I posted this in another thread , but decided to put as a new topic.

I just wonder why these different names appear -- Pilot Capless or Vanishing Point. It seems that
"Capless" is for the Japanese market, and "Vanishing Point" fior the non-Japanese market. Does this
have something to do with the movie, Vanishing Point?

Could someone tell me why Pilot Capless became called Vanishing Point in the U.S.? My guess is
that when Pilot introduced "Capless" in the U.S. market, the right of the name, "capless" had already
been registered by another company? Am I wrong?

I think since they are using a different company name, they decided on a different model name. Have you noticed that some Toyota models look exactly like their Lexus counterparts but for the variance in branding(I have one in mind but the name has slipped me for now )?

It is Namiki Vanishing Point for the western market and Pilot Capless for the Japanese market.

I think it's just a marketing thing. People at FPN tend to call them Vanishing Points or just VPs. Another interesting difference in terminology is that what is marketed here as the "carbonesque" finish is called "kasuri" in Japan. Kasuri is a type of fabric. Although the finish is actually neither carbon fiber nor kasuri fabric, I like the term kasuri. Of course, that means that to be clear, you'd have to make a long description of the pen, as in, "Pilot Capless Carbonesque (Namiki Vanishing Point Kasuri)."

Doug

Also Pilot Capless in the UK.

Martin

Both are English terms, and when pronounced via romanization, the Japanese would have to pronounce the Capless as "Kya ppu re su" and the Vanishing Point as 'Ba ne shi n gu po i n to", or five syllables versus nine.

I have no idea if such considerations played a part in using the shorter 'kyappuresu' for the Japanese market.

Capless in France as well.

David

Does "Capless" sound like a defect ("missing the cap") than convenience to some people in English?

...or cheaper. And definitely less exotic, desirable, or sexy as "Vanishing Point." It's a subtle thing though -- like calling a convertible a roadster or cabriolet. Me, I write with a Vanishing Point (kasuri-esque) and drive a rag-top...

Doug

The same could be said for the "custom" series. Even though its only sold in Japan the name leaves alot to be desired.

The names seem to be impossible to keep track of. A lot of sellers (especially on Ebay) tend to confuse them anyway.

I love my Capless Decimo, which has a Vanishing Point (VP). But the decimo is a lot thinner (and lighter) than the regular VP, and seems to be only available from Japan. The clip is also different than the standard VP, and doesn't get in my way. It's always the first pen I reach for to jot down notes, since it only requires one hand, like a ball-point.