Pilot Falcon Advice

[kronos77]

I need some help deciding between the Falcon sef and the sf.

 

I like the thin lines of the sef but not the scratchiness people talk about. How much difference in line width is there between the two? It is difficult to tell in most comparisions because people are usually trying to show the flex capabilities.

 

Also, The Falcon seems like it might be more in line with western pens of the same designation. If I had the sf nib set a little to the dry side, would that help?

 

How bad is the scratchiness of the sef? I was thinking of getting it mainly for sketching. Is it worse than most ef pens? I sketch rapidly and not only in downward strokes. Is it suitable as a writing pen if I have a light touch?

[paulmi603]

^{Ive had the Falcon for almost 2 months now. I have the SF nib. The nib is naturally springy so there will be line variation. I don't have sef so I cannot compare the 2. I think there are a few samples online- just google. It does feel scratchy but that don't bother me. I also have the Custom 74 and it is super smooth compared to the Falcon. The scratchiness seems like it keeps the pen on the paper IMO. It will work well as a writing pen. As long as your using FP paper- you should be good to go.My sf nib seems to write rather thick so If I were you I would definitely go with the sef. As I already stated- I do not mind the slight scratchiness. You can even hear the scratchiness which I also like- just personal preferances of mine. The falcon is my favorite FP.}

Edited April 4, 2015 by paulmi603

[Giordana]

I've had both the Falcons in EF and F nibs. I'd recommend the Goulet's Nib Nook for comparison. They flex to about the same widths. Being that the EF is very extra fine, the flex is more obvious simple because the difference between the unflexed thin line and flexed thicker line it provides. The F nib I used to have was smooth, while the EF had feedback and hence not as smooth. If you're okay with really fine lines but concerned about the possible scratchiness of the EF nib, I'd recommend having the pen smoothed, either sending it to someone after purchasing it, or buying it from nibs.com since they tune the nib according to your preferences before they ship it. I've never purchased from them, but they do offer that service free of charge on their website.

 

http://nibs.com/fountain-pen-and-nib-set-up-and-optimization.htm

[paulmi603]

Many people have said that their Flacons have smoothed out over time as it adapts to your writing style. I have only had mine 2 months so I will know soon enough.

[Matt.Nethery]

I purchased the SEF thinking that would be what I would like. Turns out the extra fine is really really fine. It's like writing with a needle dipped in ink. It's not too scratchy but I think that's a nod to Pilot's amazing quality and control of their nibs.

 

I would have preferred the SF over the EF, but the SEF is still nice. Only issue I have is that if your flexing the nib is so fine that with the needed pressure it starts tearing into the paper a little. Im not putting that much pressure either, flexing XF-M.

[theabysswithin]

I use my falcon sef regularly to write on staples copy paper at work and I think it writes well enough. Never used the sf. It is possible that the sf is smoother, but then I'm guessing that regular users of Japanese EF and f nibs have a light touch anyway.

Edited April 8, 2015 by theabysswithin

[miatagrrl]

I need some help deciding between the Falcon sef and the sf.

I like the thin lines of the sef but not the scratchiness

This is exactly the same question/issue I am pondering. I have a Pilot 912 with a Falcon (FA) nib, which I know is different from the Pilot Falcon (so confusing! Wish they had come up with a different name). I find the unflexed FA nib to be closer to a Japanese M nib -- broader than a Pilot Metropolitan F, for example. I'd like something a bit finer. And in nib comparisons I've seen, it seems like the Falcon SF is a bit broader than a standard Pilot F, which makes me think I might prefer a Falcon with SEF -- but I wouldn't like scratchiness.

 

If anyone has both the FA nib and the Falcon pen of the same size (for example F and SF) -- how do they compare?

[Kataphract]

I get the impression looking at comparisons and comments that the various Falcons run about a half size wider then the non-falcon nibs at their narrowest, with the unstated "Falcon" (912, 742) nib starting off at a FM at best, maybe an M. If a SF Falcon runs the same as a Metropolitan/Prera F, then that's fine enough for me. If not, then I might want the SEF. Anyone have anything definitive on this?

[Icywolfe]

This is exactly the same question/issue I am pondering. I have a Pilot 912 with a Falcon (FA) nib, which I know is different from the Pilot Falcon (so confusing! Wish they had come up with a different name). I find the unflexed FA nib to be closer to a Japanese M nib -- broader than a Pilot Metropolitan F, for example. I'd like something a bit finer. And in nib comparisons I've seen, it seems like the Falcon SF is a bit broader than a standard Pilot F, which makes me think I might prefer a Falcon with SEF -- but I wouldn't like scratchiness.

 

If anyone has both the FA nib and the Falcon pen of the same size (for example F and SF) -- how do they compare?

They had different name until the US market. The Falcon PEN is called the Erabo/Elabo and the Falcon NIB is just called the Falcon/FA Nib.

 

The SF Elabo is more closer to a JP F than a JP M, in my opinion.

 

I had the Elabo, but currently it's in to repairs as some people can't handle pens and dropped my pen >.> But the Falcon nib is very thin but once you move the weight from the hand to the pen it sort of gets thicker. Although there is only 1 size of the Falcon nib but from what I heard the #15 can flex a bit more than the #10. From the thinnest to the fattest for Pilot's Soft nibs.... (that I own) Justus95SF, Falcon Nib, Elabo SF. The Elabo is the thickest but it's still near the JP F. The J95SF and the Falcon Nib with very little pressure it seems beyond the JP F extra and reaches the JP EF/Pilot PO thickness.

