The Pilot FA Nib Vs The Pilot Falcon Nib
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- There's a fountain pen called the Pilot Falcon. There are other Pilot pens with Falcon nibs, but they're not the same. It can be confusing, but Brian's here to set the record straight so that you know what's what!
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LINKS TO PRODUCTS FEATURED:
Pilot Falcon: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Pilot Metal Falcon: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Pilot Custom 912: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Pilot Custom 743: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
1:25 Pilot Falcon Explained
5:54 FA Falcon Nib
9:50 Which one should you buy?
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Brian & Rachel Goulet started The Goulet Pen Company in 2009 and you can see the evolution of our mom and pop into a full-blown company through this channel. We run a dedicated online store with fountain pens, ink, paper, and other fine writing accessories. Our goal with this channel is to provide fountain pen fans at all levels of experience with comprehensive product reviews, round ups, and how-to videos to answer all the fountain pen questions you may have. Shop at www.gouletpens.com.
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I know some may say this video wasn't necessary with how much it has come up and been talked about, but I'm so glad to have this as a standalone reference, rather than trying to remember which "first look" or which pencast episode it came up in, etc.
Thank you! That's often how we decide to do "full" videos - based on the comments of the Pencast that indicate how helpful a topic was. Thanks for watching! - Drew
@joshhakey7705 - I agree! 👏
This is SUPER helpful! Thanks Brian!
New Grail Unlocked:
Metal Falcon
Great video! The one problem I would say that the Falcon has is that its tiny ink capacity works against it heavily for as good as this thing writes. I have the Falcon in a gorgeous smooth, bouncy, soft-medium nib and it's just perfect. However, a day of jotting notes at work, and I've gone through 90% of the converter, so I have to refill it that night. I carry other fountain pens with me so I don't get caught out, because I've written this thing dry in a couple work days before. I can only imagine how quickly a soft broad nib equipped Falcon would be written dry. So anyone wanting one of these, keep that in mind.
Your comments about each nib's ideal writing angle were really helpful! I write with a shallow angle, and several pens that I own have nibs that only perform well at angles too steep for my comfort. I'd love to see you mention writing angles if they're relevant in future product videos.
Neil Gaiman uses a Falcon too ❤
I love my Metal Falcon SEF, but I might possibly love the Custom 743 FA more. That bigger nib makes a difference. The Falcon writes drier, but the 743 FA is nice and juicy, although it can't go as fine as the Falcon SEF.
I usually use them as everyday writers, but if I want to bust out a line of calligraphy, they can handle it.
The FA might be my favorite nib out of the entire Pilot lineup. I swapped an FA nib out of a 743 into an 823 and it has become my favorite pen.
Hi. I have done the exact same thing on my Amber 823, it's a total revelation.🤗 Cheers from Australia.🦘
Definitivamente namiki falcon es mucho más práctica que custom 912 FA. Gracias por los consejos Brian!
Thank you for this video. You continue to make a very valuable contributions to the fountain pen community.
Like others, I found my Custom Heritage 912 railroading from time FYI time. I replaced the feed with a higher capacity ink flow and now it sings. It's so much fun to use.
Thank you so much for this in depth video! Your explanation of the different writing angles between the Custom 912 FA #10 nib and the Custom 743 FA #15 nib finally helped me to understand why I prefer the 912 (I have a very upright writing style)!
Thank you for watching! - Drew
Super useful on the writing angle of the FA nib. I also like a lower angle. I have a Namiki Falcon and id say the best word for the nib is springy and light. It's a wonderful writing experience!
Thanks, Brian, as always for your clear, concise and engaging CZcams videos! 👍This one helped with my decision-making re: which nib might suit me best.
Thanks Brian for explaining the difference between the Falcon pen and Falcon nib. I have had the Pilot Metal Falcon in burgundy extra fine for some time and am really happy with it. It gives me just the amount of line variation that I want.
