Pen Thoughts: Pilot Custom 823

[@MissRuthina]

Omg... I LITERALLY happened to me, with the gold ring being the wrong way! As in... It's currently like that and I'm super sad... It's been freshly inked ATM with Diamine ancient copper but you KNOW when I run out I'm going to fix this!!!! Thank you so much. Did not expect to find that on this video!!!😊🎉

[@meb6667]

One of the very best pens manufactured today - at any price. Between Pilot and Pelikan, you have excellent taste in pens!

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you!

[@nativelady5]

Thank you for posting your video because after watching I worked up the courage to clean my 823. You made it seem simple and easy to do.

[@adventuredenali]

Awesome! How did that go?

[@nativelady5]

I held my breath and saying a prayer but then I finished with a happy dance.

[@stricht8]

I actually like the aesthetics of the pen. Very classic and understated but with just the right amount of ornamentation.

[@adventuredenali]

Yeah, you’re right!

[@santiagoedwin7343]

pro tip: you can watch movies on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching a lot of movies lately.

[@reubenmarcellus3353]

@Santiago Edwin yea, been using flixzone for months myself :)

[@mohammadzahid4629]

Hi, Thanks for posting this video, especially your tip on removing the secondary overring for continued ink flow. I got my Custom 823 earlier today and I'm super stoked. There is something about this pen that words cannot describe. I love your awesome videos, all of them are very helpful. Keep on posting and Happy Writing!!

[@sylviarienzo6955]

I LOVED your comment suggesting that it would be so perfect if Pilot and Sailor had babies. What a great thought! I discovered Sailor before Pilot and spent hours obsessing over the beautiful pen choices. I eventually bought a very expensive Sailor Hiroshima Commemorative Special Edition with a 21k nib and experienced my best writing experience to that point, though I have to add that it was only my third fountain pen. I eventually discovered Pilot (thank goodness!) and I now have four Pilots which I bought in the following order: Pilot Custom 845 in Vermilion, Pilot Custom 743 in Verdigris, Pilot Custom 843 in Amber and Pilot 72, with the 72 arriving today! They all write in that fabulous buttery smooth way that seems to define Pilot. If only they had the tempting color choices of Sailor!

[@qc7767]

I've had this pen for 3 years and didn't know about the trick to fill it completely! Thank you! Also, I remember the first time wrote with this pen...loved it immediately.

[@my2l]

Any problems with cracking? I’m torn between the 823 and 743, just scared from all the 823 cracking rumours.

[@kb62147]

Love this video and the instruction to disassemble the pen..

[@rmoraespinto]

The 823 is the most satisfying of the bunch of Japanese pens that I have recently purchased. It has an excellent ergos and glides through the paper with no feedback at all, even though the nib is an EF one -- which is the result of a perfect combination of nib and feeder which provides a match of the correct amount of wetness with no bleeding. Yes, and the 823 "makes me gasp everytime that I put it to paper ". My only complaint (which goes to all Japanese pens below the 1 thou price point) body and cap are made from very light (should I say cheap?) plastic. I like your videos very much. They are all surprising as you do not follow a formula. Thank you very much!

[@deborahr2913]

It’s my favorite pen and is the only one that I have continuously inked. Not a glamorous pen, just a reliable pen that writes well and feels great in my hand.

[@adventuredenali]

Not glamorous, but reliable! It’s true.

[@marimendoza3375]

I love my 823! I've stopped buying or looking for new pens since I've acquired one!

[@dutoitheleen]

Great video Alicia:)! I have two 823’s... Yup: The look of the body is so boring and feels quite conservative. I bought a Clear version from Japan to solve the issue and having some colourful ink swirl along in the barrel feels like it’s business on the outside and party on the inside. Great tips on the assembly and disassembly - you do it so masterfully! Love it every time Bean gets a cameo 💙.

[@kristinaugust8717]

I was the 823 person to like this video! I think it’s a sign I finally get my first gold nib pen! Thanks for posting!

[@adventuredenali]

Whoot!! Exciting!

[@skye1767]

Thank you for this wonderful video--I appreciate your Pen Thoughts as I learn to navigate through the fountain pen world. The fact that so many people with fab collections of pens ALL sing the praises of this pen, it means a lot to me as I save up for my next pen!

