Pen Review: Revisiting the Pilot FA Nib, This Time on the Pilot Custom 743 Verdigris Green

Back in 2017, I reviewed Pilot’s FA nib on the Custom 912 fountain pen, and while I came away from that experience impressed with the amount of flex that the nib offered, I couldn’t use it as an everyday writer. Personally, I’ve never “chased flex” in fountain pens - either vintage or modern - as I’m not a calligrapher and I don’t typically draw or otherwise practice lettering. That said, I do occasionally enjoy a soft fountain pen nib, such as when I want to journal in cursive or explore different inks. I’ve already written about how much I enjoy the soft fine-medium from this year’s Custom 74 “Lavender Fog” North American Exclusive, and I’ve also come to appreciate the FA nib on the larger Custom 743.

View fullsize

Pilot Custom 743 vs. Pilot Custom 912: Not the Same Nib

But isn’t Pilot’s FA nib the same on either pen? No. When we hosted our unfortunately-weather-abbreviated store event back in January, I had the opportunity to compare the FA nibs on the Custom 912 and Custom 743 side-by-side. Those who prefer a much softer and wetter writing experience closer to a true flex nib should opt for the Custom 912, whereas those who - like me - do more standard writing should probably choose the Custom 743. The two pens have different nibs, with the Custom 743 featuring a stiffer nib that also appears on the Pilot Custom 823.

View fullsize

The top writing sample (in Sailor Ink Studio 670) was done with the Pilot Custom 743 FA nib. The bottom writing sample was done with a Custom 74 Lavender Fog with a Soft Fine Medium (SFM) nib, in Tono & Lims Deep Field Laniakea.

What I Enjoy About My FA Nib and How I Use It

I chose this pen, and the FA nib in particular, for several reasons. First of all, this Pilot Custom 743 is a North American exclusive in Verdigris Green, and I wanted to be sure to get one before they are inevitably discontinued. In my mind, this special pen needed a fun nib, and after trying the Custom 743 version of the FA, I knew that I’d be able to use it regularly, even if not as an everyday writer. I’ve had this pen inked for two months, and here’s how I’ve put it to work:

• Handwriting Improvement. One of this year's goals is to practice my cursive whenever I can, and it’s much more fun to do that with a nib that has some bounce to it and offers good line variation. With just light pressure, you can vary the line width of your up- and down-strokes, though I can’t overemphasize that like the “soft” nibs on the Pilot Custom 74, the FA nib should not be overflexed. It is possible to spring these nibs and cause irreparable damage. While I’ve not done any sort of scientific measurement, I would estimate that you can safely vary the line width on this pen 2-3 nib sizes (i.e., extra-fine to medium, or fine to broad).

• Exploring Ink. The other benefit to line variation is that it can bring out the special properties in fountain pen ink, especially shading and shimmer. I’ve never focused as much on ink as I have on pens and paper, but since I receive more questions on ink these days (particularly in-store), I’ve felt the need to broaden base of knowledge on how different inks work in different pens, and with different pen and paper combinations.

• Testing Paper. Similarly, in my line of work I need to know what kind of paper holds up well to wetter nibs, and how far I can push certain papers to the point where they will start to feather or bleed. You can really test just how “fountain pen friendly” certain paper is by pairing wet inks with soft nibs, even if sometimes the point of failure is well past what most people require for everyday use.

View fullsize

Chasing Nibs and Not Necessarily Pens

I remarked in last week’s post that over time, the focus of my pen use/collecting has reoriented towards nibs rather than pens. Sure, it’s fun to collect a new custom material or a favorite model in a new color, but most of my personal purchases over the past two years have been driven by whether the nib offers a unique writing experience. My current collecting “grail” is to fill out a set of all the Pilot specialty nibs over time, in unique pens if possible. Recently I’ve added the FA pictured here, and I’ve also been loving the WA (Waverly) nib as a smooth everyday writer. Just wait until you read the recap from my upcoming trip to Japan, because this collection is about to get a lot bigger. :)

Further Reading

You can read more about the Pilot Custom Series, including different nib options, in this overview of the various Pilot “Custom” models. As we’ve grown our own store, we offer many of these Pilot pens directly, including certain Custom series models, and we have a couple of the Verdigris Green Custom 743s remaining in stock as of the time of publication.

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.

First Impressions: Hands-on with the Uni Zento Signature!

Ok, so I finally got my hands on a Uni Zento Signature - Uni’s latest “it” gel pen that flies off shelves so fast in Japan that it hardly ever makes it’s way into the U.S. market, and when it does, it often appears at grossly inflated secondary market prices. (I’ve seen these pens priced as high as $200+, but fortunately as they become more available this degree of silliness is less common.) I’ve been trying to get my hands on a Zento Signature for about a year, and when Vanness Pens obtained a (very) small shipment for the California Pen Show in February, I managed to snag one of the black ones in the .5mm tip size. After a few weeks of use, here are my initial impressions.

