Pilot Custom Series Fountain Pen Nib Comparison

Sunday Reading for March 15, 2026

March 15, 2026

The Intriguing Benu Haute (via Figboot on Pens). I’m waiting for the Benu Haute to take off, because I personally think this one is a game changer for the brand. It’s an excellent pen with a unique yet more mainstream look.
Interview with The Pen Addict (via dwrdnet). Derek sits down with the Pen Addict himself, Brad Dowdy, for an interview!
Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-Budo (via Inkredible Colours). Even after all these years, one of the first two Iroshizuku inks that I bought remains a personal favorite that sees regular use.
2026 Baltimore Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I agree that the Baltimore Pen Show seemed to fly under the radar this year from a promotion perspective. I have enjoyed the show in the past but have had to miss the past couple of years due to conflicting work/family obligations on this particular weekend.
London Spring Pen Show 2026 (via UK Fountain Pens). I will attend one of the London shows one of these days, especially now that we have a direct flight from Nashville. I love how spaced out this show looks.
How Do We Create Your Ink Samples? Behind the Scenes at Vanness (via Vanness Pens). Even though I’ve personally seen this process many, many times, I always enjoy hearing about how everyone works behind the scenes.
Pelikan M200 Orange Delight (via Scrively). A review of the most recent Pelikan release - this time in a bright orange with a transparent barrel.
Hakase GW15C (via UK Fountain Pens). What, two articles from UK Fountain Pens in a week? I’ve had the opportunity to handle a Hakase (Matthew Chen’s) and the craftsmanship that goes into these functional pieces of art is exquisite.
Unfinished Notebooks (via Notebook Stories). What do you do with unfinished notebooks? Do you go back through them and try to finish them? I have my own archive I’m considering.
It’s the Little Things… (via Well-Appointed Desk). Finding stationery that you forgot you owned is indeed one of the little joys of this hobby, especially if it’s no longer made or causes you to remember a pen show or other experience.

On the Paper Trail Episode 5 Cover Thumbnail — This week’s Episode of On The Paper Trail will be our last before we record in front of a live audience at the San Francisco Stationery Fest! You can sign up here if you’ll be attending and would like to visit in person.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog was a big one. First, Episode 5 of On The Paper Trail is now live, with Lisa and I discussing using vs. collecting stationery. You can watch on YouTube or listen in your favorite podcast app, and I’ve also put together a landing page where you can view/listen to past episodes as well as updates on upcoming events. Second, yesterday I published an overview of the Pilot “Custom” line of fountain pens, which is a project I’ve been considering and working on for some time. I think of the “Custom” line as Pilot’s “standard” line of fountain pens, and they play a key role in my own personal pen collection and make up a significant percentage of the pens I own.

Colorverse Colorvent Top 3 2025 Inks — This year Colorverse really did pick some of the best Colorvent colors, in my opinion.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop…Colorverse!

The 2025 “Top 3” Colorvent Inks have arrived, with Polar Night, Follow the Water, and Erebus Crater available as stand-alone bottles. We’ve also restocked the Top 3 Inks from 2024, including favorites Pulsar Pulse and Milky Way. Additionally, we’ve added the “Glistening” (shimmer) series, and received more “Joy in the Ordinary”. Finally, we had a major Pilot restock arrive Friday, and are fully restocked on standard and Madoromi Kakunos, as well as Explorers, Custom 74 Fountain Pens, and the Lavender Fog release!

Please note that we will have modified Nashville store hours this week and next, since we will be traveling. This week we will be open Thursday (3/19) from 1pm-5pm, closed Friday (3/20), and open Saturday (10-6pm). Check the “About” page or our Google profile for updates.

Colorverse Ink

Pilot

Craft Design Technology

Diplomat Viper

How to Support T.G.S. and Our Various Projects

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and special promotions, consider supporting us via Patreon. The T.G.S. Patreon includes early access and discounts on exclusive shop releases, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly meetups. As of this morning, ALL Patreon supporters (including non-paying free members) have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.

The Pilot "Custom" Series: An Overview of Some of My Favorite Fountain Pens

March 14, 2026

I think of Pilot’s “Custom” series as containing the brand’s signature pens - effectively their standard lineup. While there are regular models that don’t bear the “Custom” designation (i.e. E95s, Capless Vanishing Point and Decimo), the Custom pens present a broad example of what the company can do, and it’s long past time I photographed them alongside each other. In both the T.G.S. Shop and my own personal collection, Pilot outnumbers any other mainstream brand due to their solid build quality and exceptional nibs, which in my experience rarely need tuning or modification out of the box. I will give a brief overview of each pen, and highlight a few key aspects of each one. Where applicable I have linked to a more in-depth T.G.S. review of each pen, and of course I’ll share my favorites at the end!