[@davecharvella4854]

Love this pen, too! Have it in both a fine and a medium, and was surprised at the increase in line width going from F to M. Totally unexpected! Great pens though, for all the reasons you stated here!

[@arlenealennox3136]

Everything you said. Now if they only made it in all the colors of the Custom 74.

[@adventuredenali]

That would be lovely!

[@byelisabomfim]

Love this pen! Classic and stylish! 💛📔✒🇧🇷

[@randy-9842]

I very much enjoy mine as well though I haven't tried to disassemble it yet. Thanks for showing that aspect! [ I still think your penmanship AND your ferret are beautiful. ]

[@joymusterer]

This was so helpful, thanks Alicia! This pen has been on my list for awhile. Good to know it would be a sound investment. I love that shade of blue ink too.

[@kevinu.k.7042]

I so agree with you. Thanks too for showing how to remove the nib. Be well.

[@maxvanbalgooy]

I was so frustrated with this pen because it would dry out during lengthy writing sessions (and it wasn’t due to the piston being closed). So I replaced it with a two-slit feed from Flexible Nib Factory and I’ve no further issues. The fine nib is not as buttery smooth as I expected but I’ve gotten used to the feedback and the pen is now among my favorites.

[@adventuredenali]

Oh that is frustrating! That was my experience as well, but because of the travel safety shut off. Glad you found a solution though! A flexible nib must be so fun. Does the feed keep up with all the ink production?

[@DeanStubbs14]

Just managed to by the blue/smoke coloured 823 from a good friend of mine. It’s practically new and i got it for the same price as a VP so I’m very excited to try it out now

[@Carcharodon1968]

One of the best pens in my collection. The nib is perfect. Greetings from Cologne!

[@adventuredenali]

Hello! Happy writing!

[@pasttenseSara]

I agree with about 95% of your assessment. The 823 is hard to beat at this price point, and is one of my all time favorite pens. The ink capacity is ridiculous and the nib is wonderful. I am very fond of vac fillers, so this is a plus. If not for my Conid Bulkfiller, this would also be my #1 pen.

[@jamesaritchie1]

I don't like vac fillers. I tend to wear them out, and a very high ink capacity is the last thing I want. I have a lot of inks, and I love using a large number of them. This means changing ink often, and it means cleaning pens often. This is simply easier with a cartridge/converter pen.

[@randy-9842]

​@@jamesaritchie1 I switch inks often myself, so I understand and agree completely. Rather than using the built-in mechanism for filling, I remove the nib and grip section and inject a smaller amount of ink into the barrel with a syringe. In my opinion, that helps make this wonderful pen even better.

[@paddymcnamara9147]

Got my 823 a few months ago and it is an absolute joy to write with and it would be a hard choice to seperate it from my Pelikan 805 as to which would be my favourite. That said my 805 is an Ocean Swirl which is beautiful in my eyes. Great clip as usual and thanks.

[@bobanderson7313]

As I'm considering buying this pen, I've been watching all the reviews. Your non-review is the best.

[@adventuredenali]

Well that’s wonderful! I’m glad it was helpful for you in your quest. I’d love to hear what you decide!

[@bobanderson7313]

@@adventuredenali Well, I'm going to buy one. Like you, I'm not too keen on the finishes but I prefer the amber. Of course the smoky grey is on sale for £60 less in the only store here in the UK that seems to have them. Life is hard.

[@breadyegg]

I can't imagine anyone regretting the purchase of this pen. I have the Amber with an M nib and it's pretty close to a Western M, dependant on the ink. Works great with Pilot inks. It's not my money, but if the Amber is what you like I'd pay the extra, lest you become full of regrets every time you pick up the Smoky Grey. "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten."

[@bobanderson7313]

@@breadyegg Just what I was thinking. Amber it is.

[@llanbull]

If you can get an FA nib.

[@jthunder57]

Excellent informative breakdown on your Pilot 823. Thanks! 😊

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you and you’re welcome!

[@TeamFish15]

I took that secondary ring off too. You can use an 8mm regular wrench too, for a more solid tool.

[@adventuredenali]

Oh, good call!

