I love my 912 FA. I bought an ebonite replacement feed from Flexible Nib Factory. It never railroads or hard-starts. They have a '2 slit or 3 slit' version. The 3 slit is supposed to be wetter. I have the 2 slit and it lays down a lot of ink. The nib is listed on their site as 912EN Pilot 912 FA Replacement Feed, 2 Slit Ink 1 Slot, Black Ebonite
Okay leaving the sticker on reminds me of how my bro boyfriend in college would leave the stickers on his fitted hats HAHAHAHA. If you're cool, you leave the sticker on. 😎😎
I've wanted one for quite a while. With your nudge here, I now have one headed my way with fingers crossed. Thanks for ALL your reviews, Kerry! Give Parker a treat for me.
I recently got a Custom Heritage 912 with a soft medium nib and it has quickly worked it way to the top 3 favorite pens that I own. Love the pen. Love the nib. Love the price I paid. Just understated excellence.
I have a Custom 823 with an FA nib, and I feel the same as you. I rarely use it for intentional flex, but it adds just the right amount of character to my everyday writing. I love it! I also owned a 912 SFM once upon a time and it was a wonderful pen, but I like to keep a very small collection, so it had to make way for something else.
You and the other UA-cam reviewers have been killing me with these great Pilot reviews. I am wavering between the Pilot Custom 832 (B nib) and the Pilot Custom 912 (stub nib). And every time I start to back away and put it off for later this year, another review like that has me pulling up vendor pages and contemplating the ADD TO CART button.
Loved your comment about enjoying the noise of the pen going into the cap, I have the same thing with the TWSBI Eco, the sound of capping and uncapping is very pleasant for some reason. :-)
Pilot's numbering system was always a mystery to me. Until I learned from Figboot -- the first 2 numbers (82 in 823) is the year in Pilot's history as a company the pen was first launched. So, the 823 was launched in Pilot's 82nd year as a company. And the 3rd digit refers to the MSRP in hundreds. It's a wonky numbering system, if you ask me.
Not that it matters much (because it basically amounts to the same thing), but the 3rd digit is actually the msrp of the pen in 10's of thousands of yen. So, 912 would be designed in Pilot's 91st year and offered for 20,000 yen. Since that's approximately $200 USD, it's semantics, lol.
My 912 FA arrived today. My goodness this is a smooth, inky pen. It’s going to take me some time to get used to the wider lines as I have been used to a very fine line. But this pen is really nice.
Great looking pen and review! 📹 After watching your review, I got out my Pilot Custom 823 that has 3 stars 🌟 on the gold band and my new Pilot custom 845 Urushi and noticed it only had two, so the number of stars has nothing to do with the price range, because the 845 is more expensive than the 823. I think that after printing Urushi on the 845, all they had room for was two stars. That's my guess.
This just popped up and I ordered mine last week, waiting with anticipation. I just got the FPR Himalaya Ultra flex with the ebonite feed and really like it. It does do really nice line variation. I'm looking forward to comparing them. This is my first pricey pen and after using a pilot metro I thought it could only get better.
This one feels thicker or more solid in the nib when flexing than the Himalaya. The FPR is great, I have the V2.. while Inlove the material of the Himalaya, you can’t compare the feel. The Pilot feels like every part is precision made while the FPR’s threads are a bit too sloppy and the clip feels cheap I would advise to get another feed with the Pilot though.
I have a Custom 742 with a WA nib and it's a dream to write with. For my FA nib, I'll shoot for the 912 in maroon, if I can get my hands on one. Thanks for a great review.
Just purchase a used 912 WA nib still in the post cannot wait for it to arrive.My only experience of the FA nib is on my Falcon metal bodied pen.So having seen the 912 writing may have to start saving for the 912 FA.
Gold nib, Rhodium plated. Rhodium plated trim. I have the almost exact same pen and nib. I love it to bits. No stars on my cap band. I have had it for 3 years now. I don't use the flex much either. I agree about the way it follows my moods. I use Pilot Blue Black ink in the supplied Con 70 converter. I paid £150 for it from Japan. I write small fine margin notes reverse perfectly.
I'm thinking about getting two 912 EF. Do you love using them? Purpose: I write poetry and prose. I want a higher end Pilot that is connected a good everyday writing pen.
Have the same pen and was lucky to I guess.Heard people saying that the feed don´t keep up. But with mine, no problem. I think of all my pens if i had to choose it would be it.
