I just want to thank you for all the videos you did on this fountain pen. They have helped me a lot regarding the buying decision since I had no opportunity to try it out before purchase.
I have my 823 for about 3 years as well. And I have to agree that the silicon grease do get wash away easily compare to normal piston fill pen. I do a rough flush and clean between every refill and pretty much have to regrease the pen every 3 months by disassembling the whole filling rod out of the pen. Good thing is I know how these thing works, and after more than a dozen disassembly, I don't have any cracks or cross threading yet. Nice to know Pilot customer service is quick and easy to work with.
Good to know this. I am a recent wonder of one. In the past I *have* messed up the barrel of one TWSBI Vac 700 by overtighting it (I presume - it seems it should not have been affected by the cracking plague). The pilot is in a whole other league in terms of price. If (or, more likely *when*, at some point) disassembly is needed, I'll take all the care possible to be gentle with those. Curious to hear about what your experience is 2 more years down the line, if you see this comment responce.
Thanks for sharing. These are all good points. Challenging regreasing was one of my concerns and therefore inks are rarely changed in my 823. I have it for three years and yet to grease the pen. I’m definitely not looking forward to it. I also wasn’t sure how do I feel about the shut-off valve and it’s indeed the second source of my negative points. I rarely jot just a a few words with 823, for that I have faster to engage pens. At the same time, I don’t like screwing and unscrewing the knob all the time. So, usually it stays unscrewed which imparts the aesthetic. What’s more important, I found that every now and again the nib may starve even with the valve open. The ink may have troubles to get behind the valve. It is easy to fix, say, by closing and opening the valve but it’s a nuisance. These things said, It’s one of the few pens I wish I’d bought much earlier. It’s kind of a niche pen to me but the niche is very important and the pen fits the niche perfectly.
You can remove the little rubber gasket on top of the piston. This way you will loose the airplane compatibility, but won't have to unscrew the knob. As I never air travel with the pen, It doesn't matter to me. Use a TWISBI wrench to open the pen.
I’ll second that love for Pilot US customer support. Holly is awesome! Big shout out to Sheila in their Namiki technical division, as well. Both were incredibly helpful and patient with me :)
Thanks for commenting on the plastic. In reviews of this pen nobody ever mentions what this plastic feels like or compares to other plastic body pens. I have a Custom 74 (teal demonstrator version) and the plastic on it feels cheap, brittle. I was hoping that, considering the higher price, 823 body would feel a bit more solid/better quality.
Actually, I switched entirely to vacuum fillers recently. As I bike to work, even in winter time, I always have problem of fountain pens spitting the ink due to temperature changes. No such issues with vacuum fillers. Yes, cleaning is a bit of a problem, bit it worth it.
@@putteringpenman I wanted to try Opus88 pens -- they are pipette fillers with a shut-off valve. So no spitting and no cleaning, but their screw caps have four (!!!) full rotations to open, unfortunately. I simply forget what I wanted to write down by the time I open them :)
Regarding the point on cleaning: I found that its very easy to take the feed and nib out which makes it very quick to rinse out an old colour. I know you're not supposed to do this but I'd rather risk taking the nib and feed out than disassembling the pen from the other end. Haven't had issues with cracking just yet. One other thing I love about the 823 is the weight, the rod in the pen gives it a heft that, to me, makes it feel more premium than the 743.
So, how do they compare? Is the fine nib smooth as well? Which one do you prefer? I can't decide. F suits my writing style better, but I want to experience that celebrated smoothness too.
@@Lumpy_Peter Fine is super smooth. The medium is almost too smooth for my taste. The fine suits my handwriting style and size perfectly. My favorite pen.
You don’t need to buy the 823 with the vac fill to get a great, smooth Pilot nib. The Custom 743 is a #15 nib just like the 823, and the Custom 742 nib is a little smaller, a #10, but just as smooth. The Custom 742 is less pricy as well.
A really great review. I’m awaiting my brand new Pilot Custom 823 in the mail. I have watched that many reviews and most have been absolute RAVE reviews that I felt I ought to buy one. But now it looks like I might have to get a TWSBI too just for the wrench(?)🙄
So if they say you shouldn’t take it apart, what does Pilot recommend as far as maintaining the piston on this pen? I wonder if I could just dab some grease on the piston. Mine is a few years old and it’s not as smooth as it used to feel when drawing ink up.
