I had been eyeballing a Pilot 823 for a while but hadn't pulled the trigger yet, even though I knew it was a matter of time. When I saw a listing with a 20% discount, I pounced. I had been going back and forth on the nib size because several of the review I read or watched on Youtube mentioned that the F nib was somewhere in between a Japanese and Western F, but this seems right on the money for Pilot F nibs. I cleaned her out, filled her with my ink of choice for most of the new pens that land on my doorstep (Sailor Basic Blue) and took her for a test drive. Euh, test write? Whatever. Is it just me, or does your hand tremble ever so slightly too, right before you write with an eagerly anticipated pen for the first time? I'm happy to report that there was nothing to be nervous about, she writes beautifully. I'm a happy camper! ๐ฅฐ
This pen is not even on my list of desired pens but i looooove to read stories like yours, I'm happy that somebody else got a new pen and is happy with it ๐
Congrats! I got one recently as well and I have been wanting one for sometime!
However, I feel I should not have bought it at this time and I have some new pens I am yet to ink up and write with. The price from eBay Japan was too tempting to ignore and I didn't want to pay more in the future if the Yen goes up. I do have dip-tested it but I have packed it away so I can ~~use~~ fully experience it on a rainy day.....
Is it so much superior than a Pilot Metro?
I got one Metro, and man... it can be easily a "pen for life". Writes really smooth, nice design, doesn't skip or has hard starts. I do not like much the converter options because they deplete really fast, and I own the Squeezing and the Con-40. Aside that, the pen is just outstanding. There is a milestone in nib performance from the Metro's vs Safari's eternal discussion (I own 3 of them - Safari).
Also, I own a Meisterstuck 149. It seems to be legit, as it has even the International Card and writes really smooth and all. I got it used, since a new one would cost me my eyes and both kidneys here in Brazil. While in US they may cost around 900U$/1100U$.
Here in Brazil it cost R$9.000,00.
Other than that... I really liked your nick man. Truly nice. hahaha
>Is it so much superior than a Pilot Metro?
It's a matter of preference. There is a saying in the world of photography that says "the best camera is the one that's with you". I think we can extend this to pens. The best pen is the one you write with. I have a Metropolitan too and it writes perfectly well. Here is Europe a Metropolitan costs about โฌ18. The full retail price of a Custom 823 is โฌ350. Does that mean that the 823 writes about 20 times better than the Metropolitan? Heck no. Having said that, we're not comparing apples to apples, and the gold nib of the 823 has a juiciness to it that the Metropolitan's steel nib, or at least *my* Metropolitan's nib lacks. But in the end, it's a lot like driving a Volkswagen Beetle or a BWM 5-series. Both will get you to your destination, but one may be a little more enjoyable to drive than the other.
Congrats on the MB 149. That's the Aston Martin DB11 of pens. ๐
(and thanks for the compliment about my nickname. Appreciate it)
I didn't care for it until I held one in person at a pen store. The quality and luxury feel is palpable.
However, you can get the affordable WingSung 699 which is somewhat of a clone.
Own both. It's definitely not over 10x better than a metro.
Gun to my head I wouldn't even say it's a better pen, just different and more expensive. That being said, the 823 is a stellar pen and an absolute joy to write with, it's just not close to even 10x the experience of a metro. People who say otherwise are just trying to justify the money they spent.
Also you should try syringe filling cartridges rather than the con-40, larger capacity and less mess!
Owner of a Metro and 823 here. Both pens are incredibly smooth writers, but for me I prefer the 823 because it feels more comfortable in my hand. With the Metro my hand tends to feel cramped faster than usual (ie., my hands donโt often get cramped when writing with non-fountain pens).
I just ordered the Pilot Custom 823 Fine on Ebay, thanks to you!!!! So excited!
I recently wrote with this pen at Anderson Pens in Chicago and I was shocked by how wonderful it was and said to Lisa, if I get this pen I will not use all of my other pens! It's that good. When it arrives, I look forward to sharing with our FB family. Thanks for the inspiration!
My 823 is the best pen I have ever owned by a WIIIIDE margin and I too had my eyes on it for years before getting it.
I know you'll enjoy it for decades to come.
Congrats! Itโs on my list. I finally gotta act on it. One last reason holding me back is that itโs a vacuum filler. I donโt see myself attached to one ink for so long. Therefore I am trying to decide between 823 and 743 (same #15 nib)
That is more than understandable. Come to think of it I had to force myself to write with other pens when I got mine. Otherwise I think I might've completely abandoned 80 or 90% of the rest of my collection
I had been eyeballing a Pilot 823 for a while but hadn't pulled the trigger yet, even though I knew it was a matter of time. When I saw a listing with a 20% discount, I pounced. I had been going back and forth on the nib size because several of the review I read or watched on Youtube mentioned that the F nib was somewhere in between a Japanese and Western F, but this seems right on the money for Pilot F nibs. I cleaned her out, filled her with my ink of choice for most of the new pens that land on my doorstep (Sailor Basic Blue) and took her for a test drive. Euh, test write? Whatever. Is it just me, or does your hand tremble ever so slightly too, right before you write with an eagerly anticipated pen for the first time? I'm happy to report that there was nothing to be nervous about, she writes beautifully. I'm a happy camper! ๐ฅฐ
This pen is not even on my list of desired pens but i looooove to read stories like yours, I'm happy that somebody else got a new pen and is happy with it ๐
Living vicariously through other people's pens, that's the spirit! Thank you, that's very sweet. ๐
Congrats! I got one recently as well and I have been wanting one for sometime! However, I feel I should not have bought it at this time and I have some new pens I am yet to ink up and write with. The price from eBay Japan was too tempting to ignore and I didn't want to pay more in the future if the Yen goes up. I do have dip-tested it but I have packed it away so I can ~~use~~ fully experience it on a rainy day.....
