A perpendicular writer includes a write coil and a main pole having a pole tip for conducting magnetic flux to write data to a magnetic medium. The pole tip includes a plurality of magnetic layers that are magnetically coupled and biased so that their magnetic moment orientations are substantially parallel to an external surface when no write current is applied to the write coil. The pole tip is partially embedded in the yoke, such that portions of the yoke surrounding the pole tip help direct magnetic flux to the pole tip. The pole tip extends beyond the yoke, with a first end located outside the yoke and a second end located within the yoke.