Thanks very much for the excellent review video. I would love to get this pen, but since in the UK I can find it anywhere (new) to purchase, I am concerned as to whether Pilot is about to stop producing it. So, not sure any longer if I want to go for it, to be honest.
I bought this pen recently and I love it... it is so soft though I always feel I am going to break it with a little pressure. That does take a bit to get used too haha.
You're lucky your Pilot Custom 912 with the FA nib wrote perfectly right out of the box. I know that many do and I gambled that mine would too. Sadly, that wasn't the case, even with the Iroshizuku tsuki-yo, which I think is the most beautiful color I would ever consider using in this pen. I now have the ebonite feed and all is well with the world.
I'd love to get this pen but I've heard so many people complain about the feed that I'm hesitating. AFAIK, there is only one company that makes ebonite feeds for this pen and that company is in Texas. I'm in the EU, and buying a feed from Flexible Nib Factory would cost me almost 70€, with shipping, tax and customs. A bit pricey to take a gamble on a pen that should just work with its standard feed IMHO.
kmpn.blogspot.com/2011/06/pilot-custom.html This link shows the variety of Pilot Custom fountain pens, a chart showing which pens have the largest nib options, size of nibs, size of pens, etc... . That doesn't exactly answer the 912 nib question, but you can get a look at some of the P. C. F. Pens.
@@_SkyEye Good question. Its, a subjective thing. Everybody who uses a smaller or larger nib will have their own take on how it feels in the hand. My P. C. 823 with a (15) medium is the best to write with ... for me. My 74 with a (5) Broad was wonderfully smooth, but didn't have same sort of *give* as the 823. Still a gold nib, good writer, but not like the 823. Maybe a larger Pilot nib typically a little more ..give.. . Not the scientific term I want to use.. . Some exceptionally large nubs (50) like on the Namiki Emperor your fingers are further away from the actual writing nib, and the distance away has a direct influence on how you might have to hold the pen. That nib is still very good to write with I'm told, but more for show than go if you know what I mean.
I recently purchased the 912 with the FA nib. I find the nib to be scratchy with a lot of feedback. All my other Pilot pens with steel nibs are smooth writers. Is this normal for the FA nib to be scratchy or does the nib need to be smoothed?
Is the FA nib in 912 the same as what’s in the Falcon pen? What about the custom 823 FA nib-is that FA nib size cup for the. Custom 823 which had a larger nib size than the 912 ? I gotta get myself a birthday flex .... thanks!
They’re not the same as the nib in the falcon without the fa nib has more flex but the falcon is normally a more reliable writer without getting a custom feed
I purchased the Custom 912 FA. However, I do not have stars and I see it says Custom Heritage only. Goulet sells the 912 with stars but my pen company again says Custom Heritage without stars. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm somewhat saddened that it does not have the stars just to keep in line with the rest of my Pilots.
The flex requires so little pressure and that's great. But the problem with mine is that it has a hard start ALL THE TIME. It is like a gamble every time you start a stroke. If you prime it or dip it becomes much better but if you are flexing or writing for a long period of time, it becomes annoying to have to do that. It would have been a good flex nib if it actually writes.
Stars on the cap band does not rank the pen tier, (i would imagine it could logically rank pilot 10size nib as second tier and consequently 2stars. 15size-3stars). I have 845 and it only has 2stars, I have 912 from 2019 and it has zero stars lol.
1. Have you considered getting an ebonite feed from Flexible Nib Factory? Supposedly increases flow and eliminates railroading. 2. I'm saving up for my grail pen, the Pilot 743 (FA). Perhaps the larger nib is better.
Clearly railroading is not the problem here, its already sufficiently wet+ with already wet iroshizuku ink. Unless you flex every letter its probably overkill. I have 912fa and i would like it to be drier lol
I've heard that the smaller #10 size FA nib found on the 912 is softer than the #15. I've heard this on multiple occasions, but never tried either our myself.
The Pilot Custom 912 FA is okay, but good luck writing a long letter with it. After a couple pages of writing the inherent intermittent hard starts begin. The FA nib is notorious for that. When you first start using it when the feed is saturated it writes like as demonstrated in your video, but after longer use and the feed starts to lose it's saturation, hard starts begin, and railroading becomes more frequent as well when you push the flex. The nib is also really finicky with inks too. After market feeds to increase the saturation might help. I usually dip the nib in a bottle after a couple of pages to keep the feed saturated enough to keep going. Now the Montblanc 149 Calligraphy is perfection flexing from EEF to BB vs M to BB of the FA, but without the hard starting and loss of feed saturation issues of the FA. Only downside is the price.
