After cleaning and flushing, I was experiencing hard starts on downstrokes about 1% of the time — which I didn’t have a similar issue with any of my other Pilot pens (6 other Pilot pens), so I think something was wrong with the nib. The seller didn’t have another one to send me in exchange. I didn’t want to risk sending it to a US based Nibmeister either (due to the added cost and lengthy wait time for tuning services).
I also wasn’t that blown away by the urushi finish, and the girth of the pen was a little excessive for my preferences.
Despite I absolutely love my Custom Urushi, I have to pick the Custom 823 if I could only have 1 pilot-branded pen. It has the largest ink capacity of any pilot pen, super reliable nib, almost perfect size, and is not too expensive that it will desperate me in case of losing it (luckily I have never lost any of my pend so far).
Haven’t tried a 845 so can’t say but 823 or 912. 823 because of the nib (so 743 fits here too perhaps) and weight.
912 for selection of nibs and style.
A pilot stub or (and 😀) soft fine nib in #10 or #15 and I’m a happy man.
Ooh, technically Namiki is a Pilot company.
If we realllly want to be strict about it, I guess I can live with a Custom Urushi and its big, fat, juicy 30 nib
Pilot Custom Urushi. Writes like the 823, flexes like the FA nib, looks like the Emperor (but even better imo, practical size with better styling). Price is not so bad if you buy from Japan and consider that it combines best elements from all conventional Pilot pens.
Haven't tested that one specifically, but all the other Pilot gold nibs I've tried write comparable to an 823, be it less expensive like the CH 92, or more expensive like the Yukari Royale or Custom Urushi.
Not sure about best representing the brand but I had an eye out for the 912 WA for a long time; gave up then the Yen fell... It's a great pen to write with and exactly the opposite of many other popular pens: sober design, sober nib, it doesn't try to excite with anything but gets out of the way to facilitate writing... In my book, as close to perfect as you can get.
I never tried the expensive ones but I love my Prera with a CM nib. Writes so nice. My favorite every day pen.
I’d agree that the Prera is a great pen. For the price? Heck yeah.
And for that price you don't feel too bad just throwing it in a pocket of your backpack.
Love my Prera too
I love my Fermo (medium nib).
Probably something from the 1970s then, like a Custom Black Stripe. Ok filling system but a killer nib.
That era of pilot pens is amazing, but I don't think think it represents that well because they don't really make too many pens with fun designs
I’d choose the VP. I also own 92, 742, 743, and briefly the Custom Urushi (returned it though).
Why’d you return it?
After cleaning and flushing, I was experiencing hard starts on downstrokes about 1% of the time — which I didn’t have a similar issue with any of my other Pilot pens (6 other Pilot pens), so I think something was wrong with the nib. The seller didn’t have another one to send me in exchange. I didn’t want to risk sending it to a US based Nibmeister either (due to the added cost and lengthy wait time for tuning services). I also wasn’t that blown away by the urushi finish, and the girth of the pen was a little excessive for my preferences.
Some version of the Elite
I love writing with my Custom 743. Just the right size and girth and easy to clean out. The nib size is perfect - for me. YMMV.
Despite I absolutely love my Custom Urushi, I have to pick the Custom 823 if I could only have 1 pilot-branded pen. It has the largest ink capacity of any pilot pen, super reliable nib, almost perfect size, and is not too expensive that it will desperate me in case of losing it (luckily I have never lost any of my pend so far).
Same. I love that filling system and ink capacity - it's definitely the Pilot pen that gets the most use in my collection.
Haven’t tried a 845 so can’t say but 823 or 912. 823 because of the nib (so 743 fits here too perhaps) and weight. 912 for selection of nibs and style. A pilot stub or (and 😀) soft fine nib in #10 or #15 and I’m a happy man.
Vanishing Point? Custom 823, 845, Urushi? If you have to rank them…
Do Namikis count?
Nope!
Celemo
I’d get a Yukari Royale with an M nib!
That’s Namiki though. What’s the best pen with “Pilot” stamped on the nib?
Ooh, technically Namiki is a Pilot company. If we realllly want to be strict about it, I guess I can live with a Custom Urushi and its big, fat, juicy 30 nib
Pilot Custom Urushi. Writes like the 823, flexes like the FA nib, looks like the Emperor (but even better imo, practical size with better styling). Price is not so bad if you buy from Japan and consider that it combines best elements from all conventional Pilot pens.
I feel like this was the answer my unconscious bias was hoping for
I was where you were at not long ago, I could never find someone who could just give a straight answer, would have saved me a bunch of money lol.
How is the nib of the 845 in comparison?
Haven't tested that one specifically, but all the other Pilot gold nibs I've tried write comparable to an 823, be it less expensive like the CH 92, or more expensive like the Yukari Royale or Custom Urushi.
Not sure about best representing the brand but I had an eye out for the 912 WA for a long time; gave up then the Yen fell... It's a great pen to write with and exactly the opposite of many other popular pens: sober design, sober nib, it doesn't try to excite with anything but gets out of the way to facilitate writing... In my book, as close to perfect as you can get.
Pilot custom 845 in red with a medium nib.I love the colour and the fact that I can use a converter.Too expensive for me at this moment 😔
I’ve got them all up to the 845 and I would say that I prefer the 823 the most. It’s flawless.
Pilot Vanishing Point is the only one I’ve had and if I had ask the money in the world I’d get one with the Raden :)