Great review, approaching from a rational point of view as always with info people really want. I have written with one and it writes similar as my favorite everyday nib which is the no 15 SFM on the 743. If you don't have "all" the pens I would use your money to skip this and put it towards a custom Urushi which is a totally different level of nib and get one of the amazing soft nibs in a 742/743/74. They are the best, most underrated nibs in the market. And you can get them all the way from fine, medium fine and medium, all providing a different experience in the different sizes. I can't speak enough about them and surprised they don't get more praise. They are everything pen lovers are looking for a the best price point. Smooth but a tiny bit soft which provides the correct "feedback" pen lovers want. A bit flexy in the odd times you want. The FA 15 in the 743 is also probably my best daily writer (but needs better paper compared to the regular soft nibs). For everyday writing on cheaper paper, I don't think you can get better than the SFM on the 743. You can put into 823 body should feel inclined, if you have one already or for a 150 markup, some companies will customize it for you in the 823. I like the 743 body personally bc I like to change the my inks every couple days. Just my thoughts! Great review! For 500 price range, my vintage 149 (1970s) is the best pen I have written with but for modern, non fussy everyday pens, Pilot is the goat 🐐.
Damn sir you are confirming my thought here indian 743 is expensive then 823 😂 like by 15% , my first gold nib will be 74 soft nib If am lucky , but your insight helps a lot thank you 😂
@@hemkeshyeole4630 the 74 soft nib is even softer than the bigger ones and for the money is the best nib on the market, hands down. I can say that with the greatest conviction. Definitely get it! The fine is pretty fine, and I like that but for most the SFM or SM is better. For example I got a 823 in fine and I hated it. Worst pen and writing experience. Super dry on upstroke and just not the Pilot experience. That 823 is best in medium but I hate the fatter line. So when I found the soft fines I was blown away.
Great review. I really enjoyed your additional thoughts. Yes, I can't feel the difference between the 18K and 14K nibs either. Pilot price to the local market. Here in the UK the 845 is selling for around $650 inc. tax. Which seems to be a fair price. From Japan (eBay) it can be had for $461 inc. Tax and shipping. This is one of my favourite pens to write with. It is up there with my Conway Stewart (Hand made) and Pelikan M800. That Urushi has a lovely feel in my hand. The Japanese website is now also in English. Anyway - Great review and great thoughts - Thank you.
50000yen todays exchange rate for Australia is $510 , selling here for $1200 varying some have discounts of $200 . Tariffs…inflation rates, $ value. Shows the strength of the Yen, ? Still Japanese products are highly sought after, I’m prepared to happily pay the price for an excellent product from Japan . My preference for the Pilot cacoon than the metropolitan, but happily use both. I’m looking forward to purchasing more Japanese made Fountain Pens in the near future. ….found your channel today , glad I did. Subscribed.
Thanks for the honest review. You bought it at a great price. But, everyday best pen, excluding fountains, is also a pilot. The Pilot G-2 gel pen doesn’t skip, develop baby bottom or leak. You can also buy refills. Best part is there’s no buyers remorse. 😂
I live in UK but ordered my 845 in Shu Vermillion finish’s from Pensachi in Japan : they happened to have a Double Broad available so went with that and very glad I did. It’s a super wet nib and lovely with Iroshizuku inks.
I've got a 743 with a double broad and a 2 slit fnf ebonite feed and i love it. It's definitely like a Western broad+ ish. I feel like pilot feeds are super dry and only are truly meant for pilot inks. Thanks for another great vid... Also the 743/912 body/section threading is the same so you can mix and match if you're careful lol
I would have chosen the Broad nib also. I have #15 Pilot nibs in Fine and Medium. I find that I don't really prefer the Japanese Fine nib. Thank you for sharing this "EDC" pen. I woud be proud to carry it anywhere. Oh,yeah,I like that the 845 is a cart/converter. I enjoy changing inks. That Broad nib will allow some pretty quick refills I think.
