Pilot Capless Fermo

[thibaulthalpern]

The fine nib is actually finer than the Pelikan XF that Richard Binder custom-grinds.

 

Just a point of interest, the VP "F" is about a 0.3mm stroke, and Richard calls this a XXF.

Richard's Stroke-Widths Chart (PDF)

 

For round nibs:

XXF: 0.012" ~= 0.3mm

XF: 0.016" ~= 0.4mm

 

So Richard's (round) XF is, indeed, ~0.1mm thicker than a Pilot VP "F".

 

I like the VP's "F" so much, that I recently ordered two of Richard's Custom XXF nibs for my Pelikans, and they're pretty darn close.

 

I am so happy to have a fountain pen manufacturer with nibs that work for me! Typically in the art/stationery stores I see in the U.S., European and American manufacturers are the normative representative for fountain pens. And typically, those don't work for me because the finest nib the store carries is not fine enough for me. And, being a newbie to all of this, I had no idea that nibs were interchangeable, could be modified etc. But still, glad to know Asian manufacturers work for me! :-)

[Mathew J]

Just seeing this post now, I have both that same VP and the 605 and am also thinking of adding that Fermo...

 

Great minds I guess...thanks for the excellent review.

 

And I never knew the clip on the VP was a cause for angst...my VP is one of my best writers bar none.

Edited December 19, 2010 by Mathew J

[Bleep]

"Say goodbye to the one hand nib out...."

 

I've had my beautiful black Fermo for a couple of months now, and the Decimo is now consigned to the back of a drawer. And yes, I have no difficulty both opening and closing with one hand. no, my hand is not particularly large.

Apologies for re-igniting an old thread.

[professionaldilettante]

"Say goodbye to the one hand nib out...."

 

I've had my beautiful black Fermo for a couple of months now, and the Decimo is now consigned to the back of a drawer. And yes, I have no difficulty both opening and closing with one hand. no, my hand is not particularly large.

Apologies for re-igniting an old thread.

Same here. I can open and close with one hand, but I'm usually never without my other hand. It's a very reliable pen, and I find it's helpful when I'm up and about.

[Shinichiro]

Excellent review! Very informative, and beautiful pictures too! But damn you Doug, that is not good for my wallet. I have to look for a place where I may get my hands on one of those now. I already have a VP, though I damaged my 0.6 stub from Richard Binder *sad face*. I still have an italic nib for it, but it is too broad to my liking now.

 

Anyway, thanks for this very "viral" review

 

Cya around!

[Pen2009]

Have you noticed the Fermo's winder get loose after repeated usages? I am interested in finding out which mechanism is more durable, Capless/Decimo or Fermo.

 

When I had too many short note taking sessions (which required frequent clicking to get the nib out and in) with the Capless / Decimo, I noticed the clicking mechanism gets loose and does not engage gracefully as it used to be.

[professionaldilettante]

Have you noticed the Fermo's winder get loose after repeated usages? I am interested in finding out which mechanism is more durable, Capless/Decimo or Fermo.

 

When I had too many short note taking sessions (which required frequent clicking to get the nib out and in) with the Capless / Decimo, I noticed the clicking mechanism gets loose and does not engage gracefully as it used to be.

It's as firm as the day I got it. Granted, I am not the one who puts their pen into pant pockets, bottom of book bags, or against a bench grinder, so I can't comment on how this pen's structural integrity in a stress test, but for me, it feels sturdy, just like the day I bought it.

[Franck74]

Hello

How does the Fermo age, after some years of use ?

[Vpen]

I can't see the pictures in the review. Is it a technical problem only I am having?

[lisantica]

You are not alone. I cannot see the photos possibly due to 2007 original post date.

[Ryanlim]

Hi all,

a bit late to the Fermo party.....(very late!). But i really enjoyed Doug's review of the Fermo...very personal and makes me inclined even more towards the Fermo (vs VP).

 

Pity I couldn't see the handwriting samples and the pen.....

 

Thanks again, Doug

[Harry44]

I really like the look of the Fermo but the significant premium over the regular VP isn't worth it to me.

[A Smug Dill]

Pity I couldn't see the handwriting samples and the pen.....

 

If I'm not mistaken, the Pilot Capless Fermo uses the same nib assemblies as the Vanishing Point and Décimo models in the product family, so the characteristics and performance of the nib (and feed supporting it) on paper should be no different. In other words, handwriting samples from Pilot Capless VP pens/nibs can be taken to also apply to the Capless Fermo models.

 

<EDIT>

Oh, I didn't realise that was a sly remark about the O.P.'s choice of image host for the embedded photos in his/her post. Sorry!

Edited December 22, 2019 by A Smug Dill