[@fahimaalfarabi1646]

Thanks for this video! I think I found my pen-for-life penbuddy! The ink capacity, the looks- everything seems perfect!

[@playingwithpaper6121]

Thanks for your thoughts. I feel the exact same way about this pen! I am a newbie and have enjoyed your videos so much!

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you and you’re welcome! Happy writing!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

This is an amazing pen, and I'm very happy with my own. The pen body is okay, but it's a great one for writing!

[@greyfriar9008]

I felt the same about my Conid Bulkfiller when I got it. Each to their own, as they say. A nice overview without waffle 👍🏻😁

[@adventuredenali]

Ooh! The conid! I’ve yet to try that pen. Happy writing, and thank you!

[@minhquangnguyen3491]

I love this up-close episode, hope you publish more videos like this.

[@Richard_Barnes]

Agree totally 🙂 I got my clear 823 from Japan, so not so much as a sniff of ink came with it! 🤷🏻‍♂️ This video reminds me I really do need to clean mine thoroughly and get rid of that small o-ring too. It’s never been done since I’ve had it. It is a superb pen though especially with that ink capacity.

[@caffeinatedxoctopus]

I got this pen today from my husband as an early birthday gift and my goodness im in love, so needless to say the timing of this video is perfect 😄 also watching you disassemble it makes it feel so much less intimidating, I might end up taking out that little O-ring myself

[@adventuredenali]

What a special gift! Happy birthday! 🎉 If you ever need any special help with the o-ring, let me know! I’d be happy to walk you through it, or share the video I used myself .

[@caffeinatedxoctopus]

@@adventuredenali Aw thank you so much! 💓 and that's so sweet of you to offer! You actually made it really easy to follow in this video here, I wouldn't want to inconvenience you for a whole new video or walk through, but if I do decide to do it and I have questions, I know who to ask 😄 but again thank you so much 💜

[@fleursdegigi]

Excellent review! Adore mine as well..solid writer and that nib!!!! I want to add the clear demo to my collection but i have so many pens already🤣....who am i kidding, i know the end of that story hehe! Take care Alicia ~

[@andrewtongue7084]

I would concur, Alicia, the outstanding performance (& relatively low maintenance factor) are the positive points to this scribe, but yet the barrel finishes available, are limited; the notion of Sailor & Pilot, "having a baby" is an intriguing & common-sensical notion - the best of both worlds - & none of the drawbacks that are inherent in the design/aesthetic of either company; by & large, Sailor's ethos does provide a more versatile array, & Pilot's lack of imagination (perhaps traditionalist/conservative) ideologies require a more open approach; such a 'progeny', if one may express it thus, can only be to the good. That Fine nib you have there is exquisite, & I can fully relate to your enthusiasm for this delightful writing instrument. An excellent overview. Keep safe, both, Best, Andrew :)

[@silvermine2033]

I absolutely love my 823!

[@kswaminathan5439]

Beautiful pen and awesome handwriting. Your sound quality is very good now and do is your zoom lens showing your lovely handwriting( Last time I had mentioned about the zoom and sound quality in another video). I too have this same TWSBI fountain pen with a beatiful white cap, silicon gel and a spanner for opening the filling system. I suggest you don't try to open the filling system of the TWSBI. Reassembling is a headache because there is a gap between the barrel and the twisting knob and it takes several attempts to make proper alignment. This was my experience. Let me know if you have dismantled thd TWSBI. It may not be as easy as the Pilot.

[@learnlove1848]

Watching this for the fifth time already...because this pen is definitely my favorite writer in my collection (I have the Smoke version with a Fine nib...sold the same pen with a Medium nib to get the Fine). I may not be able to reduce my collection to one and keep this, but it would definitely be #2 (my Pelikan M805 Ocean Swirl will always be the first I keep...for sentimental reasons). Also, HOW DID I NEVER KNOW THE GRIP COULD BE DETACHED FROM THE BODY??? 😱I've had this pen for a couple years now, and I did not know this fact until this video. I did find out about the flipped metal ring on the piston knob the first time I dis/reassembled, but that grip section...and the secondary O-ring removal??? OMG!! Game changer!! Thank you!

