Pilot Custom 743 Falcon [FA] Review

We discuss the Pilot Custom 743 and the Falcon [FA] Nib. A wonderful writer with a truly fun flexible nib! This model is customized with an aftermarket double-slit ebonite feed to help with flow for full flex potential.
flexiblenib.com/store/product...
0:07 History
1:31 Aesthetics
1:59 Cap
2:42 Body
3:30 Converter
3:43 Falcon Nib
4:45 Aftermarket Feed
6:30 Line Variation
7:10 How to Flex!
8:00 Feedback
9:28 Overall Thoughts
12:23 Size Comparisons
13:05 Conclusions

[@sebenzalover]

What a gem of a channel. quite new. I almost gave up on the FA nib because i got it first on the 912 and it was too mushy and was not practice. Then I got the fa on the 743. this was an amazing nib that can be an everyday writer. This is my top pen and I have 100s of fpns. .

[@ZenofThePen]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave a comment! I do love the reliability and precise tolerances of this pen - and the Falcon nib puts it over the top. A joy!

[@AG-en5y]

Noice

[@ZenofThePen]

Thanks.

[@timeisahumanconstruct9251]

nice pen and nib. i just ordered this nib on a 823 demonstrator with red ebonite two channel feed. looking forward to writing with it.

[@ZenofThePen]

Hope you enjoy it! It is a really nice feed.

[@KentFilleman-it8vp]

Like yourself,I ordered at the same time I ordered my 912 with the FA nib, I ordered a 3 channel ebonite feed from the Flexible Nib Company. I have not installed it yet since my stock feed has kept up with continuous flexing using Iroshizuku Kon-peki ink. I’m keeping the new feed in case I need it with dryer inks in the future. It’s a great pen and I love it, but it’s making me realize that I’m really a stub or italic writer, not a flex guy. Now I want a 912 with the SU stub nib, because I have been overjoyed with the CM cursive italic calligraphy nibs in my Pilot Prera and Metropolitan.I think a Pilot with the SF soft fine nib is in my future also. I find myself more and more using my 912 FA with a very light hand and enjoying this nibs unique feedback. I get a little line variation with the bounce of ordinary writing. I normally write within 7mm line spacing and I think flex writing needs double this width to look good. I love the big #15 nib of your 743, and I wish that Pilot offered a 913 with this nib as I prefer the flat finials and Rhodium trim of the 91 and 912 fountain pens.Collecting the Custom Heritage pens could become a serious addiction.

[@ZenofThePen]

I'm happy to hear your stock feed keeps up fine! I do kind of feel bad I didn't give it a proper chance... but ebonite beats plastic any day so I don't mind the upgrade! I like my flex's for when I intend to do very thoughtful writing. It's like a manual-transmission car - the user needs to give more thought and physical efforts to make the unit perform at it's best. And when you do, it can outperform (wider line variation). However, when I just want to write without effort, I grab one of my 1.1 stubs and just write freely - allowing the nib to impart the line variation without conscious effort. Not as much line variation - but no thought required! Then, I have my 1.5 Italic grind Nib for more calligraphic style, totally different writing mechanics vs either the flex or stub nibs. But, that one is great for large embellished writing - such as a graduation card I had to write yesterday. That's why this hobby is so unique, so many options!