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Comparative Overview: Pilot Custom 823 & Custom 845 (Urushi)

I won’t make this post right here a long wound one, as I have already reviewed both the Pilot Custom 823 and the Pilot Custom 845 Urushi separately.

Since these are pens that are on the (grail) pen list of many pen aficionados – especially the ones with an appreciation for Japanese stationery – , and since they both are not exactly inexpensive, I thought it might be helpful to actually see them both side by side.

Not everyone has the opportunity to go to a physical brick and mortar pen store. And not every store carries all the pens. Hence, I believe that this kind of comparative overview might come in handy for some of you.

Before we hop into the review, I would like to take the opportunity to thank La Couronne du Comte in the Netherlands for supporting this review. You can also buy the pens at their webshop (no affiliate-link, just a friendly pointer).

But now, check out the video-overview below, which is as always preceded by some quick facts. Again, I hope the review is helpful and that you enjoy watching it!

Quick Facts

  • Pilot Custom 823, smoke black (also available in amber and clear transparent)
  • Pilot Custom 845 Urushi, black (also available in vermillion)
  • Resin barrel, translucent
  • Japanese ebonite barrel, coated with layers of Urushi lacquer
  • Vacuum (power) filler
  • Cartridge-/converter-filler (Pilot proprietary, comes with CON-70 pump action converter)
  • 14k gold nib
  • 18k gold nib, bi-color 
  • Available nib options: Fine (F), Medium (M), Broad (B)
  • Available nib options: Extra Fine (EF), Fine (F), Medium (M), Broad (B)
  • Price: ca. 335€
  • Price: ca. 639€
  • Video Review

    Picture Gallery

    Click on the photos to enlarge.

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