Pilot Custom 845 Or Sailor Kop?

[Painterspal]

I've owned both and still own two KOPs but the ebonite and maki-e versions. I'd probably rate it (the 845) above a resin KOP but I don't miss the Pilot even slightly. It was very nicely made and functioned well but was rather soulless and just somehow a bit dull. Although it had an urushi finish I found the cap bands etc fussy and distracting and the overall design a bit conventional. I really thought I'd like but it was too much like a Japanese car I used to own - efficient but boring.

 

I'd recommend you buy the raw ebonite KOP - wonderful to write with and simply perfect in my opinion.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Painterspal

[kazoolaw]

I have a KOP Pro Gear with rhodium trim. Eliminates the "looks like a MB" issue. It's still a big pen. The nib is near perfect: a broad with a hint of line variation. Not a very big converter, which means that it requires filling a bit sooner than I'd like in normal use. Much as I like the pen I would never have bought it new at full price of around $800.

 

Have no direct comparison to a an 845, nor experience with black urushi. I have a pen in aka-tamenuri, and can say that it is glossy, smooth,and has great depth.

 

Shopping is half the fun: be sure to share your final decision.

 

gary

Edited March 12, 2016 by gary

[Drawing61]

I have both and like both. However my 845 is not entirely urushi. The nib section is resin and I think the top of the cap is also. No problem except for the price I think the whole thing should be urushi.

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

So I went to the pen store today with the intention of trying the KOP again (they don't have the 845) but I came across a Graf von Faber Castell Classic. It's nothing like the KOP or the 845 and not what I had in mind at any point, but I fell in love with it like a charm! I got it in ebony with the 18k fine nib, it was on sale and was ~$US330 before tax. With the money left over I think I'm going to buy a replacement nib unit for my Vanishing Point and in fine and not the monstrously wide medium that I had. Sorry if I disappointed anyone; the 845 and KOP are still on the top of my lists (maybe next birthday) and I learned a lot from all your inputs! Thanks!

Edited March 13, 2016 by ICantEvenDecideAMajor

[Lam1]

I think you chose a great pen. GvFC are fantastic pens, very well made. That may be the reason I bought the classic Grenadilla this morning .

 

Enjoy your new pen.

[jar]

So I went to the pen store today with the intention of trying the KOP again (they don't have the 845) but I came across a Graf von Faber Castell Classic. It's nothing like the KOP or the 845 and not what I had in mind at any point, but I fell in love with it like a charm! I got it in ebony with the 18k fine nib, it was on sale and was ~$US330 before tax. With the money left over I think I'm going to buy a replacement nib unit for my Vanishing Point and in fine and not the monstrously wide medium that I had. Sorry if I disappointed anyone; the 845 and KOP are still on the top of my lists (maybe next birthday) and I learned a lot from all your inputs! Thanks!

The GvFC Classics are nice; I have an ebony anello version.

 

http://www.fototime.com/FBF90664D19D128/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/E80D57F17AB0B88/large.jpg

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

I think you chose a great pen. GvFC are fantastic pens, very well made. That may be the reason I bought the classic Grenadilla this morning .

 

Enjoy your new pen.

Ah nice! I was deciding between the grenadilla and the ebony, maybe I'll get that next in EF! Which nib did you get it with, out of curiosity?

[Lam1]

Ah nice! I was deciding between the grenadilla and the ebony, maybe I'll get that next in EF! Which nib did you get it with, out of curiosity?

 

I've got mine in OM.

I've had my eye on the classic line for a while and finally decided to get it. The Ebony looks fantastic too (in fact, all three. It is hard to decide which one to get).

Now I hope to get an intuition Platino wood at some point.

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

I've got mine in OM.

I've had my eye on the classic line for a while and finally decided to get it. The Ebony looks fantastic too (in fact, all three. It is hard to decide which one to get).

Now I hope to get an intuition Platino wood at some point.

How does the OM write? Width-wise, and how exactly it works? Seems like a very intriguing nib that I didn't have the guts to try.

[jmccarty3]

These are good points; I think I'm leaning towards the 845 now. Or at least a Pilot... Have been tantalized by the Pilot Cherry Fall Blossom Urushi with the size 10 nib; that one looks gorgeous

 

 

I'm a little late to the party, since you've already bought the GvFC, but wanted to throw my 2¢ worth in, since I own a KOP, an 845, an 823, and the Cherry Blossom urushi mentioned in your post.

 

MY KOP isn't typical--it's one of Andy Lambrou's LB5s, which are actually a bit longer than a standard KOP, but it does have a standard KOP medium nib, which is magnificent. The less said about Sailor's converter, the better.

 

I got the Cherry Blossom pen from a trusted dealer on eBay--it's not available from US Pilot dealers. As mentioned, it does have the size 10 nib in medium. Looks gorgeous, writes like a dream. If you have a chance to get one, don't pass it up.