How long is the warranty on Pilot 823? I'm new to fountain pens, and I've been wondering if I should buy this pen, because I've heard nothing but praise for it, but it looks like a nightmare to clean, and yet you're the only one I've seen bring this up. I've seen cleaning tutorials for it, and I'm astounded at how impractically this is designed for maintenance.
Wow, I came here to see if more expensive models of Pilot are any better but apparently they are weak as well. Maybe they are ok for tiny Chinese or Japanese fingers unless you drop on floor or dare to touch too hard. So much better pens are Pelican. These cracking issues are problematic to all transparent pens like TWSBI. I don’t see a point of having any of these. Besides even not transparent Pilot pens are brittle. I own that Pilot G78 pen and I’m sure that if I dropped it on the floor then it would be most likely over for that pen. You can tell it by the high pitch of sound when you put on table etc.
That should be fine as long as you only use one ink in the pen. Cleaning a vacuum filling pen to a different ink is basically impossible without disassembling the pen.
I know they are great pens and I have tried them at the SFPENSHOW. But I don’t like the color choices, the cigar shape and the filling system. So I guess I should find a Pilot with that nib..
Custom 743 is different colours and different filling system; same cigar shape. Custom 845 is different colours, different filling system, and different shape (flat cap and end finials). The 743 has the 823 nibs, and many more, and the 845 is a larger nib.
Thank you for this video. You brought up such great points. I've owned my Pilot 823 for a little over 2 years and recently (like 2 weeks ago) discovered cracks in the barrel. As much as I love the pen, if Pilot can't help, I don't know if it's even worth buying it again. While not an exorbitant amount of money, it's still expensive for a pen. :-(
If you are in the US, contact Pilot USA. I sent my pen to them twice and they fixed it for free both times. I got the pen back quickly both times (within two weeks). Also, consider buying a Pilot Custom 743. It is the same writing experience, but you don't have to deal with the vacuum filter creating cracks in the barrel.
@@putteringpenman Yes, I am in the US and it's awesome that they were about to help you! I'll reach out to them straight away. I was so bummed about my 823's; I'm at least hopeful now. So far my clear one is doing well & hope it stays that way! Lol 🤞🏻 Thanks again for the tips & suggestions. Really glad I came across your video! 😊 Interesting you should mention the 743 because I've been checking it out for a while, debating whether or not to get one. First, I'll contact Pilot about my 823's. 😁Thanks again!
If the plastic isn’t as nice as the 743 and the filling system isn’t that exciting in the long run, should I just get a 743? Nicer material, more nib options, otherwise basically the same pen - ?
@@putteringpenman Id add that while most people seem to have good experiences with Pilot USA, I sent them my VP when the nib tines started to splay and the nose cone was coming loose - no major accidents, just a year or so of wear and tear as my EDC. They took a couple weeks to tell me they wouldn’t repair the nib and offered to replace it at a higher cost than just ordering a new nib unit from Goulet or JetPens. They said they’d re-glue the nose cone but it fell off almost immediately after I got it back 😕 - as you can imagine, I wasn’t exactly impressed with any of that
I would get the 743 if I had it to do over again, because the vac system is a pain in the butt, in my opinion. Actually, the 742 is great as well, has a slightly smaller nib, is $100 less, and has almost the same exact feel as far as the writing experience goes.
@@geslinam9703 I wound up going w the 823 because the pump-press filling system on the con-70 converter seems, um, a lot worse. The plastic feels very solid to me!
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 76 | คู่เอก "ผึ้งหลวง vs สมิงดำ"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9SBshmGQOIM/mqdefault.jpg)
I just want to thank you for all the videos you did on this fountain pen. They have helped me a lot regarding the buying decision since I had no opportunity to try it out before purchase.
Yes, I agree. Holly was a pleasure to work with and customer service outstanding. Pilot customer for life!
I have my 823 for about 3 years as well. And I have to agree that the silicon grease do get wash away easily compare to normal piston fill pen. I do a rough flush and clean between every refill and pretty much have to regrease the pen every 3 months by disassembling the whole filling rod out of the pen.