 

Although if I show you my Falcon nib it may look thicker for the line only because: On top of Pilot Iro I added 2 drops of Photoflo (undiluted) for the ultimate flex.

[kronos77]

If anyone has a vintage flex pen in an EF, can you tell me how it compares in smoothness to the Falcon EF? Is there something about the Falcon that makes it scratchier than a normal pen with that nib width?

[miatagrrl]

After trying the Pilot Falcon/Elabo SEF, which I enjoy for its springiness but do find a bit on the scratchy side, I got a Pilot Custom Heritage with a Posting (PO) nib, and I am much more impressed with it (compared to the Falcon/Elabo SEF). It doesn't flex the way the Falcon/Elabo does, but it more than makes up for it in smoothness. It's the smoothest EF nib I've ever used. Here's my full review of it: http://tina-koyama.blogspot.com/2015/07/product-review-under-rated-pilot.html

[tinkerteacher]

If anyone has both the FA nib and the Falcon pen of the same size (for example F and SF) -- how do they compare?

Depends on how hard you press down. (inks and papers being equal)

 

With zero pressure, the FA is finer than the Elabo/Falcon SF. But, the FA quickly broadens out faster than the Elabo/Falcon with just the slightest application of pressure. The Elabo/Falcon SF is much more resistant to pressure and flexing.

Edited July 19, 2015 by tinkerteacher

[WilsonCQB1911]

I would not get a Faclon if you are concerned about scratchiness. They are wonderful pens, but they are scratchy. I've owned one in fine for a year and a half now and it's been in almost constant use for much of that time. I really like it, but it does have a lot of feedback.

 

If smooth is what you want, I hear that Sailor nibs are exceptional. I've never tried one though.

[Algester]

nib smoothness is really a YMMV concern I was able to use an SEF elabo nice nib good point but I'm more into the falcon nib really... NO I'm not talking about the Pilot Falcon which I would properly call the Elabo but the Fa nib...

but of course I can also out up the paper quality here if your going to write on (bleep) tier paper quality like brown or really recycled paper close to a newspaper broadsheet then yes it will be rough and draggy

and the fa nib is indeed softer that the soft nibs that pilot has custom 74 and elabo not withstanding

Edited July 20, 2015 by Algester

[Sergio 46]

I have the Falcon elabo metal in SEF, and while it is very fine, I really enjoy it, and the increased weight of the metal version is, for me, much more comfortable!

[TrinityTam]

I have both the Pilot Falcon SF and the SEF. I use them for sketching, not writing, and mine are exclusively filled with Platinum Carbon ink. I don't find much of a scratchiness/feedback difference between the 2 nibs. The SEF is just a fraction thinner in line so I prefer it for sketching. I hardly even ink my SF anymore. In fact, I'm in search of an even thinner line for detail sketching and am willing to give up the flex. I've got a Platinum Century Bourgogne on order with an ultra extra fine nib. Hopefully that's the ticket.

[Kataphract]

I'd say my Falcon SF was scratchier than my regular Pilot Fines, or my Twsbi EF (about equal in width) but then its newer, and even then it is nothing in comparison to my Hunt dip nibs, so its actually more of a pleasure than a detriment from my perspective. On the side of the Falcon, I haven't used any of my excellent Iroshizuku inks in it, just De Atramentis Document Black (like Platinum Carbon Black, waterproof for watercolor washes over the ink).

[Moynihan]

An interesting range of opinion/experience. I have both the SEF (Elabo/Falcon) and SF (Elabo/Falcon & Custom 74 & Custom Heritage 91) and the FA (Custom 742). My take on it:

 

Softest:

FA

Falcon/Elabo (SEF & SF)

Custom 74 & 91 SF

 

Smoothest:

 

SF on Custom 74 & 91

Falcon/Elabo SF

FA (at hold angles less than 70 degrees)

SEF on Falcon/Elabo (With use, seemed to get smoother)

FA (at Hold angles 75 towards 90 degrees)

The FA at those high angles seems to be getting smoother with use.

 

Pressure/line width, thinnest with low to no pressure::

 

Falcon/Elabo SEF

FA (not 3rd by a hair)

SF on custom 74 & 91

SF on Falcon / Elabo

 

In case anyone is interested, my Namiki Falcon/Elabo SM is on the broad side of M, and my SB is nearly like a Pelikan BB, except almost brush-like and really wet

 

Note re the FA: The feel on the paper at any angle is very different from the other "soft" Pilot/Namiki nibs. Also, I only have used Iroshizuku inks (Take-Sumi, Koni-Peki, & Yama-Guri) in it. After a few weeks of daily use, the railroading seems to be less, i think a mix of it is "breaking in" & my hand is learning it. I only use it at home though...and it has become my favorite to use at home.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Moynihan

[discopig]

I've had three of the Falcon nib sizes: SEF, SF and SM. The only ones I kept are SEF and SM. I found SF to be too wet and a bit too broad for my taste (especially by Japanese nib standards), while having none of the smoothness of the SM. Some might find that the SEF has too much feedback, but I don't mind it and find it to be one of my most used nibs.