The Pilot Custom 74 is a popular “upgrade” pen. If you are looking for your first gold nib fountain pen or a super-reliable, no-nonsense pen under $150 (or under $100 if you import it from Japan) then the Custom 74 is one of the top options.
The Custom 74 is a cartridge converter pen that can use the proprietary Pilot/Namiki cartridges of a Pilot converter. The pen ships with a Pilot Con-70 high-capacity push converter.
Choosing Your Custom 74
The Custom 74 is sold in a range of color options, but the most popular are Black, Deep Red, Orange, Blue, Clear (Demonstrator), and Violet.
It’s sold in a number of nib sizes and variations, some of which will not be super easy to understand, like the “soft fine medium” nib. The standard nibs (fine, medium, etc.) have limited flex and are great for day to day writing. The soft nibs have more flex under pressure and are generally a bit wetter. They have more character than the normal nibs, but can come at a slight price premium and generally aren’t as good as note-taking and other basic writing tasks.
Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen Information
| Street Price | Check Price |
| Manufacturer | Pilot |
| Pen Type | Fountain Pen | Cartridge/Converter |
| Rating | |
| Barrel Color | Black, Purple, Burgundy, Orange, Blue, Clear, Smoke, Dark Blue, Violet |
| Barrel Material | Plastic |
| Body Diameter (mm) | 14.6 mm |
| Grip Color | Black, Purple, Burgundy, Orange, Blue, Clear, Smoke, Dark Blue, Violet |
| Grip Material | Plastic |
| Grip Diameter (mm) | 10.5 mm |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
| MSRP | $105 |
| Still Sold | Yes |
| Similar To | |
| Refills | |
| Capped? Retractable? | Capped - Screw On |
| Clip? | Metal |
| Length Capped / Retracted (cm) | 14.2 |
| Length Posted (cm) | 15.8 cm |
| Length Uncapped (cm) | 12.5 cm |
| Weight (g) | 18 grams |
| Refillable | Yes |
| Ink Color Shipped | Black, Blue |
| Nib Material | Gold, 14k Gold (Rhodium-Plated) |
| Nib Color | Gold, Silver 14k Gold (Rhodium-Plated) |
| Nib Sizes | Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, Double Broad, Flex, Fine Medium, Soft Fine Medium, Soft Fine, Soft Medium |