PILOT "CUSTOM 823 - Plunger Type/Transparent Brown (nib : Medium)

Since I first got into fountain pens several years ago, the Pilot Custom 823 has always been on my radar. I have seen countless videos and blog posts calling it a “grail” pen and comparing it to pens like the Pelikan M1000 or even Montblanc models. While those comparisons may be a bit exaggerated, I can confidently say this pen lives up to its reputation in its own right. The Custom 823 is an absolute pleasure to write with, hold, and even just look at. The transparent brown body is beautiful and refined, and the overall build feels thoughtful and well balanced. The medium nib is smooth and consistent, laying down a generous, controlled line of ink that makes long writing sessions effortless. Despite being a vacuum filler with a large ink capacity, this is the pen I end up refilling the most, simply because I cannot stop using it. This may sound overly enthusiastic, but if you have been in the fountain pen hobby for a while and have the budget for it, I genuinely think this pen is worth experiencing. It is a standout piece that feels special every time you pick it up.

The Pilot Custom 823 with the No.15 Medium nib is an outstanding fountain pen. It’s a smooth, wet writer with wet ink flow (especially when paired with wetter inks), and the large ink capacity means you don’t have to refill often. The pen has a decent grip for medium hands and is easy to fill. The 14k Medium nib is a bit broader than your steel Japanese medium nibs, and writes almost like a Japanese broad. At the current Amazon Japan import prices, its well worth the money . One thing you have to be wary about is opening the valve if you want wetter writing, or are writing for longer sessions, as this will make the ink flow easier. The only real con is maintenance, and when you want to switch inks or completely dry it out for it too rest, however this is such a good pen and practical pen I don't think it'll leave your rotation.

Boxed well, and came as it should have been. The vacuum system works well (takes a little education to do it - there are good videos on Youtube if you need help working it). Holds a LOT of ink and the medium nib (no. 6 I 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬) is as smooth as silk. This pen remains a masterpiece and writes as well if not better - than any of my seven Mont Blancs, my Pellikan M-800 or my Chopard. It is one of my new workhorse, everyday pens. Definitely recommend this pen and this seller!

Although I generally dislike classic cigar-shaped fountain pens, if I was going to get one, I decided to get one that has a reputation as a good writer. This pen (in a M nib) wrote perfectly out of the box. And since it holds a generous amount of ink, it's a perfect writer's pen. It's a little big for me to use posted (which is my preference), but it's well-balanced unposted. And at just over $200 on Amazon, it's fairly priced. Further note: I know some people worry about buying "gray-market" pens on Amazon. So far, I've had only good experiences. I purchased this pen from the seller 'LOT Inc.', and from the way it was packaged it was clear that it was a brand new pen with packaging which had never been opened. It also wrote perfectly out of the box. One can't, of course, generalize from one instance, but I at least had a good experience with this seller.

I'm a long time post '80s fountain pen collector and this is the first Japanese pen I have added to my collection. I am recently returning from a long hiatus on collecting. I use fountain pens every single day and almost never use a ballpoint or a rollerball unless I absolutely have to... So, I got caught up in all of the glowing reviews about this pen that I had to try one for myself. I chose the amber as I don't care for plain black pens at all. I think I only have one in my entire collection - a Montblanc 149 (ca. 1992). Well, I will give an honest review about this pen and try to be as descriptive as I can for anyone considering one, with both the positives and the negatives. Here they are, starting with the negatives: NEGATIVES: If you prefer girthy pens as I do, you will find the 823 to be very slim. And for me, I get writer's cramp quickly while using it. It is also very, very blah looking. I wish they had bright, solid colors in this line. I think demonstrators are ok but I already have too many. The cap looks like a definite attempt to copy a Montblanc but it just fails and seems kind of cheap. I guess I am just used to the thick, heavy nature of Montblanc caps. The 823 cap is much thinner in comparison. And being thinner walled all around, it is a light weight pen. Which surprised me because I watched a review on YT and she stated this pen had very nice 'heft' to it. I prefer pens with heft and weight. I added a comparison pic with my current inked FPs that reside on my work desk. From L to R: Delta Dolcevita OS (OG), the 823, Leonardo Furore, Pelikan 1000 and Pelikan M800. All are much more expensive except the Leonardo. And compared to the Leo, the 823 feels significantly cheaper. I am sure it's because the 823 is slimmer and has much less weight to it than the Leo. I paid less for the Leo with a 14k gold nib, also. Which made the Leo an amazing bargain because it is a top writing pen in my 50+ pen collection. POSITIVES: Why haven't I brought up the nib until now? Because the nib is absolutely awesome. I had read and watched reviews that stated it was soft and smooth. Well, they are 100% correct. It is a real smoothy. Inkflow is fantastic as well. No start-up issues, skipping or scratchy feeling at all. Just buttery smoothness. The filling system is a bit awkward but works well. Why is it awkward? Because you have to be careful not to shove the nib too far into your bottle while pushing the plunger down. Modern vacuum fillers take a bit of force, so this is kind of a balancing effort. I have three Visconti vacuum/plunger fillers and the Pilot seems about in-line with Visconti. So even with the awkwardness, it is a positive. It also holds a ton of ink. I expect a full reservoir to last me a few weeks or many, many pages of journaling or taking notes. In closing, the nib makes up for many of the other traits in this pen. But also, if you like girthy pens, you probably will not be happy with the 823. Overall, I am neutral on my rating. It is an average pen for having a real gold nib. If it weren't for the buttery smooth nib, this one would be sold off. EDIT: After writing for about half a page, the nib goes completely dry. The feed no longer draws any ink in. I figured maybe it was just factory gunk caught up in the feed, so I completely flushed the pen and again, it wrote well for about half a page, then dried up.

This has the feel of a very premium pen. The medium nib is buttery smooth to write with and is wet without gushing. Filling takes some practice with the vacuum piston, but is very satisfying when you get it right, and it holds a huge amount of ink if you are a prolific writer. If I was being picky, the only fault is it's very hard to rid the chamber of all ink when cleaning and it's not user serviceable (unless you are confident and don't mind voiding any warranties). At this point it's the favourite pen in my collection.

This pen is fantastic. I got the medium nib which is good for me. I general like fine nibs but since Japanese pen’s nib run finer than other brands it turned out just right. Very high quality nib and pen body for this price. My other quality pen is an early model PELIKAN M800.

I love this pen . Right out of the box it writes exceptionally well. Smooth and wet , no dry starts , no skips ..seems very reliable . Also chose the amber and love it . Easy to fill as it is a vacuum filler which is fun too .

Super lekkere vulpen, met grote capaciteit inkt.

Received the product as described. Works straight out of the box.. the smoothest pen I have.

Parfait je suis très satisfait du service :) Le stylo plume est à la hauteur de sa réputation

I love its capacity

Great nib makes for effortless writing, comfortable in the hand and a huge ink capacity. Great everyday pen for those that write a lot