Pilot Custom 74

The entry point to Pilot's Custom line, the Custom 74 features a classic streamlined torpedo shape and Pilot's No. 5 14kt nib. The pen ships with the CON-70 pump converter (Pilot's largest) so you can write with bottled ink out of the box. At $216, I still consider the Custom 74 one of the best value propositions on the Japanese pen market, notwithstanding the recent price increases. Going forward, it will be uncommon to find gold-nib pens at the sub-$300 price point, and the Custom 74 remains priced below many "boutique" brands that feature standard JoWo or Bock steel options. (Priced at $216 standard, $240 for the Lavender Fog Special Edition - TGS Shop)

Pilot No. 5 vs. No. 10 Nib Comparison — Pilot’s No. 5 Nib (Custom 74 and Custom Heritage 92, left) next to the Pilot No. 10 Nib (Custom 912).

Pilot Custom 912

For a long time, the Custom 912 remained largely unavailable to the U.S. market and had to be purchased directly from Japan. Featuring a No. 10 14kt nib, which is slightly larger than the No. 5 on the Custom 74 and Custom Heritage 92, the Custom 912 features a flat top design and a sword-style clip. Still relatively accessible price-wise, the Custom 912 opens the door to Pilot's specialty nib line, including the PO (Posting), WA (Waverly), and FA (Falcon) nibs, as well as the "Soft" series. (Priced at $296 for Standard - TGS Shop)

Custom Heritage 92 Demonstrator on Galen Pen Stand — The crystal clear Custom Heritage 92.

Pilot Custom Heritage 92

The lone piston filler on this list, the Pilot Custom Heritage 92 features a flat-top design and clip similar to the Custom 912 but has the same smaller No. 5 nib as the Custom 74. Sometimes overlooked due to the fact that color options are limited, the Custom Heritage 92 is a spectacular pen that I regret having sold off from my personal collection back when the transparent orange demonstrator was still available. (I wanted a broader nib and wrongly assumed I would be able to get another one.) The piston mechanism is exceptionally smooth and the polishing work on the transparent resin top notch. If you're looking for a demonstrator that will showcase your ink collection this one should be on your list. (Priced at $264 standard - TGS Shop)

Pilot Custom 743

The Custom 743 features an even larger No. 15 nib (also 14kt), and the same longer streamlined body style as the more-expensive Custom 823, though with a CON-70 converter instead of the vacuum-filling mechanism. Like the Custom Heritage 912, Pilot makes the Custom 743 available with their range of specialty nibs, though the pen only comes with gold trim so those who prefer chrome or Rhodium are stuck with the 912. (Priced at $392 - TGS Shop)

Pilot Custom Pens in Nagasawa Kip Leather — Shown here in a Nagasawa 5-Pen Kip Leather Zippered case from left, the Custom 823, Custom Urushi, Custom 743, Custom 74, and Custom 912.

Pilot Custom 823

It's truly a toss-up as to whether the Custom 823 or the Custom 74 is the more popular pen, but we sell a lot of Custom 823 fountain pens simply because many people - especially those who write a lot and don't want to refill frequently - absolutely love the high-capacity vacuum-filling system. You can watch a demonstration of how it works here. The Custom 823 comes in three different transparent demonstrator finishes (Clear, Smoke, and Amber), with a 14kt No. 15 nib. Gold trim only - sorry Rhodium fans! (Priced at $416 - TGS Shop)

Pilot Custom Series Larger Nibs — The larger nibs from the Custom Series, from left: No. 15 FA (Custom 745); No. 15 Medium (Custom 823), and No. 30 Medium (Custom Urushi).

Pilot Custom 845

Here is where things start getting really "Fancy" (capital “F”). The Custom 845 represents an entry point into the Pilot Urushi line, with Black, Vermillion, and Prussian Blue lacquer finishes. While the nib is the same No. 15 size as the Custom 823 and Custom 743, it's 18kt instead of 14kt, and features a two-toned gold/rhodium finish. Currently the Custom 845 is the only Pilot Custom Series pen not represented in my own collection, as I'm holding out for a Prussian Blue in the nib size that I want. (Priced at $1000 - Vanness Pens)

Custom Urushi compared against Pilot Custom 823 — Many thanks to Lisa Vanness for the photograph of the coveted Pilot Prussian Blue Custom Urushi, shown here compared against the Custom 823 for scale.