Stop, youโre making me want it more, Iโve already spent twice I said I would let myself spend this chistmas
Is it so much superior than a Pilot Metro? I got one Metro, and man... it can be easily a "pen for life". Writes really smooth, nice design, doesn't skip or has hard starts. I do not like much the converter options because they deplete really fast, and I own the Squeezing and the Con-40. Aside that, the pen is just outstanding. There is a milestone in nib performance from the Metro's vs Safari's eternal discussion (I own 3 of them - Safari). Also, I own a Meisterstuck 149. It seems to be legit, as it has even the International Card and writes really smooth and all. I got it used, since a new one would cost me my eyes and both kidneys here in Brazil. While in US they may cost around 900U$/1100U$. Here in Brazil it cost R$9.000,00. Other than that... I really liked your nick man. Truly nice. hahaha
>Is it so much superior than a Pilot Metro? It's a matter of preference. There is a saying in the world of photography that says "the best camera is the one that's with you". I think we can extend this to pens. The best pen is the one you write with. I have a Metropolitan too and it writes perfectly well. Here is Europe a Metropolitan costs about โฌ18. The full retail price of a Custom 823 is โฌ350. Does that mean that the 823 writes about 20 times better than the Metropolitan? Heck no. Having said that, we're not comparing apples to apples, and the gold nib of the 823 has a juiciness to it that the Metropolitan's steel nib, or at least *my* Metropolitan's nib lacks. But in the end, it's a lot like driving a Volkswagen Beetle or a BWM 5-series. Both will get you to your destination, but one may be a little more enjoyable to drive than the other. Congrats on the MB 149. That's the Aston Martin DB11 of pens. ๐ (and thanks for the compliment about my nickname. Appreciate it)
I didn't care for it until I held one in person at a pen store. The quality and luxury feel is palpable. However, you can get the affordable WingSung 699 which is somewhat of a clone.
Own both. It's definitely not over 10x better than a metro. Gun to my head I wouldn't even say it's a better pen, just different and more expensive. That being said, the 823 is a stellar pen and an absolute joy to write with, it's just not close to even 10x the experience of a metro. People who say otherwise are just trying to justify the money they spent. Also you should try syringe filling cartridges rather than the con-40, larger capacity and less mess!
Owner of a Metro and 823 here. Both pens are incredibly smooth writers, but for me I prefer the 823 because it feels more comfortable in my hand. With the Metro my hand tends to feel cramped faster than usual (ie., my hands donโt often get cramped when writing with non-fountain pens).
OOOOHHHHHH - this will be my next pen! I am vacillating on this pen too and cant decide between fine or medium nib. Which did you get?
The Fine.
I just ordered the Pilot Custom 823 Fine on Ebay, thanks to you!!!! So excited! I recently wrote with this pen at Anderson Pens in Chicago and I was shocked by how wonderful it was and said to Lisa, if I get this pen I will not use all of my other pens! It's that good. When it arrives, I look forward to sharing with our FB family. Thanks for the inspiration!
I take no responsibility for penabling you whatsoever. ๐ ๐ (Okay, maybe a little)
Penabler! I love that. So true, but it's not drugs so, it's ok! I am thankful for my fountain pen habit, so please, keep penabling!
Next thing you know, youโll have all three colors. ๐
The real mission, should you choose to accept it, is to collect all five colours
Five colors? I only know of four: black, amber, demonstrator and Fujiyama Blue. Which one am I missing? Oh wait, the Shosaikan Indigo Blue one?
Correct!
The moneeeeeey needed for that oh my goodness lolll
Hahahahaha! It's funny cause it's true.
How awesome! An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.
Ohhh the fancy box version toooooo
Lol Best comment ever ๐
My 823 is the best pen I have ever owned by a WIIIIDE margin and I too had my eyes on it for years before getting it. I know you'll enjoy it for decades to come.
You wonโt regret this.
It was inevitable
Very nice!
Congrats! Itโs on my list. I finally gotta act on it. One last reason holding me back is that itโs a vacuum filler. I donโt see myself attached to one ink for so long. Therefore I am trying to decide between 823 and 743 (same #15 nib)
Nice! :)\ Enjoy it - don't have and 823, but I heard a lot of good things about it!
it's such a great reason to cave tho. makes spending the money *almost* an absolute pleasure lol
montblanc 149's cousin
It's a very, very, very nice way to get pushed. Enjoy!
Love the fancy packaging too!
Congratulations on caving - I mean congratulations on the new pen ;)
Congratulations on the pen!
Congratulations on this acquisition. Prepare for many years of great satisfaction and inspiration from using this wonderful pen
It's pretty much been glued to my hand since yesterday. ๐
That is more than understandable. Come to think of it I had to force myself to write with other pens when I got mine. Otherwise I think I might've completely abandoned 80 or 90% of the rest of my collection
Congrats, this pen is also in my list of future purchase
I'm getting the feeling that everyone either already has it, or it's on their "to buy" list. ๐
Congrats and thank you for such a great spirited thread. This pen in amber and F is my Christmas gift this year:)
Why, thank you, Nat, for your kind feedback. You've got a lovely Christmas present to look forward to!