Pilot Custom 74 and 823 fountain pen comparison

[@HenryGonzalez]

I have the E95-S after decades of using cross fountain pens. I'm so glad I finally tried the Pilots. The 823 is one of my grail pens. I originally considered the Custom 74 as a "stepping stone" but thought, "If I'm going to drop that much cash on it, why not just get what I really want. Waiting for my birthday to treat myself to the 823.

[@victorr4844]

823 was my first gold nib. Definitely one of the best you can buy for the price. As far as a comparison I would choose the 823 because of the ink capacity. Great review 😃

[@junkerjorge3662]

Thanks. Been trying to decide between these two for a daily driver and there are surprisingly few direct comparisons out there.

[@jamesfahey7188]

Great review! I wish Pilot bought out the 823 in more colours. It would be cool if Pilot was like Sailor and released their pens in all kinds of crazy colours.

[@simonmichaeltanner]

know how you feel: Sailor's colours and Pilot's nibs would be a match made in heaven

[@FinleynChelsea]

@@simonmichaeltanner Yassss!

[@spencertitus5496]

Instablaster...

[@kayla8402]

If Pilot introduced a steel nibbed vac fill version with fun colors for ~$100, I suspect it'd sell phenomenally well.

[@lizcolton9936]

Thank you for sharing this! It was something I really wanted to see - the comparison between those two pens. I now know which one I will be purchasing.

[@yrknutzreek]

Out of curiosity, which one?

[@lizcolton9936]

@@yrknutzreek Originally, I was going to just purchase the Custom 74 but I also bought the 823 and love them both!

[@TheDanielbarboza]

It would be awesome to see as much of the pilot line up as you can show us. :)

[@avriltbdt]

Just adding info. while every pilot 74 comes with F and M nib (I'm not sure if there is an EF and B nib) the black one (not translucent) comes with even more nib option EF,F, SF, FM, SFM, M, FM, B, BB, Coarse and Music. The 823 comes in F, M and B. You can swap the nib with the 742 nib (FA, posting, weaverly) but it will avoid the warranty (and surely isn't cheap) p.s. keep up the good work, I really like your videos!

[@nsatoday]

In Japan you can get all 11 Nib options.

[@randy-9842]

Thanks, Kerry. I own both and like both, but I almost never use the Custom 74. The Custom 823 is almost always inked up. I can't explain it either, both are excellent pens but for some reason, I always "think" of the 74 as a tiny pen. When I do pull it out of storage, I'm always pleasantly surprised at it's size and performance. Nice to see you compare them head to head.

[@09198384558]

It would be a waste not to use it given it's price

[@jaylo1214]

I agree with you that pilot nibs are just incredible in terms of quality and value with one exception. For some reason I have always had trouble with the vanishing point’s writing experience.

[@geslinam9703]

Me too! I hate my damn Vanishing Point. I should have sent it back day one. Nothing but trouble.

[@joegrist1108]

Honestly, I just want you to know that you're so much easier to listen to than 90% of pen reviews. I don't have a ton of money to throw around on pens, but I really enjoy my 823 but I am nervous about carrying it wherever I go or to the office. I'm naturally a little clumsy. I've been looking at the Custom 74, 92 and even considering a Pelikan M600 or another 823 to stay at home. I appreciate the attention to detail but simultaneously not going on forever!

[@MrAndrew1953]

Definitely have a smoke coloured Pilot 823 medium nib on my collection list in the not too distant future. Mainly want it for the nib, the fact it’s a piston filler and the bottle that comes in the box.

[@wwbdwwbd]

My three 823s in all put down a true western medium line. With 823's being a western extra-fine, it's truly a stark jump to go from that to the . I wish Pilot made an in-between grade for those of us who want a western fine option.

[@generic_asian_]

There is it's called Medium-Fine but only available in Japan

[@wwbdwwbd]

@@generic_asian_ I believe MF is available in Japan on special order through Pilot authorized resellers - often physical pen shops- along with other specialty nib options such as and . Being far from Japan, I unfortunately do not have that option. I would be very happy to be mistaken, and if I am, please please please point me to an online seller that has the MF option. Thank you!

[@garyconway439]

Good to read here thank you - I was about to buy a 2nd 823 in because the is so thick. I think the 743 in may be the answer. I see there is a SOFT option too. I did just contact 2 Japanese sellers on Amazon about buying nibs alone from them.

