Pilot Capless Vanishing Point F Vs M, Changes Over Time, Alterations?

[hmm]

I am thinking of getting a more utilitarian pen like a VP Decimo, but this would be only my second purchase after a White Prera fine. It is a little bit scratchy and when drawing quick half page sqiggles, the ink can't be drawn fast enough (compared to a ink ballpoint pen). Is this usual for fountain pens? Also, I've notice that there is not much discussion regarding the vanishing points in the last few years. Is it still recommended?

 

So because of my experience with the Prera, I was thinking of getting a M nib in the hope that it would not be too scratchy, but am worried about how thick it would be. Compared to a regular ball point pen or a Pilot G2, would it be much thicker than that? Seeing how the price much higher than the Prera and the nib on the VP is all gold, would that mean that my concerns are less of a concern? I also read that some people are sending their pens to an aftermarket tuning shop. What is that about and would that be very expensive?

 

Finally, I would like to know if the VP Decimos have changed any bit over the last couple of years. Is the 2012 model same or improved? I am debating between white (to match my white Prera) and one of the new colors. I've noticed that they have light purple and light blue colors. Are there anyone who has purchased these colors?

 

Sorry for all these questions.

Edited November 8, 2012 by hmm

[anthonyjong]

Hi Hmm,

 

welcome to the forum.

 

I've been using and collecting Pilot VP (capless) for a while.

I have 21 VP and 7 of those are Decimo. Let me tell you what I found on my VP.

 

Most of VP nibs are made of gold. As far as I know, decimo comes with 18k 750 solid gold, plated with rhodium (that's why is white, not yellow).

Some of older regular size - non Decimo - VP comes with 18k yellow gold, 14K yellow gold and yellow steel (I bought 1 from japan that comes with steel nib)

 

Compare to steel nibs like the one in Prera, gold nibs will give you more "bounce" when you write. Don't give me wrong, this is NOT a flexible nibs, but you can feel that gold nibs give you more character to your hand writing.

VP comes with XF, F, M, and B nibs. My favorite is F nibs from richard binder. I don't think he sell Decimo, but you can check his VP at richardspens.com. Every VP that you bought from him will be "binderized" which means he will adjust the nib before sending it to you for free.

 

Decimo haven't changed at all since it came. The 2012 model are exactly the same size and shape. Except they are offering XF nibs (which I think a little to thin for my liking).

Anyway, good luck,

 

You can reply to this post if you have more question. I'll be glad to help you to find your VP

 

Anthony

[anthonyjong]

Quick writing sample picture

[..lol..]

actually I'm raisingg funds for a vanishing point :-P but yes for great strokes across the pages I usually use a gold nib (my Eversharp skyline, which now I ordered a semiflex nib :-D) that with its springness lets me add a bit more pressure and keep the flow going; the how fast you glide is the real deal though, too fast and dry nibs can't keep up.

[humsin]

I ordered a Matte Black VP...which is lost in the mail currently

[marcomillions]

Hmm,hmm,

 

Also, I've notice that there is not much discussion regarding the vanishing points in the last few years.

Not much discussion? VP questions are all over this forum.

 

My VP Fine point is probably the smoothest gliding, fastest writing pen I own. But be aware: the paper matters a lot. My VP F is fast on FP-friendly paper. It gets cranky on cheap or nasty paper.

 

Would I recommend it? You bet!

 

Marc

[fountainpenlady]

I am another one awaiting a Decimo fountain pen. I owned a Vanishing Point many years ago and found it heavy in weight.. The clip was a bit bothersome, but I could have gotten used to it, but the extra fine point nib was what I could not live with and found the hard way that Japanese nibs differ slightly in that xf are too fine. I sold it. Now, I have done some research and as a result, I am awaiting a decimo fine nib and also an italic comes along with the deal. To your knowledge, is the weight a bit lighter with the Decimo? I believe I found that the weight was probably one of the issues for me since I journal write much. I really want a red one, but will be seeing whether there is an improvement for me from the Vanishing point to now writing with the Decimo.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

The Decimo is indeed a bit lighter. I never bought a regular Pilot Capless because I couldn't deal with the weight, but I have three Pilot Capless Decimo pens. I use them all the time.

 

Dillon

[FPFan]

Current VP's are fatter pens than the Decimo. The barrel on the Decimo is slimmer and gives it better weight and balance than the larger standard VP's.

 

The Decimo is more like the earlier versions that were facuted barreled in plastic. Now they are metal but the Decimo is not heavy at all. Very comfortable to use. Get On board the VP bus!

[Bennett]

I have been using fountain pens at the office for the past several years and found the cap on / cap off thing a bit distracting at times. During the past month, I began using a VP (medium) and was impressed by the easy nib access and convenience. Just ordered a decimo bold nib earlier today to see if the thinner body will make handling even better. In general my impression is that VPs by design are intended to be great working pens for daily use. But if you are really looking for a hearty daily use pen that takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin' the Lamy Safari is the best one around IMO. Regarding nib size, if you are unsure what you want, go with the VP medium nib. It will be a smooth write.

