My Pilot Custom 742 with SU (Stub) Nib

Many of my readers know my love for fountain pens with stub nibs, especially in my TWSBIs and Pilot Preras. I was doing a bit of research and checking out other Pilot nib offerings when I came across one of their nibs called “SU” which they call stub nib. There were only a handful of reviews that showed a writing sample from this nib. I took a chance (gut instinct) and ordered this nib in my first Pilot Customer 742.

I am thrilled to have added this Pilot pen to my fountain pen collection. I’m enjoying the writing experience and how lovely this SU nib writes. It’s a smooth nib with some slight feedback. There’s also some feedback noise as I write for extended periods of time. This could be a result of my hand becoming tired which results in a heavy hand while writing.

My SU nib creates some nice line variations and makes my handwriting have a bit more flair and style.

Pilot Stub Nib versus TWSBI Stub 1.1 Nib

Naturally, I have to compare this Pilot nib with my TWSBI nib.

When I look straight on into my SU nib, the shape is square. A boxy shape with slightly curved corners. On my TWSBI, the nib shape is more rectangular.

I created a writing sample to show how my TWSBI stub 1.1 nib, my Pilot SU nib, and my Faber-Castell Hexo with medium nib compares. At the time I originally drafted this post, they were the only three pens I had inked.

My Pilot SU nib writes slightly smaller than my TWSBI stub 1.1 nib. In the down strokes, there is hardly any noticeable difference. The horizontal lines is where I can see a difference and the Pilot nib produces thinner lines. Also, my Pilot SU nib produces a “crisp” writing style where the edges are a bit sharper.

The more I write with my Pilot nib, the more I sense a different writing feel and style. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with a Pilot 14k gold nib versus a TWSBI steel nib. I’m also sure the shape of the nib has a lot to do with the unique writing experience. I’ve read this Pilot nib is in the range of 0.63mm in size.

If you are not used to writing with a stub nib, it may take some time to get used to this nib’s writing style. This SU nib’s unique square shape has a different feel than what I’m used to writing with a rectangle shaped nib. Every time I pick up my Pilot pen and start writing, I have a “wow” moment and then happily continue writing in my journal. For me, this is definitely an unusual and unique nib and I like how how it writes on paper and how it adds a bit of flair to my handwriting.

Note: This Custom 742 is not available in the US market.

Pen: Pilot Custom 742 with SU (stub) nib

Ink: Kaweco Summer Purple

Paper: Rhodia