I have a Pilot Vanishing Point, medium steel nib. I use the converter, rather than cartridges. I have tried a couple of inks in it now -- Private Reserve and Noodlers Eel. I find it slow starting, and that it skips when writing. I've flushed it with cold water. I am also disappointed that the converter seems to hold so little ink -- it runs out very quickly. Any suggestions?

The Con-50 (twist converter) has problems with surface tension (with some brands of ink) and small capacity as well. Have you tried using the Con-20 (aerometric converter) which holds more ink?

I would try using a cartridge. Not only a cartridge holds more ink than a converter, but also I heard that the ridges inside the wall of carts help facilitate ink flow, too. You can always refill carts with a syringe or eye dropper

I've never used Noodler's eel ink, but less saturated ink might work better, too.l

Both good suggestions. I have been trying to avoid buying the cartridges because I would have to special order them (and have no real desire to try fiddling with filling them by syringe). I might try the Con-20 converter first.

Have done a little more research, and came across an older FPN thread that indicates neither of the converters are very satisfactory. Sounds like cartridges are my best best. Does anyone know of a good source for ordering online?

It is too bad -- it detracts from the pen for me, to have to used specialized cartridges that are not readily available.

I've had flow problems with 1 of the 4 VPs I've bought. I bought it as a gift and thought I should make sure it worked right before gift wrapping it. I couldn't get the thing to lay down a non-skippy line even after a thorough cleaning with a soak and rinse with dilute ammonium cleaner. (I swapped out a nib with one I had available from another VP.) So maybe you have a "dud." My other VPs are great writers with many inks, especially the various Noodler's bulletproofs I like so much.

As far as ink capacity, you can get more in using the "syringe" method. That consists of holding the nib/converter assembly nib up and flicking the air inside up to the top of the nib/converter, then twisting the air out until a little blob of ink appears at the base of the nib alerting you that there's nothing left in there but ink. Then dip the assembly back in the ink bottle and draw in more ink. I usually then drip out three droplets so I can draw in a bit of air to keep the pen from burping up little blobs of blue ink.

Admittedly, one shouldn't have to do that, but the VP is such a great writer for me I don't mind the extra effort. The squeeze converter does hold more, but for some reason I don't like them. Dunno why that is...

Doug

I was unaware that the VP came with a steel nib. Regardless, their customer service is very good, and I have no doubt that they will swap it out for you.

http://www.namiki.com/aboutNamiki/contactUs.php

And, if all else fails you can buy a standard VP Nib from Richard Binder, adjusted by da' man himself.

I'm guessing Pam bought yellow one or other rhodium trim model sold in Japan. They come with steel nibs.

I guess have the nib exchanged or adjusted, or buying nib units only are some other options, too.

Pilot/Namiki cartridges are available from most online sellers in the U.S. My guess is Canadian Namiki/Pilot authorized dealers have them, too.

I have used both types of converter and neither of them perform particularly well, in my opinion.

In the UK I have only been able to find Pilot cartridges in blue and black, so I have resorted to filling cartridges with a syringe. It isn't too much hassle and the flow and ink capacity are both better than when using either of the converters.

I can definitely recommend a Richard Binder nib (no affiliation). I have one of his standard M nibs and there is a noticeable improvement over the standard nib that came with the pen. I think they are priced at $30 at present.

misterh - is it easy to change the nib on a VP?

Absolute doddle. The nib and feed are an entire unit that simply drops into the body of the pen.

You can see a picture of the nib unit, with the converter attached here

Exact-a-mundo. We have a Japanese rep at our company, so I had her buy the pen for me. I wanted the yellow, which only came with a steel nib. I've been struggling with it ever since. I was wasting some time in the Miami airport last week, which has a pen store. The salesperson had me try a VP with a broad nib. The difference was like night and day. I can invest in a new nib, but if I have to fill the pen every half page, then it seems like a waste of money.

You guys are great, though. I wanted to throw it against a wall today. Shall work on other solutions instead.

Don't throw it against the wall, that is cruel. Sell it to me, I will give it a good home

I gave up on the converters and now use cartridges, they do have better capacity.

You're just exaggerating, right? Last I calculated, I get around 7 pages (small writing, around 40 lines per page) from one refill. If you're getting less than a page, you have a defective nib/converter unit and should just get it replaced.

Doug

Hi,

I do a lot of writing, but I very rarely have to refill my Pilot Capless. I use the Con-20 converter.

To use the converter, squeeze and hold for one second, release, then count to five. Repeat this process until no bubbles come out of the pen.

Dillon

I have now filled my pen as suggested by Dillon, and I'm looking for a reason to write pages and pages to measure capacity

I tested it after filling, by simply writing a number of loops. The VP has significant drag when I make a loop, barely closing the upstroke of the loop.

Perhaps by the weekend I can post a picture. I'm still trying to figure out how to properly light pen and handwriting shots. Guess I'd better check out the photography section...

Significant drag? Is it due to poor ink flow?

I've had very good luck with the CON-20 converters. No flow problems. So, I wonder... did your flow problems appear from the very beginning? Was there any appreciable break you took in using the pen? I'm just wondering if the feed might have some ink particles in and require a good long soaking to dislodge.

FWIW - www.jetpens.com has pilot ink carts reasonable prices, and free shipping if you buy more than $25 of product. now sure about shipping to the great white north, but that's where I go for my japanese pen fix. The uni signos in 0.38 are awesome rollerballs, too.

It really sounds like you got a dud nib unit. ~$30 plus shipping can take care of that, usually someone sells one on the marketplace every once in a while. If you're really feeling like something special, Richard does sell them, with all sorts of nib grinds. http://www.richardspens.com/

-George

I love my Namiki VP, it has the gold nib and has become one of my work horse pens. But I too have given up on converters in Namiki's. I could never get enough draw to get any good capacity. I rotate my FP's so running out of ink is usually never a problem and keep some cartridges at home and at the office. I've never had any trouble getting cartridges online. As far as stores, Paradise pen stores have them but I don't know if there are any in your area. I'm not thrilled with any Namiki converter but also love my Falcon but also use cartridges in it. I have other pens that I enjoy bottled ink with. I love the way Namiki's write but their converters are not the best. Ironicly with the exception of my Pellikan, and Lamy 2000 piston pens, one of the best converters I have come with Waterman's of all prices.

Hi,

You may need your nib adjusted. I'd be happy to have a look at it if the need be. (I have a tool to take apart the Capless nib units.)

I've had good luck with my Capless though.

Dillon