I'm not sure if this has been discussed before, but I just stumbled across a clear Pilot Custom 823, as opposed to the smoky brown & black models.

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

I still think the smoky black wins the day, but this is still a lovely pen.

regards

Bren

It remembers me a demonstrator, it looks like the omas ogiva.

The clear version draws more attention to the black inner cap than either of the other colors. The black section, blind cap, and end cap are interesting touches, too -- they remind me somewhat of the Sailor 1911 colors pens with the black elements.

I agree with you -- I like the other colors better but this seems more like a demonstrator than a "stealth" demonstrator.

I think it would also drive me nuts if ink got behind the seal

I like it. Very nice looking pen.

It needs the invisible Noodlers Blue Ghost ink.

Good idea! Now I want a demonstrator and invisible ink.

Looks like it would be a beauty filled.

A fountain pen repairer in Japan removed the black inner cap from a clear 823. He thinks the only reason that they put the black inner cap was to hide inky nib, and there is no practical function.

Click on the thumbnail image on this page.

I want one, can someone (please) tell me where and how much I could get one for? Seriously.

I have also been drooling over this pen, and I found that Pens in Asia sells them. Never bought from this guy, but I have had excellent references (and a couple of times I exchanged emails, he always replies in a fast, accurate and kind manner).

Hope this helps, and that you get this beautiful pen,

Alejandro

Is there a UK source for these? Or even and easily-accessible-from-the-UK source?

Not that I'm buying for a while...

Ritchie at www.cyberpens.com in the UK may be able to get these.

Ink did get behind the seal for mine, and it did drive me crazy for a while. The weird thing was that the ink that came with the pen, Pilot Black I believe, was the culprit. After that, I decided to fill it with all kinds of reds and purples. None have left stains, but the Pilot Black stain remains.

Richie at www.cyberpens.com sells the Custom 823 in brown, black or clear for $200 including shipping to the USA.