The Pilot " Custom", A Marvel Of Japanese Mass Pen Manufacture.

[hari317]

The Pilot Custom lineup today starts with the model FK-700R-B at the bottom. Pilot calls this pen just the "Custom", no suffixing numbers. The pen is available in black plastic with golden trims. 4 nib grades are available, EF-F-M and B. This review deals with the B example. Thus the complete model number/ordering code of this pen becomes FK-700R-B-B.

 

The pen came to me in this simple flip up pilot box (Z-CR-EN).

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0204.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0205.jpg

 

The pen will arrive sealed in a poly sleeve with the hangtag on the clip. I have been using this pen for while and removed the tag etc. but i show them here for the sake of documentation. No converter was included, the Con-20 is compatible, but has to be purchased separately. One black cartridge and instruction leaflet for the pen were provided.

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0206.jpg

 

The tag:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0225.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0224.jpg

 

Moving on to the pen. It is slim, cylindrical and has a quiet elegance. It will likely not catch much attention when carried clipped to one's shirt pocket. It is a top quality pen in my view, despite the low asking price, that is the achievement of Pilot and a triumph of their mass production techniques.

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0207.jpg

 

The cap is press fit type unlike the rest of the pens in the present Custom lineup. The cap engagement is precise with an audible click.

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0208.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0209.jpg

 

The clip details: A strip of black lacquer runs down the middle. The name CUSTOM is stamped at the end of the clip itself:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0211.jpg

 

The clip and the printed Pilot on the cap lip are not perfectly aligned on my example, that is the only error that i could find on my pen.

 

The cap says Japan at the back:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0212.jpg

 

Side profile of the clip, simple, but provides good tension:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0213.jpg

 

The clip button is attached to the flat clip bar at just two points, very nicely done spot welding:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0216.jpg

 

Closeup of the cap imprints:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0217.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0218.jpg

 

The Nib: Open Flared nib, plain, unadorned without any scroll work etc. The nib is soft and responsive, no flex however. The nib looks very similar to the nib found on the 78G, NSF pen (Non Self Filling), Pilot MR etc. However this nib is flat in cross section where as the steel counterparts are rounded in cross section, there is a profile difference.

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0219.jpg

 

Hallmark of a well made gold nib, see how the gold sheet is thick towards the tip and thins down towards the section, yielding a good friction fit in section.

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0221.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0222.jpg

 

The section threads:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0223.jpg

 

Some comparison pictures:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0227.jpg

L-R: Custom 74, Custom, Pilot NSF pen(quite old, notice the old style sticker), 78G

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0228.jpg

 

The nibs:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0229.jpg

L-R: 78G, NSF, Custom, Custom 74

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0230.jpg

 

Feeders:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0231.jpg

 

Some writing samples:

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0232.jpg

 

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af39/hari3171/Pilot%20Custom/IMG_0233.jpg

 

Performance: The nib needed no adjustment. the slit was perfectly gapped, amazing performance. The B is a nice smooth juicy writer.

 

Cost: Pilot has priced this gem of a pen at just 7000JPY plus 8% tax. With some discounts and adding shipping and import duties to it, I was able to buy this pen from sellers based in Japan at a landed price of 5980JPY which roughly translates to INR 3700/- or USD60. I think it is a remarkable achievement of Pilot and their engineering to offer such a nice pen with a gold nib at the 60USD price point. Nothing short of a marvel in my book.

 

Cheers!

Hari

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mags]

Great photo essay/review. Thanks for sharing.

[ink-syringe]

Lovely. Nice write up.

 

Jetpens has these for $115. </sad_face>

 

Where did you get yours?

[PrestoTenebroso]

Gee wiz, that is a marvel. Can you tell me where you purchased that beauty too?

[Art]

That's a great looking pen and a nice "review". I wouldn't mind giving one a try as I have a few Pilots and like them very much.

[hari317]

Great photo essay/review. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Mags.

 

Lovely. Nice write up.

 

Jetpens has these for $115. </sad_face>

 

Where did you get yours?

thanks!

 

Gee wiz, that is a marvel. Can you tell me where you purchased that beauty too?

Thanks! I bought from a seller in Japan. A cursory search on amazon.com has these pens listed for 10USD more than what I paid. Also the pen is available on Rakuten.com

 

That's a great looking pen and a nice "review". I wouldn't mind giving one a try as I have a few Pilots and like them very much.

 

That's good to know.

[georges zaslavsky]

very neat and elegant pen thanks for sharing

[hari317]

Thank you Georges.

[jrobert6]

Thanks for the terrifically detailed and thoughtful review. I love knowing that such a pen can be had at such a nice price! I'll be in Japan this fall, and will look for this one to add to my rotation.

[lahlahlaw]

Excellent review! That feed looks very much like the one on the Metropolitans, I bet they're interchangeable [mad scientist chuckles]..