[@Zeron18]

I owned both the 92 medium and 823 fine. There’s a few things I like from both. The 92 nib is considerably smoother (medium is always smoother than fine) and I never had and feed issues with using dry ink. The twist fill is easier to fill and less of a hassle. However, I could only get a half day’s worth of note taking until I need to refill it. Therefore, I have to carry around the ink bottle. The 823 has feed issues when using dry ink. It takes me a few shaking to push the ink out. The nib isn’t as smooth with the same ink but that changed when I swapped the ink to Mont Blanc vs pelikan 4001. Lastly, the piston fill mechanism is a pain but the ink itself can last me the whole day and then some. A mighty shame my work doesn’t use fountain pen friendly labels where I can enjoy the pens anymore. Now they’re just for my journaling and workout planning.

[@debm9322]

Thanks for this. Nothing else comes to mind for comparison but sure would like to see your Pilot Collection! I am working on that and Kaweco. Have a great week!

[@harryvandevorst1812]

Thank you for this presentation. If I had to choose I would go for the 74, because this fountainpen seems to be slimmer than the 823. But that is a personal touch I guess. Pilot has quality fountainpen, but I haven't these in my personal collection yet. Perhaps has this to change soon now! Thanks again.

[@boshkodjordjevich7424]

I've probably watched this video five or six times. Great explanation. Drooling over the beauty of the KWZ ink - and am curious as to where you found it. KWZ is a bit harder to find in Toronto. Can I ask you to do a side-by-side comparison of the various Pilot pens? We've got the 74, the 91, the 92, the 823, and the 912. I'm sure there are more - but I'm very confused.

[@Sunshine-nx5tc]

Thanks! Still can’t decide between custom 743 VS. 823 :/ anyways so happy to see and hear your channel.

[@edwardwiper1323]

Would like to see Pilot video's.Cannot make my mind up between 743 or 912.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Both are excellent pens, especially the 74 with a con 70 converter. Price point is not to dismissed lightly. The 74 is an excellent entry level gold nib pen. The 823 has a great medium nib and holds a very good volume of ink. In Australia 🇦🇺 the 912 is the pen you have to go for to get the FA nib and some of the other special order Pilot nibs.

[@kayak63red34]

Real person's excellent comparison. I have 74s and can't see why the 823 has any oomph in comparison.

[@myrnabarragan2467]

I like the pen🐋has the ocean element with silver and gold in harmony .......and writes nice too! Love pens, can't get enough, hopefully i will receive obtain another! Pilot 74 lovely pen.

[@roxelbr]

The stating was enough to suscribe!, 😂😂😂😂😂 I wonder were I can get that notebook? 😅😅😅😊😊😊

[@sylviarienzo6955]

I’ve only owned Sailor pens, though I keep hearing about Pilot pens. I wonder if I’d like a Pilot. Do you own a Sailor or two? Have you thought about comparing Sailor and Pilot?

[@valeriegriffith5409]

I'm thinking about investing in 2 Custom 74s. I'm not a calligrapher, I write poetry, prose and non-fiction. I would love to be able to afford Custom 823. I'm willing to go with the 74. My question pen use to be Montblanc Mst. 146. Now it's acquiring the 823s.

[@hectorrosario8447]

Thanks for the review

[@yak750i]

Will eagerly wait for fine vs medium. BTW I am looking to buy custom 74. Needto know how is fine medium compared to fine and medium? Somewhere in between?

[@March22012]

My Pilot 78G with an extra fine nib is one of my favourite pens.

[@Jbandes]

I love my pilot 823 and my pilot 845. Both of them have the smoothest nib I have ever purchased on any pen so far. I think I definitely need to get a 74 to add to my collection. One thing that was disappointing on my 823 was that I filled it with brown Mont Blanc Montblanc Purdey Single Malt ink and it slipped. I them filled it with Pilot Blue ink and it was fine. So strange. May try again but as you know that ink is 80 bucks a bottle. I just cleaned my 823 with pen flush and refilled with the Montblanc Single Malt and now it writes fine. I guess it just needed a good cleaning. I love how the pilot pens feel when you use them.

[@Cortesevasive]

so how the 823 vs 845 compares ? can you feel the 14k vs 18k ? , is it worth to get both in same nib ?

[@Jbandes]

@@Cortesevasive they both write smooth as glass. Of course the 845 is red and has the urishi coating so it's super fancy. You would be happy with either of them

[@Cortesevasive]

@@Jbandes i have the 845 black, so its not red xD,

[@archivist17]

Nice comparison. I'd find it hard to make this choice!