Pre-tax price is like 508 USD. I imagine it'd be hard to find anyone exporting at that price. Expect tax (so 560 USD) and a bit of a mark up for the reseller to make some money. If you go to Japan, maybe you can find it on discount and maybe you don't have to pay tax (I know you can get many goods tax free, but I don't know if pens are eligible.)
I am absolutely in the market for a Pilot 845 Vermillion Urushi either M or B nib. You say you bought it at retail from an Asian retailer at 50,000¥ (~320 USD). I can’t find a retailer anywhere near that, and well, it sounds like a great deal! If you or anyone else knows, please point me to the source where you bought that pen. Also, if anyone has a new or used one they’d like to sell, I’d be happy to own it. Thanks for your help!
it is actually possible. a black completely new 845 with a fine nib went on sale for $330 on r/pen_swap just 4 days ago. it's warranty is voided as the seller bought from a grey market, so you'd have to hope it didn't have any defects. you can fine some new ones for around $400 on buyee which is a good price imo. if you just want one, you can have it now for that price, but if you really want one around $320, you'd have to wait probably a year or more for a good deal. it all comes down to how much you want one in your hands.
one last thing: although the seller i mentioned has already sold the pen, i suspect they might have found it in a very good deal as they were willing to part with it for just $330. as they stated it was a grey market find, you could try asking them where they got it from. who knows, they might have some leads. anyways good luck.
@@yourdarkshadow0 Thanks brother, I spent an hour or so setting my location to different Asian countries and found the best deal that could be shipped to the U.S. (shipping price factored in, of course) and landed on Feng Yuan pens. I bought their last M Vermilion, it was $420 plus shipping. I am very happy with it!
I'd sure like to know where to buy this pen at the right price! Can you point me in the right direction? Joe M., Kansas City area, USA.... and many thanks for a good review and an eye-opening to this pen! I'm also a Pilot kinda guy too!
In my opinion, Nakaya urushi pens are just far superior. Pilot Custom 845 and Urushi are beautiful pens, but the urushi work on a Nakaya just feels more artisanal in my opinion. But if you care more about the nib being softer and smoother with less feedback, and care less so about the urushi itself, I would say Pilot nibs are better. If I had the same budget for a Custom 845 and a Nakaya, I’d choose a Nakaya every time.
Well all this money certainly isn't going into Pilots design department. All these pens look almost identical and boring. Old men pens. I'm including not only within pilot but also platinum and sailor. You'd think they would make their highest tier pens different from lower tiers and their competition. But then again, that would require effort on their part and ppl seem to have no problem blowing 900 on this. I'll stick with the E95. If we are going to get nuts then let's get nuts. Seattle Pen Club should ditch these mass produced plastic pens designed to make the average person feel fancy and compare a Nakaya vs a Namiki. At least with those pens you are getting something for your money 😂 I'm not blaming the consumer, but the price gouging of the companies
Great review, approaching from a rational point of view as always with info people really want.
I have written with one and it writes similar as my favorite everyday nib which is the no 15 SFM on the 743. If you don't have "all" the pens I would use your money to skip this and put it towards a custom Urushi which is a totally different level of nib and get one of the amazing soft nibs in a 742/743/74. They are the best, most underrated nibs in the market. And you can get them all the way from fine, medium fine and medium, all providing a different experience in the different sizes. I can't speak enough about them and surprised they don't get more praise. They are everything pen lovers are looking for a the best price point. Smooth but a tiny bit soft which provides the correct "feedback" pen lovers want. A bit flexy in the odd times you want. The FA 15 in the 743 is also probably my best daily writer (but needs better paper compared to the regular soft nibs). For everyday writing on cheaper paper, I don't think you can get better than the SFM on the 743. You can put into 823 body should feel inclined, if you have one already or for a 150 markup, some companies will customize it for you in the 823. I like the 743 body personally bc I like to change the my inks every couple days. Just my thoughts!
