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Please - Pilot 823 Modification Suggestions Needed

TREBFPN

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TREBFPN

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Hi. I just acquired a PILOT CUSTOM 823 FINE NIB FOUNTAIN PEN. I love the large ink volume and ergonomic design. My need for advice comes in two parts. First, the inner pen cap is black and it does not coincide with the overall clear and transparent design. Does anyone know of an inner cap that is clear and transparent that might fit this pen? My second concern is that the nib is a little scratchy. I guess I am seeking assurance that this nib will smooth out over time? For all that it is worth I am looking for an inner cap replacement for this pen and could live with the scratchy nib but not this inner pen cap. I know the TWSBI VAC 70 has the same design but can anyone confirm that its transparent and clear inner cap matches the size of the Pilot 823's black inner cap?

 

post-115941-0-26524300-1414791328_thumb.jpg

 

(the above photo is from Bluemax)

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Water Ouzel Extremely Rare

Water Ouzel

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I know the TWSBI VAC 70 has the same design but can anyone confirm that its transparent and clear inner cap matches the size of the Pilot 823's black inner cap?

Comparing...

 

Well, the Vac 700's inner cap is a mm or two shorter than the 823's, and while the opening is roughly the same diameter (and probably very slightly greater), the Vac 700's inner cap doesn't taper as much as the Pilot's. It probably wouldn't fit inside the 823's cap.

 

At this time of night, I'm not risking taking them both completely apart and trying a swap.

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TREBFPN Mint

TREBFPN

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Comparing...

 

Well, the Vac 700's inner cap is a mm or two shorter than the 823's, and while the opening is roughly the same diameter (and probably very slightly greater), the Vac 700's inner cap doesn't taper as much as the Pilot's. It probably wouldn't fit inside the 823's cap.

 

At this time of night, I'm not risking taking them both completely apart and trying a swap.

Thank you! I really appreciate the information.

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shuuemura Extremely Rare

shuuemura

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I don't know if you could swap the inner caps as mentioned above, but you could try increasing the flow on the nib to mitigate the scratchiness. Spread the tines slightly, according to Mottishaw (scroll down). Otherwise, over time you will get accustomed to the precise feel and feedback of the Pilot fine nib. If it still seems scratchy in a couple of months, send it off for nib smoothing.

 

I have a Sailor fine nib and when I first got it I thought it was fantastic. Over the years, however, as I accumulated more and more pens, the Sailor fine nib started feeling scratchy to me, even though it obviously hadn't changed. Just this year I revisited the pen and am now finally able to appreciate the nib for what it is - a tool capable of laying down highly precise lines on normal copier paper and premium paper. It doesn't seem scratchy to me anymore.

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Dr.Grace Collectors Item

Dr.Grace

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In addition to what Shuuemura says, there are several reasons it could feel a little scratchy: 1) Perhaps you're not used to Japanese fine nibs, which are more like western XF; 2) Perhaps you're using too much pressure; 3) Perhaps your paper isn't smooth (some papers have fibers that are deliberately used to add texture); or 4) Perhaps the nib tines are misaligned; or 5) Perhaps the nib really needs smoothing. Maybe you're a very experienced XF nib user; I don't presume to know and am just listing the possibilities. If you have other XF nibs and like them, I'd first check into possibility #4, then consider sending the pen off to a nibmeister, such as Michael Masuyama.

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.--Thomas Paine, "The American Crisis", 1776

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TREBFPN Mint

TREBFPN

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The nib is working smooth, thank you! Why did they make the Pilot 823 with a black inner cap to hide the nib, I will never know.

Edited by TREBFPN
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proton007 Vintage

proton007

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The nib is working smooth, thank you! Why did they make the Pilot 823 with a black inner cap to hide the nib, I will never know.

 

Not that hard to figure out. Pilot prefers to keep some components standardized. Keeps costs down.

In a world where there are no eyes the sun would not be light, and in a world where there were no soft skins rocks would not be hard, nor in a world where there were no muscles would they be heavy. Existence is relationship and you're smack in the middle of it.

- Alan Watts

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Dr.Grace Collectors Item

Dr.Grace

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The nib is working smooth, thank you! Why did they make the Pilot 823 with a black inner cap to hide the nib, I will never know.

I think because ink tends to build up there. They may like the pen to look neat during normal use. They don't sell the clear version internationally probably for similar reasons. Maybe they think people would find it too messy looking as the ink builds up in various places that are hard to clean.

Edited by Dr.Grace

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.--Thomas Paine, "The American Crisis", 1776

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TREBFPN Mint

TREBFPN

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Why did they make the TWSBI VAC 700 with a clear inner cap to show off the nib, I will never know.

Edited by TREBFPN
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yogalarva Extremely Rare

yogalarva

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Why did they make the TWSBI VAC 700 with a clear inner cap to show off the nib, I will never know.

 

I have a Vac 700, and while it is a cool aesthetic to see the nib through the cap, I do not enjoy seeing the little ink droplets all over the place and would probably prefer a completely opaque cap liner. To each their own...

Fountain pen blog | Personal blog

 

Current collection: Pilot Vanishing Point, TWSBI Vac 700, Kaweco Al Sport, Lamy Safari, Nemosine Singularity

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Jezza Extremely Rare

Jezza

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I've notices some Pilot nibs seem to have overly tight tines. The pens write well on the down-stroke, but flow is very light on the cross stroke, making the tip seen scratchy. One of my fine 742 nibs is like that. Overall, however, Pilot nibs are pretty good. It's only been here and there I run across one of these. On your 823, is the downstroke smooth with sufficient flow, and the cross stroke dryer?

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