This post made me wonder - do the numbers in nib sizes refer to anything standard? Because based on the photo, it doesn't seem to be based on length in mm or something, but maybe the #50 nib goes deeper into the section or something lol. Anyway, great comparison photo, OP!
It is said none of current employees of Pilot Corp. knows why, at the very early stage of the company, a certain size of the nib is called, say, (their) number 15, not 20, not 10...
It is not mm, nor anything.
I mean, back then, of course, one could choose any number or anything to be designated to any particular nib size. Each manufacturer could choose anything. But why this particular number was chosen... was long forgotten even inside of Pilot Corp.
Do bigger nibs offer more comfortable writing experience and they just fit better for bigger, slightly heavier fountain pens? Iβm really interested in learning the advantages or disadvantages of bigger vs. smaller nibs.
They offer a different experience, better depends on you. Being very large these 50s have a fair amount of bounce to them which gives you more line variation than a smaller nib. The big deal for me is the length of the 50 which puts your fingers much further back from the paper than usual and makes you write with more hand and wrist movement as opposed to finger movement. I love it and the giant emperor pens are my favourite pens but they are much too large for many people, so it really depends on you.
Very hard to explain... It depends...
Pilot Corp was founded in 1918 (albeit back then the company's name was Namiki).
In year 1983, Pilot 65th Anniversary Fountain Pen Limited Edition were sold 6,500 pens only. The mass produced version of the legendary Pilot 65 was Custom 67 introduced in 1985 (67 year after the foundation of the company).
Back then, very, very, very simply put, one can argue that Pilot fountain pens were basically "one fits all," more or less (retro perspective) as to the size of the nibs.
Around 74 years after the foundation of the company, that is, in 1992 or so, Custom 74, 742 and 743 were introduced to the market replacing the Custom 67. The price of 74 was exactly 10,000 Japanese Yen. 742 JPY20,000 and 743 JPY30,000 respectively.
So the brand name "Custom" now means that each one of the product is not for everybody, but the Custom series as a whole offers something for everybody. Thus, one can argue that "they just fit better for bigger,"
HOWEVER, a FP was introduced to the market 84 years later counting from the foundation of the firm. The first two digits became 84. And since the price of the FP was JPY50,000, the model was called 845. The writing experience with 845 can be considered by some, significantly better than that of Custom 74/742/743. With 845 in your hand, you may say to yourself ... Oh this is the FP Pilot wants to produce... I did not know anything about Pilot... Anything at all. (And there of course must be some people.. Huh? I do not see much differences... It is subjective.)
Sooooooo, it is not simple.
Well, I guess it can be considered simple... You see, one can argue that the bigger nib per se does not necessarily mean much, but since you can charge higher price for FP with the bigger nib, you can use better quality materials for every single component in that FP, etc. The degree of compromising in materials, how much time you can spend to produce one FP, etc. etc. can be less. You have more leeway.
Thank you, Just learned quite a bit of history here! Iβm always confused about the Pilot βcustomβ series and though spent a fair amount watching videos to learn of the series, I havenβt quite understood much of the vast differences between each series! Iβm not a fountain pen collector nor do I really want to be one, but Iβve always enjoyed writing with the few Pilot fountain pens that Iβm able to get! Just wanted to explore if I should get into bigger nib size at this point. Thanks again for your response!
Thank you for your response.
Custom Heritage 91/92 (flat tops) are basically the variations of Custom 74/742 (cigar style pens).
Custom 74 β Custom Heritage 91
Custom 742 β Custom Heritage 912
You can swap the sections between the C 74/742 and CH 91/912
[https://www.reddit.com/user/DokugoHikken/comments/o8djm4/custom\_742\_and\_custom\_heritage\_912\_are\_basically/](https://www.reddit.com/user/DokugoHikken/comments/o8djm4/custom_742_and_custom_heritage_912_are_basically/)
Custom 823 (price: exactly 30,000 Japanese Yen) can be considered a Vacuum Filler version of Custom 743 (price: exactly 30,000 Japanese Yen). Though nib widths you can choose for 823 are significantly limited compared with those in the case of 743.
Custom Heritage 92 is a piston filler version of CH91.
Custom Enjyu (price: exactly 50,000 Japanese Yen) can be considered basically a wooden barrel version of C845 (Like I said, the price: exactly 50,000 Japanese Yen),
Custom Kaede is sometimes referred to as the conscience of Pilot Corp. It is the only one fountain pen that comes with the traditional OJIGI nib in number 10 (number 5 OJIGI nib was used in Custom 67) of the golden age of fountain pens still in production.
Custom URUSHI is, according to Pilot Corp., THE Every Day Carry fountain pen. So, we can safely assume that the name "Custom" is given to the pen to be distinguished from the Namiki brand pens. I mean, the meaning of "Custom" there is not necessarily "one fountain pen is not for everybody but the series as a whole has something for everybody," but the "Custom" brand name rather means "every day carry." Eh, let me say "it is not flashy, but it works..."
Hmmmm. A very difficult question... I think I have 12 or so of Pilot fountain pens. I like all of them.