[@adventuredenali]

Oh that is marvelous! Thank you! Are you glad to have the fine now? The ocean swirl, how could any pen beat that beauty!!! Also, glad you learned something new! Haha! It makes a quick clean super easy if you don’t feel like removing the piston and all that!

[@learnlove1848]

@@adventuredenali I tend to favor broader nibs (up to Medium on a pen like the C823) for journaling...but I wanted a finer nib for planning. It is one of my two finer nibs, and between it and my MF nib Sailor Pro Gear Realo, I get my fine nib fix. 🥰

[@learnlove1848]

@@adventuredenali My Ocean Swirl was a gift from my husband after he graduated from his GI fellowship. It was a long road together since his 3rd year of medical school, and it really reminds me of where we came from. It makes it so much more precious for that reason. 💙

[@izzyhezz]

I love this pen so much! I pretty much had the same kind of reaction when I first wrote with it, I gasped, it is so buttery smooth

[@jamesaritchie1]

Well, if you use it as much as I do, it isn't likely to last a lifetime without routine repairs. I've worn out the puston ring on two of them, and wore the nib tipping down to replacement time. But I write a minimum of five hours per day, five days per week, and often much longer. A butter on glass nib feels wonderful, but it gets that butter on glass characteristic by being over-polished. This won't matter to most who use the pen, but to people like me who write every day to make money, a pen like this is not the most durable on the market.

[@laurenstylish]

@@jamesaritchie1 what would you recommend instead of the 823?

[@M63Tod]

Did you get fine as well? And why? I’m asking because I’m in the process of buying.

[@laurenstylish]

@@M63Tod I have both a Fine and a Medium in the 823 and prefer the Fine, which is odd because I prefer Mediums in Lamy Studios and Diplomat Aeros for example, but there’s something about all Pilot Medium gold nibs that just isn’t as nice as the Fine for me, my Custom 74 in Medium didn’t impress me either, but the Pilot Grance in Fine and Extra Fine were both stunning nibs to me.

[@DDixon-kk1kf]

This video made me pull out my 823 WA that I had actually tried to sale a few months ago. I decided to ink it with a Pilot Iroshizuku ink and it is amazing. I had only ever previously tried it with Diamine Umber Green and while it wrote beautifully it was not as wet as I prefer.

[@InkyParchment]

This was so very helpful! I am a huge fan of pilot fountain pens and this pen has been on my wish list for some time. Thanks again! :)

[@johncrighton4738]

Hi, I love your posts. I also really love the 823 ... reaaally ❤. I have found that it pairs incredibly well with Lamy inks. They are not super wet so you get a great smooth thin lines with nice color variation. I keep they Grey lamy ink in this pen.

[@destinedthunder]

I got this pen last year, not sure if you remember? I have had it inked with diamine rustic brown ever since. Love how you assemble it with such a ease - feels so badass 🌟🌟🥰

[@adventuredenali]

I do remember! Rustic brown, such a nice combo. Haha I’ve always enjoyed taking things apart. 😂

[@NelsonFJ]

I don't have an 823; but I have a Custom 74 and the nib is awesome; which I think applies to all pens in the Pilot Custom Line. Another Pilot nib that you should test, if you haven't yet, is the Falcon, very good too. Thanks for the video.

[@adventuredenali]

Oh I would love to try the falcon nib for sure. Thanks for watching. :)

[@jamesaritchie1]

My problem with the 74 is that it leaks into the grip section. This does no harm, but I find it very annoying. I don't really care for the size of the nib, either, but just about every Pilot nib writes very, very well. Not, in my opinion, as well as the 823, but very, very well. I haver a couple of Pilot Metropolitans with butter on glass nibs, and I love them. These two particular pens have the perfect amount of wetness, and are every bit as smooth as the 823. What they lack, what all steel nibs lack, is the natural softness of gold, which counts immensely in how well a pen writes. And if you actually get the 823 with a soft nib, it's impossible for steel, or for a small gold nib, to compete. Assuming, of course, that you know how to use a soft nib, and flexing it for line variation is NOT correct usage. You can ruin a soft nib very fast by flexing it.

