Amber Or Smoke

[Lince]

Between the two which would you choose.

for Amber owners, how do the colors look though amber (greens, blues).

Pictures welcomed. Is the amber to flashy for the office.

[kernando]

I don't own, but I've seen the amber one once. It's either less saturated or less bright than the old Pelikan 200/250 amber. I imagine most ink makes the barrel look brown, so I hope brown is not too flashy. You might worry more about the gold plated trim. I take it you ruled out the colorless one.

[Lince]

I don't own, but I've seen the amber one once. It's either less saturated or less bright than the old Pelikan 200/250 amber. I imagine most ink makes the barrel look brown, so I hope brown is not too flashy. You might worry more about the gold plated trim. I take it you ruled out the colorless one.

 

 

 

I don't mind the ink color, I use a clear TWSBI and like it a lot. My concern is that through amber the colors could look muddy.

[JOBPM]

I've got my Amber 823 loaded with PR Ebony Purple right now. It looks black for the most part, though some purple shows through where ink has thinly clung to the barrel. It certainly looks purple in those spots, and I wouldn't say it's muddied.

[fabrimedeiros]

I prefer the amber finish, like this http://www.amazon.com/Namiki-Pilot-Custom-Transparent-Fountain/sim/B002AH9P52/2

 

I said on another post I'd prefer the smoke but It was my mistake. Though it's brown, the amber is very clear to see the ink inside, and I like it. The smoke seems a little darker. It's a very personal opinion. I like the smoke also. It's a hard choise.

[WOBentley]

Personal fan of (and own) a clear...my next choice would likely be smoke...

[RobbW]

My Amber is not at all flashy. It looks like more of a subdued brown. I can't usually see much ink color through the barrel when the pen is full. Partially full, I can see color but it doesn't really stand out like a clear TWSBI.

[crussell]

They are like sunglass colors, Smoke and Amber. I came down on the side of the cool gray. It takes a second glance to see what's happening inside the pen, looking at the ink feels more like a private moment, I think. The thing that's love/hate for me is that tightening the piston knob shuts off the flow of ink, which makes it great for air travel, but with the knob in the open position, there's a gap at the end of the pen that I find distracting.

[Bo Bo Olson]

That looks much more brown than amber.

 

As soon as I hit the lottery, I can see a real amber pen.

[chemgeek]

I specifically sought out the smoke model. The pen essentially looks black from a distance, especially if it is filled with a dark color of ink. The amber is a definite brown color, and not what I was looking for, but it is also handsome, and relatively easier to find.

 

Cheers.

[jkrewalk]

I have the translucent black Custom 823 and it is one of the coolest pens I own because unless you show someone by holding it up to the light you would swear it is as black as a Mont Blanc 146. Put them side to side and it is hard to tell the difference. But then hold it up to the light and "WOW" that is so cool - I thought that pen was black!

 

So as far as anyone can see you own a black pen but at the same time you can check the ink level when you want. I just think there is something really cool about that.........

 

There are great photos and a complete review of it on Stylophiles Online.

 

I do want to make it clear that my Pilot Custom 823 really is more black than smoke colored - when you say something is smoke color to me that means grey. This pen is definitely not grey - it is translucent black.

 

John

Krewalk.com

[mgutman]

Having one of each, my favorite is smoke. If I was a fan of brown, then amber would be my favorite

[jonro]

The amber does have an elegant look to it, but I would probably buy it in smoke.

[gregamckinney]

As for some others, the decision for me was whether I preferred a blackish pen or a brownish one.

I definitely prefer the former, so when these started showing up via places like engeika or rakuten, I waited until I found a Smoke with a B nib (later stubbed,) passing on a few Amber examples along the way.

 

Regards, greg

[enricof]

Have you seen this old topic?

 

Most probably the amber is the best daily use compromise, but eventually I found myself using mostly the clear one (I'm not a "clean demo maniac"), followed by the amber (you will not see the ink color, anyway).

 

The black is a bit lacking on personality (but you would know it's secret...).

[adyf]

I have amber but neither would disappoint.

[ravantra]

I have a Custom 74 in smoke. Understated beautiful pen!

[saskia_madding]

I have the smoke and clear version. I passed on the amber. It seems to be like the worst of both worlds - you can see the ink, but the colour is very distorted. I'd rather see exactly the ink colour (clear), or barely see it at all (smoke). I have a lot of pens, but these two rarely leave rotation.

Edited June 15, 2011 by simonerodrigue

[Lince]

Thanks people, smoke would be!!!

The last post hit right in the nail.