I’ve heard of these issues but never experienced it myself, I’ve written very long (for me that’s like 10-15 A5 size pages) journal entries in one sitting and it’s held up like a champ! I’ve primarily used Pilot Iroshizuku inks so maybe that’s helped 🤷🏼♀️
@@PensandTea I haven't used Pilot Iroshizuku inks, so perhaps that makes a big difference. I found Montblanc Permanent Blue worked well. The FA nib is wonderfully soft, blew me away when I first got it after owning the Pilot Elabo with the falcon nib. Down the road I may consider getting the aftermarket ebonite feed which is supposed to have a deeper cut ink channel to prevent loss of ink saturation in the feed that I've heard helps. But I don't mind simply dipping the nib in ink to restore the saturation. It writes like a dip flex pen then.
I love my 912 FA. I bought an ebonite replacement feed from Flexible Nib Factory. It never railroads or hard-starts. They have a '2 slit or 3 slit' version. The 3 slit is supposed to be wetter. I have the 2 slit and it lays down a lot of ink. The nib is listed on their site as 912EN Pilot 912 FA Replacement Feed, 2 Slit Ink 1 Slot, Black Ebonite
Okay leaving the sticker on reminds me of how my bro boyfriend in college would leave the stickers on his fitted hats HAHAHAHA. If you're cool, you leave the sticker on. 😎😎
I've wanted one for quite a while. With your nudge here, I now have one headed my way with fingers crossed. Thanks for ALL your reviews, Kerry! Give Parker a treat for me.
I have the very same 912 with the Waverly nib. The epitome of understated excellence by Pilot. This pen is pure pride and joy.
I love how talkative your cat is! Jeje so cute! This pen looks super interesting!
I recently got a Custom Heritage 912 with a soft medium nib and it has quickly worked it way to the top 3 favorite pens that I own. Love the pen. Love the nib. Love the price I paid. Just understated excellence.
Lovely writer. It's been on my radar for a long time now, that and the 823. Great review and thanks for sharing.
I have a Custom 823 with an FA nib, and I feel the same as you. I rarely use it for intentional flex, but it adds just the right amount of character to my everyday writing. I love it! I also owned a 912 SFM once upon a time and it was a wonderful pen, but I like to keep a very small collection, so it had to make way for something else.
You and the other UA-cam reviewers have been killing me with these great Pilot reviews. I am wavering between the Pilot Custom 832 (B nib) and the Pilot Custom 912 (stub nib). And every time I start to back away and put it off for later this year, another review like that has me pulling up vendor pages and contemplating the ADD TO CART button.
Loved your comment about enjoying the noise of the pen going into the cap, I have the same thing with the TWSBI Eco, the sound of capping and uncapping is very pleasant for some reason. :-)
My thing is silver trim, and that looks totally gorgeous!
Pilot's numbering system was always a mystery to me. Until I learned from Figboot -- the first 2 numbers (82 in 823) is the year in Pilot's history as a company the pen was first launched. So, the 823 was launched in Pilot's 82nd year as a company. And the 3rd digit refers to the MSRP in hundreds. It's a wonky numbering system, if you ask me.
Not that it matters much (because it basically amounts to the same thing), but the 3rd digit is actually the msrp of the pen in 10's of thousands of yen. So, 912 would be designed in Pilot's 91st year and offered for 20,000 yen.
Since that's approximately $200 USD, it's semantics, lol.
@@thetravelinpenshow9620 Ahh, of course, that makes so much more sense. It's mere coincidence that 20,000 yen = about $200.
I've been curious about the FA nib - now I want one. Gee, thanks! :)
My 912 FA arrived today. My goodness this is a smooth, inky pen. It’s going to take me some time to get used to the wider lines as I have been used to a very fine line. But this pen is really nice.
Great looking pen and review! 📹
After watching your review, I got out my Pilot Custom 823 that has 3 stars 🌟 on the gold band and my new Pilot custom 845 Urushi and noticed it only had two, so the number of stars has nothing to do with the price range, because the 845 is more expensive than the 823. I think that after printing Urushi on the 845, all they had room for was two stars. That's my guess.
This just popped up and I ordered mine last week, waiting with anticipation. I just got the FPR Himalaya Ultra flex with the ebonite feed and really like it. It does do really nice line variation. I'm looking forward to comparing them. This is my first pricey pen and after using a pilot metro I thought it could only get better.
