Pilot 742

[youstruckgold]

See review below. (orange is where down strokes struggle). See also this link https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=51337 for pics. BUt that reviewer likes the filling system - I struggle with it.

Edited March 24, 2009 by youstruckgold

[hari317]

... BUt that reviewer likes the filling system - I struggle with it.

 

Hi, Nice review Thanks! I got my 743FA a couple of weeks back and it has been behaving well, in fact I like it very much, However it also skips sometimes in the middle of a stroke and I have been using Pilot Blue Black in converter.

 

The trick to filling the converter is that the button should be depressed quickly, you may release it slowly. This has to be repeated 4-5 times till the converter fills. The system is a multi stroke plunger filler similar to parker vac systems, innovatively adapted by Pilot. I also found that it is sufficient if the central hole in the feeder is dipped in ink submerging it, no need to submerge upto the section lip.

 

Best,

Hari

 

 

[Lloyd]

If you follow Hari's advice, you'll be able to completely fill your converter.

To minimize the thinness of the lines it'll produce, try other inks. I find that Noodlers Bulletproof Black and RedBlack make my 743's FA nib write significantly finer hairlines than Pilot BlueBlack.

[Escribiente]

I like handwritten reviews! I have a Pilot 742 with an FA nib for about 10 months now, and I have never experienced skipping (except when the converter is empty). Perhaps it has to do with the size of the handwriting or the ink? I have used Aurora Black and Tanzanite (Binder's mix) without any skipping.

[Margana]

Does the speed at which you write make a difference? If you slow down and allow more ink to flow, does it fill in the lines more completely?

[youstruckgold]

slowing down helps, but not necessarily. Tried two inks so far, next time i'll try Florida blue - seems to be the safest ink for all my pens.

[Margana]

slowing down helps, but not necessarily. Tried two inks so far, next time i'll try Florida blue - seems to be the safest ink for all my pens.

 

After ten years my go-to ink remains Waterman Blue Black. I love the color but what I really like is how the ink reveals shading incredibly well. If a pens skips or lines don't fill, I know I've either bought a stinker or a pen that needs professional servicing. Do you have that ink? If you do maybe it will help you assess the pen's capabilities.