The Pilot Custom 743 is called a “grail pen” for good reason: it's the kind of fountain pen that flawlessly satisfies so many requirements that you may never want to buy another pen. It's equal parts classic, luxurious, and ridiculously versatile. Built in Pilot’s traditional Custom style (polished resin, elegant gold trim, and that timeless cigar silhouette), the 743 is a full-size, do-everything writer that feels equally at home signing documents, journaling, writing letters, or turning your daily to-do list into a work of art.
At the heart of the 743 is Pilot’s renowned #15, 14K gold nib: buttery-smooth, reliable, and available in an almost unbelievably wide range of nib options—so you can pick a “just right” feel instead of settling for close enough.
Why you’ll love it
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#15 14K gold nib: smooth, expressive, and tuned for long writing sessions
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Huge nib variety: from practical everyday fines to specialty nibs for bounce, flourish, or line variation
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Cartridge/Converter convenience: easy cleaning, fast ink changes, and great for trying lots of inks
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Full-size comfort: substantial without feeling bulky—ideal for larger hands and longer sessions
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True Japanese Luxury: understated and unquestionably premium, this is a gift-worthy classic
Ink filling
The Custom 743 uses Pilot proprietary cartridges or a converter (when you order at Bottle & Plume, it comes with the high-capacity CON-70 converter that's so beloved by Reddit and the fountain pen community).
Nib options
The Pilot Custom 743 offers more nib options than any other Pilot fountain pen. For this reason it's often preferred by fountain pen connoisseurs, even over classics like the Pilot Custom 823. I try to keep a steady supply of the most interesting nib options in stock; that's nib grinds like Soft Fine (SF), Soft Fine Medium (SFM), Fine Medium (FM), Soft Medium (SM), Waverly, Posting, Coarse, and Stub.
If you want one pen that can be your daily writer now—and still feel special years from now—the Custom 743 is a classic for a reason.