View fullsize

What I Like About the Uni Zento Signature

• Magnetic Cap. The Zento Signature features a magnetic cap which closes and posts securely. This feature alone makes the Signature an excellent pen for everyday carry. Standard “click” gel pens can accidentally deploy in your bag or pocket, causing a mess. You don’t have that issue with the Signature.

• Sturdy Clip. The Signature features an upgraded metal clip that’s a bit heavier duty than the wire clip on the standard and Flow pens. I haven’t had the pen long enough to know whether it will make a real long-term difference in terms of durability, but it feels secure and does lend the pen a higher-end look.

• Matte Grip. The grip section on the Zento Signature has a matte texture that reduces slippage in the hand. The metal barrel on the Zento Flow might be a touch slick for some people. If you’re writing outdoors, in a variable travel environment, or if you tend to have sweaty hands, the Signature is a good choice.

• All-Metal Construction. The Zento Signature feels durable due to the nearly all-metal construction, including interior metal threads. There’s even an o-ring to prevent leakage if a refill goes bust.

View fullsize

The Zento Signature posted in-hand. The grip section is comfortable, though I find the overall shape of the pen a touch short for my hand.

The Uni Zento Flow, which is a traditional click pen format with a lower aluminum barrel.

Do I Prefer the Zento Signature Over the Zento Flow? A Few Considerations that have me leaning towards the Zento flow

• Price Point. Even at the standard pricing ($30), the Zento Signature is nearly 3x more expensive than the Zento Flow, and 10x more expensive than the standard Zento. All three pens use the same refill, so in order to justify the price difference, you need to really like the format. I would NOT suggest that anyone pay $100-200 on the secondary market for a Zento Signature under any circumstances - it was never intended to be sold at this price point and the value proposition is not there.

• Balance. I don’t consider the Zento Signature unbalanced, but for longer writing sessions the Zento Flow fits my hand better. Posted, the Signature is only slightly shorter, but the difference in weight and balance feels more pronounced. I think I prefer the more front-weighted Flow overall.

• Hype. The stationery industry goes crazy over certain products from time to time, and I’m usually able to ignore the hype but with the Zento Signature it can be impossible. This pen has drawn so much attention that I dislike using it in public and carrying it with me at shows and meetups due to the number of people constantly asking whether I’m willing to sell it. (I’m not.) In my opinion, this pen is nice but does not justify the level of social media FOMO-driven hype that it receives.

Most of the price point of the Zento Signature goes into the metal barrel. As you can see, the barrel threads are metal as opposed to plastic, which suggests that the pen will be more durable over time as one would expect for the price point. That said, both pens use the same refill, so your writing experience is nearly identical.

Further Reading on the Uni Zento Lineup

I’ve previously reviewed the standard Uni Zento and the “mid-tier” Zento Flow, which uses the same refill and features an upgraded metal barrel in five different finishes. I think the Zento refill is excellent, and consider these pens exceptionally good everyday writers for those who value a smooth writing experience. The Zento is designed to be “low friction”, and performs as advertised. At the end of the day, is the coveted Zento Signature 2-3x as good as the Flow? If you’re just looking to write with a Zento, probably not, but if you are looking for a pocket-carry EDC pen with a magnetic cap, at $30 the Zento Signature is a reasonable choice as long as you can find one at standard pricing.

We currently have a fairly large selection of Standard Zentos and Zento Flow pens in stock in our shop, including the cool “Birch” Flow that pairs a white upper barrel with etched aluminum. We recently added some .7mm options for those who prefer a wider tip size. Unfortunately, we do not have any Zento Signatures available for sale as they remain largely unavailable in the U.S. Our friends at Vanness Pens are also currently sold out. Please note that I am not interested in selling my personal pen and generally do not respond to emails and comments regarding purchases from my personal collection. Thank you for understanding!

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.

Pen Review: The 2025 Pilot Prera Revamp

Believe it or not, there is a very popular pen that I’ve never reviewed, and that pen is the Pilot Prera. The Prera has been around for years, and often recommended as a solid “next step” option for those upgrading from a pen like the Pilot Kakuno, Metropolitan, Explorer or other basic “entry level” pen. The $50-75 price range can be pretty sparse, and the Prera has long been one of the stalwarts in this bracket.

