Quick Review: Pilot Custom 743

Nibs with character

Pilot Custom 743 has similar specs to the 823, except the 743 is a cartridge/converter-70 system, has an opaque body and a much wider choice of nibs. Cartridge/converter designs are easier to change ink colour and usually have more consistent ink flow.

Nibs includes the same as the round nibs available on the 823, plus softer (thinner tines) versions that give a little more if you apply downward pressure and a third group that I call the "character" nibs.  The softer nibs lay down more ink than the standards, so your line will be slightly wider and there is a chance of occasional nib railroad or ink feather on cheap paper.

The character nibs include double broad (BB), Stub (wide vertical, thin horizontal), Coarse (thickest lines, all directions), Music (2 slits, wide verticals for notes, thin horizontals to draw stave), Waverley (upturned tip, enlarging the sweet spot), FA (true flex for variable line) and Post Office (XXF nib in normal writing position and a wide fude like profile when used in reverse). Artists love these last two for their line variation.

Nibs between 823 and 743 are interchangeable, so that gives you a chance to put something exotic on your 823. Replacement nibs generally not available.

Overall a very nicely balanced pen, with a big nib and wide choice of nib widths. Ask me to tune your nib before despatch as larger nibs like the one on 743 can be off centre relative to the feed, affecting tuning and ink flow.

Review by Jen our Pen Specialist who tunes the nibs at LarryPOST.

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