A magnetic writer having an air bearing surface for confronting a surface of a rotating disc is disclosed. The magnetic writer includes a bottom pole and a top pole. The top pole includes a first top pole portion and a second top pole portion connected by a top pole extension. The top pole extension, which preferably has a uniform width at the air bearing surface, orients a magnetization of the first top pole portion substantially parallel to an air bearing surface of the magnetic writer. The bottom pole includes a base pole and a notch pole. The base pole is recessed from the air bearing surface to prevent or reduce fringe erasure fields. The notch pole, which abuts the base pole and extends from the air bearing surface to at least a magnetic throat height of the magnetic writer, has a magnetization oriented perpendicular to the air bearing surface.