Interesting video! I would like to hear something about Pilots PO nib, maybe compared to Platinums UEF but I guess that's rather a Drew-topic 😄
Thanks for another fantastic video. I have a Metal Falcon with the broad nib for a couple of weeks now, and must admit that I am absolutely thrilled by this fountain pen.
I love my Falcon. The resin is really light, but it is definitely worth the price.
There are youtube sites that will help your writing styles to leverage this awesome pen.
The FA nibs on the Custom 743 (and 742) are paired with a better feed for faster writing. I did have to replace the feed for my Custom Heritage 912 to get it to a more acceptable state for my writing, but it's still a great nib. However, if you want an FA nib over a Falcon, definitely go with the 743/742 as you don't have to then buy a custom ebonite feed.
BUT THE #10 FA NIB (ON THE CUSTOM 912) HAS MORE FLEXIBILITY, SO IT'S WORTH GETTING AN EBONITE FEED.
(IF U'RE LOOKING FOR A PILOT PEN, BECAUSE THERE'RE BETTER OPTIONS)
Heyy pal, where did you get the custom ebonite feed? I have CH912 with FA nib, and I also feel that the feed couldn't keep up with the flex of the nib.
@@MrG0CEif there's better at a similar price point do you have any suggestions? I'm getting a falcon delivered today but if there's better for 200 I won't open it
@@carrywu CZcams OR THEM ARE DELETING MY MESSAGES WITH LINKS, BUT SEARCH FOR FLEXIBLE NIB FACTORY (FNF), IN THE SECTION OF SHOP, THEN FEEDS.
@@yoitsmegabe CZcams OR THEM ARE DELETING MY MESSAGES WITH LINKS, BUT SEARCH FOR FOUNTAIN PEN REVOLUTION (FPENREVOLUTION), IN THE PENS SECTION, THEN FPR 14K, THEN I SUGGEST THE JAIPUR V2 WITH THE ULTRAFLEX NIB; THERE'S A BLACK MATTE EBONITE PISTON FILLER WITH AN EBONITE FEED AND THE BEST NIB ON THE MARKET, BETTER THAN THE ONE FROM MONTBLANC CALLIGRAPHY OR THE ONE FROM MAGNACARTA 600.
I ordered my first order from you guys today , excited to try the pens out when I get them :)
Thanks Brian. Im enjoying my FA custom 743. Amazing
Thank you. Just what I was wondering about and you really clarified the difference for me.
This came out at the perfect time as I was just starting to look into picking up something with the Falcon/FA nib and wondering how they compared. Appreciate all you guys do!
Great video Brian. Thanks for clearing the fog of confusion. 👍
Hi Brian! Thanks for clearing up the differences between the Falcon pen and the FA nibs! Good info!
I have 912 FA and two Falcons, SEF & SF. 912 has better design, FA is better than soft nibs. 912 is lighter. But... But I haven't been using 912 for years now and can say that Metal Falcon SF is my favorite pen. Not just favorite Pilot pen but overall favorite. I can't explain why. I take great pleasure writing with it, it feels right in my arm.
I have confession to make - I'm a Pilot fanboy.
I love my falcons but it’s great to have an understanding of the two nibs. Thank you!
Love this review! Thank you! I purchased my Pilot Falcon SEF from you guys about a month ago, and I’m in love! I have a feeling I’m going to buy the SF next😅
That's great to hear! - Drew
I got my Falcon from Goulet pens. SEF nib. Now it is my favorite pen displacing my even more expensive M1000.
Nice informative video Brian 👍. Depending on the ink you use, and how far & how much you are pushing the tines open ~ laying down big lines of ink, you can go through a CON 70 of ink in no tine …er time. I upgraded my 912 with an ebonite feed with a larger (#2) ink channel. My 912 with original feed, tended to railroad pretty quick unless I wrote at a slower pace. I can’t speak to the Falcon pen on that issue. I’d like to get a Falcon pen (resin), but resin models don’t take a Con 70 🥴, which has never made sense to me. It is what it is…. .Thank you Brian for your solid video.