Good thing is I know how these thing works, and after more than a dozen disassembly, I don't have any cracks or cross threading yet. Nice to know Pilot customer service is quick and easy to work with.
Good to know this. I am a recent wonder of one. In the past I *have* messed up the barrel of one TWSBI Vac 700 by overtighting it (I presume - it seems it should not have been affected by the cracking plague). The pilot is in a whole other league in terms of price. If (or, more likely *when*, at some point) disassembly is needed, I'll take all the care possible to be gentle with those.
Curious to hear about what your experience is 2 more years down the line, if you see this comment responce.
Thanks for sharing. These are all good points. Challenging regreasing was one of my concerns and therefore inks are rarely changed in my 823. I have it for three years and yet to grease the pen. I’m definitely not looking forward to it. I also wasn’t sure how do I feel about the shut-off valve and it’s indeed the second source of my negative points. I rarely jot just a a few words with 823, for that I have faster to engage pens. At the same time, I don’t like screwing and unscrewing the knob all the time. So, usually it stays unscrewed which imparts the aesthetic. What’s more important, I found that every now and again the nib may starve even with the valve open. The ink may have troubles to get behind the valve. It is easy to fix, say, by closing and opening the valve but it’s a nuisance. These things said, It’s one of the few pens I wish I’d bought much earlier. It’s kind of a niche pen to me but the niche is very important and the pen fits the niche perfectly.
You can remove the little rubber gasket on top of the piston. This way you will loose the airplane compatibility, but won't have to unscrew the knob. As I never air travel with the pen, It doesn't matter to me. Use a TWISBI wrench to open the pen.
@@fredericoparo I’ll probably do this after a few more refills when I’ll be regreasing the piston.
I’ll second that love for Pilot US customer support. Holly is awesome! Big shout out to Sheila in their Namiki technical division, as well. Both were incredibly helpful and patient with me :)
Thanks for commenting on the plastic. In reviews of this pen nobody ever mentions what this plastic feels like or compares to other plastic body pens. I have a Custom 74 (teal demonstrator version) and the plastic on it feels cheap, brittle. I was hoping that, considering the higher price, 823 body would feel a bit more solid/better quality.
its precious resin
@@Cortesevasive expensive word for plastic :)
Actually, I switched entirely to vacuum fillers recently. As I bike to work, even in winter time, I always have problem of fountain pens spitting the ink due to temperature changes. No such issues with vacuum fillers. Yes, cleaning is a bit of a problem, bit it worth it.
I get that reasoning. Vacuum fillers are nice for travel.
@@putteringpenman I wanted to try Opus88 pens -- they are pipette fillers with a shut-off valve. So no spitting and no cleaning, but their screw caps have four (!!!) full rotations to open, unfortunately. I simply forget what I wanted to write down by the time I open them :)
I liked all the points you brought up. Someday I would like to try this pen to find out why people rave about the nib of this pen.
Regarding the point on cleaning: I found that its very easy to take the feed and nib out which makes it very quick to rinse out an old colour. I know you're not supposed to do this but I'd rather risk taking the nib and feed out than disassembling the pen from the other end. Haven't had issues with cracking just yet.
One other thing I love about the 823 is the weight, the rod in the pen gives it a heft that, to me, makes it feel more premium than the 743.
Thanks for your comment!
I have this pen in a medium nib, and am awaiting the smoke version with a fine. The nib is amazing.
So, how do they compare? Is the fine nib smooth as well? Which one do you prefer? I can't decide. F suits my writing style better, but I want to experience that celebrated smoothness too.
@@Lumpy_Peter Fine is super smooth. The medium is almost too smooth for my taste. The fine suits my handwriting style and size perfectly. My favorite pen.
Thank you, your response is much appreciated.
You don’t need to buy the 823 with the vac fill to get a great, smooth Pilot nib. The Custom 743 is a #15 nib just like the 823, and the Custom 742 nib is a little smaller, a #10, but just as smooth. The Custom 742 is less pricy as well.
A really great review. I’m awaiting my brand new Pilot Custom 823 in the mail. I have watched that many reviews and most have been absolute RAVE reviews that I felt I ought to buy one. But now it looks like I might have to get a TWSBI too just for the wrench(?)🙄
My 823 arrives this Friday. Can't wait.
