I started my fountain pen journey roughly 4 years ago. I bought a Kaweco Sport for my first pen. I told myself I would never everrrr buy a pen > $100. And I definitely obviously would never spend a ludicrous amount such as $300+!!!! On a pen. But here I am, 4 years later, and I bought the Pilot Custom 823. I am in LOVE with this pen. I got it in the Medium nib after reading several reviews and watching videos on the pen in action. And wow I literally do not regret the money spent at all. Just be careful to not drop this pen. I use the Iroshizuku ink by Pilot, the “tsuki-yo” color and I love it so much. Writing with it gives me so much joy, it’s such a luxurious experience. This pen has 0 scratch feedback. Glides like glass on paper. 10/10. I got it in black.
You made an excellent choice! You can now truly never buy another pen and be all set. It is just that good. Thanks for watching and for your excellent comment.
I just got my first fountain pen in January, a TWSBI Eco (which unfortunately started to crack after one month) and I told myself I'd never spend over $100 too. But here I am seriously considering a Pilot gold nibbed pen because I want something that will actually last haha. I really thought I'd be immune... And this testimonial isn't helping... haha
Excellent video, as always. I was just GIFTED my grail pen of Pilot Custom 823 about 6 hours ago and I am over the moon with it. Believe it or not, another fellow fountain pen lover who appreciates my CZcams videos sent it. Can you believe that?? I feel like I’m part of a special pilot custom 823 club now. ETA-- Oh, and I’m a new subscriber. Love your videos, and I appreciate your attention to not only analogue but also your diction when you speak. That’s something I’m practicing and hoping to get better at.
Thanks very much!!! I appreciate it and congratulations on the amazing new pen!!! That is awesome. I am so happy for you. Stop by again soon and let me know your thoughts on the 823!
I currently own a Lamy Safari and a Parker Frontier, and both of them are too expensive for me as a student. But I saved my pocket money for almost 3 months and finally after a long wait I bought them both!! Aaahhh, what a feeling that was! Both the pens are very close to my heart, and I love writing with both of them. I am planning to buy a pilot metropolitan recently. Pilot Custom 823 and Parker 51 are my dream pen, and I will buy them when I grow up and start earning.
That is wonderful. You have some excellent pens there. The Safari is all the pen you need! Although it is fun having other choices. Thanks so much for watching and good luck with your studies.
@@hemkeshyeole4630 It's a great pen! It's a shame it's expensive there. You do have some amazing local pen makers as well. Ranga, Magna Carta. All the best and good luck with your studies.
Thank you for this wonderful video, I always love how you put some calming classical music behind each of your reviews it just makes every one of your review so much calming and relaxing!
Nice overview! The 823 has been my mainstay for over a decade now, replacing both a Lamy 2000 and Lamy Persona (both of which I owned for almost as long). Aside from how it both writes and feels in the hand-in a word, superb-and its prodigious ink capacity, one of the big draws is the design's almost hard-headed focus on being a tool for *writing* , as opposed to pocket-jewelry or a collector's bauble. I can remember a period-tellingly, before the last few world financial upheavals-when companies were putting out high-end pens that sort of epitomized Alan Greenspan's infamously-coined "irrational exuberance." You couldn't possibly write with the things, they were made to gawk at. Now, most high-end pens have put the emphasis back on writing, with a more sober approach to design, but even after trying some of those (and I still do, for fun and curiosity), I haven't found anything better than the 823. As far as your vexing issue about that "perfect" nib? I have two 823s, but they were both preceded by another one, with a M nib in Smoke finish. Loved that thing to pieces, until the day it mysteriously disappeared…to this day, I have no idea how, and it was a heartbreaker to lose it, since I actually saved up to get it. It took a longer while after, but I finally got another, but this time I got one with a F nib, and the first time I wrote with it, I feared I'd made a mistake-the thing reminded me a bit of the cheap, terribly-scratchy FPs of my distant past. But I continued writing with it, and made a wonderful discovery: yep, it certainly had more tooth than the M-nibbed 823, but it was *not* the scratchy horror I initially feared it to be. Better-still, it seemed to offer a tad more control over the page than my previous 823 had…not that *that* pen was at all bad, but this felt more tractable. Then, a year later, I found myself with a bit of extra money, and felt the desire for another pen (even though a Vanishing Point had somehow joined the 823 in the interim), and I decided to go for yet another 823, this time in Amber, and with a M nib. I began writing with it, and guess what? *That* nib suddenly felt like writing on glass…I'd gotten so used to the F-nibbed 823 that going back to the M came as a bit of a shock. Now, several years later, I use both interchangeably, but not in the same way: the F-nib 823 gets used for more longform writing, while the M is broken out for letter-writing and heavy note-taking. Inks remain the same for all pens: Pilot Blue for the 823/M, Pilot Black for the 823/F, and Pilot Blue-Black for the VP. (They're all in use constantly, so cleaning only gets done on a yearly basis.)
Hello Barrett, Thank you for the kind words. Thanks for the great story of your experience with the Pilot Custom 823. I love hearing about different peoples experiences with pens and yours is particularly insightful. You make me very curious about a fine nib. All the best.
Great comment, totally agree. I find the fine nib on my 823 to be the most pleasant to write with, the most reliable, and the most conducive to neat, legible writing in my fp collection.
I have a strong feeling it's already settled into the top tier for him; it's long been that way for me, and I'll go out on a limb and predict that'll likely be the case should you choose to get one.
I just ordered this pen to round out my Pilot collection. A wholely unintentional collection, at that. I started with a vanishing point, then the E95S, the Falcon, Decimo, Custom 74, even a Prera & parallel calligraphy pens! I love all of them & the consistent excellent quality just keeps me coming back.
Great review. Had two smoke 823s - one each F & M - but sold them a decade ago when I was fortunate to get a Custom 845. Same #15 nib, Medium, but bi-color & 18K - smoothest nib ever. The Sirens kept singing though, so this week I caved and took delivery on a clear 823 with a Fine nib. Superb of course. The secret of a full fill is a traveling inkpot. I have the older Visconti, and the first fill of the new 823 had only 2-3 mm of air at the top. Well over 90% capacity. Always a heart-stopping moment though, when you upend the inkpot and push the 823’s plunger!!! Pineider’s inkpot has gotten good reviews and is only half the price. Again thanks.
I agree with you that the Pilot Custom 823 spoils you for all others including Montblanc. I live to use it as it is the smoothest, most reliable instrument to translate my thoughts to paper. The writing experience is inspiring and I feel it makes me write my best physically and therefore my thoughts gather on the page unfettered.
Mr. Jones, you have perfectly described my experience. The 823 is just overperfect enough to have me sliding all over the icy road of Tomoe River paper. And it admonishes me - gently, patiently - that even an innocent journal entry can turn into a bloodbath without the proper attentiveness to fine motor skills. I really *respect* this pen as something of a sensei.
@@HemingwayJones You are so kind! The thing that mystifies me about the phenomenon: it's not as if it has *no* feedback. I have very smooth (F)s and (EF)s that don't challenge my illusion of control. (Love your channel!)
Hemingway, I tried out this pen at a local pen store today, and fell in love. I have ordered it and can’t wait to ink it up and use it. Nice review, thank you.
Definetly one of the best pens I know about. There are three pens in my collection that are always inked, because of how good and reliable writers they are: the Pilot 823, the Montblanc 146, and the Pelikan m800. My 823 is always inked with Pelikan Dark Green, a beautiful intense, emerald green, which suits the amber colour really nicely, in my view.
1. Pilot nibs are of supreme quality - I love the in my 743. I bought it for flex, but now mostly I just use it normally, and it is supremely smooth. I like it ALMOST as much as my Sailor Pro Gear. No vac fillers for me; I prefer refilling cartridges. I also feel that Sailor nibs are more precise, which is a good thing for me. 2. Regarding a pen "fitting" in the hand, of all my pens (~75), the ONLY one that I notice fits particularly well is my Guider desk pen. I feel that invitation to put ink on paper.
Hello, My Friend, I hope all is well. The Sailor is an impressive pen. I don’t give mine the attention it deserves, but I will remedy that soon. I find some pens to be very comfortable and others less so and each for different reasons. So much variety. Wish you the best.
I have two custom 823’s, a medium and a fine. I love them so much. I did get a little tired of having to vent them, so I removed the little ring at the bottom of the vac plunger. Pens come and go, but I’ll always be reaching for the custom 823. I might need to get the broad one day!
Love Gymnopedie playing in the background. As for fountain pens, I’ve got Delta Dolce Vita, Schaefer Legacy II, Namiki vanishing, Pelican M1000, Visconti, Parker…and yet I write the most with a cheap Parker knockoff that never skips, flows great, etc. Funny how sometimes the most expensive pens don’t always write the best.
I enjoyed your comments regarding your 823 nib. I just insulted a new EF nib into my Pelican M1000 which had an F before. The new nib has taken the pen to new levels of enjoyment for me. Nibs I believe are the heart of any good pen. Enjoyed the Pilot Custom 823 review.
Thanks for the video Hemingway! I totally agree that writing with it gets a bit “loose” because of its “transparency”. I think this pen is for people who write A LOT and aren’t too worried about getting dirty with it. I have heard it described as a work-horse and I think that’s a good descriptor. It looks like an emoji for “fountain pen”, but when you are plowing through ink, and it consistently feels good, the looks can grow on you. The kind of pen that looks good a few years down the road, a bit banged up. That mono no aware or wabi-sabi thing. Something very Japanese about how this pen clarifies the experience of writing itself. Me, I like to use Noodler’s ink in it.
Thank you for the wonderful insightful comment. I agree completely. The nib feels so precise and so quick that if I could extend your analogy, I feel I am constantly trying to reign it in. Lovely though. I just wish they had protected the cap. All the best.
Thank you for another excellent video. I have never used one of these, or any vac filler - way too complicated for my small brain! Pilot make lovely pens with excellent nibs at all price points. I've never used one that was not perfect - other manufacturers should take note.
I recently purchased this pen in Amber with medium nib from Goulet Pen Co. I’m still getting used to the vacuum filling process, but I love it. I bought 3 74’s and I shouldn’t have wasted the money and went right for what I really wanted. It feels so good in my hands and writes like butter with hardly any effort. It’s totally justifiable to purchase the smoke in a fine nib next month, then I don’t think there’s anything else that I need. This pen is perfect enough, but it, you won’t regret it!
