Pilot Custom 845 Vermilion Review: An Urushi-Coated Classic Worth the Trip

Introduction

Some pens earn a place in a collection through sheer practicality, and others through memory. The Pilot Custom 845 in Vermilion is the second kind, picked up during a visit to a well-regarded Paris fountain pen shop as the trip’s one meaningful purchase. But beyond the sentimental value, it is a genuinely impressive pen on its own terms: urushi-lacquered, fitted with an 18k gold nib, and built around Pilot’s classic full-size silhouette. This review walks through the unboxing, parts and features, sizing, writing performance, and the practical details worth knowing before you spend the money.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Custom 845 arrives in layered packaging that signals what is inside. The outer box holds a warranty card, product information from Pilot about the urushi finish, and slips into an inner box made of that wonderfully soft Japanese wood. A small flap on the front makes the box easier to extract, a small touch that is genuinely appreciated. The pen itself sits protected, with a paper band around the clip.

In person, the vermilion urushi reads as a rich, deep red that covers both the cap and the barrel. Compared with the all-black version of the same pen, the differences are purely cosmetic: virtually identical body architecture, with the cap and barrel finished in red urushi instead of black. The model is also available in Prussian blue, which is increasingly tempting the longer it stays on the wishlist.

Unboxing and First Impressions

One practical note on availability: when the all-black Custom 845 first entered collections years ago, these pens were not sold in the US and had to be sourced from Japanese retailers. That has changed, and the Custom 845 is now readily available in the States in three finishes: black, vermilion, and Prussian blue.

Parts and Features

Starting at the finial, there is a gold ring with a black insert at the top; a pop of vermilion urushi there instead might have been interesting, but that is a design quibble rather than a flaw. The classic Pilot clip has the familiar ball end and is flexible enough to accommodate pockets and materials of varying thickness. The cap angles up slightly and levels out over roughly the last inch, where you find two bands: a smaller one, and the larger band engraved with Custom 845, urushi, and Pilot made in Japan.

The cap twists off in about two rotations. Beneath it sits a Pilot number 15 nib in 18k gold, two-toned, with the wavy line detailing that Pilot reserves for its upper-echelon nibs. It is offered in fine, medium, and broad. A charming detail: the nib carries a date code, in this case indicating production in December of 2022, so you can tell exactly when yours was made.

The section is plastic, beginning with a slight flare before angling up toward smooth, low-profile cap threads. The barrel starts a touch thinner, reaches its thickest point about an inch down, then tapers toward the rear where another raised ring meets the black resin finial piece. That rear resin appears to be plain resin rather than urushi-coated material.

Parts and Features

As a cartridge-converter pen, the Custom 845 ships with Pilot’s CON-70 converter, which is widely regarded as one of the better converters on the market, far superior to the older CON-40. It is a pump-fill converter: a few presses draw ink up into the reservoir, giving generous capacity for daily use.

Pricing and Availability

The Custom 845 Vermilion retailed at €650 in Paris, which worked out to roughly $751 at the time of purchase. Pilot uses regional pricing, and through US retailers the pen currently sits at about $950, a figure that has been fairly consistent. Elsewhere in the world you will find varying prices. Inconsistent regional pricing is one of the few recurring complaints aimed at Pilot, so it is worth comparing your local market before buying.

Size, Posting, and Everyday Handling

The Custom 845 sits in Pilot’s full-size lineup: noticeably slimmer and shorter than the Custom Urushi, and similar in scale to the Custom 823. Against non-Pilot pens, it reads close to a Montblanc 146, smaller than a Sailor King of Pen, and comfortably larger than a Pro Gear Sky.

The pen posts deeply and securely, and the inside of the cap has a bit of felt that reduces worry about marking up the barrel. It works well both posted and unposted, which is a genuine advantage for writers who switch between the two. At 18k gold with a resin section and urushi-coated cap and barrel, it feels like a pen meant for regular use rather than safe queens.

Ink and the Writing Sample

The test ink was Pilot’s Yamabudo, a favorite that translates roughly to crimson glory vine: a fuchsia pink to purple hue with a hint of golden green sheen. Close comparisons include Pilot’s blue-leaning purple shikibu ink and Colorverse Andromeda, which shows a bit more sheen but slightly less saturation.

On paper, the broad 18k nib is simply glorious. It is incredibly smooth, gliding across the page with a very generous ink flow, and you can coax a bit of line variation out of it with light pressure. Reverse writing lays down an extra-fine line, though it feels slightly sharp in that direction. For fast writing, these Pilot sections and nibs have never had trouble keeping up, making the pen dependable for long sessions and quick note-taking alike.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The Custom 845 Vermilion is not cheap, and the regional pricing discrepancy means doing a little homework can save real money. If you prefer a thicker pen, the Custom Urushi is significantly larger and more expensive, so sizing matters here. Also decide early between the three finishes: the vermilion is striking, but the Prussian blue has a way of growing on you.

Buying Advice

For anyone who wants a high-quality urushi-finished pen with a smooth, generous 18k gold nib and modern converter convenience, the Custom 845 is an easy recommendation. It is a memorable purchase in the best sense: distinctive enough to mark an occasion, refined enough to earn daily carry.

Conclusion

The Pilot Custom 845 Vermilion combines a beautiful traditional lacquer finish, a date-coded 18k gold number 15 nib, and practical cartridge-converter filling into one of the most satisfying pens in its class. Its main hurdles are price and Pilot’s inconsistent regional pricing, but the writing experience more than justifies the investment for enthusiasts who value smooth, expressive nibs.