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Quick answer
The Pilot Custom 823 is a translucent resin fountain pen that fills by a vacuum plunger, holding up to 2.55 ml per Goulet Pens. It has a 14k gold size No. 15 nib and comes in Amber, Smoke and Clear. Pilot Japan lists 148.4 mm (5.8 in) and 29.5 g; Goulet Pens names it a top seller.
On this page10 sections
The Custom 823 in Amber, posted, to scale at Goulet Pens' 164 mm.
Translucent resin body and cap, gold-plated trim, 14k gold nib
Released
2000*
Price range
$$$$over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Colors
AmberBrown in Japan
Ink
Pilot Blue bottled ink, 70 ml, one bottle included (US, per Goulet Pens)
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Notes on these facts
Made by Pilot Corporation (Japan); sold in the US by Pilot Corporation of America. Made in Japan: Goldspot's Custom 823 spec sheet says "Made in: Japan". Pilot's Japanese web catalog doesn't state a country. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Wikipedia says the Custom 823 was introduced in 2000, when it cost ¥30,000; the 3 in 823 reflects that price.
Colors: names per Goulet Pens, checked October 24, 2026. US names and the 70 ml bottle of Pilot Blue in the box per Goulet Pens, which describes Amber as translucent smoky amber with gold trim. Pilot Japan's catalog lists the same three as ブラウン (brown), 透明ブラック (transparent black) and 透明 (clear). Tints were sampled from Goulet Pens' product photos. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
Goulet Pens lists a maximum capacity of 2.55 ml, about twice the 1.23 ml it lists for Pilot's CON-70 converter.
Pilot's Japanese catalog lists 148.4 mm (5.8 in) long, 15.7 mm at its widest and 29.5 g; Goulet lists 164 mm (6.5 in) posted.
The nib is 14k gold in Pilot's size No. 15; Pilot Japan offers F, M, B and S, and Goulet calls S a Signature nib.
Wikipedia dates it to 2000; Pilot Japan lists it at ¥66,000 (about US$418) from July 1, 2026, model FKK-3MRP.
It is in our $$$$ band (over $75), and Goldspot's spec sheet says made in Japan.
What is the Pilot Custom 823?
The Custom 823 is Pilot’s large-capacity gold-nib fountain pen: a translucent resin pen that fills by pushing a plunger, with a 14k gold No. 15 nib. Pilot’s Japanese catalog describes its easy, high-capacity filling system as made for heavy use.
It is also a big seller: Goulet Pens’ best-seller roundup names the Custom 823 in Amber its best-selling fountain pen in one of its upper price tiers. Wikipedia dates the 823 to 2000.
Pilot Custom 823 specs
Spec
Value
Maker
Pilot Corporation, Japan
Model (Japan)
FKK-3MRP, plus color and nib (e.g. FKK-3MRP-BNF, Brown, F)
Filling
Plunger (vacuum) with shut-off valve; bottled ink only
Ink capacity
Up to 2.55 ml (Goulet)
Nib
14k gold, size No. 15; F, M, B, S (Pilot Japan)
Body and cap
Translucent resin; screw cap; gold-plated trim
Colors (Japan)
Brown (US: Amber), Smoke, Clear
Length capped
148.4 mm (5.8 in) per Pilot; 149 mm per Goulet
Length of body
131 mm (5.2 in)
Length posted
164 mm (6.5 in)
Diameter
15.7 mm at its widest (Pilot); 12.5 mm body, 10.5 mm grip (Goulet)
Weight
29.5 g (Pilot); 29.0 g (Goulet)
JAN (Brown, F)
4902505238864
Pilot’s Japanese web catalog gives the model code, nib, length, width and weight; Goulet Pens adds the body, grip, posted and capacity figures.
The 71.5 mm cap posts deeply, adding 15 mm.
How does the Pilot vacuum filler on the Custom 823 work?
You unscrew the knob, pull the rod out, dip the nib and push the rod down; the vacuum the plunger creates pulls ink into the barrel in one stroke. Pilot Japan recommends filling from its 70 ml INK-70 bottles to protect the nib and fill reliably.
The knob also works as a shut-off valve, so loosen it a little while you write. The Gentleman Stationer notes you have to open the valve on vacuum fillers like the 823 to keep ink flowing; the TWSBI VAC700R works the same way.
What nib does the Custom 823 have?
It has a 14k gold nib in Pilot’s size No. 15, larger than the No. 5 on the Custom 74. Pilot Japan sells F, M, B and S; Goulet Pens says the S is a Signature nib that blends a broad line with stub-like variation.
Pilot uses Japanese sizing, so the F writes finer than a European F. For a softer 14k Pilot nib, see the Pilot Falcon. The same No. 15 nib, in 14 types, comes on the cartridge-filled Pilot Custom 743, which shares the 823’s body size.
How does the Custom 823 compare to other Pilot gold-nib pens?
It is the biggest, heaviest and highest-capacity of Pilot’s popular gold-nib pens.
Figures for the other two pens come from their guides.
Above the 823 in Pilot’s range, the lacquered Pilot Custom Urushi carries an 18k No. 30 nib, twice the size number of the 823’s No. 15.
Where is the Pilot Custom 823 made?
Goldspot’s spec sheet says made in Japan. Pilot’s Japanese catalog doesn’t name a country.
How much does a Pilot Custom 823 cost?
The Custom 823 is in our $$$$ price band, over $75 per pen, based on the US listings we checked in October 2026; Goulet Pens says a 70 ml bottle of Pilot Blue ink comes in the box.
In Japan, Pilot’s web catalog lists the Brown F-nib pen at ¥66,000 (about US$418) including tax. Pilot’s price list shows that price from July 1, 2026, up from ¥55,000 (about US$348). For other high-end picks, see best luxury pens.
Frequently asked questions
How much ink does the Pilot Custom 823 hold?
Goulet Pens lists a maximum of 2.55 ml, about twice the 1.23 ml it lists for Pilot's CON-70 converter.
Does the Pilot Custom 823 take cartridges or a converter?
No. It fills only from bottled ink with its built-in plunger. Pilot Japan recommends its 70 ml INK-70 bottles for filling, and Goulet Pens says a 70 ml bottle of Pilot Blue comes in the US box.
Why does my Custom 823 stop writing?
The plunger knob doubles as a shut-off valve. Unscrew it slightly while writing so ink can flow to the feed, and screw it closed for travel.
What does the 823 in the name mean?
Wikipedia says Pilot's three-digit Custom numbers combine the launch year and a price: the 823 came out in 2000, Pilot's 82nd year, at ¥30,000 (about US$190).
Is the Pilot Custom 823 made in the USA?
No. Goldspot's spec sheet says it is made in Japan.
Which Custom 823 color should I buy?
Pilot Japan sells Brown (sold in the US as Amber), Smoke (透明ブラック) and Clear. Goldspot lists all three in the US.
Can you post the Pilot Custom 823?
Yes. Goulet Pens lists it as postable, at 164 mm (6.5 in); capped it is 149 mm (5.9 in).
