Pilot Namiki Falcon Or Justus 95?

[Brotzmann]

I'm trying to decide which one to get between these two pens. There is quite a price difference between them and I'm leaning toward the Falcon. I want something with a soft nib and possibly slight line variation. From the reviews of these pens I gather they both have soft nibs which doesn't really mean flexing. Slight line variation, yes, but not like an early 1900s semi flex. The Justus 95 looks really beautiful and the adjustable nib looks like it would be a nice feature. It does seem like a bit of a gimmick to sell the pen. Would I get more bang for my buck with the Falcon? If you have both pens which one would you recommend over the other? Is it worth $150 more for an adjustable nib?

[ukobke]

Very different pens each other. The falcon has two types. Metal and acrylic.

 

On the other hand, nibs have nothing to do each other.

 

I would suggest Justus for the reason you can have a springy nib any time you wish.

 

"Is it worth $150 more for an adjustable nib?" To me YES.

[Brotzmann]

Any idea which one would have the "softer" nib?

[ukobke]

I think there is a confusion.

 

Let's start from the beginning.

 

There is the Falcon Elabo. Two types. Acrylic and Metal. They both have Falcon shape nib BUT the nib can be SEF or Medium or......

These nibs are springy somehow but not very soft as Justus.

 

On the other hand there is the FALCON (FA) nib. You can find the falcon nib to a Custom 743. On the nib you read FA, the shape is FALCON and is much much more springy and softer than FALCON ELABO nibs.

 

JUSTUS AND FALCON nibs (the one in custom 743) are equally soft to my opinion. The difference is that the Falcon nib's tines get a little wider with same pressure.

 

So, you should compare the value of a Custom 743 with Falcon nib compared to Justus.

 

To give you one more idea, a SEF nib on a Pilot Custom 74 is more springy to a Falcon Elabo.

 

I have used all these pens.

 

So the difference in similar nibs is $100 (Custom 743 FA nib vs Justus).

 

If I would like to have a soft nib, both are equal. In case I would like more variation in lines, then I would choose Custom 743. But the difference is difficult to see.

In case I wanted a fountain pen with many styles, then Justus is "THE PEN".

 

In general I would propose Justus.

Edited November 8, 2013 by ukobke

[Brotzmann]

Well I've ordered to the Justus 95, should be awesome! Thanks for the info.

[PAKMAN]

Good choice. Got a falcon and sold it, bought a Justus and can't put it down!

[WaskiSquirrel]

I'm glad someone put up this topic. I'm toying with this exact question. Last year, I was looking at a Namiki Falcon, and decided to get a Pilot Custom 823 instead. It was a great choice: I still love that pen.

 

But, now I'm back, and the Justus was released while I was thinking about it. It looks a lot more flexible than the Falcon. (ha-ha) By that I mean, I like the idea that I can use it as a hard or soft nib. Hopefully, when soft, it's at least as good as the Noodler's pens. At that price, I'm hoping they're better.

[ukobke]

Pilot 743, 742 and 912 are the models where you can find the FA nib.

 

"...Squirrel" you mentioned the Noodler's pens. I always wanted a cheap fountain pen with soft nib to use my Baystate Blue without any worries.

Unfortunately, I have read too many "accidents" with these pens and statistically I feel one out of two does not work properly... Also, sellers of these pens are not willing to replace them...

[Edwaroth]

Neither one offer very much line variation. Hari did a review of the Justus recently...you should take a look. I have had the Pilot Soft Fine, while it feels neat to write with and offers some springiness, it is soft, not semi-flex.

[bobaroo]

I have a metal Falcon which I love, but if I had to choose again I think I'd be swayed by the Justus.

[Brotzmann]

Pardon the crappy iPad pic,

[PAKMAN]

Good decision! My Justus has been continuously inked since I bought it and I love how it writes!

[watch_art]

I've owned a metal Elabo/Falcon pen, and have only played with the Justus, but the Justus is FAR superior in my opinion - and from what I saw, Hari's review didn't do the nib justice - it's far softer than his samples showed. Perhaps he was being cautious, but it is quite soft. Great little pen.

[Brotzmann]

Yeah, I think it's as soft as my Parker Vacumatic that's a bit flexible. The Justus is now my #1 pen and the Azure Blue Vac is my #2. I feel like the nib is way better than how it has gotten reviewed. I didn't get my hopes up too much from some of the reviews so it exceeds my expectations. You have to put a bit of pressure on it to get the thicker line. If you press too much you do get railroading as I would expect.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Brotzmann

[FountainPenExpert]

PILOT Falcon has always been a legend in all the nibs. But JUSTUS has a new design and different structure of nib section.
So it depends on what you like. Legendary or Modern Beauty!!!

[Mtrap]

I like my metal bird...

 

http://i1001.photobucket.com/albums/af137/iamtrap/image-8_zps9f436515.jpg

Edited November 16, 2013 by Mtrap

[Scribblesoften]

I am pretty happy with my Elabo as well. I think the real answer here is get both.

[Brotzmann]

I am pretty happy with my Elabo as well. I think the real answer here is get both.

Ha, I'm selling lots of things on eBay so I will eventually buy a Falcon as well. I just need to get rid of some things and pay for it with the profits from the things I get rid of.

[hari317]

I've owned a metal Elabo/Falcon pen, and have only played with the Justus, but the Justus is FAR superior in my opinion - and from what I saw, Hari's review didn't do the nib justice - it's far softer than his samples showed. Perhaps he was being cautious, but it is quite soft. Great little pen.

Shawn, the term Justus needs further qualification. I reviewed the M nib Justus 95. It is also available in F and FM nib grades. No, I was not being shy with the nib, and I think I have a good feel of how much the stress the nib will be able to bear, so my review reflects my feeling and findings.

 

Some others have reported better flex success with the F nib. YMMV.

 

but bottom line, my M Justus is among the top few dozens of nice, pleasant, reliable and hassle free writing pens that I currently own. The writing feel and nib is incredible, you get a similar joy when writing with an early M800 nib for example.

[hari317]

I want something with a soft nib and possibly slight line variation.

You are essentially describing the FA nib from Pilot. With a light hand, you will be very happy with it. Just dont expect it to be a waterman's no 7 pink nib that's all.

 

ETA: I just read the whole thread to see that you already bought a Justus 95 and are quite happy with it. Which nib size did you get?

Edited November 17, 2013 by hari317