Montblanc 146 vs Pilot Custom 823 Comparison

[@OwlxArt]

Sorry for the bad camerawork, I am very new to recording and I use my phone for all my videos so had to manually record and focus while trying to write

[@jeongminhyeong1938]

I have a 823 F and I was interested in a 146 but now I feel like I can just appreciate my pen more. Thanks for the great review.

[@jeanchonot3715]

Initially the 823 was build to compete the Pelikan M800 on the Japanese Market... And with the #15 nib we can say that it's the result is incomparable. Already because Pelikan, even if they make excellent pens, are unable to make nibs respecting the sizes / formats. Buying an EF to get an M or even a B is quite simply outrageous in this price range. The same goes for Montblanc and many other brands. Result, beautiful pens, without problems but without souls. Unless you have the nib reworking by Masuyama or Mottishaw. There, indeed, it has nothing to do with it. Pelikan or Montblanc vintage nibs were less designed but they were 100x better, even those from the 80's. As for Pilot's # 15 nib, it's arguably the best standard nib in the world. Whatever its size. I have been using an 823 for 5 years in EDC mode with F, M, FM, FA nibs. The only modification I allowed myself to make was to replace the plastic feeder with an ebonite one. The difference with two channels or three channels (as with Sailor) is significant. A minimum of pressure causes a much greater flow of ink than on the plastic and the Pilot's nib then expresses all its qualities.Initially intended for the FA nib for which I only obtain the phenomenon of railroading by pushing the nib Ultimately, the results observed with F are incomparable with those of your videos or others. You wouldn't believe the same pens. And you rediscover inks like you've never seen them before. Example with the Tsuki-Yo which shows a very delicate and subtle red sheen that I do not see with other nib and other brands. Either way, you should be using this pen for quite a while. A wonderful nib for an excellent pen ;-) And sorry for my bad English.

[@ifteqharhussainkhan8255]

You are very analytic and ultimately right to your opinions.Because I also used those extraordinary Pilot nibs.and found same results as you.

[@thepenman357]

Thanks for the comparison. The 146 has been one of my grail pens, but after watching your comparison I don't feel in any rush, if I get one at all at this point, since I already have a Custom 823, which I thoroughly enjoy.

[@pannax996]

i have both but found out myself use 823 a lot more than 146.maybe bcz when grab 823 feel a lot more durable than 146 . btw both nib are very nice.

[@FrancoisTHX]

The difference is that one pen works, while the other has to be vintage to work (or needs Montblanc's special absorbant paper / pressure on the nib like a mad businessman )....

[@13noman1]

823 all day long. I have more than a few fountain pens (my wife would say, "a LOT"), a goodly # of Pelikans and even more Pilots. The 823 is just top drawer and miles head on value. It's easily dissembled (just did mine today), has a great ink capacity and is a wonderful writer. Early in my FP collection, my wife gifted me a Mont Blanc (smaller - 164, I think) that I keep for sentimental reasons but the resin never felt "precious" to me, the nib writes too broadly and the capacity is only average. Mont Blanc always reminds me of Mercedes Benz cars -- an expensive status symbol in the US, but a taxi cab in other parts of the world.

[@krugmeup2162]

I tried the 146 on the weekend. F M and B. Your M looks very fine. Way different to the one in the boutique.

[@OwlxArt]

Yeah, this is the 1970s montblanc 146 with a 14k gold nib so it is different than the current ones. The older ones are more soft and springy compared to current modes

[@krugmeup2162]

Owl x Killua ah ok thanks for the education

[@mrpilotsapien7705]

Well this comparison has opened my eyes and see the glory of montblanc (146 in particular) for what its worth.... Its worth it. however by means of the acquire's level of experience and taste...... Im missing nothing as far as all the boxes checked for what is wanted in one of these pens.....

[@alvarotorrent5966]

I think the pilot 823 is the best value pen in the market. Can compete with any pen for a fraction of the price

[@cavan_goh]

Hi can I ask, what pen pouch is that you have?

[@pieromattirolo5430]

I have both and totally agree. My 146 is a beautiful bordeaux version, unfortunately no longer produced. With a Montblanc one is paying for a well marketed piece of fountain pen history. They achieved a higher positioning over a comparable pens, such as Pelikans, whose products are very much equivalent. However, the Pilot Custom 823 is the state of the art of today’s fountain pen technique. And I personally wouldn’t include in this category any cartridge fountain pen, regardless of quality and brand.

[@klt479]

The Pilot Custom 823 is definitely a better writer. The longer your writing session the more you appreciate it in comparison. My modern 146s are finicky (odd limited writing position and presure), require significantly more pressure when writing, difficault to clean, and the filling system gets stiff. The nib on the 823 has a very refreshing spring.i also prefer the 823 vacuum filling system. The price difference makes the 823 a know brainer. If yiu get a 146 buy a vintage not new one.

[@rds4629]

The vintage MB pens are high quality and often dependable writers... the modern ones are sometimes worth their cost... I liken it to HD motorcycles; they're great when they run but the Kawasaki and Honda bikes just give you so much more for the money.

[@LewisHolford]

Can a pilot really compare? Not being snobby but I’m in the market for one of these and I see these reviews and I wonder if people are saying the pilot is as good because they don’t want to spend extra on the Montblanc

[@lonelybullet1]

As the owner of both pens bought recently,I definitely prefer the Pilot 823 over the Montblanc 146. The 146 nib is way smoother and wetter than the Pilot but it just lacks character, very bland experience. The Pilot 823 has just the right amounts of feedback and feels more confortable in hand.

[@sherinzadakhudukhel6342]

Nice comparison 👌

[@kevinu.k.7042]

The Pilot body unscrews for cleaning.

[@agabrielhegartygaby9203]

It is sad that the quality of the Montblanc has deteriorated since the 1970s especially given the price these days.

[@neilpiper9889]

Pilot all the way for me

[@efeocakoglu1969]

Thit you like this pen in daily eriting

[@matlindell5022]

It’s definitely not the amber color !

[@grahamparr3933]

My wife says it’s all about the girth🤔

[@ratneshpawar]

There is hardly any comparison. 823 is a good pen but nothing like 146. It is built to last for decades

[@ratneshpawar]

@Albert Puig I have both. Many variants of 146 and 823 and 845. I prefer 845 over 823. But nothing like 146 and its variants.

[@adrian-qx8ni]

Is not a cool idea to compare two fountain pens from different classes...Is a forced comparison...You can never compare two things that have only one thing in common - the fountain pen name.

[@OwlxArt]

I disagree. Montblanc 146 and Custom 823 are similar size and often decided on when moving into higher end fountain pens despite retail price difference between the two.

[@klt479]

Agreed, its unfair to compare the 146 to the 823. The 823 is a better and certainly more consistent writer.

[@Coyotehello]

The 823 is a cheap copy of the Mont Blanc 146. Nest question.