I have 4 regular VPs and a Fermo.

Of my 4 regular ones, they all have gold 18k nibs (3xF and 1xB). The feed looks opaque.

My Fermo has a 18k RH plated M nib. The feed looks transparent (if you hold the nib up to the light you can see through the hole in the top of the nib).

So my first question is - what's the difference? I find my M(Rh) to be a nice wet writer and the B(Gold) to be nice and wet too. The fines are very nice and fine, not laying down much ink at all but faultless in their delivery.

Secondly, can I buy Rh plated nibs as additional units? Or are they only available with the Fermo? To me, a Rh nib looks great with the Rh trim on the VPs.

Finally, my broad squeaks as I write. I love the sound by my wife hates it. Are all broads like this or does mine just need some breaking in?

Iirc, the Rhodium plated nibs are not available for individual purchase in the US or Japan. They can only be bought with VP LEs, Decimos or Fermos. However they are sold in the UK for roughly 60 USD (30 GBP).

I've been meaning to ask; what is the difference between the Fermo and the VP ?

Difference shown here.

Just a little comment - good collection of VP's, also good photos

Thanks; much appreciated.

Um... heh. Never mind.


(Wanted to make a joke about broads and wife and breaking in... The joke almost wrote itself, but it actually is clear what you're saying.)

Yeah, there's virtually no difference between the Rhodium plated and Gold plated versions, other than the appearance. Pilot used clear feeds early on, then switched to opaque, but might have alternated here and there.

Although the Limited Edition VP is sold in the US, you can't buy the rhodium plated nibs. And as far as I can see, they only come in medium.

Both my decimo and orange LE cane with Rhodium plated nibs with clear feeds, though it was not clear once inked. My Legance had clear feed, too but got stained pretty quick after inked.

Hi,

All of my Pilots have clear feeds, (my pocket pen has a finger nail nib, but the feed inside is clear.) But once you ink the pen, the effect is not very noticeable.

The broad might need a little polishing or adjustment.

Dillon

Ouch! That's a lot. May as well buy a Decimo for $115ish than get a separate nib.



Now that I read it again it brought me a chuckle.

Anybody know what "304" on a Pilot Capless nib means ?

Thanks.

That's a gold plated steel nib found on Japanese Capless pens at the lowest price point. I have one in my hand and I notice that the feed is transparent, like the other whitegold nibs that I have...

Thanks, Siv !

Yes, just got one of the yellow with rhodium(?) trim pens. Said the nib was an alloy.
Guess gold plated steel qualifies.

Yeah, "special alloy" is probably the direct Japanese translation/mistranslation of whatever they call a plated metal.