500 Subscribers Thank you! Pilot soft nibs explained - comparing the Falcon, FA, and SF

[@gadgetstop321]

This is a good resource. I always thought the FA nib was something I wanted to try, but I think the Falcon is a better fit for me. Thanks for sharing this.

[@seattlepenclub]

That's how I ended up with an FA nib too haha - I don't regret buying it but it definitely doesn't get much use

[@sailinginps]

Very thoughtful and careful observation of the various Pilot soft nibs. I also read a similar observation recently on the Fountain Pen Network from someone who liked the Pilot soft nib at first but after several months of use, he realized that he actually preferred the "regular" medium nib to soft ones. In my view, this is not surprising. I think the real intended audience for soft nibs is mostly Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. When you watch the way they write individual characters (or alphabets), they are naturally written in a "flexy" way - sort of writing with a brush. They press down first and gradually draw down or up and end with a lightly-pointed touch. The soft nibs give this "natural" flexibility. I recently purchased a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 FA. I didn't enjoy writing with it and ended up returning it.

[@jonathonschram3429]

The Falcon is my favorite daily writer. The s-medium is too wet for work, but is fantastic on good paper. S-fine is a great, all-around pen/nib combo. Wish they held more ink though...

[@geslinam9703]

Does the Con 70 converter fit in the Falcon?

[@lenorebreen3394]

Not surprised that you have a wide following. You have a calming voice and a professorial style that WORKS!

[@VincentDuxD]

Push them a bit more, my ef falcon could easily go to a double broad and spring back like nothing happened, it’s like watching a Ferrari being driven at 30 and 30 max, dude, that bugs me xD

[@seattlepenclub]

haha - thanks for the comment. According to the retailers I've asked, these nibs aren't designed to be flexed so I don't push mine. I do use a Montblanc 149 flex nib that I push regularly when I want line variation

[@AryaOghuz]

@@seattlepenclub According to Goulet Pens and their numerous videos about the Falcon, these nibs are meant to be flexed a little. There’s even a video of them doing it and discussing how good it is at doing it. Check Goulet’s Top 5 Modern Flex Pens, this pen is listed as #1. By all means you can choose to never flex it but the nib is designed to offer a soft feel with line variation when deliberately applied

[@fossilimprint2954]

You have about the best explanation of Pilot soft nibs I have seen on youtube. Subscribed !

[@seattlepenclub]

Thanks so much for the kind feedback!

[@laertica]

Without the “about”

[@玉琳柯]

I often produce mixed script texts using mostlyTraditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean (occasionally) alongside English. Pilot nibs are my jam, and Pilot pens are a focal point of my collection. I've done a side-by-side comparison of a Platinum 3776 SF and a Pilot 74 SF. The Pilot won hands down based on my preferences. I still want an Elabo and a 912 FA. Your comparison is very helpful. Thank you for making this review.

[@thedirtygot9570]

my metal falcon with a SF nib is on its way! going to be my EDC! I got the burgundy and chrome model, going to use diamine writers blood in it!

[@seattlepenclub]

Cool color combination!

[@7_v610]

An excellent video and demonstration of the soft writing instruments offered by Pilot. I have the Pilot 912 FA nib, and I can tell it all depends on what type of writer one is. For example, if you have a “heavy hand” (i.e., writing with pressure), you maybe won’t be able to use this pen for everyday writing, e.g., note keeping and/or office work. However, if you manage to adopt, it might be a pleasant experience. For people with a soft pressure, this pen might be an amazing workhorse. But again, it all depends on the individual. Thanks, again, Sir! 😃👍

[@MeanderBot]

Just bought a Falcon earlier today, so it's great to hear you enjoy it so much. Thanks for the video.

[@seattlepenclub]

Cool! Hope you enjoy your new pen!

[@JuceePeachz67]

Congratulations 🍾🎊🎈🎉 on reaching 500 subscribers! I truly enjoy your videos.

[@bengeorge9063]

thank you for this ! I have been looking for a good comparison video for a long time.

[@ZommBleed]

Well done, Sir. This is required viewing for all prospective Pilot purchases. I'm not sure if I left a comment the first time I viewed this before, but it was a great review on the various nib options available. My daily carry is a Metal Falcon SEF.

[@seanthomas8864]

I was just wondering if I would like a pilot falcon. Thank you for doing this video.

[@giuseppecapilli1954]

Great Chinese calligraphy on the last segment. Bravo!

[@jacobslemmer6168]

One of the best comparison vids I’ve seen, and one that’s actually useful lol well done!

[@peterpuleo2904]

I have seen reviews recommending the FA mostly for artistic work--sketching and drawing.

[@neilpiper9889]

I have a have a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with the Falcon flex nib and love it. My daily carry is a Pilot 78g+ with a B calligraphy nib.

[@Volkmannx]

Helpful, thank you!