 

I was curious about the size 15 nib that comes on the 823 and the 845, so I bought a smoke 823 from an FPN friend, also with a medium nib. This nib writes a little broader than the size 10 nib, but still very nicely, and the pen is perfect for travel, since the ink supply can be closed off. On the downside, it's not a very beautiful pen to look at.

 

Then I got into the very expensive habit of collecting Pilot/Namiki's vermilion urushi pens. Having been tempted for a long time by the Tokyo Pen Shop Quill vermilion 845, and intrigued by the Waverley nib, I finally got one this year. The urushi finish is perfect, just as nice as on the Namiki Yukari Royale and Emperor models, and as others have mentioned, there is nothing like the feel of an ebonite/urushi pen. The Waverley nib isn't anything real special--it's a good choice if you're looking for something like a medium/fine. The flow was a little stingy on it, but that was easy to adjust. For my hand, the size 10 nib on the Cherry Blossom provides the most effortless writing, although the size 15, 20, and 50 nibs on the other Pilot/Namikis are impressive in appearance.

 

Enough of my blathering. I hope some of this will be of interest to those considering these wonderful pens.

[Lam1]

How does the OM write? Width-wise, and how exactly it works? Seems like a very intriguing nib that I didn't have the guts to try.

 

Actually, I changed the nib to OB. I never had a GvFC oblique, but have a few Pelikans. The only thing to worry is to rotate the pen a little at the beginning, after that, it's just business as usual. The Pelikans obliques that I have do offer a little line variation. The GvFC will not be here for 10 days or so.

 

I'm a little late to the party, since you've already bought the GvFC, but wanted to throw my 2¢ worth in, since I own a KOP, an 845, an 823, and the Cherry Blossom urushi mentioned in your post.

 

MY KOP isn't typical--it's one of Andy Lambrou's LB5s, which are actually a bit longer than a standard KOP, but it does have a standard KOP medium nib, which is magnificent. The less said about Sailor's converter, the better.

 

I got the Cherry Blossom pen from a trusted dealer on eBay--it's not available from US Pilot dealers. As mentioned, it does have the size 10 nib in medium. Looks gorgeous, writes like a dream. If you have a chance to get one, don't pass it up.

 

I was curious about the size 15 nib that comes on the 823 and the 845, so I bought a smoke 823 from an FPN friend, also with a medium nib. This nib writes a little broader than the size 10 nib, but still very nicely, and the pen is perfect for travel, since the ink supply can be closed off. On the downside, it's not a very beautiful pen to look at.

 

Then I got into the very expensive habit of collecting Pilot/Namiki's vermilion urushi pens. Having been tempted for a long time by the Tokyo Pen Shop Quill vermilion 845, and intrigued by the Waverley nib, I finally got one this year. The urushi finish is perfect, just as nice as on the Namiki Yukari Royale and Emperor models, and as others have mentioned, there is nothing like the feel of an ebonite/urushi pen. The Waverley nib isn't anything real special--it's a good choice if you're looking for something like a medium/fine. The flow was a little stingy on it, but that was easy to adjust. For my hand, the size 10 nib on the Cherry Blossom provides the most effortless writing, although the size 15, 20, and 50 nibs on the other Pilot/Namiki's are impressive in appearance.

 

Enough of my blathering. I hope some of this will be of interest to those considering these wonderful pens.

Awesome post. Very informative and helpful.

I have had my eye in the 845 Vermillion for quite some time (I wonder for how long I'll resist...), and always wondered about the WA nib, so it's good to know it is not that special.

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

 

 

Actually, I changed the nib to OB. I never had a GvFC oblique, but have a few Pelikans. The only thing to worry is to rotate the pen a little at the beginning, after that, it's just business as usual. The Pelikans obliques that I have do offer a little line variation. The GvFC will not be here for 10 days or so.

 

 

Awesome post. Very informative and helpful.

I have had my eye in the 845 Vermillion for quite some time (I wonder for how long I'll resist...), and always wondered about the WA nib, so it's good to know it is not that special.

Nice nice, I'll definitely consider the OM for my next purchases, probably on a ivory anello. But it's not going to be anytime soon LOL Right now my next in line to buy is going to be a homo sapiens. My first flagship, the Delta DV oversize was pretty disappointing so in a rush to get another good Italian pen to restore my faith.

Anyways, let me know how your oblique broad writes when it arrives! A review maybe? LOL

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

 

 

I'm a little late to the party, since you've already bought the GvFC, but wanted to throw my 2¢ worth in, since I own a KOP, an 845, an 823, and the Cherry Blossom urushi mentioned in your post.

 

MY KOP isn't typical--it's one of Andy Lambrou's LB5s, which are actually a bit longer than a standard KOP, but it does have a standard KOP medium nib, which is magnificent. The less said about Sailor's converter, the better.

