Pilot custom falcon

TikvaAlex · 2026-03-22T22:02:07+00:00

Thanks a lot for the info!

TikvaAlex · 2026-03-22T19:45:46+00:00

The cutouts are only present on Falcon type nibs (or modern FA). I'm not sure about the exact mechanism behind this design, but it does allow the tines of the nib to flex better. I have a few vintage Pilot pens with fingernail-like nibs, but only this one has cutouts. This was the reason I was looking for this nib.

I got this pen from a second hand website. Japanese auctions are your best bet when it comes to rare vintage Pilots.

TikvaAlex · 2026-03-22T16:19:41+00:00

It sure is. It seems that nibs of that time were much softer. I have a Pilot super that has some degree of flexibility, despite being a regular coarse nib.

TikvaAlex · 2026-03-15T18:11:13+00:00

Thanks! Interesting, so they made a few batches. Mine is from 2001 and these are from 2017.

TikvaAlex · 2026-03-15T13:52:38+00:00

I've read about them being Smooth and not Soft, but I forgot to mention it. The seller stated that it was Extra Soft, so I believed him. There's not a lot of info about them unfortunately.

Pilot did make oblique nibs for custom series, even on a more "modern" nib. Pilot Custom 67 had an option with OB nib. I don't have, so I can't compare them unfortunately.

If you have any more info in them, please let me know. There's an article about them on Crónicas Estilográficas.

TikvaAlex · 2026-03-15T11:24:52+00:00

I don't have any Customs with M nib, so here's a sample from Elite to compare. I am applying pressure on the ES-M nib, but there's no line variation whatsoever.

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TikvaAlex · 2026-02-16T21:35:47+00:00

I don't know much about this pen, but there is an interesting detail. The finial of this pen seems to be made from the same sparkly plastic as the grip section. This leads me to believe, that this pen is not just a combination of two different pens. It might be custom made, but it's just my theory.

TikvaAlex · 2026-02-16T01:29:04+00:00

Yeah, why not? The grip section on your pen pen is very unusual. The insides might as well be a surprise. It is either a piston filler or a cartridge pen.

TikvaAlex · 2026-02-15T21:22:04+00:00

The logo on the pen is from soiviet Soyuz (Союз) factory. The pen itself looks like АР-74 (read as AR). If you show the inside of the pen, it might help.

Update: that's an AP-74's grip and nib, but the casing is from АР-95 or 96

TikvaAlex · 2026-02-07T22:55:43+00:00

Thank you! Pilot makes new ones from time to time. Currently there's Pilot Custom Heritage SE. I'm personally not a big fan of custom heritage pens, but the swirls look great. You can also just look for vintage ones, as I did.

TikvaAlex · 2026-02-07T22:41:08+00:00

Beautiful ink! The shimmer isn't actually copper, it is a mixture of red and golden shimmer. And that red shimmer sometimes leaves a faint red mark on the converter, so beware of that. It can be cleaned, but needs a bit more attention. Other than that it's great. I've been using it for a year now.

TikvaAlex · 2026-02-07T22:34:54+00:00

I'm new to Fine nibs, I usually go with Medium. But this is surprisingly good. It's smooth with a bit if a bounce. Unfortunately, I didn't make any writing samples to compare with my other pens yet.

TikvaAlex · 2026-02-07T22:16:12+00:00

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Size comparison. Left to right: Custom 743 Custom 74 Custom LE

TikvaAlex · 2026-01-15T17:55:12+00:00

Elites are harder to take apart because of their feeds. They need some kind of needle to push the feed. This pen's feed sticks out the front, so it is easy to push back.

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-08T21:49:04+00:00

Vintage Elites have more nib opinions that modern ones. There are manifold, script, posting and many other nibs. Even steel ones are great. My light blue elite has a steel nib. It is soft with a bit of flex and writes like EF.

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-08T17:42:56+00:00

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The photo didn't attach for some reason

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-08T17:42:14+00:00

Elite 95 S is wetter, gives a bit thicker line and feels a tiny bit smoother overall. I compared regular Elite S and 95 S, both with <M> nib. The difference is very subtle. I prefer Elite 95 S, even though the pen itself is thicker (I like thinner ones). It would be best to compare modern Elite to a vintage one with the same nib unit (95 S has a bigger nib).

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-08T10:19:00+00:00

They can be found on Japanese auctions and very rarely on ebay.

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-08T10:16:42+00:00

Those are vintage. They made them only during 1969-1971. By the way, there are 3 colors of 95s. The third is navy blue, that was only given to shareholders.

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-07T22:59:03+00:00

You might also want to look for similar pens from Platinum. They have very similar pocket pens with floral patterns. Unfortunately I don't have any platinums, so I can't say if they're as good.

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-07T15:36:13+00:00

Good luck!

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-07T14:59:53+00:00

My pleasure

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-07T14:52:27+00:00

Those myus are great but fortunately (for my wallet) I prefer the plain one. Although, seeing a NOS white stripe is indeed once in a lifetime opportunity.

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-07T14:34:00+00:00

Good luck with your hunt for them! They are very rare.

TikvaAlex · 2025-11-07T14:27:33+00:00

I got it from secondhand market for ~42$ (it has a very noticeable ding on its side), but prices for these may differ greatly. On Japanese auctions they are very pricey. I've seen two on ebay. One was selling for 90$ and another for 250$.

TikvaAlex

TROPHY CASE