I'm trying to make the decision to buy a Namiki VP. Everything I've read about them is very positive. I'm trying to weigh my options--so tell me, why WOULDN'T I buy this pen?

Thanks for all of the unbiased feedback.

--Shannon

Everything I read is very complimentary as well. The only negative I've seen is that the nib is prone to collecting ink (?) and requires disassembly to clean. I don't own one so can't describe the process or difficulty. Variety of beautiful colors available and have come across websites that provide replacement nib units (if you want to change nib size/unit).

My only hold-off is -- and certainly my taste only! -- that this pen appears too contemporary. My preference goes towards classic pen designs.

Dear Shannon-

I have a VP and like it very much, but draw the line before love- not that I am a non-committal type, it's just that there are "issues" between us. Let's look at a few:
1. When I take it out from my pocket, I need to reverse it so that I can push the nib out. An odd sense when one is used to unscrewing a cap. But- not that difficult to master. (hmmmm)
2. The fingers aroound the clip issue- this may be a bit more serious. When the writer's thumb and index finger straddle the clip, there is always an adjustment. Some find less, some more. I could care less on Mondays and Saturdays, but the other days, I run from being mildly irritated, to wanting to rip the clip, and flip the pen out into my garden where it might frighten away a squirrel or two.
3. When the nib emerges from its nest(!), the initial reaction- wow, this is one small nib- but in pendom as in recreation, size is not always everything (of course this writer is male)- but if you are used to a "regular" nib, this one is kept narrow (which is partially cool) and small in its exposure- I believe to be a function of its design.
4. And this is my major issue: the nib slides across the paper- no matter on onion skin mss from the 50's, or a coated inkjet paper of the 2000's- and I mean slides-
I have a fine, but it seems a medium, of sorts- again no issue, but when a fine slides like a set of four bald tires, well, then maybe we need chains, or at least a bit of salt.

That said, I still llike the VP and maintain it in my rotation- but I must admit, being an eliltist, I tend to use it more for my pedestrian tasks (drawing walking maps), than for the more esoteric- re-drawing walking maps.

But- and I repeat BUT- no penthusiast should be without a VP in his/her collection/rotation.

Tony

Hard question to answer as I have had two of them, and currently have one in rotation. My Black VP has a Binder stub in it which makes it oh so much more fun to write with.

The only down sides are that the clip does bother some people, and if you put one in the front pocket of your jeans without clipping it to the pocket, you get a nice ink stain on the inside of your jeans. Speaking from experience there.

They are reliable pens, look nice, very well built and are cool to boot.

Cheers,
SG

I have the older, faceted style and do like it overall. The clip doesn't bother me at all, and as a writer, with either F or B nibs, it is great. The one negative for me is using a converter. It holds very little ink, and with the B nib is pretty quick to run dry. As others have reported in other threads, it also has flow issues. Some inks "stick" in the converter, which is irritating. Refilling cartidges is an option, but I'd rather have a converter that holds more ink and lets it flow easier.

I'm a VP fanboy. I have two, with three nibs. A medium, a fine, and a .5mm Binder cursive italic. I use them at work for utilitarian stuff, and at home for "quality time." But you're asking for the negatives. Okay.

(1) Clip placement might bug you. Since the clip is integrated into the "section," unless you have a schoolbook tripod grip, it might get in the way. I don't have a problem, but I notice that people have very diverse ways of wielding pens.

(2) The piston converter is tiny. The Nibs.com pen measurement table lists its capacity at 0.9 ml compared to 2ml for a Pelikan piston. Also, since the converter is mostly buried within the sliding nib unit mechanism, it's impossible to check the ink level even if you unscrew the barrel. I use the "junkie" technique of flicking out air bubbles before flicking, but you have to have a regular routine of ink filling to really get along with this pen. Of course, you could use cartridges, which hold more ink and are "checkable," but I like Noodler's.

(3) They're relatively heavy. Since VP's have brass bodies, they have some heft -- 30 grams compared to a similarly sized Pelikan 600's 17.6 grams. The big, brass piston Pelikan 800 is 25.5 grams. I myself like the feel of the pen, especially with the warm, grippy, carbonesque finish, but this is all about you.