This one feels thicker or more solid in the nib when flexing than the Himalaya. The FPR is great, I have the V2.. while Inlove the material of the Himalaya, you can’t compare the feel.
The Pilot feels like every part is precision made while the FPR’s threads are a bit too sloppy and the clip feels cheap
I would advise to get another feed with the Pilot though.
I have a Custom 742 with a WA nib and it's a dream to write with. For my FA nib, I'll shoot for the 912 in maroon, if I can get my hands on one.
Thanks for a great review.
Just purchase a used 912 WA nib still in the post cannot wait for it to arrive.My only experience of the FA nib is on my Falcon metal bodied pen.So having seen the 912 writing may have to start saving for the 912 FA.
I love this pen and nib, I got it with a spencerian grind which gives it a real thin line. I have a small writing sample with the modified nib.
Gold nib, Rhodium plated.
Rhodium plated trim. I have the almost exact same pen and nib.
I love it to bits. No stars on my cap band. I have had it for 3 years now.
I don't use the flex much either. I agree about the way it follows my moods. I use Pilot Blue Black ink in the supplied Con 70 converter.
I paid £150 for it from Japan.
I write small fine margin notes reverse perfectly.
This is absolutely a new grail pen for me!
Boy, you have sold me. I have a couple of 912s, but not with this nib. I’m going to have to get one. Thanks
I'm thinking about getting two 912 EF. Do you love using them? Purpose: I write poetry and prose. I want a higher end Pilot that is connected a good everyday writing pen.
Have the same pen and was lucky to I guess.Heard people saying that the feed don´t keep up. But with mine, no problem. I think of all my pens if i had to choose it would be it.
A lot depends on the ink I think. But you get an ebonite feed if you wish!
Thanks very much for the excellent review video. I would love to get this pen, but since in the UK I can find it anywhere (new) to purchase, I am concerned as to whether Pilot is about to stop producing it. So, not sure any longer if I want to go for it, to be honest.
I bought this pen recently and I love it... it is so soft though I always feel I am going to break it with a little pressure. That does take a bit to get used too haha.
You can push it a lot.. I abuse it for 2-3 years now and no problem
@@thulegezelschap5884 Good to know!
Nice review
I have an 823 from Japan with an FA nib n looooove her
You're lucky your Pilot Custom 912 with the FA nib wrote perfectly right out of the box. I know that many do and I gambled that mine would too. Sadly, that wasn't the case, even with the Iroshizuku tsuki-yo, which I think is the most beautiful color I would ever consider using in this pen. I now have the ebonite feed and all is well with the world.
I’m glad to hear that the ebonite feed has solved it for you! I just bought one but it hasn’t arrived yet 👍🏻
I'd love to get this pen but I've heard so many people complain about the feed that I'm hesitating. AFAIK, there is only one company that makes ebonite feeds for this pen and that company is in Texas. I'm in the EU, and buying a feed from Flexible Nib Factory would cost me almost 70€, with shipping, tax and customs. A bit pricey to take a gamble on a pen that should just work with its standard feed IMHO.
Thank you. Think i want one.
Did you change the feed? some people complain about it skipping and change the feed. Thanks
Beautiful pen. Perhaps time to add it to my wish list.
What’s your favourite pilot bottle ink
I love ❤️ flat ends as well. If possible can you explain the Pilot 912 nibs?
kmpn.blogspot.com/2011/06/pilot-custom.html This link shows the variety of Pilot Custom fountain pens, a chart showing which pens have the largest nib options, size of nibs, size of pens, etc... . That doesn't exactly answer the 912 nib question, but you can get a look at some of the P. C. F. Pens.
@@strshooter7399 - thanks man, very helpful link. How does the nib size (5/10/15) come into play while writing ?
@@_SkyEye Good question. Its, a subjective thing. Everybody who uses a smaller or larger nib will have their own take on how it feels in the hand. My P. C. 823 with a (15) medium is the best to write with ... for me. My 74 with a (5) Broad was wonderfully smooth, but didn't have same sort of *give* as the 823. Still a gold nib, good writer, but not like the 823. Maybe a larger Pilot nib typically a little more ..give.. . Not the scientific term I want to use.. . Some exceptionally large nubs (50) like on the Namiki Emperor your fingers are further away from the actual writing nib, and the distance away has a direct influence on how you might have to hold the pen. That nib is still very good to write with I'm told, but more for show than go if you know what I mean.
