Which Fa-Nibbed Pilot Should I Get?

[khalameet]

Hello there!

 

I am about getting my master's degree in electrical engineering and wanted to gift myself a nice pen (well, I already have nice pens, but I think that doesn't do them any harm).

Just a few words why I want a FA nib:

 

I have a Pilot Falcon with a SF nib and like it very much. I am practicing business penmanship (or Palmer Method) for a few years now and only use dip pens for this. This is not a script where you get shaded lines through flexing. So the nice thing about a soft nib is, you can see if you use a too heavy hand. Basically you use very soft dip nibs, but don't want to get any line variation at all. If you get line variation, you are doing it wrong.

So my goal was to emulate this feeling with a fountain pen because just carrying a Falcon in my pocket is much more convenient than having a dip pen and ink well somewhere in my bag. I think that makes sense

Regarding line width, the Falcon with it's SF nib is really nice for this type of script, although on some days I think I would prefer the SEF. But that varies, sometimes I even want a medium nib.

In terms of softness the Falcon performs well, but it could be a little softer than it actually is. I read a lot about the FA nib and it seems to be a lot softer than the SF nib on the Falcon. I don't really care how much these nibs flex because I don't need flex, I need softness.

 

Assuming that what I said above about the FA nib is true:

Which pen should I get? I am thinking about a Custom 743 or the Custom Heritage 912. Money is not an issue, I could afford the 743, but I like the look of the 912 far more. I would prefer the rhodium trim over the gold trim by far.

But the 912 only has the #10 nib and I assume that the #15 on the 743 is even softer and read that the #15 FA nib performs better than the #10 FA in general. I suspect that the 743 feels more solid overall, too. At least my 823 feels a lot more solid than the Custom 74 and the Custom Heritage 91 I have.

 

Has someone had the opportunity to compare both nibs? I am open to other suggestions too, but I really like Pilot pens and would like to stick with them.

[JulieParadise]

Funny: I assumed the same and got a CH 743 (size #15) FA after having two CH 912 with #10-sized FA nibs already for a good year.

 

Both of my smaller FA nibs are very sensitive and amazingly soft, so much so that I would call that flex, especially compared to many other modern "flex" options on the market and also when comparing it to vintage flex nibs. It is not so much the line width that I could possibly achieved but really the softness and the perfect flow. I am lucky to live in Berlin where we have regular meet ups from the German Penexchange forum and also pen professionals like Tom Westerich who let me try many pens.

 

My FA nib in the CH 743 is considerably firmer, or, maybe not firmer but has a stronger "opposition" (Widerstand) before it starts to give in. So my advice, based on my 2 smaller nibs and 5 other 912s that I could try out over the years would be to get a Custom Heritage 912.

 

Edited to add: Both pen bodies feel substantial and ooze quality. The 743 is just bigger and maybe more impressive if you like big pens and their look. But the 912 is big enough for average (men's) hands, and these look and feel great, too.

Edited August 7, 2019 by JulieParadise

[khalameet]

Thank you for your answer.

Sounds very promising and I think that I will be happy with the 912.

 

I already described what kind of writing I want to execute with this pen, but IF I should get into some other kind of calligraphy where flex is required, how does the flow compare?

I read a lot that feed of the 912 can not keep up with much flexing, and the feed of the 743 does not have a problem at all.

 

Viele Grüße aus dem Saarland

[JulieParadise]

Well, if you take it (not too) slow and take care of your writing angle everything should be fine. I write at normal speed and enjoy the bouncy bouncy wah-wah nibs. The feed does keep up with most inks. I only had problems with veeery saturated inks and really dry inks yet.

[hinky]

I don't have the other pens for comparison, but I have a CH 912 for the same reason I've been practicing business penmanship (Mill's Modern Business Penmanship) and having the FA nib really helps train you to use a light hand. I have to agree with JulieParadise about the nib and feed's performance. I don't really get any railroading unless I write too fast or push the nib too hard. The nib is so soft and bouncy that you don't need to put too much pressure to see line variation.

