Pilot Custom 823 #15 FA Fountain Pen - Modern Flex Nib?

[@geslinam9703]

I have the 743 with an FA…though it was an “accidental” pen, I was sent the wrong one, had ordered a med-fine. I don’t think it’s an EF to F. I find it to be much softer and springier than regular #15 nibs, and after some use, it’s softened up even more. With light to normal pressure, it’s a little broader than the fine nib on my 823 - with more pressure, I get some flex and it’s closer to a medium, but not quite. So it is actually very similar, I think, to the medium fine I originally wanted. At this time, I just want it for regular writing, but I like that if I decide to experiment with calligraphy or whatever, I have that option. So getting the wrong pen turned out to be a happy accident for me, I love the FA. So glad I got it. And I think your ink here is definitely Fire and Ice.

[@coffeeguyd]

Wow... throwing some bello's on the hello jello's? What a special treat! ☺️

[@anniliu3876]

My favorite pen to write letters with! Looking forward to your modern flex comparison.

[@TylerEaves]

Really really like the 743 I just got with the #15 FA. I love the idea of the 823 in theory (I’ve got a TWSBI Vac700R), but a cartridge converter pen makes me feel a lot better about using interesting inks, since the ink can’t get anywhere that can’t be cleaned.

[@neilpiper9889]

I have a Custom 912 with the super flex fa nib. Con 70 converter. I paid £150 for mine 3 years ago. I use the blue-black ink from the same style of bottle that came with your pen. It has the clever ink miser function inside. I love the pen. I prefer flat top pens but the Con 70 converter can be awkward to clean.

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Superb review - Thanks for making me smile at the end too. :)

[@ichirofakename]

Gotta get me one of those FA nibs. Maybe in a 743.

[@Seefood73]

I got a custom 74 with an SF nib (crazy $90 sale on Ali Express) and it flexes almost as much as this. I wonder what I'm missing.

[@chrislj2890]

I have the Amber and Smoke versions, both with medium nibs. If I could find the Clear with an FA nib I'd jump on it, but they don't seem to be available here or on eBay.

[@williec6665]

Do you find the M nib writes well? I was thinking of buying one in F. I don’t own one yet.

[@chrislj2890]

@@williec6665 Oh yes, the medium is perfect, and that's why I bought my second one with the same nib. I ended up also getting a Custom 743 with the FA nib, and although it's a great writer the medium is what I would suggest for every day use. The only Pilot I have with a fine nib is the Justus, but that's adjustable so isn't comparable.

[@williec6665]

@@chrislj2890 after I read your comment, I ordered the smoke with M nib and a Lamy 2000 with F nib LOL.

[@chrislj2890]

@@williec6665 Ah, good move. I do have the Lamy 2000 with a fine nib and it's a great one too.

[@williec6665]

@@chrislj2890 I was really concerned about feedback and scratchiness, but I know they’re not as fine as Japanese fine.

[@jennieeveleighlamond]

Thank you so much, I have been eyeing these pens for ever so long. I really appreciate your beautiful review. Maybe for my birthday in November I will splurge, we shall see...

[@jonesr101]

You should try one of Flexible Nib Factory's ebonite feeds for #15 Pilot nibs... made a huge difference for mine.

[@gourmetpens]

Will order ASAP!

[@geslinam9703]

I plan on buying another 743, in that turquoise Verdigris color, and the seller has those feeds at xtra cost. Definitely thinking about getting one.

[@johnlopez3996]

What do you think would happen if Pilot decided to use ebonite feeds for the Custom 823? Thank you for the video and the amazing writing samples. Take care and stay safe.

[@korax67]

You can get an ebonite feed with 2 or 3 slits (wet & super wet) from flexible nib factory 🏭 llc and replace the plastic one. From what I've seen here on you tube, the users that have tried it say it is really worth it.

[@invisuu6280]

The only pen that rivals this pen that I have is Montblanc 149 calligraphy nib. I'm surprised about your score, because my 823 FA achieves exactly the same line variation as my 149 calligraphy, which you marked as amazing flex nib (or something along those lines; you were very enthusiastic about it), but this one is "just some character to writing". Thanks for the review!

[@gourmetpens]

it’s not that it isn’t amazing, it is more that because it is so fine a point without pressure, it is a little more delicate to retain that - sometimes people apply just a little too much pressure and the nib set up is no longer as fine. i didn’t mean it is not good for anything more than just character - it is absolutely usable as a daily writer. i was trying to convey that the cut outs make it softer, so it is more about how it feels to use it in terms of softness and variation. i hope that makes sense

[@invisuu6280]

@@gourmetpens thanks, I understand. My experience has actually been exact opposite; I find I have more control over the 823 FA precisely because it's not as soft as 149 calligraphy nib. It's all very subjective (until it isn't - anyone dares perform some measurements?), so I'm not trying to criticize you, please don't take it the wrong way.

[@zurdo6973]

Very cool! Although I finally decided to put that money in another vacuum fill... Visconti!

[@jaiminsonu]

You have beautiful handwriting

[@MrAndrew1953]

Love one of these but just can't get one of these pens with that nib in Australia - so frustrating.