Thanks for the effort you put into making your videos entertaining, informative and different from most of the pen review videos to which I also subscribe. Reading some of the comments here, it does seem like your efforts to build a "community" are not in vain--also a very good thing, IMHO. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a new, smoke 823 with a medium nib about 2 years ago. I've used it often and have to agree to a certain extent with your assessment that it is "too perfect." My reasoning is a bit different from yours's, however. To my way of thinking, its perfection has had the undesirable effect of probably greatly limiting my options for future purchases. Since I find it so excellent and am now retired on a more or less fixed income, I doubt I will ever want to spend more that the $288.00 I spent on my 823, especially since I have read and heard that other much more expensive pens don't write any better than it does. Of course, given the state of our finances, that is also a very good thing. So that's one more reason to cherish my 823. As for the Pilot Blue ink, when I splotched it, I discovered it has a bit of a reddish sheen and I do get some line variation with it in certain pens--mostly the few pens in my collection with broad nibs. Had I purchased the brown 823 I would have been disappointed with the blue ink, too, because it doesn't seem to me to match well with the color of the pen. So far, my favorite ink to use with the smoke is Noodler's Air Corps. It is supposed to be a blue/black ink, but it looks more black with a hint of green to me. I have heard the ink bottle that comes with the 823 is exclusive to purchasers of the 823 pen, so I imagine I'll hold on to it. In addition, I like the device the bottle has to help get a good fill, though I may invest in a TWSBI vac filler bottle. Have you any experience with it? I've read that it works well with an 823. Thanks.
Hello William, thank you very much for the kind comment. I am so glad that you enjoy the programs. I do try to make them a little different. The community here is great. I learn so much from you. Including about the TWSBI Vac filler bottle, which I did not know about and now will seek out. Thanks! I agree that the 823 is as good as it gets. Other pens write differently, but not better. It is extraordinary. I wish you all the best!
The TWSBI vac-filler bottle does not work with the Pilot 823. Neither of the 2 thread options on the bottle (for TWSBI Vac-700R and TWSBI mini-vac) fit the 823.
Lovely video, and agree with you all the way. This, along with my MB 146, is my favourite pen. I have a broad, which is beautifully smooth and juicy, a real joy to write with. The tines were ever so slightly misaligned out of the box, and required some light tweaking, but once I had it sorted, it wrote wonderfully, needing no pressure at all. I have had mine for a year and a half now, and despite having quite a few pens inked up, hardly a day goes by without me reaching for the 823.
The MB 146 is classic! Thanks for the kind words on the video. I had to tweak a Pelikan M600 and now it has opened up. I am glad that you get so much enjoyment out of the 823. It is a great pen.
Greetings! I enjoyed your vid. Thanks for explaining your critique so well. I certainly understand what you mean about its perfection. I’d want to try it first myself before buying. Shalom
I love, love, love my 823! I want a second one with a Medium nib. I will get that one in the Smoke color. I must say I think Pilot is my favorite fountain pen brand. Their craftsmanship is excellent! I am going to one day get a Pilot 912 with Waverly nib. And I hope maybe someday I’ll have a binder full of favorite pens. My collection only just started. ❤
Interesting. Usually the “too slick” sense comes when a nib is a little over-polished so that it eliminates that pencil-like writing experience. I started writing before you discuss the nib size. I find the “B” nib gets unwieldy for my writing style. I certainly cannot write legibly with the BB or Coarse nib. However, I have not had a control issue with the Pilot Custom 823 equipped with either a F or M nib. We are almost at the end, and you did not discuss nib size. The only other thing you can do counters your desire for ink that shades (etc.), but for control in business settings you can try a dryer ink. Enjoyed your review, and I too love the Pilot Custom 823. In fact, Pilot pens were the pens that convinced me to begin the hobby!
Hello Keith, I hope all is well. Thanks for the kind words. I do best with a B & BB when I treat them like stubs. They are great for flow. Great to hear from you!
I also love the 823, I own two of them, a brown fitted with a FA nib (transplanted from my 743) and a smoke with a fine nib. Absolutely great pens, huge ink capacity, comfortable, substantial yet light, and above all the famously buttery smooth Pilot nibs. Only wish: owning the clear version to show off some interesting inks...
A clear version would be nice. That’s in Japan only, if I am not mistaken. Should we book a trip!? Sounds like a great collection for you. All the best.
Like you, I have both an amber and a smoke 823, but my FA nib is in the smoke version. I am writing because I would like to know how you found the nib removal process: I want to insert an ebonite feed and I've been scared off by rumors that Pilot has taken steps to prevent owners from removing the 823 nibs. I don't want to break the pen, but when I substituted feed on my 912FA, the writing experience skyrocketed.
@@JoelTurrell I had no problem with exchanging the nib with the 743, I only had a near accident when inserting the fine nib back in the 743 as it wasn't deep enough and I nearly destroyed it when capping the pen. But that was pure operator error and the nib turned out fine. Now I also exchanged the plastic feed with an ebonite feed from the Flexible Nib Factory, the 2-slit version, and I couldn't be happier. My pens are recent and I did not see any difficulty in doing the modification, except for my own mistakes.
Excellent video, I was not decided yet between the Pelikan 600 and the Pilot 823, after see your video I will take the japanese 823. Thank you so much.
I have a fine and a broad in this model. I also have an FA 743 which is similar, except not a vacuum filler. I don't call this pen "perfect" but I do enjoy it. It's wonderful for long writing sessions. I don't like it so much for daily use because of the screw cap. And a limitation I found is that with some inks, the vacuum mechanism hold air bubbles from the feed and doesn't let them bubble up, and then the pen quits writing. There are some tricks to getting a full fill in a vacuum filler: one is the use something like the Visconti Ink Pot. Another is to fill it once. Then, turn the pen upside down, pull out the plunger, and push it in until the ink gets to the feed. Then put it in a bottle of ink, push the plunger the rest of the way down, and let it fill. The 823 was my first truly expensive pen.
Ah yes, I have done the second trick on TikTok in one of my more popular videos, rather successfully too. Get it wrong and you could be in quite a mess. Screw caps definitely slow one down, but I have rather grown used to them. All the best!
The Pilot Custom 823 was my first serious pen. Now, years down the line with several pens including Montblanc Meisterstuck, Lamy 2000, Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age (rose gold nib version), Parker Duofold and many others, my 823 is the one that's only ever un-inked during the days when it's getting a deep clean. It's a constant companion still.
Good day Hemingway, after some ordering challenges (received the wrong nib size, returning, and reordering [backordered]) the 823 in brown finally arrived early this week. It is a remarkable writer. Simple and beautiful. Much like the Pilot Vanishing Point, the 823 is a remarkably smooth writer. However, now the Vanishing Point feels slightly scratchy after writing with the 823. Ha! Using Pilot pens is reminiscent of the artistry of Shodo (Japanese calligraphy). Due to how smooth Pilot pens write each stroke must be intentional. This requires concentrating more when writing, and resulting in an even more purposeful and wonderful writing experience. The 823 requires focusing on being focussed 😂. Actually, due to this I’ve started a ‘journal’ dedicated to transcribing text (currently ‘Epictetus - The Essential Writings’) with the purpose of becoming more skillful in cursive writing. When transcribing the thoughts of what to write are removed, allowing focus on just the worlds and letters themselves. It’s a wonderful new way to enjoy pens, and blow through some of the ink that somehow keeps getting acquired. Currently writing with some KWZ inks, if you haven’t already tried them please accept an unsolicited suggestion to do so 😊. Anyhow, thank you for your video, your thoughts, and your warm personality my friend. As always, wishing you the best from Canada 🇨🇦.
What a great comment. Thank you. Wonderful hearing from you. Also, I am a big fan of Epictetus. Think first who you would be and then do what you must do. It’s a mantra of mine. I love hearing you thoughts about the 823. All the best.
Great video! I’d like to get one of these, but I wonder about the extreme smoothness of the nib? I sure do love the look of this pen though! What would you recommend comparable to the 823?
Since I bought mine in smoke, with an F nib, I have written with it every day in my journal. I do use (some of) my other fountain pens for writing en sketching, but the 823 is by far my favourite. I bought it about two years ago and I have not bought another fountain pen since. That says is all: as if all the other buys led to this perfect fountain pen. I am contemplating buying a second 823 though, in amber, with a medium nib.
Hello! That does indeed say it all. I think I say something along the lines of, “you could buy another fountain pen, but you really don’t have to,” referring to the more expensive ones. It is truly a fantastic pen.
Got mine in a broad, its my favourite pen of all times! My only issue is, it glides a little too smooth, so I have to go slow and ensure that I keep my control over the my hand! But, its an absolute delight!
I feel a bit like that with my medium. It’s like driving a Ferrari off the lot when you have been driving Jeeps. It is wonderful as you have said. All the best.
Nice video, thanks for sharing :) I'm used to F nibs in Pelikan's range / M nibs in Twsbi's. What is the size to take in the Pilot range to match my taste in your opinion ?
I have a 823 in F. It is indeed a very good pen and I use it almost everyday inked with Sailor Seiboku pigmented ink and I place it #1 on my top 5 favorite. Winning against Montblanc 149, Sailor King of Pen, Visconti Homosapiens, and Pelikan M805. The 149 has the best size for me, King of Pen has the best nib, Homo Sapiens has the best look, M805 has the best filling system, but the 823 is the best overall package.
That is a great assortment to put it up against. All fine pens. The 823 is wonderful and affordable for what you get. As you say it is the top of a field of expensive contenders. It could be the best bargain in pens. Or value, rather.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. You mentioned that the nib provides a fair amount of feedback. I am not at all a fan of feedback which is why I probably haven't bought a Sailor either. I have several Pilot VPs but I really don't care for them as long writers. I use them for field work when I need to quickly open and close a nib, but they are not my favorite pens. I have a couple of Metropolitans but I don't really care for them either. I want my nibs to write like "butter on glass" - so smoothly that you don't even realize that you have the nib tip on the paper. Only my MBs and my nibmeister-tuned nibs do that.
Great comment and I know exactly what you mean. I love both. It’s a mood thing for me. My MB 149 and Egyptomania are both so smooth. I have a Shaeffer Legacy that is also. I think that’s luck! My Cartier Diabolo too, but I strongly suspect MB made the nib/feed. Great contribution. Thanks!
@@HemingwayJones Interesting. My fine 823 exhibits no feedback whatsoever. Of course feedback is also an outcome of writing with pressure. Something to consider at least.
@@davyj5216 I really appreciate your comment. And feedback is also directly related to the ink and paper as well as the nib. Also, if the nib is not tuned appropriately or is a specific type of nib grind, it may produce greater feedback.
@@dr.d723 I agree, but in general Pilot nibs are usually excellent on the QC front. Paper has more of an influence on feedback than ink, given that one is a surface and the other a lubricant, but yes there are these factors. I would argue that given smooth paper and a freely flowing ink, any feedback from a Pilot pen comes from user pressure, and possibly incorrect angle of the nib as it's held to the paper. It's an interest subject, especially considering that feedback is not inherently good or bad and that people have differing preferences.
