Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Have had one of these for 3 yeas now. I will never write with anything else. I got tired of ball points, because writting for too long hurt. Switched to gel pens, but you still have to put a little pressure to get them to work, and eventually it hurts. Plus, gel pens are streaky and inconsistent.

Finally, I decided to get a fountain pen. You barely have to touch the paper to write. Based on 8 months of research, I got a namiki/pilot vanishing pen. I love the clickable nature of this pen, no cap to lose, no uncovered tip to leak.

The pen is awesome! Never leaked. May have squeked a little, but it went away. I got the bold tip for big bold writing. Awesome!

I will never, ever write with anything else ever again. The experience can't be explained. I look forward to writing every day!

2010 Update:
Still have the same pen in the bold tip. Still the best writing experience ever! Everyone always asks me, "What kind of pen is that? Can I try it?" They always are shocked at first to see that it's a fountain pen, then once they figure out how to use it... they love it!

Still the world's best writing experience. Can't say enough about this. I am so glad someone invented this. Very few things in life are life changing or life altering. This is one of them. I WANT to write and find any excuse to write!

Awesome!

I bought this pen because I had experienced 'pen envy' over a colleague's Namiki. I may have bought it out of envy, but I use it because it's a great pen. The retractable point makes it leak proof, thus enabling it to be carried on an airplane. It writes fluidly, and doesn't skip at all. My only wish is that I think I would like to buy the fine nib too, so that my colleague could envy me!
It does take some getting used to because the pen clip is kind of in the way, but I have learned to live with it because, as I said, I love the pen.

I just bought this pen as a gift for my daughter, starting a new job overseas. I've had my own Namiki Vanishing Point Pen for about 3 years. Whatever steps I can take to diminish the deluge of throw away things is meaningful to me. I first bought this pen at a specialty pen shop in Carmel, for about $40 more than I paid for this one! It writes smoothly, is comfortable in the hand, and the nib retracting, like a turtle into its shell, makes it so easy to use (nothing to uncap). I've never had it leak. If I have any 'problem' with it, it's that it only holds a fill-up for a couple of days of moderate use, rather than the week+ I'd been told it would. There are cartridges for it if you prefer that approach (but for me, that's another throwaway). However, my brother bought this same pen after trying mine, and he uses cartridges that he says last a couple of weeks of moderate use. I did purchase a couple of packs of cartridges to send along with my daughter - not sure what she'd be able to find in Africa.

I would highly recommend this pen if you want a beautiful, efficient, well made fountain pen that will last for many years.

I had had this item some time ago, as it was given to me as a gift. It worked perfectly, and the retractability feature was incredibly useful... but I used it too harshly, I didn't care too much of falls, etc. The result was that I destroyed it, despite being really robust. But I had fallen in love with it! When I felt that time for getting reunited had come, I went to the on-line Amazon shop, and, surprise, it was there waiting for me. I didn't doubt, I bought it. Delivery was excellent as usual, and finally we're together. I'm using it again, its touch is perfect, as its writing is. 100% to be recommended.

I have been using a Vanishing Point for about 10 years. I simple love them and the Black Carbonesque is a beautiful color, although it took me a couple days to get use to it. Now I simply love it.

I have many very high end pens and I find myself keep going back to the VP because it is just simple. It does not leak and I don't have ink all over my hands. I love how just pushing on the top brings the nib out. The nib is smooth, and you want it made "special" for you there are lots of folks who will alter them for you.

For the money, you are not going to find a better fountain pen!

I received this pen as a gift from my father. This was my first fountain pen and I was skeptical of using such a pen. I have to say that I love it. It writes awesome and looks great too. My co-workers were amazed by its design and how smooth it flows. I have the fine point which fits my style of writing. I carry it in my shirt pocket without worry of an ink disaster. I recommend anyone interested in a personal pen to consider this pen for both performance and price. RRC

Never leaks, retractable nib works brilliantly, comfortable to hold and writes really smoothly on lots of paper types. Best fountain pen I've ever owned.