Thank you for “taking one for the team” by purchasing the NS. I was eying the NS myself, and was about to get one, until I saw it was a steel nib for over 100 dollars. I have a Pilot Capless Special Alloy, which I got for around 70 dollars. If the Custom NS can be bought for similar money, then it would be a no brainer.
With gold at an all time high in dollars, and especially in yen, we may see more price hikes. I hope the big three can invest in more interesting steel nibs. And Pilot should bring back the Lucina...
Yours is one of only a handful of reviews for this pen which helped me make up my mind on this pen. I’ve managed to bag the last one on a site in europe at reduced price. I can’t seem to find it anywhere else so not sure if it’s been discontinued. Thanks
If this pen took the con-70 converter, it would easily be my favorite. The nib is simply is fantastic. I am no fan at all of the custom 74, I guess we all have our favorites, and my favorites all have steel nibs. Have used steel nibs for over 50 years at this point, and the only gold nib I care for is the one in the Waterman Carene. That nib is done right imo. Thanks for sharing. Jan.
I recently received this seems. It seems that the cabochon (jewel) is loose, as well. Seems to just be a part of the pen’s design. Have you noticed if this being loose allows air through the top? Does the nib dry quicker than other Pilot’s?
If it's as smooth as the gold nib, though not as soft, then I'd still go with the Custom NS over the Custom 74. I finally found a cigar-shaped Pilot in a colourway I like (ivory)! (Also, I think it was released way earlier than last year since there are some reviews and posts dating to 2020)
I have exactly the same problem than you with the 74. I like this pen but my fingers are always grabbing the threads. Reason why I almost always use my 823 instead. The 74 is a very good pen but not when you have larger hands.
So in other words, if one finds it on sale and must have it, go for it. But not at suggested retail price. I'll stick with my pilots (Custom 74, E95 and a custom heritage something-or-other). Frankly I'd expect the nib to be excellent and perhaps the price reflects the work put into the nib.
Thank you for “taking one for the team” by purchasing the NS. I was eying the NS myself, and was about to get one, until I saw it was a steel nib for over 100 dollars. I have a Pilot Capless Special Alloy, which I got for around 70 dollars. If the Custom NS can be bought for similar money, then it would be a no brainer.
With gold at an all time high in dollars, and especially in yen, we may see more price hikes. I hope the big three can invest in more interesting steel nibs. And Pilot should bring back the Lucina...
This pen makes me miss the Lucina! Thanks for the video!
You and me both!
Yours is one of only a handful of reviews for this pen which helped me make up my mind on this pen. I’ve managed to bag the last one on a site in europe at reduced price. I can’t seem to find it anywhere else so not sure if it’s been discontinued. Thanks
If this pen took the con-70 converter, it would easily be my favorite. The nib is simply is fantastic.
I am no fan at all of the custom 74, I guess we all have our favorites, and my favorites all have steel nibs. Have used steel nibs for over 50 years at this point, and the only gold nib I care for is the one in the Waterman Carene. That nib is done right imo.
Thanks for sharing. Jan.
I recently received this seems. It seems that the cabochon (jewel) is loose, as well. Seems to just be a part of the pen’s design.
Have you noticed if this being loose allows air through the top? Does the nib dry quicker than other Pilot’s?
If it's as smooth as the gold nib, though not as soft, then I'd still go with the Custom NS over the Custom 74. I finally found a cigar-shaped Pilot in a colourway I like (ivory)! (Also, I think it was released way earlier than last year since there are some reviews and posts dating to 2020)
I have exactly the same problem than you with the 74. I like this pen but my fingers are always grabbing the threads. Reason why I almost always use my 823 instead.
The 74 is a very good pen but not when you have larger hands.
Thanks!
Are the nibs swappable between the two? I’m curious if I’d be able to buy the custom 74 and put the gold nib into the custom NS.
Yes, they are. The feeds are slightly different but the nibs are the same size. I actually swapped a 14k nib into the NS after making this video
@@seattlepenclub so the feeds won’t swap? It looks like the filling hole on the custom 74 is closer to the tip of the nib than the custom NS
Great review, as always
This pen looked pretty cool but it's way too expensive.
My hesitation on getting this pen is the CON-40 converter and the smallish nib. This pen could take a 10 or possibly a 15 size with ease.
Do you have a video explaining the Pilot numerology 😂😂😂
So in other words, if one finds it on sale and must have it, go for it. But not at suggested retail price. I'll stick with my pilots (Custom 74, E95 and a custom heritage something-or-other). Frankly I'd expect the nib to be excellent and perhaps the price reflects the work put into the nib.