[@catwhisperer911]

Hey thanks for sharing this. I have been curious about this topic for a while now and this will definitely assist me in my future Pilot pen purchase. Just subscribed to your channel too :)

[@francisfaustino]

You left out my most favorite nib ever in your description of the Pilot nibs lineup! The Namiki #20! 😅😅😅

[@geslinam9703]

I just accidentally got a 743 with an FA, seller sent me the wrong one….but I’m keeping it because I love it, love the soft and springy feel. I’ve got an 823 fine, I think it’s pretty stiff. I would compare the feel of the FA to be more like the Vanishing Point nib.

[@riverbeee9643]

Thank you! This is very helpful as I consider the 743 and all the nib options coming to the U.S. next month.

[@honeyten1001]

This was very very helpful thanks a bunch!

[@ornnichapooktuantong286]

Thank you very much. I cannot make a decision between Pilot custom 74 soft nib (sf) and the falcon (sf) for everyday use. FA nib is too soft for me.

[@swainsongable]

Very interesting, thank you. However, not sure I'm any closer to making a desiion ;) I'm not a flexer but do think I like mushy - my 2 most pleasant mushy nibs are on a Visconti (F but wet like a B) and Pelikan M-1000, also too wet for a daily writer on normal stock paper. I'm looking for that "feel" in a finer (dryer?) nib, like skiing in fresh powder, and seems to me the Japanese have mastered F/EF nibs. Thanks again!

[@alexhackmann]

Did you find it? I'm looking for the same, I guess. The softness of the Visconti Palladium dream touch nib, but for a daily writer

[@swainsongable]

@@alexhackmann So, I inherited my mom's Sheaffer "student" pen for grade 9 in 1970, which included a half bottle of Peacock Blue, and have obsessively been searching for that elusive "dream nib" daily writer ever since. The answer to your question is no, there isn't one nib to rule them all, but then life is about the journey not the destination 😉

[@lilyplants6266]

You addressed issues I've experienced. Thank you for using the term "mushy" and "effort". I've listened to many people talk about pens and nibs, but none who precisely describe the actual feel. I want a F or EF daily writer and wondered about the 912 F. Now I don't need to wonder. What do you think is the smoothest EF or F pilot daily writer with capacity and has snap back. I have the Falcon M (great shader), the Decimo, two 74s, and the 912 FA which I've hardly used for reasons you describe. I love Pilots. What about the 743 in EF? I even use the Pilot steel nibs due to the effort I feel with soft nibs. THANK YOU.

[@luigig6256]

Sounds like the Pilot Justus 95 might work for you.

[@Ali4451_]

Outstanding video

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Your vlogs will keep growing in subs. I am sure. They're good. Thank you :)

[@tonysameh]

I have a Pelikan M1000 and I'm in search for a pen that has a similar nib. It is a little bit soft with no line variation. This softness produces a very wet line. Any ink that has nice shading in other pens, in the M1000 comes in one solid color (the dark level of the shading) and l like that. I feel "mushy" can describe it but not sure. Now the question is: which of the Pilots have a similar effect? I don't care for any line variation. I just want a very wet writer.

[@TheCreedBratton]

So where can we go to buy new pens locally in Washington?

[@VladimirRobespierre]

Hi. Do you know that which one thinnest between Lamy safari Ef and Pilot heritage F ?

[@catchacoolbreeze]

Thank you for your video! Do any of them feel like the vanishing point nib in terms of bounce?

[@seattlepenclub]

I find the vanishing point nib very firm so these nibs are all softer. Even the standard #3, 5, 10, 15 nibs from Pilot are significantly softer than the VP in my opinion

[@d.molina5644]

Very good video, I've only tried the Pilot Falcon SM and IMO It didn't feel flexy at all, I had to press really hard to open just a little bit the tines. Perhaps I write with a pretty light hand besides I hold my pens quite further back. I'd like to try a nib that flexes from F to a M-B without having to exert too much pressure, one nib that flexes in a joyful way, said nib may be the FA or the Justus 95 which you didn´t feature in this video, I'd be intresting to know your opinion about that pen compared with these ones.

[@rgj8044]

I recently (August 2024) bought a Pilot Falcon fountain pen with the soft nib. I have collected and used fountain pens for 20 years. This pen worked for about a month of casual use before the ink ceased to flow through the nib. Then it just failed. There was no damage to the nib - the ink just stopped flowing properly. In my sad experience this was just a piece of junk and do not recommend this at all. I really expected so much more from a Japanese product but... in this case it was a shameful, cheap piece of shame. This is my experience and resulting opinion.

[@alexhackmann]

Hi. Great video! I have a Visconti with a Palladium M nib and I love its softness. Which of those compare to it? (In its softness)

[@peterpuleo2904]

I have the Pilot Custom 74 with a SM nib. Does the model number matter much or is the nib the operant feature?

[@richardparadox163]

What was the ink in the 823?

[@korax67]

Very nice comparison ! I have the #5 on a Custom 74 and it feels just like you said "mushy",it is not an easy writer - I prefer the standard of the Custom 74. Regarding the nib of my 742, I totally agree with you, it's a fun nib, but not a daily writer - my daily notes on my Hobonichi look too loud with this nib. It was a grail nib for me and I got a bit disappointed with the results (maybe the #15 on the 743 is the perfect FA nib as they say those who have both). Next stop the falcon elabo SF nib :-) Thanks again.

