Pilot Custom 74 Review
I purchased a Pilot Custom 74 with a Soft Fine Nib for about $70 on Amazon. I also ordered a Con-70 Ink Converter, but for now, I'm using a standard blue ink cartridge.
Initial Thoughts
The pen is quite nice and naturally better than the Pilot Metropolitans that I have relied on for several months. However, I was somewhat disappointed by how the barrel of the pen curves inward before connecting with the cap. I would have preferred a nicer fit and finish comparable to the Platinum Century 3776.
The nib is also much more subdued and almost the exact same size as the Pilot Metropolitan's nib. Visually, it is more appealing with its added engraving, but unless you write with it, it looks almost identical to a Metropolitan nib.
In short, I was hoping for a pen that was both an excellent writer and a bit more ostentatious, similar to the Platinum 3776. I will likely have to order a replacement 3776 in Chartres Bleu, probably around August of this year, as I really miss the 3776.
For now, I'll continue using the Pilot 74 and wait for the Con-70 to try it with Kon-Peki ink. I’m sure that with added use, I'll grow fond of this pen and perhaps change some of my initial perceptions.
Update (2/11/18)
I have enjoyed the Pilot 74 for nearly a week, having loaded it with Kon-Peki ink using the Con-70. The converter is a pneumatic type that relies on vacuum pressure and takes some time to figure out how to use it. However, it is quite convenient and faster than the standard twist-type converters like the Con-50 or the Con-20 squeeze version. I’m very pleased I chose the 74 with the Con-70 instead of a piston filler like the Pilot Custom Heritage 92.
It still writes with some resistance compared to the Metropolitans, and it doesn't have the scratchy feedback I experienced with a Platinum 3776. I plan to let the ink soak in a bit, as I just loaded it with Kon-Peki, and I'm hoping that with repeated use, it will get smoother.
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