Greetings from Brisbane Australia - As the owner of a flight of Pilots , including a Customs 72 , two 74s and an e 95 S , I am encouraged to buy the 823 for my 76 th anniversary - to hell with extravagance . I’m sure a Pen may not be too perfect but it may be faultless .
I think the cat remains unconvinced. I don't own a Pilot Custom 823 but I know of its reputation. One day I may get one, though there are many other pens also on my wish list. As to the question of can a pen be too perfect? Difficult to say. I certainly don't strive for perfection because I know it doesn't exist. Indeed the journey trying to achieve pen perfection would only make me broke and unhappy. Contentment comes from having fewer wants.
You make very good points as always! My narrative with this one is that it is so precise and so well made that it lacks a bit of soul; a bit of gritty quirkiness that makes some other pens so interesting. Wonderful to hear from you, David!
I think you nailed it when you pointed out that it looks kind of boring. I kept seeing this pen talked about as being great, but when I looked at the pictures it just looked like a boring plastic pen. Then I got a chance to write with one at a pen show last weekend and now I must have one.
Fantastic pen, granted. Can it be too perfect? Very subtle remark. I perfectly understand what you mean. I've had this feeling not with the 823 but with the Pelikan M1000 with an F nib. Like a Ferrari which gets out of control after a few miles, definitely. And I sold the M1000. I kept my M800s which control me when I can't control them ;-)
Hello Fan, My Friend, I hope you are well. I have the same experience with my M1000 as well! I have a video coming out on it and it's my one issue with it; it's slightly unwieldy. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for pointing me to your video. The first time I wrote with my 823 smoke F, my reaction was that it was perfection. I agree the pen looks boring and (my observation) sort of like a MB 146 knockoff when side-by-side but it does have its own character in its predictable performance and feel. Very different from a MB. Love both pens. The 823 F just feels like a more precise nib while the MB 146 F feels more expressive. I have one in smoke and plan to buy one in amber M one of these days.
Hello, I’m just now seeing this video. Thank you so much for the informative video. I’ve been addicted to fountain pens since the end of 2019. My very first fountain pen purchase was a Pilot (name I knew I could trust) Metropolitan houndstooth grey in a medium nib. Anyone can say whatever they want - but this is the one that started it all for me! It is truly an awesome pen! 29 pens later - - I have a nice collection, certainly affordable. However, lately, I have been fighting growing pains. I have since come to the conclusion that although there will always be those “gotta have it, under $100” pens, that only two are my must have grail pens: 1) Pilot Custom 823 (amber or clear) Medium nib - currently $336. 2) Pilot Custom Urushi (Vermilion) Medium nib - currently $1,500. I’m getting closer to the 823. Trying to legitimately save for it and not use other “appropriated” funds! 🫤. The Urushi, is definitely a bucket list item, and more saving! But even fountain pen goals are goals nonetheless, right? 😂. Anyway, thank you so very much for all your videos. You truly make my day, as well give me inspiration to “behave and save!”😊. Take care and God bless you! Oh, I love the cat - has great tastes in pens!!!
Hello and thank you so much for the kind words! I am so glad you enjoyed this video. it is one of my personal favorites; the video and the pen! I love the 823. Please stop back again and let me know how things are going.
I completely agree with you. I have exactly the same pen and nib as you. I want to use it more but somehow I always pass - with considerable guilt. The opposite of it is my Pelikan m205, which I upgraded with a gold nib. I hated both the Pelikan nibs and sent the gold one to be ground into fine CI. It’s not the smoothest or the most comfortable, but I can’t be without it. Part of the reason is that it is the only pen which actually makes my handwriting look better than it is…go figure.
Hi, I have been waffling about buying a Sailor 1911L in Wicked Witch of the West colors. This video has pretty much convinced me to go the the Pilot Custom 823. I enjoy watching your videos. I am a big fan of my Lamy 2000, the sweet spot on the nib is a bit annoying. This is going to be my next level of Gold Nib pen. I also would never use Blue ink. Maybe in another pen. I have been stepping up my pen collection. Starting out with Safari's and sticking to under $100. The Lamy 2000 was my first more expensive pen. I think this will be my level up. It is truly beautiful in the amber color with the gold nib. I also prefer a wider nib, so I will be going with Medium also. Thank you for the inspiration.
Hello, My Friend, thank you for the great comment and perspective. Honestly, if you buy the 823, you never need buy another pen. You may choose to, but you won’t need to. It’s as good as anything out there. All the best and let me know what you think when it arrives.
I'm barely getting into pens and i like how the papermate 1.4b writes. I know it's a rollerball but which nib size will writeost comparable to that pen? Will it be smoother than a rollerball?
I love this pen, it really is a perfect fountain pen. I imported a clear one from Japan to the UK so I never got the ink with it, although I bought my own Pilot Blue as I like it as a very good replacement for the very expensive Kon Peki. I also chose the WA nib and this really is best nib for any paper I can 'throw at it'. Fibrous papers mean nothing to this nib, it just keeps gliding on. BUT, I do feel it was over polished and it used to skip at times, especially where the oil from my hands would be on the paper. Over the time I've had it, it has gotten better but that was a disappointment for a new pen. Mine is filled with blues as that is my favourite colour, so Kon Peki, Pilot Blue, Sailor Anniversary Blue, that kinda ink. (As a side note, I removed that o-ring so I don't have to keep opening the piston knob. The issue now being is, where the hell did I put it? 🫤) Question - I know you enjoy the Diplomat Sepia, however do you have a favourite black ink you could tell me about? Thx for another relaxing, informing, interesting video. 👍🏻😄
Hello My Friend. You are brave for tinkering with your pens. I hope that ring pops up! My favorite black lately has been ancient and reliable J Herbin Perle Noire. It is a classic and is non corrosive and made from organic dyes. Thanks for watching, I like this one!
Pilot pens are top of my pen list. I carry 2 Pilot 78g pens, one with a fine nib and another with a B calligraphy nib. At home I have a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with the Falcon flex nib. My vintage favourite is a Schaeffer 'No nonsense' pen with a fine stub calligraphy nib. I use it with Schaeffer black cartridges.
The Pilot Custom 823 has been a pen buying stopping point. The pen works perfectly for me. After buying one at ITOYA, Tokyo, I ordered another one. I always have one inked. For so many reasons, this pen is simply dear to me.
I LOVE how this pen looks and I’d love to experience it myself, as you say. Curious people, right? However, I am intimidated by the vac fill, this venting you speak of, sealing it for travel, etc. it seems fussy and scary. Are there instructions to learn these processes? Other than that, your endorsement makes this writing instrument so tantalizing to me! Can I resist the call?!? Thank you!
Thanks so much. It’s super easy. The plunger when screwed all the way down seals it. Venting is not the best word to use because air doesn’t get in. I wish I said something else. As you unscrew it, it opens the valve and ink flows through. So easy. So just screw it all the way down for travel and open it up a few millimeters for long writing sessions. It’s very easy. Filling just have the plunger all the way out and push it down that’s it. Thanks for watching.
I come from the watch world and I see a parallel. Certain brands like Grand Seiko have impeccable finishing, but some find a lack of soul or interest in that. I am not a pen person. My only fountain pen is a blue aluminum Namisu, which was a thoughtful and touching gift from my wife about 5 years ago. But I found this channel somehow and purchased a TWSBI Eco for my wife and I am now considering an 823 to journal and enjoy.
I am a big watch guy myself. I have done some watch videos, but that is a different space. I am happy to have you here as long as you would like to stay. You have excellent taste. You have chosen extraordinary pens. Well done.
I don't have a Pilot Custom 823, I do have a Custom 74 though, and I feel like that pen is crazy smooth and my strokes get away from me from time to time. One day I'll have an 823 though...maybe when there is a more interesting color.
The Amber is nice. It is a nice shade and I suppose you could call it a demonstrator. I have been enjoying more color in my pens lately. They also pop a bit more on TikTok and CZcams. Now that I am working in the office more, I am reaching for the sedate black pens again. It’s a cycle.
It's a fabulous pen. I have a fine in amber and medium in black smoke and they are both amazing (although I wish pilot did a FM which is the sweet spot for me that Sailor fills). Holds a ton of ink, starts every time and feels classy. I can see why Neil Gaimen writes all his novels with one :)
Pilot does a FM! Look into the Custo. 743. I have one in soft fine medium and it is an absolute joy. Same nib size as the 823. Only difference is it is CON 70 instead of Vac.
You've inspired me! I'm in the market for one of these, to complete my four pen collection. Question on this pen...If you aren't travelling and just use this pen around your desk, can you leave the valve open and then not worry about accidentally starving the pen?
Hello and thanks for watching. I am glad that you enjoyed this. Sure, you will be fine. Occasionally, it may seem like it ran out of ink and then you open the valve and it’s fine. Once you get the hang of it, you grow to appreciate the extra step. It puts you in the moment. Good luck and thanks!
I apologize in advance if I missed it in your video as I had it rolling as I fixed myself dinner but; Did you try the Pilot Blue that comes with the 823 in your 823? I’m considering inking up my new smoke 823 with custom ground cursive italic broad nib with its included blue ink.
I did use that ink that came with it. It is a very nice blue. It’s a little business-like, sort of a ballpoint blue color, but it performs excellently and matches the pen brilliantly. Thanks for watching and congratulations on that excellent pen!
The music on this channel , especially the dramatic Beethoven 9 th at the end to accompany the German built pens . I would like this pen in a Laurel Green and some background such as George Fredrick Handel ‘ Sarabande ‘ . Music credits at the end please just like in Kubrick’s ‘ Barry Lyndon ‘ Martin 1947
Sadly, I am wholly captive to what is available in the free audio library. Fortunately, Sarabande is there, but it’s not the best version. I use it, I believe, in the Pelikan M600 review at the Boston Public Library. Thanks for the great conversation.
Hello Siddharth, there could be a few things going on there. One is that the paper is odd. It was an old desk set that had this very fibrous, almost linen like feel to it. I had used it for typing. The other thing is that it is a macro shot and that always makes pens look wet and dramatic. It has a wonderful flow, but it’s not a gusher. I do have a few. My Shaeffer Legacy is a fire hose! Anyway, thanks so much for watching. Please let me know if I can help or clarify further. All the best.
Great Review! It is indeed a great pen, it’s on the list of my next purchase. If you do not mind, I have a question… While you were selecting the ink, showing your booklet, there was a swatch that I found lovely, I believe it was a Krishna Ink. Could you tell me which shade was that exactly? I would appreciate it a lot. Thank you!
Yes. An amazing pen. I had troubles with Diamine ink and switched to Pilot. So much better. Can you tell me which are the wetter inks that I might also enjoy with my 823 medium?
