Pilot Custom 912 With Spencerian Customization By John Mottishaw

[sexauerw]

[Pilot Custom 912 with Spencerian Customization by John Mottishaw]

I bought this pen with the intent that I would learn to write using Spencerian script. For this I needed a pen with a very fine point and lots of flexibility. This one seemed to fit the bill. I've only had it for a couple of weeks now and it has far exceeded my expectations. The writing sample below will show you two things, the flex capabilities of the pen and how far I have yet to go with my handwriting.
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1. Appearance & Design (8) - This is a beauty, a design classic
   This is a shiny, black, flat topped pen with rhodium (I think) trim. Not blingy, just simple and elegant.
   
   http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/0M4MTMTMYj4DUN/9847006.0/800/p/PI17_Black_Pilot_Custom_912%2C_closed.jpg
   
   http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/0M4MTMTMYj4DUN/9847008.0/800/p/PI17_Black_Pilot_Custom_912%2C_nib_closeup.jpg
   
   http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/0M4MTMTMYj4DUN/9847009.0/800/p/PI17_Black_Pilot_Custom_912%2C_uncapped.jpg
   
   
   http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/4uzNjggDM5NQW,/9847011.0/800/p/Writing_Sample_PI17_Pilot_Custom_912.jpg
   
   …
2. Construction & Quality (9) - Very well built
   The cap and section threads both engage very easily and show no tendency to cross-thread. There are no signs of any mold lines or tooling marks, everything is very nicely polished. The pen has a solid feel to it, no looseness or wobble anywhere.
   …
3. Weight & Dimensions (9) - Nice medium-large pen, very close in size to a Pelikan M800
   Weight: (When I weighed it the pen had about 1/2 converter full of ink.) 0.88 ounce *
   Weight less cap: . . . . . . 0.56 ounce
   Length, capped: . . . . 5 17/32 inches
   Length, posted: . . . . . 6 7/32 inches
   Diameter, mid-section: . . . 7/16 inches
   Diameter, max section: . . 15/32 inches
   Diameter, barrel: . . . . . . .1/2 inch
   
   * My Pelikan M800 weighs just over 1.0 ounce, empty.
   
4. Nib & Performance (10) - Wet and smooth, but well controlled
   This score needs to be considered carefully. Remember that I bought this pen with a Spencerian modification that did two things. Starting with the Pilot FA (Falcon) nib, John modified it for even more flexibility than the Falcon nib already had, and then he ground it to a needlepoint. This is NOT a nib for everyday writing, I would give it a score of 1 or even 0 for that task. But it's absolutely perfect for what I wanted to do, which was to learn how to write Spencerian. This nib is the closest thing I've ever seen to a vintage wet noodle!
   …
5. Filling System & Maintenance (5) - Cartridge/Converter
   The supplied converter is the CON-70 converter. The advantage is that this is a higher capacity converter than any other converter that Pilot makes. The disadvantage is that ink does tend to get behind the rear seal and it's very difficult to get the converter clean. Maybe you don't care but some people do care very much.
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6. Cost & Value (4) - Not the cheapest pen around.
   The customization added close to 50% to the price of the pen, making this relatively expensive. The standard Custom 912 is considerably cheaper and not limited to just fancy Spencerian writing.
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7. Conclusion (Final score [7.5])
   It's a really nice pen, but skip the special customization unless you really want to dedicate a pen to fancy calligraphic writing.
   …

Edited January 25, 2015 by BillLS

[Uncial]

I've seen Custom 823's from Japan with a nib customisation that looks very close to this. I've always wondered if it would work. Good to know it does and I may yet be tempted.

[Algester]

I'm surprised the pen barely railroads? the initial problem that a lot of people had with the nib was railroading because of the feed unless John Mottishaw did something to the feed to make it wetter... or you havent tested the limits of the pen?

[inkeverywhere]

Great review and a very classy looking FP, not that I'm a real black pen fan.

 

A word of encouragement with regards you writing endeavours. A year and a bit ago I took some calligraphy lessons hoping to get good enough to write my daughter's wedding stationery. I practiced and practiced and practiced . I have just finished the project with all invites being posted. I still practice at every chance.

 

Since people receiving the invites I have been contacted by two other people seeking to commission me to write their wedding stationery.

 

Practice makes perfect, as the old saying goes. When you think you have practiced enough pick up that lovely pen and do some more, you will get there.

 

 

Greg

[Ambien]

Thanks for the review as I'm fan of the Pilot CH 912 and always curious to see customized nibs and their writing samples.

[Opus105]

Very different.

[CypherandStone]

I recently purchased one of these; I also have a Pilot 742 with FA nib, the difference between the two FA nibs (one with and one without Mottishaw's customization) is pretty darn stark. Railroading is a bigger issue with the unmodified nib, and the customized nib has a way finer hairline. Overall, I think the customized version was way worth the extra money for me.

[Pens Woods]

The Pilot Custom 912 is one of my favorite pens. Mine is fitted with the SF nib and writes beautifully. I, also, own the Pilot Custom 845 fitted with the FA nib. To compare nibs, I would say the FA nib has more flex and is more sensitive to pressure than the excellent SF nib. But, honestly, both pens are outstanding writers!

[Maurizio]

A very good pen. Your initial attempts at Spencerian aren't bad as a beginning. There are lots of good books on writing Spencerian and Dr Joe Vitolo has a free one available from the IAMPETH site if you don't already have some guidance. I'm still in the process of trying to master italic; if I ever do, I'll turn to Spencerian next.

 

I have one of these beauties with a nice & wet stock Pilot stub nib. I may get the FA sometime also.