After much debate and even leaving this message board for a few months, I was tempted to come back and purchase a new Blue Carbonesque Namiki Vanishing Point. I fought the temptation all that could, but the fountain pen was calling to me. Besides it was only $80 from Pam Braun. That is a deal that even I can't resist.

Ok, now tell me how much you love your VP...

Congrats! I got one a short while ago and I now carry it to work every day. It's a very handy pen.

I had to use a razor blade to open the tines a bit when I got it though, as it didn't write well with light pressure. If you have to do this use use plastic film rather than a razor blade if you can--I scratched my nib in the process. Fortunately, it was only cosmetic damage and can't been seen without a magnifying glass.

After doing that and writing on a paper sack for a while, it became a very smooth and reliable writer.

EDIT--typo

I've got my second one on order. I must admit that the clip placement took me a bit of time to get use to, but I am hooked on the convenience of being able to open the pen with simple click of the thumb.

In regards to the nib, there are apparently a few of them that come "out of the box" with the nib slit being a bit too tight. A bit of flossing with a razor, or even a piece of paper helps with the ink flow in these cases.

Congratulations on the new pen!

TMann

My VP is great. Recently been going through some tough times and had to sell off many of my FPs, but the VP was never even considered as a candidate for sale. Rugged, reliable, easily interchangeable nibs, and super handy!

Congrats on your purchase! That IS a great price for a VP. Heck it's a great value altogether.

The one word that comes to mind, after having used the VP, is "dependable." Good writer, very comfortable.

And so unique in its design, as if I have to say. First writing with the VP, you’re going to feel that the “clip is kinda’ in the way.” That is quickly dispelled once you see that, while you continue to write, the clip actually offers additional support to your index finger that no other pen can offer (I can’t think of another at least). By its very nature, and what is just so neat-o is that the pen, when not in use, is placed right side up (nib up, however shrouded), and upside down, basically, while writing – this “function,” to me, intended by Pilot/Namiki or otherwise, expresses the efficiency of this pen.

Clicks as quick as a ballpoint, ready to use just as fast; fountain pen nib. Just great (an expression I, myself, keep using on this board ).

And, again, something I don’t have to say, no cap to worry about.

PM me if you need more info'.

Love mine! I've never had a problem with a new nib, hopefully you wont either. Give us some impressions when it arrives. And congratulations!

i love my capless... it's blue carbonesque too with an 18k broad nib.

VPs are great. Hope you're getting the converter so you can load it with cool inks. Every now and then I wax mine with Zymol car wax (carnauba wax and organic ingredients, low low abrasives). Then I take it out for a spin! Drive yours in good health!

I used to have a black carbonesque. Cool pen, comfortable finish, decent size. I found the nib to be buttery smooth, almost too smooth, as it had problem writing on any paper with even the slightest bit of gloss to it. I was using a broad nib at the time, and then got a medium nib and the problem reduced slightly.

Ended up selling it later to raise some funds, but do miss it for it's ease of use.

Hope you enjoy yours!
Brian

I have two regular Capless pens (I mean in non-fancy finishes), one with a fine and the other with a medium nib. I use both to write and sketch with and they manage to be both funky and reliable at the same time. Enjoy your new pen!

Probably the best way to convey my feelings about the VP: This is the only pen other than Pelikans 200/400 that I can justify owning all the colors ever produced.

Any pen I place in the Pel 200/400 category has gotten the ultimate stamp of appoval from me.

I resisted buying one for several years thinking the clip would drive me batty and the brass barrel and therefore its weight would also annoy me. Silly gurl.

edited for a silly apostrophe. hope it goes through - it's time for my cable modem to take it's daily 6 hr. nap

When I first seen a Vanishing Point, I thought it was the ugliest pen I have ever seen. It kind of grew on me. Bittners had a yearly blow out and many of the VPs were on clearance, so I got one for dirt cheap and mostly I bought it out of curiosity because there were a lot of good things said about it. I used to own the blue VP until my wife got a hold of it and didnt want to return it. The pen is a solid writer that is totally rugged and a super smooth writer that lays down a wonderful wet line. Since my wife swiped my VP, she promised me that I could buy another one. So for my anniversary present, she got me my new VP. Since the Mandarin Yellow VP's are extremely scarce and the Raden was a bit out of the price range. I found a gentleman in Japan that sells Pilot, Platinum and Sailor pens that are not exported to the united states. So I found the Mustard yellow VP and ordered it. It is a tad more expensive than buying a VP in the states but the yellow is not exported here. Unfortunatly, the pen either came with a F or M, and I had a Medium in my blue Vp that was confiscated. I liked it but I prefer broad nibs, so I got a hold of Pam Braun and bought a broad nib unit before the prices went up. The pen is by far one of the smoothest writers I have and it is a pen I can take out with me to the field when i set up cameras on the launch facilities. It is worth every dollar and cent I paid for it!!!


Here is the blue and yellow VP


Here is the yellow one


I did a review on the Vanishing Point on my pen review site and here at FPN.
My Yellow VP Review

TNS

To my amazement, it arrived today. Huge kudoso to Pam for getting it to me so quickly. I called her yesterday at 3pm. She ran it to the post office after we got off the phone, and it is in my hands today! That is great customer service.

Since I do not have any ink bottles at work, I put the included cartridge in it and have been writing with that. I don't care for the light blue color of the ink, but I must say I am impressed with the pen. It is smooth and glides over my paper. I wrote on my Franklin planner pages with no problems and on Southworth business stationary that I had cut in half for notes and quick correspondences.

The clip placement doesn't bother me. It even helps me position the pen perfectly every time. I love the fact that I can take notes with it and click it closed. I don't have to worry about it drying up if I think too long in between writing.

It is a gorgeous pen. The blue carbonesque gets other people's attention and makes me smile while I write away.

Ok, now I have some writing to do!

I have the same problem Brian. The pen has trouble in my Clairefontaine notebooks, I guess because the nib is just too smooth. But I haven't had any other complaints.