Pilot 78G Medium

[collectibles114]

Pilot 78G, Medium Nib

I wanted a pen that was inexpensive and consistent each time I used it—one I could take with me in my pocket or backpack and not be too worried about losing at school or work. I purchased this pen on eBay from "ssquare_gifts", $9.97 + $3.50 shipping. About five days later, a package arrived from Tokyo. I gotta admit, that's the fastest I've ever received a pen from Japan!

Call me OCD, but I appreciated the packaging that the seller put together—most inexpensive pens I get from Asia are usually wrapped in newspaper or cheap plastic sealant and that's about as much protection as they'll get. I could tell the seller paid attention to the shipping, which I take note of as an eBay seller myself. : )

http://i.imgur.com/cSnl54P.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/egHZj8l.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/NILkHw6.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/63zOg6D.jpg

 

As you can see, it came with a box of 5 Namiki Blue ink cartridges. : )

 

 

Okay... now on to the pen...

 

 

Appearance & Design

I really like the appearance of the 78G; it's simple yet looks like it cost more than I paid. I do wish it came with a chrome finish though—I tend to like chrome over gold on many pens, especially if they are not with real gold plating.

 

 

Construction & Quality

There are no marks or scuffs on the clip, the barrel is a nice smooth plastic finish, and the cap screws securely in place. The threads are not sharp to touch, and the grip section is quite comfortable. This pen is $13 including shipping. I think that its quality far exceeds the price—in my opinion, it shows the same construction quality as that of my Safari, which I got for $35 (almost three times the price of this 78G).

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/sWWrZHp.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MJn94Lh.jpg

 

 

Weight

I purchased this pen over other Chinese fountain pens specifically because of its weight. Given that I needed something to take with me and use for long periods of writing notes, I wanted a pen that wouldn't be heavy or uncomfortable to hold. The Pilot 78G achieves just that. It is lightweight and comfortable without feeling like it will break easily if I accidentally dropped it. Also, the screw-on cap gives me some assurance that it won't come off in my pocket (as opposed to the Jinhao 599 that I've been using for a while now, which opened in my pocket and marked my pants with ink).

 

I don't usually post my pens, but I do for this one. Unposted it feels just a little too light—however, with the cap on it feels well-balanced.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/vBw1SLc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EzNFW5Z.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FJDj94z.jpg

 

 

Nib & Performance

Out of the box, this pen started writing immediately. After I flushed the pen to rid any oils, I wrote the reviews below (there are three papers used: Rhodia graph pad (21.3 lb), copy paper (20 lb), & drawing paper (70 lb). The nib wrote smoothly on all of the papers I used, especially on Rhodia (go figure). It does write a little dry, which I think is the result of the skipping that you'll see in the pictures. There is a hint of feedback but it is in no way unpleasant; I think once I adjust the nib to make it more wet, the skipping will go away and the feedback will decrease as well.

 

Regardless, the nib is very pleasant to use and is quite impressive for the price! I've found that Pilot continues to produce consistent nibs that far exceed their price point (I have a Metropolitan - M, Crystal - F, TOW - F, and Custom Heritage 91 - SM).

 

Along with the gold trim, I also don't like the gold nib appearance. Given that it is a stainless steel medium (which writes more like a Western fine, characteristic of Asian nibs) I would much rather have a silver nib over a fake gold one. Again, it's just my own preference.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/uKjen2q.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MM5ZAyG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GoiEbiX.jpg

 

 

Filling System & Maintenance

I seem to read a lot of people disliking the Pilot squeeze fillers—I actually like it (especially over the CON-20, which costs more but holds less ink). This pen comes with a squeeze converter, which is pretty awesome! Again, my Safari required that I purchase one separately, which added $7 to the cost (so it really is over 3Xs the cost of this pen!).

 

 

Cost & Value

By now you should already know what I think about this. This pen is a steal, hands down. Really glad I purchased it!

 

 

Conclusion

After adjusting the feed, I have a wetter pen that writes very smoothly and is light enough for long periods of writing. I don't regret purchasing this pen at all and would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering buying their first fountain pen or just wants to add to their Pilot collection (alongside a Metropolitan if they wanted something a little heavier).

• Side comment: this is my first review, so I'm sure there are plenty of things I left out or didn't explain as well as others could have. I totally welcome your feedback and critique about the pen or the way I set up my review.

 

Thanks for reading this!

[Cryptos]

Cool. I have a couple of 78Gs in fine, and another in broad. Really should have got one of each. Not to worry.

 

Incidentally, your package came from Hong Kong... that's not in Japan!

[collectibles114]

Cool. I have a couple of 78Gs in fine, and another in broad. Really should have got one of each. Not to worry.

 

Incidentally, your package came from Hong Kong... that's not in Japan!

Haha, my mistake! Thanks for pointing that out—it did in fact come from Hong Kong. I should probably double check the postage next time.

[Scribblesoften]

This is a very nice first review. The Pilot 78g is pretty much the ultimate school pen, in my view.

[MKeith]

Nice review. I have four in medium and fine and they have never failed to write well. These pens are hard to beat for the price. An added benefit of these nibs is that they will interchange in Pilot Metropolitans.

Edited October 30, 2014 by MKeith

[collectibles114]

This is a very nice first review. The Pilot 78g is pretty much the ultimate school pen, in my view.