[@NelsonFJ]

@@jamesaritchie1 I heard about these leaks; but so far I haven't had this problem. I have a dark green one that I have been using for 5 years; and one in teal that I bought recently. What happened one day with the newer pen was, after a few days of upside down inside my briefcase, some ink accumulated inside the cap. In general, they are very good pens.

[@JoelTurrell]

Recent production models of the 823 won't disassemble, apparently because Pilot got tired of replacing barrels which broke under the pressure or torque applied to the pen by owners. There is alos a warning in the accompanying paperwork which tells us that any attempt to remove or replace nibs will void the warranty. You are very lucky to have one of the old models, and the skill not to damage the pen during disassembly.

[@bluejchou4404]

Absolutely agree with your thoughts on the perfect baby pen!

[@adventuredenali]

Baby Sailot? Pilor? Hehe

[@qp4590]

I would love an opaque, trimless C823. If only.

[@klt479]

I am not aware of a pen that costs up to three times as much that writes as well as the Custom 823. It has an amazing nib and is very well slanted. The build quality/ feel is also amazing.

[@christoslefkimiotis9889]

custom 823 and pelikan M805 my two favourite pens

[@dannydontgoin237]

I have a significant birthday coming up and I'm planning on buying myself a significant pen. This one wasn't really on my radar, for roughly this price range I was leaning toward a Sailor 1911 Large or a Lamy Dialog 3. Now you've got me thinking... unless I have the funds for a Visconti Homo Sapiens, then all bets are off.

[@adventuredenali]

Happy early birthday! Good luck choosing your pen! :D

[@richardsimms251]

Great video

[@williec6665]

I really want this pen, but I've seen many stories of barrel cracking. I want to move up to this one.

[@talksfromtheheart]

Thank you thank you for this video! Yep I need this pen! And for sure the fine nib too. Thanks again!

[@adventuredenali]

You’re welcome!

[@geslinam9703]

I bought this pen at a shop yesterday. I couldn’t make up my mind, this pen, the Custom 74, or a Pelikan M200 (the latter someone told me was a superior pen)...so I bought all three. This was at a shop, not online. I think it’s harder to have financial restraint when seeing the pens in person. I hate the Pelikan, it’s an overly wet, sloppy pen. And someone at the Pelikan nib factory must have been drunk and accidentally stamped some F’s on some medium nibs, cause no way this pen has a fine nib. Anyway, both Pilot’s are great, and especially the 823. Love it!

[@cate7777]

Yeah, I have looked at those colors that this pen is offered in and no... I would want it in ultramarine blue, like my car, or like the many other things that I've chosen to bring into my life. I am intrigued by what you said regarding your writing experience with it so, who knows? Maybe, I shouldn't dismiss it out of hand. I will have to wait and see.

[@bonghungk7544]

It was a hard toss up decision between the Pilot 823 demonstrator and the Pelikan M805 engraved demonstrator. But hearing the horror stories of the fragility of the 823 and difficulty on cleaning it especially being a demonstrator I succumbed to getting a Pelikan M805 demonstrator. I had a chance to test both in a pen store both wrote fabulous and the price was similar (Pelikan a tad bit more). In the end I’m glad I’ve gotten the Pelikan M805 engraved demonstrator fountain pen and it’s a some what rare pen compared to the Pilot 823 demonstrator.

[@MotlTheChasid]

Can't go wrong with Pelikan King of all pens. M ir B very smooth. My f nibbon my M600 has more feedback, which is expected. My 800 is so smooth.

[@thuntz29]

Listening to this video again and thinking you could probably get some urushi work done on the pen to make it look more to your taste. :)

[@catwhisperer911]

I just love everything from Pilot. Their nibs, both gold and steel, are second to none imho. And their inks, well I have some coke sized bottles of them lol. Most underrated inks ever again imho. Thanks for sharing. Oh, :)

[@adventuredenali]

I agree! Their inks included, Pilot just does a good job with writing utensils, across the board. And, :)

[@jamesaritchie1]

The Pilot Iroshizuku oinks are simply wonderful. I have a bunch of them, and every last one is consistently good in every way. But I think even the Pilot basic black is highly underrated. I've tried a lot of black inks, but always come back to the Pilot.

[@catwhisperer911]

BTW was that nib custom ground by a nib meister?

[@adventuredenali]

@@catwhisperer911 this one is not. I’ve only had cursive italics done by him on my Pelikans.

