Does a Pilot Custom 845 or Urushi write better than an 823?

[PeregrineFalcon]

I’m looking for an excellent workhorse pen for heavy writing that just works, no flow issues, right of the box. I already have a Pilot Custom 823 with a Fine nib (which is good), but I want to write just a smidge thicker. Also, I really want a flat top cap design, and I found out about the Pilot Custom 845 and Pilot Custom Urushi. 
 

From what I can tell, the 845 has the same #15 size nib as the 823 - will it write “better” as in smoother, with no feedback? Or is it exactly the same as a the 823? I want the nib to just glide across the paper like it’s glass. I was thinking about a Medium nib, but it might be too wide for me. 
 

Alternatively, the Pilot Custom Urushi looks great, and has a #30 nib, and is available in Fine Medium. It is a bit beyond my initial budget, but if it’s exactly what I’m looking for, I’m willing to take the plunge. Anyone know if the grip section has Urushi lacquer?

 

Finally, I was looking at the Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with a Fine Medium nib, but it looks thinner than the 823, and don’t want to get a pen thinner than that. And I’m unsure if the nib quality is consistent in the less expensive (but not cheap) pens. 

[nibtip]

the 823 has a monochrom  14k nib. The one of the 845 is a 18k dichromatic one. I would dare say they both write the same. Maybe, maybe the 18k is slightly better tuned to justify the price, but that is a conjecture. Mine have medium nibs.

 

[TitoThePencilPimp]

4 hours ago, PeregrineFalcon said:

I’m looking for an excellent workhorse pen for heavy writing that just works, no flow issues, right of the box. I already have a Pilot Custom 823 with a Fine nib (which is good), but I want to write just a smidge thicker. Also, I really want a flat top cap design, and I found out about the Pilot Custom 845 and Pilot Custom Urushi. 
 

From what I can tell, the 845 has the same #15 size nib as the 823 - will it write “better” as in smoother, with no feedback? Or is it exactly the same as a the 823? I want the nib to just glide across the paper like it’s glass. I was thinking about a Medium nib, but it might be too wide for me. 
 

Alternatively, the Pilot Custom Urushi looks great, and has a #30 nib, and is available in Fine Medium. It is a bit beyond my initial budget, but if it’s exactly what I’m looking for, I’m willing to take the plunge. Anyone know if the grip section has Urushi lacquer?

 

Finally, I was looking at the Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with a Fine Medium nib, but it looks thinner than the 823, and don’t want to get a pen thinner than that. And I’m unsure if the nib quality is consistent in the less expensive (but not cheap) pens. 

pretty much the same. the Urushi is a bit bouncier. If you want a smooth thicker line. Consider getting a WA nib on a 743/823(Tokyo Quill). Or if you are really stuck on getting a flattop, then the 912 with WA.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

1 hour ago, nibtip said:

the 823 has a monochrom  14k nib. The one of the 845 is a 18k dichromatic one. I would dare say they both write the same. Maybe, maybe the 18k is slightly better tuned to justify the price, but that is a conjecture. Mine have medium nibs.

 

the nib on the 845 a bit bouncier, but not by much.

[Frank C]

The Custom 823 is one of my daily carry pens. I have a Custom 845 on my desk for home use. I find the nibs to be identical in use. If you want something smoother or slightly wider, you should order one from a nib tuner. 

[MuddyWaters]

The 912 is not that much thinner than the 823 if at all, is cheaper, flat top and not top heavy due to not having a vacuum mechanism. It's also available in FM. Don't pass it over imo. 

[TitoThePencilPimp]

If you do decide to get 845/custum Urushi. Purchase directly from Japan, much cheaper. A few hundred dollars cheaper.

I think I payed $620? for my Custom Urushi Vermilion. Which is cheaper than buying a 845 from US sellers.

Forgot how much my first 845 cost me, but it was close to $380.

 

Oh, and neither sections are Urushi. You have to move up to the Yukari line for that.

[nibtip]

My red 845 cost me about 400$ all included direct from Japan.

 

Right now it is possible to get one for a tad under 300 + 20-30 for shipping.

[gerigo]

If you want something that's a smidge thicker, you might want to consider a 743 FM. The medium might be a little thick.

The 845 is considered a flagship pen where you're paying as much for the fancy urushi body as you are for the 18k bi-color nib.

The Pilot 743 is a true workhorse with a bog standard utilitarian plastic body but with 15 different nib options.

[mirko]

I found that my 823 (I have all 3 colours) are more particular about inks. I have not noticed that so much with my 845.

Perhaps simply coincidences as nibs and feed are identical in shape and design.

