Pilot Custom 74 - FM nib

[Omega Man]

Thanks for everyone that weighed in. 

 

As Muddy Waters suggested above, I decided to stick with the C74 since I liked most of the things about the pen. My reservations were smoothness (which was remedied a great deal for me by writing posted), and the line width. That said, I went ahead and got myself a C74 in the Medium nib as well, and have been writing with it for the last few days. I'm also chalking up the medium nib C74 purchase to A smug dill's comment about the cost of "doing business", which I agree with in my individual case and as it applies to me (I don't have any opinions (yet? ) about the broader industry practices, barriers to entry for newcomers, and attitudes towards customers).

 

Documenting my findings here in case someone else comes along in a similar dilemma at some later time:

1. As far as smoothness goes, for my grip and style of writing, I found that posting the FM C74 helps quite a bit in increasing the smoothness. The Medium is a little smoother, but the difference is not much when compared against the FM.

2. When compared against the common beginner steel nib pens that I own, here's what I've noticed about the line width:

                  Pilot Custom 74 FM < Pilot Metro M < Lamy Safari F < Pilot Custom 74 M < Lamy Safari M

     The difference between the Metro M and Safari F is very small, but the other differences are quite noticeable. 

 

To summarise, I'm not sure which I prefer yet. I definitely like writing with both, so will probably hold on to both and see which I gravitate more towards over a longer period of time. 

[JulieParadise]

Inhowfar does posting a pen change the feeling of its tip on paper? Do you hit the paper in a different angle then and thus maybe write on a different spot?

[max dog]

I have the Custom 74 with SFM.  I like it a lot, a nice smooth responsive nib, but I prefer the Lamy 2000 M (mine is slightly stubbish) really enhances the shading and character of the ink the best.  In that price range, I like the Lamy 2000 the best.

 

[Omega Man]

8 hours ago, JulieParadise said:

Inhowfar does posting a pen change the feeling of its tip on paper? Do you hit the paper in a different angle then and thus maybe write on a different spot?

 

I believe that is what's happening. Posting is causing the pen to be "back-weighted" ever so slightly that it is changing the angle between the nib and the paper. 

[SIUH]

Hello @Omega Man

 

i have personally almost the same collection as you have. Lamy Safari Broad, Lamy Logo Medium, Pilot MP Medium. Just got my Pilot Custom 74- Medium. 

If I really compare so far 

Pilot Custom 74 Medium is thicker in line width than Pilot MP and a hair thinner than Lamy Medium and when u exert a little pressure almost equal to Lamy Medium. Rest assure Pilot will smoothen with time.

Will get back once I find something new to share. 

My issues is ink capacity, I got a con 40 with P C74 and I think its a bit less.