Is the Pilot Custom range the only modern Japanese pens that are not cartridge / converter pens?

But the Custom and Custom Impressions ARE cartridge/converter. I own pens from both series. The converters are "push" converters rather than "piston" converters. Other than that minor difference, they have all the characteristics of any other c/c pen.

Hmm, I thought that at least the 823 was not a CC. So are all Japanese pens CC then?

823 is not a cc pen. But as far as I know, all the other Pilot Custom pens are cc.

Sorry, folks, but the 823 is indeed a c/c pen. Like the Custom Impressions, it has a "push" converter.

NOTE: See below for a complete retraction of the above comment.

What about the King of Pen? I read that it was a bottle fill only pen.

I don't think so. The 823 Demonstrator uses a Sheaffer/Visconti style vacuum filler system.

best,
Doug

Well, as I understand it, at least some of the Nakaya pens are eyedropper fill with a safety stopper. Probably not quite what you were looking for though, seeing as how they are super expensive.

Do you know which models can be converted to ED? I looked at their website, but I couldn't find any information about their filling system.

I am also not familiar with this brand. Is it on par with the other major companies (Pilot, Sailor, Platinum)?

Thanks.

I don't think any new Nakaya are eyedroppers. They're all c/c. I think Danitrio may be eyedroppers.

By the way, Nakaya and Danitrio are custom, hand made Japanese pens (through Danitrio with german nibs) that are probably the pinnacle of pen quality.

The Pilot Custom 74/742/742/843 are c/c using the push button CON-70 converter.

The Pilot Custom 823 is a vacuum filler - probably he only Japanese modern mass produced pen that is not c/c.

Ummm... the vacuum filler system is REMOVABLE. It is a CONVERTER, not a built-in system like the Visconti Wall Street LE. You can take 823's vacuum filler converter out and put a cartridge in its place. Even when the converter is installed, you still have to unscrew the section from the barrel to fill the converter -- like any other c/c pen.

NOTE: See below for a complete retraction of my comment in the preceding paragraph.

Nope. The King of Pen is a c/c pen. I own two of them, an old model (before the Montblanc lawsuit forced the design change) and a new model (post-lawsuit). Both are c/c. There was (and is) no choice of filling system.

I do not wish to disagree but having purchased one of these recenlty I can say that you are completely and totally incorrect in your assumptions upon the filling system of the pen.

Mayhaps the standard 823 is a converter filler but the clear demonstator is not take please a google search to see pictures of the clear pen that shows the entire pen body is filled with ink using a simalr to visconti filler with piston and rod and blind cap unsrewing.

Oops! My apologies. I am getting the 823, which is indeed a built in vacuum fill mechanism, mixed up with the 845 which has a removable "push" converter. Sorry to inject confusiion into the topic. I actually own both pens, but I can't seem to keep the numbers straight in my brain.

Hello,

the Sailor Realo is a piston filler. But it is a limited edition pen, not a regular one like the Custom 823. Here is Sailors page for it: http://www.sailor.co.jp/EXPORT/REALO/index.html

Regards,

Nelson

Now why did you have to go and tell us about that? I'm going to have to find one of these now... dammit...

Thanks for the info about the Realo. I don't know what it costs, but I assume I can't afford it!

Basically I want to buy myself a new pen, and I really do not want a CC. My budget is a couple hundred dollars. I started this topic because I was curious what my options were with the Japanese pens. I like the nibs on the other Japanese pens I have, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on a CC.

The last one went in Ebay months ago for over $1000. The Realos were never really cheap. The lowest price I saw was above $400.



If you like to change the ink on your pen often, then I would recommend a Pelikan. I like the fact that I can take the nib assembly out of the section for a fast cleaning. With the Realo (and other piston fillers too) you have much more work to do: water in, water out, repeat. A Pelikan M1000 is really nice (I like big pens). The only Sailor pens that can compare in size to it are the King of Pens, but they are C/C. Perhaps a Pilot Custom 823 (vacuum filler) / 845 (C/C with the Pilot converter CON-70) would be something for you? I have a Pilot Custom 845 in black urushi and it is really nice. The converter CON-70 is bigger than the standard ones.

Regards,

Nelson

I would get a 823. I can't vouch for how well they perform but I will be able to soon as I've bought two of them. If they are anything like the other 10 pilots I own, I won't be disappointed. You should be able to get a new one for around $200 +postage on ebay. They are not available through regular channels in the USA so you have to buy from Japan or 2nd hand from someone else who has bought from Japan.

By the way, I would seriously try a Pilot with a CON-70 converter. IMHO it's the best converter on the market, it holds loads of ink and it's fun to use. I am seriously enamored with them. For $175 you can get a Namiki Bamboo from here with a nice large nib, balance and a CON-70 to boot.

That Bamboo seems like a good deal. I'd looked at them when they were on Richard Binder's website, and they were quite attractive. I assume I could resell it for almost the purchase price if I don't like it.

Despite my earlier mixup between the 823 and 845 (see above), I heartily agree with Siv. The 823 is a magnificent pen with a clever filling system and a nib to die for. I also agree with him on the excellence of the CON-70 converter. Like the Bamboo, the 845 uses this converter. Like the 823, you have to order the 845 from Japan. The urushi finish is fantastic, and it has the same nib as the 823.