Pilot Custom 74 SF Nib

This is one of my daily writers. It is a pen that I have enjoyed now for a couple of years.

[@ordinaryimages]

2022 and your video is still valuable. I was fortunate to purchase a new 74 SF from a Japanese ebay seller.

[@davidanderson3425]

Thank you, Aaron, for reviewing this impressive pen. Your writing sample showed what this pen can do and I liked it a lot!

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

David Anderson Thanks!

[@ronarcius]

I had a pretty bad experience with the Pilot Custom 74 when I chose Medium nib. I thought Japanese Medium would be finer than the western, but for this case (14k gold series) I was very wrong. I thought the Custom's Medium would be the same as the Metropolitan's Medium. Turned out the Custom 74's Medium was a LOT thicker and much more wet than I first imagined. I was quite devastated after spending around US$200-ish (the retail price in my country, including import, customs clearance taxes and so on), only to feel disappointed with it. So I was thinking about getting a new one with smaller nib size, but got frustrated with the lack of information on different nib sizes it stressed me out lol. Your video finally answered all my questions, and gave me the confidence to go ahead and choose the SF nib. Thank you!

[@kreexp]

Solved my question on soft fine or soft medium! Thanks. I’m going with your recommendation! A soft fine it is! Thank you!

[@steventrosiek2623]

Real nice pen. Great video. Thanks for a wonderful video.

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

Thanks!

[@wayneclarkson375]

Aaron i have got the clear smoke version with the Rhodium trim. I got it last week, with the medium nib and i must say the nib is amazing soft and springy i use it all the time it is an excellent pen. I would like to say thank you for reviewing the Pilot Custom 74 i appreciate it very much awesome.

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

Wayne Clarkson I'm glad you like yours as well! Pilot nibs are great for adding expression to your writing.

[@wayneclarkson375]

Aaron i totally agree and the nib on my Custom 74 is no exception.Thank you for your reply i appreciate it very much.

[@vwood2]

Thanks for a great review - very nice line variation. It’s is definitely on my list.

[@yuklimka7251]

To the best of my knowledge the SF, SFM and SM are only available for the black 74 and are limited to the Asian market. Usually I'm firmly in the EF to F camp, but for the soft nib, I tried all three at a pen shop and the SFM hits my personal sweet spot for my daily writing needs. It's admittedly a very generic looking pen, but so are a MB 146 or a Platinum 3776 Century or a Sailor 1911 S. It's a pen that never looks out of place, because it's a classic, understated design. I'm someone who likes to pair the pen color with the ink color, except for black and silver pens. Any ink color can go into black and silver pens in my book. In my corner of the world proprietary converters for Sailor, Platinum and Pilot Con-70 retail for about 3-4 dollars, the Con-50 for under 2 dollars and made in Taiwan Platinum branded converters sell for about a dollar. But I do understand why it's a bit disappointing having to buy a proprietary converter.

[@bryanmacam6127]

Man thats a nice deal! Hope the demonstrator ones have a sale soon.

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

Shop around on Ebay and Amazon. I got this one on Amazon.

[@bryanmacam6127]

@@aaronspenvideos4420 thanks a lot man!

[@matthewe293]

I’m getting this in soft fine or maybe soft medium. I like the contrast of the gold nib with magenta ink. I might have to get a similar ink

[@matthewe293]

Ordered it in soft fine, watching this vid and waiting lol

[@LuisGonzalez-gl4wc]

Nice. The feedback seems tolerable. I have the Custom 74 with a medium nib and desire something finer for work. I really like the softness of that nib.

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

It is great nib

[@LizNguyen]

Sold!

[@AbidKhan-lr5wb]

Hi there...I want to buy pilot custom 74 but I am confused by their different nib sizes like fine,soft fine etc. I’ve montblanc 149 with FINE 14k solid gold nib and I want a nib in pilot custom 74 to ✍️ write with exact same thickness as my fine nib of montblanc 149...So which pilot custom 74 nib will write with the same thickness??? Please anybody help me out deciding which nib size to buy.thanks.

[@jd7713]

Thanks for the review . I was wondering if you get a springy cushin feeling when writing without putting much pressure on the nib?

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

Yes, the nib is bouncy even with light pressure.

[@jd7713]

Aaron's Pen Videos great. Thanks. Just ordered a one with a SM nib.

[@rohitbeniwal8649]

can you do a comparison with the 3776? The custom 74 and 3776 are the same price. would be a good comparison.

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

I have a video of the 3776, but I have thought about doing a comparison video a few times.

[@mertb.6487]

Rohit Beniwal I would say that pilot pens generally have smoother nibs, whereas the nibs from platinum are quite feedbacky and toothy, making your writing feel as if you are writing with a pencil.

[@Sgt_MoDog_USMC]

Which Japanese retailer did you purchase this from? I have been wanting to pick a Custom 74 up forever, but would in no way pay the US Retail pricing for one. Thanks in advance.

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

I actually purchased it on Amazon. They had it on sale when I purchased it. I was a little skeptical at first purchasing through Amazon, however the transaction and everything was very smooth.

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

SASUKE.JAPAN this is the seller the pen came from on Amazon

[@Sgt_MoDog_USMC]

@@aaronspenvideos4420 Thanks Aaron. Appreciate it. :)

[@eriche8870]

Hey is this the custom 74 FKKN-12SR #5?

[@melkon1an]

are you ok?

[@aaronspenvideos4420]

I am fine. Hope you and your family have a great holiday.

[@basicdose.9872]

Calling it a coffin freaks me out. Can't it be called a gift box or presentation box instead. Thanks.