Ask TGS: Can I "Flex" a Pilot Soft Nib? What Does "Soft Fine" or "Soft Medium" Mean?

October 11, 2025

Because I’ve received this question two times in the past three days, in connection with the release of the Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog, I figured I would go ahead and answer because it’s important. To be clear, the Pilot “Soft” nibs are not flex nibs, and trying to force these nibs to flex may result in damage to the nib if you press them too hard.

So What Is a “Soft” Nib?

Some Japanese brands, namely Pilot and Platinum, sell a “soft” version of their fine, medium, and fine-medium 14k nibs. These nibs are slightly bouncier than the relatively stiff standard Japanese gold nibs, and will feel springier and put more ink on the page with a wetter line. That said, there is a fair bit of misinformation out there on whether or not these nibs are “flexible”, and whether you can press down on them to get additional line variation. I have to reiterate - do not try to flex these pens as you would a vintage flex nib, calligraphy nib, or even a Pilot FA nib. While they have some give to them, they are simply not designed to “spring back” into shape like a true flex nib.

Pilot Soft Medium Nib Writing Sample — I find the soft nibs very pleasant to use to write standard cursive. As you can see, the additional bounce in the nib gives some slight variation to your letters, and the ink flows nicely.

Some of the confusion may stem from the fact that nib technicians advertise these nibs as suitable for conversion to a more flexible nib. For example, I have a pen that I sent to Custom Nib Studio, to which Gena added flex by thinning out the tines. Soft nibs from Pilot and Platinum often make very good candidates for this nib modification, but they are a starting point, not a finished product in that regard.

For the U.S. market, Pilot releases specialty nibs such as the “soft” nib series in specific models - typically the Custom Heritage 91 and the Custom 743. I was thrilled to see these nibs released in the Custom 74 model, which remains one of my favorite everyday writers because it’s nearly the perfect size for my hand. As I noted yesterday, I picked a Soft Fine-Medium in the Lavender Fog because I wasn’t going to let this one go.

The “Ask TGS” series of blog posts features questions from readers and customers that frequently appear in my inbox, social media DMs, and customer questions. When one of the questions has immediate relevance and/or urgency - such as this one - I will bump that question to the top of the list. Some of the most frequent posts are summarized on our FAQ page.

Pilot Prera Fountain Pens in Solid Colors

Thursday Drops: Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog, Pilot Preras, Colorvent Calendars and More!

October 9, 2025

Ok, so with the arrival of the 2025 Colorverse Colorvent Calendars, the holiday season has officially kicked off! If you’re looking to acquire a Colorvent Calendar for this year, please don’t sleep on these as we are already more than halfway sold through our allocation, and once these are gone there will be no more. And no, I have not opened mine yet - there will be no spoilers here until December 1!

Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog and Honey Yellow Pilot Prera — I decided to pick a SFM in the Lavender Fog, and a Medium Honey Yellow Prera!

We also received the first shipment of the U.S. exclusive Pilot Custom 74, “Lavender Fog.” I was especially excited for this pen because Pilot has chosen to release it in four relatively uncommon nib sizes: Soft Fine, Soft Medium, Soft Fine-Medium, and Double Broad. (As a huge FM fan, that’s what I picked.) In addition to the Custom 74, we’ve received the latest solid-color Pilot Preras, and have restocked on nearly all Pilot fountain pens and inks!

Our Nashville store is open this weekend from 1-6pm on Thursday and Friday, and from 10-6pm on Saturday. Note that we will be in our current location (Suite 113) before moving over to Suite 107 on the front of the building NEXT WEEK, just in time for our in-store event with Vanness Pens and Newton Pens. Hope to see you there!

Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog. This year’s U.S. exclusive release from Pilot features a gorgeous translucent lavender acrylic that to me appears to have almost grey undertones. The kicker is the nib selection here. Soft Fine-Medium for the win.
New Pilot Prera Fountain Pens. I’ve never been the biggest fan of the clear Prera, but once Pilot announced these vintage-y solid colors (Empress Teal, Honey Yellow, Porcelain White, and Cinnamon Brown), I jumped. The Prera is an excellent mid-range Pilot that should appeal to those looking for a midsized pen that is small enough to be portable yet posts long enough to write with for more extensive sessions.
Colorverse Colorvent. Whether you’re an Advent calendar fanatic or simply looking for a way to jumpstart your ink collection by experimenting with 25 different colors, the Colorverse Colorvent Calendar is an excellent solution!
Lamy Studio “Orion” Edition (Fountain Pens, Ballpoints, and Rollerballs). The latest Studio release from Lamy features a deep burgundy matte finish. I personally opted for the rollerball this time, and also went ahead and pulled a Royal Red Matte fountain pen because who knows how long those will last….
Pilot E95s Fountain Pens. We’ve restocked in all nib sizes of what I’d consider one of the best buys on the market for a gold-nib fountain pen. The burgundy and ivory color combination offers a unique look.
Pilot Explorer Fountain Pens and Rollerballs. Pilot’s Explorer line is undergoing a refresh, with some colors being phased out and possibly new colors substituting in. If you’ve been eyeing one of the existing colors, this may be the last shipment before they change over.
Hightide Sandglasses. One of our original items offered in the shop remains one of our top sellers! We have these hourglasses/sandglasses in different colors and time intervals.
Anecdote Hardcover Notebooks. I love the feel of the buckram covers of the Anecdote A5 notebooks, and these have a nice price point. Most colors are back in stock.
Lochby Field Journals and Field Folios. Available in multiple sizes and colors, the Lochby Field Journals (strap closure) and Field Folios (zipper closure) are cord-based journals that can hold up to 6 slim notebooks. The waxed-canvas exterior will patina nicely and makes an excellent alternative for those who don’t want leather.
Notsu Index Cards. These fountain pen friendly index cards are available in graph and dot grid layouts, productivity formats, and a large 5x7 foldable size. Notsu also makes a line of accessories to help you carry and organize your cards.

Pilot Vanishing Point Matte Black Lineup

New Arrivals: Workhorse Pens from Pilot! Vanishing Points and Explorers are Here!

January 9, 2024

The idea of a “workhorse pen” - a reliable, often unassuming daily driver that can offer years of reliable service - is one of the key ideas around which I’ve built both the site and our Curated Shop. As we’ve expanded our retail selection over the years, we continue to introduce new pens from brands both new and established that fall into this category, including a growing number of pens from Japanese company Pilot. Last week we received our initial shipment of select models of the Pilot Vanishing Point (Pilot’s classic retractable capless fountain pen), as well as the lower-priced ($25) Pilot Explorer fountain pen. We also stock additional Vanishing Point nib units, which are easily interchangeable.

Pilot Explorer Matte Black Fountain Pen — As someone who was initially skeptical of the Explorer when it was first announced, I’ve come to love this lightweight, well-balanced fountain pen that also fits fairly well into planner and notebook loops, making it a good “planner pen”.

Pilot fountain pens feature some of the best-writing nibs out there, and while Pilot refuses to play the special and limited edition release game to the same extent as some other companies, what they do put out is highly reliable. I’m headed into a heavy month of two-job work that includes a lot of travel, and my personal carry for the new year includes not just a Vanishing Point and Explorer but also a Custom 74 and Custom 823.

Pilot Custom 74 in Blue Stone — Don’t sleep on the Custom 74 - it’s one of my favorite nibs.

In addition to our lineup of Pilot Pens, be sure to check out our selection of Pilot ink, including a refreshed Iroshizuku lineup. Many thanks for your support, and if you’re going to be attending the Philadelphia Pen Show this weekend, I’ll be visiting as well so look for me with our friends at Hinze Pens!

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

Review Revisited: The Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen

June 3, 2023

One downside to blog longevity is the need to ensure that all of the content on your site remains relevant. Certain of the older pen reviews here on T.G.S. are out of date: the pricing discussion might no longer be accurate, the original retailer out-of-business, or - as is the case today - the manufacturer has completely overhauled the lineup and selection of pens available. Today we revisit the Pilot Custom 74: a fountain pen that's regularly appeared in posts and "Best Pen" lists over the years, but which hasn't received any stand-alone in-depth treatment in quite a while.

Pilot Custom 74 Lamy 2000 comparison — The Pilot Custom 74 + Lamy 2000

The Pilot Custom 74: A Highly Underrated Deep Value Proposition for a Workhorse fountain Pen

Along with the Lamy 2000, the Pilot Vanishing Point, and the Pelikan M205/M200, the Pilot Custom 74 was among the first "nice" fountain pens that I purchased in the early 2010s. It may actually have been the first 14k gold nib pen I bought, and I opted for the Violet demonstrator. (The original review has my only remaining photo of this that pen I deeply regret selling - so it goes.) Since then, Pilot has leaned heavily into the Custom 74 in the North American market, with eight different demonstrator colors currently available, as compared to the former four. It remains an excellent - and highly underrated - everyday writer.