So if they say you shouldn’t take it apart, what does Pilot recommend as far as maintaining the piston on this pen? I wonder if I could just dab some grease on the piston. Mine is a few years old and it’s not as smooth as it used to feel when drawing ink up.
I guess you just have to pick one ink color and stick with it. I'm thinking I'd use Herbin Lie De Thé when I get this beauty.
How long is the warranty on Pilot 823? I'm new to fountain pens, and I've been wondering if I should buy this pen, because I've heard nothing but praise for it, but it looks like a nightmare to clean, and yet you're the only one I've seen bring this up. I've seen cleaning tutorials for it, and I'm astounded at how impractically this is designed for maintenance.
I think it's one year, but ask the retailer before you buy.
@@putteringpenman thanks, i tried checking, and it was one year.
Wow, I came here to see if more expensive models of Pilot are any better but apparently they are weak as well. Maybe they are ok for tiny Chinese or Japanese fingers unless you drop on floor or dare to touch too hard. So much better pens are Pelican. These cracking issues are problematic to all transparent pens like TWSBI. I don’t see a point of having any of these. Besides even not transparent Pilot pens are brittle. I own that Pilot G78 pen and I’m sure that if I dropped it on the floor then it would be most likely over for that pen. You can tell it by the high pitch of sound when you put on table etc.
Would you recommend a Noodler's bulletproof ink in this pen?
That should be fine as long as you only use one ink in the pen. Cleaning a vacuum filling pen to a different ink is basically impossible without disassembling the pen.
Holly? Wow, small world.
I know they are great pens and I have tried them at the SFPENSHOW. But I don’t like the color choices, the cigar shape and the filling system. So I guess I should find a Pilot with that nib..
Custom 743 is different colours and different filling system; same cigar shape. Custom 845 is different colours, different filling system, and different shape (flat cap and end finials). The 743 has the 823 nibs, and many more, and the 845 is a larger nib.
Thank you for this video. You brought up such great points. I've owned my Pilot 823 for a little over 2 years and recently (like 2 weeks ago) discovered cracks in the barrel. As much as I love the pen, if Pilot can't help, I don't know if it's even worth buying it again. While not an exorbitant amount of money, it's still expensive for a pen. :-(
If you are in the US, contact Pilot USA. I sent my pen to them twice and they fixed it for free both times. I got the pen back quickly both times (within two weeks).
Also, consider buying a Pilot Custom 743. It is the same writing experience, but you don't have to deal with the vacuum filter creating cracks in the barrel.
@@putteringpenman Yes, I am in the US and it's awesome that they were about to help you! I'll reach out to them straight away. I was so bummed about my 823's; I'm at least hopeful now. So far my clear one is doing well & hope it stays that way! Lol 🤞🏻 Thanks again for the tips & suggestions. Really glad I came across your video! 😊
Interesting you should mention the 743 because I've been checking it out for a while, debating whether or not to get one. First, I'll contact Pilot about my 823's. 😁Thanks again!
If the plastic isn’t as nice as the 743 and the filling system isn’t that exciting in the long run, should I just get a 743? Nicer material, more nib options, otherwise basically the same pen - ?
If you don't care about the vacuum filling or Pilot USA support, then the 743 is probably the better pen for most people.
@@putteringpenman thanks for the advice! Now to spend a week agonizing over it. 😂
@@putteringpenman Id add that while most people seem to have good experiences with Pilot USA, I sent them my VP when the nib tines started to splay and the nose cone was coming loose - no major accidents, just a year or so of wear and tear as my EDC. They took a couple weeks to tell me they wouldn’t repair the nib and offered to replace it at a higher cost than just ordering a new nib unit from Goulet or JetPens. They said they’d re-glue the nose cone but it fell off almost immediately after I got it back 😕 - as you can imagine, I wasn’t exactly impressed with any of that
I would get the 743 if I had it to do over again, because the vac system is a pain in the butt, in my opinion. Actually, the 742 is great as well, has a slightly smaller nib, is $100 less, and has almost the same exact feel as far as the writing experience goes.
@@geslinam9703 I wound up going w the 823 because the pump-press filling system on the con-70 converter seems, um, a lot worse. The plastic feels very solid to me!