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Introduction The Sailor Pro Gear Slim, the Pilot Custom 74 and the Pilot Justus 95 have each been abundantly reviewed here on FPN but also by well-known online reviewers such as ThePenHabit, FigbootOnPens, etc. So if you’re not yet familiar with these pens, a quick search will get you well underway. Because of this, I will not describe in detail things like the adjustable nib of the J95. Why this comparative review, then? The PGS and the C74 may both be regarded as “affordable points of entry into serious fountain penning” while the J95 is a unique proposition at its price point and may be regarded as a possible next-level pen compared to the PGS and the C74. Perhaps this short comparative review might be of some use to those who are considering a relatively affordable gold-nibbed Japanese F. Why F? Japanese F nibs tend to write (much) more narrow lines than Western F nibs, sometimes even more narrow than Western EF. Of course, statements such as these imply that all other factors (i.e. ink, paper, the writer) remain the same. For many (including me), Japanese F might be the “lower limit” of line width that allows for a clean, precise, uncluttered look of the written text without wavering, coupled to the exquisite feel and craftsmanship that the Japanese big-3 (Sailor, Pilot, Platinum) provide with their high-quality nibs. Having said that, Japanese F’s aren’t for everyone. If a Western F is the narrowest that you’re comfortable with, then try before you buy a Japanese F. Where’s Platinum? Platinum is a well-respected, much-loved manufacturer of quality pens and Platinum’s absence in this short comparative review is purely (and merely) based on the fact that I don’t have one yet. If you’re in the market for an entry-level Japanese F, then be sure to also try a 3776 F. Dimensions, materials, construction, fit and finish These three pens feature a 14k gold nib, a plastic cap, section and barrel, a sturdy clip and all three are well-made. The threads feel smooth and well-machined, the caps post securely and seal the nibs securely, the nibs are seated snugly and all three pens come with included converters (a CON70 for the Pilots and a standard Sailor converter for the PGS). Although the materials used seem to be very similar or even identical, the feel in the hand is subtly different. This is quite subjective, but to me the C74 and the PGS have a slightly more high-end feel when you slide the pens through your fingers, whereas the J95 feels a bit more like plastic (which is probably due to the J95 being subtly engraved with a pattern whereas the PGS and the C74 are smooth). The PGS is by far the smallest of the three and might be considered a pocket pen; only those with small hands will be comfortable using the PGS unposted. The C74 and J95 are very close in terms of length. The weight difference between these three pens is subtle; all three are light and comfortable and I can hardly tell by hand which pen is the heaviest. In the pictures below, you can see a size comparison between these three pens and a few other well-known modern pens. Writing Which of these three is the most comfortable in the hand is highly personal. As said, the PGS will probably require posting. Personally, I am _extremely_ sensitive to even the tiniest differences in diameter, tapering, nib size, etc. Also, my writing hand is ‘moody’ and what I like today I may dislike tomorrow. All I can say is that these three pens fit nicely and comfortably in my hand, are light and easy to use and should not lead to cramping or squeezing during longer sessions. There are no obtrusions like sharp cap threads, ridges, etc. One thing to consider is that the length of the section is considerably larger on the J95 to allow for the nib adjustment mechanism. All three nibs are what I would call “Japanese smooth”, meaning pleasantly smooth but not glassy smooth, offering subtle yet important tactile feedback. Consistently creating nibs that produce such a narrow line while also being so smooth and tactile requires skill and is perhaps the main reason why the Japanese big-3 are held in esteem. The Sailor PGS F nib is rather rigid and not meant to be pushed. It produces a very thin line with a wonderfully subtle, soft, pencil-like feedback without any hint of tooth or roughness. The word I’d use for this nib is ‘exquisite’. The line width of the Pilot C74 F is very, very close to that of the PGS F, unless pressure is applied. The C74 nib has a bit of pleasant softness that allows for subtle line variation, although I’d like to stress that this is not a ‘flex’ pen by any stretch of the imagination. Continuously writing with pressure to obtain line variation might lead to springing the tines. The feedback of the C74 F is not as pencilly-silky as the PGS and is what I’d call ‘typical Pilot feedback’: it’s noticable, it enhances control but it does not detract at all. In a direct comparison, both the PGS and the C74 are very smooth yet the feedback of the C74 is just a little bit more verging towards tooth but not in an unpleasant way. The J95 F writes a slightly wider line than the C74 and the PGS, though with minimum pressure you can get close. The design of the adjustable nib allows you to control the ink flow and, to a lesser extent, the softness of the nib. While many video reviews present the J95 as a kind of ‘flex pen’, it is not. For those who want flex, Pilot produces the Falcon. The J95 is meant as an adjustable soft nib, no more, no less. This feature is unique at this price point, but nevertheless the J95 is significantly more expensive than both the PGS and the C74. Whether or not that is justified is entirely up to you. Ink flow is perfect in all three pens. Possible negatives In terms of construction, fit, finish and simply doing what they are supposed to do, I cannot detect any flaw in any of these three pens. The Japanese big-3 put emphasis on the nib and the writing experience, not in fancy materials and striking designs. Some (including me) are of the opinion that out-of-the-box readiness and no-fuss writing are almost guaranteed with any new Sailor, with Pilot closely behind. Possible negatives might be that Pilot and Sailor both use proprietary cartridges and converters (and Platinum as well) so you can forget about standard international. The ink volume of the Sailor converter is relatively small, but the converter always works and I’ve yet to detect ink behind the movable seal. Pilot’s CON70 is generally held in high esteem and holds quite a bit of ink, but I’ve been unlucky with them: of the four CON70’s that I’ve received with Pilot pens, only one worked. Cleaning a CON70 is rather difficult unless you use an ink syringe to thoroughly rinse the inside. Pricing and conclusion In my region of the world (Holland), the PGS is the least expensive of these three pens and can be obtained from reputable stores (i.e. with guarantee) for around 150 euros. The C74 lists slightly above that, but a bit of searching and some patience will be rewarded and the pen can be obtained for a similar price. The J95 lists for 270 to 300 euros depending on trim, but can be obtained for much less on occasions like World Fountain Pen day or Black Friday. For those willing to buy unseen and without guarantee, ordering from Japanese Ebay sellers may offer substantially lower prices. All three pens are top-quality. The PGS and C74 are exceptionally good for what they offer and personally I would recommend these two pens to anyone wishing to obtain their first gold-nibbed pen. The Sailor is much smaller and has an exquisite yet rigid nib, whereas the C74 might be of perfect size for most people and has a softer nib (albeit without the pencilly feel that Sailor is known for). The J95 is a totally unique and versatile pen which will delight those who can afford it. If I had to choose (and thankfully I don’t), then the C74 might be the one. Even on bad days, the C74 pleases my fickle and moody hand and produces legible writing, it can be used unposted, has ample ink volume, feels nice, is well-built and has a really nice nib. Personally, I’d pick the C74 over a C823 any day, but let’s not go there ;-).