 

I got the Cherry Blossom pen from a trusted dealer on eBay--it's not available from US Pilot dealers. As mentioned, it does have the size 10 nib in medium. Looks gorgeous, writes like a dream. If you have a chance to get one, don't pass it up.

 

I was curious about the size 15 nib that comes on the 823 and the 845, so I bought a smoke 823 from an FPN friend, also with a medium nib. This nib writes a little broader than the size 10 nib, but still very nicely, and the pen is perfect for travel, since the ink supply can be closed off. On the downside, it's not a very beautiful pen to look at.

 

Then I got into the very expensive habit of collecting Pilot/Namiki's vermilion urushi pens. Having been tempted for a long time by the Tokyo Pen Shop Quill vermilion 845, and intrigued by the Waverley nib, I finally got one this year. The urushi finish is perfect, just as nice as on the Namiki Yukari Royale and Emperor models, and as others have mentioned, there is nothing like the feel of an ebonite/urushi pen. The Waverley nib isn't anything real special--it's a good choice if you're looking for something like a medium/fine. The flow was a little stingy on it, but that was easy to adjust. For my hand, the size 10 nib on the Cherry Blossom provides the most effortless writing, although the size 15, 20, and 50 nibs on the other Pilot/Namikis are impressive in appearance.

 

Enough of my blathering. I hope some of this will be of interest to those considering these wonderful pens.

Very useful input on some extraordinary pens! I've been eyeing the vermilion 845 too, and after much internal conflicts I've reasoned that without wanting a unique size 15 nib (I just want the regular fine), the service of Tokyo Pen Shop Quill is not worth it. But still a very beautiful pen. Though not the most low-key looking thing in, say, a physical chemistry midterm... LOL

Edited March 13, 2016 by ICantEvenDecideAMajor

[jmccarty3]

If you're taking PChem, then you need more help than I can give you! May God have mercy on your soul!

[Lam1]

Nice nice, I'll definitely consider the OM for my next purchases, probably on a ivory anello. But it's not going to be anytime soon LOL Right now my next in line to buy is going to be a homo sapiens. My first flagship, the Delta DV oversize was pretty disappointing so in a rush to get another good Italian pen to restore my faith.

Anyways, let me know how your oblique broad writes when it arrives! A review maybe? LOL

 

I'll make sure to report on it.

I'm curious, why was the Delta dolcevita disappointing?

I've had 3 bad experiences with Delta (all three defective on arrival), but I'm still considering the DV oversize, mainly because of the huge nib.

 

As for the Visconti HS, it is a beautiful pen, but I suggest to try it on a B&M first. The threads can be annoying for long writing sections and the finish is not the best I've seen. Another thing to consider is that the filling system is not very reliable (sometimes it gets lots of ink, sometimes almost nothing, and since there is no ink window you never know what is happening).

[ICantEvenDecideAMajor]

I'll make sure to report on it.

I'm curious, why was the Delta dolcevita disappointing?

I've had 3 bad experiences with Delta (all three defective on arrival), but I'm still considering the DV oversize, mainly because of the huge nib.

 

As for the Visconti HS, it is a beautiful pen, but I suggest to try it on a B&M first. The threads can be annoying for long writing sections and the finish is not the best I've seen. Another thing to consider is that the filling system is not very reliable (sometimes it gets lots of ink, sometimes almost nothing, and since there is no ink window you never know what is happening).

It wasn't anything about then pen itself but the nib came completely out of alignment, and it did not sit properly on the feed (slanted to one side). Tried to pull it out but only unsealed the section so it started leaking. Otherwise a beautiful pen. i had the Oro Oversize, and I personally find it simply perfect aesthetics wise. I really want to say it's extremely high quality except the nib... ugh.... I'm a science and engineering student and a sucker for perfect quality and craftsmanship so I'm quite annoyed but even the slightest imperfection, let alone that major problem. It's on its way to Delta for repairs/exchange right now.

I'll definitely have to check it out in person; I was talking with the pen shop manager and she literally told me "you want to be sure when you buy this", so a little worried. Also a FC fine is the widest line I can live with in everyday writing, so hopefully the homo sapiens EF is not as wet and wide as most people say it is.

Edited March 14, 2016 by ICantEvenDecideAMajor

[Calabria]

I agree that Pilot makes exceptional pens, but I also find them "soulless."

 

I'm a great fan of Sailor and would love a KoP, but it makes no sense to have an XXL pen with a Xsmall converter.

[Amy1234]

Do you know if the 845 can be posted without damaging the Urushi?

[Amy1234]

On the subject of the black urushi...does anyone own the vermillion 845 from Tokyo-Quill......? Is it something worth owning or does it look like reddish plastic?......

[FriendAmos]

Do you know if the 845 can be posted without damaging the Urushi?

 

No. After positing it for about a month, scuff marks will appear.