Help Me Choose: Vanishing Point vs Lamy Dialog 3

[lamarquise]

Hi:

This is my first post here. I am looking at getting a retractable FP and trying to decide between the Vanishing Point (either the yellow/chrome or the raden) or the Lamy Dialog 3. My only experience with Pilot were their student V-Point pens (had 1 in every colour). However, I do own 2 Safaris and a Lamy 2000 in the brushed steel/aluminum finish. My other pens include 2x Graf von Faber-Castells, a Sonnet, MB Meisterstuck 146 and a Stipula Etruria. I would be looking at a medium nib or a stub if possible.

 

This is going to be an everyday pen. Which one would you pick and why?

 

Thanks!

[Nikhil]

Look into a VP from Richard Binder. You can get a custom nib and its going to be an amazing writer. Since Richard doesn't sell Lamy, I'd go for a VP from him. If you don't want to buy from him, get the D3

 

(No aff.)

[HenryLouis]

I'm going to buck the trend and say...

 

get whatever you want. Buying a pen from a nibmeister isn't a great thing unless you're planning to sell the pen later on, where you can charge a $10-15 (arbitrary number) premium for having a "binderized" or "mottishawed" or "x-ized" nib

 

I find both pens to be good. The stock Dialog 3 nib will write a bit thicker line and a more wet line than the stock VP nib, so if you absolutely want the VP, get it tuned to write wet.

 

Get the D3! I have my VP and I really like the blue Carbonesque, but I'd probably trade it for a D3...

 

So blue carbonesque or the D3, i'd say... But the choice is yours.

[JohnCruzNg]

I'm going to buck the trend and say...

 

get whatever you want. Buying a pen from a nibmeister isn't a great thing unless you're planning to sell the pen later on, where you can charge a $10-15 (arbitrary number) premium for having a "binderized" or "mottishawed" or "x-ized" nib

 

I find both pens to be good. The stock Dialog 3 nib will write a bit thicker line and a more wet line than the stock VP nib, so if you absolutely want the VP, get it tuned to write wet.

 

Get the D3! I have my VP and I really like the blue Carbonesque, but I'd probably trade it for a D3...

 

So blue carbonesque or the D3, i'd say... But the choice is yours.

 

Would you rather have two (2) VPs or one (1) D3 (because there is a big discrepancy between the two pens)?

[I am not a number]

I've handled the Lamy Dialog 3 and was left singularly unimpressed after the experience. On the other hand I own more Vanishing Points I would openly admit to and I think they are fantastic pens. It's entirely your decision but my recommendation would be for the Vanishing Point over the Lamy.

 

Edit: I almost forgot to say, welcome to the FPN!

Edited December 13, 2009 by I am not a number

[zquilts]

I voted VP - although I cannot claim to have tried either. I want to be able to get a VP one day though!

My vote is based strictly on my subjective view of aesthetic beauty - and the fact the you can have Richard Binder make the nib any way you want it!

What ever you choose though I bet you will be happy with it!

[Silvermink]

I think the VP's the battle-tested choice here, but I've found the clip just does not work for me, and I'm trading mine off. I tried a Dialog 3 yesterday and am still not entirely sold on the look of it, but it's definitely more comfortable (though still not 100%, honestly).

[AltecGreen]

You should read the new reviews of the D3.

 

The D3 is a much heavier and longer pen than the VP. About 15 g heavier and wider. The clip of the D3 does not re-tract flush with the barrel so if you have problems with the placement of the VP clip, it is likely going to be a problem with the D3 as well. The D3 comes with a heavy price premium over the standard VP in the US. It's going to be hard to beat the VP in terms of choice of finish and color.

 

This is a case of really either trying both pens in hand or at least knowing your preferences. If you like a heavy and wide pen, then the D3 is the better choice. If you want a slimmer pen, then the VP is the better choice. If you find both the standard VP and D3 too heavy and/or wide, then you can consider a Pilot Decimo. It is a bit more expensive than the standard VP but still less than a D3. If you don't like the push click of the VP and want a twist mechanism, then the Fermo would a possibility. The Fermo is priced about the same as a D3.

 

As for nibs, the Pilot nibs are different than the Lamy nibs. If you like a wider line then the D3 might be the better choice while if you want a finer line, I'd go with the VP.

[gyasko]

You should read the new reviews of the D3.

 

The D3 is a much heavier and longer pen than the VP. About 15 g heavier and wider.

