Ink Flow In Pilot Vanishing Point

[goodpens]

I recently got my first Pilot Vanishing Point (F nib). I bought it used, but it is in great shape.

 

I have only tried a few inks in it so far. Diamond Onyx, which is great in all my other pens (including F nib Pilot Metropolitans), was way too dry in it, though. It caused hard starts, pale/drying out ink, and stopped flowing. Diamond inks are usually super reliable, so I am surprised by this. The Pilot cartridges seem to be fine.

 

My question: What brands of ink, other than Pilot, are well suited to this particular pen and nib size?

 

Thanks.

 

DIAMINE, not Diamond, no matter what autocorrect keeps doing!

Edited April 27, 2017 by goodpens

[FlyFast]

I mostly use Pilot inks in my 3 Vanishing Points but I've also used several Diamine (Oxblood and Syrah), J. Herbin, Montblanc, and Noodlers inks without major issues. I've had the best luck with the Pilot inks. The J. Herbin inks didn't work very well in my fine nibs but only because they weren't really saturated enough for the fine line. I did have some clogging issues with some of the Noodlers, so I don't use those anymore in my Vanishing Points.

Edited April 27, 2017 by FlyFast

[goodpens]

Thank you for the feedback, FlyFast.

[MYU]

I've used LAMY, Montblanc, and Stipula inks in my Vanishing Point pens with no problems. But I must say that the PILOT Iroshizuku inks are terrific.

[ManofKent]

I confess that my vanishing point is about my only pen I've not tried multiple inks in - it writes so perfectly with Iroshizuku tsuski-yo that I just keep refilling it with that. I can't say I've found my other Pilots that fussy about inks though.

[Connly33]

I also have a Fine Vanishing Point, and i experience the same thing with a lot of inks. Some of the waterproof noodles inks have hard starting issues in it, and any other really saturated inks. Iroshizuku inks are my personal favorite, the way they behave in the pen is perfect, I also have good luck with sailor inks, and even the nano pigmented sailor inks as long as i flush the pen out once every couple weeks.

[prashant.tikekar]

I have Capless in steel Fine nib and it works well with almost all inks that I have tried. I have used Diamine Saffire Blue in it without any problems. But I have never inked it with pigment inks or IG inks. The inks like Waterman Serenity blue, Sheaffer Skrip Blue-Black, Waterman Intense Black, Waterman Mysterious blue, Parker Quink Blue, Parker Quink Black, Private Reserve Electric DC Blue have worked well and the pilot blue and black cartridges have worked well with it.

Edited April 27, 2017 by prashant.tikekar

[goodpens]

I also have a Fine Vanishing Point, and i experience the same thing with a lot of inks. Some of the waterproof noodles inks have hard starting issues in it, and any other really saturated inks. Iroshizuku inks are my personal favorite, the way they behave in the pen is perfect, I also have good luck with sailor inks, and even the nano pigmented sailor inks as long as i flush the pen out once every couple weeks.

I am glad to know that my experience isn't unique.

 

Thank you to everyone for the feedback and suggestions of inks that have worked well for you.

 

I have tried samples of the Iroshizuku inks in other pens, but not this one yet. The only sample I have on hand is a pink, which I don't think I'd use in this Maybe it is time for me to finally try a bottle of one of the dark colors (dark brown, black, or one of the gorgeous blues) for daily writing.

[Driften]

Are you using the Con-50 C/C? I have found issues with it flowing well with my VP. I loaded an empty cartridge and the pen works much nicer. If you have the old converter like I do with out the added metal part inside maybe try a new one or just go to a Con-20 that hold more. It's not like you can see the ink level in the Con-50 in the VP.

[goodpens]

Are you using the Con-50 C/C? I have found issues with it flowing well with my VP. I loaded an empty cartridge and the pen works much nicer. If you have the old converter like I do with out the added metal part inside maybe try a new one or just go to a Con-20 that hold more. It's not like you can see the ink level in the Con-50 in the VP.

 

Yes, it is the Con-50 with the silver doohickey inside. Maybe this is the problem. I'll take your advice and get an alternate convertor. I see that the Con-50 and Con-20 are both being replaced by the Con-40.

 

Thanks for the advice.

[Driften]

 

Yes, it is the Con-50 with the silver doohickey inside. Maybe this is the problem. I'll take your advice and get an alternate convertor. I see that the Con-50 and Con-20 are both being replaced by the Con-40.