Pilot Custom Urushi

By far the most expensive pen in my own personal collection, the Custom Urushi is relatively massive but the No. 30 nib is sublime with a softness/springiness akin to the Pelikan M1000 - in my opinion, better. The key consideration here for those considering a Custom Urushi is size - both of the pen itself and the price tag. Larger gold nibs like these are always expensive, and when you combine gold with Urushi lacquerwork, it's simply going to be a higher-priced item. That said, a Custom 845 or Custom Urushi is often the capstone of many users' collections. (Priced at $1700 - Vanness Pens)

Custom 912 Custom 74 Custom 823 Comparison — From left: Custom 912, Custom 74, and Custom 823.

Ranking My Three Personal Favorites Here

We can end this little overview with a personal reflection. I'm going to confess that I'm personally very biased towards Pilot because I love their nibs - their medium nibs especially. They write how I like a gold medium nib to write, with the perfect amount of ink flow. A Pilot mediums remains my default when the coveted fine-medium is unavailable. As mentioned above, Pilot is the most-represented mainstream pen brand in my personal collection, and these "top three" appear more than once with me owning multiple colors and nib sizes. That said, the ranking below is driven purely by personal preference, not which pens from the Custom series I feel are objectively better:

Pilot Custom 74. Because of the excellent size for everyday carry, and overall value. I think of the Custom 74 as a workhorse in the same way I think of the Lamy 2000.
Pilot Custom 912. Waverly Nib. All I need to say. Look for a review of this pen/nib combination coming soon.
Pilot Custom 823. I own two: A medium Amber that I had ground to a Kodachi and a fine Smoke. When I want to travel with a few pens that won't need refilling, these are top options since they're effectively ink tanks with a shutoff valve that makes them great for air travel.
On my list: I will eventually add a Custom Heritage 92 and Pilot Custom 845, because I want to round out the collection and a Prussian Blue Urushi pen calls to me.

Bonus feature: We toured Pilot North American HQ in a recent episode of the On The Paper Trail Podcast!

Pilot Kakuno Madoromi Restock on the Table — The Pilot Kakuno is a $15-20 pen that has exploded in popularity, as evidenced by the size of our recent Kakuno Madoromi restock.

A Note on Pricing

I fully understand that whether pricing on these pens is "accessible" is relative. This article addresses a specific line of gold-nib fountain pens which, regardless of what they cost 10 years ago, are expensive luxury purchases that going forward will likely be even more expensive due to rising material costs, tariffs, geopolitical considerations and myriad other factors that are well beyond the scope of this article. The purpose here is not to debate how much things "should" cost, but rather to provide an overview of a popular line of pens that I personally enjoy and believe remain mostly competitively priced in today's current market environment, especially where companies already have pushed some steel nib pens north of $250. For the record, Pilot makes excellent pens at all price points, with the Pilot Kakuno (from $15), Pilot Explorer ($26), and Pilot Prera ($67.50) all warranting serious consideration as both pens for beginners as well as everyday workhorse writers for experienced users.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

Multiple colors and sizes of Hightide Sandglasses on Shelf

Thursday Drops: Sandglass Restock, Lamy AL-Star Pine and Flamingo, and More Accessories!

March 12, 2026

Two huge boxes of Hightide Sandglasses landed this week, including most colors in the larger sizes! Turquoise has been the most-requested color, and we’ve been able to stock it in both the 30-minute and 15-minute intervals, along with the Hightide folding metal book stands, Penco drafting ballpoint pens, and more! The Lamy AL-Star in Pine is also back, because the response to that particular color has been so strong. (We also took the opportunity to order more Dark Dusk, last year’s favorite.) And don’t miss the latest Diplomat Viper release in Silver Guilloché, which arrived in both fountain pen and rollerball.

Diplomat Viper Fountain Pen Silver Guilloche

Finally, as we discussed in this week’s episode of On the Paper Trail, it’s almost the last pre-pen show call for the T.G.S.-exclusive Roterfaden TGS_25. I’ll be pulling some stock to take with me to the Arkansas Pen Show and San Francisco Stationery Fest later this month.

