Pilot Custom Maple(kaede)

[Pen2009]

I also bought one of these nice pens and I'm very satisfied. I do have a question, though: in your experience, does the wood ever gets shiny? I have a Sailor Hakone whose wood surface has become bright and shiny after a few weeks of usage. Do you think this will happen to the Maple Custom as well?

 

thansk,

Fabio

Yes, it gets shinier as patina typically does.

[azrunner]

I'm interested in this pen, particularily the comment in the original post that the nib is somewhat flexible. Is the nib truly more flexible then the standard Pilot 10 nib?

Edited March 18, 2014 by azrunner

[Pen2009]

I'm interested in this pen, particularily the comment in the original post that the nib is somewhat flexible. Is the nib truly more flexible then the standard Pilot 10 nib?

The Kaede's nib is not flexible.

[ulmensis]

I'm interested in this pen, particularily the comment in the original post that the nib is somewhat flexible. Is the nib truly more flexible then the standard Pilot 10 nib?

 

Yes. The Kaede's nib is flexible in comparison to the normal Pilot F or M "hard" nib. But it is not a "soft" nib like SF or SM.

[azrunner]

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and ordered the Kaede with a medium nib off Amazon through Santa Trading Japan for $40. The price sounds to good to be true. I guess I'll know in a few weeks.

[MrChar]

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and ordered the Kaede with a medium nib off Amazon through Santa Trading Japan for $40. The price sounds to good to be true. I guess I'll know in a few weeks.

 

My eyes fell out of my head when I read this. But I did the search myself and, for some reason, this one seller has some absolutely incredible prices that are testing all of my willpower. Many of their listings look completely normal, but, just in a quick search for "Pilot fountain pen," I saw such unbelievable things as $65 Capless (Vanishing Point) pens! The seller has a very high amount of ratings with a higher than average score and they appear to run with Amazon's standard refund/return policy, which is very generous. My mind is telling me that this is WAY too good to be true, but everything appears to line up. Thinking that I could buy a Vanishing Point and a Custom Kaede for maybe $30 less than I would normally find JUST a Vanishing Point is mindblowing. I'm going to have to think this over, haha.

 

Please let us know how it goes, azrunner!

[MrChar]

I've been discussing this seller in another thread (link). The current stock of great deals appears to be sold out, but a few other people have mentioned that they have bought similarly discounted items in the past there, so keep your eyes peeled and you might be able to snag one next time!

[azrunner]

I have confirmation that my Custom Maple shipped. I spent a few extra bucks for expedited shipping. I'm hoping to see it next week. I'll post an update when it arrives.

[MrChar]

I have confirmation that my Custom Maple shipped. I spent a few extra bucks for expedited shipping. I'm hoping to see it next week. I'll post an update when it arrives.

 

Awesome! How much did it cost for that expedition and how much is it supposed to lower the shipping time? Can't wait to see it!

[rokurinpapa]

 

Yes. The Kaede's nib is flexible in comparison to the normal Pilot F or M "hard" nib. But it is not a "soft" nib like SF or SM.

 

+1

[ulmensis]

 

+1

 

Thanks rokurinpapa!

 

Here is a picture of my Custom Kaede collection.

The oldest one from the '70s has IMO the stiffest nib.

I'd like to add one more current Custom Kaede to my collection, this time with a fine nib.

[TassoBarbasso]

 

+1

I agree, it does provide some really nice line variation!

 

I'll upload a writing sample later today if I have time

 

cheers,

Fabio

[rokurinpapa]

 

Thanks rokurinpapa!

 

Here is a picture of my Custom Kaede collection.

The oldest one from the '70s has IMO the stiffest nib.

I'd like to add one more current Custom Kaede to my collection, this time with a fine nib.

Thanks for your nice pictures. The aging of your Kaede collection is breathtaking.

[azrunner]

I thought I'd post an update on my Custom Kaede with some quick picks. I received the pen pen today. I'm somewhat ambivalent about the pen but my 9 year old daughter spying it on my desk declared "this pen is awesome!". She's never had that response to my other pens, including my favorite Pilot Justus 95.

 

 

[MrChar]

Glad it worked out for you, azrunner (especially with the reports in the other thread)! Disappointed that I didn't get in in time, but I'll be watching for the next one!

[Tinjapan]

I'm somewhat ambivalent about the pen but my 9 year old daughter spying it on my desk declared "this pen is awesome!". She's never had that response to my other pens, including my favorite Pilot Justus 95.

 

I bought my Kaede at a small discount in February of this year. Since, I have often wondered why I did. The wood is completely without the rich color I see in the pics on line of the same model. The grain looks OK, but again with out a lot of color. The wood is nowhere near as nice as the wood of my other wooden pens. A mystery, why did I buy this pen?

 

Then I uncap and write with it and "OH! That's why!". I have only two modern pens out quite a few that have more flex, a Pilot Custom 742 Falcon and a Montegrappa Nero Uno with a medium nib. I have a Pilot Bamboo which rokurinpapa posted has the same nib. In fact both are no.10s and mine are both medium, but my Kaede flexes a lot more. It may not be an actual flex, but it must at least be a semi-flex.

 

Before writing this I brought out my Kaede and it is developing a patina! It may be on its way to getting a nice 'tan'. But even if it does not, it will remain at the very least an understated, well made, quality, reasonably priced and welcome addition to the collection. I really like this pen.

 

Keep with it. I think it will it just may grow on you.

[Tinjapan]

Thanks rokurinpapa!

 

Here is a picture of my Custom Kaede collection.

The oldest one from the '70s has IMO the stiffest nib.

I'd like to add one more current Custom Kaede to my collection, this time with a fine nib.

Nice looking pens! Did they gradually develop that nice rich color, or did they come that way?

[TassoBarbasso]

I'm somewhat ambivalent about the pen but my 9 year old daughter spying it on my desk declared "this pen is awesome!". She's never had that response to my other pens, including my favorite Pilot Justus 95.

 

I bought my Kaede at a small discount in February of this year. Since, I have often wondered why I did. The wood is completely without the rich color I see in the pics on line of the same model. The grain looks OK, but again with out a lot of color. The wood is nowhere near as nice as the wood of my other wooden pens. A mystery, why did I buy this pen?

 

Then I uncap and write with it and "OH! That's why!". I have only two modern pens out quite a few that have more flex, a Pilot Custom 742 Falcon and a Montegrappa Nero Uno with a medium nib. I have a Pilot Bamboo which rokurinpapa posted has the same nib. In fact both are no.10s and mine are both medium, but my Kaede flexes a lot more. It may not be an actual flex, but it must at least be a semi-flex.

 

Before writing this I brought out my Kaede and it is developing a patina! It may be on its way to getting a nice 'tan'. But even if it does not, it will remain at the very least an understated, well made, quality, reasonably priced and welcome addition to the collection. I really like this pen.

 

Keep with it. I think it will it just may grow on you.

 

The colour of the pen will grow much, much richer in a really short time. Just use it for a weeek and you'll see I was also disappointed with the colour at the beginning, then it just changed sooo much into a dark, rick, red-brown that I really LOVE now!

[akafridi3]

nice pen, thanks for sharing

[rokurinpapa]

Nice looking pens! Did they gradually develop that nice rich color, or did they come that way?

 

In my case, I struggled to polish my Kaede eagerly.

 

rokurinpapa