[@seattlepenclub]

Cool! I like the #5 F nib as well - very nice writer. My friends tell me the 743 FA is not as soft as the one in the 912 - that might be a good thing. I haven't tried one personally. Good luck with the elabo SF! It's a great choice

[@andrewward7042]

I suggest manually focusing your camera 😊

[@joeynuggetz]

how would you rate the ink output or wetness of a pilot fine compared to something like a Kakuno or something? I'm sick of dry writers and ink just looking like ass.

[@seattlepenclub]

The wetness hasn't been a problem for me with Pilot - with either their steel or gold nibs. That said, in my experience, the ink matters just as much as the nib. If you like a darker line, try inks that tend to write wet like Pilot or Sailor vs. dry inks like Waterman or Pelikan etc.

[@Stacey.B]

What's your flex pen currently? If you're like me I'm gradually building my collection. I'm looking for a bouncy, line variations (flex), that's smooth and comfortable in the hand. Any suggestions? Or am I asking to much?

[@seattlepenclub]

The Pilot FA nib is the best in my opinion for line variation. My favorite flex pen is one of my grail pens - the Montblanc 149 with the Calligraphy Flex nib...but that pen is very expensive and a bit big for daily use in my opinion

[@Stacey.B]

@Seattle Pen Club I just purchased a Pilot Custom 74 SF, and I really like the line variations, and a Japanese Pilot Elabo SM looks like the Falcon nib. I was told it's the Japanese version of the Falcon. But the most exciting pen I purchased recently on Ebay was a Waterman's Ideal lever fill with a 14k nib. It's ideal for "Flex." I don't think you could carry it daily it doesn't hold a lot of ink. I bought a PenBBS and it's crap. My 1st LAMY is a better pen. Now I'm trying to find paper I enjoy. I had some that was lined on front and dot grid on the back, and I can't remember what it was. There's not any kind of stationary store or a place to buy fountain pens anywhere near me. So if you know of a paper that is lined and dotted, please let me know. Please 🙏🏻!

[@brucegeddes208]

soft nibs. soft voice.

[@peterpuleo2904]

Very informative, but I found it difficult to hear you clearly.

[@ciaolg9048]

Does the #15 medium on the 823 feel and look the same as the #15 medium on the 845. (as they are 14k and 18k, respectively)? If not, how do they differ? Thanks!

[@murkser4149]

The 845 nib is much stiffer and rigid without any of the bounce of Pilot's 14K nibs. I didn't find it enjoyable, though the rest of the pen besides the nib is excellent. If you can get a Custom 845 with a 14K nib I'd recommend it.

[@speedyspin]

amazing pen... but a fountain pen are made for cursive.

[@mrgeorgejetson]

Volume cranked to 100% and I can still barely hear you. You really need to get a microphone, dude. Believe it or not, sound is the most important thing in these videos, even more important than video quality (within reason).

[@jeanforest9643]

Try it this (French) way: Not "monT blanC" with a hard T and a hard C, but "mon blan" with a disappearing T and a disappearng C... To hear the result simply go to a Montblanc review by S.B.R.E. BROWN!

[@seattlepenclub]

I happen to speak French. I was saying it the way most of us do around here :)

[@jeanforest9643]

@@seattlepenclub Dans ce cas je vous encourage à utiliser la prononciation française que d'ailleurs tout le monde comprendra, même à Seattle! Et comme on vous écoute un peu partout et très loin de cette ville... Après tout, on cherche bien à prononcer les mots italiens à l'italienne, non?☺

[@maddy8702]

ᑭᖇOᗰOᔕᗰ

[@mavleashutosh]

There is no soft broad in Pilot. They make SF, SFM and SM

[@seattlepenclub]

the Elabo (Falcon) comes in SB. I used to own one so I'm sure of it :)

[@GlassWolfLH]

Dear Lord, please, please, get a better mic, or turn up the mic volume!!

[@p.joseantoniodiaz9292]

Dale volumen a tu PC o visita a un otorrino, debes estar mal de oído.

[@GlassWolfLH]

@@p.joseantoniodiaz9292 Funny, since every other video I watch is at normal volume, and this one isn't even close, requiring twice the volume on the speakers to hear him speak. Also, compared to thea ds that run immediately before the video. Maybe you're the one who needs medical attention. My hearing is exceptional.

[@GlassWolfLH]

@@p.joseantoniodiaz9292 Also way to remark on a post I made a YEAR ago. Grow up.

[@p.joseantoniodiaz9292]

Estoy muy crecido , gracias. Pero si no escuchas bien el vídeo, ve al médico. El autor del vídeo no tiene la culpa de que tengas problemas de audición.

[@p.joseantoniodiaz9292]

Mi audición es perfecta. Eres tú el que te quejas de que no escuchas bien.

[@changabriela3412]

what are you mumbling about?

[@CakeofPokke]

I just discovered your channel & became an instant fan 😍! Keep up the great work, SPC!! Quality fountain content you got there