which I've been enjoying quite a bit, and this is my first post here. I'm looking for a third pen, smoother and softer than the Metro, but less expensive than the 912 (say between $50 and $150) while retaining some of the 912's softness/flex, yet a finer line-width closer to the Metro's fine. Thanks!

 

Edited October 25, 2019 by DigitalArchivist

[OmegaMountain]

Custom 74 with a SF nib?

[awa54]

I'll second the suggestion of a Pilot Custom 74. I have one with a broad nib and a Custom Heritage 91 in Soft Medium (same nib as the 74, but rhodium plated), both are excellent writers, just different barrel, cap and clip shapes. I really like the soft medium. As a bonus they also use the excellent CON-70 vac converter.

[LostArk]

If you already have a 912, I'd suggest possibly branching out brand-wise. Take a look at the Platinum 3776 Soft Fine.

[fkyu]

Firstly, welcome to the madness.

To stick with Japanese manufacturers, consider a Sailor 1911 Large with an extra-fine nib. These pens have a 'wow' factor that will spoil you for anything else. But they're not what I would call flex. In fact, I wouldn't even try to flex them. In addition, you'll probably have to order from Japan to keep it under 150.

To make a lateral move from the Metropolitans, consider the Chinese Wing Sung 698 (25 bucks). Plus for a few dollars more, one can purchase spare nibs and feeds that fit both the 698 and Metropolitans. The steel, gold colored Wings nib is a little softer than the Metropolitans and just as fine. It's a piston filler, if that's something you want to try.

I have both the Pilot 74, and the Platinum 3776 with soft-fine nibs; both excellent choices for what I think you're after, but again, not flex. Between the two, the 74 nib has a little more ability to separate the tines, but the 3776 line is more consistent.

A popular strategy is to make a short list, and wait for an offer you can't refuse.

Best of luck

[DrDebG]

If you are willing to venture outside of Japanese pens, try a Caran d'Ache 849 in an EF. They are more expensive that a Metro or Lamy Safari, but made very well and are real work horses.

 

https://endlesspens.com/collections/caran-dache-fountain-pens/products/caran-dache-849-fluo-series-fountain-pen

[senzen]

With Pilot: 91, 74, 92, check out their vintage pens, I've had good luck searching for Pilot Custom on ebay and such. There's also a new steel nib Custom NS.

 

With Sailor: Promenade, Pro Color, 1911 profit standard, professional gear, just make sure to understand the size differences, larger pens usually come with 21k nibs.

 

With Platinum: 3776 Century.

 

I also enjoy a Metro and have been curious about their gold nib pens.

[awa54]

As an additoinal observation, if the writing example you show with the 912/falcon is representative of what you're getting from it, then I'd suggest trying a lighter hand with the falcon (which is a fine nib IIRC), if you don't flex it all the time you'll get a *much* finer line!

[rutherfordr]

I recommend the Pilot Custom Heritage 91 or 92, which are a little smaller than your Custom Heritage 912.

 

The Pilot Custom Heritage 92 is the same pen as the 91, with a piston filler instead of a cartridge/converter.

 

Also, the Pilot Custom 74 is the same pen as the 91, with a rounded cigar shape instead of the flat ends of the 91.

 

All three pens are excellent, IMO.

[mamajones]

You might like to try a Pilot Elite 95s / E95s. This is a stylish pen with a very sweet soft gold nib. The price varies widely: they are over $100 most places in the US, but Amazon sells some from Japan that are just under $90.

 

(The pen is called the Elite 95s in Japan, but in the US, it is the E95s due to copyright issues, I think. Besides the price, the main difference is that the Japanese cap says "Elite," while the US cap has only the "E.")

 

I got the gold/wine version with an M nib recently, and I just love it! I usually like a very broad nib, but I fell in love as soon as inked this one (actually, as soon as I saw it IRL: it's a beautiful pen with retro flair). Indeed, I like it better than some pens I've paid much much more for.

 

You can find a number of thoughtful and in-depth reviews on Amazon, as well as here on FPN.