 

 

The Pilot Capless pens are pretty heavy. In fact, they are too heavy for anything more than stop and go writing. 15g more than the Capless is verging on heavy for the sake of heaviness. I haven't used one, but the Lamy does not sound like a very practical pen.

[dannzeman]

I would recommend the VP if the clip doesn't bother you. Its complete one handed operation makes it much more practical than everything else. Some people complain about the ink capacity, but if you use cartridges and refill them it's not an issue. Plus, the nibs are easily swappable so you could have a medium and a stub for less than the price of a D3.

[rdh]

I like the Lamy, but you are going to pay a real premium for it because it is a brand new model. For some people it is worth it. If it is worth it for you, no one on this forum is going to fault you for the choice. If you go for the VP, you will have a lot of company. There is no wrong choice.

 

Dave

[MadAmos]

I have several VP standards and use them daily my present favorite is the Fermo it just fits my grip like I designed it myself. I have a Dialog 3 on order and the last I heard it should be in later this month, once it shows up I will post my impressions.

[dakaranke]

I have also several VP and love them - espacilly the smaler Decimo. The mechanic itself is brilliant. It sounds very stable and it works in my hands since some years without a problem.

 

I have tested the Lamy and was really disappointed. The mechanic seams to me very unreliable. And the design itself is curious.

 

You should know that the nibs from the VP are all on the finer side.

[dizzypen]

At this point I'd say the vp wins hands down. The d3 is more expensive, heavier, and probably less reliable. I had a chance to try out the d3, and I was thoroughly unimpressed with the quality of its mechanism. I think there will likely be qc issues lamy will have to address in subsequent years. The vp on the other hand has been around for many years now and is super reliable. And to that the easy avalability of custom nibs and I think the choice is simple.

[kiavonne]

My personal experiences would lead me to another VP over the Lamy. I own several VP pens, and use them daily. They are my go-to pens. I am not a Lamy enthusiast.

 

As said before, however, your best choice is that which you really want. The experience, good or bad, will be a part of your overall preferences later when you've settled in to your collection.

 

And, yes, welcome to FPN!

Edited December 14, 2009 by kiavonne

[lamarquise]

Thanks for all the advice!

 

I tried both out at my local penshop. I found the D3 a little slippery and heavy. It felt heavier than the Lamy 2k brushed steel/aluminum (not the std black Makrolon version) that I have. At the same time, the VP's clip would require getting used to.

 

So many choices!

[Lemon328i]

While I love my VPs and Decimos, since they are tried and true, very reliable writers, the click noise is distracting in small meetings. I use a Pilot Fermo - Namiki's version of a twist vanishing point. It has been perfect for me, but I've also placed my order for a D3. Why? The Namiki nibs push on the spring-loaded trap door and leave ink on it. The Dialog's door is tied to the nib unit's body and never in contact with the nib, similar to Stipula's set-up, but at a fraction of the cost! I can't judge how well the D3 writes until I receive it, but I will conduct a Fermo to D3 comparison review.

 

Good luck with your choice!

[sirksael]

I own both. While a VP may be more reliable, compared to the D3 it's also a bit boring. Imo the D3's nib is a bit more fun to write with, the pen is a bit more special (Face it, a VP looks like a ballpoint). I think the mechanism on my D3 feels very solid and I don't think it will fail anytime soon for any reason.

 

That being said, the VP IS a reliable and great pen.

 

But I'm still voting for the D3

[chibimie]

For an everyday writer the Decimo would make the most sense, and the clip unlikely to feel obtrusive. But the Fermo is special, and deserves a close look as indicated by others above. Still, all three choices (VP, Decimo, D3) seem quite good!

[rdh]

While I love my VPs and Decimos, since they are tried and true, very reliable writers, the click noise is distracting in small meetings. I use a Pilot Fermo - Namiki's version of a twist vanishing point. It has been perfect for me, but I've also placed my order for a D3. Why? The Namiki nibs push on the spring-loaded trap door and leave ink on it. The Dialog's door is tied to the nib unit's body and never in contact with the nib, similar to Stipula's set-up, but at a fraction of the cost! I can't judge how well the D3 writes until I receive it, but I will conduct a Fermo to D3 comparison review.

 

Good luck with your choice!

 

As far as leaving ink on the trap door, you might consider trying a good safe ink like Waterman Florida Blue or one of the Pilot/Namiki inks, which are pretty waterproof. I had the same problem with my regular VP until I switched inks. The problem might go away if you change pens, but I doubt it. I have nothing against the D3. In fact I think it is quite cool, but your Fermo should not be causing problems, and it might be easy to get it working well.

 

Dave