[Overview/light Review] Pilot Capless / Vanishing Point (Chocolate, M)

[Alain Nuberg]

(source: La Couronne du Comte)

 

Pen: Pilot Capless (AKA Vanishing Point)

Version: Chocolate

Nib: Medium - 18K Gold - Rhodium Plated

Ink: Pilot Iroshizuku Tsukushi

 

Why did I purchase this pen?

 

To own a practical fountain pen that you can operate with one hand. Mainly to use with a notebook while traveling.

 

Packaging

 

The pen comes in a very sturdy thick plastic see-through box with a plastic black top that says Capless. It looked really nice and it actually gave the pen quite a premium feel.

 

First Impressions

 

It's a metal pen but it's not very heavy. The chocolate color of this pen is quite dark, but it's a little lighter than my photo's show. The click button that makes the nib come out feels very solid. It can be wiggled a bit but it doesn't move around while writing, so it hasn't bothered me one bit. I even had to test if the button would move at all as I was writing this review.

 

The clip as grip section

 

One of the things that makes this pen unique is having the clip right where you're suppose to hold the pen. Some have said this was very uncomfortable for them and others have said it just needs some getting used to. I found neither to be true for me. To be honest, I didn't even notice it, even during longer writing sessions. One might even say it improves the grip because the clip offers a thin section that fits better between their fingers. Naturally, if you're interested in this pen I recommend trying it out first in a store. Everyone feels a little different about all pens.

 

Nib Aesthetics

 

The nib on this pen is very thin and small. And since you'll often retract the nib when you're not writing, you wont see it often. It has no decorations and it fits well with the stylish design of the pen.

 

How does it write?

 

It writes as I expected for a Pilot pen at this price point with a 18k gold nib. There's definitely feedback on cheaper papers but still writes very smooth. Although on better paper, the pen really shines. The nib feels a bit soft which offers a nice writing experience. I have two other 18K pens and it's the same with those, so I'm guessing it's because of the 18K. There is however a squeaky sound when I write. I've never had this before and I don't know what it means. My uneducated guess is the tipping material that needs to wear down a bit? Maybe someone can let me know in the comments.

 

Value

 

It depends how you're going to use it in my opinion. I don't find it a very pretty pen but I bought it for it's practicality instead. And as a note taking pen for traveling it may be a little much. Here in The Netherlands this pen costs €209. I bought it because I'm not aware of any other fountain pen that simply works as a ballpoint pen. The Lamy Dialog 3 is more expensive and you have to twist the pen to reveal the nib. Which seems very awkward if you want to use one hand. If you would use this pen as more of a writer and you can hold it comfortably than it obviously holds more value. In the U.S. this pen is only $140 and you can buy multiple bodies without the nib for an even cheaper price. That makes this a very interesting pen.

 

Conclusion

 

Before I bought this pen I tried out a ballpoint. As I'm so used to fountain pens now it literally felt horrible. I knew immediately that I was going to have to purchase a fountain pen instead, even for taking notes. It's a very practical pen that writes very well, and you get a solid built pen with a 18K gold nib. So you definitely get something in return for that €209. I would recommend this pen, especially if you're getting it from the U.S. with it's cheaper price point.

 

This has been my first overview / light-review of this pen. Thank you for reading and I hope it's useful for someone out there.

 

[Mezzie]

This was definitely useful as this is the pen I'm ogling at the moment. It's pricey, but I've found I really want a pen I can open quickly with one hand. I read a whole thread where the majority of the posters complained about the grip, but in paying attention to my own grip over the past several days, I think I'm likely not to notice the clip, either.

 

Thanks for the sharing your review.

[alexander_k]

Good review of the arguably best note-taking pen around. Enjoy.

[The Blue Knight]

Good review. I like the structure of your review also !

[Jackson]

Nice, tight, precise review--terrific photos too. Thanks!

 

Plus, you clarified for me how much of a bargain this pen is here in the US...I better get another one.

[icardoth]

I have two Pilot Capless. One is the original Vanishing Point: Nice, but heavy. The other is a Pilot Decimo. Lighter than Vanishing Point. Both are great pens, but the Decimo is better because its weight.

[Alain Nuberg]

I have two Pilot Capless. One is the original Vanishing Point: Nice, but heavy. The other is a Pilot Decimo. Lighter than Vanishing Point. Both are great pens, but the Decimo is better because its weight.

I can imagine if you're coming from plastic pens the Capless can be experienced as heavy, but compared to other metal pens it is not that heavy at all.

 

Thanks to everyone for their kind words.

[rudyhou]

beautiful color. i got the decimo in grey. slimmer than this brown vanishing point. but i must say, this pen is not for everyone, depending on how one holds a pen when writing. unfortunately for me, the way i hold a pen to write prevents me from enjoying the great design of vanishing point pen. otherwise, i would have purchased many of them in different colors.