Pilot Custom 742 FA Nib

[lalindsay225]

Immoteus, thanks for the comprehensive review. One of these pens is definitely on my wish list.

 

Lisa

[Immoteus]

Update: After using the #10 FA on a daily basis (three months and some odd days), the nib feels much more flexible compared to the #15 FA (used thrice throughout the three month period). So my point is that it doesnt really matter which nib size is chosen as long as the nib is properly maintained and "broken-in."

Edited May 8, 2008 by Immoteus

[usqview]

... as long as the nib is properly maintained and "broken-in."

 

 

what does that mean?

 

how do you properly maintain and brake in these fa nibs? i am really curious now.

 

btw- i am loving my 743 fa! i have been a bit timid with it and havent practicing nearly as much as i was thinking i would. today i used it to write a card for my mother. pretty cool what it can do.

 

cheers,

ryan

 

[thibaulthalpern]

I too bought a 742 with Falcon nib and how I love the nib! Unfortunately, I also experienced the ink feed starvation issue but I think I have it worse than the displayed images above. With even short strokes like crossing the t-bar and making commas, the ink stops flowing. I'm not even doing serious flexing with the nib at all. I'm just using my regular handwriting script. I have just mailed my 742 back to Engeika for an exchange. I hope the next model is better. If not, I'll send it in to Richard or Greg for "repair".

 

I've attached a sample of my writing with the Custom 742 Falcon nib pen and my Namiki Falcon pen with Soft Fine nib.

Edited October 14, 2008 by thibaulthalpern

[Guest Gracie]

Thanks so much for all the clearly presented information! I have a Custom 742 FA #10 which I've had for a while without having the time to get to know it very well, but now I'm committed and have some questions, as the pen was a gift from my son, which he bought in Japan and gave to me without any paperwork.

 

1. Does this nib only come in one size, or is there a way to determine what size this nib is? The only writing I can find on the nib other than the #10 and the gold standard, is a tiny 610 on one side.

 

2. If this nib does come in a variety of sizes, is it possible to get other nibs that are interchangeable at home?

 

3. Can this nib be made finer by a nibmeister?

 

I'm trying to adapt this pen to my efforts at Copperplate and Spencerian writing, and I'm having trouble getting a fine enough line at the end of the strokes, as so much ink loads in during the downstroke. I can do it, but I have to be very attentive to the stage at which I start and stop the widening of the stroke, so if I could get a fine nib I think it would be perfect and I could write more quickly.

 

I put Aurora black ink in the pen, and have not had any more trouble with skipping.

 

Thanks all.

[Uncle Red]

Gracie, you have a Custom 742 that takes #10 size nibs that can be F, M, B, Stub, ETC. You got the FA nib that only comes with one tipping size. If you want a thinner line you could try a drier ink or a nibmeister could thin the tip for you. Try a drier ink first.

[Guest Gracie]

Dear Uncle Red,

 

Somehow I didn't get this reply 14 months ago, (probably a fault on this end) and obviously didn't check the forum. Thank you for the advice. I checked tonight because I was getting suspicious that I needed a dryer ink in this pen, and voila! there you are. I'll put Pelikan ink in and see what happens. Thanks for answering back then....

[discopig]

(deleted)

Edited January 19, 2014 by discopig

[Pen2009]

After chatting with a staff at Pilot's pen museum while one of my Pilot pens being adjusted free of charge, Pilot has designed the FA nibs with Asian calligraphy in mind. The way Pilot makes their pens, it is unthinkable that they would produce the pens deliberately whose nibs lay down the railroaded lines.

[provis]

Asian calligraphy uses more short strokes and have more pauses writing one character to another, compared to the flowing lines and swells used in Copperplate, so it makes perfect sense. The salespeople in Taiwan and Japan will give you strange looks if you write English cursive with the FA nib

[Scribble Monboddo]

My Custom 742 FA nib has come close to death and had to be withdrawn from service! You can see its last efforts here: http://scribbledemonboddo.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/long-term-test-pilot-custom-742-fa-nib.html It looks like metal fatigue was probably the culprit, and sadly Pilot have declined to assist - but Goldnibs are on the case attempting a repair, so we'll see what's possible soon

[Scribble Monboddo]

My size 10 FA nib has now been repaired magnificently by Goldnibs in Spain - I'll always have to use it carefully I think, but it is in better shape as a writing tip than it was when new. Pilot don't come out of this too well, but Goldnibs certainly get my recommendation! You can see some scribbles with the new nib in my hand, plus the goldsmith's test jottings, here.

[ammarmali]

Awesome review! Thanks!

[Pen_Noob]

Very strange regarding ink starvation, skipping etc. Have a 742 with FA nib for 1 week now, used it only with Diamine Oxblood (btw very nice color) and it writes marvelously in any situation, including my attempts at flexing, my wife even used it for fast writing with flexing, no problems.

Also the pen is the perfect size for me - MB 146 comparable, but since the grip is slightly longer than the one of MB146 or Pelikan M800, I do not grip it by the threads, so for me it is more comfortable than both of them.

All in all, again I am utterly impressed by Pilot. Luckily I got rid today of my Sailor Professional Gear (never want to see a Sailor again).

[Pen_Noob]

Partially retracting my words - when writing normally, pen writes wonderfully. When really flexing and writing more than 2 words, it begins to railroad.

[Shubhranshu Das]

Hi, thank you... Great to read all your comments... I have the Pilot Elabo with Falcon nib... Moleskine paper and this nib are not on friendly terms.... On Clairfontaine etc... I get much better results... Based on reviews of the FA nib... I have ordered the Pilot 912 with FA nib.... The comments and advice will go a long way in improving my experience...thanks

[Scribble Monboddo]

Hi, thank you... Great to read all your comments... I have the Pilot Elabo with Falcon nib... Moleskine paper and this nib are not on friendly terms.... On Clairfontaine etc... I get much better results... Based on reviews of the FA nib... I have ordered the Pilot 912 with FA nib.... The comments and advice will go a long way in improving my experience...thanks

Be careful, though; the 'beak' nib in the Falcon/Elabo and the FA nib are very different beasts. The former is really just a 'soft' nib and doesn't fare well if flexed too hard. The FA nib is a proper flex nib and takes some getting used to. It is also rather selective about which inks it will live happily with. But, that said, I take a 912 with an FA nib to work, and it's earning its keep admirably.