Customer Reviews

Pilot Vanishing Point Collection Retractable Fountain Pen, Blue Carbonesque with Rhodium Accents, Fine Nib (60149)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The pictures of this pen don't do it justice--I'll try to describe in words what it is like to hold this pen in your hand. I have the blue carbon fiber model, and the dark navy blue next to the rhodium finish indeed looks very sharp. The bottom of the pen, where the nib comes out, has a vague hint of art deco about it, whereas the rest of the pen, with its unfamilier, yet totally logical geometry and layout, has a fashion-forward air. But the styling of this pen is neither retro nor futuristic. The combination of a (lets face it) archaic writing technology combined with advanced materials like carbon fiber makes a dramatic styling statement--but without a hint of irony. And yet, the look is anything but contemporary---what is it?

The best way to describe it is that this pen looks like an artifact from an alternate world history--it looks like what a high-end fountain pen would look like today had the ball point pen never been invented. It fits, unselfconsciously, into your lifestyle as if you had been using fountain pens all your life. The retractible nib makes for a very practical writing instrument--it is so much quicker to whip the pen out of your pocket and press the clicker to jot something down that you do it much more naturally than uncapping a regular fountain pen. Another click and the nib vanishes just as fast, ready to be cliped back into your pocket.

I bought the model with the fine nib, and I really like the ultra-precise line it can draw, but I can't really recommend the fine nib model to casual or first-time fountain pen buyers. I had to adjust the nib by (very carefully!!!) inserting a razorblade to spread the tines out a bit, in order to get the kind of ink flow I desire. And fine nibs can be finnicky. It is a fountain pen, after all. So newbies please get a model with a medium nib.

But I really love this pen, and can't imagine what I did without it.

The pen is great especially if you like to use a fountain pen but don't like the hassel of dealing with a cap.
It's my favorite fountain pen. I chose it over all my other fountain pens (Parker, Pelikan, Lamy & Waterman) for everyday use. It's extremely well-made and balanced.
In my opinion the Vanishing Point Pen only has two drawbacks. First, if you like the convenience of using a cartridge, they are not readily available locally (like Dallas/Fort Worth Texas) & they are more expensive than international sized cartridges. Second, the pen does leak a little just not on the outside (I've noticed that when when I take the pen apart, the nib assembly has ink leaking).
I would not hesitate to recommend this pen to anybody!

I have been a longtime fountain pen user and for years never tried a Japanese pen. My favorite was the Lamy 2000 and I had some quirky Montblancs and Watermans that are nice to look at but each has its own annoying problem such as leaking or sweating.

A once told a pen aficionado that I wanted the finest point you could find in a fountain pen (meaning the narrowest line rather than anything in particular about the materials or design of the nib). He apprised me that one should look to the Japanese (Pilot and Namiki) for that and that the European pens just can't compare for consistent quality of the very fine nibs.

I bought the Namiki retractible and consider it the best pen made. And now after having bought a few I would say the quality is highly consistent. It definitely has a fine line. I thought my Lamy 2000 fine or extra fine was adequate, but the Namiki is better. It lays ink down more consistently. And the trap door design is an engineering feat. The pen stays wet for weeks unused. I have since also bought some other Pilots and like this maker the best for writing quality. Their products, in the $5 to $200 range are far and away better than anything I have used from the US or Europe.

But even among this fine product line, for me, the vanishing point pen stands out. The grip and clip assembly is ergonomic perfection. The case is very durable (I have some brassing on my first one after years of constant use). The nib is the most rigid and precise I have used. I would say anyone who likes fountain pens would not regret buying one of these.

I have used fountain pens for years starting in grade school when fountain pens were a fashionable fad. I have purchased many over the years in search of the perfect pen -- waterman, cross, parker, lamy, aurora, and levenger -- many of which I like very much. But my search for perfection has ended. The Namiki vanishing point carbon blue pen is just a beautiful instrument with wonderful balance. The fine point nib glides effortlessly across any page and is an ideal weight for writing and drawing. It gives me more control over my writing and drawing than any pen I've ever owned. I bought a nice pen case for it so I can take it with me everywhere. I can hardly wait to take it out of the case each day and write something with it or just doodle.

Solid construction, perfect balance in hand, and the fine tipped, retractable nib makes it practical for everyday use. Plus it just looks really cool.

A gorgeous, functional everyday pen that is a bargain! I always wanted a quality fountain pen without paying $1000+. This one is perfect because:

1. No screw-on cap. No more fussing with a cap with both hands when looking for a pen to write with. The pen opening has a little door that opens and closes, keeping the nib from drying out

2. Pen is clipped with the nib pointing up. No more little pen marks in my shirt pocket that even ball point pens can leave.

3. Can be converted from piston filler to cartridge without problems.

4. 18K gold plated nib, long lasting, and looks great

However, I was a little disappointed that the design "Carbonesque" is actually just regular plastic with little dots painted on it. Not the true carbon fiber look. Also, when using a cartridge, it can take a long time for the ink to make its way to the tip. Also when not used for a few hours, the ink at the tip dries and it takes about 15-20 seconds to prime the tip again. A little annoying when you need to write something fast, like a phone number.

Overall, it's worth the $130 I paid for it. I do agree that the medium tip should be used by most people for everyday use. I got the fine tip and kinda regret it because with my handwriting, some of my lines are too thin and not very visible.

This is the first fountain pen that I have ever purchased and the product is as good as advertised. A very elegant pen with a very fluid writing motion. The ink cartridgte system makes ink replacement a breeze. You do need to be delicate with the wriitng tip(nib) but all in all an excellent writing implement.
I purchased the fine point because I find the medium and broad tips too messy. This is a great introduction to fountain pens. Great pen.