 

Other than that: both types of pen are amazing writers! And of course, as a Japanese Medium, they are more MF in Western context.

 

To me, the addition of the red Urushi 845 certainly added something to my collection.

[PeregrineFalcon]

Thanks for the input everyone

 

15 hours ago, nibtip said:

Right now it is possible to get one for a tad under 300 + 20-30 for shipping.

 

Just curious, where can I find the 845 for $300? The cheapest I’ve seen was from third-party vendors on Amazon for $375-$400. 

[nibtip]

Not amazon. Rakuten through a Japanese forwarder like fromjapan.

If you are really interested I can show you how to purchase.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

1 hour ago, nibtip said:

Not amazon. Rakuten through a Japanese forwarder like fromjapan.

If you are really interested I can show you how to purchase.

can you also show me?

[PeregrineFalcon]

4 hours ago, nibtip said:

Not amazon. Rakuten through a Japanese forwarder like fromjapan.

If you are really interested I can show you how to purchase.

This place?

 

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/rakuten/search/Pilot+845/-/lgk-rakt_search

 

Sure, please share how it’s done   I’m a bit nervous with using a proxy site, especially with so much Japanese text. 

[manolo]

I am also interested in this way of buying from Japan. I have managed to prepare an order, but,

Can you confirm it is realiable? How does it deal with customs?

Price is waaaay cheaper than the usual price I find.

[XYZZY]

I bought my Custom Urushi with FM nib from Japan a couple years ago when Rakuten supported directly shipping to the US.  I think it was ~$640, whereas prices at US retailers was ~$1200.  In hindsight, I should have bought two, but at the time I had no idea how much I would like it.

 

The nib is very bouncy (I wouldn't call it flex), with a touch of feedback, as is typical of Pilot.  It is my favorite nib.  And larger than what you'll get in small pens like a King of Pen or 149 😜  It is a shame that this pen does not get more love on FPN, but perhaps that is because the US (and EU?) prices are noticeably above the basic models of the King of Pen or 149?

 

The Custom Urushi has a much girthier section.  If you have tried something that large and know you like it then it's a phenomenal pen.  If you have not then the girth could be a problem.

 

I don't have an 845.  I can only imagine, though, that the nib will be similar to those of your 815.  But the #30 will be a whole different thing.  The only similarity is that the feedback will feel like Pilot.

I have not used FromJapan, but I have used Japan Rabbit (formerly White Rabbit).  No issues and great communication.  The one thing that White Rabbit did not do was support for taking a photo of the product before shipping it to me so that I could verify things.  But they offered to do that for 500JPY, or under $5, which I was happy with.  I recall reading that other services would include that for free.  Oh, the White Rabbit shipping estimator produced pretty accurate guesses for DHL, but would not guess at FedEx.  Once they had the product ready to ship it turned out that FedEx shipping was much cheaper.  That was a happy surprise, but it would have been appreciated if that was an option in the estimator tool.  That's just a software issue, though, and something that they may have fixed by now.  TLDR: I would not hesitate to use them again, but have no experience with others in order to say they are better.  

[nibtip]

Of course it is cheaper, way cheaper.

 

It is the  endless dilemma between supporting your local B and M (mine or whatever is is left of them are arrogant and rude) or fat importers, or to optimise your own interest. 

As for pens, i put my own selfish advantage ahead everything else with the exception of the kindness and elegance of few seller, although.

That is another subject. For next time maybe.

 

So let's start:

First register on: https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/

 

Then input pilot 845 in the search field:

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/item/search/pilot+845/Al_11_Yh_RaSuBpOmRm_N_N_0A00ja00_N/lgk-link_top_search

For most requests the results are from Rakuten or Yahoo.jp. The latter is slightly cheaper, the former offers 7-10% off every Tuesday to Thursday. Right now 10%

 

Reed carefully, refine your search. Filter (left column) within a realistic price range. that will filter some awkward results. You won't get an 845 for 10 or even a 100 bucks ever. Then sort by increasing price. 

Beware, search engines and translation in Japan are disconcerting, whimsical.

 

Direct search on Rakuten may give you more results. You may use Safari translation on Mac. It makes things much easier.

(Back then the search used to be laborious and painful). you may even use Japanese characters or kanji or not.

https://www.rakuten.co.jp! 

https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/pilot+845/

sort by increasing price after filtering price range:

https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/pilot+845/215783/?min=36000&s=11

 

Copy and enter this url in the search field of FromJapan:

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/special/order/confirm/https%3A%2F%2Fitem.rakuten.co.jp%2Fsolo-di-lei%2Fpilot-fkv-5mr-r%2F/N_1/lgk-link_top_search_url_sp

Order option: choose English, French, Spanish. It will translate the options from Japanese.

