Pilot custom 823

[davisgt]

I've been drawn recently to the pictures of the Pilot Custom 823, especially the translucent amber one (although the smoke is equally enticing). What is your opinion of this pen? There is something about the aesthetics of this pen that I find quite appealing.  Havana Brown would be the perfect ink for this pen in my opinion,  although I've heard that Waterman is discontinuing this ink color for some reason,  which saddens me. 

[OCArt]

Someone dubbed it "the writer's pen" and lives up to that name.  Very comfortable and balanced in the hand, good nibs and a tank of ink that lasts a *long* time.  You can't go wrong with it.

[Cjtamu]

Wonderful pen and vacuum fillers are just fun. I’ve yet to add one because I have a Custom 743 that uses the same size nib. Also a wonderful pen, cartridge converter rather than vacuum and a lot more nib options. I went with the 743 because I wanted a WA nib. The nibs are interchangeable between the pens so if there’s a nib available on the 743 that you like you might be able to find a shop to swap into the 823. It’s a fine pen and I’ll add one someday.

[CraigN]

Davisgt,

 

I agree that vacuum fillers are fun.  Also, I have considered buying a Pilot 823 fountain pen.  The reason that I have resisted is a that I own several Sheaffer Valiant fountain pens that  have vacuum fill systems.  I have brown, green, silver, and carmine striated finish of these pens and can say that they perform very well.  The body, section, and cap are all made of the same material and it is possible to see the ink level in the pens.  Depending on the model, you can find open or triumph nibs.  They all perform well.

 

Granted, these pens are not new, but when  properly rebuilt, they will perform well for years.  No only that, they cost less than a Pilot 823.  If you obtain one of these pens that are in need of a rebuild, I can recommend Gerry Berg, Ron Zorn, or Mike Kennedy to put the pen in good working order.

 

You can also go with the Sheaffer Triumph pens, although I don't care as much for the appearance of these pens.  Whether or not they perform well, they just don't look as nice.

 

Regards,

Craig

[mke]

On 8/29/2024 at 1:23 PM, davisgt said:

translucent amber one

 

Or try an Asvine V126 in that color (V=vacuum)? I heard that they are good.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005220119099.html

 

[davisgt]

CraigN

Yes, I have a Sheaffer Sovereign Snorkel and a Sheaffer Craftsman. They have lovely nibs without a doubt.  

[davisgt]

Cjtamu

I took a look at the Pilot Custom 743. Wow! So many interesting nibs. I've never seen a Waverley nib,  or a Falcon (FA) nib, or a Coarse nib, or a Posting nib, a double broad, or a soft nib in various sizes. I have a number of vintage Waterman nibs that are very flexible,  including an eyedropper with a wet noodle New York  nib that they'll have to pry out of my cold dead hands, but this type of variety is incredible.  

[davisgt]

OCArt

Well, you totally convinced me with the "the writer's pen" comment. I ordered the translucent Amber 823 with a medium nib. I checked,  and I still have an almost-full bottle of Waterman Havana Brown that is going to be dedicated to that pen. I also ordered a bottle of Iroshizuku Yama-Guri (wild chestnut) as an alternative.  I'll report back. 😁

[Cjtamu]

Congrats. It’s a fantastic pen, I believe you’ll be very happy.

[Christopher Godfrey]

@davisgt: I do hope you love your 823; but if you ever decide to go to a 743 in addition, then let me reassure you that the FA nib is a wonder.  I have often enough written among these pages that the performance of the falcon nib is almost in the same league as any of my vintage Watermans, Pelikans, Osmias, etc.  There is <one> modification that is needed, however, and that is the purchase of a (cheap enough) ebonite replacement feed from The Flexible Nib Factory (flexiblenib.com) since the feed that is supplied with the pen does not keep up with ink demand.

 

I love my 743/FA!

[Cjtamu]

20 hours ago, Christopher Godfrey said:

@davisgt: I do hope you love your 823; but if you ever decide to go to a 743 in addition, then let me reassure you that the FA nib is a wonder.  I have often enough written among these pages that the performance of the falcon nib is almost in the same league as any of my vintage Watermans, Pelikans, Osmias, etc.  There is <one> modification that is needed, however, and that is the purchase of a (cheap enough) ebonite replacement feed from The Flexible Nib Factory (flexiblenib.com) since the feed that is supplied with the pen does not keep up with ink demand.

 

I love my 743/FA!

Have heard this many times about the 742/912 but never the 743. Did you have issues?

[Christopher Godfrey]

I had issues prior to modification with tram-lining/railroading; but not afterwards.  The actual physical exchange of feeds took no more than two or maybe three minutes.  It is an easy fix and I love the pen now, which thoroughly frustrated me, previously.  I owe someone here on FPN an enormous debt of gratitude, for he suggested the mod. instead of my intended plan to sell the pen.

[davisgt]

Holy moly. I just inked my 823. I may be in love already.  The nib is so buttery smooth when I'm writing.  It fits so perfectly in my hand when posted. I'm using Waterman Havana Brown, which I was saving for just such an occasion since they've discontinued the color. Just wow. I may never un-ink this pen. ❤️