Pilot Custom 823 (M)

[chemgeek]

Pilot Custom 823 (M)

 

First Impressions--The pen came packed in a very large gift box with a special bottle of Pilot black ink with a filling reservoir especially useful for filling this pen. I opted for the black version instead of the amber, as the latter appeared to be too transparent for my tastes.

 

Appearance and Finish--The rounded, bullet-shaped end caps and thick metal band on the cap remind me of the Sailor 1911 series pens. The banding and sturdy pocket clip with ball end are gold plated. The pen looks black unless viewed very closely, or against backlight, then it is possible to see that it is a "demonstrator" in which you can easily see the ink level and some of the innards. Overall, it looks like a very classic and elegant black and bold fountain pen.

 

Design/size/weight--This is a fairly large pen, just a shade under 6" capped. Uncapped, it is a robust 5 3/16" long, allowing for easy writing without posting even in a large hand. It is significantly heavier than, say, a Pelikan M600, coming in at just about 1 oz. (29 g) empty. The weight of the metal filling mechanism makes the pen very balanced top to bottom when used unposted. Posted, the pen is too top-heavy. I think most folks will write with this pen unposted.

 

Nib design and performance--The medium #15 nib is 14 K gold, and is niether firm nor soft. I would place it in between a Pelikan M600 (pretty hard) and a Sailor 1911M (a little soft). With the weight and balance of the pen, ink flow is effortless. The nib is of medium wetness, not quite as free-flowing as my Pelikans or Sailors, but wetter than a Lamy Safari or Waterman Carene. Overall, an oustanding nib.

 

Filling system--This is the main draw for this pen. It has a clever piston-fill vacuum system that can under the right circumstances (a reservoir ink bottle will help) fill nearly the entire barrel with ink. This results in a rather prodigious ink load that will last a long time. It should be possible to write for weeks with this pen without refilling, something that might be useful on a long business trip. When the endcap is fully screwed in, ink flow to the nib is blocked, at least theoretically reducing the possibility of a leak. The downside is that the endcap must be loosened slightly (about 1-2 turns) to retract the piston slightly to allow ink to flow to the nib for writing. I keep forgetting to retract the piston to write, and screw it back in before putting it back in my pocket. I suppose I'll eventually get used to doing this.

 

Cost/value--I obtained mine from PenGallery for $280. This is not an inexpensive pen, but it is very well made, and has many unique features--semitransparent barrel, unique and voluminous filling mechanism, and of course an outstanding nib.

 

Overall opinion/conclusion--After spending a lot of time writing with Pelikans, I have come to appreciate piston-filling pens for their ability to write a long time without refilling. The Custom 823 is piston-fill on steriods. While not as light as a Pelikan M600, it is large and well-balanced enough to write without posting, and requires little effort despite its slightly heavier weight. Given the ink capacity, this is now among my most-used writers. And although it is a "demonstrator" it does not really look like one. Highly recommended.

 

[Breck]

Very cool pen, thanks for the review. After getting my second Pilot this morning (a Myu), I am again impressed with the smoothness of the nibs they make. A Custom 823 is definitely on my (very) short list of modern pens I want.

[sidewinderwcc]

I just received my pen yesterday, and i have to agree with everything that you have said. I own 15 pens, and this is by far my new favorite. I literally can not put this pen down, i find myself writing things that are incoherent so that i can just use it.

[Pen2009]

The downside is that the endcap must be loosened slightly (about 1-2 turns) to retract the piston slightly to allow ink to flow to the nib for writing. I keep forgetting to retract the piston to write, and screw it back in before putting it back in my pocket. I suppose I'll eventually get used to doing this.

How do you determine you have loosened enough but not too much? If you loosen it too much, do you get more ink out of the nib? If you forget to tighten the piston and put the cap on it, does it cause ink leakage?

[mgutman]

Nice review. I have a black one in Broad. It is my favorite writer. I love the weight and balance, and the nib is wonderful.

 

I am seriously considering getting a Medium in brown.

 

Chemgeek: Is the line width a Western fine?

 

Thanks

[bunnybaby]

Cool I like your concise review.

 

Unfortunately the price of this pen has increased so much since then. Pen Gallery is selling it at USD410 now

[Tumbleweedtoo]

Cool I like your concise review.

 

Unfortunately the price of this pen has increased so much since then. Pen Gallery is selling it at USD410 now

 

StationeryArt.com currently has the pen for $239.00 (with ink). I have been pleased with their products and service. IMO, the pen is worth the price.

 

All the best,

T

[saskia_madding]

Also, check ebay. I bought several off ebay, all for under $300.

