Hi, I'm new to this posting business, so hope I am doing it right. I love my vanishing point and went mousing around on the Japanese website folks on the FPN have mentioned looking for a lighter version (the decimo). Well, since inevitably one link leads to another...

That was when I saw a pen he calls "Silvern". It looks gorgeous, but does anyone know anything about it? How does it write? This is a link to the page where I saw it http://ujuku.jpn.ph/KAIMONO/pen/FK-5MS.htm. Don't say I didn't warn you!

It's a gorgeous pen and I'm adding a photo I plucked off the web somewhere (apologies if it's a pen person's photo!). It comes in four finishes and I like three of them, but I'd likely stick with the pictured cisele pattern. The nib looks very neat! This pen is on my 2007 "I want" list!

Dan

The Pilot Silvern series evolved from the black plastic and sterling models of the Pilot Elite from the late 1960s. Although presently in four finishes that I am aware, the original 1970s model must have been in ten or more. See Lambrou's FPOTW for the array of models. Uses cartridges or converter.

The nibs are outstanding. although being metal and heavier than a plastic pen, it is well-balanced and seems to glide accross the paper. This is only MY impression. Being a big-handed lefty who writes in an odd manner, not every pen is best for me. This one works pretty well.

Your pic looks like the Parker Cisele Sonnet or 75 Cisele. I also liked 3 of the 4 patterns. I wasn't too fond of the flower pattern.

Here are the other 3 patterns.

Bob

No, I'm not keen on the flower pattern either, but the others are all interesting. I like the lined pattern, but I think the crosshatch is my favorite!

Dan

The alligator is awesome. Are these available? How much $$ ?

Hi Sleeper,
This precise pen I own, and I also bought it with mr. Tadashi. It really is a great pen, great looks, quite heavy, but very easy to write with. I esspecially like the big nib. I have a XF nib on it and that's very smooth, good flow.

You won't regret it! I also recommend this seller!

cheers,
Luca

Looks like they are $432.49, too pricey fo me.

That Pilot Silvern is truly a beautiful pen! But for that price, I'd definitely go with a Nakaya.

The cobblestone is the one I yearn for. But if it is heavy it would be a mistake for me. I find my vanishing point and Visconti opera club are both too heavy for my hand (I have a very mild hand muscle weakness -- that might be why I don't like heavy pens). According to mr. tadashi "The weight of The Silvern FK-5MS pen is 37g. It is 21g when a cap is removed." That would make the pen (without cap) almost the same weight as a Decimo (or a parker 51 with cap). You should see me. I just had to run in the kitchen and weigh all my pens with and without caps on the kitchen scale.

So when you say it is heavy, Luca, I get a little nervous. But glad to hear Mr. Tadashi is as good as he seems. I am definitely getting at least the decimo.

Hi Sleeper,
After your question on the weight, I decided to ink this one again (thanks!)
It really is a beauty and the weight is very comparable to for exemple a Pelikan 800; that means it is not very heavy indeed...in my memory however it was; must have been the 'heavy' solid looks of this pen...

best regards,
Luca

Thank you Luca,
That is really helpful information. Now I have to decide if I can afford it AND the decimo...
Cheers!

Here's a picture of the NOS pens I bought from Stan a year or so ago. They still haven't touched ink! I have no excuse for that, other than the timing just hasn't been right to do so.

Does anyone know the nib is made of one those hunks or silver gorgeousness? Is it, or could it be made, somewhat flexible?

Here is a picture of my Custom Silvern right next to an Elite short pen posted. The elite has a sterling silver cross hatched pattern on the cap and a medium, somewhat flexible nib. It is is a dream to write with and the same goes for the Silvern (winiter trees pattern), which has a fine nib. The similarities of the two pens i think are obvious in the picture. I got both pens at the same time and i am really happy with them. Both nibs are 18K gold.
Nikolaos