I've wanted a VP Orange and finally managed to find a local store that still has two in stock. I've learned (unless I'm being mis-informed) that the LE pens came with a white gold nib, and only in Medium. They said they can change the nib to a F or XF for me, but it would be in yellow gold.

My question is about the nib width on these pens. Can a user out there tell me how it compares to a Parker 51 (or even a Vacumatic) width? I like a P51 line no larger than a fine. I prefer XF.

I've heard that Namiki widths are on the "thin" side (say, when compared to a Pelikan). I had a Pelikan 250 w/a fine nib, and it was too wide for my liking.

Will I be disappointed with a Namiki Medium? Should I just get a different nib and live with the yellow vs. white gold?

Thanks,
Devin

A Namiki "Fine" feels to me more like a European XF. I'm sure someone actually has the specs.

I would suggest that you get the "M" and try it, and then if you want a finer nib, contact Namiki directly to exchange it. You can also buy a "F" directly from their web site (http://www.namiki.com/parts/index.php) for $30, and keep the original factory "M" nib as a backup.

-m

My VP fine writes thinner than my "51" fine.

If you are really worried about how that bit of nib sticking out only when you are writing is going to look, get "Dillo" to Rhodium plate it for you for a few dollars.

With the cost of nib units about $30 - delivered, you can afford to have an extra ... or four.

Ron

PS: I'd get the medium and buy the finer nib. Years later you can sell the pen as "Never inked", carried only as a status symbol" and it would be partly the truth.

My understanding, though I can't remember where I got it, is that the white metal nibs are 18k yellow gold and rhodium plated over that. I have one I bought off The Marketplace, but I'm not going to make sure by trying to rub off plating. My Pilot Custom in steel and black stripes is marked WG for white gold, so if you assume that Pilot would mark such a thing still, then it isn't.

Who is the store, and why is somebody telling you it's a white gold nib?

If you have already talked yourself into getting an orange one, I would say to at least get it with the nib it comes with and then something else. The original 18k nib is more fun to think about later. It is possible to get the size you want, probably a F, in white metal. You don't have to live with a big size or mismatched color.

Why is the store offering to swap for an extra fine nib? I thought VP/Capless nibs were only made in three sizes. If so, it'd only make sense if they were grinding nibs. And doesn't the store have demos of all the sizes?

Pelikan is wide, probably wide enough to fit one's ideas about nib grading in between the Pelikan and Japanese standards.

To buy a new rhodium 18k nib retail, I think you have to order from overseas, mainly Japan and England.

Is $30 for a 14k yellow nib on the high end, or did the prices go up?

I hope that made some sense.