Pilot Custom Ichii (Japanese Yew)

[Pen2009]

As I like a Custom 845's balance and its total package, I purchased a Custom Ichii (Taxus) with an F nib. My 845 is with an M nib.

 

The pen came with a dear skin pen case. This is a nice case and I will keep it unused for now. The package was sealed and the pen itself was also sealed in a bag, as any new pen should be. When a Pilot (Sailor or Platinum) is delivered without being sealed, that pen is opened by someone (or possibly returned to a manufacturer and resold to a retailer as an open box new pen (in that case, I don't consider it to be new).

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4452_zpscb85577c.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4455_zps9aede602.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4458_zps8913bc1e.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4479_zpsd67a8f2d.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4480_zps1a9ebcdc.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4476_zps379638c4.jpg

 

The Pen:

The pen is a 845 size and it feels a little heavier than my 845, which is understandable (ebonite is lighter than dense wood). Similar to the 845, the Ichii is very well balanced unposted. I never post pens, except for a very small pen such as a M90. The wood is very smooth and I am pleased with the grains on this pen.

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4460_zps9caae995.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4461_zps2b9f9d67.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4462_zps8242a3a9.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4464_zpsd5acccf1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4465_zpsc473064c.jpg

 

The nib:

This is F. The line width is very similar to the 823's F. The dip test showed the nib performs as a true F nib should be, without being scratchy.

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4468_zps7b30ed20.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4469_zps28cc9727.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4470_zps06facc01.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4471_zpsbe639fc7.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4473_zps780702e5.jpg

 

The filling system:

The pen comes with a Con-70. This is a regular Con-70, not the urushi coated one you find in a 845.

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4477_zps40c8c40d.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4478_zpsf82f125b.jpg

 

The comparisons:

The Ichii with a 845, a mb 149, a Kaede, a 92, a 732 and a 823. As you can see, the size of the pen is just perfect as a full size pen.

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4481_zps3678dc6f.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4482_zpsecb27f77.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4483_zpseba97b68.jpg

 

Some writing samples:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4484_zps3a8d54f3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4485_zps9024107d.jpg

Edited March 30, 2013 by Pen2009

[jandrese]

Very, very nice. Thanks for sharing. It has a very appealing size. Now, where do I get one?

[kazoolaw]

Well-done review of a very nice pen.

 

Does the wood have a sealant, to protect from ink absorption?

 

gary

[Pen2009]

Well-done review of a very nice pen.

 

Does the wood have a sealant, to protect from ink absorption?

 

gary

Pilot says the wood is not protected with solvents, unlike the Kaede whose wood is treated without ruining the feel of the wood. The wood is pressure-treated, I believe, for the purpose of durability. So, there is a natural feel to the wood surface.

Edited March 30, 2013 by Pen2009

[hari317]

Thanks for the review. I was seriously considering the Ichii and had even participated in a few auctions, but I think I will give it a miss now purely based on the looks. I did not like its looks in the real life pics posted by you. IMO the Grains feel too close apart, perhaps as a result of the steam compression? I hope instead that Pilot make available the red urushi variant of the 845 to public outside of Japan as well(I that it was a Japanese shop LE).

 

Thanks!

Hari