View fullsize

Why have I never reviewed the Prera? Well, for years the Prera was only available to the U.S. market in a clear body style that never appealed to me enough to buy. Since I run a highly curated retail store, I never previously explored carrying the Prera since I tend to focus mostly on pens that strongly appeal to me personally and that I like to recommend. Was this 100% fair to the Prera? Probably not, but in any event, the recent release of four new solid colors (Porcelain White, Honey Yellow, Empress Teal, and Cinnamon Brown) caught my attention and prompted me to reconsider. I’ve been using a yellow Prera nearly exclusively for the past two weeks and I like it.

View fullsize

The Pilot Prera compared to a Kaweco Sport, Pilot Custom 74, and Tom’s Studio Wren. The Kaweco Sport and the Tom’s Studio Wren are what I would consider true pocket pens, while the Custom 74 is more full-size so you can see how they compare.

So what are my thoughts? For starters, I can see why this pen is popular. Compact fountain pens such as the Kaweco Sport, Sailor Pro Gear Slim, and Pilot E95s are favorites for a reason, in that they “carry small and write big”. While I wouldn’t put the Prera in the “pocket pen” category (it has a friction-fit cap), it’s small enough to be portable, and it would fit nicely with a planner or small organizer. Posted, the Prera is large enough for me to use comfortably for longer writing sessions, and I’ve used it to journal nightly without issue.

Though labeled a medium, the steel Prera nib could best be characterized as a “Fine Medium” nib, IMHO. It’s a perfect width for my own everyday writing.

Pilot’s main draw, in my experience, is the brand’s rock-solid reliability. The stainless steel medium nib on my Prera is a smooth writer and on the fine side for a medium steel nib, which I prefer. While not inexpensive at $64, the Prera does ship with both a cartridge and converter, so you’re able to use both Pilot cartridges and bottled ink out of the box.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Though more expensive than the Metropolitan or Explorer, the Prera offers a more traditional flat-top format somewhat reminiscent of the Sailor Pro Gear or Pro Gear Slim. A reliable writer that will perform as expected, these pens are great for those seeking a fountain pen with a “professional” look, or simply a more compact writing instrument for use on the go. Personally, I think the new colors are outstanding, with Honey Yellow and Empress Teal being my favorites since they remind me of classic vintage pens. Cinnamon Brown is also more of a burgundy than a true brown, and not a color that you typically see from Pilot.

View fullsize

The Prera is priced at $64 and ships with a squeeze converter included. Currently available with either a fine or medium stainless steel nib, I understand that additional nib options are on the way, including a steel stub/italic that I look forward to trying out once it’s available. For now you can find the new Preras in our own shop, and we may consider adding the clear Prera’s going forward if there is enough interest.

Come see these pens in person! Visit our shop, currently open Thursday and Friday 1-6pm, and Saturdays 10-6pm. Check this page to keep up to date on our current hours, which may change depending on travel schedules during pen show season.

Multi Pen Versatility: Combining the Pilot 4+1 Multi Pen with the Uni Style Fit Gel Refill

When I had ordered these Pilot 4+1 Multi Pens, I knew that they used the exceptionally good Acro ink BVRF-9 low-viscosity refill. I was NOT aware that Uni’s Style Fit gel refill uses the same format, and therefore fits this pen. For today, I wanted to do a quick post showing off this feature because I love when multi pens are versatile enough to allow you to use both ballpoint and gel inks at the same time, and the contoured grip on this Pilot makes it not only versatile but extremely comfortable to use.

View fullsize

Here, you can see that I have taken one of the blue Pilot 4+1 pens and swapped in two .5mm Style Fit refills in Mandarin Orange and Blue-Black. The Acro Ink and Style Fit refills are exactly the same size and shape, allowing you to choose from among the 16 Style Fit gel colors in addition to the Acro Ink set.

View fullsize

The Acro-Ink Refill (left) alongside the Style Fit (right). Note that the Style Fit and Pilot BVRF-8 refills DO NOT fit Uni 4+1 Multi Pens, as these use a shorter Jetstream Refill. It’s also excellent but just a different format.

Both the Uni Style Fit and Acro Ink refills provide a smooth writing experience. Of course, the edge in smoothness and color saturation will go to the gel pen, but Pilot’s Acro Ink deserves a place among the best ballpoint refills on the market. We added one of these Pilot multi-pens to our most recent Patreon Curated Box, and received a ton of positive feedback on the stock refills so these will be a shop staple for as long as we can continue to get them. (They are imports.)

View fullsize

From top: Pilot Acro Ink in black, Uni Style fit in blue black, Pilot Acro Ink in red, and Uni Style fit in Mandarin Orange.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Personally, I favor the Pilot 4+1 body over the Uni Style Fit Meister 5, though both are good. The contoured wood grip on this Pilot Multi Pen is among the most comfortable I’ve used, and I was thrilled to discover that there is a gel refill I can pair with it that offers .28mm, .38mm, and .5mm options in 16 different colors. (Just to be clear, the reverse is also true - the Style Fit body will take the Pilot refill.)

