I'm really interested in a Pilot Custom 845 in all it's urushi-goodness. This will be my first urushi coated pen, so I'm wondering if it is harmful at all to the lacquer if I post the cap. I am a habitual poster and I plan to use the 845 regularly, so it will get used (and posted) frequently. I plan to purchase from Ujuku Pen Shop on-line. I've never ordered from the Ujuku website before. Do I just send a request to purchase and they send me an invoice? I've heard good feedback for Ujuku, but it seems like they aren't all too fluent in english.


Thanks,

- jason

I have no experience with the 845 but I can answer your questions regarding Ujuku. They have good customer service, prompt responses to email within 24 hours, and they will send you an invoice after you order. Downside is that sometimes you have to really try to decipher what they're trying to say in english.

I've been using a Custom 845 for a few weeks, and I find it really balanced without posting. Nevertheless, the urushi coating should be strong enough so you can post it without problems. When I asked Nakaya (which also makes urushi coated pens), they told me that after three months, the time required for the urushi to harden, posting shouldn't be a problem for their pens.

Congratulations for deciding on a Custom 845, they are wonderful pens--I can't take mine out of the rotation. And Ujuku is excellent. Once you place the order via their web site, you should receive an invoice through e-mail. The shipping is fast and secure.

I had the same experience with Ujuku: good customer service, secure shipping, prompt communication, and some broken english. No problems.

Go ahead and buy from Ujuku. He's very reliable.

Excellent! Thank you for the replies. I'm looking forward to the 845!

J-San,

Greetings my friend!! I recently bought a Pilot custom 845 at the LA Penshow from our very own Stan klem!!! Mine came with a medium nib and is a fantastic writer!! The urushi coating on this pen looks quite classy but is also very discrete compared to my other pens that are urushi coated.

I normally post all of my pens except my urushi/maki-e pens. That my be the case that after the urushi dries it is OK to post, regardless, the amount of money I invested on my pens, I am not willing to risk it. That is just IMO.

I also own a Pilot 823, which is very close in size but the shape of the 845 is a bit like a duofold. The converter on the 845 is the push button converter and holds a good amount of ink!! i think you will enjoy your pen!!

TNS

Thanks for the input, Noble Savage.

I did some reading about urushi lacquer and it seems to require a warm humid environment to fully polymerize. So am I to assume the pens are made to order and are not fully cured upon shipping out to customers? I need to wait about 3 months for the lacquer to fully harden? Part of my dilemma is that I use all my pens - I don't have any "safe queen" pens that just sit on the rack. I almost drool when I look at the 845 photos and how smooth and glossy the finish is. I'd like to keep it that way is I can, but a few scuffs here and there are acceptable. Guess I may just have to restrict the 845 to the desktop at home until the lacquer fully cures.

Nakaya urushi pens are made to order, and may not be fully polymerized upon shipping. I think (but have no hard evidence) that a Pilot Custom 845 is further along the polymerization process, as these are not made to each individual order. I do not post my pens, but I have not had any issues with the surface of any of my urushi lacquered pens. Ruud