Pilot Custom Heritage 92

[Sallent]

Here's both of my Pilot Custom 92 along with my Pelikan M205.

 

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h206/sallentlaw/WP_20140416_09_35_06_Smart_zpsb95bff9b.jpg

[Newjelan]

I have the clear demo with a M nib. I've only had it for a week and we have fallen totally in love. I didn't know it came in Orange and, given Orange is my favourite colour, I simply MUST have one.

[Sallent]

I have the clear demo with a M nib. I've only had it for a week and we have fallen totally in love. I didn't know it came in Orange and, given Orange is my favourite colour, I simply MUST have one.

 

They come in clear, blue, orange, and smoke. The orange and the clear are my favorite colors, though I really want to get the other colors too, but before that I want to get the Custom 823

[Newjelan]

They come in clear, blue, orange, and smoke. The orange and the clear are my favorite colors, though I really want to get the other colors too, but before that I want to get the Custom 823

I have the Custom 823 in Amber B and it's the reason I'm now on a Pilot Quest - recently bought a VP (love it) and a Falcon (nice). Now I want an 823 in Smoke M and all the 92s.

[LotusFlowers13w39]

I think that the performance depends on other factors too:

* the writer (person) who is handling the pen.

* air condition of the environment.

* etc.

 

I disagree with the term "cheap paper." I think that superior-quality paper can be cheap also. It depends on how the for-profit paper company regulates their prices.

[lehrer07]

I am definitely going to get a Pilot 92 after reading this, I’m just not sure what color…

[Newjelan]

I am definitely going to get a Pilot 92 after reading this, I’m just not sure what color…

Do what I did - I couldn't choose so I bought all 4 colours and I'm so glad it did.

[sannidh]

Oops after checking this post, I am again inclined towards a fine-nib version in orange.

 

Though my Medium - blue which is much rarely used is butter smooth on the nib's side on even a okay paper (had reviewed it when I got it as below )

http://iwonder-thecartographer.blogspot.in/2014/03/pilot-custom-heritage-92-fountain-pen.html

 

Generally speaking, how smooth are the fine nibs (Rhodiated #5) for this version?

[maverink]

@soniknitr i have both the custom 92 and custom 74 clear demonstrator version with F nib. i got my custom 92 before i bought my custom74 as i was keen on a piston fill mechanism and couldn't lay my hands on a pelikan M400 in Mumbai.

if i were to choose between the two pens today i would buy the custom74 clear demo with F nib and save 5000 yen.

you get the 74 demo in clear,orange, blue, smoke colours

[sannidh]

@soniknitr i have both the custom 92 and custom 74 clear demonstrator version with F nib. i got my custom 92 before i bought my custom74 as i was keen on a piston fill mechanism and couldn't lay my hands on a pelikan M400 in Mumbai.

if i were to choose between the two pens today i would buy the custom74 clear demo with F nib and save 5000 yen.

you get the 74 demo in clear,orange, blue, smoke colours

 

Thanks maverink.. I wanted to get hold of a custom 74 in blue color, however the Japanese sellers do not have anything other than a clear version available with them.

They reply back that it's only meant for the US market and not available in Japan. (I would readily take the C74 as it's my favourite)

 

PS - Hope to have your tortoise review soon

Edited September 28, 2014 by soniknitr

[maverink]

hmm didnt know the colored demonstrator versions are for US market only, listing must have meant the solid blue colour 74 then

still waiting to get my hands on the tortoise

[malang]

Thanks for this review, and thanks all for the helpful comments, especially Nichalosyeo for how to dismantle the filling mechanism from the pen. I think that I agree with many others in terms of this pen is quite steep in price for what you get. I'm wanting to pull the trigger on a Twisbi 580AL but I'm concerned about cracking. I might end up getting one anyway as I like the design and functionality over other piston fillers, plus I personally think it's the best looking affordable demonstrstor out there. Also in Australia the Pelikans cost way more than the Pilots.

 

Regarding the Pilot pens, having seen your review I'm now thinking that a Pilot Custom 74 might he the better option for me for the following reasons:

 

PRICE (bay of fleas, including shipping)

 

Pilot Custom Heritage 92 - $170 AUD

Pilot Custom 74 - $118 AUD

(For Comparison Twisbi 580AL comes in at around $100 AUD)

 

CONVENIENCE

 

The 74 comes with a Con-70 which per your review, whilst holding 0.1 ml less ink is easier to dissasemble and clean.

 

WHAT WOULD TIP THE SCALES IN FAVOUR OF THE 92?

 

If they came with a dissasembly tool for the filling mechanism, I would choose the 92 over Pilot's other models and the competition. However the price would need to be closer to around $140ish AUD. Why get the 92 for 170 when I could get 2 Twisbi 580AL's for the same price? If one cracks I've got a backup. If they both do, from all accounts Twisbi warranty is very pleasant to deal with. Or I could get 4 Pilot Preras. Unfair comparison perhaps due to variations in quality but really there are other pens which are cheaper and for me more appealing due to ease of cleaning.

