Pilot Capless Décimo F

[eslemexe]

First Impression: I was looking for my first mid range fountain pen and looking in Jetpens.com (not related) I see the Capless series from Pilot so I immediately search for reviews of the Fermo and Decimo and I choose the Decimo, and yes was because the price. I order some other stuff and i make my order. 1 week later arrived!

 

The first thing I noticed was the case. I didn't expected one like this, I think it would be less elegant. This is new for my because all my pens was low low low end ones.

 

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9048/dscf2921k.jpg

 

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/5320/dscf2922la.jpg

 

 

I opened the case and "bualá" my new décimo saw me and say "hey dude! ink me and try me!!!" so I did. My first impression when I see it was "damn, this is a beautiful pen now i look like a real engineer " So I grab the pen, put the converter and fill it. This is the review of my new baby doll.

 

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8300/dscf2923f.jpg

 

 

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1. Appearance & Design (10) - This is a very elegant pen, maybe a little slim but is a pen you are going to turn and see if is in the shopfront. The blue color of the barrel is lovely and beautiful and the plated rim gives it a elegant air.

 

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/8196/dscf2924.jpg

 

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http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2910/dscf2930c.jpg

 

 

 

2. Construction & Quality (9) - All seems to be in their place, nothing too elaborated but is not a regular construction, maybe the clip feels a little fragile but i wont use it too much.

 

 

3. Weight & Dimensions (10) - This pen is the definition of light and has the perfect size, my "problematic big hands" just feel it perfect and right, 14cm without the nib and like 13.8cm with nib outside.

 

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2121/dscf2931n.jpg

 

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4. Nib & Performance (7) - Rhodium plated 18K yellow gold nib. This is a F and is very smooth and write very fine. I know that japans fines are thiner than European fines but i didn't think it was this much. Maybe is too fine for me and is not to wet for my taste but besides that is good quality nib. I'm thinking in get a Custom Mr. Binder nib but first I want to squeeze all the juice i can get from this one.

 

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/127/dscf2935.jpg

 

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5. Filling System & Maintenance (5) - C/C type, It includes a pilot refill cartridge but i didn't use it, i buy a converter CON-50 because all my pens use piston fillers converters. The think i didn't like about this is the size, is too small, It carry a small amount of ink, i knew ink capacity is not a characteristic of the capless series but Pilot should make a more capacity one. And other thing, when you fill the pen you cant see if you fill it right and all the capacity because a (I want to think)protection is cover it. The décimo can use the CON-20 too. I'm thinking on buying one to check if this one can carry more ink.

 

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/32/dscf2937m.jpg

 

6. Cost & Value (8) - Is not a cheap pen for a college student, more if you have too choose between food or pens, but this one worth the cost. I brought mine from jetpens and cost me $170 but you know when you start a shopping cart in a online store you just cant stop, I should try to do it because is basically absorbing all my money but hey! is just a phase... right?

 

7. Conclusion (8.16) - This is a gorgeous pen, I'm happy with my choose. The filling system is the only problem i have with it but is not a deal breaker, if you want a Vanishing Point but you want to be distinguished between your friends (which i suppose all have a VP) get a Decimo and is more slim. If you want a gold trim or a different barrel color go for the Vanishing Point, either chooses would be good.

[Sharkle]

Congratulations on your new pen! I bought a Decimo in the champagne pink color a few years ago and I use it all the time. This year I picked up a brown Sesenta for a very good price. The pen is fantastic in blue as well. Thank you for a fine review and tempting pictures.

[Kessel]

The CON-20 is definitely better than the 50. The 50 is, in my opinion, one of the worst converters on the market.

 

It's such a shame, too, because if you move up to a pen that can use the 70 you'll suddenly find the very best converter on the market.

Edited May 21, 2010 by Kessel

[dedalian]

Nice review with great pics.

I wish someone did a comparative review of the decimo, the capless and the third one in the capless series the fermo.

[lovemy51]

thx for the review. i find the click mech of the VP's and Decimo, better than the twist system of the Fermo.

 

good choice! congrats!

[bluemagister]

Nice review! I know the Pilot Capless pens are ubiquitous and almost everyone sells them, but they are simply the best pen value for the money out there. I fill mine with diluted Legal Lapis and I can write for days on one charge of ink.

[fabrimedeiros]

Great review! Very honest in criticizing the negative points, as the Decimo's Filling System. IMO, I prefer thicker pens, in this case, VP, but, no doubt Decimo is a great pen, and like all Pilot Capless is revolutionary.

 

Fabricio in São Paulo

[DavidB]

I bought my first Decimo a month ago and I love it. Having heard many people complain about low ink capacity, I decided to buy a fine nib and I refill a standard Pilot cartridge with an eyedropper every 2-3 days to keep my ink levels up. That's the best I can do, and I get about 10 pages of writing per cartridge fill (my writing, however, is quite spacious on a page).

 

David B

[tanalasta]

Nice review. Thank you.

 

I also enjoy my Decimo especially for note-taking and take advantage of the low capacity by using it to trial interesting colours or those I do not use everyday (e.g. scented red or blue ink). Posted a picture in the 'blue pens' thread on the pictures forum so won't hijack your thread and post it here.

 

The cartridges are quite spacious and is a good way to use the pen as a daily writer.

 

Taking the nib unit out to check remaining ink was my other gripe with the pen as well as difficulties cleaning the barrel.

[Maebin]

I love my gray Decimo - although I am looking to trade for a pink :-). The size feels right to me. I noted a number of complaints that the VP is too thick. Guess I need to but one and do my own comparison - yeah, that's why I need one!

I use mine at work all day. I am a researcher, so my handwriting sessions are very brief and very numerous; the click-top is perfect for me.

I agree that it seem slike I have to refill every day. I don't, really, but it feels that way. The no-view ink-level is annoying. I use a F nib.

[Juan in Andalucia]

Congrats for the new pen. Get the squeeze convertor: it does make a difference which is worth the price.

 

Juan

[iroshizuku]

Agree...

I had a fine nib VP, the nib is just too fine and not wet enough.

But overall it's really a beautiful pen.

Edited June 3, 2010 by iroshizuku