 

I really don't recommend the pen (or nib) if you wanna go all out with flexing like for Copperplate and other heavily shaded scripts. I guess it would be okay with Spencerian. Just because a nib flexes and snaps back quickly doesn't mean it will be able to handle the constant flexing of western scripts without eventually getting the nibs sprung. It is, after all, meant for Asian calligraphy/writing.

 

But I do LOVE my CH 912. It's one of my favorite pens.

[hari317]

If you have a shop nearby where you can try out the Justus 95... very soft nib. I have 743 FA as well as the modern Justus and the older Justus. Older Justus is softest but hard to find at reasonable cost. Modern Justus is close. With pens,YMMV so its best to try out.

[khalameet]

I completely forgot about the Justus.

 

But at the moment I am heavily biased towards the 912.

 

The thing is, in Germany there are not shops or retailers which sell Pilot pens (at least not any ones I know of). So I will have to import the pen from Japan directly...not the best option, but the only chance of getting one.

[rutherfordr]

If you're willing to mail-order from Japan, I'd recommend the Pilot Custom 823 with a #15 Falcon nib.

 

It's only available from one stationery store in Tokyo, and you have to sign up on a waiting list, but it's definitely worth it:

 

https://www.japanshop-quill.com/pilot-custom823.htm

[khalameet]

Thank you for your suggestions.

I already have a 823, although with a medium nib.

The 912 is still the nicer pen to my eye, because the 823 looks very similar to the 743, at least in the black version which I already have, and unfortunately I don't like the clear or amber version.

 

I think it will be the 912. Have to think a couple of days more.

[DonM]

Please report back on your experience with the 912. I, and I'm sure others here, will be interested in your thoughts.

[Duane Pandorf]

I am very happy with my 823s and the #15 nibs. I have both the smoke black and clear versions. One with the FA nib and the other the Waverley nib. I also purchased the 743 with the soft fine #15 nib that I interchange with the 823s when I want a different writing experience. I know it costs more to do it this way but the Pilot #15 nibs have all worked out well for me. I tried the 912 with the FA nib but sold that pen when my 823 arrived with the FA nib.

Edited August 15, 2019 by Duane Pandorf

[loganrah]

I am very happy with my 823s and the #15 nibs. I have both the smoke black and clear versions. One with the FA nib and the other the Waverley nib. I also purchased the 743 with the soft fine #15 nib that I interchange with the 823s when I want a different writing experience. I know it costs more to do it this way but the Pilot #15 nibs have all worked out well for me. I tried the 912 with the FA nib but sold that pen when my 823 arrived with the FA nib.

Could you expand on the difference in flex performance between the 742 and 743 if you find that there is one? A lot of people seem to report that the #10 FA is flexier (softer gold apparently) than the #15 FA. But I'd like to know (and I hope it might be useful to the OP and others) a bit more specifically what differences there are: wider max flex? easier to flex? better or worse snap back? Fineness of unflexed line? resistance to springing (though I'm sure that one requires a lot of experience)?

[Duane Pandorf]

Could you expand on the difference in flex performance between the 742 and 743 if you find that there is one? A lot of people seem to report that the #10 FA is flexier (softer gold apparently) than the #15 FA. But I'd like to know (and I hope it might be useful to the OP and others) a bit more specifically what differences there are: wider max flex? easier to flex? better or worse snap back? Fineness of unflexed line? resistance to springing (though I'm sure that one requires a lot of experience)?

 

Since I don't have the 742 #10 FA nib any longer and flex writing is not my forte, I believe the main difference I saw was the #10 wrote a thinner line when not flexed. But for my writing I like the "softness/feel" of the #15 FA nib along with the ink capacity of the 823. I've also recently purchased and am using the Flexible Nib Factory's double slit feed for the 743 that also fits the Pilot models 823 and 845. https://flexiblenib.com/store/standard-replacement-feeds/pilot-743-fa-replacement-feed/

 

As I grabbed the link above I see they are now selling their custom feeds for the 912 #10 nibs now too.

 

Something to think about for additional flow and so far no railroading when I have pushed my #15 FA nib.

[nekomuffchu]

Thank you for your suggestions.

I already have a 823, although with a medium nib.

The 912 is still the nicer pen to my eye, because the 823 looks very similar to the 743, at least in the black version which I already have, and unfortunately I don't like the clear or amber version.

