Reddit mentions of PILOT"CUSTOM 823 - Plunger Type/TransparentBlack" (nib : Medium)

Not sure if "last a long time" means a pen you'll use for years or long between fillings, but the Homo Sapiens has 1.5ml to the 823's 2.5ml. And the Homo Sapiens doesn't have an ink window to tell you how much is left.

Also, the 823 is like half the price.

 

AFAIK, the Homo Sapiens major selling point is the unique material. I've held one, and it is definitely unique and made me want one. But personally, I can't justify the expense given the QC, lack of ink window, and competitors' pens.

If you love the material or don't care about ink windows as much as me, it might be the pen for you -- you always have the option to send it back 'till you get a working nib.

> I'd have to import, and then with the added Taxes and Shipping costs the 823 would be more expensive than the M1000

Challenge accepted.

https://www.amazon.de/Plunger-character-fountain-transparent-FKK3MRPTBM/dp/B001AX7T9Q

was delivered with all duties paid in advance.

Ah, fair. Though I found a link on amazon that sells it for just [$210](PILOT "CUSTOM 823 - Plunger Type /TransparentBlack" (nib : Medium) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AX7T9Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_j41yybYYZBQ12)... (fyi)

I just checked, and honestly the only concern I have about J-Subculture is that they don't have HTTPS on their website, so I wouldn't give them my credit card info (not because of them, but because of people who might intercept it). Other sites that people are recommending here like Engeika and Rakuten aren't any better in that regard actually, but if you use Paypal, the risk should be mitigated.

To explain J-Subculture, it's a Japanese import service. Their basic shtick is that you give them a link to a page where something is being sold or auctioned, you pay them, and then they buy it and ship it to you, although they do have their own shop as well.

If you don't feel comfortable with the lack of HTTPS, definitely try Amazon. For about $220, you can get a C823 from Amazon pretty easily (though I would recommend buying from a seller with high ratings).

Alternatively, if you don't mind the flat top design or the piston filling mechanism, you could try a Pilot Custom Heritage 92. It recently dropped to $133 on Jetpens and on top of that, it comes in Black and Blue now too (for a long time, only clear CH92s were available outside Japanese sellers). It's the same nib as the Custom 74, though, so if that's a turnoff, sorry.

Didn't know that you were in the US.
You can try the gray market for Japan pens such as:
https://www.amazon.com/Sailor-Pen-fountain-professional-11-1222-220/dp/B001TI9LMU/

https://www.amazon.com/SAILOR-Professional-Shiki-Oriori-Season-Yukitsubaki/

https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-3776-CENTURY-Bourgogne-nib/dp/B007RA4U6Q/

https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Fountain-Custom-Heritage-FKVH-15SRS-NC-F/dp/B0046L6L4S/

https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Fontain-Custom-M-Nib-FKK-1000R-DL-M/dp/B001AX3T4A/


You can go for Pilot Custom 823: https://www.amazon.com/PILOT-CUSTOM-823-Plunger-TransparentBlack/dp/B001AX7T9Q which is more expensive but so much better according to every owner.


Or buy this Lamy 2000 which is superior to the Visconti if you want a European fountain pen:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D3PYT0/

If you are looking for the smoke color, the the easiest place to get it would be from amazon. To the depth that I understand UK import fees, it's a complete toss up as to if you will have to pay duties. You can find the Amber color on eBay as well, but once again, you won't really know about duties till after it arrives.


The clear color way is pretty really hard to get in the UK.