Helpful, indeed!
Hmmm - I’ll have to pay more attention to the angle I use. Possibly I adapt automatically because I haven’t noticed needing to consciously adjust. As to the Falcon - the flex might be ever so slightly more than than the 91/74 SF, but honestly, whichever you can find cheaper is the one I recommend (the 91 and 74 both take the Con 70, which the resin Falcon does not).
For drawing, I use the Falcon and 912 FA in tandem. Finer detail gets the Falcon, while the 912 FA is for broader strokes or something that needs more dramatic line variation. Simply, the FA nib at its narrowest is not as fine as the Falcon SF (much less the SEF).
I've purchased both the Falcon in EF and the Heritage 912 with FA from GP years ago, and personally the Falcon in EF is a little scratchy for me, but I do love the EF line, so it's a love/hate thing.
The 912 with FA writes really well if angled properly, but like you mention it's not my normal writing angle either so it's not super comfortable for long writing sessions.
I really love both pens, but I agree with you, if someone is looking between the two I would recommend the Falcon in Fine, especially since Japanese Fine is pretty close to Western Extra Fine, I'd trade my Falcon EF for a F if anyone is interested. :)
Thanks for another awesome informative video Brian!
Own two falcons in sf & sef…both great. The sf has a third trick up its sleeve that no one talks about(maybe it’s just mine?)…it’s a great reverse writer & gives you the same line as the sef minus the variation. Actually easier to control/more consistent extra fine line.
Yeah, I got this Pilot Elabo with the SEF nib. The main warning I’d give to new users is to use a good paper stock. Otherwise, that beak-like nib will dig down into the paper and eat it up! It writes veeeery wet, so it has a huge potential to feather and ghost. This pen requires a good paper stock.
Thank you! I finally understand!
Yay! - Drew
I love how bouncy the FA nib on my 912 is. It's so much fun to write with 😁 I haven't needed to use a higher writing angle to get line variation, but maybe I just got lucky, as I also haven't had flow issues (which I have seen complaints about) as long as I use a wet ink. I have Yama-Budo in my pen right now, and the flow has been perfect.
I find information about nibs and writing samples essential to choose the right pen. This video was very helpful. Thank you! My writing angle is 55. I wonder if it is because my hands are small. It certainly affects my experience with different pens.
My Falcon SF was my second ever gold nib and my first introduction to soft nibs (I had the Ahab for flex). It has been an excellent everyday writer for me.
The 912 FA is a different experience. I really have to slow down and be intentional. It's more expressive , but it isn't a EDC pen for taking notes like the Falcon which can write effortlessly all day.
I have both. The soft fine in the Falcon, and the fine point (FA) on the 912. From my perspective, the subtleties (in their feel) between them are very slightly noticeable, but discernible nonetheless. I typically would not take my 912 with me and use as a daily writer. It would be overkill and too slow for note taking and all the things that one uses a ride along pen for. It is definitely softer. It stays at home for fine writing, journaling, and letter writing. The Falcon, on the other hand, CAN be used in a business setting, for fast writing, jotting, notes etc., and does occasionally get to see the outside world from its view in my shirt pocket! While soft, it is JUST barely stiff enough to be used as a daily writer. I have a lot of pens. Some I spent a small fortune on. And I appreciate the differences between all of them. That said, Pilots in this range and above (with their gold nibs), are hard to beat in terms of precision writing experience.
You mentioned that the Falcon nib was flexible but only to a certain degree. Would you say that the FA nib was better, worse, or identical in that regard?
Great video! Can you a video on the Custom 912 SU #10 nib and the Custom 743 SU #15 nib. I love stub nibs and I am will be looking for my "Grail Pen". I am leaning to the 912 flat top pens, thanks!