I'm close to ready to go for a gold nib pen. I want something to last years and unfortunately my TWSBI didn't make the cut haha. I kept going back and forth between Pilot and Pelikan and I'm leaning towards Pilot because they seem to be more consistent by a margin. Very very interested in the Soft Medium nib!
Thank you for your video, Hemingway. It's the finest pen I own, but I am still searching for the ink and paper combination that I prefer for this pen. If you have an opinion about that, I am curious what you think. I tend to like "dryer" ink-paper experiences. I realize this is an extremely subjective aspect to talk about, and that everyone has different tastes in this regard.
After hearing all I heard and viewing all the videos, and reading so much about that pen I was so underwhelmed when I tried it at the DC pen show in 2022. I tried the Namiki Emperor right after, and that was really the amazing experience. The 823 was scratchy to me.
No@@HemingwayJones it is not a shame. It is a matter of taste. My favorite nibs are Pelikans. They glide. Others prefer the "feedback" nibs. You can't argue personal taste.
Hemingway- one question for you about the Pilot Custom 823 fp. Is it a lot slimmer than the MB 149, for example? From the pictures of the pen that I have seen, it seems like a slender pen. Thank you. And have a great weekend with your family. Peace.
Hello Wolverine! The 823 is much slimmer than the 149 and it’s much slimmer than the Vac 700R. It is similar to the Sailor 1911L. Have a great weekend and all the best always!
@@HemingwayJones _ Thank you. I met with a couple of friends of our Pen Posse, and a friend had bought his Pilot Custom 823 for me to try out, hold it in my hand, etc. Well, it is a great pen, but, as you said, the pen is a bit slim for me to use. A damned shame, really. I wilsh that Pilot introduces a pen with their vac-fill mechanism, but with dimentions that are similar to that of the MB 149 fp.
Great review as always. But I am wondering that if the pen is available in a non translucent type body, because I am not very fond of translucent body. Oh, last week I bought a twisbi eco. Again Transperant body but rights like a charm. Can you tell me your thoughts on diamine inks.
Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. As far as I know, it isn’t. Sometimes Pilot has Japan exclusive models. But I don’t know of any specifically. I love Diamine. Oxblood, Sargasso Sea, Imperial Purple are some favorites. Very nice ink. All the best.
I recently ordered Pilot E95s on amazon and surprisingly got Pilot custom 823 ;D. I'm in a dillema whether to sell it for a profit and reorder E95s or just use it.
No i didnt own pilot 823 before. I am from a 3rd world country and with my meager salary, ordering 100$ pen (Pilot e95s) was already quite expensive for me. It is a miracle that i received even better pen thanks to the shipment mistake.
I've had the 823 and 743, much preferred the solidness of black 743 over the cheap looking 823. The vac filler in the 823 was a pain in the arse, pen didnt always start. It leaked too. The Con 70 in 743 is way better. The thing i hated most was the extra long big 15 nib which didnt allow me to write fast or freely. it feels out of balance, it fights you. i sold both pens because of this. i must say Pilot construction quality is superb better than Sailor or Platinum. Maybe the 742 with 10 sized nib is the 'go' but you don't get the larger body size of the 823 / 743 which I prefer. Sorry, i think the 823 is an over hyped pen because its different, its nice but its not a great everyday writer like my Pelikan M805 or Platinum President.
Do you find that you have to use only one ink with this pen? I 've heard that Pilot expressly warns against disassembling the 823 due to the risk of damage to the pen. This being so, I imagine it would be very difficult to clean and dry it prior to storing. Also, should the pen' s plunger gasket need regreasing, it would have to be returned to the manufacturer. This is a shame as it is a beautiful pen.
It is hard to clean and if you look you can see some blue still in there when I fill it. I still put different ink in there. You have to enjoy these things. Very good point though.
I've only ever heard good things about this pen, and I have decided to stop buying pens for a while so that I can justify getting one of them someday soonish. We had a pen meet up today, and one of the guys brought his 823 with an M nib for me to try, and I was surprised by how heavy it was. Not too heavy, but heavier than expected. It is almost like you can feel the quality. This lovely gentleman was so kind and encouraging that he offered to loan it to me until our next gathering. I could not accept such an offer! He is clearly a big fan, because in addition to the amber he let me try, he has a smoke and a clear at home. I showed him a photo of the beautiful, recent, very limited edition Fujiyama Blue, and it was clear he had never heard of it and wanted it desperately. He said he'd bring the F for me to try next time. I wish they would make it in more colours, but I think the amber is growing on me. But I do see what you mean about the thin and unprotected edge of the cap.
I will get mine in april and first thing I'll apply is an antistatic spray on layer. It's a magnet as far as i saw. Or they could tweak the resin formula maybe. I don't know if this happens on Montblancs, Pelikans, Diplomats or Lamy
It’s like that with every pen. Maybe the Visconti least, but nearly every pen has something on it always. Close up is unforgiving. My fingers look pretty awful too, but it’s tough handling a pen with gloves.
A drawback of this pen is the difference between the fine and medium nibs. The fine is very fine and a little waxy feeling and dry. I actually smoothed mine to a normal fine, but it annoys me that I had to do it.
Easy answer: is this like the TWSBI pens where with most of them I can swap nibs for different moods or different uses? Or like my vintage Esterbrooks where I have the choice of twenty-eight different nibs? Funny, but in the descriptions on the websites online I haven't seen anything like that. Why not, Pilot? Too cheap?
I love those TWSBI nibs. My stub is my favorite right now. I have been writing with my TWSBI Eco fine for the past week, I am amazed how smooth it is. I like modular systems. I wish there was a “luxury” pen (gold nib essentially with a nice warm non-sweaty barrel) that I could field strip for cleaning. Wish you all the best.
I keep thinking this sounds like a Mary Sue pen. I agree a pen can be too perfect. Out of all my pens, the ones which are slightly flawed are the ones I keep coming back to because I want to find a way to make them better. The extra effort somehow makes the pen more valuable to me once I do get it writing better. Perhaps I'm just a masochist 😂.
I agree. The pen is very interesting to me, but I usually won't buy anything with gold trim (watches, wedding ring, etc.). I'm not sure if I can get past the gold...
@@HemingwayJones It's the color. When I got married 20 years ago, my wife and I both got two-tone wedding rings. At around our 10th (or maybe 15th) anniversary, we got replacement rings (no gold color) as we found the gold "tacky". Maybe it's a generational thing (we're both around 40 years old)? I have also collected watches and won't own one with gold accents.
@@moeharri That makes sense. Some pens come in different trims. I don’t mind yellow gold, but my watches are all stainless! So I get it. The MB 149 comes in gold and platinum trims. Thanks for the interesting reply.
I started my fountain pen journey roughly 4 years ago. I bought a Kaweco Sport for my first pen. I told myself I would never everrrr buy a pen > $100. And I definitely obviously would never spend a ludicrous amount such as $300+!!!! On a pen. But here I am, 4 years later, and I bought the Pilot Custom 823. I am in LOVE with this pen. I got it in the Medium nib after reading several reviews and watching videos on the pen in action. And wow I literally do not regret the money spent at all. Just be careful to not drop this pen. I use the Iroshizuku ink by Pilot, the “tsuki-yo” color and I love it so much. Writing with it gives me so much joy, it’s such a luxurious experience. This pen has 0 scratch feedback. Glides like glass on paper. 10/10. I got it in black.
You made an excellent choice! You can now truly never buy another pen and be all set. It is just that good. Thanks for watching and for your excellent comment.
I just got my first fountain pen in January, a TWSBI Eco (which unfortunately started to crack after one month) and I told myself I'd never spend over $100 too. But here I am seriously considering a Pilot gold nibbed pen because I want something that will actually last haha. I really thought I'd be immune... And this testimonial isn't helping... haha
Excellent video, as always. I was just GIFTED my grail pen of Pilot Custom 823 about 6 hours ago and I am over the moon with it. Believe it or not, another fellow fountain pen lover who appreciates my CZcams videos sent it. Can you believe that?? I feel like I’m part of a special pilot custom 823 club now. ETA-- Oh, and I’m a new subscriber. Love your videos, and I appreciate your attention to not only analogue but also your diction when you speak. That’s something I’m practicing and hoping to get better at.
Thanks very much!!! I appreciate it and congratulations on the amazing new pen!!! That is awesome. I am so happy for you. Stop by again soon and let me know your thoughts on the 823!
I currently own a Lamy Safari and a Parker Frontier, and both of them are too expensive for me as a student. But I saved my pocket money for almost 3 months and finally after a long wait I bought them both!! Aaahhh, what a feeling that was! Both the pens are very close to my heart, and I love writing with both of them. I am planning to buy a pilot metropolitan recently. Pilot Custom 823 and Parker 51 are my dream pen, and I will buy them when I grow up and start earning.
That is wonderful. You have some excellent pens there. The Safari is all the pen you need! Although it is fun having other choices. Thanks so much for watching and good luck with your studies.
I am student too I am wondering to buy lamy but I will have to save a lot to buy that in india ❤
@@hemkeshyeole4630 It's a great pen! It's a shame it's expensive there. You do have some amazing local pen makers as well. Ranga, Magna Carta. All the best and good luck with your studies.
Thank you for this wonderful video, I always love how you put some calming classical music behind each of your reviews it just makes every one of your review so much calming and relaxing!
Thank you very much! That means a lot and I appreciate it.
No idea why this was recommended to me, but I've enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you! I appreciate that.
Nice overview! The 823 has been my mainstay for over a decade now, replacing both a Lamy 2000 and Lamy Persona (both of which I owned for almost as long). Aside from how it both writes and feels in the hand-in a word, superb-and its prodigious ink capacity, one of the big draws is the design's almost hard-headed focus on being a tool for *writing* , as opposed to pocket-jewelry or a collector's bauble. I can remember a period-tellingly, before the last few world financial upheavals-when companies were putting out high-end pens that sort of epitomized Alan Greenspan's infamously-coined "irrational exuberance." You couldn't possibly write with the things, they were made to gawk at. Now, most high-end pens have put the emphasis back on writing, with a more sober approach to design, but even after trying some of those (and I still do, for fun and curiosity), I haven't found anything better than the 823.
