Pilot Varsity & Pilot Vanishing Point Nib Sizes, same?

[roguehippie]

Hi All,

 

I've been doing a lot of research and have narrowed my first "real" pen purchase to either a Pelikan 215 or a Pilot Vanishing Point. I'm leaning toward the VP simply b/c I feel it'd be easier to wield in the classroom. Despite liking the "classy" feel of a screw-on cap, any high school teacher will attest that at the beginning of each class period most teachers find themselves in the middle of a maelstrom of signature requests (despite warnings, pleadings to the contrary): field-trip permission slips, absence excuse forms, progress reports, usually put me in the middle of a three or four kid tornado signing this, initialing that. A click-type actuation would be PERFECT (versus constantly pausing to screw, un-screw a cap). So . . . my actual question:

 

I've been writing with Pilot Varsity fountain pens for about two years now and find that, although the nibs are really smooth (at least in my opinion), they put down a line that's wider than I'd like, generally speaking. They make grading/editing essays impossible. Would a Pilot VP "M" nib be the same as the "M" nib that comes on the Varsity pens? I've read that Japanese nibs are generally more fine than western nibs, so I was initially going to get a "M" nib on a VP, but maybe I should go with a "F" nib? I usually grade essays (and generally prefer) the line width of a .5 or .7 fine point roller ball. Would a Pilot VP "M" nib be close to this or would the Pilot VP "F" nib be closer? I don't want something that's too fine and scratchy, but the Varsity fountain pens "M" nib is just too wide to use with any effect on essays, homework, etc. I realize that both the VP and the Pelikan have replaceable nibs, but I'd like to get out of the gate with a pen that's going to be very usable w/o changing nibs.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

P.S. Anyone who has used the Pilot VP -- is the reservoir really that small? It's the only complaint I've ever read about the pen. I realize that the Pelikan seems to have a 42 gallon piston ;-) and that's nice . . . But I really like the utility of click point actuation. Blasted choices. . .

 

[kps]

With this paper and ink, an F is about 1/4 to 1/3 mm, and M about 1/2 to 2/3 mm.

 

Edit: paper is a Mead 59878 pad.

 

Edited July 11, 2009 by kps

[JK in PA]

I have used both a VP and a Pelikan in my classroom (8th grade) so I think I can offer some insight. Yes, the convenience of the click is quite nice. The issue is the amount of ink that it holds. I rarely go more than 2 days before I have to refill (and flush for that matter). The Pelikan is the Energizer Bunny.

 

Also, I find that screwing and unscrewing gives me time to figure out exactly what I am signing (remember I teach 8th graders!). The only real issue is that we often play, "Where did I leave my cap?"

 

Hope this helps,

JK in PA

[roguehippie]

With this paper and ink, an F is about 1/4 to 1/3 mm, and M about 1/2 to 2/3 mm.

 

Edit: paper is a Mead 59878 pad.

 

KPS: Thank you SO MUCH for the image! I think that, based on your picture, I'll go with a fine point if I go with the VP.

[Arts11]

With this paper and ink, an F is about 1/4 to 1/3 mm, and M about 1/2 to 2/3 mm.

 

Edit: paper is a Mead 59878 pad.

Would you say the Gold VP fine's line is thicker than the Rhodium line, or is it just the darkness of the line playing tricks on me?

[kps]

Would you say the Gold VP fine's line is thicker than the Rhodium line, or is it just the darkness of the line playing tricks on me?

The thickness is the same; the first line is a little lighter, but that is not due to a difference in the nibs. The second and third samples are from nibs I don't have bodies for, and filled just for this test. The first sample is from a Decimo that I keep in a jacket pocket and use regularly, and did not refill before writing the sample. I've just now done that, and the line is as black as the other.

Edited July 12, 2009 by kps

[Arts11]

Would you say the Gold VP fine's line is thicker than the Rhodium line, or is it just the darkness of the line playing tricks on me?

The thickness is the same; the first line is a little lighter, but that is not due to a difference in the nibs. The second and third samples are from nibs I don't have bodies for, and filled just for this test. The first sample is from a Decimo that I keep in a jacket pocket and use regularly, and did not refill before writing the sample. I've just now done that, and the line is as black as the other.

Ah cool. Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered a spare gold F nib for my Decimo, and I was wondering if it would have any real difference in line width and the like w/ my stock rhodium one.

[kozi]

There is another special attribute of the Namiki VP that I think bears mention. It has to have the longest storage time of any fountain pen that I have owned. Put it away for a month and there is still ink. If you use a fountain pen a lot, the ink volume is a problem. If you want a pen that can retain ink for long periods of disuse, consider the Namiki VP.

 

On line widths: I had a fine width VP pen and its nib was similar to an EF in most other manufacturer's lines.

Edited April 11, 2010 by kozi

[Lucinda]

My husband and I are both high school English teachers. He uses a VP with an M nib, and I use a Decimo with an F nib (the VP and Decimo nibs are totally interchangeable).

 

The VP M is a MUCH more manageable line than the Varsity M. No comparison. The Varsity (to me) just juices all over the page, but then I'm a fine line girl.

 

The VP/Decimo F nib, I agree, is much more like most other extra-fine nibs. I prefer it for making extended comments on essays or for my own writing, but for checkmark type of grading, I prefer an M--much more forgiving of fast marking than the F nib, which will tend to run a little on the dry side if one writes too fast.

 

Hope this helps. You're definitely going to love the convenience of the click-out nib. It keeps the cap from being lost or knocked off the desk or picked up by the stray student who has to handle everything in reach while asking for a restroom pass.

 

Edit: Buy a package of cartridges and a syringe (animal supply stores here sell them for 18 cents each), if you're concerned about converter ink capacity. My husband uses a converter, but keeps a bottle of ink in his desk drawer and has to use it fairly often. I prefer to use and refill cartridges, which hold more ink and don't have an air bubble problem as often. It's all a matter of preference.

Edited April 12, 2010 by Lucinda

[ailleurs]

My VP is a M nib, and it's much thinner line than what comes out of my Varsity. It's also smoother than the Varsity.

 

Ink capacity *is* an issue with the VP. If I take mine to work, I also bring the bottle of whatever ink is in it. I can never seem to get through an entire day on campus without refilling the VP. It writes so well I really don't mind though.