Pilot Custom 74 Demonstrator <F>

June 26, 2009

bump!
http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/43117/2877442570101882882S500x500Q85.jpg

I just bought one today and I like how the M nib writes (semi-flex) and I like the filling sytem!

Nice! And Enjoy.

October 3, 2009

I added this pen to my wish list after reading this review. I wouldn't have even given it a second look had it not been for PinarelloOnly's beautiful photos. I finally placed my order from Richard Binder, and it arrived this morning. The pen is gorgeous; the smoke gray accents add a lot to its aesthetic appeal. The CON-70 is quite efficient, and the nib (which Mr. Binder turned into a 0.8mm stub) is nothing short of fantastic. The 74, 823, and M90 have turned me into a very big Pilot fan.

October 3, 2009

I have one of these days coming in the mail, and I'm excited to get it. It's going to be my grading/editing pen.

David

October 4, 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scott Searer @ May 18 2009, 06:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1063992"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'>Thanks for the great photos and a concise review. I am shopping for a Pilot (online)and want to know about the differences in the feel between these three nibs; specifically in relation to 'softness ' or 'spring', not 'flex'. For example the Pelikan 1000's monster nib gives back a sense of 'spring' whereas all the others I find quite stiff. Here in Beijing I have seen all the Sailors which are as stiff as a life sentence and overpriced to boot. Is the 15 'softer' than the 10? The 10 vs the 5? Thanks in advance---Scott.</div>

I get that question a lot on how the three compare…first off I only write with Fine and Xtra-Fine nibs. I also have a light
hand. Every Pilot nib to me is going to be stiff with the exception of the Falcon.

I can say from experience that if you are asking about “soft” or “spring” of the three you have to truly find out for yourself.

If anything the No.15 has the most flex if you really want to know. I find that is only because the nib is longer vs. the No.10.
If you really like the "feel" of the Pelikan 1000 nib then I would say your going to have to buy a Pilot with a No.15 or bigger.

The three 5/10/15 are all top notch nibs. All three have the same iridium fine point made by experienced hands at
Pilot. For some reason many are under the false impression that when you go up in size of these Pilot nibs, you get a
better nib.

Thanks a lot. Since you mentioned the Falcon, what do you think about it?

November 5, 2009

Your Custom 74 is almost as pretty as mine! And like you other Pilot devotees I've got a 823 in black, the most subtle demonstrator out there today, and a 743. I flippin' love Pilot pens. I agree wholeheartedly with all you other Pilot lovers out there.

November 6, 2009

The strangest thing is that I bought one of these pens nearly a year ago and have yet to try it out!!! I must be out of my mind!

Has anyone experienced staining in their 74s? I would love to fill it up with either a mix of Pelikan Red and Quink Black (Dark Cherry) or Pelikan Violet and Pelikan Brown (Aubergine)...safe blues can be a little boring.

November 1, 2010

Great review! Good to hear that these are equipped with the con-70. I'm still searching for a bamboo, but this would make a good secondary option.

November 3, 2010

Pilot just released the blue version of this pen and I just added it to isellpens.com.

November 4, 2010

Pilot just released the blue version of this pen and I just added it to isellpens.com.

Hi Todd, Thanks for the update. The blue version is terrific, and it may have to be my next purchase. I wonder why the solid-colored versions of the Custom 74--like black, green and red--aren't available in the USA. For my money, Pilot makes a great product, and the Custom 74 is certainly an excellent value.

Regards, Robert

March 26, 2011

PinarellOnly:

Was wondering how the 74 has worked out for you since your May '09 post.

I ask because 'cause I have a interesting situation.

My wife ordered a Namiki Falcon for me for my birthday. Tonight when I got home she told me my

pen had come in and she wanted me to open it early. I was happy to do so, but when I opened the

the box I found the pen company has shipped a clear 74 instead of the Falcon. All the paper work

was right and I was think either they pulled the wrong pen to ship or 2 orders got confused and someone

else is going to be very surprised! My wife asked if I was going to return it, to which I said I'll

think about it over the weekend. Either way I'll notify the vendor so they do not have an unexplained

shortage in stock or if an unhappy customer calls to complain!

After sitting her examining the pen I have come to appreciate what a beauty it is. Since I am not

100% sure I won't return it for the Falcon I have not inked it.

Hence my question, what do you think of the 74 since your original post?

Regards, BWS

March 29, 2011

PinarellOnly:
Was wondering how the 74 has worked out for you since your May '09 post.

Here is my open honest answer plain and simple.

Even though I have owned both the Falcon and Custom 74

and then sold them, I loved both of them. The Custom 74

even though the slimmest of pens that was in my collection

it was comfy to write with, sold it to get the smoke version

but never got around to it.....yet.

The Namiki Falcon was just as awesome of a pen and both of

them the best for the money. I sold the Falcon to buy another

from Binder so that I could get a custom ground EF nib from him

by ordering another one so I would skip the wait time...still

haven't gotten' to it yet but waiting for the next New England Pen show.

With all that said and you like the pen you have now , keep it and

think about owning both. The Custom 74 and Namiki Falcon are both two

different pens but 2 very nice pens to own.

November 10, 2011

After buying my Custom 823 and using my Bamboo for a while now, I just had to have one more Pilot/Namiki with a fine nib.

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The Pilot Custom 74 was bought from Richard Binder like all my other Pilot/Namiki pens. This pen was requested to be
adjusted as a No.8 on his dry to wet scale from 1-10. Again I as I stated in my 823 review the Pilot feed system is
probably one of the best. These pilot pens can be carried tip up in a shirt pocket all day long and start with a wet line
like nobody's business.

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It has the perfect flow with both Waterman Florida Blue and Aurora inks.

The O-ring on the metal threaded section of the collar like my Pro Gear is a nice touch.
CON-70 "plunger type" converter is the standard for US imported Custom 74 pens.

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The "smoke" gray collar and sleeve inside the cap help hide the ink "splats" that are unavoidable with demonstrator
pens, this also actually adds to the good looks of the pen.

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The Custom 74 No.5 nib is smooth and the line it puts down is no thicker or thinner than any of my other Pilot <F>'s
(No.10 and No.15) or my Aurora 88 <F>.

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Mine was a poor writer (f) nib. I returned it and they change my nib to a M but there is always a lag? when writing from left to right.

Compared to my Custom 823, the measurements of the Custom 74 pen are a little smaller all around from overall
length posted, length capped and width at the collar. However, the feel in hand is hardly noticeable, that the Custom 74
is smaller than the 823. I could see someone with small hands however, probably make more of a distinction of the 823
feeling like a bigger pen rather than the Custom 74 feeling like a smaller pen.

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From left to right. No.5 nib Custom 74 / No.10 nib Bamboo / No.15 nib Custom 823

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Size comparison: Bamboo, Custom 823 and Custom 74

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Thanks for reading. <img src="https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbup.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="thumbup.gif" />