As far as your vexing issue about that "perfect" nib? I have two 823s, but they were both preceded by another one, with a M nib in Smoke finish. Loved that thing to pieces, until the day it mysteriously disappeared…to this day, I have no idea how, and it was a heartbreaker to lose it, since I actually saved up to get it. It took a longer while after, but I finally got another, but this time I got one with a F nib, and the first time I wrote with it, I feared I'd made a mistake-the thing reminded me a bit of the cheap, terribly-scratchy FPs of my distant past. But I continued writing with it, and made a wonderful discovery: yep, it certainly had more tooth than the M-nibbed 823, but it was *not* the scratchy horror I initially feared it to be. Better-still, it seemed to offer a tad more control over the page than my previous 823 had…not that *that* pen was at all bad, but this felt more tractable. Then, a year later, I found myself with a bit of extra money, and felt the desire for another pen (even though a Vanishing Point had somehow joined the 823 in the interim), and I decided to go for yet another 823, this time in Amber, and with a M nib. I began writing with it, and guess what? *That* nib suddenly felt like writing on glass…I'd gotten so used to the F-nibbed 823 that going back to the M came as a bit of a shock. Now, several years later, I use both interchangeably, but not in the same way: the F-nib 823 gets used for more longform writing, while the M is broken out for letter-writing and heavy note-taking. Inks remain the same for all pens: Pilot Blue for the 823/M, Pilot Black for the 823/F, and Pilot Blue-Black for the VP. (They're all in use constantly, so cleaning only gets done on a yearly basis.)
Hello Barrett,
Thank you for the kind words. Thanks for the great story of your experience with the Pilot Custom 823. I love hearing about different peoples experiences with pens and yours is particularly insightful. You make me very curious about a fine nib. All the best.
Great comment, totally agree. I find the fine nib on my 823 to be the most pleasant to write with, the most reliable, and the most conducive to neat, legible writing in my fp collection.
I just discovered your CZcams channel a week ago and enjoy it very much. Keep up the excellent work my virtual friend!
Thank you very much! That is kind of you to say. I am very happy to have you here.
Thank you for this fresh perspective on this pen. It’s been on my wish list for a while.
Hope you enjoy it!
Looks spectacular! Another great video :)
Thank you Simon!
You earned my subscription with this video. Very well done!
Thank you! I am honored and very happy to have you with us. Thanks! Enjoy the channel.
Amazing video. I've always coveted this pen. Your video has added much to the allure.
Glad it was inspiring!
This one has been on my wishlist for a while. I am glad to see where it falls in your collection and I think I may be convinced ...
Wonderful! If you make the purchase please do try to remember to stop back and let me know what you think. All the best.
I have a strong feeling it's already settled into the top tier for him; it's long been that way for me, and I'll go out on a limb and predict that'll likely be the case should you choose to get one.
The paradox of perfection in a pen. Great content!
Thank you! I like to get a little philosophical now and again!
I just ordered this pen to round out my Pilot collection. A wholely unintentional collection, at that. I started with a vanishing point, then the E95S, the Falcon, Decimo, Custom 74, even a Prera & parallel calligraphy pens! I love all of them & the consistent excellent quality just keeps me coming back.
They are excellent, truly! You have made wonderful choices. Thanks so much for watching and stop back soon.
Great review. Had two smoke 823s - one each F & M - but sold them a decade ago when I was fortunate to get a Custom 845. Same #15 nib, Medium, but bi-color & 18K - smoothest nib ever. The Sirens kept singing though, so this week I caved and took delivery on a clear 823 with a Fine nib. Superb of course. The secret of a full fill is a traveling inkpot. I have the older Visconti, and the first fill of the new 823 had only 2-3 mm of air at the top. Well over 90% capacity. Always a heart-stopping moment though, when you upend the inkpot and push the 823’s plunger!!! Pineider’s inkpot has gotten good reviews and is only half the price. Again thanks.
Thanks so much for the kind words. Thanks also for the excellent information. Stop by again soon.
I agree with you that the Pilot Custom 823 spoils you for all others including Montblanc. I live to use it as it is the smoothest, most reliable instrument to translate my thoughts to paper. The writing experience is inspiring and I feel it makes me write my best physically and therefore my thoughts gather on the page unfettered.
It's so great when you connect to a pen like that. Thanks for watching.
I love that it got to pose with the cat. Perfection, indeed.
Thanks so much. I have to get Ophelia involved now and again.
GREAT decision on the sepia ink choice!! Looks incredible
Thank you!
Mr. Jones, you have perfectly described my experience. The 823 is just overperfect enough to have me sliding all over the icy road of Tomoe River paper. And it admonishes me - gently, patiently - that even an innocent journal entry can turn into a bloodbath without the proper attentiveness to fine motor skills. I really *respect* this pen as something of a sensei.
I love your writing. Excellent comment. I agree completely. Thanks for this wonderful comment.
@@HemingwayJones You are so kind! The thing that mystifies me about the phenomenon: it's not as if it has *no* feedback. I have very smooth (F)s and (EF)s that don't challenge my illusion of control. (Love your channel!)
@@PL70015 Thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words! Stop by again soon! Thanks for the encouragement.
Hemingway, I tried out this pen at a local pen store today, and fell in love. I have ordered it and can’t wait to ink it up and use it. Nice review, thank you.
Thank you very much! I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
Definetly one of the best pens I know about. There are three pens in my collection that are always inked, because of how good and reliable writers they are: the Pilot 823, the Montblanc 146, and the Pelikan m800. My 823 is always inked with Pelikan Dark Green, a beautiful intense, emerald green, which suits the amber colour really nicely, in my view.
I love you taste in ink and pens. Very well chosen. Thanks for watching.
1. Pilot nibs are of supreme quality - I love the in my 743. I bought it for flex, but now mostly I just use it normally, and it is supremely smooth. I like it ALMOST as much as my Sailor Pro Gear. No vac fillers for me; I prefer refilling cartridges. I also feel that Sailor nibs are more precise, which is a good thing for me.
2. Regarding a pen "fitting" in the hand, of all my pens (~75), the ONLY one that I notice fits particularly well is my Guider desk pen. I feel that invitation to put ink on paper.
Hello, My Friend, I hope all is well. The Sailor is an impressive pen. I don’t give mine the attention it deserves, but I will remedy that soon. I find some pens to be very comfortable and others less so and each for different reasons. So much variety. Wish you the best.
Your vedio is very good and informative.
You explain in detail and very simple way.
Thank you very kindly! I appreciate it!
I have two custom 823’s, a medium and a fine. I love them so much. I did get a little tired of having to vent them, so I removed the little ring at the bottom of the vac plunger. Pens come and go, but I’ll always be reaching for the custom 823. I might need to get the broad one day!
Nice! Venting doesn’t bother me, but I do forget sometimes and then it runs out!
Love Gymnopedie playing in the background. As for fountain pens, I’ve got Delta Dolce Vita, Schaefer Legacy II, Namiki vanishing, Pelican M1000, Visconti, Parker…and yet I write the most with a cheap Parker knockoff that never skips, flows great, etc. Funny how sometimes the most expensive pens don’t always write the best.
Thanks Very Much! You have quite a nice collection. Wishing you all the best.
I enjoyed your comments regarding your 823 nib. I just insulted a new EF nib into my Pelican M1000 which had an F before. The new nib has taken the pen to new levels of enjoyment for me. Nibs I believe are the heart of any good pen. Enjoyed the Pilot Custom 823 review.
Thanks so much! Very true about nibs. They are where the pen touches paper after all. Great point!
Thanks for the video Hemingway! I totally agree that writing with it gets a bit “loose” because of its “transparency”. I think this pen is for people who write A LOT and aren’t too worried about getting dirty with it. I have heard it described as a work-horse and I think that’s a good descriptor. It looks like an emoji for “fountain pen”, but when you are plowing through ink, and it consistently feels good, the looks can grow on you. The kind of pen that looks good a few years down the road, a bit banged up. That mono no aware or wabi-sabi thing. Something very Japanese about how this pen clarifies the experience of writing itself. Me, I like to use Noodler’s ink in it.
Thank you for the wonderful insightful comment. I agree completely. The nib feels so precise and so quick that if I could extend your analogy, I feel I am constantly trying to reign it in. Lovely though. I just wish they had protected the cap. All the best.
Thank you for another excellent video. I have never used one of these, or any vac filler - way too complicated for my small brain! Pilot make lovely pens with excellent nibs at all price points. I've never used one that was not perfect - other manufacturers should take note.
Very good points. Thank you!
I recently purchased this pen in Amber with medium nib from Goulet Pen Co. I’m still getting used to the vacuum filling process, but I love it. I bought 3 74’s and I shouldn’t have wasted the money and went right for what I really wanted. It feels so good in my hands and writes like butter with hardly any effort. It’s totally justifiable to purchase the smoke in a fine nib next month, then I don’t think there’s anything else that I need. This pen is perfect enough, but it, you won’t regret it!
I agree completely. It’s best to be satisfied sometimes. Wish you all the best.
Thanks for the effort you put into making your videos entertaining, informative and different from most of the pen review videos to which I also subscribe. Reading some of the comments here, it does seem like your efforts to build a "community" are not in vain--also a very good thing, IMHO.
I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a new, smoke 823 with a medium nib about 2 years ago. I've used it often and have to agree to a certain extent with your assessment that it is "too perfect." My reasoning is a bit different from yours's, however. To my way of thinking, its perfection has had the undesirable effect of probably greatly limiting my options for future purchases. Since I find it so excellent and am now retired on a more or less fixed income, I doubt I will ever want to spend more that the $288.00 I spent on my 823, especially since I have read and heard that other much more expensive pens don't write any better than it does. Of course, given the state of our finances, that is also a very good thing. So that's one more reason to cherish my 823.
As for the Pilot Blue ink, when I splotched it, I discovered it has a bit of a reddish sheen and I do get some line variation with it in certain pens--mostly the few pens in my collection with broad nibs. Had I purchased the brown 823 I would have been disappointed with the blue ink, too, because it doesn't seem to me to match well with the color of the pen. So far, my favorite ink to use with the smoke is Noodler's Air Corps. It is supposed to be a blue/black ink, but it looks more black with a hint of green to me. I have heard the ink bottle that comes with the 823 is exclusive to purchasers of the 823 pen, so I imagine I'll hold on to it. In addition, I like the device the bottle has to help get a good fill, though I may invest in a TWSBI vac filler bottle. Have you any experience with it? I've read that it works well with an 823.
Thanks.
Hello William, thank you very much for the kind comment. I am so glad that you enjoy the programs. I do try to make them a little different. The community here is great. I learn so much from you. Including about the TWSBI Vac filler bottle, which I did not know about and now will seek out. Thanks! I agree that the 823 is as good as it gets. Other pens write differently, but not better. It is extraordinary. I wish you all the best!
The TWSBI vac-filler bottle does not work with the Pilot 823. Neither of the 2 thread options on the bottle (for TWSBI Vac-700R and TWSBI mini-vac) fit the 823.
@@TheUndecidedFrog Thanks, Colin.
Lovely video, and agree with you all the way. This, along with my MB 146, is my favourite pen. I have a broad, which is beautifully smooth and juicy, a real joy to write with. The tines were ever so slightly misaligned out of the box, and required some light tweaking, but once I had it sorted, it wrote wonderfully, needing no pressure at all. I have had mine for a year and a half now, and despite having quite a few pens inked up, hardly a day goes by without me reaching for the 823.
