Pilot or Namiki or does it matter?

[southpaw]

I've notices that many places list the Namiki VP as Pilot (Namiki) VP. I'm guessing that the companies have merged (meaning Pilot probably bought Namiki). For those of you who have VP's, why is it that, almost without exception, you have the Namiki version and not a Pilot (at least from the references I've seen on FPN)? Is there a difference? Just curious. Thanks.

[Guest Denis Richard]

Hi SP,

 

Namiki is actually the original name of Pilot. I'm not sure when Pilot was adopted, or when Namiki was revived, but it has definitely always been the same company. I guess there are some marketing/image reasons behind the use of one or the other. May be also geographic location ?

 

Denis.

Edited April 16, 2005 by Denis Richard

[wimg]

Hi Southpaw, Denis,

 

I think Pilot was used originally for their lower end pens, etc., and Namiki for their high end (maki-e) pens. These days the usage is rather mixed, although Pilot is used for ball point pens and gel pens, etc., and Namiki more for their fountain pens, and high end BPs and RBs.

 

HTH, kind regards, Wim

[Leslie J.]

For the record, my VP clearly says "Pilot" on it, as did the box. But I usually just refer to it as "the VP".

[wimg]

Hi Leslie,

 

I just checked, and it says so on mine too, I must admit. Of course, I got it from Pam, so I'll check next week what the boxes say over here. Another good reason to visit a favourite B&M store one should never let go by that easily .

 

BTW, the B nib that came with it has a "Namiki" imprint, the M nib I exchanged with Corien for one of my Bs has "Namiki" imprinted, and I have a replacement B nib with "Pilot" imprinted, and an F nib, for some nib work, also with "Pilot" imprinted, just to make things confusing .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[SteveB]

FWIW - I purchased my VP at the Ito Ya store in Ginza Tokyo. Both barrel and nib say PILOT.

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[KCat]

mine has Pilot on the barrel, Namiki on the nib.

[wimg]

Hi KCat, Steve,

 

I know I am going blind. but I cannot find Namiki or Pilot anywhere on the barrel. Where is the imprint located?

 

TIA, warm regards, Wim

[KCat]

On mine - it's in smal block letters where the barrel pieces screw together. Says

 

PILOT

JAPAN

 

in what looks like screened-on gold paint. if you look at the pen, it will be 180 degrees 'round the barrel from the clip. or should be if it's there at all.

[wimg]

Hi KCat,

 

Thanks! I found it now! It says PILOT JAPAN too on mine, 180 degrees from the clip just above the join on the barrel piece with the clip. On the blue carbonesque it is very easy to miss . It is in the same blue on blue as the light blue dots on the darker blue barrel. I was looking for an engraving somewhere .

 

Warm regards, Wim