 

I think it will be the 912. Have to think a couple of days more.

 

I have the 823 FA, and had the 912 FA. The FA nib is extremely thirsty. I would recommend either the 743 FA or the 823 FA. If you order the 743 FA you can swap out the nib and use it in your 823, you will need the 823's ink reservoir and flow. One advantage of ordering it from Tokyo Pen Shop Quill is the owner will tune the nib so it's smooth as silk.

Edited August 15, 2019 by nekomuffchu

[Duane Pandorf]

 

I have the 823 FA, and had the 912 FA. The FA nib is extremely thirsty. I would recommend either the 743 FA or the 823 FA. If you order the 743 FA you can swap out the nib and use it in your 823, you will need the 823's ink reservoir and flow. One advantage of ordering it from Tokyo Pen Shop Quill is the owner will tune the nib so it's smooth as silk.

 

Both of my 823's came from the Tokyo Pen Shop and you are correct that both the FA and Waverley nibs arrived out of the box perfect. The Pilot 743 I purchased through an online vender with the #15 SF nib has been perfect too.

 

It's still my opinion that if you plan on writing with the FA nib you're going to be happier with the ink capacity of the 823 compared to either the 912 or 743.

 

I have had no issues taking the 823 apart and giving it a thorough clean between switching inks. I've also removed the smaller gasket that blocks the ink from the barrel to the feed when the vacuum knob is screwed closed. I travel frequently via air travel too and don't have issues with the pen leaking. Of course I can always attach the gasket in the future if need be.

[AlexLeGrande]

Oh, Oh. Tokyo Pen Shop Quill has posted an announcement saying that Pilot pens will no longer allow them to ship out of the country. While existing orders will be shipped, no or new orders can be accepted.

Edited August 16, 2019 by AlexLeGrande

[Duane Pandorf]

Oh, Oh. Tokyo Pen Shop Quill has posted an announcement saying that Pilot pens will no longer allow them to ship out of the country. While existing orders will be shipped, none orders can be accepted.

 

That's not good news. You may want to watch the Youtube video with John Lane the US Rep for Pilot pens being interviewed by Brian Goulet. Not that it has anything to do with what Pilot is doing with Tokyo Pen Shop but .....

[loganrah]

Oh, Oh. Tokyo Pen Shop Quill has posted an announcement saying that Pilot pens will no longer allow them to ship out of the country. While existing orders will be shipped, none orders can be accepted.

 

I do not understand Pilot's policy here? People want to buy your product, and are happy to pay for it, why not sell it to them? But this does make me glad I'd just put myself on the list for another 823 with FA.

 

 

 

 

I have the 823 FA, and had the 912 FA. The FA nib is extremely thirsty. I would recommend either the 743 FA or the 823 FA... you will need the 823's ink reservoir and flow.

 

I definitely appreciate the 823's ink capacity for lots of writing, but for titles and embellishments I'd be happy to take a reduced capacity (not like the CON70 is small) for better flex. I plan on getting a replacement ebonite feed for whatever pen I'm using an FA nib in.

Sometimes you want a particular filling system or pen and you have to compromise on nib choice. Sometimes you want a particular nib and you have to compromise on filling system or pen.

[TheDutchGuy]

I completely forgot about the Justus ... The thing is, in Germany there are not shops or retailers which sell Pilot pens (at least not any ones I know of). So I will have to import the pen from Japan directly...not the best option, but the only chance of getting one.

The Justus is a great pen, in my opinion. About pen shops: a quick hop over the Dutch border will put Pilot pens in your hand, including the Justus. Penshop in Nijmegen carries Pilot and so does Akkerman in The Hague. Check their websites to see which models they carry.

[Karmachanic]

 

I do not understand Pilot's policy here? People want to buy your product, and are happy to pay for it, why not sell it to them? But this does make me glad I'd just put myself on the list for another 823 with FA.

 

 

Get it shipped to one of your Japanese pals. Canny fp afficionados have friends in many places around the world for such contingencies.

Or purchase from PenSachi.

 

That aside I think the OP should follow his heart and get the rhodium trimmed 912.