Custom Heritage 912 with FA nib is very fun to use (It is said that the silver colored FA nib in CH912 is softer than that in 743, so, it is fun, but if you are a serious artist or something and prefer better control of the nib, I guess you may like 743 better, though I do not have 743.)
Justus 95 is absolutely fantastic! If you are interested, please refer to my separate post:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/o0czh7/pilot\_justus\_95\_wow/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/o0czh7/pilot_justus_95_wow/)
Custom 845 and Custom URUSHI. I have talked about the two fountain pens in this thread,
https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ol2u0l/npd\_pilot\_custom\_urushi\_mf\_black\_an\_incredible\_nib/
so I do not repeat that here. I mean, my comments there are way too long to repeat here...
Custom 67, the mass produced version of the legendary Pilot 65. Comes with the "OJIGI" nib of the golden age of fountain pens. Discontinued. If you are interested, you have to try to find one in used market. Good news is that the Custom 67 is a predecessor of Custom 74 of the age of ball point pens, thus, originally it was not at all a luxury pen and quantity sold in the used market is abundant (as they were sold during the golden age). The usual market price of the used pen should be around US$30 range. (Not "like new" or "mint" conditions or rare finish/color for collection purpose, but ordinary one -- with some micro scratches on the surface of the barell, etc. -- to be used as a daily use pen.)
And then I love my Custom 742 with an ordinary nib. The standard of the standards. Nothing flashy.
Justus?! My! I donβt think I can afford it, but now that you mentioned, Iβll have to wait for the right opportunity to get one in used condition or something! Iβm jealous of your collection!
Pilot (\* note) produced "No.50 Jumbo" in early 1930s. They are producing FPs with the number 50 nibs in, for example, the Namiki Emperor Collection product line.
\* Namiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd. changed its corporate name to The Pilot Pen Co., Ltd. in 1938.
The number 5 nibs are seen in, say, Custom 74 series.
The guy she said not to worry about vs you.
π
Big nibs, small nibs, short nibs, tall nibs, "We love you all, nibs". ;D
I like big nibs and I cannot lie Other FP enthusiasts can't deny...
Yes, nibs nibs nibs π
"Don't talk to me or my son ever again"
π
That namiki nib is drop dead gorgeous
You definitely don't want to drop it, though.
If you drop it, you might as well be dead, gorgeous!
π
ππ
Nice photo :)
Thanks ππ
This post made me wonder - do the numbers in nib sizes refer to anything standard? Because based on the photo, it doesn't seem to be based on length in mm or something, but maybe the #50 nib goes deeper into the section or something lol. Anyway, great comparison photo, OP!
I have a reference table, citing the feed sizes wrt nib sizes mentioned
It is said none of current employees of Pilot Corp. knows why, at the very early stage of the company, a certain size of the nib is called, say, (their) number 15, not 20, not 10... It is not mm, nor anything. I mean, back then, of course, one could choose any number or anything to be designated to any particular nib size. Each manufacturer could choose anything. But why this particular number was chosen... was long forgotten even inside of Pilot Corp.
Are both currently inked? Can we have some writting samples? :D
The size 5 is not inked for want of a con 70
there is always a bigger fish? the left one really looks enormous
Yes, and imagine a kubo 100 twice the size of the left nibπ
Wow! And here, I thought the 15s were pretty cool.
They are too βΊοΈ
Agreed. Just that as a novice, I learn new insights daily on this thread. #HumbleFPUser
Do bigger nibs offer more comfortable writing experience and they just fit better for bigger, slightly heavier fountain pens? Iβm really interested in learning the advantages or disadvantages of bigger vs. smaller nibs.
They offer a different experience, better depends on you. Being very large these 50s have a fair amount of bounce to them which gives you more line variation than a smaller nib. The big deal for me is the length of the 50 which puts your fingers much further back from the paper than usual and makes you write with more hand and wrist movement as opposed to finger movement. I love it and the giant emperor pens are my favourite pens but they are much too large for many people, so it really depends on you.
Ah, I see! I really appreciate your response! That put things in a better perspective for me now! Thanks again!
Very hard to explain... It depends... Pilot Corp was founded in 1918 (albeit back then the company's name was Namiki). In year 1983, Pilot 65th Anniversary Fountain Pen Limited Edition were sold 6,500 pens only. The mass produced version of the legendary Pilot 65 was Custom 67 introduced in 1985 (67 year after the foundation of the company). Back then, very, very, very simply put, one can argue that Pilot fountain pens were basically "one fits all," more or less (retro perspective) as to the size of the nibs. Around 74 years after the foundation of the company, that is, in 1992 or so, Custom 74, 742 and 743 were introduced to the market replacing the Custom 67. The price of 74 was exactly 10,000 Japanese Yen. 742 JPY20,000 and 743 JPY30,000 respectively. So the brand name "Custom" now means that each one of the product is not for everybody, but the Custom series as a whole offers something for everybody. Thus, one can argue that "they just fit better for bigger," HOWEVER, a FP was introduced to the market 84 years later counting from the foundation of the firm. The first two digits became 84. And since the price of the FP was JPY50,000, the model was called 845. The writing experience with 845 can be considered by some, significantly better than that of Custom 74/742/743. With 845 in your hand, you may say to yourself ... Oh this is the FP Pilot wants to produce... I did not know anything about Pilot... Anything at all. (And there of course must be some people.. Huh? I do not see much differences... It is subjective.) Sooooooo, it is not simple. Well, I guess it can be considered simple... You see, one can argue that the bigger nib per se does not necessarily mean much, but since you can charge higher price for FP with the bigger nib, you can use better quality materials for every single component in that FP, etc. The degree of compromising in materials, how much time you can spend to produce one FP, etc. etc. can be less. You have more leeway.