[Bruno Taut]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9AZtXOM_rw/UIOyg9QFX1I/AAAAAAAAEEE/WaWTe-VFEHc/s1600/Capless%2B2012%2Btable-WM.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkdwwXiSius/UIOzseYwmGI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/UlpQ3PanJ0Y/s1600/IMG_0040-blog-WM.jpg

From top to bottom, Fermo, Decimo and Capless.

 

My favorite nib is the FM (only available in 18K Au).

 

Cheers,

 

Iosepus

[fountainpenlady]

I had the same feeling when I purchased a capless years ago and that is why it was not hard breaking for me to sell. Also, I love Xfine nibs, but found that the Xfine nib of the capless was too thin.

 

I hope this is not inappropriate of a question to ask anyone, but what if you only want a certain body of a Namiki decimo? I mean if you don't want an entirely new pen, because you can use the nibs you already have, you simply want another color? Do you have to purchase an entirely new pen with the nib? If you already have a preference and the nib, what nib would you then purchase if you can't obtain just the body of the pen. I am awaiting my first Decimo in the champagne pink. I am a lover of red, but I don't want to buy an entirely other pen, I simply want the body and have the nib. What suggestions?

Hi,

 

The Decimo is indeed a bit lighter. I never bought a regular Pilot Capless because I couldn't deal with the weight, but I have three Pilot Capless Decimo pens. I use them all the time.

 

Dillon

[fountainpenlady]

'fountainpenlady

I had the same feeling when I purchased a capless years ago and that is why it was not hard breaking for me to sell. Also, I love Xfine nibs, but found that the Xfine nib of the capless was too thin.

 

I hope this is not inappropriate of a question to ask anyone, but what if you only want a certain body of a Namiki decimo? I mean if you don't want an entirely new pen, because you can use the nibs you already have, you simply want another color? Do you have to purchase an entirely new pen with the nib? If you already have a preference and the nib, what nib would you then purchase if you can't obtain just the body of the pen. I am awaiting my first Decimo in the champagne pink. I am a lover of red, but I don't want to buy an entirely other pen, I simply want the body and have the nib. What suggestions?

 

Do you have three different Decimos with different nibs?

 

The Decimo is indeed a bit lighter. I never bought a regular Pilot Capless because I couldn't deal with the weight, but I have three Pilot Capless Decimo pens. I use them all the time.

 

Dillon

[fountainpenlady]

Just got my Decimo today and think I am in love with it. You are right it is lighter and the clip does not prove a problem. Do you have all three Decimos with the same nibs??? I am wondering. Mine came with an italic and a fine point. If I were to get the pearly red, I am unsure what nib. Do you also have a medium and is it very broad compared to the Fine point nib?

[Dillo]

I have two pink ones both with fine nibs and one violet one with an extra-fine nib. I bought the pens as one piece, not as bodies and nib units. I really like the Pilot Decimo pens a lot. They aren't too heavy and they write well. I don't usually use medium or broad nibs, so I don't have those.

 

Dillon

[fountainpenlady]

Got my champagne pink yesterday. I like it. It is going to take some getting used to since normally I write with a Pelikan M800, Waverly tip. I also have a couple of Lamys. The pen came with a fine point and an itallic. Normally, I write with an extra fine, but history of having had the Pilot VP, I wanted to try this time a fine point. What is the difference you find in having two Decimos with the same nib of fine?

I have two pink ones both with fine nibs and one violet one with an extra-fine nib. I bought the pens as one piece, not as bodies and nib units. I really like the Pilot Decimo pens a lot. They aren't too heavy and they write well. I don't usually use medium or broad nibs, so I don't have those.

 

Dillon

[Dillo]

Got my champagne pink yesterday. I like it. It is going to take some getting used to since normally I write with a Pelikan M800, Waverly tip. I also have a couple of Lamys. The pen came with a fine point and an itallic. Normally, I write with an extra fine, but history of having had the Pilot VP, I wanted to try this time a fine point. What is the difference you find in having two Decimos with the same nib of fine?

I have two pink ones both with fine nibs and one violet one with an extra-fine nib. I bought the pens as one piece, not as bodies and nib units. I really like the Pilot Decimo pens a lot. They aren't too heavy and they write well. I don't usually use medium or broad nibs, so I don't have those.

 

Dillon

 

As far as I can tell, they both write exactly the same way, or at least very close to it. They have the same line width, they feel the same on the paper, and they sound the same when I click them. No one besides me can tell the difference between them. One was made in December 2007 and the other one was made in November 2007. I got both from the same seller and received the one made in December 2007 one month before I got the one made in November 2007. I fill one with a hot pink ink and the other with Diamine Claret.

[fountainpenlady]

I am getting used to the feel of the Decimo. I like it well enough. I am not used to the dryness of the ink itself. it dries fast on the paper and I wonder whether purchasing another nib will help. I guess I am used to the nib of my Pelikan which is a bit more wet. What is your experience? Do you think perhaps it is this particular nib or perhaps a better quality of paper would help.