Trying To Understand Pilot Capless/vanishing Point Pens

[Arkamas]

I've been looking at Pilot's Vanishing Point-style pens and as far as I understand there are the Vanishing Point and the Capless Decimo. From what I'm seeing on Amazon there are three different versions of this style, given vast price differences: The Vanishing Point, the Capless Decimo, and one called the Capless for far cheaper but looks just like the Vanishing point. Of course Amazon isn't reliable when it comes to exact information on products. Can anyone expound on exactly what models exist and what their differences are?

Edited January 23, 2017 by Arkamas

[OmegaMountain]

All the same pen, I believe. It's called different things in different countries. "Capless" being the Japanese name and the prices are lower because it's being sold direct from Japan probably. Some variants of the pen are limited edition/production and have a correspondingly higher price.

Edited January 23, 2017 by OmegaMountain

[Arkamas]

I think I just figured it out. The dramatically cheaper version of the Vanishing point I saw was simply because the nib material is steel rather than gold or rhodium.

[Kolyd]

So from what I heard the "Alloy" version is the steel nibbed VPs, while the Decimo is the slim 14K nibbed VP and then the VP/Capless is the normal 14K one.

 

I've seen Alloy editions online, mainly on Amazon. Hope this helps

[Cryptos]

There's actually four variants.

 

1. Capless / Vanishing Point with a gold nib, push button operation

2. Capless / Vanishing Point with an alloy nib, push button operation

3. Decimo, thinner Vanishing Point, different clip, gold nib, push button operation

4. Fermo, heavier Vanishing Point, different clip, gold nib, twist action operation

 

In general the order of price from most to least is: Fermo, Decimo, Vanishing Point (gold nib), Vanishing Point (alloy nib).

 

Edit: special editions or finishes such as wood or raden will cost a lot more than the base model.

[MrsHobie]

There's actually four variants.

 

1. Capless / Vanishing Point with a gold nib, push button operation

2. Capless / Vanishing Point with an alloy nib, push button operation

3. Decimo, thinner Vanishing Point, different clip, gold nib, push button operation

4. Fermo, heavier Vanishing Point, different clip, gold nib, twist action operation

 

In general the order of price from most to least is: Fermo, Decimo, Vanishing Point (gold nib), Vanishing Point (alloy nib).

 

Edit: special editions or finishes such as wood or raden will cost a lot more than the base model.

yes, that's it

 

here is a picture taken by my husband ...

Decimo/Capless/Fermo

 

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/233715201701022161.jpg

[Buzz_130]

I recommend you try a VP (I don't have experience with a Decimo). The pen is thick and heavy, and the clip will sit adjacent to your index finger. For many, this isn't a problem, and the convenience of this fountain pen is outstanding. For me, I don't care to use my VP for long writing sessions. Great for short notes and office work, but it's not a journalling pen for me because of the clip position.

 

Buzz

[MrsHobie]

I own a decimo and two Capless on my own, and like both of them, but I have "small" hands ...

[OmegaMountain]

Huh - learn something every day. I was always of the impression they were the same just different marketing names for different regions. Good to know.

 

Also, don't listen to me, apparently! I need to be more thorough in my reading.

Edited January 23, 2017 by OmegaMountain

[ISW_Kaputnik]

For what it's worth, the thinner Capless Decimo is more comfortable for me to hold than the chubbier regular Vanishing Point. Others have made the same comment in previous threads where this came up, but of course it's a matter of individual taste. I've never tried the Fermo.

 

The VPs that you can get from Japan with the "alloy" nibs have the same type of body as the gold nibbed ones; you can buy a gold nibbed replacement nib unit as an upgrade.

[Freddy]

Huh - learn something every day. I was always of the impression they were the same just different marketing names for different regions. Good to know.

 

Also, don't listen to me, apparently! I need to be more thorough in my reading.

 

For your consideration

 

Vanishing Point History by Carmen Rivera

 

Introduction

http://carmenriverapens.com/vanishing_point.htm

 

 

History

http://carmenriverapens.com/Vanishing_Point_images/index.htm

 

 

 

Fred

[Wolverine1]

Also, if you are located in the US, I would recommend that you not buy from some Amazon retailer, even if you get a "good" price. Go and look at some vendors who specalise on selling fountain pens, like www.nibs.com, www.gouletpens.com, Pen Chalet, Anderson Pens, and a few others who are all reputable vendors who are very well regarded in the fountain pen community.

Buying from some fly-by-night Amazon retailer or from some retailer who is totally unfamiliar with pens can lead to problems. This is just my opinion, of course.

[Tasmith]

For what it's worth, the thinner Capless Decimo is more comfortable for me to hold than the chubbier regular Vanishing Point. Others have made the same comment in previous threads where this came up, but of course it's a matter of individual taste.

The Decimo is 30% lighter than the Vanishing Point. I prefer the Decimo over the Vanishing Point and I have large hands.

[Arkamas]

There's actually four variants.

 

1. Capless / Vanishing Point with a gold nib, push button operation

2. Capless / Vanishing Point with an alloy nib, push button operation

3. Decimo, thinner Vanishing Point, different clip, gold nib, push button operation

4. Fermo, heavier Vanishing Point, different clip, gold nib, twist action operation

 

In general the order of price from most to least is: Fermo, Decimo, Vanishing Point (gold nib), Vanishing Point (alloy nib).

 

Edit: special editions or finishes such as wood or raden will cost a lot more than the base model.

 

Perfect! That clears everything up. I've had an interest in this line and now that I know of slightly more cost-effective versions it just made my FP wishlist.

Edited January 24, 2017 by Arkamas

[MrsHobie]

The Decimo is 30% lighter than the Vanishing Point. I prefer the Decimo over the Vanishing Point and I have large hands.

The Fermo is the heaviest (far too heavy for me) ... But I can't say how much, and I don't know in which penroll it's stored to check

[Arkamas]

Another question: I know there are separate nib units but are there nibs available by themselves anywhere by any chance? Can the nib unit even be disassembled in detail?

Edited January 24, 2017 by Arkamas

[MrsHobie]

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/66247920170124134416.jpg

The pen can easily disassembled this way (I use a converter, I did not put it off )

[Brian Anderson]

Another question: I know there are separate nib units but are there nibs available by themselves anywhere by any chance? Can the nib unit even be disassembled in detail?

 

Nib units are available separately - Roughly $80 which includes a Con50 converter - everything from EF all the way to Stub, Gold, Black, and Rhodium plated.

 

You don't want to disassemble a vanishing point nib unit. Never a real reason to do so. I've been using them for closer to two decades without taking one apart.

[Arkamas]

Speaking of not putting it off, I just snagged a brand new black/gold VP for about $80 on Amazon. One of those now-or-never moments. I suppose I'll just have to put out the extra 80 then if I ever go for a black nib for it.