Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen Review

Product Review of the Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens

The Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen comes with a translucent body and cap. There are several color options from clear, to smoke grey or brighter colors like blue, purple or orange. Each color has the same smoke color on the grip section of the pen as well as the tip of the cap and each Pilot Custom 74 comes with the same chrome color accents. I opted for the blue color because it was my favorite. Not only did I like the color and transparent look of the pen design but I like how it allows you to view the ink level within the pen very easily.

pilot custom 74 fountain pen review

The pen comes in a small cardboard box with a clear window on the top of the lid. Nothing fancy but I prefer to pay for the pen rather than the packaging. If you are looking for a pen with a nice box to store or present it with, this is not the pen.

pilot custom 74 fountain pen review nibThe Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen offers a 14k gold nib that is chrome colored to match the clip and rings on the pen. I like finer nibs on my fountain pens and so I opted for a medium nib on the Pilot Custom 74. Because it is a Japanese pen the nib size is finer and is close to a medium Western nib. The pen writes super smooth an lays down a nice line of ink and the ink flow is consistent and generous.

pilot custom 74 fountain pen review capThe Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen is a cartridge/converter style fountain pen and comes with the Pilot CON70 ink converter included. The Pilot CON70 converter fills by repeatedly pressing the button on the top while the nib is submersed in the ink bottle. Because the converter body is clear it allows the ink levels to be seen. The converter also has chrome accents consistent with the pen.

The pen is a nice size and well balanced. I like the way the pen feels in my hand as I write. It feels well constructed and good quality. I am confident that it is a durable pen and is made to last. Great overall pen.

Pros of the Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen
  • 14k gold nib
  • Transparent demonstrator body for ink viewing

Cons of the Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen
  • Packaging

pilot custom 74 fountain pen review disassembled

Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen Review Conclusion

The Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen should definitely be in the running if you are looking for a great mid price fountain pen! The pen not only looks great but performs well. The Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen is durable and built to last. One of my favorite go to pens. A must have!

Buy the Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens


Specs of the Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens

Length: 5.600 in.
Posted Length: 6.250 in.
Diameter: 0.500 in.
Weight: 0.800 oz.
Body/Trim: Resin/Rhodium
FillType: Cartridge/Converter



Pilot Custom 74 Reviews from our Customers

See what our customers have to say about the Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens. Don't just take our word for it, read actual customer reviews of the product and see what they think.
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
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Overall rating:
4.8
out of 5
(59 reviews)

 
I really enjoyed my less expensive Pilot fountain pens, but I wanted a broader nib. This pen has a great look and feel. Exceptional Japanese styling and quality. Plus it uses the same cartridges as my cheaper Pilots. I am very pleased.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
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quality rating 5 out of 5
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function rating 5 out of 5
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The Pilot 74 is perfect in my opinion! Outstanding right out of the box! I like the medium size nib in the Pilot brand. Nice sized pen that is well made with a very nice 14k nib that adds some softness to the writing experience. There are hundreds and hundreds of excellent fountain pen brands, I must say Pilot is my favorite brand! Moderately priced gold nib pen if your thinking??? I would encourage a yes go for it I don't think you would be disappointed with your purchase! Could not be happier with mine!
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
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quality rating 5 out of 5
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function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
Fantastic medium nib! I really like the orange color of this pen. I have many fountain pens and this is really just about the smoothest nib I have ever used. The pen is a good size for me. Just following on the reputation this pen has built over the years so nothing new but I just wanted to add my two cents. Thanks Ron!
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
I got exactly what I was looking for in my EF nib Custom 74: that is, a pen with a ridiculously fine line, neither wet, nor dry, that never, ever skips. And thanks to Pen Chalet, I got it at a great price.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
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function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
You can’t go wrong with this or any other Pilot. I have A Retractable and was going to get a Second one until I saw this beauty. You can’t find a Gold nib like this for twice the cost (although Platinum is pretty great, but I digress). P
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
Ordered the forest green in fine and have been pleasantly surprised. Was reluctant to order mainly based on there was nothing distinctive about the looks, but took a chance on the new color. The green is nice and gives the pen a slightly more professional look and it is very comfortable to write with. It also posts more securely than just about any other pen I own. Fine is fairly smooth but if I had to do it again I would have ordered a medium nib.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
I love these pens. I have two of them. I bought this one after using the other for a blue ink - I prefer black ink. Beautiful thin line in the Extra Fine. Works without skipping. Holds a lot of ink, too. I draw with it, great pen.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
One of my favorite pilot models, love the buttery smooth nib, perfect flow, beautiful color, and gotta love that converter!
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
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style rating 5 out of 5
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Another fantastic writer by Pilot!
Beautiful pen, comfortable, writes excellent.
This pen is my dependable EDC.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
style:
style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5
To be honest, I wasn't expecting to love it. I thought it would be perfectly adequate, and fill a void. Perhaps a pen to rotate out at a later date once I found a truly spectacular orange pen.

However, once it arrived and I'd inked it — with Diamine Pansy — I was pleasantly surprised. And with each consecutive use, I like it better. I have it with a Fine nib, and it glides across paper in the most delightful way. It approaches TWSBI 580 nibs in wetness.

I even found myself reluctant to clean it out at the end of the week. I wanted to keep it inked, to keep using it, which almost never happens. I'm usually happy enough to use whatever pens I have for the next week that I don't mind putting away my pens from the previous week. It's a testament to how much I enjoy using the Custom 74.

If you like feedbacky nibs, the Custom 74 is not for you. But if you like buttery smooth nibs, I highly recommend it. And this is coming from someone who prioritizes pen appearance over function. While the Custom 74 isn't the most beautiful pen in the world, its function makes it divine. I'm definitely happy I bought it. I wouldn't even rule out the possibility of another in the future, maybe with an Extra Fine nib.
overall: 5 out of 5
overall rating 5 out of 5
quality:
quality rating 5 out of 5
function:
function rating 5 out of 5
style:
style rating 5 out of 5
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value value 5 out of 5


Pictures of the Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens

Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens in BluePilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens in Blue StonePilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens in ClearPilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens in Forest GreenPilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens in GrenadinePilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens in MerlotPilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens in SmokePilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens in Tealplay video


Prices for the Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pens start at:
Retail: $220.00
Sale: $176.00
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