Pilot Custom 743 Fountain Pen - Black

My new favorite pen

I have loved fountain pens since I began using them in my work in 1988. I've had a good number of them, some good, some great, and some....well... The Pilot Custom 743 has been a winner for me right out of the gate. It is smooth and doesn't skip. I am using bottled ink and the refilling is incredibly easy. I have bought cartridges as well but am carrying them with me just in case I run out of ink without a bottle nearby. I ordered the fine/medium nib and I'm considering ordering another pen with a medium nib for those times I want more ink flow but I'm not in a hurry about that. The weight and heft are just right for me and, as you can tell, I'm really enjoying it.

This pen is exquisite as are all the Pilot pens. It writes smoothly, like butter. I have come to appreciate the Pilot pens above all my other fountain pens. Of course, Goulet give remarkable service.

This is a Great Pen. I have had my Pilot Custom 743 with the FA nib for about a week. I’ve used it every day, and there is definitely a learning curve to unlock the FA nib’s potential. I tend to write with a light touch and a little bit of pressure produces line variation, even when writing small, which I tend to do. I’m using the Pilot Blue ink that came with the pen. I have three bottles of that ink now. I have the Custom 743 (Verdigris) in extra fine and the clear Custom 823 in fine. They are all very comfortable writers, with a satisfying scratchiness.