Pilot Capless/vp Making Ticking Noise When Writing

April 16, 2017

Just received my first ever Capless from a Japanese online retailer.

Loaded in some ink into a CON-50 and started writing, and found that everytime the nib touches the paper, there is a "tick" sound.

It's not the tines being too close to each other as I have removed the nib unit from the pen body and tried writing with it, there was no sound.

Upon closer inspection, when the nib unit in is the pen body and the nib is extended, if i push the nib from below slightly upwards to it makes the "tick" sound, as if the nib is hitting the top of the trapdoor.

Is that normal?

April 16, 2017

I have 3 VP's. If what you describe is accurate, no that's not normal. Sounds like it might need a minor adjustment. Otherwise does it write OK? All of mine wrote well OOTB.

Assuming this was an "official" Pilot reseller contact Pilot Customer service in the country where you live. I have had noting but excellent experiences with Pilot Customer Service USA and have sent my Pilot Matte Black VP back for re painting 3 times since 2012. Each time it returned as brand new and indeed I think they simply replaced the prematurely paint-worn barrel with a new one.

Good luck.

April 16, 2017

I have 3 VP's. If what you describe is accurate, no that's not normal. Sounds like it might need a minor adjustment. Otherwise does it write OK? All of mine wrote well OOTB.

Assuming this was an "official" Pilot reseller contact Pilot Customer service in the country where you live. I have had noting but excellent experiences with Pilot Customer Service USA and have sent my Pilot Matte Black VP back for re painting 3 times since 2012. Each time it returned as brand new and indeed I think they simply replaced the prematurely paint-worn barrel with a new one.

Good luck.

Thanks, it does write okay though. I wonder if Pilot Singapore will entertain my requests for them to take a look at it since i purchased the pen online from another country.

April 16, 2017

I can't say for certain, but if you bought the pen from an official Pilot reseller, this probably shouldn't be a problem. I bought my Matte Black VP from a now sadly defunct USA online retailer, who was officially sanctioned by Pilot. Never had an issue about that with Pilot Customer service.

Good luck.

April 16, 2017

I hear this with mine. It's the button at the top of the pen...extending the nib releases the tension in the spring, allowing it to move around. It can rattle a bit if you move the pen a lot. Also, if your converter is almost empty, the little metal thing in it rattles a bit.

April 16, 2017

I hear this with mine. It's the button at the top of the pen...extending the nib releases the tension in the spring, allowing it to move around. It can rattle a bit if you move the pen a lot. Also, if your converter is almost empty, the little metal thing in it rattles a bit.

Does it sound like this?

https://vimeo.com/213428374

April 16, 2017

Yes, but not nearly as loudly or as consistently as that.

April 16, 2017

Yes, but not nearly as loudly or as consistently as that.

In my case it seems to be the sound of the trapdoor engaging a little bit everytime the nib is pushed upwards when put to paper.

It's driving me crazy just listening to it as I write

April 17, 2017

Wow... sounds almost like you've got a little "teletype" thing going there.

Trap door may be slightly loose. Or maybe there's something askew with the alignment? If you have a loupe and a strong LED light, you might want to examine the trap door workings to see if everything looks correct (partially extend and retract the nib while looking to see how it functions). I have to admit, this clicking noise would annoy me as well... especially since I've got several VP's and none of them make this noise. I seem to recall someone running into this problem a long time ago... I think they sent their pen back for an exchange. PILOT is very good about their warranties.

Edited April 17, 2017 by MYU