[@catwhisperer911]

pilot certainly is at the top of their game.

[@anniebus105]

I cannot believe I am saying this, but my PenBBS pens (favorites 500 and 456) write better than my 823 medium. I just got it a week ago and I have been writing with it. I thought it would be like butter. It's nice, but not as nice as the mini-fude fine nib that comes standard on PenBBS pens. It goes to show, you don't need to break the bank on an expensive pen with a gold nib when there are so many out there deserving of a shot. Thank you for your review! I'm happy it writes to well for you. Give Bean a cuddle...so adorable I swear! P.S. My Pilot Vanishing Points (Medium and Broad) write smoother and better than the 823. I'm blown away by that. I did look at the 823 nib under a loop and the Medium nib is perfect. No issues with the tines being uneven or the tip having baby's bottom. It looks perfect. Oh well...

[@jamesaritchie1]

If that's all true, you need to send the 823 back for repair. You got a dud. Even Pilot says the Vanishing Point nib isn't as good as the 823 nib because of its size. And I no PenBBS does not, and cannot, make a nib as smooth as the one on an 823. The materials used make it impossible. The tipping on the 823 is much, much higher quality material. Too, softness counts, if you know how to use it, and neither the Vanishing Point nor any Chinese pen, equals the natural softness of the 823 nib. Again, size and material makes it impossible. So send back your 823 and get one with a nib that's as good as it should be.

[@eoghanf7526]

I got it in a medium expecting a thinner line because it was Japanese, but I slightly regret that I did because it was a thicker line than what I prefer. Other than that the pen is great, and I agree the body could do with some pizazz.

[@jamesaritchie1]

Japanese medium nibs are thinner than western medium nibs on cheaper pens, but with Pilot, this difference tends to go away on their more expensive pens. It's funny because their fine and extra fine nibs retain this difference. At any rate, Pilot medium and broad nibs are about the same as western medium and broad nibs, once you get up to the 823 level.

[@apars78]

Would you please be able to do a review of Pilot Custom Urushi? Its the #30 nib that I am interested in.

[@PenFriends]

If I got an 823 I’d definitely customise it! Or get urushi work done

[@adventuredenali]

Yeah, that’d be lovely.

[@hc1653]

Just got mine from Yoseka and am lovin' it

[@MotlTheChasid]

The nib is great. But the ink flow in my pen was poor. Hard starts. Then it cracked and exploded 😢. Never filled fully.

[@MotlTheChasid]

So far I prefer the custom 74. But just got it. Time will tell.

[@sh_rl.lr_hs]

Just subscribed to your chn! You had me at "if Pilot and Sailor could have a baby" cause I love Pilot, but the designs are really like for old men 😂. I wish Pilot would make beautiful pens like Sailor too, women have spending power and there are those that want to buy fountain pens!

[@thuntz29]

I feel like this video was made for me... save up for a C823 instead of going somewhere else... thank you 🙏 😘

[@adventuredenali]

That’s exciting! Glad to be of help. :)

[@thuntz29]

@@adventuredenali if you could design the body if this pen, what would you do?

[@thuntz29]

@@adventuredenali I have just pulled the plunge and bought it with a medium nib. ☺️ So excited!! 😍

[@tobymulder196]

Totally agree with this review. It’s my one pen on a desert island pen.

[@jennieeveleighlamond]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@adventuredenali]

You’re welcome! I hope life is bringing some peace and healing for you. ❤️

[@YvonneRaphaelWriter]

I suspect I would love this pen, given all the rave reviews. It’s just that the grip is too wide for me. If the pen is heavy and the grip too wide, the pen feels out of control to I start squeezing the grip and that leads to pressing down too hard on nibs. I wish they would make a slim version of the custom model...

[@cedricqi6092]

Thanks for sharing this video.

[@spacer567]

fantastic review

[@wontonramen]

Love my 823, but I'm too scared to disassemble because of all the horror stories of the barrel cracking. Probably easier to clean if I could disassemble.

[@mavz28]

I love my 823 but if I had to pick one pen forever, I think it would be my M800. Mostly just for aesthetic reasons, the Pilot writes about as well as the Pelikan, but the Pelikan in renaissance brown is just so much better looking to me.