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

If you have a cartridge they refilling one of those with the ink first. Its cheep and easy if you have a cartridge available.

 

The Con-20 has been discontinued, but you can still get them some places. I just ordered two. They hold about the same as a cartridge and about double what the con-40/con-50. My con-50's don't have the silver doohickey as you put it and really have an issue with ink sticking to the walls and bottom of the converter. If you search here on the forums you will see some people have had flow problems using the con-50. I am guessing that is part of the reason they discontinued that one.

[Moonshae]

I have Noodler's Baystate Blue and J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor in my two VP, but they are both medium nibs but write finer. Your problem may be that you need a wetter ink for a fine nib.

[Ted A]

I have the italic nib in mine. In general it is quite wet. But I have found that sometimes it takes quite a while for the feed to get sufficiently saturated after a fill. Sometimes it requires a fair amount of dipping the nib in ink or water. Sometimes wetting the nib and then letting it sit overnight. It's only until it gets started flowing though. From then on it may miss 1/3 of a letter, at most, when starting up.

[goodpens]

I have Noodler's Baystate Blue and J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor in my two VP, but they are both medium nibs but write finer. Your problem may be that you need a wetter ink for a fine nib.

You're right. I need to experiment. I've never found this particular one to be dry, even in different fine nibs, but that may be the issue.

 

I have the italic nib in mine. In general it is quite wet. But I have found that sometimes it takes quite a while for the feed to get sufficiently saturated after a fill. Sometimes it requires a fair amount of dipping the nib in ink or water. Sometimes wetting the nib and then letting it sit overnight. It's only until it gets started flowing though. From then on it may miss 1/3 of a letter, at most, when starting up.

 

Good idea. I hadn't thought of this.

 

I live in a dry climate, so things may dry out differently up here than elsewhere.

[Maurizio]

Sailor Jentle Blue or Black.

[Tas]

My VP had a "diva" spell where only Pilot's inks behaved. I've successfully used Sailor Blue Black and Caran d'Ache Magnetic Blue in it since and both behaved beautifully.

Converters may have been an issue. I just refill cartridges now which may have solved the issue.

Best of luck.

[goodpens]

H

 

My VP had a "diva" spell where only Pilot's inks behaved. I've successfully used Sailor Blue Black and Caran d'Ache Magnetic Blue in it since and both behaved beautifully.

Converters may have been an issue. I just refill cartridges now which may have solved the issue.

Best of luck.

Haha. Maybe mine is a diva, too!

 

Stupid question for you (or anyone else who has refilled cartridges). I assume you refill the Pilot cartridges with a syringe, after having removed the cartridge from the pen. It is also possible to leave a (cleaned out) cartridge in the pen and dip the nib unit in an ink bottle, effectively using the cartridge as a squeeze convertor? That would be a lot more convenient, I think, if it works.

[Driften]

H

 

Haha. Maybe mine is a diva, too!

 

Stupid question for you (or anyone else who has refilled cartridges). I assume you refill the Pilot cartridges with a syringe, after having removed the cartridge from the pen. It is also possible to leave a (cleaned out) cartridge in the pen and dip the nib unit in an ink bottle, effectively using the cartridge as a squeeze convertor? That would be a lot more convenient, I think, if it works.

 

 

Why not just get the con-20 squeeze converter then? I just got two in the mail today, they are still available.

[Moonshae]

H

 

 

Haha. Maybe mine is a diva, too!

 

Stupid question for you (or anyone else who has refilled cartridges). I assume you refill the Pilot cartridges with a syringe, after having removed the cartridge from the pen. It is also possible to leave a (cleaned out) cartridge in the pen and dip the nib unit in an ink bottle, effectively using the cartridge as a squeeze convertor? That would be a lot more convenient, I think, if it works.

 

Squeezing cartridges is going to weaken the plastic, making it crack eventually. It's also hard to do. Why would that be more convenient than using a syringe?

[prashant.tikekar]

H

 

Haha. Maybe mine is a diva, too!

 

Stupid question for you (or anyone else who has refilled cartridges). I assume you refill the Pilot cartridges with a syringe, after having removed the cartridge from the pen. It is also possible to leave a (cleaned out) cartridge in the pen and dip the nib unit in an ink bottle, effectively using the cartridge as a squeeze convertor? That would be a lot more convenient, I think, if it works.

Pilot cartridges can be refilled using small eyedropper too.