Today, the Pilot Custom 74 fountain pen sits in the same market "sweet spot" that it has for years, and potentially has developed into an even more competitive price/value proposition as your options for gold nib pens under $200 dwindle to basically nothing else. While Pilot doesn't expressly advertise it as such, I would peg the Custom 74 as Pilot's answer to the Platinum 3776 and the Sailor 1911, albeit at a price point $30-50 lower than these other two. The Custom 74 is a mid-size pen that will fit most hands comfortably due to its ability to be used posted or unposted, and features a smooth and reliable 14k gold nib. Pilot, of course, doesn't play the limited edition strategy to the same degree as Platinum and Sailor, so for the moment you're limited to the "stock" colors, but that may be changing.

Pilot Custom 74 Nib — The sweet Pilot No. 5 nib on the Custom 74. All current models feature rhodium plated trim with no gold trim options available.

What makes the Custom 74 stand out? The combination of excellent writing experience and the fact that it still maintains its $176 street price at most retailers. You heard that correctly: a sub-$200 price point for an exceptionally reliable Japanese fountain pen with a 14k gold nib. Even back in the early 2010s, when I purchased my first Custom 74 for around $150, I thought this pen represented great value, and that continues to be the case for the following reasons:

Overall Writing Experience. Pilot nibs are consistently among the best standard nibs on the market - if not the best. In all my years writing with fountain pens, I don't think I've ever received a bad one. I can't say that about any other brands, as nearly all companies have their hiccups and in more than a decade buying and selling fountain pens I've had at least one dud from each brand (other than Pilot) that just didn't write perfectly out of the box. The Custom 74’s nib paired with the lightweight, comfortable barrel easily lends itself to longer writing sessions.
Versatility. I mentioned above that the Custom 74's size makes it a versatile writing option that fits a wide range of hands. Prefer a shorter, slimmer pen? The barrel is long enough to comfortably use unposted. Have larger hands? The Custom 74 posts deeply, while not adding too much bulk. It's slim enough to fit most pen cases, shirt pockets, and even some planner loops and notebook cover pen holders. The pen fills with a cartridge-converter filling system, allowing you to use bottled ink or Pilot cartridges.
Better Variety. Over the years, one big knock on this model was the lack of color options. Many people didn't want a clear demonstrator, and some found the orange, smoke grey, blue, and purple pens limiting. (Or "too wild" in the case of the orange and purple. I disagree, but hey, at least they added six new colors!) Today, you can chose from eight different pens: clear, blue, and smoke are still available, but Pilot has also added five additional demonstrators that include some gorgeous options that you don't see very often such as the "Blue Stone" (shown here), Teal, and Grenadine.

Pilot Custom 74 Posted — The Custom 74 posts nicely, and features a traditional streamlined design with rounded ends. Like other Pilot pens such as the Custom 823 and Custom Urushi, the cap sports Pilot's triangular ball clip.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Custom 74 has maintained a slot on my Best Pens list for years as one of my go-to recommendations not just for those looking to purchase their first fountain pen over $150, but for anyone looking for a reliable daily writer. It's up there with the Lamy 2000 and other workhorses. Is there any downside to adding one to your rotation? Not really, other than personal preference. Some may not like the design, and there's currently no non-demonstrator option in the U.S. market. Those who want a larger pen or higher-capacity filling system might want to opt for a bigger Pilot model like the Custom 743 or Custom 823, both of which also feature larger nibs (with accordingly larger price points). But again, these are preferences than true pros and cons.

Pilot Custom 74 Blue Stone Writing Sample

When I decided to bring the Custom 74 and the Custom 823 into the shop, I knew that I wanted to set one aside as a tester/demo pen that would also replace the Violet pen I regret selling all those years ago. I chose the "Blue Stone" model, which is a stunning blue-black color that, to me, complements both Pilot's standard blue-black ink, as well as Iroshizuku Shin-kai. ( I do wonder whether this is intentional on Pilot's part: you can find some near-identical parallels between the Custom 74 color offerings and the Iroshizuku ink lineup.)

After years of recommending this pen, we are proud to sell the Pilot Custom 74 directly in our shop, alongside the Pilot Custom 823, the full range of Iroshizuku Inks, and hopefully more Pilot options in the near future. The Custom 74 is currently priced at $176, is available in all eight colors and nib sizes extra fine through broad, and includes free domestic U.S. shipping.

PIlot Custom 74 workhorse pen photos — My Pilot Custom 74 in Blue Stone (top) with the rest of my “Workhorse Pen” kit from this week: The Lamy 2000 (right), the Cortex Brand Sidekick Notepad, and the Lochby Quattro pen case.