The MB 146 is classic! Thanks for the kind words on the video. I had to tweak a Pelikan M600 and now it has opened up. I am glad that you get so much enjoyment out of the 823. It is a great pen.
Thanks also for the kind words on the video!
Greetings! I enjoyed your vid. Thanks for explaining your critique so well. I certainly understand what you mean about its perfection. I’d want to try it first myself before buying. Shalom
Shalom and thanks very much! I am glad that you enjoyed the video. All the best!
I love, love, love my 823! I want a second one with a Medium nib. I will get that one in the Smoke color. I must say I think Pilot is my favorite fountain pen brand. Their craftsmanship is excellent! I am going to one day get a Pilot 912 with Waverly nib. And I hope maybe someday I’ll have a binder full of favorite pens. My collection only just started. ❤
Wonderful! You are well on your way! An amazing pen so far!
Hello! I'm Japanese.
I was surprised at hearing 823 is sold in foreign country and it got a good assessment !😆
Hello and thanks for the comment. Yes! It’s one of the very best.
Interesting. Usually the “too slick” sense comes when a nib is a little over-polished so that it eliminates that pencil-like writing experience. I started writing before you discuss the nib size. I find the “B” nib gets unwieldy for my writing style. I certainly cannot write legibly with the BB or Coarse nib. However, I have not had a control issue with the Pilot Custom 823 equipped with either a F or M nib. We are almost at the end, and you did not discuss nib size. The only other thing you can do counters your desire for ink that shades (etc.), but for control in business settings you can try a dryer ink. Enjoyed your review, and I too love the Pilot Custom 823. In fact, Pilot pens were the pens that convinced me to begin the hobby!
Hello Keith, I hope all is well. Thanks for the kind words. I do best with a B & BB when I treat them like stubs. They are great for flow. Great to hear from you!
I also love the 823, I own two of them, a brown fitted with a FA nib (transplanted from my 743) and a smoke with a fine nib. Absolutely great pens, huge ink capacity, comfortable, substantial yet light, and above all the famously buttery smooth Pilot nibs. Only wish: owning the clear version to show off some interesting inks...
A clear version would be nice. That’s in Japan only, if I am not mistaken. Should we book a trip!? Sounds like a great collection for you. All the best.
Like you, I have both an amber and a smoke 823, but my FA nib is in the smoke version. I am writing because I would like to know how you found the nib removal process: I want to insert an ebonite feed and I've been scared off by rumors that Pilot has taken steps to prevent owners from removing the 823 nibs. I don't want to break the pen, but when I substituted feed on my 912FA, the writing experience skyrocketed.
@@JoelTurrell I had no problem with exchanging the nib with the 743, I only had a near accident when inserting the fine nib back in the 743 as it wasn't deep enough and I nearly destroyed it when capping the pen. But that was pure operator error and the nib turned out fine. Now I also exchanged the plastic feed with an ebonite feed from the Flexible Nib Factory, the 2-slit version, and I couldn't be happier. My pens are recent and I did not see any difficulty in doing the modification, except for my own mistakes.
@@ChrisGVE Thank you, Christian; I'll have a go at the replacement . I used the two slit version on my 912, so will probably stay with 2 for the 823.
Excellent video, I was not decided yet between the Pelikan 600 and the Pilot 823, after see your video I will take the japanese 823. Thank you so much.
Thank you Walter! Wish you all the best!!!
I have a fine and a broad in this model. I also have an FA 743 which is similar, except not a vacuum filler. I don't call this pen "perfect" but I do enjoy it. It's wonderful for long writing sessions. I don't like it so much for daily use because of the screw cap. And a limitation I found is that with some inks, the vacuum mechanism hold air bubbles from the feed and doesn't let them bubble up, and then the pen quits writing.
There are some tricks to getting a full fill in a vacuum filler: one is the use something like the Visconti Ink Pot. Another is to fill it once. Then, turn the pen upside down, pull out the plunger, and push it in until the ink gets to the feed. Then put it in a bottle of ink, push the plunger the rest of the way down, and let it fill.
The 823 was my first truly expensive pen.
Ah yes, I have done the second trick on TikTok in one of my more popular videos, rather successfully too. Get it wrong and you could be in quite a mess. Screw caps definitely slow one down, but I have rather grown used to them. All the best!
The Pilot Custom 823 was my first serious pen. Now, years down the line with several pens including Montblanc Meisterstuck, Lamy 2000, Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age (rose gold nib version), Parker Duofold and many others, my 823 is the one that's only ever un-inked during the days when it's getting a deep clean. It's a constant companion still.
Just got a new Custom 823 and it is just about as close to perfect as it can get. Its early, but so far WOOOOOW!
Awesome! I love when it works out like this.
Good day Hemingway, after some ordering challenges (received the wrong nib size, returning, and reordering [backordered]) the 823 in brown finally arrived early this week.
It is a remarkable writer. Simple and beautiful.
Much like the Pilot Vanishing Point, the 823 is a remarkably smooth writer. However, now the Vanishing Point feels slightly scratchy after writing with the 823. Ha!
Using Pilot pens is reminiscent of the artistry of Shodo (Japanese calligraphy). Due to how smooth Pilot pens write each stroke must be intentional. This requires concentrating more when writing, and resulting in an even more purposeful and wonderful writing experience. The 823 requires focusing on being focussed 😂.
Actually, due to this I’ve started a ‘journal’ dedicated to transcribing text (currently ‘Epictetus - The Essential Writings’) with the purpose of becoming more skillful in cursive writing. When transcribing the thoughts of what to write are removed, allowing focus on just the worlds and letters themselves.
It’s a wonderful new way to enjoy pens, and blow through some of the ink that somehow keeps getting acquired. Currently writing with some KWZ inks, if you haven’t already tried them please accept an unsolicited suggestion to do so 😊.
Anyhow, thank you for your video, your thoughts, and your warm personality my friend. As always, wishing you the best from Canada 🇨🇦.
What a great comment. Thank you. Wonderful hearing from you. Also, I am a big fan of Epictetus. Think first who you would be and then do what you must do. It’s a mantra of mine. I love hearing you thoughts about the 823. All the best.
Great video! I’d like to get one of these, but I wonder about the extreme smoothness of the nib? I sure do love the look of this pen though! What would you recommend comparable to the 823?
Fully agree. I am also very happy with my 146 Bordeaux,equally wet and smooth, but the Pilot has a much greater ink capacity.
That 146 is brilliant. All the best.
I really enjoyed this video and I understand what you mean about something being too perfect. There is character in imperfection.
Exactly! Thanks so much. All the best.
Since I bought mine in smoke, with an F nib, I have written with it every day in my journal. I do use (some of) my other fountain pens for writing en sketching, but the 823 is by far my favourite. I bought it about two years ago and I have not bought another fountain pen since. That says is all: as if all the other buys led to this perfect fountain pen. I am contemplating buying a second 823 though, in amber, with a medium nib.
Hello! That does indeed say it all. I think I say something along the lines of, “you could buy another fountain pen, but you really don’t have to,” referring to the more expensive ones. It is truly a fantastic pen.
Greeting from France! I just bought clear one! fantastic pen!😊
Greetings! Welcome! Thank you for watching. Enjoy the pen and share your thoughts. All the best.
Got mine in a broad, its my favourite pen of all times! My only issue is, it glides a little too smooth, so I have to go slow and ensure that I keep my control over the my hand! But, its an absolute delight!
I feel a bit like that with my medium. It’s like driving a Ferrari off the lot when you have been driving Jeeps. It is wonderful as you have said. All the best.
Nice video, thanks for sharing :)
I'm used to F nibs in Pelikan's range / M nibs in Twsbi's. What is the size to take in the Pilot range to match my taste in your opinion ?
I have a 823 in F. It is indeed a very good pen and I use it almost everyday inked with Sailor Seiboku pigmented ink and I place it #1 on my top 5 favorite. Winning against Montblanc 149, Sailor King of Pen, Visconti Homosapiens, and Pelikan M805. The 149 has the best size for me, King of Pen has the best nib, Homo Sapiens has the best look, M805 has the best filling system, but the 823 is the best overall package.
That is a great assortment to put it up against. All fine pens. The 823 is wonderful and affordable for what you get. As you say it is the top of a field of expensive contenders. It could be the best bargain in pens. Or value, rather.
Thanks. Excellent
Thank you! I appreciate you watching it.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. You mentioned that the nib provides a fair amount of feedback. I am not at all a fan of feedback which is why I probably haven't bought a Sailor either. I have several Pilot VPs but I really don't care for them as long writers. I use them for field work when I need to quickly open and close a nib, but they are not my favorite pens. I have a couple of Metropolitans but I don't really care for them either. I want my nibs to write like "butter on glass" - so smoothly that you don't even realize that you have the nib tip on the paper. Only my MBs and my nibmeister-tuned nibs do that.
Great comment and I know exactly what you mean. I love both. It’s a mood thing for me. My MB 149 and Egyptomania are both so smooth. I have a Shaeffer Legacy that is also. I think that’s luck! My Cartier Diabolo too, but I strongly suspect MB made the nib/feed. Great contribution. Thanks!
@@HemingwayJones Interesting. My fine 823 exhibits no feedback whatsoever. Of course feedback is also an outcome of writing with pressure. Something to consider at least.
@@davyj5216 I really appreciate your comment. And feedback is also directly related to the ink and paper as well as the nib. Also, if the nib is not tuned appropriately or is a specific type of nib grind, it may produce greater feedback.
@@dr.d723 I agree, but in general Pilot nibs are usually excellent on the QC front. Paper has more of an influence on feedback than ink, given that one is a surface and the other a lubricant, but yes there are these factors. I would argue that given smooth paper and a freely flowing ink, any feedback from a Pilot pen comes from user pressure, and possibly incorrect angle of the nib as it's held to the paper. It's an interest subject, especially considering that feedback is not inherently good or bad and that people have differing preferences.
Drawimg circles all day long?! Pathetic latin language of Barbarians
Greetings from Brisbane Australia - As the owner of a flight of Pilots , including a Customs 72 , two 74s and an e 95 S , I am encouraged to buy the 823 for my 76 th anniversary - to hell with extravagance . I’m sure a Pen may not be too perfect but it may be faultless .
Truly! Except for that unprotected cap ring. I see that in a lot of pens and I wish they would put a bit of metal there.
I think the cat remains unconvinced. I don't own a Pilot Custom 823 but I know of its reputation. One day I may get one, though there are many other pens also on my wish list. As to the question of can a pen be too perfect? Difficult to say. I certainly don't strive for perfection because I know it doesn't exist. Indeed the journey trying to achieve pen perfection would only make me broke and unhappy. Contentment comes from having fewer wants.
