The Pilot Custom 823: The Fountain Pen You Didn’t Know You Needed
Original video: The Pilot 823 Is Another Must Have Fountain Pen
Pilot Custom 823
If you’ve been in the fountain pen world for a while, you’ve probably heard people talk about the Pilot Custom 823 like it’s the holy grail of writing instruments. I’ve seen the hype, I’ve heard all the praise, and now that I finally have one—I get it.
Let me break it down for you.
First Impressions: Just a Pen?
At first glance, the Pilot Custom 823 doesn’t look flashy. It has a classic cigar shape, a transparent barrel, and a gold trim. There’s nothing wild about the design, but as soon as you unscrew the cap and put the 14k gold nib to paper, you’ll understand why this pen has such a legendary reputation.
✔ Super smooth nib – It’s not a flex nib, but it has a bouncy, soft feel that glides effortlessly across the page.
✔ Vacuum filler system – Holds a ton of ink and is perfect for long writing sessions.
✔ Great for travel – The filling system seals the ink when closed, meaning no leaks on flights.
This pen is like the Lamy 2000—not because they look alike, but because it’s all about the writing experience.
The Vacuum Filling System
One of the coolest features of the 823 is its vacuum filling system. It works like this:
Dip the nib into a bottle of ink.
Pull the plunger up and then push it down fast.
The vacuum creates pressure, sucking ink into the barrel.
It’s quick, clean, and holds more ink than most cartridge/converter pens. But there’s a catch:
✖ The ink flow is controlled by a seal—so after writing a couple of pages, you’ll need to slightly unscrew the back to allow ink to flow freely. It’s not a big deal, but it’s something to be aware of.
Writing Experience: A Nib That Glides
I got the medium nib, and let me tell you—it’s incredible. Japanese nibs tend to run finer than Western ones, so this medium feels more like a fine.
✔ Super smooth – No scratchiness, just pure effortless writing.
✔ Wet but controlled – It lays down a consistent line without being overly juicy.
✔ Minimal pressure required – The ink flows beautifully, even with the lightest touch.
I’ve been using Wearingeul’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, a dark green ink with red sheen, and it looks stunning in this pen.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Yes. A thousand times yes.
If you’re a fountain pen fan and don’t own a Pilot Custom 823 yet, get one. This is a pen for life—the kind of pen that just works, day in and day out, delivering an effortless and elegant writing experience.
✔ Build quality? Fantastic.
✔ Nib performance? Perfect.
✔ Ink capacity? Huge.
Is it cheap? No. But for a pen of this quality, it’s actually a bargain compared to other gold-nib pens.
I got mine at Atlas Stationers (use code Dylan10 for a discount). They have it in Amber, Smoke, and Clear.
🚀 If you’re serious about writing, do yourself a favor—get a Pilot Custom 823.
