Pilot Custom 823 or Pelikan ?

[Rapt]

Ok so I'm rather taken with the looks of the Pilot Custom 823 in brown and the accounts of how well it writes and the piston filling...

 

Then I come across the Pelikan forum and everyone talking about how wonderful they are and how none of them want to part with their pens and how great they write etc. (I have to say that in general the appearance of the Pelikans does less for me, although some models are striking.)

 

Soooo... I'm here soliciting opinions, preferably from people who have or have used both a Custom 823 and a comparable Pelikan, on how these pens compare, and which you prefer and why.

 

Not being particularly familiar with Pelikan I leave it to the respondents to choose which Pelikan they think is the best match to the 823.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Tony the Tiger]

Rapt, I wish I could provide you with a "been there" type of comparison. My 823 clear demo should arrive this week, so I'll be glad to give you my impression then. Three things that sold me on this pen were the unobstructed view of the barrel contents, the smoothness of the nib (I'm told), and the piston fill. I hope to (one day soon) obtain a Pelikan. A Majesty would be nice, but that's not realistic.

[skipwilliams]

A Pelikan 6xx is probably the best match to the Custom 823. I've got 6xx's and a black/gray/smoke 823. Writing quality? Very similar, but much depends on the actual nib you get. I think that the 823 is a super pen and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It also holds a ton of ink, more than the Pelikan.

 

But nether pen is superior, IMO. They're just different.

 

Skip

 

 

 

Ok so I'm rather taken with the looks of the Pilot Custom 823 in brown and the accounts of how well it writes and the piston filling...

 

Then I come across the Pelikan forum and everyone talking about how wonderful they are and how none of them want to part with their pens and how great they write etc. (I have to say that in general the appearance of the Pelikans does less for me, although some models are striking.)

 

Soooo... I'm here soliciting opinions, preferably from people who have or have used both a Custom 823 and a comparable Pelikan, on how these pens compare, and which you prefer and why.

 

Not being particularly familiar with Pelikan I leave it to the respondents to choose which Pelikan they think is the best match to the 823.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[trencherman]

One big difference that can sway you in favor of one or the other is Pilot Custom 823 needs to be opened and closed before use to control and shut off ink flow. You do not have to do this with any Pelikan at all. You fill it now and you do not have to fiddle with the mechanism again until your next refill. Incidentally, this plunge-closer in eye-dropper pens is what turned be totally off against them. Just one senior moment and you have made a big indelible mess.

[cmenice]

When comparing the size of the Pilot 823, the closest Pelikan is probably an M800. I've had both pens. I just recently sold my Pilot 823 because I felt like the Pelikan was a better pen. Better construction and I felt like the Pelikan just had a real presence for me. The Pilot felt more like a toy. Granted, they are both big pens, neither is heavy, but both have a comfortable weight (and almost comparable I believe).

 

For me the Pelikan M800 feels like a nicer pen. Of course this is my preference. Like I said I sold my Pilot 823 and used the money to buy another Pelikan (a Tiffany Co branded Pelikan).

 

Both of these pens are similarly priced. I've seen the Pilot Custom 823 for as low as 185, but those are rare. Mostly they sell for $230 + shipping to united states. You can get a brand new Pelikan M800 for $250 and sometimes used ones in the marketplace for as little as $180.

 

If you like the Pilot because it is a demonstrator, I read that Pelikan will be releasing a demonstrator pen this year. I have to start saving for that one. Pelikans are among the best pens I've written with.

 

If you have specific questions, feel free to send me a PM I'd love to answer any of them for you.

[JRodriguez]

From where are you guys ordering the 823s?

[burmeseboyz]

From where are you guys ordering the 823s?

 

I got mine from engeika on ebay. The seller is Taizo-san and he's reliable and his prices are pretty good. Also, there's a guy in the UK selling them. Whenever someone writes about 823's 'Lloyd' goes: "Richie has them in stock!" I think someone is very happy about their pens from Richie. I know I'm happy about my pen from Taizo-san.

 

As for Pelikan vs. 823, well it depends on what you want in a writing instrument. The 823's only major disadvantage is that the blind cap has to be unscrewed to write with. The highest model number Pelikan I have is a 605 and in terms of built quality, the Pilot wins out. The plastic feel sturdier and more business like. Although I love my Pelikans (M200, M605), they all feel a little too light and not too substantial. The Pilot has thicker plastic that you can see and also it's a little heftier but not too heavy. I don't know about the M800's. Also the 823's nib is smoother but you get more tactile response from the Pelikan nibs. In terms of appearance, the gold and brown of my 823 matches perfectly. I usually hate gold furniture on most pens, but the brown complements the gold really well. But as someone else wrote, I think they're on pretty equal footing. I would decide based on your style of writing. If you sit down and write a lot, go with the 823. If you make quick notes and need to write while in the field, go with the Pelikan. You should acquire both eventually and enjoy the unique qualities of both fine pen makers.

[Rapt]

Geez you guys!!!! you're not helping...