(4) Design-wise they're very unique. If you're looking for a classic fountain pen look, this ain't the one. Also, some think they're downright ugly. Richard Binder described them as "lead blimps" (until he started selling them!). They make a slimmer model, the Decimo, but I find them too skinny and light.

These are the negatives I can think of, but as I say, I'm a VP fanboy.

May your words and pen be worthy companions,

Doug

Hi,

Get one with the Con-20 (press-bar) converter because these hold more ink.

The clip placement is not always where everyone would like it.

They are heavy.

Dillon

Thanks for the reply. beautiful pen. What finish is it? It vaguely looks like the Carbonesque....

"Why WOULDN'T you buy a VP? "
No opposable thumb?

Seriously, I've had my blue faceted VP for more than ten years and still love it. I had to send it into Pilot repair once due to a door issue but they fixed it free of charge quite rapidly.

There are obviously more reasons to buy a VP than not. It's been a huge seller for Namiki/Pilot for good reason and is a classic among modern fountain pens. About the only negative comment of any significance you'll hear is that some people feel the position of the pocket clip gets in their way when writing. Personally, the clip doesn't get in my way, but some folks hold their pens differently and as such the VP may not be the right pen for them.

Mark, you really don't need to be hesitant to tell us how you really feel!

... no one has mentioned the CLICK noise every time you open/retract the nib... I have an older faceted model. It's a great writer in every respect, and I originally bought it because I love the idea of a retractable nib But the CLICK is really annoying, especially during meetings.

Oh, it doesn't really hold enough ink for me, either... so it's not getting much use these days. In fact, I keep thinking I should sell it on Marketplace...

Petra

I'm probably one of the few people who tried it and didn't like it. It wasn't the clip, though, it was the feel of the pen--just too "mushy" and soft across the paper. Also quite broad. I had the same feeling about the Lamy 2000, another favorite, so I guess I'm just contrary. However I strongly suggest that you try one. Chances are that like a majority of us, you will like it. If not, you'll find that it's very easy to sell.

I too, looked at the VP with interest simply because everyone waxed poetic about it on this board. I finally took the plunge and bought one. I loved it. Then I went to the D.C. show and saw a raden. It stopped me dead in my tracks because it was gorgeous. I stood there at a table, holding onto the raden so tightly that I thought I'd have to have it pried out of my hands in order for me to leave it there but leave it I did because it was too expensive considering that I had already purchased 5 other pens and related items. (sorry about the sentence BUT I meant it the way you read it....)
I patiently waited a few months and located a new one for about 80 dollars less and I grabbed it.
My advice: buy one, try one! You will love it!

Apollo, welcome back! Haven't seen you in these parts for quite a while.

I wanted to address a comment that PinarelloOnly made a few thoughts up. I've got an identical setup to his, aside from the broad nib (which I had, but traded away). I use mine with a fine point for daily writing.

I'm also a lefty, and I don't find that the clip placement is intrusive. As has been mentioned elsewhere, the clip seems to support (force?) a triangular-shaped grip, albeit without using the triangular section that the Lamy Safari does.

I find the Vanishing Point to be quite comfortable, and I'm really glad that I had coffee with Ryan Long the day that I did back in early December and was able to doodle with his carbonesque blue for a few minutes. Since then I've bought one for me, and another for my wife!

*Edited to include final thought...

My advice would be to give it a try. You'll be able to find one used here on the Marketplace (they show up every week), and be able to pick it up for a pretty good price. Use it. If you like it, keep it. If not, put it back up on the Marketplace and it'll sell within a day or two. You won't have to take much of a hit on it, either.

Having heard so much about the VP, but being hesitant about the clip, I went over to see Pam Braun and saw a few of her VPs. The Raden was indeed beautiful, but waaay out of my price league. The clip was not intrusive at all, at least to my hands (I use the standard tripod grip). And I liked the concept and mechanism. The nib was super-smooth and lovely.

Hence, I now own a beautiful blue carbonesque VP with a medium nib. My answer to the OP's question? Well, I have already bought one!

Sorry Gals and Guys but I just can't get past the "ballpoint" aspect of the pen. I've tried but just can't.

Srehman - Nice signature.