You make very good points as always! My narrative with this one is that it is so precise and so well made that it lacks a bit of soul; a bit of gritty quirkiness that makes some other pens so interesting. Wonderful to hear from you, David!
I think you nailed it when you pointed out that it looks kind of boring. I kept seeing this pen talked about as being great, but when I looked at the pictures it just looked like a boring plastic pen. Then I got a chance to write with one at a pen show last weekend and now I must have one.
Thanks Marc! I am glad you agreed. I expect to take some flack for that. I love it though. I do prefer it in Amber too. All the best!
Fantastic pen, granted. Can it be too perfect? Very subtle remark. I perfectly understand what you mean. I've had this feeling not with the 823 but with the Pelikan M1000 with an F nib. Like a Ferrari which gets out of control after a few miles, definitely. And I sold the M1000. I kept my M800s which control me when I can't control them ;-)
Hello Fan, My Friend, I hope you are well. I have the same experience with my M1000 as well! I have a video coming out on it and it's my one issue with it; it's slightly unwieldy. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for pointing me to your video.
The first time I wrote with my 823 smoke F, my reaction was that it was perfection. I agree the pen looks boring and (my observation) sort of like a MB 146 knockoff when side-by-side but it does have its own character in its predictable performance and feel. Very different from a MB. Love both pens. The 823 F just feels like a more precise nib while the MB 146 F feels more expressive. I have one in smoke and plan to buy one in amber M one of these days.
I agree completely with your take! I love the pen, it feels incredibly precise, but slightly less inspiring. All the best!
Hello, I’m just now seeing this video. Thank you so much for the informative video. I’ve been addicted to fountain pens since the end of 2019. My very first fountain pen purchase was a Pilot (name I knew I could trust) Metropolitan houndstooth grey in a medium nib. Anyone can say whatever they want - but this is the one that started it all for me! It is truly an awesome pen! 29 pens later - - I have a nice collection, certainly affordable. However, lately, I have been fighting growing pains. I have since come to the conclusion that although there will always be those “gotta have it, under $100” pens, that only two are my must have grail pens:
1) Pilot Custom 823 (amber or clear) Medium nib - currently $336.
2) Pilot Custom Urushi (Vermilion) Medium nib - currently $1,500.
I’m getting closer to the 823. Trying to legitimately save for it and not use other “appropriated” funds! 🫤. The Urushi, is definitely a bucket list item, and more saving! But even fountain pen goals are goals nonetheless, right? 😂. Anyway, thank you so very much for all your videos. You truly make my day, as well give me inspiration to “behave and save!”😊. Take care and God bless you! Oh, I love the cat - has great tastes in pens!!!
Hello and thank you so much for the kind words! I am so glad you enjoyed this video. it is one of my personal favorites; the video and the pen! I love the 823. Please stop back again and let me know how things are going.
I completely agree with you. I have exactly the same pen and nib as you. I want to use it more but somehow I always pass - with considerable guilt. The opposite of it is my Pelikan m205, which I upgraded with a gold nib. I hated both the Pelikan nibs and sent the gold one to be ground into fine CI. It’s not the smoothest or the most comfortable, but I can’t be without it. Part of the reason is that it is the only pen which actually makes my handwriting look better than it is…go figure.
I understand completely. It makes your handwriting extraordinary so what isn’t to love!
Greetings from Australia.
Great Video.
I'd love to get your opinion on the Pilot E95s, which like the Vanishing Point is one of my favourite pens.
I love the E95S. I’ll be doing some content on it soon. Awesome pen. All the best.
Great theme music.
Thank you!
Hi, I have been waffling about buying a Sailor 1911L in Wicked Witch of the West colors. This video has pretty much convinced me to go the the Pilot Custom 823. I enjoy watching your videos. I am a big fan of my Lamy 2000, the sweet spot on the nib is a bit annoying. This is going to be my next level of Gold Nib pen. I also would never use Blue ink. Maybe in another pen. I have been stepping up my pen collection. Starting out with Safari's and sticking to under $100. The Lamy 2000 was my first more expensive pen. I think this will be my level up. It is truly beautiful in the amber color with the gold nib. I also prefer a wider nib, so I will be going with Medium also. Thank you for the inspiration.
Hello, My Friend, thank you for the great comment and perspective. Honestly, if you buy the 823, you never need buy another pen. You may choose to, but you won’t need to. It’s as good as anything out there. All the best and let me know what you think when it arrives.
@@HemingwayJones I read about some problems with cracks developing. I love to hear about the buttery smooth nib though.
I'm barely getting into pens and i like how the papermate 1.4b writes. I know it's a rollerball but which nib size will writeost comparable to that pen?
Will it be smoother than a rollerball?
I love this pen, it really is a perfect fountain pen. I imported a clear one from Japan to the UK so I never got the ink with it, although I bought my own Pilot Blue as I like it as a very good replacement for the very expensive Kon Peki. I also chose the WA nib and this really is best nib for any paper I can 'throw at it'. Fibrous papers mean nothing to this nib, it just keeps gliding on. BUT, I do feel it was over polished and it used to skip at times, especially where the oil from my hands would be on the paper. Over the time I've had it, it has gotten better but that was a disappointment for a new pen. Mine is filled with blues as that is my favourite colour, so Kon Peki, Pilot Blue, Sailor Anniversary Blue, that kinda ink. (As a side note, I removed that o-ring so I don't have to keep opening the piston knob. The issue now being is, where the hell did I put it? 🫤)
Question - I know you enjoy the Diplomat Sepia, however do you have a favourite black ink you could tell me about? Thx for another relaxing, informing, interesting video. 👍🏻😄
Hello My Friend. You are brave for tinkering with your pens. I hope that ring pops up! My favorite black lately has been ancient and reliable J Herbin Perle Noire. It is a classic and is non corrosive and made from organic dyes. Thanks for watching, I like this one!
BRO THIS INTRO ALONE HAD ME TO SUBSCRIBE WITHIN SECONDS! 😅
Thanks so much! I am happy to have you here.
Pilot pens are top of my pen list. I carry 2 Pilot 78g pens, one with a fine nib and another with a B calligraphy nib.
At home I have a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with the Falcon flex nib.
My vintage favourite is a Schaeffer 'No nonsense' pen with a fine stub calligraphy nib. I use it with Schaeffer black cartridges.
I love Pilot! Do you have an 823?
@@HemingwayJones It's on the list for my Pilot collection along with the Elite
@@neilpiper9889 The Elite is a very interesting pen. I love Pilot; so many varied choices.
The Pilot Custom 823 has been a pen buying stopping point. The pen works perfectly for me. After buying one at ITOYA, Tokyo, I ordered another one. I always have one inked. For so many reasons, this pen is simply dear to me.
It’s a fantastic pen and all the pen you would ever need.
I LOVE how this pen looks and I’d love to experience it myself, as you say. Curious people, right? However, I am intimidated by the vac fill, this venting you speak of, sealing it for travel, etc. it seems fussy and scary. Are there instructions to learn these processes? Other than that, your endorsement makes this writing instrument so tantalizing to me! Can I resist the call?!? Thank you!
Thanks so much. It’s super easy. The plunger when screwed all the way down seals it. Venting is not the best word to use because air doesn’t get in. I wish I said something else. As you unscrew it, it opens the valve and ink flows through. So easy. So just screw it all the way down for travel and open it up a few millimeters for long writing sessions. It’s very easy. Filling just have the plunger all the way out and push it down that’s it. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for the wonderful video. May I ask, what is that journal you use as an ink journal? Thanks!
Found it - Moleskin Watercolor Sketchbook. Great idea - czcams.com/video/vkrKl2GgnH0/video.html
Thank you for the kind words. That is a Moleskine watercolor journal.
I come from the watch world and I see a parallel. Certain brands like Grand Seiko have impeccable finishing, but some find a lack of soul or interest in that.
I am not a pen person. My only fountain pen is a blue aluminum Namisu, which was a thoughtful and touching gift from my wife about 5 years ago. But I found this channel somehow and purchased a TWSBI Eco for my wife and I am now considering an 823 to journal and enjoy.
I am a big watch guy myself. I have done some watch videos, but that is a different space. I am happy to have you here as long as you would like to stay. You have excellent taste. You have chosen extraordinary pens. Well done.
I don't have a Pilot Custom 823, I do have a Custom 74 though, and I feel like that pen is crazy smooth and my strokes get away from me from time to time. One day I'll have an 823 though...maybe when there is a more interesting color.
The Amber is nice. It is a nice shade and I suppose you could call it a demonstrator. I have been enjoying more color in my pens lately. They also pop a bit more on TikTok and CZcams. Now that I am working in the office more, I am reaching for the sedate black pens again. It’s a cycle.
Amazing Video! Could you tell me the piano song name which you used in the video?
Thank you so much! I use a lot of music but I am guessing that you are referring to Satie’s Gymnopedies No 1. Thanks for watching.
It's a fabulous pen. I have a fine in amber and medium in black smoke and they are both amazing (although I wish pilot did a FM which is the sweet spot for me that Sailor fills). Holds a ton of ink, starts every time and feels classy. I can see why Neil Gaimen writes all his novels with one :)
You have some great pens there!
Pilot does a FM! Look into the Custo. 743. I have one in soft fine medium and it is an absolute joy. Same nib size as the 823. Only difference is it is CON 70 instead of Vac.
You've inspired me! I'm in the market for one of these, to complete my four pen collection. Question on this pen...If you aren't travelling and just use this pen around your desk, can you leave the valve open and then not worry about accidentally starving the pen?
Hello and thanks for watching. I am glad that you enjoyed this. Sure, you will be fine. Occasionally, it may seem like it ran out of ink and then you open the valve and it’s fine. Once you get the hang of it, you grow to appreciate the extra step. It puts you in the moment. Good luck and thanks!
I apologize in advance if I missed it in your video as I had it rolling as I fixed myself dinner but; Did you try the Pilot Blue that comes with the 823 in your 823? I’m considering inking up my new smoke 823 with custom ground cursive italic broad nib with its included blue ink.
I did use that ink that came with it. It is a very nice blue. It’s a little business-like, sort of a ballpoint blue color, but it performs excellently and matches the pen brilliantly. Thanks for watching and congratulations on that excellent pen!
@@HemingwayJones thank you! I enjoy your channel!
The music on this channel , especially the dramatic Beethoven 9 th at the end to accompany the German built pens . I would like this pen in a Laurel Green and some background such as George Fredrick Handel ‘ Sarabande ‘ . Music credits at the end please just like in Kubrick’s ‘ Barry Lyndon ‘ Martin 1947
Sadly, I am wholly captive to what is available in the free audio library. Fortunately, Sarabande is there, but it’s not the best version. I use it, I believe, in the Pelikan M600 review at the Boston Public Library. Thanks for the great conversation.