 

CONCLUSION

 

In summing up I wish there were more piston operated demonstrator options on the market. One I didn't mention was the Noodler's Ahab which has a push piston mechanism, but it's off my list due to the price when buying from Australia. It's something like $50 AUD delivered whereas its retailing for around $27 AUD in the USA, and I don't like the push mechanism. Also I have no experience with flex nibs and don't know of I could use it for everyday writing. I would only get one to convert to eyedropper, and would probably get 2 in that case as they hold about 6.1 ml of ink in eyedropper form so they would be perfect come exam time.

 

Cheers all and thanks again for the review, and to all for their insights and helpful comments on this pen.

Edited May 9, 2016 by dauodwa

[Mr.Rene]

Anybody knows if the nib point is screwed on like Pelikan´s or friction fit?

Regards

[sannidh]

Anybody knows if the nib point is screwed on like Pelikan´s or friction fit?

Regards

They are friction-fit in CH92 as well as others, Mr.Rene. I am yet to see a pilot with a screw-fit nib.

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/soniknitr/IMG_4660_zpszeqvmvkq.jpg

Edited July 2, 2016 by sannidh

[Mr.Rene]

Hi Sannidh..

strange thing...I can see a thread inside the section in transparent Heritage 92 models...

Why is this thread there ?

In fact your photo shows it !!

Regards,

René.

Edited July 2, 2016 by Mr.Rene

[Algester]

the nib unit is threaded that is including the collar I have made a total disassembly of a CH91 so did our good doctor sbrebrown

I wouldnt normally consider doing it normally though as your left with a fragile thin section as the collar is considerable the bulk of the section's plastic

[David R Munson]

I have a 92 I've been using heavily pretty much daily for about 18 months now. I'm primarily a teacher, and primarily teach one-on-one lessons. During these lessons, I make lesson notes as I go, and the amount varies from one class to another, but the upshot is that I spend 8-10 hours a day at least with a pen in my hand. Almost universally since I got it, my 92 has been *the* pen in the hand. The whole reason I'm writing this is that it has been an exceptionally good pen for me. It writes smoothly and readily (M nib), pretty much never dries out, has gotten along with every ink I've put in it, and after a year and a half of not being remotely babied, it still looks great.

 

I originally bought it as a replacement for a lost Lamy 2000, and while I admit it isn't as sexy as the Lamy design-wise, it has otherwise matched or exceeded the it in all areas.

 

I don't have the budget to buy many good pens, especially on appearance alone. I'm a function-centric user. If it doesn't write well, if it breaks easily, etc: not the pen for me. The Pilot Custom Heritage 92, however, clearly is a pen for me. It holds a lot of ink, it is functionally invisible in my hand as I write, I like the way it looks, and it has proven to be a good value at about ¥12,000 in November, 2015. I've put about 5 bottles of ink through it, and it just keeps getting better. It's not perfect, but damned if this isn't the best pen I've ever owned, all-considered.

[doggonecarl]

I have a 92 I've been using heavily pretty much daily for about 18 months now...

...It's not perfect, but damned if this isn't the best pen I've ever owned, all-considered.

 

Exactly my hope when I ordered the Custom 92. A great writing, every-day work-horse-of-a-pen.

[overwriter]

Thank you for the review. I think the truth comes in the useage. Comparing it to a TWSBI is not really fair. My '92 has had a few years of hard use and has held up beautifully. I have had 2 TWSBI's, a Vac 700 and an Eco. Both have cracked under far less use. Though TWSBI has been outstanding in providing replacement parts for free that is small compensation for a pen that has dumped it's ink load at the worst possible time and place(Murphy's Law). When the 700 cracked a 2nd time I binned it. I still have the Eco and I really like it but it now stays at home.

 

The '92 still goes to work.

[EHV]

I absolutely love my 92 as well but I really felt the need to respond with your quote because this is the true test of any pen. We all love reviews and long term reviews are even better but getting a review or notes like this from someone that used a pen *this* extensively and can report back mostly or only positive comments is just gold IMO and by far the best endorsement of a pen or any product.

Thanks very much!

I have a 92 I've been using heavily pretty much daily for about 18 months now. I'm primarily a teacher, and primarily teach one-on-one lessons. During these lessons, I make lesson notes as I go, and the amount varies from one class to another, but the upshot is that I spend 8-10 hours a day at least with a pen in my hand. Almost universally since I got it, my 92 has been *the* pen in the hand. The whole reason I'm writing this is that it has been an exceptionally good pen for me. It writes smoothly and readily (M nib), pretty much never dries out, has gotten along with every ink I've put in it, and after a year and a half of not being remotely babied, it still looks great.

 

I originally bought it as a replacement for a lost Lamy 2000, and while I admit it isn't as sexy as the Lamy design-wise, it has otherwise matched or exceeded the it in all areas.

 

I don't have the budget to buy many good pens, especially on appearance alone. I'm a function-centric user. If it doesn't write well, if it breaks easily, etc: not the pen for me. The Pilot Custom Heritage 92, however, clearly is a pen for me. It holds a lot of ink, it is functionally invisible in my hand as I write, I like the way it looks, and it has proven to be a good value at about ¥12,000 in November, 2015. I've put about 5 bottles of ink through it, and it just keeps getting better. It's not perfect, but damned if this isn't the best pen I've ever owned, all-considered.