Pilot Custom 743 - FA nib

[outsidejob]

Hello, I'm actually planning to buy one of these pens from an Australian distributor of Pilot products. Could you go over my criteria and give me some advice?

 

1. Copperplate

2. I'm new to copperplate/calligraphy with a steady hand. I've currently been using a speedball dip with the Gillott 303 nib's. They have some nice flex, with a very thin tip. The problem i have with the 303's is they are not very smooth, I frequently dig into standard paper( being left handed and pushing this sharp nib isn't the best)

3. I'm left handed.

4. Larger hands.

5. Around 250/300 US

6. I would like to have a good smooth, flexable fountain pen for doing copperplate.

Edited December 12, 2005 by outsidejob

[antoniosz]

If you are an underwriter left ywho pulls the pen down in the direction of the line.

(like #5 http://www.nibs.com/Left-hand%20writers.htm) you should be able to use any flex nib.

If you are a "pusher" things become more difficult. I do not say impossible - it is all in the control of pressure and it is going to be easier with an FP than with a dip pen.

 

I would not suggest to start from an expensive pens. There are many user grade vintage pens in the $50-100 that could be a good introduction to copperplate. Look for early Watermans in particular as they are found most of the time with flex nibs. However it is best to try them first or to buy from a trusted seller.

 

If you insist on modern pens - the Pilot is an excellent choice. So is Binder's custom-made Pelikan flex nibs - although the M600 might not be large enough.

Edited December 12, 2005 by antoniosz

[Ruaidhri]

Antonios I am <b>SICK WITH ENVY</b> - both writing and pen

[antoniosz]

I have added an update for this review. Check the first post and scroll past the photos.

I am addressing the comparison with Falcon that many of you asked me backchannel and also the

problem of the feed occasionally not keeping up with fast long pressed downstrokes.

[exit here]

For me this review was a necessary when looking at the differences between the Falcon and the FA nib that is also referred to as the Falcon (see here..)

 

Custom 742 Falcon Nib

 

Soar to new writing heights with the　Namiki Falcon　nib leek in its unique style, this black fountain pen is a remarkable pen. This falcon nib is even smoother and more comfortable than Soft fine, Soft Medium and Soft Broad. It is not the Falcon Series Pen, it’s the Falcon nib.

 

Usually, normal Pilot converter has 0.5 ml ink space. But Custom 742 converter is comparably big which can take 1.1 ml ink.

 

So to suggest 'It is not the Falcon Series Pen, it’s the Falcon nib' ...is a real challenge to understand when it is clear the two nib designs are totally different. (update when 742FA arrives as this and my Falcon are both F)

 

Thanks Antoniosz ...you have been a wonderful help

 

 

[artaddict]

Wow! I've just seen this review. I enjoyed the Quicktime movie very much. Wonderful penmanship!

[Lloyd]

I just received my 743 with FA nib from Richie at cyberpens ($200 shipped to the USA) and it is awesome. I usually use a very light hand and the nib is an extremely smooth XF under no pressure. However, it is easy to flex and is quick to narrow-up after a swell. Also, its coverter is easily the best I've ever dealt with. It may very well be my ideal!

[slimnib]

What is the Green Board.

 

Thanks

[Stephen-I-am]

What is the Green Board.

 

Thanks

Here's the address.

 

Stephen

[Stephen-I-am]

Does anyone know whether the "FA" nib is its own size, or whether there is a fine FA, medium FA, etc?

 

Stephen

[Lloyd]

The FA is its own size.

[Stephen-I-am]

The FA is its own size.

Thanks. I'm leaning towards getting one, and the fact that it's an XF with light pressure is a plus to me.

 

Stephen

[Lloyd]

I'd call it a European F-XF without pressure.

[Gran]

Thank you very much for the review. Most helpful!

[mstacker]

Hi antoniosz.

 

What is the name of the paper you wrote on for you review of the "Black Pilot Custom 743 fountain pen with superflex 14k size 15 nib, grade FA?" Offhand, do you know of a good online distributor where I can buy some?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

[antoniosz]

Hi antoniosz.

 

What is the name of the paper you wrote on for you review of the "Black Pilot Custom 743 fountain pen with superflex 14k size 15 nib, grade FA?" Offhand, do you know of a good online distributor where I can buy some?

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

 

 

It is Clairefontaine with French (Seyes) ruling. I am not sure about loose pages but Pendemonium offers journals and pads (http://www.pendemonium.com/stationery.htm#clairefontaine) .

 

BTW I never said "Superflex" about this nib - I was only refering to the ad that sold this pen

[georges zaslavsky]

very nice and sober pen. Very unusual nib too. Nice writing by the way

[Pen2009]

The sheer number of nib options is mind boggling. EF・F・SF・FM・SFM・M・SM・B・BB・PO・FA・WA・SU・C

So many choices.....

http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/penroom/pilot/pil_nib.htm

Edited July 4, 2009 by Pen2009

[cl0123]

UPDATE

 

I have also been asked by many backchannel to compare this pen with the Namiki Falcon. The two pens are completely different. I believe that the Falcon has a slightly softer nib.

I have only tried the medium Falcon and I was not happy with the contrast but I am sure that the fine would be better. I do hold my pen at a relatively low angle and I found that the feed was hitting the paper too often, something that I did not like and made me sell the Falcon. In addition to the nib, the 743 is a substantially large pen than the Falcon.

antonioxz,

 

Thanks for sharing your handwriting and especially the concise comparison between the Namiki Falcon and the Pilot Custom. I have been experimenting with the Namiki Falcon medium nib and the results were not very encouraging. It seems I was perhaps expecting too much out of it.

 

With Aloha,

 

Clarence

[cl0123]

The sheer number of nib options is mind boggling. EF・F・SF・FM・SFM・M・SM・B・BB・PO・FA・WA・SU・C

So many choices.....

http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/penroom/pilot/pil_nib.htm

Pen2009,

 

Thanks for the link. The Kanji descriptions on the FA nib, 毛筆の筆跡, suggest it is mimicking an oriental brush pen. Very interesting.

 

With Aloha,

 

Clarence