I have become obsessed with the VP. I started with a nice Mustard Yellow, added the Raden, wanted to try the older models, so picked up a faceted Burgundy, and just this week added the Black Stealth.

For me and what I do at work, they are the perfect pen. The way I hold my pens, I don't even notice the clip. And for the people who think they are too heavy, try and earlier models. They are lightweight, and the clip isn't as large.

Yes, the converters don't hold all that much ink, that is why I refill cartridges, and have yet to run out while working.

I have 4 Med nibs and a Broad. For me the Med are great, as they all tend to write a bit finer which suits my style. I do plan on getting a Binder Cursive Italic to be able to swap amongst the pens.

My ONLY problem is deciding which one to use. Should I take the yellow today, no, lets do the Burgundy, wait, the Raden is calling out to me. OK, the Black Stealth wins today, but who knows about tomorrow.

Extremely happy multiple VP owner.




Bob

I found the one handed operation of the pen a very attractive feature.

The issue for me is that the nib is not attached to the pen body, and the feedback you get from the nib is different than from a conventional FP.

Some people say they have problems with the clip position.

I do not - except when used with an italic nib that is much more specific as to how you hold the pen - and yes, you guessed it, to write with the italic in a smooth nonscratchy way requires my fingers to be on the damned clip.

But with that caveat, you should have no problems with a normal nib and the VP is a handy daily user at the office - no removing and posting (or putting down and losing) a cap - just as convenient as any BP to use but much more pleasurable, being a FP.

I just answered this same question somewhere else on FPN.

Not once have I considered the clip on my VP to be an issue, not even a little bit. And my VP is my 2nd favorite everyday pen, with a custom italic nib.

The clip if anything makes for a more consistent grip.

But, if you have the chance to "test drive" a FP before purchase, you should.

I just read the entire thread. As I read, I could relate to the consternation of folks who either grappled with finding something untoward to say about the pen or flat couldn't.

The most mentioned issue seems to be the clip placement, which for some is a boon and for others is a bugaboo. The ink capacity is solved with the cartridge, in my opinion (something I mentioned somewhere in the multitude of VP threads).

Then it hit me...I would not by another VP if:

• Peg still had me on pen purchase restriction
• I couldn't find the model I really wanted
• I didn't have the disposable income at that moment.

Those are the only reasons...

Bill

I was helping to mark routes with a GPS. I need to make notes and had only a fountain pen with me. With hands on the wheels, stopping, removing the cap, writing notes and recapping, my hands soon became an inky mess. Should have brought my VP with me. I prefer the Decimo. The clip does not get in the way too much. Another advantage with VP is you can buy customize nibs together with converters. The nibs are capped with cut acquarium air hose that are airtight. Imagine the benefits of simply switching to any refills or nibs you fancy for that day.

As I've mentioned in another thread, I liked the VP so much when I first got it that I forced myself to learn to use the tripod grip (for all the years previous I used a four finger grip). After working for a few weeks with the VP, and getting over the fear that my pen was about to fall out of my hand at any moment I finally began to naturally hold the pen correctly. The positive side effect of this is I began to hold all my pens correctly, and this has made writing all the more pleasurable to me.

If pressed, my one gripe would be that the VP is a bit heavy. But I own plenty of pens that are "a bit heavy" and love them all the same. Weight is not a deal breaker for me.

Tank, what's the diameter of the airhose? I've been trying to put a nib storage solution together, and have come up somewhat blank on it. This sounds like a great idea, and I know that from my old reefkeeping days, I've got some tubing laying around.

I can't really think of a good reason.

Maybe the fact that the reservoir is small?

I really like my VP, but aside from a small ink capacity, it's impossible to see the ink level when you're using the converter and you have to disassemble the pen to see the level when using a cartridge. That is a genuine negative.

You should not buy them because:
- some thicker models have bad chosen colours and are really ugly
- if you hold it clip-up, as a custom, the nib can enter your thumb
- the converter for filling is horrible

Otherwise I have 3 VP's in my collection and the Fermo is on order...
So the advantages are winning in the end.

But I do see an improvement for the maker:
They should take the idea of Lamy Rollers where the clip 'sinks' into the pen while in use.
See www.lamy.de choose English goto My Lamy and choose under products Roller Pens. There is an animation.

The Legend