Hi, at 8:51, I notice that your pen is an absolute gusher ! I have an 823 myself but this wetness of the nib is next level. Is it the paper here ?
Hello Siddharth, there could be a few things going on there. One is that the paper is odd. It was an old desk set that had this very fibrous, almost linen like feel to it. I had used it for typing. The other thing is that it is a macro shot and that always makes pens look wet and dramatic. It has a wonderful flow, but it’s not a gusher. I do have a few. My Shaeffer Legacy is a fire hose! Anyway, thanks so much for watching. Please let me know if I can help or clarify further. All the best.
Great Review! It is indeed a great pen, it’s on the list of my next purchase. If you do not mind, I have a question… While you were selecting the ink, showing your booklet, there was a swatch that I found lovely, I believe it was a Krishna Ink. Could you tell me which shade was that exactly? I would appreciate it a lot. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind remarks! I love Krishna Ink. It was either Moonview 2 or Sea at Night. All the best!
@@HemingwayJones Thank you so much! I will give them a try!
those model P's are beautiful. Oh yeah, the pen too!
I love that you know them! Especially the Vogue machine! Thanks!i
@@HemingwayJones I am a collector/hobby repairman. I had one vogue model P in wood grain. I do kind of regret selling it.
Yes. An amazing pen. I had troubles with Diamine ink and switched to Pilot. So much better. Can you tell me which are the wetter inks that I might also enjoy with my 823 medium?
Hi Neil, Yama-Budo springs to mind as does Kon-Peki, both super wet. J Herbin Eclat de Sapphire (sp?) is also pretty wet. All the best!
I'm close to ready to go for a gold nib pen. I want something to last years and unfortunately my TWSBI didn't make the cut haha.
I kept going back and forth between Pilot and Pelikan and I'm leaning towards Pilot because they seem to be more consistent by a margin. Very very interested in the Soft Medium nib!
Pilot makes some excellent pens and nibs. The E95S is very interesting. Of course, the 823.
@@HemingwayJones I'm leaning heavily towards 823 or maybe a 912 with a soft medium. I'm finding some great deals on Ebay! Haha
Good luck!
The 823 is my perfect fountain pen !!
It is perfect. Love it.
Hi, love your channel. I own two 823s, both with fine nibs. I totally agree with you on this pen, it's Perfect and Boring.🤗 Cheers from Down Under.
Thank you John! I appreciate it. We both still love it through. All the best.
Thank you for your video, Hemingway. It's the finest pen I own, but I am still searching for the ink and paper combination that I prefer for this pen. If you have an opinion about that, I am curious what you think. I tend to like "dryer" ink-paper experiences. I realize this is an extremely subjective aspect to talk about, and that everyone has different tastes in this regard.
Thanks so much! Why not try a bit slick? Something like Rhodia. It is as smooth as an ice rink. One of my favorites. All the best.
I stick with pilot ink. Noticeably better than anything else with this pen.
@@neilclarke2201 Kon-peki is pure magic.
After hearing all I heard and viewing all the videos, and reading so much about that pen I was so underwhelmed when I tried it at the DC pen show in 2022. I tried the Namiki Emperor right after, and that was really the amazing experience. The 823 was scratchy to me.
That’s a shame. Mine is awesome. Top Shelf. Enjoy your Namiki. I hear good things.
No@@HemingwayJones it is not a shame. It is a matter of taste. My favorite nibs are Pelikans. They glide. Others prefer the "feedback" nibs. You can't argue personal taste.
I would never describe an 823 as scratchy. Sounds like there was a problem with it. That’s why it is a shame.
@@HemingwayJonesI ended up trying another one. Yes it is perfect. The Fine I tried was a really smooth writer, like my Taccia.
Great review! Which ink did you use?
Thank you! That was Diplomat Sepia Black. Thanks!
Hemingway- one question for you about the Pilot Custom 823 fp. Is it a lot slimmer than the MB 149, for example? From the pictures of the pen that I have seen, it seems like a slender pen. Thank you. And have a great weekend with your family. Peace.
Hello Wolverine! The 823 is much slimmer than the 149 and it’s much slimmer than the Vac 700R. It is similar to the Sailor 1911L. Have a great weekend and all the best always!
@@HemingwayJones _ Thank you. I met with a couple of friends of our Pen Posse, and a friend had bought his Pilot Custom 823 for me to try out, hold it in my hand, etc. Well, it is a great pen, but, as you said, the pen is a bit slim for me to use. A damned shame, really. I wilsh that Pilot introduces a pen with their vac-fill mechanism, but with dimentions that are similar to that of the MB 149 fp.
@@Wolverine3660 Hello, My Friend! It is quite slim! It would be great to have a vac fill with that kind of ink capacity.
Great review as always.
But I am wondering that if the pen is available in a non translucent type body, because I am not very fond of translucent body.
Oh, last week I bought a twisbi eco. Again Transperant body but rights like a charm.
Can you tell me your thoughts on diamine inks.
Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. As far as I know, it isn’t. Sometimes Pilot has Japan exclusive models. But I don’t know of any specifically. I love Diamine. Oxblood, Sargasso Sea, Imperial Purple are some favorites. Very nice ink. All the best.
@@HemingwayJones one of my seniors gave me the apple glory shade if diamine. It got the colour comparable to a green apple or fresh banana leaf.
I recently ordered Pilot E95s on amazon and surprisingly got Pilot custom 823 ;D. I'm in a dillema whether to sell it for a profit and reorder E95s or just use it.
Do you already have one! That is one of the greatest pens ever. I would send it back for the right thing.
No i didnt own pilot 823 before. I am from a 3rd world country and with my meager salary, ordering 100$ pen (Pilot e95s) was already quite expensive for me. It is a miracle that i received even better pen thanks to the shipment mistake.
I've had the 823 and 743, much preferred the solidness of black 743 over the cheap looking 823. The vac filler in the 823 was a pain in the arse, pen didnt always start. It leaked too. The Con 70 in 743 is way better. The thing i hated most was the extra long big 15 nib which didnt allow me to write fast or freely. it feels out of balance, it fights you. i sold both pens because of this. i must say Pilot construction quality is superb better than Sailor or Platinum. Maybe the 742 with 10 sized nib is the 'go' but you don't get the larger body size of the 823 / 743 which I prefer. Sorry, i think the 823 is an over hyped pen because its different, its nice but its not a great everyday writer like my Pelikan M805 or Platinum President.
This is one of my grail pens!
It’s pretty great. Thanks for watching.
Do you find that you have to use only one ink with this pen? I 've heard that Pilot expressly warns against disassembling the 823 due to the risk of damage to the pen. This being so, I imagine it would be very difficult to clean and dry it prior to storing. Also, should the pen' s plunger gasket need regreasing, it would have to be returned to the manufacturer. This is a shame as it is a beautiful pen.
It is hard to clean and if you look you can see some blue still in there when I fill it. I still put different ink in there. You have to enjoy these things. Very good point though.
I've only ever heard good things about this pen, and I have decided to stop buying pens for a while so that I can justify getting one of them someday soonish. We had a pen meet up today, and one of the guys brought his 823 with an M nib for me to try, and I was surprised by how heavy it was. Not too heavy, but heavier than expected. It is almost like you can feel the quality. This lovely gentleman was so kind and encouraging that he offered to loan it to me until our next gathering. I could not accept such an offer! He is clearly a big fan, because in addition to the amber he let me try, he has a smoke and a clear at home. I showed him a photo of the beautiful, recent, very limited edition Fujiyama Blue, and it was clear he had never heard of it and wanted it desperately. He said he'd bring the F for me to try next time. I wish they would make it in more colours, but I think the amber is growing on me. But I do see what you mean about the thin and unprotected edge of the cap.
Thanks so much for the comment. That is wonderful that he let you try it. This is the best way to approach shopping for a pen. Wonderful!
They should apply an antistatic layer in factory production to limit dust collection and lint.
In the macro shots! I try so hard to get them clean, micro fiber, whatever else! So sorry. It is an ongoing struggle.
I will get mine in april and first thing I'll apply is an antistatic spray on layer. It's a magnet as far as i saw. Or they could tweak the resin formula maybe. I don't know if this happens on Montblancs, Pelikans, Diplomats or Lamy
It’s like that with every pen. Maybe the Visconti least, but nearly every pen has something on it always. Close up is unforgiving. My fingers look pretty awful too, but it’s tough handling a pen with gloves.
A drawback of this pen is the difference between the fine and medium nibs. The fine is very fine and a little waxy feeling and dry. I actually smoothed mine to a normal fine, but it annoys me that I had to do it.
I haven’t tried the fine. I would like to to see. Thanks for your perspective.
Easy answer: is this like the TWSBI pens where with most of them I can swap nibs for different moods or different uses? Or like my vintage Esterbrooks where I have the choice of twenty-eight different nibs? Funny, but in the descriptions on the websites online I haven't seen anything like that. Why not, Pilot? Too cheap?
I love those TWSBI nibs. My stub is my favorite right now. I have been writing with my TWSBI Eco fine for the past week, I am amazed how smooth it is. I like modular systems. I wish there was a “luxury” pen (gold nib essentially with a nice warm non-sweaty barrel) that I could field strip for cleaning. Wish you all the best.
I keep thinking this sounds like a Mary Sue pen. I agree a pen can be too perfect. Out of all my pens, the ones which are slightly flawed are the ones I keep coming back to because I want to find a way to make them better. The extra effort somehow makes the pen more valuable to me once I do get it writing better. Perhaps I'm just a masochist 😂.
Very very true. All the best.
It's so good I went against my no gold trim rule. I wish they did though.
Yes! I also wish it had some protection around the edge of that cap. One drop and it’s all over.
I agree. The pen is very interesting to me, but I usually won't buy anything with gold trim (watches, wedding ring, etc.). I'm not sure if I can get past the gold...
@@moeharri Is it the luxury of gold or the color that you don’t like? Curious.
@@HemingwayJones It's the color. When I got married 20 years ago, my wife and I both got two-tone wedding rings. At around our 10th (or maybe 15th) anniversary, we got replacement rings (no gold color) as we found the gold "tacky". Maybe it's a generational thing (we're both around 40 years old)? I have also collected watches and won't own one with gold accents.
@@moeharri That makes sense. Some pens come in different trims. I don’t mind yellow gold, but my watches are all stainless! So I get it. The MB 149 comes in gold and platinum trims. Thanks for the interesting reply.
I like the music on this video 😂
Yes! Love the music 👍
Gymnopedies Satie! I use it a lot. Thanks!!!
My 823 is the best writer I've ever used. It's a bit too formal; sitting and writing in my bathrobe is incongruous. So, I get dressed before I write.
It is amazing, Dan! I like that you enjoy it so much. All the best!
How does the 823 compare to the 74, writing wise?
Sadly, I don’t have a Custom 74, so I cannot say.