 

Thank you, Scribblesoften!

 

 

Nice review. I have four in medium and fine and they have never failed to write well. These pens are hard to beat for the price. An added benefit of these nibs is that they will interchange in Pilot Metropolitans.

 

Thanks, MKeith. I have read that you can change the nibs, which is quite nice. It would be awesome it Pilot sold their nibs separately as well with other nib options!

[MKeith]

 

Thank you, Scribblesoften!

 

 

 

Thanks, MKeith. I have read that you can change the nibs, which is quite nice. It would be awesome it Pilot sold their nibs separately as well with other nib options!

 

Actually, if you don't have to have a gold colored nib, the nib and feed from a Pilot Plumix will also fit giving you a 1mm italic nib. At roughly $8.00-$10.00 the Plumix is pretty cheap and you even get a free Pilot cartridge.

[Cryptos]

How does the Plumix stub compare with the 78G broad?

[Blackhorse]

I have two 78G's, both with stub nibs...1.1mm I believe. They are among the best writers I own, great fun and an amazing value. Excellent review BTW!

[arcadeflow]

I love mine too, I got one of each color. It is not the perfect pen for all situations (I prefer the Prera as a pocket/notes/work pen), but it is pretty reliable. My only gripe against Pilot is that they usually don't work well with just any ink. I don't know if cutting the feed deeper fixes this. I am now kind of wanting a good and cheap non-Pilot pen so I can use the inks that don't work well in my Pilots.

[SujiCorp12345]

Nice review. The 78G was one of my first fountain pens, but it feels too light for me now.

[Scribblesoften]

How does the Plumix stub compare with the 78G broad?

The Goulet site lists the Plumix nib width as, "about 1mm." I remember it being quite a bit finer than the 78G. I no longer have a Plumix so cannot do a direct comparison.

[jmccarty3]

Out of ignorance, I paid way too much (I won't say to whom) for a fine nib 78G at the Dallas Pen Show. It is an outstanding XXF pen, however, and I'm not sorry I bought it.

[Kuhataparunks]

Out of ignorance, I paid way too much (I won't say to whom) for a fine nib 78G at the Dallas Pen Show. It is an outstanding XXF pen, however, and I'm not sorry I bought it.

I'm curious who?

 

I saw one stand that was selling a new Pilot Knight for $20. Yes, I really regret not picking one up!!

[Art]

Very nice review. The 78G is a really nice pen. Just received one last week with a B stub nib, and I really like it. I'm planning to purchase a few more with the B nib in a few weeks. If I wasn't already a fan, your review would have sent me in search of one.

[jmccarty3]

I'm curious who?

 

I saw one stand that was selling a new Pilot Knight for $20. Yes, I really regret not picking one up!!

I'm sure anyone who attends the pen shows knows this vendor. I was quite surprised when I found out the retail price of a 78G. I thought I was buying a pen that had an unusually fine, possibly custom-ground nib, and ended up paying about 10 times what it was worth. At least I have a very fine pen, and I intend to buy a supply of them on eBay to give away to friends who exhibit an interest in fountain pens. Live and learn.

[lahlahlaw]

Nice thorough review with excellent photos!

[TheRealScubaSteve]

• Side comment: this is my first review, so I'm sure there are plenty of things I left out or didn't explain as well as others could have. I totally welcome your feedback and critique about the pen or the way I set up my review.

 

Thanks for reading this!

 

I thought your review was very thorough. I am left with one question, though: how does the pen write in reverse? I have a strange obsession for smoothing the nibs so that they can be used this way for a finer line. I have found some pens and nibs to refuse to write in reverse even if smooth.

 

I'm sure anyone who attends the pen shows knows this vendor. I was quite surprised when I found out the retail price of a 78G. I thought I was buying a pen that had an unusually fine, possibly custom-ground nib, and ended up paying about 10 times what it was worth. At least I have a very fine pen, and I intend to buy a supply of them on eBay to give away to friends who exhibit an interest in fountain pens. Live and learn.

 

That is a shame. Sellers with low moral standards tend to sour the rest in any hobby. I've never been to a pen show before, but I'll be sure to do my homework (and bring my smartphone for price checking) when I do.

[collectibles114]

I thought your review was very thorough. I am left with one question, though: how does the pen write in reverse? I have a strange obsession for smoothing the nibs so that they can be used this way for a finer line. I have found some pens and nibs to refuse to write in reverse even if smooth.

 

 

That is a shame. Sellers with low moral standards tend to sour the rest in any hobby. I've never been to a pen show before, but I'll be sure to do my homework (and bring my smartphone for price checking) when I do.

So sorry to get back to you so late; I've been pretty busy with school!

 

Here's picture of writing in reverse—unfortunately, it doesn't write (as you can see)...

 

 

Edited November 17, 2014 by collectibles114

[collectibles114]

Btw y'all, I have recently been cleaning out my FP collection to make room for some other pens. I am selling a grip of pens that have only been used once and are in really great condition (almost all are like new) at a discounted bundled price.

 

You can see it on my profile on eBay: http://ebay.com/usr/collectibles114

 

Feel free to message me if you have any questions. : )

 

Also, thanks for checking out my review and for all your feedback, it is much appreciated!

Edited November 17, 2014 by collectibles114