Pilot 78G Compared to Pilot Custom 823

[Tumbleweedtoo]

With all of the interest recently in the Pilot 78G fountain pen, especially regarding quality and price, I thought I would submit a picture (pdf) comparison between the 78G Broad nib pen and the Pilot Custom 823 Fine nib pen. The 78G contains a Pilot Black Ink cartridge (though I also have the converter). The Custom 823 contains Pilot iroshizuku tsukushi (Brown) ink. Though the Custom 823 pen is more expensive than the 78G pen, I like them both very much, and am particularly pleased with the way the Broad nib on the 78G writes. I carry the 78G pen and only use the Custom 823 pen at my desk. As others have done here, I may order a couple of extra 78G Broad nib pens (I do not need any more F or M nib pens).

 

As a side comment, I have bought a variety of the cheaper Chinese pens and a variety of Japanese pens. The Japanese pens write beautifully right out of the box with no hassle whatever, no matter what they cost. So, I think I would recommend the Pilot 78G over many other pens for price, quality, and everyday writing.

 

Hope this helps some as they make pen buying decisions. This is my first attempt at a review. :-)

 

Sorry about naming the 78G 76G in my pdf attachment, that does not have any effect in the writing comparisons and examples! Thanks to Silvermink for drawing this to my attention! :-)

Edited November 25, 2009 by Tumbleweedtoo

[Silvermink]

78G? Interesting comparison of two Pilots at very different price points, in any case.

[MYU]

The 78G nib is quite good on its own, and stellar for the price point. The ratio of cost/value is not proportional as you head up to more expensive models, unfortunately. Although the 823 is not as good a value, I'd stake my reputation on the 823 nib outlasting the 78G nib for a good long time. Both pens are great in their own right. The main attraction to the 78G is that if you lose it or damage it, the cost impact is nominal.

[Flourish]

I like the 78G but I LOVE my Custom 823. But you're right, Japanese pens no matter the price tend to be the best writers out of the box.

[mgutman]

I think the 78G is actually a broad stub nib. They are excellent pens for the $. I use a medium (=US fine)with PR plum ink for annotations. Just replaced the squeeze converter with a Con-50 and so far, so good. It is nice to see the ink remaining and I like the extra weight.

 

My 823(broad)is an amazing writer in a class of its own.

 

Interesting comparison....