Pelikan M805 Demonstrator Extra Fine Nib Vs Pilot 823 Fa Nib - Which One To Get?

[Downcelot]

As title suggested, what would you buy? and why? Pelikan m805 Demonstrator Extra fine Nib vs Pilot 823 FA nib. Buying both is not an option. I purchased two pricey pens this month, this will be my 3rd then I'll be on a budget again.

 

For me right now, Pelikan: quality piston, nice clear demonstrator, parejo shape but section metal banding rusts easily, this will be inked and daily use. Pilot 823 FA: awesome nib, no rust, all metals are titanium but cigar shape is not desired (I have too many cigar shape pens)

Edited February 26, 2016 by Downcelot

[FOUR X FOUR]

That's a tough question but I have both and I'd have to give the edge to the 823

[Lam1]

I have both pens, although my 823 is a F nib (not FA). Despite the pilot being a nice pen and cheaper than the Pelikan, I would go for the Pelikan without any hesitation. My reasons are as follows.

 

In terms of writing experience the 823 F and a M805 EF are very similar, including line width, but I would give an edge to the Pelikan (of course, that is a matter of personal preference). In any case, the nib you are considering for the 823 is very different and I can't comment on it.

 

The construction of the 823 is good, although I have heard of the section cracking. In my opinion the construction quality of the M805 is far superior, it feels more solid and simply a better pen.

 

There are two things about the 823 that really bother me and because of them I tend to use it very little. First, the fact that you have to unscrew the blind cap for the pen to work. Besides the fact that it is aesthetically unpleasant, I tend to forget and only realize that I forgot when the pen runs out of ink. It just drives me nuts. Second, it is basically impossible to clean the pen (without disassembling it): you can try as many times as you want and the water may be coming out clean, but put it in storage and when you reach for it again it will have a reasonable amount of ink inside. Since I don't want to mix inks when I'm filling it, I only use the 823 with one dedicated ink.

 

Another advantage of the M805 is the exchangeable nib (and this makes cleaning extremely easy). The only thing that I don't like about the M805 is the section ring, as you mentioned. However, since the nib can be easily unscrewed you can always fill it as an eyedropper of sorts, avoiding contact between the ring and the ink.

 

Finally, I'm am not too fond of cigar shaped pens, since the flat tops feel better in my hands.

 

In any case, they are both good pens. Good luck with your choice.

[Downcelot]

Thank you for the inputs, your feedback speaks volume!

 

To Lam1:

The Pilot: if you have Twisbi wrench, unscrew it and remove the rubber at the end of the rod that is close to the feed section, you will not have to unscrew the back knob every time you write - This is exactly why I loath my Vis... ehem. Let's remain cool, I can not do that with a similar pen from another manufacture.

 

Pelikan: quality is great, it feels special in the hand and that is a big +. I only hate that metal band, it rusts !

[Lam1]

Thank you for the inputs, your feedback speaks volume!

 

To Lam1:

The Pilot: if you have Twisbi wrench, unscrew it and remove the rubber at the end of the rod that is close to the feed section, you will not have to unscrew the back knob every time you write - This is exactly why I loath my Vis... ehem. Let's remain cool, I can not do that with a similar pen from another manufacture.

 

Pelikan: quality is great, it feels special in the hand and that is a big +. I only hate that metal band, it rusts !

Yeah, I know about the rubber. I might get a twsbi wrench one of these days to do that, but you know... Too many pens in the wish list to waste money in anything else

 

Don't take me wrong, the 823 is a great pen, but at the price point of those pens we always want perfect (but we never get it ).

If you want the FA nib and don't mind cartridges, you might consider the Custom 845 from the "Tokyo pen shop quill". I have the black one and it is, in my opinion, a fantastic pen (I didn't buy from them, but I hear good things about this shop). Besides this particular vendor has a vermillion one that is gorgeous (they are the only ones I know that put an FA nib on the 845).

[mk2579]

The blind cap of the M805 demonstrator bothers me. It should be silver like in the M1005 demo version, or even the TWSBI 580 AL. Other than that its a really nice pen.

 

I love the Pilot Custom 823 but agree, it's annoying to flush out and having to keep the blind cap out can be annoying as well. However the torpedo shape is very smooth and it feels very substantial. I like the pen a lot.

 

However, I had an 823 with the flex nib which I think is the FA, and it had real problems with railroading. Something to consider.

[Parth P]

I would go with the Pelikan. I have great experience with them and believe that you will find the M805 more preferable.

[Lam1]

The blind cap of the M805 demonstrator bothers me. It should be silver like in the M1005 demo version, or even the TWSBI 580 AL. Other than that its a really nice pen.

 

I love the Pilot Custom 823 but agree, it's annoying to flush out and having to keep the blind cap out can be annoying as well. However the torpedo shape is very smooth and it feels very substantial. I like the pen a lot.

 

However, I had an 823 with the flex nib which I think is the FA, and it had real problems with railroading. Something to consider.

 

Apparently it doesn't bother too much, right? I saw that picture of two of them elsewhere ...