[@amritasengupta8645]

Hi, thanks for all the great reviews, it helps immensely! Did you do the comparison of 823, fine versus medium nib? That would help a lot, as dont find a good comparison like you have for Lamy 2000 fine vs medium

[@impish22]

I am considering buying the 823.. but it's still a bit pricey.. but looks beautiful

[@1995tirthankarbala1]

Can we use 74 as eye dropper?

[@greenerick]

Great video thanks but does this pen 🖊 dry out

[@PensandTea]

No Pilot has in my experience but it’s possible if you leave it untouched long enough I suppose lol

[@gofusmoholl3462]

I like your video it’s a shame nobody knows how to write cursive

[@SuryaFriends]

Waiting for comparison 🔥

[@thomaskuhn6541]

Med vs. Med in the two pens probably would have been a more useful comparison.

[@ilananl1004]

Yes, was hoping to see the 2 medium nibs too

[@dustinthatcher5972]

Love the pilots!!!

[@x-ballpointuser3686]

All the pilots a must do

[@anitasamuel-george5788]

I have been looking for a comparison of these 2 pens. Thank you! I am curious if the feeling of writing with the pens differ? Like between your Custom 74 (M) compared to the 823 (M). I don't like the feeling when I write with the Custom 74 fine or medium nibs and have since modified the nibs. Now I love them. I am looking at the 823 but unsure if it will just feel the same as the 74 and to skip it!

[@PensandTea]

The 74 feels a bit softer to me but they’re close

[@anitasamuel-george5788]

@@PensandTea Thanks! Good to know. It's the softness that I don't like...LOL. I think I prefer the hardness of a Sailor or Platinum 3776...and love Pilot steel nibs. Perhaps the 823...will be more to my liking! Thanks again! 😊

[@randomstuff625]

Really helpful 😸

[@iamTkzs]

Now I have a falcon and an 823 to play with 😂

[@trlan55]

I'm new to you channel and would like to know if you have done any reviews on Sailor Pro Gears or 1911's?

[@PensandTea]

I have done many! There’s a search icon on my channel

[@danlevene5478]

Have a 74 which is great. It’s maroon and I b b b ought it second Hand. Sorry, allergic to thee Metrooplain, that step down is link chalk squeezing on a blackboard. I have a fine prera which I do like, but it’s not as consistent as I would like it to be.

[@yak750i]

Vanishing point??

[@deryjacket]

74's nib and feed removable like 823? ( for cleaning)

[@PensandTea]

Yes, they’re friction fit

[@nickelazoyellow7360]

When you're getting to the end of the 823 ink fill, maybe 1/2" left, does it spurt ink out when you use it? Thank you.

[@PensandTea]

Never happened to me so far!

[@generic_asian_]

I've been looking for a Pilot Custom 823 for so long but it's way more expensive in the UK.

[@laitae]

Which shops in the UK sell it? I did a lot of research and I thought it wasn't available here at all.

[@generic_asian_]

@@laitae it isn't really, Big Pen is the shop I'm planning on buying from which is in Sweden but it's the cheapest I have found

[@cedricqi6092]

Good stuff.

[@tezzcan1]

A Pilot video would be great. I would love to see a video on the different sizes of Pelikan M series, or if anyone can point me to a video, thank you.

[@ricardoelnouwar8264]

would have been smarter to compare both models in medium nib ...

[@TheDanielbarboza]

How do you grease the 823?

[@florencefortyseven]

It can be taken apart with (believe it or not) the TWSBI wrench.

[@Addwrite]

I'm not being critical, but I can't understand how anyone who claims to love fountain pens could sell some of their collection. For myself, I have 26 fp's - one, a Platinum 3776 hasn't been inked up for nearly three years! This said, I could never bring myself to sell any of them.

[@Cortesevasive]

well 3776 is a good fountain pen and it stands well on its own with its unique nibs. I assume eventually you will ink it up. While there maybe other fountain pens which are just scaled down versions or just literally same fountain pen just different design and it just wastes your space and freezes a good amount of money

[@carlgreene538]

Kerry I'm so jealous you have all this money to spend on expensive pens.

[@keenwhale2013]

Why does everyone go with the same lame quote

[@moeharri]

It's one of the shortest sentences that contains all of the letters of the English alphabet.