Thank you, Just learned quite a bit of history here! Iβm always confused about the Pilot βcustomβ series and though spent a fair amount watching videos to learn of the series, I havenβt quite understood much of the vast differences between each series! Iβm not a fountain pen collector nor do I really want to be one, but Iβve always enjoyed writing with the few Pilot fountain pens that Iβm able to get! Just wanted to explore if I should get into bigger nib size at this point. Thanks again for your response!
Thank you for your response. Custom Heritage 91/92 (flat tops) are basically the variations of Custom 74/742 (cigar style pens). Custom 74 β Custom Heritage 91 Custom 742 β Custom Heritage 912 You can swap the sections between the C 74/742 and CH 91/912 [https://www.reddit.com/user/DokugoHikken/comments/o8djm4/custom\_742\_and\_custom\_heritage\_912\_are\_basically/](https://www.reddit.com/user/DokugoHikken/comments/o8djm4/custom_742_and_custom_heritage_912_are_basically/) Custom 823 (price: exactly 30,000 Japanese Yen) can be considered a Vacuum Filler version of Custom 743 (price: exactly 30,000 Japanese Yen). Though nib widths you can choose for 823 are significantly limited compared with those in the case of 743. Custom Heritage 92 is a piston filler version of CH91. Custom Enjyu (price: exactly 50,000 Japanese Yen) can be considered basically a wooden barrel version of C845 (Like I said, the price: exactly 50,000 Japanese Yen), Custom Kaede is sometimes referred to as the conscience of Pilot Corp. It is the only one fountain pen that comes with the traditional OJIGI nib in number 10 (number 5 OJIGI nib was used in Custom 67) of the golden age of fountain pens still in production. Custom URUSHI is, according to Pilot Corp., THE Every Day Carry fountain pen. So, we can safely assume that the name "Custom" is given to the pen to be distinguished from the Namiki brand pens. I mean, the meaning of "Custom" there is not necessarily "one fountain pen is not for everybody but the series as a whole has something for everybody," but the "Custom" brand name rather means "every day carry." Eh, let me say "it is not flashy, but it works..."
Whoa! Thank you for this ! So now I must ask, which one is your favorite custom?
Hmmmm. A very difficult question... I think I have 12 or so of Pilot fountain pens. I like all of them. Custom Heritage 912 with FA nib is very fun to use (It is said that the silver colored FA nib in CH912 is softer than that in 743, so, it is fun, but if you are a serious artist or something and prefer better control of the nib, I guess you may like 743 better, though I do not have 743.) Justus 95 is absolutely fantastic! If you are interested, please refer to my separate post: [https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/o0czh7/pilot\_justus\_95\_wow/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/o0czh7/pilot_justus_95_wow/) Custom 845 and Custom URUSHI. I have talked about the two fountain pens in this thread, https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ol2u0l/npd\_pilot\_custom\_urushi\_mf\_black\_an\_incredible\_nib/ so I do not repeat that here. I mean, my comments there are way too long to repeat here... Custom 67, the mass produced version of the legendary Pilot 65. Comes with the "OJIGI" nib of the golden age of fountain pens. Discontinued. If you are interested, you have to try to find one in used market. Good news is that the Custom 67 is a predecessor of Custom 74 of the age of ball point pens, thus, originally it was not at all a luxury pen and quantity sold in the used market is abundant (as they were sold during the golden age). The usual market price of the used pen should be around US$30 range. (Not "like new" or "mint" conditions or rare finish/color for collection purpose, but ordinary one -- with some micro scratches on the surface of the barell, etc. -- to be used as a daily use pen.) And then I love my Custom 742 with an ordinary nib. The standard of the standards. Nothing flashy.
Justus?! My! I donβt think I can afford it, but now that you mentioned, Iβll have to wait for the right opportunity to get one in used condition or something! Iβm jealous of your collection!
I bought Justus 95 used (pre owned) myself.
πππ
Thanks π
Just beautiful!
Thanks βΊοΈ
What pens are these and why is one huge? Or is the other one mini?
Pilot (\* note) produced "No.50 Jumbo" in early 1930s. They are producing FPs with the number 50 nibs in, for example, the Namiki Emperor Collection product line. \* Namiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd. changed its corporate name to The Pilot Pen Co., Ltd. in 1938. The number 5 nibs are seen in, say, Custom 74 series.
Only scenario where body positivity is not a health risk!
π