Specifications

Brand: Pilot

Material: Resin

Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (Pilot Proprietary Converter & Cartridge)

Nib: 14K-585 Gold A597 Fine Nib

Feed: Resin

Size: 132 mm (From the Cap) 120 mm (From the Nib)

Weight: 26.6 g

PRESENTATION 

Pen and Box

Condition

The pen is in overall great condition, with no dents or cracks. There are some shallow scratches and signs of wear from use, however, the pen came in such a beautiful condition that we decided not to polish or do anything to the body and let it stay exactly how we received it from the previous owner. The nib have been polished a bit to restore it to its original design.

We were fortunate enough to obtain this pen from an avid fountain pen collector in Japan, who happens to take care of his collections really well and hence we were fortunate to receive this pen in good state

Please treat the pen with the utmost care, if you do not know what you are doing, please refrain from opening hinges or things that might appear untightened, due to the age of this pen and hard contact or excessive force exerted on the pen damaging the pen.

Pilot Custom Original
The Pilot Custom Original is one of the earliest foundations of what would eventually become Pilot’s famous “Custom” series—a line created to showcase the company’s highest standards of craftsmanship, refined writing performance, and timeless Japanese design. Emerging in the late 1970s to early 1980s, the Custom Original was built with the idea of offering a fountain pen that felt both luxurious and practical, a pen that professionals could use daily while still enjoying the elegance of a finely made instrument.

Its design reflects classic Pilot sensibilities: a clean, cylindrical silhouette with gentle tapering, a comfortable balance in the hand, and a dignified presence without excessive ornamentation. The body is crafted from durable resin with a polished finish that highlights the understated, executive look Pilot favored during this period. Gold-plated trim completes the design, adding warmth and refinement without overwhelming the pen’s simplicity.

What set the Custom Original apart, even in its time, was its exceptional writing performance. Pilot equipped it with one of their early high-grade gold nibs—beautifully tuned, expressive, and extraordinarily smooth. Writers praised the pen for its effortless ink flow and the way the nib responded to slight variations in pressure, making long writing sessions comfortable and enjoyable.

Today, the Pilot Custom Original remains a sought-after vintage piece because it offers the purity of the early Custom philosophy: classic Japanese design, superb craftsmanship, and a writing experience that still stands shoulder to shoulder with modern premium pens.

14K GOLD INTEGRATED NIB: FINE NIB

This pen features a 14K gold nib, manufactured entirely in-house by Pilot’s Japanese artisans. Pilot uses a gold alloy that combines pure gold with silver and copper, giving the nib just the right amount of elasticity to express classic stroke variation like tome, hane, and harai — subtle features of Japanese writing.

The nib tip is hand-finished: a wear-resistant alloy is welded at the nib point to ensure durability, and each nib is shaped and polished by experienced craftsmen to deliver consistent, smooth ink flow. Because of this careful finish, the nib resists wear even with frequent use.

Each nib is hand-finished by Pilot’s craftsmen, ensuring consistent ink flow, excellent durability, and a writing feel that adapts beautifully to daily use. It offers a warm, responsive touch on paper that makes every word feel intentional, refined, and enjoyable.