My Experience With The Pilot Vpen

July 16, 2014

I just got my hands on two pilot vpens and i'd like to share my experience with them. Overall their very good, though the quality seems a little inconsistent since one of them has a much scratchier nib.

They are quite smooth but not as smooth as the lamy safari. Their weight takes some getting used to because they feel lighter than a feather to write with (i know since iv written with quills i made myself). There is also a wierd where on some papers the line is really wide but on others it's quite thin.

Overall it's a good pen for carrying around clipped to a pocket notebook or when you just need something you don't have to worry about. But their build quality is awfull and the looks arent great so it's not going to be my favorite pen.

July 26, 2014

I have a couple of Vpens as well and my experience basically mirrors yours. I like having pens I can just toss around in my bag or let other people try without worrying about it at all. I've given some away to friends and family members to introduce them to fountain pens and it's always been a hit!

Are you going to try taking it apart and refilling it yourself once the supplied ink runs out? I'm considering that. It would be a cool way to try out ink samples, at least.

July 26, 2014

Is the Vpen the same as the Varsity?

If so the feed is a very non fountain pen like feed. Well when I last opened a Varsity up it had a nylon (?) wick touching the Nib.

July 26, 2014

I believe that the Varsity is just what Pilot calls Vpens that are sold in the U.S.

I have several Vpens and several Varsities. The only difference is the label!

July 29, 2014

The V-Pen is definitely a great pen to have just as a spare, or even to lend to people.

As to the problems you mentioned,

1. If you have a notebook with a slightly rough cardboard back, you can scribble your scratchy nib on that to smooth it out a bit. (VERY fine grit sandpaper works too, or brown bags. Either way, the nib will eventually be molded to fit your writing style as time goes on.)

2. The line variation is normal, different papers have different absorbancy rates. On some papers, your line might seem fine, on others, you'll just about double your writing size.

3. Some people have talked about painting the pen, of all the methods I've heard, I think spray paint might work best.