We have normal Nashville shop hours this week, open from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday. Come by and see these and more in-person!

Hightide Sandglasses. We received a fresh shipment of Hightide Sandglasses, including more 30 and 15-minute intervals. We even have more of the less common Turquoise color in 30-minute variants. If you’re interested in reading further on how you can use a sandglass or hourglass to replace digital timers, check out this post.
Hightide Folding Metal Book Stands. Another original product from the early days of the T.G.S. Curated Shop that remains enduringly popular. You can use these to hold books, notebooks (especially while you’re typing notes), or even a tablet.
Penco Drafting Ballpoint Pens and Pencils. The popular miniature drafting pens and pencils from Penco are restocked in both pencil and ballpoint. The ballpoints have been out of stock and backordered for a while.
Lamy AL-Star in Pine and Flamingo. We’ve restocked all of this year’s Lamy AL-Star release in Pine, which sold out nearly immediately and is the clear winner of the two, though Flamingo is a great dusty pink.
Lamy 2000 Fountain Pens. The Lamy 2000 is back in stock in all nib sizes, including the fine nib, our most popular option.
Lamy 2000 Ballpoint in Taxus and Blackwood. Two overlooked entries from the Lamy 2000 lineup, the Taxus and Blackwood trade Makrolon for turned wood. Taxus is probably my favorite.
Lamy x Uni M17 Jetstream Refill. What to pair with your Lamy 2000 ballpoint pen? Maybe one of the Jetstream Lamy-compatible refills! We have both the .5mm and .7mm options.
Laurett’s Waka Ebonite Ballpoint Pens. One of my favorite items that I’ve discovered over the past year, these ballpoints feature knurling on ebonite by a Japanese company known for precision machine work. The pens take Parker-style refills so you can customize them with your ink of choice, though they ship with a standard Schmidt ballpoint refill.
Penco Multi Pens. Did you know that Penco also makes a D1 multi pen in addition to their standard Perfection bullet pens? These 2+1 pens (2 pens + a mechanical pencil) come in a range of nice-looking matte colors.
iLootPaperie Washi Tape and Stickers. We have iLootPaperie washi tape restocked, including many old favorites and some new designs!

Stationery with an e washi tape shown on table unrolled

On-The-Paper-Trail-Episode-5-Users-vs-Collectors — You can view the video version of the Podcast on the YouTube Channel.

On the Paper Trail Episode 5: Are You a User or a Collector of Stationery?

March 11, 2026

Do you consider yourself a user or collector of stationery? Maybe a bit of both? In the fifth episode of On the Paper Trail, we talk about a topic that draws strong opinions and maybe even a little bit of judgment in the stationery world. Whether you use every pen, bottle of ink, or rare notebook that you own, or maintain pristine archives for posterity, how we view our stationery is intensely personal and will differ from person to person. We also discuss events at the upcoming Arkansas Pen Show and the San Francisco Stationery Fest!

Note: During the podcast, we discussed the sign-up link for the live-audience episode at the upcoming San Francisco Stationery Fest. Apparently that link is missing from the show website - if you’re interested in attending please sign up directly using this link.

Show Notes and Links

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

As noted above, if you want to follow along and watch the video, On The Paper Trail has its own YouTube Channel. We have also uploaded the podcast to most popular podcast networks and apps, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Overcast.

New Arrivals: Cloth & Paper Sticky Notes to Customize Your Planners and Journals

March 10, 2026

I’ve always been a big annotator and copious notetaker in my everyday life. My planners, journals, and even paperback and hardback books get actively used, meaning that they’re marked up margin notes, highlights, and sticky notes. Cloth & Paper out of Richmond, Virginia makes an expansive range of index flags, sticky notes, dividers, and other accessories to help you annotate and organize, including lightweight and translucent sticky notes that don’t overly bulk-up your notebooks. This past weekend we added nearly a dozen new variations to the shop, including the larger “Sidebar” series that can help you format your journal pages with a task list or a weekly schedule.

We carry the Cloth & Paper line, and many more sticky notes, journals, and accessories in the paper section of our shop. Note that “translucent” sticky notes are intended for use with pencils, ballpoints, and gel pens. Water-based inks, including fountain pen inks, will not adhere to the surface and/or will take a long time to dry. Regular paper or matte sticky notes do not repel ink and should be fine with most pens.

Come see us in our Nashville Shop! Our store is open normal hours (1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm Saturday), so please swing by and see these and more!