{"id":6781,"date":"2022-03-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=6781"},"modified":"2024-01-15T14:02:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T19:02:00","slug":"custom-74-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/custom-74-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Customized Custom 74 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

As I mentioned in my Elabo review<\/a>, I got two pens from Penwing Stationery<\/a>. This time, I’m reviewing the second, the Custom 74.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, I’m not reviewing the pen itself. I already know I love that<\/a>. I’m focusing on the aftermarket customization work done on the pen. As with my Elabo review, I’m judging the work based on the price difference. In this case, a Custom 74 sells for $200 MSRP ($160 retail). The Penwing Stationery customized version has a $205.99 list price, but seems to be on perpetual sale for $165. So, I’m judging the work on a $5 difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Meh<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Per usual, I’m going to cover the “bad” first. Like the Elabo, the finish at the threads is a bit rough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"showing<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"showing<\/a><\/figure>\n
You can see how rough the edge is at the base of the threads. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, unlike the Elabo, the Custom 74 has glitter particles in the base color. I’m assuming<\/em> that some of these particles are too large, resulting in bumpy bits. If it’s not that, then grains of dust and sand got in the sealing coats of lacquer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Showing<\/a>
I’m not sure if these bumps are from glitter or dust, etc.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"showing<\/a>
Random glitter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Being Nitpicky<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While I appreciate that the Custom 74 has d\u00e9cor on the cap and barrel, it’s a bit lopsided. the stickers are all on one side of the pen, rather than dotted around equally. I think it would look better with even distribution. Granted, I acknowledge this is a matter of personal preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Showing<\/a>
It looks amazing from here…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"showing<\/a>
…not so much from here…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"showing<\/a>
…and even less from here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also a matter of personal preference, I would have preferred there not be any glitter in the background color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Good<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like the Elabo, the Custom 74 has a great final polish. Unlike the Elabo, the sticker edges are difficult to see. It looks a bit like there is a smaller space between the edge of the “urushi” design and the edge of the sticker. Either that, or there are more sealing layers of lacquer on the Custom 74. Regardless of the reason, it’s nice, and makes it less obvious that the design is “sticker urushi.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"showing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"showing<\/figure>\n
Notice the lack of obvious edges around the stickers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Overall, I like this one. For a $5 difference, I think it’s worth it. I would definitely buy this pen again; and I would recommend it \u2014as long as you aren’t in a hurry. See my Elabo review<\/a> for information about our shipping experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

There’s my much more positive review. What do you think of this pen? Would you buy one? Let me know in the comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to subscribe to my blog<\/a> or follow me on Instagram<\/a> so you don’t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I also bought a customized Pilot Custom 74 from Penwing Stationery, and want to review it, too. Read my post to find out how I feel about it.<\/p>\n

Keep ReadingCustomized Custom 74 Review<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6879,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[137,209],"class_list":["post-6781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fountain-pens","tag-fountain-pen-reviews","tag-pilot","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/custom74-IGSm.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-1Ln","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6779,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/elabo-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":6781,"position":0},"title":"Customized Elabo Review","author":"Rachel","date":"February 22, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I bought a customized Pilot Elabo from Penwing Stationery, and I definitely have some thoughts to share. 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Check out my review of the Pilot Custom 74.","rel":"","context":"In "Fountain Pens"","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Pilot Custom 74 in its box.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/20210507_101315.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/20210507_101315.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/20210507_101315.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/20210507_101315.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/20210507_101315.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7208,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/pens-part-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":6781,"position":2},"title":"My Pen Collection Part 2","author":"Rachel","date":"April 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"You asked, and I'm delivering. This is part two of my Pen Collection series. In this installment, I'm showing off my expensive and Retro 51 pens.","rel":"","context":"In "Fountain Pens"","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"expensive pen collection","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220406_200020.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220406_200020.png?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220406_200020.png?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20220406_200020.png?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9113,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wish-list-jan-23\/","url_meta":{"origin":6781,"position":3},"title":"My Current Pen Wish List \u2014 Jan. 2023","author":"Rachel","date":"January 3, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"My wish list is shorter this year, so maybe I can actually buy all of the pens I'm actively looking to acquire.","rel":"","context":"In "Fountain Pens"","block_context":{"text":"Fountain Pens","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/category\/stationery\/fountain-pens\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/wishList-IGSm.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5809,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/new-oct-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":6781,"position":4},"title":"New Releases Round Up: October 2021","author":"Rachel","date":"November 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Check out the new pen releases from major brands that caught my eye in October 2021. 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