Pilot Vanishing Point Retractable Fountain Pen, Black with Rhodium Accents, Medium Nib, (60242)

by Pilot

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002ZQB1K
• Item model number: Black / Rhodium
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,238 in Office Products (See Top 100 in Office Products)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 2, 2004

Product Description

The Pilot Vanishing Retractable Fountain Pen is an elegant and enduring gift, to commemorate a special occasion or accomplishment, or even as a well-deserved reward for yourself. The brilliant retractable design and ingenious technology of the original Vanishing Point fountain pen have been reborn in refined, sophisticated style with a larger size, durable metal body and attractive rhodium accents. Packaged in a presentation-ready navy blue gift box. A pen with a history, the Vanishing Point was originally launched in Japan in the early 1960's. The pen was originally called Capless and had one of the most complex inner mechanisms ever made. The twist-retractable nib action was a remarkable innovation, making the Capless a truly sensational pen. Later, an economy Capless version with push-button retraction was introduced for students. By the late 1960's the Capless fountain pen had disappeared, but found its renaissance as the Vanishing Point in the 1970's. A Namiki-branded version of the Vanishing Point became a veritable James Bond must-have pen in the mid 1990's. Another page of Vanishing Point history was turned with the introduction, in 1999 of the current, break-through version of this awesome fountain pen.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How do you rate the best !?, September 1, 2006

By 

K. Mahood, Ph D "musikdok" (Northern Virginia, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pilot Vanishing Point Retractable Fountain Pen, Black with Rhodium Accents, Medium Nib, (60242) (Office Product)

Some of the reviews I've written required much research. This is the exception. The Namiki Vanishing Point Fountain Pen really does have a nib (point) which fully retracts inside the pen-- It is the finest fountain pen I've used in 30 years of being totally immersed (no pun intended) in the world of "Écriture d'Élégance" (ie elegant writing). Yes, I know all about the "other brands" like: Montblancs (not good for heavy handed persons such as myself). Same for Parker (too drab), Dupont (too pricey), Cross (cheap), Pelikans (they leak-even the pricey ones), Waterman (so-so). I've tried all of the aforementioned, but always came back to Namiki, which is why I now have three of them, all with different types of nibs. And speaking of nibs (the point which actually does all the work). Although Namiki makes a wonderful flexible gold nib, I love italics and calligraphic writing styles. The beauty of the Namiki is that custom nibs for this pen are far easier to obtain than others. There are several very excellent pen craftsmen with websites access who will actually measure exactly the way you write and fit you with the proper custom machined Namiki nib. Why Namiki? Ah, that's the beauty of it all. Because this is the ONLY fountain pen which has all of it's "guts" in one small affordable package. The pen is over $100. but that is actually inexpensive compared to some of the brands which run well over $1,000 for ONE fountain pen. However, the entire nib assembly--everything, can be replaced for between $30-$40. That, in my opinion, is well worth the price of this pen. Also, I have NEVER had this pen (in any of my three Namikis) leak. Replacing the cartridge or filling from a bottle is exceptionally carefree and easy . I would advise using the wonderful Namiki cartridges which can be changed in a few seconds easier than ball points. I'm ambidextrous, but favour my left hand. The Namiki is wonderful both for left or right handed writing. In short, don't just sit there--go out and get one of these great fountain pens--and yes you can still write through carbonless copies.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bliss!, July 10, 2005

By 

Tribalblue (TX, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilot Vanishing Point Retractable Fountain Pen, Black with Rhodium Accents, Medium Nib, (60242) (Office Product)

This is the best pen I have ever owned. The line from it's nib is incredibly fine and dries quickly for documents free of smears and streaks. Cartridges and converters make refilling incredibly easy and the ink reserve lasts through the prodigious amounts I write thanks to my company's rather luddite leanings. I have bought several of these pens as gifts for friends and can only give my highest recommendation.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift, October 25, 2005

By 

A. Kemel "AKemel" (Highland Park, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pilot Vanishing Point Retractable Fountain Pen, Black with Rhodium Accents, Medium Nib, (60242) (Office Product)

I got this pen as a gift. It writes well and looks good doing it. It fact it is a premium pen I use everyday. It developed a "clicking" problem, after all I did a lot of it, to show how it works. I had it send in for repairs. It was covered by warranty, without receipt. It came back repaired with a new ink cartridge, a nice touch. Great pen. Classy company.