PILOT Custom 743 Fountain Pen (14ct Gold Nib, Con-70) - Black - Soft Medium Nib

Made for notebooks, not display cases

The Pilot Custom 743 has the same smooth gold nib as the popular Custom 823, but in more nib sizes and with an easy to use cartridge/converter filling system for easy ink colour changes.

Why you’ll love it

• Smooth, wet 14K gold nib, makes writing feel effortless
• Size #15 nib removes the tight, rigid feel of shorter nibs
• Nib options ranging from ultra fine to the expressive FA
• Cartridge/converter filling system for easy ink changes
• Classic cigar shape body design, intentionally minimal 

How it makes you feel

It's a conservative looking pen, that gives you the nib for the lines you want to make. It feels personal and consistent.

Who it’s for

• Writers who want a serious everyday gold nib pen
• Users who prefer lighter, balanced pens over heavy luxury pieces
• People exploring Pilot’s nibs, including the specialty nibs
• Professionals who write regularly and value consistency

Who it’s not for

• Buyers wanting a heavy, oversized statement pen
• Those who prefer ultra compact pocket pens
• Writers seeking dramatic flex variation as a default
• People who want the highest ink capacity possible

Ink pairing suggestions

• Pilot Iroshizuku inks for best flow match for Pilot feeds
• Pigmented, waterproof inks if preservation is important
• Slightly wetter inks if using finer nibs

Practical tip

Pilot nibs tend to write one step narrower than European brands (including Twsbi).

FAQs

What is the difference between the 743 and 823?
They share the same nib and size class, but the 743 uses a cartridge/converter system for easy maintanence, while the 823 is a vacuum filler with higher ink capacity.

Is the 743 a large pen?
It is a full size pen, but relatively light and well-balanced compared to most other full sized pens.

Does the nib feel soft?
Yes, but in a controlled way. The #15 nib has natural give without being a flex nib. The range also includes "soft" nibs that give more than the standard nibs.

What are the specialty nibs?
The soft nib family provide more spring in the tines for subtle line variation, with the SF giving the most. The FA employs cutaways in the nib design, closer to a true flex, but needs a controlled hand. The Waverley (WA) 0.5mm has a slightly upturned tip for ultra smooth writing that can really help left handers. The Posting (PO) 0.25mm is an ultra fine nib with a slightly downward tip for very fine lines. The Signature (SU) 0.7mm, Coarse (C) 0.85mm and Music (MS) 0.9mm nibs are for very expressive writing.

Can I change nib sizes later?
The Japanese pen makers tend not to make replacement nibs available to retailers, but you can move nibs between all 743 and 823 models. The nib system is friction fit.

What’s included

• Pilot Custom 743 fountain pen
  
• CON-70 converter
• Pilot IC-50B black ink cartridge
• Standard presentation box
• Warranty card
• Free nib tuning from LarryPOST

Complete the set

• Pair with Pilot Iroshizuku ink for optimal flow
• Use Iroshizuku or Parallel ink cartridges for convenience
• Use smooth, high-quality paper for best nib performance
• Consider a bulb syringe for fast cleaning between ink colours 

Specifications

• Brand: Pilot
• Brand series: Custom 743
• Launched:
• Origin: Japan
• Nib: 14k gold, large #15 size 
• Nib sizes: EF 0.25, F 0.3, FM 0.4, M 0.5, B 0.6, BB 0.7
• Speciality nibs: Soft family, FA, WA, PO, SU, C, MS
• Filling system: Cartridge / Converter (CON-70 included)
• Body: Black resin with gold trim
• Cap: Twist
• Length: approx. 148mm capped
• Weight: approx. 26g
• Comparable size:

This pen is a precision writing instrument designed to disappear in the hand and deliver consistently every day. Lots of customers buy multiples.