Pilot Custom 742 | Solidly in the middle

[@rrarrrr]

Thank you for the video. Seems to me that the Custom 74, 742 and 743 are similar and what differentiates them is the nib. They are offered in #5, #10 and #15 nibs respectively unless you go for a speciality nib such as the falcon.

[@WrexelsWorld]

I would say they share design features, but you are correct the major differences are nib size, price and overall physical dimensions. For nib availability for each model, I usually check pilot.co.jp

[@rrarrrr]

​@@WrexelsWorld Thanks. I'm considering the Custom 845 with a medium nib or a 743 with a soft medium nib. I understand the the 845 has a 18k gold nib whereas the 743 has a 14k gold nib. I would expect the 18k M should be smoother than a 14k M, but wondering if the 14k SM nib is smoother than the 18k nib. If you could shine some light onto this, I would be grateful. Thanks. P.S. enjoying the content.

[@WrexelsWorld]

@@rrarrrr it is possible to make any nib smooth. The distinguishing characteristic about the 845 is its probably its urushi lacquered ebonite body, I would say that its 18k nib is more yielding when writing, which is probably the case with any 18k nib. As for "soft" nibs, my sense is that the way they are made is by making the nib cross section thin so that it would flex slightly, giving the writer the feeling of "softness", however, it would never match the feeling of an 18k nib. Hope this helps!

[@rrarrrr]

@@WrexelsWorld That was helpful indeed. I didn't realise that any nib can be made smooth. I'm going to my first pen show in June so will try and see a nib meister about a scratchy nib. The urushi lacquer is the other reason I prefer the 845 over the 743.

[@ChrisGVE]

I think the benefit of the 742 is the range of nibs as well as the fact that #10 FA is more flexi than the #15 FA. The 912 can be had as well with the #10 FA but if cigar style is more to your taste you could have a 742 instead with the same nib. Wdyt?

[@WrexelsWorld]

Hi Christian thanks very much for your comment. I do appreciate the 742 and the 912 (since I have them both) however if we forgo the price, I would prefer a Pilot #15 nib for pretty much every nib type. For some reason, I don't like fountain pens that are too flexi. It could be that I don't have the control to only apply a limited amount of pressure to get the thinness out of the nib.

[@JoelTurrell]

Interesting comment about the effect of nib size on the flex of nibs. I do agree with all that you say, but I want to add that I have thought that my 912 FA was more flexible than my 823 FA because I was willing to be more aggressive with the cheaper pen. I have recently been using my 823 FA as an everyday writer and I find that I am now getting more flex. So, do you find that usage "loosens" up those nibs, or "breaks them in"; or am I simply off on a tangent? And, I don't much enjoy my metal Falcon pen by comparison to my plastic, and smaller one and both of those look like #5 size to me.

[@geslinam9703]

I like the 15 nib best, but for the lower price, I don’t mind the 10. It’s still a big nib. I have a 742 med, a fine 823, a medium fine and an FA 743….I’m thinking of getting another 742 with a soft fine, or soft medium fine. I just wish they came in more colors, so many black pens…!

[@WrexelsWorld]

Increasingly, I am liking the no 10 nibs more for their versatility and yes, the relative affordability. The no 15s are a bit fiddly with using for fast writing and while travelling; they also take a lot of getting used to due to the greater distance from paper. It seems that I have most of the same nibs as you and also in the same pens!

[@lizcolton9936]

Excellent comparison - thank you!

[@dhananjeyannatarajan5366]

Do the plastics between the 74, 742, and 743 feel different?

[@WrexelsWorld]

For me, not really, the only thing I detected was that the clear 74 might feel not as smooth.

[@geslinam9703]

I think the 742 and 743 are made of higher quality materials.

[@maksspiga1106]

Would you recommend the 742 over the 74? is the difference just the size or are there other reasons to prefer the 742 over the 74?

[@WrexelsWorld]

The 742 is scaled up in body size as well as in nib size i.e. it has a #10 nib vs the #5 nib of the 74. Both versions support the CON70 converter. As a general recommendation, yes I do prefer the 742 as it fits my hand better (I have medium sized hands) however the 74 isn't a bad pen by all means. The nib choice would be more crucial, as there a lot to choose from.

[@gautam9]

how do you compare the pilot Waverley nib with the pilot fine or extra fine? what's it closer to, as i find the Waverley really smooth at any angle including reverse which seems like eef

[@WrexelsWorld]

The Waverly will feel smoother as it hits the paper at a shallower angle as opposed to a straight nib (and the PO).

[@Abid_Zaman]

hi, which has the better build quality between 742 & 912 ? thanks!

[@WrexelsWorld]

They should have the same build quality, since both are made of resin, however I feel the 912 is slightly better made.

[@vt4979]

@@WrexelsWorld You mentioned the 912 has a lacquer layer applied on the cap ring while the 742 does not, right?

[@WrexelsWorld]

@@vt4979 I would say the letters on the cap ring on the 912 (also higher end pens such as the 743 etc) have black lacquer applied