But you can't do that! I was pretty happy with my demo M805, then I saw your post and went looking at the pics of the M1005 demo and now I can't

stop thinking about it . But since I'm trying to reduce the money spent in pens, and I had my mind set on only 3 more this year, including a Nakaya and the green M1000, now that means no Nakaya nor green M1000 . Not fair!

[Pensei]

The Pelikan costs at least double the 823, doesn't it? It's not really an equal comparison. I think the 823 is a very nice pen for what it costs. I would not be surprised if the Pelikan is in some senses "better," if money is no object. On the other hand, I think the 823 writes as nicely as any pen I have ever used.

[Lam1]

The Pelikan costs at least double the 823, doesn't it? It's not really an equal comparison. I think the 823 is a very nice pen for what it costs. I would not be surprised if the Pelikan is in some senses "better," if money is no object. On the other hand, I think the 823 writes as nicely as any pen I have ever used.

Not quite, the clear M805 can be had from Europe for about $390, while the 823 with FA nib is about $270 from Japan. While it is a significant difference and I agree that the 823 is a very nice pen, I think the Pelikan is worth the difference (but, of course, that is a matter of opinion). Another thing to consider is that the Pelikan is a special (hence limited) edition, and it is already becoming difficult to find, while the 823 will be around for the foreseeable future. If the OP does not like the M805 demo but treats it well, it is not unlikely that he/she would be able to recoup most of the money back in case he/she decides to sell it in a couple of years.

[J_MM]

I have a m800 M and 823 M and greatly prefer the 823. I generally leave the blind cap unscrewed for weeks with no issue. The ink capacity is great for an everyday writer.

[Drone]

IMO the Pelikan M805 doesn't compare to the Pilot CH823 in this discussion. I have both pens and would choose the CH823 any day over the M805.

Now here's the rub...

The Pilot Custom Heritage (CH) 823 is not normally available stock over the counter with the Pilot #15 size FA nib. The #15 size FA nib is normally available only in the CH743 model. (The smaller #10 size FA nib comes normally only in the CH742 and CH912 models, both of which are smaller than the CH823 or CH743.)

 

The CH743 is essentially the same size and shape as the CH823, but it is a cartridge/converter (e.g., CON70) filler, not a vacuum filler like the CH823. Although Pilot (inexplicably) refuses the put the #15 FA nib in the CH823 as a normal product, the FA nib in the CH743 will drop right in to the CH823 just fine.

However, there is one place I know of in Japan where you can actually buy a CH823 pen with a factory installed #15 FA nib; Tokyo Pen Shop Quill. But it is sometimes a special order, which may take some time to get. Plus you will pay a premium for the privilege of being able to buy CH823 with a factory installed FA nib. (If anyone knows of anyone else selling CH823's with FA nibs, please chime in.) Here's a link:

http://www.japanshop-quill.com/pilot-custom823.htm

As of today (10 March 2016) Quill charges JPY 30,000 for the CH823 with the FA nib, that's about $265 USD plus shipping. In comparison, if you purchase a CH823 with an F, M, or B nib from a Japanese seller directly, expect to pay around $210 USD plus shipping; $65 less than the identical pen with the FA nib from Quill. Tracked EMS shipping from Japan to anywhere should run you about $10-$15 USD and take from a few days to around ten days to arrive in your country (the time does not include customs clearance).

Unless there is some reason compelling you to buy a vacuum filler, I would recommend you buy the CH743 cartridge/converter filler instead of the CH823. The CH823 vacuum filler is a fiddly mechanism that is prone to breaking, is complicated and time consuming to clean, and requires loosening the filler knob to write with for any extended period of time (unless you modify the pen, which breaks its ability to seal). The only thing I can see that the CH823 has going for it (other than being a conversation piece) is that it will seal, which makes flying with the pen a sure thing.

I own both the CH823 and the CH743; if I had to choose between them it would be the CH743 hands-down (not considering the FA nib).

As of today, direct from Japan a CH743 with an FA nib will run you about $210; same as the CH823 with an F, M. or B nib.

[Bill]

Pelikan...metal banding rusts easily, this will be inked and daily use.

 

Is this something that happens to your pens? I would be interested to know why. Are you near the ocean?

 

I use Pelikans with those rings daily. An older M800 and M1000 have been inked continuously for several years. I was using a daily carry M800 demo a few minutes ago and see no sign of rust. Neither have I seen any on the others currently inked (M1000 demo, three other M800's) nor on the Pels stored in the pen chest the last I looked. The biggest problem I've had is some tarnish on the cap of a silver M625.

 

Should I be worried?

[masterguns]

 

Is this something that happens to your pens? I would be interested to know why. Are you near the ocean?

 

I use Pelikans with those rings daily. An older M800 and M1000 have been inked continuously for several years. I was using a daily carry M800 demo a few minutes ago and see no sign of rust. Neither have I seen any on the others currently inked (M1000 demo, three other M800's) nor on the Pels stored in the pen chest the last I looked. The biggest problem I've had is some tarnish on the cap of a silver M625.

 

Should I be worried?

 

I wonder if issues with the section ring could be from continual usage of IG inks? Just a thought.