Pilot 78G, again.

[WillSW]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/willsw/pp2.jpg

 

I did a review of the B (stub) nib 78G two or so years ago (time does fly), and now I return to discuss the Fine-nibbed version. When buying some things from Jstationery, I needed something to break $25 for free shipping, so I added a $12 78G to the cart. A wise decision! Unfortunately, after a few days my girlfriend discovered the simple, smooth, extra-fine writing pen and that was that. After realizing that I was not getting that pen back without some pouting, I did the most logical thing - bought three more! For about $25, pokydaddy delivered 3 pens and 12 cartridges, and now I am a happy man again with plenty of pens in my pocket.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/willsw/pp3.jpg

 

The pen is a very average size, not small or large, a very comfortable size for my hand. A featherweight pen, especially with a cartridge, definitely won't give you any fatigue. Not a flat-top or a cigar, but instead a blunted torpedo. As simple as possible.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/willsw/pp1.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/willsw/pp4.jpg

 

The pen comes with two printed on gold bands on the cap, which I think detract from the pen's appearance. You're not fooling anyone, 78G! You cost less than $9! So, on the green and black pens, I used some micromesh and sanded off the offending bands, to create an even more simple, more Japanese look. I think it looks very nice, though I know some people like those little gold stripes of ink. Too bad I can't make the clip band black too. Oh well.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/willsw/nn.jpghttp://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/willsw/nn1.jpghttp://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/willsw/nn2.jpg

 

Nib-wise, the simplicity continues. Not too stiff, the F nib writes a smooth extra-fine line with 4/10 flow with no pressure, and 7/10 with pressure. The cartridge seems to run drier than the squeeze converter, I don't know if this is typical with cartridges, I don't ever use them. One of my favorite nibs.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/willsw/wsa1.jpg

 

The Pilot 78G, especially at just over $8 apiece, is a pen the fine-line-lover cannot pass up. Even at $12 or $20 or even the $30 I paid for my first one, it's definitely worth it. This would also make a perfect gift pen, since it takes cartridges (if only it took international! Do any other cartridges fit Pilot pens?). All five of mine (I also had a BB for a bit) have been consistently pleasing in quality. Get one.

[HenryLouis]

Great review; I think I'm going to pick up another 78G or two when I buy my Pilot Bamboo from Winningpen. maybe some Pilot blue ink cartridges, too!

Edited November 13, 2009 by HenryLouis

[antoniosz]

Good value pen. Very reliable also.

[cocojj]

I'm having trouble with one of my 78G, it skips on fast vertical upward (cursive upper case "S") or downward strokes (cursive uppercase "D"). Could it be a flow problem perhaps?

Edited November 13, 2009 by cocojj

[returnofpenguy]

I'm having trouble with one of my 78G, it skips on fast vertical upward (cursive upper case "S") or downward strokes (cursive uppercase "D"). Could it be a flow problem perhaps?

 

I have purchased Pilot 78g Red color with broad nib (stub) and I have the same problem. The funny thing is that my first name initial is D, which it does not write well.

 

I will post some pictures of the pen as well as of its writing.

BTW I paid $12 for it at isellpens.com. I was looking for a broad nib and this was perhaps the most inexpensive one available.

[hcsk8ter]

Never had any luck with mine. Broad nib. Maybe I'll try again.

[Tumbleweedtoo]

Never had any luck with mine. Broad nib. Maybe I'll try again.

 

True. I received my broad nib pen on Friday and I am not too happy with mine either. Certainly not what I expected, but not expensive either.

 

All the best,

Tumbleweedtoo

[cuza]

Today, I inked up my all-black fine nibbed 78G. I am exceedingly pleased with its performance. For the money, there's nothing out there that quite rivals this pen. It is similar to my Sailor 1911M for which I paid ten times as much. I'm ordering one of each colour (red, teal, green) and each nib (F, M, broad)... Wow, that'll be $25, please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- cuza

Edited November 16, 2009 by cuza

[antoniosz]

Interesting - I used a F and a M and they are perfect in terms of flow.

I do have a B, but I have not tried. I will try and report back...

[lovemy51]

good review Will! i like that idea of sanding off the foil band. i think i'll do that to mine.

[WillSW]

My B and BB nibs were a bit drier than the Fs (haven't tried an M), but once you got used to finding the sweet spot of the stub they wrote just fine.

[Tumbleweedtoo]

Since my last posting, I have been writing with my 78G B most of the day. Either the pen or I am doing better. There are times when it writes very smooth and sometimes a little scratchy. There appears to be a "sweet spot." It DOES look nice on paper, and I am becoming more pleased with it, though it may not become a daily writer. My Pilot VP with an M nib writes wetter and just as broad (it appears) as the 78G. Of course, the VP is ten times the price of the 78G, and probably will be a daily writer (though the 78G fits nicely in my shirt pocket). BTW: from time to time I have had to squeeze the Pilot cartridge to increase the ink flow on my 78G B; this may not be necessary in the future after the pen "breaks in."

 

All the best,

Tumbleweedtoo

[Kabe]

must...have...one

[kps]

I have to say that I was also disappointed in my 78G. I have ten other Pilot pens (yikes!) including several low-end ones, and they've all worked well except the 78G, whose nib was so tight that it just wouldn't write at all.

[grox]

I have to say that I was also disappointed in my 78G. I have ten other Pilot pens (yikes!) including several low-end ones, and they've all worked well except the 78G, whose nib was so tight that it just wouldn't write at all.

 

I had problems with dry flow and a horridly scratchy nib as well in my 78G. I also found the feel of the 78G somewhat flimsy and cheap.

[adallak]

I have bought several 78Gs with fine nibs. All of them write just great. An excellent pen!

[cocojj]

I have purchased Pilot 78g Red color with broad nib (stub) and I have the same problem. The funny thing is that my first name initial is D, which it does not write well.

 

Same for me. But good news! This morning, I emptied my pen and cleaned it more thoroughly (I was too excited the first time around, I just flushed it a few times with water then). I also fiddled a bit with the nib using a razor blade to get the tines to open up a bit more (I don't know a thing about fixing FPs but the pen is cheap and the razor blade trick worked on my even cheaper Platinum Riviere so I thought what the heck) -- it seems to write fine now. Still a bit "scratchy" but I'm thinking 1) that's expected of a very fine nib, 2) the scratchiness is reduced significantly when you hit the sweet spot, and 3) if I remember correctly, others have said it would go away after the pen is "broken in."

 

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Edited November 17, 2009 by cocojj

[Alice L]

I've been looking at the 78G, but I didn't think I really needed yet another pen. After reading this thread you guys have persuaded me that I have to give it a try.

[returnofpenguy]

I've been looking at the 78G, but I didn't think I really needed yet another pen. After reading this thread you guys have persuaded me that I have to give it a try.

 

Try it. It is a nice pen. Does not feel heavy, right size, fits well in medium size hand, and easy to write with. Plus it is inexpensive. Go for it.

One of these days, I am going to post my pictures. I have one red with stub nib, I was looking for a broad nib. Oh well. Looks great when I write.

[HenryLouis]

Smooth nibs but they are quite dry for my taste. Has some flow problems with the upstroke on my M. The B nib writes wonderfully (although I haven't had much of a preference to stubs)