[young.1429]

<!--quoteo(post=1069065:date=May 22 2009, 11:01 PM:name=chemgeek)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chemgeek @ May 22 2009, 11:01 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1069065"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The downside is that the endcap must be loosened slightly (about 1-2 turns) to retract the piston slightly to allow ink to flow to the nib for writing. I keep forgetting to retract the piston to write, and screw it back in before putting it back in my pocket. I suppose I'll eventually get used to doing this.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

How do you determine you have loosened enough but not too much? If you loosen it too much, do you get more ink out of the nib? If you forget to tighten the piston and put the cap on it, does it cause ink leakage?

 

I have two Custom 823 and unscrewing the endcap has never been a problem. 1-2 turns and you are set to go. If it is turned more than that, there does not seem to be a problematic increase of ink flow, or at least not in my experience.

[sexauerw]

And I just leave the blind cap open about 1 1/2 turns. I never close it and never have a problem. I've been doing it this way for about three years now. I would close it if I were going on an airplane or driving into the mountains, but otherwise I have not seen any need to. By the way, this is the one pen that I own that has never been taken out of rotation. It has been inked constantly since I bought it!

[Koyote]

And I just leave the blind cap open about 1 1/2 turns. I never close it and never have a problem. I've been doing it this way for about three years now. I would close it if I were going on an airplane or driving into the mountains, but otherwise I have not seen any need to. By the way, this is the one pen that I own that has never been taken out of rotation. It has been inked constantly since I bought it!

 

I would think this is equivalent to our handling of most pens which do not have a shut off feature. And I have never heard of anyone being inordinately concerned about c/c, lever filler, and piston filler pens leaking.

[bunnybaby]

 

StationeryArt.com currently has the pen for $239.00 (with ink). I have been pleased with their products and service. IMO, the pen is worth the price.

 

All the best,

T

 

Oh, cool! Thanks much, Tumbleweedtoo

 

Uh, oh! Now I'm torn between Pelikan M405, M600, and Pilot Custom 823.

[bunnybaby]

Also, check ebay. I bought several off ebay, all for under $300.

 

Thanks. I never bought anything from ebay, though. I know there are several reputable ebay sellers mentioned here, but I still hesitate to use ebay.

Edited April 25, 2012 by bunnybaby

[saskia_madding]

Here are three links to three sellers I've purchased from several times happily.

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Pilot-CUSTOM-823-DEMONSTRATOR-Fountain-Pen-Brown-B-/300672409679?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460178e04f#ht_564wt_886 - cumblecumble, who sold me 3 of my 4 Custom 823s

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NAMIKI-PILOT-CUSTOM-823-BLACK-Demonstrator-14K-M-Fountain-Pen-/380427633605?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58934103c5#ht_2133wt_654 - engeika, who is often used by FPN people

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Pilot-Namiki-Custom-823-Demonstrator-Fountain-Pen-Translucent-Black-Brand-New-/180856596071?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1be4a667#ht_5211wt_886 - kendo-karate, who I got my 743s from

[Tumbleweedtoo]

When I bought my first Custom 823, it came in a regular small Pilot box straight from Japan WITHOUT the bottle of ink (I bought it from engeika). I learned later that the Custom 823 could be bought with a bottle of ink, and that is the way I bought it the second time. So, if you buy the pen over ebay or through some other dealer, if you want the bottle ink and the larger, nicer, box, be sure that is what you are buying instead of just the pen.

 

All the best,

T

[amateriat]

And I just leave the blind cap open about 1 1/2 turns. I never close it and never have a problem. I've been doing it this way for about three years now. I would close it if I were going on an airplane or driving into the mountains, but otherwise I have not seen any need to. By the way, this is the one pen that I own that has never been taken out of rotation. It has been inked constantly since I bought it!

 

I would only add that, even if you close the blind cap completely, there should be enough ink in the feed to write a letter-size page. Never had an issue in this regard.

 

I can't say enough about mine. The pleasure of writing truly comes to the fore whenever I reach for it.

 

 

 

- Barrett

[Bill Wood]

Great workhorse pen. Terrific nib. Thanks for the review !

[floydee1]

Beside the gold trim finish I understand there may be a chrome or rhodium trim finish. Where can I get one ( if they do exist)?

[amateriat]

That would be the clear-barreled version: a bit more rare than the black version (don't understand why they call it "smoke"...the 74 in smoke is much lighter and translucent than my black 823), and pricier. Also do a search for pictures posted here of a clear 823 with blue ink-stained silicone grease - it may or may not be an aesthetic issue. Doesn't faze me much, but if I buy a second 823 I'll likely go for the amber version. (I already have a clear Custom 74.)

 

 

- Barrett

[georges zaslavsky]

Have tried one but I prefer the oversize sheaffer balance vac fill to it because oif its celluloid body and lifetime nib. My dealer Mr Mora had one client that had one 823 that had serious filling system problems which is why he stopped to sell the pen. Nibs.com still has a few for sale.