[@adventuredenali]

The m800 is so much prettier a pen, can’t argue there! While I enjoy the Pelikan nib though, even the extra fine unfortunately is too large for my writing preferences.

[@rygregory]

I love the 823! But interesting that you’d use Sailor as an example of a “not built to last” brand. I’m curious to know what experience made you form that opinion? Because I don’t get that impression at all with most Japanese pens. All the Sailor pens I have feel just as well-built as my Pilots, if not just a bit more. Which says a lot because I already hold Pilots to a very high standard.

[@adventuredenali]

Hello! I say this because I have four older Sailors that all have cracks in the grip section or cap, which is a bit disappointing. I do love Sailors though, and it hasn’t stopped me from buying more, haha.

[@jamesaritchie1]

This isn't my favorite pen, but because of the nib, which is incredible, it may be the best writer out there under five hundred dollars. There are a couple of more expensive Pilot pens that write just as well, but that are built better for my taste. Too, the Namiki Maki-e and Chinkin pens blow the 823 out of the water in every way. includsing how ell they write, which is not just a function of the nib. But one pen on a desert Island? I'm not sure I could choose between the Scribo Feel, the Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age, and the Visconti Magnifico. Probably the Bronze Age. Not only is it a wonderful writer, it's also almost indestructible. But to me, the Scribo feel does have an innovative design that makes the word "Feel" describe it perfectly. It fits my hand in a way no other pen does. I guess I'm not going to that desert island unless I can take more than one pen.

[@adventuredenali]

Hahaha, your comment there at the end is brilliant. I don’t think I could choose one pen either. Good to know we can take more. 😉 I do hope to try some of the higher end pilots in the future.

[@lyndasmith593]

Yay Bean.....love him to pieces. Lovely pen and info. How r violin lessons going?

[@adventuredenali]

They’re going great! Just had one today, that left me buzzing with new ideas and inspiration. Thanks for asking!

[@davideselmin8018]

Well, it looks like a european extrafine but it writes very clearly. I must assume it works on any kind of paper......is it a soft one ?

[@BaoLe-hk5wl]

Did I see "bitcoin" at 5:14. Very interesting to find out that you're a trader. 😌

[@adventuredenali]

Haha good catch. I wouldn’t call myself a trader, but I’ve bought a bit here and there.

[@lightlyinked]

Ahh I was planning on getting an esterbrook estie but now I want this pen and can’t decide! Have you tried the etsies by any chance? Hopefully I spelled that right lol

[@csikomas8910]

Thanks. This is my next pen. Then in a year or so, I want to go up one level higher; what can you recommend?

[@beccaenyart1766]

Hello, I am saving my pennies for a nice pen and and keep going between this pilot 823 and the pelican m400. Which do you think is a better choice and why? I’m a bit of a minimalist and don’t want a huge collection. However o love to journal and will use the pen daily. Thanks!

[@vedrandujic7718]

Hi, Could You please tell me what silicone grease do You use for maintaining that rubber piston parts? Thanx in Advance!

[@rebeccaberrett6812]

It looks to me like the little bottle of silicone grease that comes with TWSBI pens.

[@jessicamorado6910]

So I’m debating on my first gold nib pen and I don’t plan on buying to many of them because my usual spending limit on a pen is $100. So I have been looking at some good gold nib pens that I both visually like and that seems to write beautifully and I’m stuck. If you had to choose one would you choose the Pilot Custom 823 or the Pelikan M400? I have seen a body of the M400 that I really like but it’s also more expensive so I’m debating which one to save up for. Any help would be great thank you! And loved the video! I just enjoy all of your videos so much.

[@adventuredenali]

Oh man, that’s a tough one. Overall, I like the Pelikan better. The design is beautiful. But, in general, Pelikan nibs - even the extra fine is too large for my preferences. If you prefer a thicker line, perhaps that’d be my vote. But, the Pilot nib is just the most perfect nib I’ve experienced thus far. I don’t think I’ve helped much, haha. It’s a really hard decision to make. If you want to spend less - the Pilot. If you want a pen that looks beautiful, carries a lot of ink, writes well (and you don’t mind a thicker line), Pelikan.