[Algester]

Thanks for the terrifically detailed and thoughtful review. I love knowing that such a pen can be had at such a nice price! I'll be in Japan this fall, and will look for this one to add to my rotation.

we still dont know how they do it but both Platinum and Pilot has gold nibs for what we know should be expensive but hey 50-70 USD gold nib pens... what could you ask for...

[shrujaya]

Hari, that is a fine detailed and incisive review...and lovely tempting photographs as usual...I like the no-nonsense, but meticulous approach that the makers have towards this pen...understated but effective...your review brings this up in the same understated but effective manner...good job, Hari...

 

Would this pen be available in F nib?

 

Enjoy

 

Jai

[conib]

Excellent review! That feed looks very much like the one on the Metropolitans, I bet they're interchangeable [mad scientist chuckles]..

 

Yes, it looks like it should be interchangeable, but it's not -- unfortunately.

 

As Hari notes in his review, the Custom's nib and its feed have a flattened top, and so require a shaped section hole. It just won't work in a Metro's round section hole.

 

-- Constance

[maverink]

nice review hari love the sharp pics and your commentary i have a red one with same bold nib bought for USD65 including shipping a real steal

i also got the pilot rex/colemo which retails at 4000 yen+8%tax+10usd shipping itsthe lil brother of this pen in a black with fine nib which also sports a 14k nib and is a smooth writer.

pilot makes quality stuff at a competitive price.

[Algester]

Hari, that is a fine detailed and incisive review...and lovely tempting photographs as usual...I like the no-nonsense, but meticulous approach that the makers have towards this pen...understated but effective...your review brings this up in the same understated but effective manner...good job, Hari...

 

Would this pen be available in F nib?

 

Enjoy

 

Jai

yes F M B are the nib choices

[hari317]

Thanks for the terrifically detailed and thoughtful review. I love knowing that such a pen can be had at such a nice price! I'll be in Japan this fall, and will look for this one to add to my rotation.

I think the pen should be easily available in Japan, seems to be a popular model there from my reading of various Japanese articles.

 

Excellent review! That feed looks very much like the one on the Metropolitans, I bet they're interchangeable [mad scientist chuckles]..

thanks!

 

we still dont know how they do it but both Platinum and Pilot has gold nibs for what we know should be expensive but hey 50-70 USD gold nib pens... what could you ask for...

 

the wonder of good QC and mass production.

 

Hari, that is a fine detailed and incisive review...and lovely tempting photographs as usual...I like the no-nonsense, but meticulous approach that the makers have towards this pen...understated but effective...your review brings this up in the same understated but effective manner...good job, Hari...

 

Would this pen be available in F nib?

 

Enjoy

 

Jai

Thanks Jai. Yes F is a nib choice.

 

 

Yes, it looks like it should be interchangeable, but it's not -- unfortunately.

 

As Hari notes in his review, the Custom's nib and its feed have a flattened top, and so require a shaped section hole. It just won't work in a Metro's round section hole.

 

-- Constance

 

Thanks for confirming that Constance.

 

nice review hari love the sharp pics and your commentary i have a red one with same bold nib bought for USD65 including shipping a real steal

i also got the pilot rex/colemo which retails at 4000 yen+8%tax+10usd shipping itsthe lil brother of this pen in a black with fine nib which also sports a 14k nib and is a smooth writer.

pilot makes quality stuff at a competitive price.

 

Thank you. I had no idea that a red custom was available. They don't show it even on the Pilot website. Would love to see a picture of your red custom.

 

I do have the 14k nib Celemo in Red as well as Black. Lovely pens, I will be reviewing them in the next few weeks.

 

Best

Hari

[Kuhataparunks]

So sad... The nib and feed can fit in a Metro, 78G, Prera, and a few more. I wish just the nib an feed could be bought individually

[Uncial]

I might have been seriously unlucky, but any Pilot I have bought with an F or EF nib has been horrifically scratchy. I have a number with B nibs and they are butter smooth and a real pleasure to write with. I did wonder if the Ef and F nibs have a tendency to be scratchy, but haven't heard anyone complain about it on here.

[Algester]

I might have been seriously unlucky, but any Pilot I have bought with an F or EF nib has been horrifically scratchy. I have a number with B nibs and they are butter smooth and a real pleasure to write with. I did wonder if the Ef and F nibs have a tendency to be scratchy, but haven't heard anyone complain about it on here.

I tried the F nib on a CH 91 not that scratchy but hard as a nail... I suggest get the soft versions

[sannidh]

Thanks for the excellent review Hari. I was wondering what is the "custom" model number and what's with the 'no-fuss' traditional pilot nib which is again 14k! till I went through your post.

 

I saw it here-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Fountain-Pen-PILOT-CUSTOM-FK-700R-B-Fine-14k-Nib-Brand-New-/181474595550?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a40ba92de