Great review! For 500 price range, my vintage 149 (1970s) is the best pen I have written with but for modern, non fussy everyday pens, Pilot is the goat 🐐.
Damn sir you are confirming my thought here indian 743 is expensive then 823 😂 like by 15% , my first gold nib will be 74 soft nib If am lucky , but your insight helps a lot thank you 😂
@@hemkeshyeole4630 the 74 soft nib is even softer than the bigger ones and for the money is the best nib on the market, hands down. I can say that with the greatest conviction. Definitely get it! The fine is pretty fine, and I like that but for most the SFM or SM is better. For example I got a 823 in fine and I hated it. Worst pen and writing experience. Super dry on upstroke and just not the Pilot experience. That 823 is best in medium but I hate the fatter line. So when I found the soft fines I was blown away.
Great review.
I really enjoyed your additional thoughts.
Yes, I can't feel the difference between the 18K and 14K nibs either.
Pilot price to the local market. Here in the UK the 845 is selling for around $650 inc. tax. Which seems to be a fair price. From Japan (eBay) it can be had for $461 inc. Tax and shipping.
This is one of my favourite pens to write with. It is up there with my Conway Stewart (Hand made) and Pelikan M800. That Urushi has a lovely feel in my hand.
The Japanese website is now also in English.
Anyway - Great review and great thoughts - Thank you.
This gem of a channel is one of my favoraite pen channels of all time. You should have got the fine nib. just sayin.
50000yen todays exchange rate for Australia is $510 , selling here for $1200 varying some have discounts of $200 . Tariffs…inflation rates, $ value. Shows the strength of the Yen, ? Still Japanese products are highly sought after, I’m prepared to happily pay the price for an excellent product from Japan . My preference for the Pilot cacoon than the metropolitan, but happily use both. I’m looking forward to purchasing more Japanese made Fountain Pens in the near future. ….found your channel today , glad I did. Subscribed.
good review. i use the vermillion custom 845 in fine as my daily. i love it!
Thanks for the honest review. You bought it at a great price. But, everyday best pen, excluding fountains, is also a pilot. The Pilot G-2 gel pen doesn’t skip, develop baby bottom or leak. You can also buy refills. Best part is there’s no buyers remorse. 😂
I live in UK but ordered my 845 in Shu Vermillion finish’s from Pensachi in Japan : they happened to have a Double Broad available so went with that and very glad I did. It’s a super wet nib and lovely with Iroshizuku inks.
I've got a 743 with a double broad and a 2 slit fnf ebonite feed and i love it. It's definitely like a Western broad+ ish. I feel like pilot feeds are super dry and only are truly meant for pilot inks.
Thanks for another great vid... Also the 743/912 body/section threading is the same so you can mix and match if you're careful lol
This thing has been on my wishlist for years. Someday! haha
I would have chosen the Broad nib also. I have #15 Pilot nibs in Fine and Medium. I find that I don't really prefer the Japanese Fine nib.
Thank you for sharing this "EDC" pen. I woud be proud to carry it anywhere.
Oh,yeah,I like that the 845 is a cart/converter. I enjoy changing inks. That Broad nib will allow some pretty quick refills I think.
Nice video.. ❤.
where to get a 845 with around 300 dollars? Do they need to charge custom fee? I wonder if they have the red version. 🤔
Same question. That is an incredible price
Lowest I can find it is $470 us 🙃
Pre-tax price is like 508 USD. I imagine it'd be hard to find anyone exporting at that price. Expect tax (so 560 USD) and a bit of a mark up for the reseller to make some money.
If you go to Japan, maybe you can find it on discount and maybe you don't have to pay tax (I know you can get many goods tax free, but I don't know if pens are eligible.)
From my experience ordering from Japan, anything under $800 doesn’t have to pay a custom fee.
I am absolutely in the market for a Pilot 845 Vermillion Urushi either M or B nib. You say you bought it at retail from an Asian retailer at 50,000¥ (~320 USD). I can’t find a retailer anywhere near that, and well, it sounds like a great deal!