[@jessicamorado6910]

@@adventuredenali actually it has. I’m an extra fine girl all the way so Pilot it is! Thank you so much for the help!

[@jamesaritchie1]

You can alter your spending limit by being patient and saving whatever you can each week. I bought a Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age, a Pilot 823, and a Pilot 74 by saving ten bucks a week for two years. I also got a beautiful 3776 for just a few bucks more. Patience really is a vrtue, and as hard as it can be to have patience when buying pens, I've found it works.

[@evansilver6762]

Do you feel the Fine nib is too fine, or not as smooth as a Medium nib? Thank you!

[@M63Tod]

I have the exact same question. I saw another review with medium nib and he loved it! I’d like someone to comment specifically about the difference though.

[@abhishekpanja4363]

Can I use twisbi echo wrench for disassemble 823??? Tell me your experience about echo fine nib.

[@adventuredenali]

Yes you can use the TWSBI wrench for the custom 823. ☺️ TSWBI nibs are great, they’re consistent and smooth, well tuned.

[@NyaThryceTarot]

I just received this pen and I am just smitten! I understand all the fuss. I inked it with R.O. Melon Tea and i am over the moon! ... Do you have pilot custom 74 or the Pilot e95s? I am curious about your thoughts on those. :) Thanks for the great video!

[@adventuredenali]

Congratulations! Nice ink choice too! I have an e95. I enjoy that little pen quite a bit, although I do wish I bought the extra fine. It’s a pretty juicy nib, and puts down a fatter line than anticipated.

[@Boros777]

Great Video! Would you happen to know the grip diameter (compared to the Montblanc 146, which should be like 13mm)?

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you! Just under 13mm, 12.8mm according to an online source.

[@Boros777]

@@adventuredenali Thanks!

[@sven-erikrose5732]

Hi -- Some people say that the barrel of the Pilot 823 is prone to cracking if you disassemble it. I take it you haven't had any problems with that? Thanks!

[@adventuredenali]

Hello! I haven’t had any troubles! *knock on wood

[@Pottymoon]

Is there any flexibility in the nib?

[@viku5549]

Is the nib not a friction fit?

[@M63Tod]

How do you feel about the fine compared to medium?

[@kempsauce]

Anyone have any tips on how best to choose a nib size? I've been using a medium TWSBI for a couple years now and recently have been trying a Fine, but the difference between a fine in one brand and another can differ drastically. Basically, I'd hate to spend $200 on a pen and wish I got a different nib size. :)

[@adventuredenali]

Try to find as many comparisons as possible, whether it be on KZbin or elsewhere. Unfortunately it can be a bit of an experiment. Generally, Japanese nibs are finer than European. If you have the specific brand in mind, it’s really easy to find writing samples. Also, do you prefer the fine or the medium? That helps knowing as well. :)

[@kempsauce]

@@adventuredenali I've preferred the Medium nib more as of now, but I'm using a new ink in the Fine, so I want to finish that barrel out then give it a try with some trusted ink. :) I've heard the TWSBI's write a little dry? I mostly like the medium to get some more ink and ink qualities out on the paper. :)

[@nelsondcunha3156]

I decided use my handwrite Keyboard to say, very beautiful pen.... I hope you are fine and save ...

[@adventuredenali]

Thank you! Same to you. :)

[@nelsondcunha3156]

@@adventuredenali You're welcome and thank you...

[@robbinallan3767]

I bought one because like the Lamy 2000, people rave. The Lamy I find underwhelming. If the Pilot 823 is so well built why does their customer service suck?

[@generic_asian_]

Have you had any issues with the pen burping ink? I recently bought the knock off wing sung to see if I liked the style of pen and it burps ink. If the Pilot Custom 823 burps I probably won't buy it.

[@adventuredenali]

I’ve never experienced a problem like that. :)

[@generic_asian_]

@@adventuredenali that's great. I will most likely buy this pen. Thank you

[@EverydayDesigner]

Can't wait to buy this pen. I was disappointed with my all american . Heck even my metropolitan writes smoother .

[@eddybax1]

Thank you for this lovely review. Now I need to buy one. :)

[@Tamadehenzhan]

good

[@adventuredenali]

Thanks!