[@deanrutter8729]

Hi Andrew, Larry post sell the pilot custom 823 FA nib in Australia, Ive just purchased a amber today, but pretty sure they still have a black

[@Femiforfun]

Here is a suggestion that no one else does that I think would make flex tests more objective. Incorporate a micro scale, calipers, and a protractor. Use the scale to measure the weight of your pressure, the calipers to measure the line variation at that set weight and the protractors to measure your writing angle. You can have a baseline pressure you apply where you know most pens should not be damaged and measure the line produced for each pen. That way, anyone else watching can know exactly how much flex the pen truly has instead of guessing. Too many people in the fountain pen community have no idea what the differences between flex, soft, flexible and wet noodle are and end up confusing others when they think they know what they’re talking about. Having these measurements would make it difficult for anyone to argue if they can replicate the exact tests you present. Just a thought for content creators in the fountain pen community.

[@MummyBrown]

Oh this is a great idea! Too many “flex” labeled pens aren’t flex at all, my Conklin Omniflex for example. I have a Pilot Falcon and I’m debating on this or the custom 912 FA nib. I might not do either if it’s in any way similar to my Pilot Falcon in bounciness. True Numbers might make for a good testing standard!

[@audiomanmik]

Hi, where did you get your 823 with the FA nib? I can't find it online.

[@gourmetpens]

It was from "Quill Pen Shop" in Japan

[@audiomanmik]

@@gourmetpens Thanks for info.... I gonna get me one now. Thanks for the review :)

[@xerxiusmaximus]

Always love your and Stephen’s content... BTW, which retailer is offer the 823 with the 15 size nib, please?

[@simarjeetsahni3472]

This one is from Tokyo Quill Shop

[@9W2MAI]

@@simarjeetsahni3472 Apparently Tokyo Quill is the only Pilot retailer that offers FA nibs for the 823, by arrangement with Pilot. I bought 2 of these from them - smokey brown and black. Destroyed the nib on the first and hot the second. I use it for my journal. Love using it, but you have to write slowly or else you run the risk of twisting the nib, as I did.

[@llanbull]

When did you order yours? I put a request last year but haven't heard anything at all.

[@gourmetpens]

Quite awhile back - 5 years?

[@dariodesansebastian]

Hi did you get an 823 with a FA nib? Nowadays you can only buy a 823 with f m or b nibs! This is my grail pen now!

[@chtitmog]

I got my 823 with FA nib from Tokyo Pen Shop Quill. Great service with very nice and very professional people. 😊

[@awaken77]

How did you get FA nib on 823?

[@gourmetpens]

I believe the company is able to order this set up. You can always do it yourself, too!

[@x-ballpointuser3686]

Might I ask how you come across this pen in particular? If you haven’t answered this question already.

[@gourmetpens]

tokyo quill shop!

[@x-ballpointuser3686]

@@gourmetpens Aww darn it! Only in Tokyo?

[@MrAndrew1953]

I like this pen as it’s a piston filler with a very good ink capacity. An FA nib would be the icing on the cake me. The bottle it comes with is another incentive to get this pen.

[@chrislj2890]

Actually it's a vacuum filler. 🙂

[@TeamFish15]

Are the feeds the same on that pen with regards to a regular nib and that FA? Could I switch out, or would I need whole new nib/feed units?

[@thuntz29]

Do you have other nibs for the 823? I was considering a SM or B at some point in the future

[@gourmetpens]

i have a B and I LOVE IT. so wet and smooth! such a delight!

[@pinkpandamiranda]

Did you buy this from tokyo quill shop online, or did you go to Japan? Haha

[@gourmetpens]

online! hehe i wish!

[@richardsims6016]

One of my all-time favorite fountain pens, Azizah! I have the amber 823 with a broad nib. What paper were you using? Thanks.

[@d.molina5644]

Hello Azizah, another great review, I always enjoy them cause you have the best hand writing of all pen reviewers. You call this pen soft and not flex, I don't really understand what's the difference. I'd love to see you quoting some poetry that would be sweet 😍

[@mauraserena4521]

Flex? Soft!

[@jamesbrown59]

Thanks for another great review! I would be very interested in knowing how the 823 fa Compares with the fountain pen Revolution Ultra Flex nibs.

[@thulegezelschap5884]

The Ultraflex feels ‘thinner’ like as if it is a thinner sheet metal so to say. The ultraflex is a bit ‘snappier’ while the pilot, to me feels more brush like The ultra flex is very good but the nib feels ‘cheaper’ while writing I have not tried the gold ultra flex yet as the pen finish (i hate the cheap clip and the threading is sloppy) does not warrent the money If they fix those things i will buy a gold one

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

I have one of th.... ok it's a Wing Sung, but looks identical :-) ink looks like syo ro

[@dashsunil]

It's a very good choice of ink, Mam. Thanks for not sharing the name though. 😒

[@gourmetpens]

lol i have a lot of pens inked and reink randomly. however i dug through my many notebooks to find the original inking and it’s Sailor Yama Dori!

[@dashsunil]

@@gourmetpens thank you. I will try to get this one. It's lovely indeed.

[@ChrisM-st1pw]

Some-beep-thing beeping in the backgro-beep-und, a bit distract-beep-ing.

[@moneypenny174]

Enough about boxes already! Geez!