I recently purchased the 912 with the FA nib. I find the nib to be scratchy with a lot of feedback. All my other Pilot pens with steel nibs are smooth writers. Is this normal for the FA nib to be scratchy or does the nib need to be smoothed?
Is the FA nib on this the same as the Falcon?
You got the newer Con 70 converter. How do you like it compared to the older model?
For me not being able to open it is such a dealbreaker tbh
I like flat ended pens too
Agreed, they are lovely! I’m tempted to get one and getting urushi done to it
Is the FA nib in 912 the same as what’s in the Falcon pen? What about the custom 823 FA nib-is that FA nib size cup for the. Custom 823 which had a larger nib size than the 912 ? I gotta get myself a birthday flex .... thanks!
They’re not the same as the nib in the falcon without the fa nib has more flex but the falcon is normally a more reliable writer without getting a custom feed
I purchased the Custom 912 FA. However, I do not have stars and I see it says Custom Heritage only. Goulet sells the 912 with stars but my pen company again says Custom Heritage without stars. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm somewhat saddened that it does not have the stars just to keep in line with the rest of my Pilots.
The flex requires so little pressure and that's great. But the problem with mine is that it has a hard start ALL THE TIME. It is like a gamble every time you start a stroke. If you prime it or dip it becomes much better but if you are flexing or writing for a long period of time, it becomes annoying to have to do that. It would have been a good flex nib if it actually writes.
I’ve never had hard starts with it, a few skips if I flex a lot but I use wet ink and now I have an ebonite feed and it’s a noodle now lol
@@PensandTea What ink are you using? I'm using Robert Oster signature ink in it. One of the blue ones. I forgot which.
@@kanck7909 mostly I use Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo or any diamine ink
Do you like button fillers? It seems like some people do, some don't.
Stars on the cap band does not rank the pen tier, (i would imagine it could logically rank pilot 10size nib as second tier and consequently 2stars. 15size-3stars). I have 845 and it only has 2stars, I have 912 from 2019 and it has zero stars lol.
1. Have you considered getting an ebonite feed from Flexible Nib Factory? Supposedly increases flow and eliminates railroading.
2. I'm saving up for my grail pen, the Pilot 743 (FA). Perhaps the larger nib is better.
Clearly railroading is not the problem here, its already sufficiently wet+ with already wet iroshizuku ink. Unless you flex every letter its probably overkill. I have 912fa and i would like it to be drier lol
@@Cortesevasive Well that's good news, maybe I won't need one.
No need. The flow and wetness is perfect from the factory.
@@neilpiper9889 Interesting. I sure hope so.
I've heard that the smaller #10 size FA nib found on the 912 is softer than the #15. I've heard this on multiple occasions, but never tried either our myself.
The Pilot Custom 912 FA is okay, but good luck writing a long letter with it. After a couple pages of writing the inherent intermittent hard starts begin. The FA nib is notorious for that. When you first start using it when the feed is saturated it writes like as demonstrated in your video, but after longer use and the feed starts to lose it's saturation, hard starts begin, and railroading becomes more frequent as well when you push the flex. The nib is also really finicky with inks too. After market feeds to increase the saturation might help. I usually dip the nib in a bottle after a couple of pages to keep the feed saturated enough to keep going. Now the Montblanc 149 Calligraphy is perfection flexing from EEF to BB vs M to BB of the FA, but without the hard starting and loss of feed saturation issues of the FA. Only downside is the price.
I’ve heard of these issues but never experienced it myself, I’ve written very long (for me that’s like 10-15 A5 size pages) journal entries in one sitting and it’s held up like a champ! I’ve primarily used Pilot Iroshizuku inks so maybe that’s helped 🤷🏼♀️
@@PensandTea I haven't used Pilot Iroshizuku inks, so perhaps that makes a big difference. I found Montblanc Permanent Blue worked well. The FA nib is wonderfully soft, blew me away when I first got it after owning the Pilot Elabo with the falcon nib. Down the road I may consider getting the aftermarket ebonite feed which is supposed to have a deeper cut ink channel to prevent loss of ink saturation in the feed that I've heard helps. But I don't mind simply dipping the nib in ink to restore the saturation. It writes like a dip flex pen then.
This is not a pen you give to ballpoint people..
ballpoint people and flex...
Full force upstrokes.. Oof
Stuff of nightmares haha