Overlooked and Underloved: Three Fountain Pens That Don't Get the Attention They Deserve

March 9, 2019

The current fountain pen market can be driven to a large degree by hype, with new or “limited edition” pens selling quickly, only to have sales peter out as the novelty wears off and users figure out that maybe those “next big thing” pens aren’t the best for actual daily use. I’ve been as guilty of this as anyone, as some of what I consider to be the best fountain pens in my collection have unfortunately fallen by the wayside. Today I’ll take a look at three pens that have been around for a while, but don’t necessarily get a lot of attention on pen blogs and websites and social media. That’s unfortunate because all three are exceptional, well-balanced writing instruments that are generally reliable “out of the box” and available at most pen retailers. I’m talking about the Pilot Custom 74, the Pilot Custom Heritage 92, and, yes, the Lamy 2000.

You can read my full write-up on the Pilot Custom 74 here.

Pilot Custom 74. At the top of my list of pens that deserve more attention is the Pilot Custom 74. We did end up selling a handful of these pens in Baltimore, and these colorful demonstrators are what I consider to be one of the better bargains on the market. For $176, which is rapidly becoming the price point for many steel-nib pens, you get a sweet 14k Pilot rhodium-plated nib, paired with Pilot’s high-capacity pump converter, the CON-70. You can also use Pilot’s cartridges if you prefer the convenience, and they hold a ton of ink and last forever. The rhodium trim on this pen nicely complements the jewel-like acrylics. I own the blue version, and Violet, Orange, Smoke, and Clear versions are also available, along with two limited editions arriving in the coming months. Stay tuned!

I’ve previously written a full review of the Custom Heritage, but the orange acrylic version has become somewhat more difficult to find, even online.

Pilot Custom Heritage 92. Sitting at a slightly higher price point than the Custom 74 is the Custom Heritage 92, which runs $220 and pairs the same 14k nib from the Custom 74 with an integrated piston filler. One of the main reasons that I love Pilot pens is the mix of quality and price - with the exception of the Lamy 2000 (discussed below), it’s rare that you will find a quality piston-filling fountain pen with a gold nib for under $300. The main drawback to the Custom Heritage is the fact that it’s only available in a single color. At one point Pilot made this pen for the Japanese market in orange, blue, and smoke as well, with the different colors being readily available online, but those appear to be phased out and are not as readily available as they once were. I recently saw someone trying to sell the orange version for close to $1,000, which is silly.

Most people won’t notice that the Lamy 2000 fountain pen isn’t a ballpoint or a rollerball.

Lamy 2000. And finally, we get to an old standby that rarely sits uninked and out of my rotation for long. Talk about a pen that’s not “sexy” in the traditional sense: the minimalist, somewhat brutal, fiberglass design of this pen hasn’t changed at all since the 1960s, and it certainly isn’t going to win you any “likes” (or generate much blog traffic, for that matter), but if I were to open a pen store, you can bet that I’d stock these in all available nib sizes and try to push them on everyone who walked through the door looking for a durable, bottle-filling daily writer. Especially for an office professional, the Lamy 2000 gives you an understated, reliable pen with a large ink capacity that can get you through long meetings, hearings, depositions, or whatever your need may be. It’s first on my list of “workhorse pens.”

So what prompted this post? At last week’s Baltimore Pen Show, a handful of people came by the Vanness Pens table and described to me what they were looking for. In a few instances, the Pilots would have made a perfect match but didn’t get any consideration at all. I sensed a real hesitation to give these pens a chance, whether because they were slightly more expensive than steel-nib options that customers ended up purchasing, or simply because some people hadn’t heard of these pens before or hadn’t seen them online. Don’t get me wrong - if a pen doesn’t speak to you, then don’t spend your money on it. But one of my resolutions for this year was to shift the focus of the blog from merely following market trends back to highlighting those products that I love and believe will serve readers well over the long term. Sometimes the best option isn’t the newer, shinier release - it’s the old standard that’s been around for many years, for good reason, and you owe it to yourself as a user and enthusiast to give these pens a chance.

Six “Workhorse Pens”, from left: Pilot Custom 74, Pilot Custom Heritage 92, Lamy 2000, Montblanc 146 Ultra Black, Lamy Safari, and Faber-Castell e-Motion Pure Black.

Disclaimer: As of 2020, T.G.S. is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

So What Is a “Soft” Nib?

The Pilot Custom 74: A Highly Underrated Deep Value Proposition for a Workhorse fountain Pen

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Further Reading

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