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Pilot Fermo Vs. Vanishing Point

deacondavid

By deacondavid
in Japan - Asia

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deacondavid Rare

deacondavid

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I think I am ready to buy one of Pilot's capless designs, but, before I leap, I have some questions that I am hoping to get some help with. My apologies if my questions have been covered before - I'm new to FPN and still trying to figure things out...

 

1) The Vanishing Point has a click mechanism to deploy the nib while the Fermo has a twist mechanism. It there an advantage to one over the other? Does the twist mechanism (which I think would be a bit more complex) hold up as well as the click does to prolonged use?

 

2) Are the nib units identical - can I purchase one of the Vanishing Point nib units and put it into a Fermo?

 

3) Besides the difference in mechanisms, are there other major differences between the two models? I have read that the Fermo is heavier - how much heavier is it?

 

So, my challenge is this - I really like the look of the Fermo in Dark Green - the color (at least on Pilot's website) is one that I would be very happy with. On the other hand, the nib selection for the Fermo is narrower than that of the Vanishing Point. Of course, if I can swap the nib out, that concern is negated...

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Current Daily Carry: Pilot Custom 743 with 14k Posting nib (Sailor Kiwa-Guro), Sailor 1911L Realo Champagne with 21k Extra Fine nib (Sailor Tokiwa-Matsu). Platinum Century 3776 Bourgogne (Diamine Syrah), Nakaya Portable Writer Midori with 14k Extra Extra Fine nib (Lamy Peridot), Pilot Vanishing Point Stealth Black with Extra Fine nib unit (Pilot Blue Black), a dozen Nockco DotDash index cards of various sizes and a Traveler's Notebook.

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deacondavid Rare

deacondavid

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The Fermo Dark Green is a current model in Japan, so I should be okay with the Vanishing Point nib units that are available here in the United States. That's one concern taken care of - thanks for the help!

Current Daily Carry: Pilot Custom 743 with 14k Posting nib (Sailor Kiwa-Guro), Sailor 1911L Realo Champagne with 21k Extra Fine nib (Sailor Tokiwa-Matsu). Platinum Century 3776 Bourgogne (Diamine Syrah), Nakaya Portable Writer Midori with 14k Extra Extra Fine nib (Lamy Peridot), Pilot Vanishing Point Stealth Black with Extra Fine nib unit (Pilot Blue Black), a dozen Nockco DotDash index cards of various sizes and a Traveler's Notebook.

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Ron Z Museum Piece

Ron Z

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It's not just that the Fermo is heavier, it's also larger in diameter. I've handled some and don't like the feel in my hand. The twist mechanism is not as convenient. Extending the nib is IMO a two handed operation.

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deacondavid Rare

deacondavid

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Okay - heavier, too. I can certainly get that the twist would not be as easy to use as the nock, too. More things to think about.

 

Maybe there's a dark green Vanishing Point that was made at some point? The green carbonesque might fit what I'm looking for, but it appears that they stopped being made a long time ago...

Current Daily Carry: Pilot Custom 743 with 14k Posting nib (Sailor Kiwa-Guro), Sailor 1911L Realo Champagne with 21k Extra Fine nib (Sailor Tokiwa-Matsu). Platinum Century 3776 Bourgogne (Diamine Syrah), Nakaya Portable Writer Midori with 14k Extra Extra Fine nib (Lamy Peridot), Pilot Vanishing Point Stealth Black with Extra Fine nib unit (Pilot Blue Black), a dozen Nockco DotDash index cards of various sizes and a Traveler's Notebook.

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Frank C Collectors Item

Frank C

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My Fermos tip the scales at 33.4g. One of my Capless is 30.4g., The other is 31.2g.

 

The Fermos are 11.15mm. near the clip, where you would hold it to write, the Capless are 12.45mm.

 

i also have some Decimos. They are 11.05 mm. and 19.8g.

 

One can extend the Fermo one-handed, but it takes practice and long fingers. I actually prefer the Fermos for writing, but they don't hold much ink and tend to dry out here in the desert. They are well-made pens and always attract some comments.

 

The Dark Green Fermo is STUNNING!

"One can not waste time worrying about small minds . . . If we were normal, we'd still be using free ball point pens." —Bo Bo Olson

 

"I already own more ink than a rational person can use in a lifetime." —Waski_the_Squirrel

 

I'm still trying to figure out how to list all my pens down here.

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deacondavid Rare

deacondavid

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Thanks for all of the help thus far. Some further research has revealed that there was a Green with Rhodium Trim (and a Green with Gold Trim) Vanishing Point available in the past. Unfortunately, it is no longer made and it has become hard to find. I found one (NOS, I'm assuming) in Singapore, but the store there wants more than a new Fermo is going to cost even before I factor in shipping. But at least I was able to find one - I've not been able to find a store that has a Green Carbonesque at all.

 

The Fermo is looking like my best option.

Current Daily Carry: Pilot Custom 743 with 14k Posting nib (Sailor Kiwa-Guro), Sailor 1911L Realo Champagne with 21k Extra Fine nib (Sailor Tokiwa-Matsu). Platinum Century 3776 Bourgogne (Diamine Syrah), Nakaya Portable Writer Midori with 14k Extra Extra Fine nib (Lamy Peridot), Pilot Vanishing Point Stealth Black with Extra Fine nib unit (Pilot Blue Black), a dozen Nockco DotDash index cards of various sizes and a Traveler's Notebook.

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