 

I know I should buy both... But finances won't stretch to that right now. At least not in the near future. As it is its going to take me a month or two to save the money for one of them. '

 

I intend this pen to do both, quick notes and writing wherever I am, and sitting down to write a lot.

Edited February 11, 2008 by Rapt

[burmeseboyz]

Geez you guys!!!! you're not helping...

 

:embarrassed_smile: sorry. The nuance of the blind cap for the 823 makes it a little difficult/bothersome for quick notes. However, for quick notes, you won't have to undo the blind cap. The feed has enough ink to write out about a page of words before drying up. If you think it's going to bother you, I'd go with the Pelikan. If you think it'll be okay/ you like the preparation of getting ready to write, I'd go with the Pilot. FYI, my 823 gets more use than both the Pelikans I have. It's a hard decision though because both makes are really good. What model of Pelikan are you considering? That would help narrow it down. Also, does the filling mechanism matter? I love watching the vacuum fill filling mechanism of the 823. I think it's cooler than the plunger.

[Rapt]

Hadn't settled on a particular model of Pelikan other than thinking it would be one of the fairly ubiquitous Souverans... and with a price comparable or less than than of a 823... Say $200...

 

I actually kind of like the concept of the extra "seal" on the 823. Filler type doesn't matter too much to me provided it works reliably. For this application I don't want a high maintenance pen, or one that needs to be babied. I want one I can fill and use without concern for several days.

 

Not really looking for "soul" at this price point.

[ANM]

Ok so I'm rather taken with the looks of the Pilot Custom 823 in brown and the accounts of how well it writes and the piston filling...

 

Then I come across the Pelikan forum and everyone talking about how wonderful they are and how none of them want to part with their pens and how great they write etc. (I have to say that in general the appearance of the Pelikans does less for me, although some models are striking.)

 

Soooo... I'm here soliciting opinions, preferably from people who have or have used both a Custom 823 and a comparable Pelikan, on how these pens compare, and which you prefer and why.

 

Not being particularly familiar with Pelikan I leave it to the respondents to choose which Pelikan they think is the best match to the 823.

 

Thanks in advance!

[/quote

 

I am with you on liking the looks of the 823 AND your opinion about the looks of Pelikans in general. My Pelikans are the 400s size and don't compare in size but that aside, I like my 823 better in looks and nib performance. I like the idea of the cut off valve in the 823 also.

 

[Lloyd]

A small note: I don't think Pilot in the USA can service the 823. So, if you have an issue, it'll have to go back to Japan (or a local FP-meister). OTOH, I've heard that Pelikan has outstanding service.

[DrPJM1]

They are both fine pens and will do their intended job for years to come. Between the two of them, I would choose the one I like/looks best. You will not make a wrong choice.

[Rapt]

Thanks all, and a very good point Lloyd makes about service.

[mdblue]

Ok so I'm rather taken with the looks of the Pilot Custom 823 in brown and the accounts of how well it writes and the piston filling...

 

Then I come across the Pelikan forum and everyone talking about how wonderful they are and how none of them want to part with their pens and how great they write etc. (I have to say that in general the appearance of the Pelikans does less for me, although some models are striking.)

 

Soooo... I'm here soliciting opinions, preferably from people who have or have used both a Custom 823 and a comparable Pelikan, on how these pens compare, and which you prefer and why.

 

Not being particularly familiar with Pelikan I leave it to the respondents to choose which Pelikan they think is the best match to the 823.

 

Thanks in advance!

It's like comparing a Honda with a Audi! Both are very reliable but are in different levels.

The 823 probably has one of the best nibs OOB, relatively cheaper as compared to the M800 and it's flow can be adjusted by unscrewing the cap in the back.

Having said that, if you buy a Pel M800 from Richard or John and have the nib adjusted according to your preferences it is a much better writer than the 823.

The construction of the Pels is great and also has a nice heft that I personally like.

[vision35]

I have the brown 823 medium nib, and a blue stripe 800 fine nib. It took a while to like the 832 (as I found the med nib much wider than expected. Then it became true love. I mainly use other pens mainly because I have so darn many and don't want to let them "go to waste," but I always love writing with the 832. The only think I don't like about it is the size, which is a little longer (uncapped) than I'd like, and impossibly long when capped. I find the nib far smoother than my out of box 800, but of course the latter has a fine nib. I also find the weight a bit lighter on the 832, and prefer that. I find the 800 a bit heavy.

 

Looks-wise, the Pel is prettier but the Pilot is no ugly ducklign. The gold nib and gold clip look better on the Pilot, while the body is nicer on the Pel.

 

Both great, but I prefer the Pilot for it's vastly smoother writing, cook and easy filling with the plunger, and ability to lay down a wet line bu adjusting the shut off valve. By the way, I keep that valve open most of the day, and even keep the pen in my pocket sometimes with the valve open (capped, of course!), mainly closing it at the end of the day.

 

One more thing, the Pilot is far better at resistin dry-out when left uncapped for 15 minutes at a time. The Pel will start a bit poorly when uncapped for 10 minutes or a bit less.