Pilot Fountain Pen Custom 742 (FA, nib LUIBAN checked)

The Pilot Custom 742 with FA nib bears the designation „Falcon” – and that perfectly describes the construction: a 14-karat gold nib size #10 with lateral cutouts stamped into its flanks that deliberately make the metal softer and more responsive. The result is a nib that responds to pressure changes with noticeable line variation while maintaining the controlled precision of a modern gold nib fountain pen. The body and cap are made of matte black resin with gold accents – classic cigar shape, screw cap, well-balanced weight.

Special Features

• FA nib in 14-karat gold (size #10) with lateral cutouts: The milled cutouts on both nib tines deliberately reduce the stiffness of the gold material – similar to a quill that responds to pull. This allows line variation through pressure control on downstrokes without the nib being permanently bent.
• Semi-flexible characteristic: Pilot describes the FA nib as „soft”, not as a flex nib in the classical sense. Line variation is created through light to moderate pressure – the nib tines spread gently but reliably return to their original position.
• Plastic ink channel, matching nib geometry: The ink channel is tailored to the narrower FA nib shape and ensures consistent ink flow even with light nib pressure. For intensive flexing, a well-flowing, wet-writing ink system is recommended.
• Screw cap made of resin: A tight seal that prevents the nib from drying out even during longer writing breaks.
• Cartridge/converter filling system: Compatible with Pilot cartridges and the included CON-70 pump converter – a converter with comparatively large ink volume.
• Gold accents, black resin body: The clip sits securely, the cap ring bears a subtle engraving. The surface is smooth and cool to the touch.
• Made in Japan.

Application & Tips

• Calligraphy and expressive handwriting: The FA nib is particularly suitable for scripts where downstrokes should be emphasized – such as Copperplate, Spencerian, or modern brush lettering variations with a fountain pen. Cross-strokes remain thin, downstrokes become wider with light additional pressure.
• Nib guidance with pull, not pressure: Line variation occurs when pulling the nib across the paper (downstrokes), not when pushing sideways. If you push the nib or guide it sideways, you lose the variation and risk light scratching – especially for left-handers in overwriting position.
• Paper selection: Smooth, ink-resistant paper with little texture supports the fine lines of the FA nib and reduces resistance when flexing. Highly absorbent paper can strain ink flow when the nib tines are spread.
• Ink: Pilot's own inks are matched to the Custom 742's ink channel and flow reliably even with moderate nib pressure. Wetter, well-flowing inks reduce the risk of „railroading” (ink skipping when flexing). Non-permanent, water-based Pilot inks don't dry quickly in the converter.
• Break-in period: The FA nib responds to very light pressure – if you've previously written with a rigid nib, you'll need some time to calibrate pressure control. Recommendation: initially write without flexing to become familiar with the basic feel of the nib.
• Cap on, not posted: The Custom 742 is already well-balanced without the cap on. With the cap posted, it becomes noticeably longer and front-heavy – for longer writing sessions it's more comfortable without the cap.

For Calligraphy Enthusiasts

The FA nib of the Custom 742 is technically a different construction than the curved nib of the Namiki Falcon model: it lies flat without the beak-like bend, but carries the characteristic lateral cutouts that deliberately relieve the 14-karat gold. These cutouts reduce the metal mass at the critical bending points of the nib tines – with a gold nib, the effect is significantly more pronounced compared to steel nib variants of the same principle. Pilot itself does not classify the nib as a flex nib but rather as a „soft nib” with line variation through pressure. In practice, this means: controlled, reproducible variation in the semi-flexible range, no „wet noodle” behavior like optimized vintage nibs. Those planning intensive flexing benefit from an aftermarket ebonite ink channel that significantly improves ink flow when the tines are spread.

Technical Specifications