I just can't bring myself to see the beak of a falcon on the Pilot Falcon, there's just not enough of a hook for it. It would sooner remind me of the head of something between a crow or a raven, a nice balance of shape, curve, slimness and volume.
The gold in pilots #10 nibs is much softer on top of being less of it in the smaller nib size. I have two custom 912's, one with a soft fine and one with s falcon. I find myself having to hold the pens almost straight up and away from the paper almost because I've got a big meaty paw and using just the pens weight causes them to flex and separate.
I think the #15 FA nib being a bit sturdier and larger makes it much more controllable and forgiving. It suits me much better.
Bbbbuuutttt if you want hair trigger instant flex that is harder to stop than to use the 912 is the way to go for sure IMHO
Common theme/comments I also see is if people write heavy handed go for soft nibs as opposed to FA nibs. I'm still confused which one to get. Anyone uses it for drawing and daily writing?
Hello! Would the Falcon makes a good daily pen for someone who is light handed? Debating between it and CH91, thanks!
Can we get a direct comparison of the Falcon, FA and Mag 600 at some point. One of these days I'm going to go down the flex, er, soft nib route and would love to see those compared directly. Thanks as always for the informative videos!
Yes, we're looking to do another flex nib ranking video at some point this year! - Drew
Is there an FA or Falcon pen nib (can these be swapped out to a different pen?) that is the same size as the Namiki #5 nib?
No, it's just the size 10 and 15 nibs. I suspect the tines on the size 5 nibs are a little bit too short to get enough flexibility out of them and there may not even be enough space below the shoulders of the nib to fit the cut-outs in there. This page has a good overview of the available nibs: kmpn.blogspot.com/2011/06/pilot-custom.html The only change since that blog post was written in 2017 is that there is now a new nib: the signature nib(a slightly stubby double broad, very similar to the way many European manufacturers grind their BB and 3B nibs), available on the 823 and 742.
Yippie ki yay, Mr. Falcon.
How the heck did you know i was contemplating on getting this!?
It's been a fairly common question! We knew this video wasn't going to go viral or anything, but we had hoped to help folks gain some clarity. I'm glad you found it! - Drew
I know that there's been a lot of hype about the Falcon and FA nibs and I agree they are impressive, BUT don't be fooled, these nibs are NOT for everyday writing!
What is good for everyday writing is a Soft Fine nib (SF), and in mho more suitable for most people. Pilot offers a lot of SF nibs in their custom 74, 742, 912 and 743 line ups.
PS: the feeds of 742 and 912 (which "flex" the most) need to have their channel widened or replaced with an ebonite with 2 or 3 channels, in order to be able to write more than one line without a stop for the feed to catch up.
Do you sell Pilot Elite 95s ?
Yes, but in the US Pilot calls it the E95s. You can find it here: www.gouletpens.com/products/pilot-e95s-fountain-pen-burgundy-ivory
@@Gouletpens Thanks for replying so promptly 🙏
Even the pen technically has three variants : the original namiki falcon
The metal falcon
The plastic falcon
Falcon sef is perfekt. the metall has the bigger converter. FA i dont recommend
я так и не понял разницу между этими наконечниками
The original Pilot Falcon Pen was actually slimmer in diameter, and had a slip cap. It did not have a screw cap. Interesting that this guy didn't mention that.
So, is there a Hard Pilot Falcon Nib? lol
Yes, actually. They’re just not that known in the US and I am not even aware if they are still produced.
I‘ve also seen the Falcon pen called Erabo on Japanese sites.
Not exactly sure why? Simple geometry. The Falcon nib shape spreads the tines at a different angle.
^^
Quit it now.
Uh, okay
I'd suggest hiring a calligrapher or brush stroke artist to demo pens so people can see what they're truly capable of. Most people on these fountain pen channels have the penmanship of an 80 year old with Parkinson's. Come on do the pens justice!
Since I write like an 80 year old I'm happy to see what regular use will look like when I use it. Much like wanting to see clothes in something other than a size 2.