Final price 266€ including the 10% discount. 

Choose your nib size. The rest is of no interest (wrapping and those sort of things!).

 

Then follow instruction, paypal, etc..

Proceed to checkout. pay the amount of your purchase + 3€ commission. Get confirmation of your order and then wait a few days. 

They'll will eventually come back to you when items arrive at their warehouse and ask you to choose between shipping methods.

 

(You then have the possibility to modify the  declared purchase price that will be presented to your country custom). Ahem! I do personally not recommend you to do so, even though it can so easily be done. The purchase price is already so low, isn't it?

And that is morally sooo Bad.

 

Be smart and alert read everything carefully the first time you order.

 

300€ or $ or chf for a red urushi Pilot 845 shipping included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PeregrineFalcon]

46 minutes ago, nibtip said:

Of course it is cheaper, way cheaper.

 

It is the  endless dilemma between supporting your local B and M (mine or whatever is is left of them are arrogant and rude) or fat importers, or to optimise your own interest. 

As for pens, i put my own selfish advantage ahead everything else with the exception of the kindness and elegance of few seller, although.

That is another subject. For next time maybe.

 

So let's start:

First register on: https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/

 

Then input pilot 845 in the search field:

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/item/search/pilot+845/Al_11_Yh_RaSuBpOmRm_N_N_0A00ja00_N/lgk-link_top_search

For most requests the results are from Rakuten or Yahoo.jp. The latter is slightly cheaper, the former offers 7-10% off every Tuesday to Thursday. Right now 10%

 

Reed carefully, refine your search. Filter (left column) within a realistic price range. that will filter some awkward results. You won't get an 845 for 10 or even a 100 bucks ever. Then sort by increasing price. 

Beware, search engines and translation in Japan are disconcerting, whimsical.

 

Direct search on Rakuten may give you more results. You may use Safari translation on Mac. It makes things much easier.

(Back then the search used to be laborious and painful). you may even use Japanese characters or kanji or not.

https://www.rakuten.co.jp! 

https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/pilot+845/

sort by increasing price after filtering price range:

https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/pilot+845/215783/?min=36000&s=11

 

Copy and enter this url in the search field of FromJapan:

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/special/order/confirm/https%3A%2F%2Fitem.rakuten.co.jp%2Fsolo-di-lei%2Fpilot-fkv-5mr-r%2F/N_1/lgk-link_top_search_url_sp

Order option: choose English, French, Spanish. It will translate the options from Japanese.

Final price 266€ including the 10% discount. 

Choose your nib size. The rest is of no interest (wrapping and those sort of things!).

 

Then follow instruction, paypal, etc..

Proceed to checkout. pay the amount of your purchase + 3€ commission. Get confirmation of your order and then wait a few days. 

They'll will eventually come back to you when items arrive at their warehouse and ask you to choose between shipping methods.

 

(You then have the possibility to modify the  declared purchase price that will be presented to your country custom). Ahem! I do personally not recommend you to do so, even though it can so easily be done. The purchase price is already so low, isn't it?

And that is morally sooo Bad.

 

Be smart and alert read everything carefully the first time you order.

 

300€ or $ or chf for a red urushi Pilot 845 shipping included.

 

 

Thanks for the in-depth instructions! LOTS of places to pick from. I don’t have a computer (that works well) so I had to download an translation app for Safari from the iPhone App Store, but it works well enough. 
 

Is one store more reliable or preferable to another (ex yahoo.jp vs rakuten), or do you just go with what’s cheapest? I dimly remember ordering from surugaya 10-15 years ago. 
 

And ever have an order that went awry? If so, what’s the resolution?

 

@XYZZY Thanks for the info! Good to have an alternative proxy as well. 

Edited November 9, 2022 by PeregrineFalcon

[nibtip]

perso no complaint at all. First class Japanese service.  

[PeregrineFalcon]

On 11/9/2022 at 3:16 PM, nibtip said:

perso no complaint at all. First class Japanese service.  

The 845 I ordered at From Japan came in, no problems with the service, and it arrived fast (I used FedEx Priority International). So if anyone had any doubts, they’re perfectly safe, United States anyway. I don’t know what kind of custom charges other countries may get hit by. 
 

Unfortunately, I ordered a medium nib for the 845…and it’s too thick for me as a workhorse pen. I’ll need to pick up a “Fine Medium” nib…probably the 912. The Pilot Custom Urushi has a FM nib but the grip is probably too big for me.