View fullsize

The Pilot 4+1 Multi Pen (Top) next to the Uni Style Fit Meister 5 (bottom). I prefer the Pilot’s grip, but the Uni does come in nearly a dozen different colors.

You can get the Pilot 4+1 and Uni Style Fit Multi Pens in our shop, along with the refills for both. As noted above, the Pilot 4+1 ships with four .5mm Pilot BVRF-8 refills (black, blue, red, and green, plus a .5mm mechanical pencil). The Uni Style Fit bodies are sold separately from the refills, so you can assemble your own customized pen.

Come see these pens in person! We are open this week from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Check out this page for up-to-date hours and news on special hours when we have to travel.

Pen Review: Is the Uni Zento Gel Pen Worth the Hype?

One of the most-discussed releases of the past year has been the Uni Zento gel pen, which has captured the attention of the stationery communities in both Japan and the U.S. In particular, the “Zento Signature” - which features a cap as opposed to your typical retractable mechanism - prompted rushes reminiscent of the Uni Kuru Toga Dive mechanical pencil. While I’ve yet to get my hands on one of these “upscale” models for an extended test drive, I’ve had the opportunity to write with both the standard Zento and the slightly upgraded “Zento Flow” (both retractables) for a couple of weeks now. While I’m not sure I would pay more than standard retail for any version of this pen, the Zento is an excellent gel pen and so far I prefer it over the Uni One and any of the basic Uni Signo “office” inks.

View fullsize

The Uni Zento Flow Gel Pen in the Jade Colorway, in-hand. I also went with a Canary Yellow standard Zento.

So What’s the Story Behind the Zento?

Uni’s gel pen lineup can be confusing - the company has released multiple iterations of your standard black/blue/red gel pen and left them all on the market simultaneously, the only difference supposedly being different inks that to most people will seem quite similar. The Zento is advertised as formulated for “stress free” writing, which apparently refers to a combination of smoothness and cushion. The Zento is indeed quite comfortable to write with - the pen feels very smooth with little to no scratch, and the ink glides on the page and dries instantaneously. The ink is also advertised as formulated to reduce feathering and bleedthrough, and I can confirm there is none. Now was this actually so much of an issue with Uni’s other pens that it warranted an entirely new product line? I’m not sure, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Zento is good.

Ink Comparison: Zento Black Ink (top) has a more matte look, vs. the glossy black Uni One (bottom). To draw a comparison to fountain pen inks, I’d compare the Zento ink to something like Platinum Carbon Black or Sailor Kiwa-Guro, while the Uni One ink is more of a glossy black like Aurora.

How Does the Uni Zento Compare to the Uni One?

As I noted, in addition to the Zento, Uni released the Uni One a few years ago, which was supposed to be another “specialty” ink that’s a step above your standard office gel pen. I’ve found the Uni One and the Zento to offer somewhat different writing experiences, so I can confirm the distinction is real. The One contains an ink formulated to be extremely dark (standard black) and/or vivid (other colors), with a glossier finish. So if you prefer a darker, wet look to your gel ink, you might prefer the Uni One, especially if you’re using the pen for drawing or doing layout work in a bullet journal or planner. The Zento seems better suited to pure writing, as it lays down a remarkably smooth line and, in my opinion, has the more comfortable barrel.

Update: You can now view the Uni Zento companion video review on our YouTube Channel!

View fullsize

The array of barrel colors available for the Uni Zento standard. There are some great colors available.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Uni makes a great gel pen, and I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the Zento as I don’t typically do much writing with gel ink beyond quick notes and annotations. I strongly prefer the barrel on the Zento over the One and pretty much any other standard gel pen - it’s got a nice balance, the perfect diameter for my hand, and on the standard model, a soft texture that’s comfortable over longer sessions. I will also say that the clips on both the Uni Zento and the Uni One are excellent - the wire design is highly functional - with the slight edge to the Zento as it feels a bit tighter on both the standard model and the Flow. That said, if you prefer the barrel on the One but want to try Zento ink, the Zento refills fit the Uni One, and vice-versa.

We currently have a large selection of the standard Uni Zento gel pens available in our shop, as well as a smaller selection of the Zento Flow, with the upgraded barrels. Zentos are priced at $3 and $11, respectively, with extra refills available for $1.75. You can get a nice pen at a reasonable price, or pick up a refill that will fit one of your existing Uni pen bodies.

Come see these pens in person! Visit our shop, currently open Thursday and Friday 1-6pm, and Saturdays 10-6pm. Check this page to keep up to date on our current hours, which may change depending on travel schedules during pen show season.

View fullsize

You can tell the difference between the clip on a Zento (top and bottom) because it has the round holder, whereas the holder on the One is rectangular.