If you or anyone else knows, please point me to the source where you bought that pen. Also, if anyone has a new or used one they’d like to sell, I’d be happy to own it.
Thanks for your help!
it is actually possible. a black completely new 845 with a fine nib went on sale for $330 on r/pen_swap just 4 days ago. it's warranty is voided as the seller bought from a grey market, so you'd have to hope it didn't have any defects. you can fine some new ones for around $400 on buyee which is a good price imo. if you just want one, you can have it now for that price, but if you really want one around $320, you'd have to wait probably a year or more for a good deal. it all comes down to how much you want one in your hands.
one last thing: although the seller i mentioned has already sold the pen, i suspect they might have found it in a very good deal as they were willing to part with it for just $330. as they stated it was a grey market find, you could try asking them where they got it from. who knows, they might have some leads. anyways good luck.
@@yourdarkshadow0 Thanks brother, I spent an hour or so setting my location to different Asian countries and found the best deal that could be shipped to the U.S. (shipping price factored in, of course) and landed on Feng Yuan pens. I bought their last M Vermilion, it was $420 plus shipping. I am very happy with it!
@@brian791 congrats on the 845 purchase! hope you enjoy your new pen :)
I'd sure like to know where to buy this pen at the right price! Can you point me in the right direction? Joe M., Kansas City area, USA.... and many thanks for a good review and an eye-opening to this pen! I'm also a Pilot kinda guy too!
Which retailer do you buy these from?
How does the urushi compare to a Nakaya?
In my opinion, Nakaya urushi pens are just far superior. Pilot Custom 845 and Urushi are beautiful pens, but the urushi work on a Nakaya just feels more artisanal in my opinion. But if you care more about the nib being softer and smoother with less feedback, and care less so about the urushi itself, I would say Pilot nibs are better.
If I had the same budget for a Custom 845 and a Nakaya, I’d choose a Nakaya every time.
@@nailartguy3363 got it. I think I’ll stick with Nakaya for urushi and Namiki for maki-e.
I love this pen. But the biggest question I have is whether the 18K #15 nib is better that the 14K version.
Yes.
Why do you leave us hanging and not share how we can also obtain a 845 sub 400
845 vs 823?
845
Where? How? Are you having people travel to Japan to buy them?
Are you Pilot endorsed? Seens to ne this is a fan channel.
You must not be very smart. He repeatedly said that it's not worth the $900 Pilot is charging for it in the US. Do I need to spell it out for you?
You bought that pen?
Or was it provided to you for review?
Bro, you need to fix your angle in future vids so that when doing the writing sample it stays focused on the letters/nib not on your hand/pen.
Box is light because it’s cheap plywood. 🤣Still better than Montblanc pens that come in a white cotton sleeve😮
It is funny that at the time we are trying to hear the sounds of the pens there is so much talk that it is close to impossible to be able to compare.
No $900 dollar pen is an everyday use! Pilot should know better. Glad you got it discounted.
A video on your ideal Asian retailers might be useful….
I have EDC pens that are many times more expensive than this pen. Why can't a 900 dollar pen be an everyday carry again?
Well all this money certainly isn't going into Pilots design department. All these pens look almost identical and boring. Old men pens. I'm including not only within pilot but also platinum and sailor. You'd think they would make their highest tier pens different from lower tiers and their competition. But then again, that would require effort on their part and ppl seem to have no problem blowing 900 on this. I'll stick with the E95.
If we are going to get nuts then let's get nuts. Seattle Pen Club should ditch these mass produced plastic pens designed to make the average person feel fancy and compare a Nakaya vs a Namiki. At least with those pens you are getting something for your money 😂 I'm not blaming the consumer, but the price gouging of the companies
There's no such thing as price gouging. No one is being forced to pay the money for these pens. The market decides the price.
Almost no Audio .
Show the pen already half the video was spent on the packaging.