New Pilot Custom 823 - Problems

[GNL]

Hello Pilot Experts,

 

I’ve recently purchased a pen I’ve wanted for a long time - an amber Pilot Custom 823 with a medium nib.  I find if I have the end cap screwed tight when the pen is in my pocket and then open it up a couple of turns when I want to write, it takes a while before the ink flows consistently.  Is there any reason not to leave the end cap slightly unscrewed at all times?

 

Thanks,

GNL

[OCArt]

None at all, I only close mine when flying   

[langere]

@OCArt is exactly right. You can leave the end cap slightly open.

 

But one reason why you might not have good flow from the beginning could be because your ink is too dry or too thick.  Changing inks, I have found, can make a big difference.

 

Erick

[GNL]

Yes, Langere, I experienced that right out of the gate, trying two European inks, neither of which flowed well.  So I surrendered and switched to Pilot Iroshizuku Asa Gao, which flows well, tho the pen is a bit of a hard starter at times.  When it gets going, tho, it’s a beautiful writer.

[jmccarty3]

I've never had that problem with my 823s, but I never use anything but Pilot Blue-Black in them. I keep the end cap closed unless I'm using them.

[jmccarty3]

I'm afraid I have to amend my statement about not having problems with my 823s. In each of the last two years, I have had barrel cracks and leakage develop at the tail end. Both of these were in pens that were used and filled infrequently and had not been dropped or otherwise damaged. The only solution is to send the pen back to Japan for a replacement barrel for $250 plus shipping, but I'm not sure that it doesn't make more sense to replace the pens with Custom 743s. More nib choices as well.

[Mr.Rene]

Hi everyone,

it seems barrel cracks issue is a never ending history...I had same problem with mine🥲

Regards.

[DonkeyStonky]

$250 plus shipping???? That’s about the price of a new one bought from Japan.

[jmccarty3]

18 hours ago, DonkeyStonky said:

$250 plus shipping???? That’s about the price of a new one bought from Japan.

Which is why I didn't send my 823 in for repair and just bought a replacement from Japan. The send time it happened, I gave up on the 823s. I don't really need the increased in capacity and I do like the EF nib choice.

[markofp]

On 3/21/2024 at 3:18 PM, jmccarty3 said:

The only solution is to send the pen back to Japan for a replacement barrel for $250 plus shipping, but I'm not sure that it doesn't make more sense to replace the pens with Custom 743s. More nib choices as well.

 

There is no reason that you should have to do this. Contact Shelia Redman at Pilot USA in Jacksonville (sredman@pilotpen.com) and explain the issue to her. It probably can be repaired domestically, with a turnaround time of about 12 weeks. The ONLY 823s that have to go back to Japan for this issue are the clear demonstrators that are supposedly available in Japan only. 

[jmccarty3]

The only ones that can be repaired domestically are the black/brown ones. Of my two that cracked, one was clear, the other all black.