Retractable nibs -- what are the options?

[Turquoise88]

I have a little Montblanc Boheme retractable, which I love. I would like to find another retractable, however, that could be easily used one-handed.  The Boheme retracts by twisting the end of the barrel, as does the LAMY dialog -- both CAN be used one-handed with some practice (e.g., while in a meeting or Zoom conference or at the grocery store, etc.) but it's not designed to be used that way. The LAMY dialog, from what I understand, is more usable in this regard because it doesn't have a cap to deal with -- the Boheme cap screws onto the end of the barrel, which involves an extra step and part to keep track of. 

 

I am aware of the Pilot Vanishing Point, Pilot Decimo, and the Platinum Curidas, all clickable (versus twisting) retracting nib pens. I'm hesitant to buy one because I'm generally not a fan of Japanese nibs.  I've been watching/reading reviews, which also seem mixed, with the Curidas falling pretty far below the two Pilots in terms of quality and operability.  

 

I'd appreciate feedback from owners of the Pilot, Platinum, and LAMY regarding how easy they are to use when needing to multi-task along with feedback on their quality/design.  AND I'd also appreciate suggestions for any other retractables I might look into -- past or present.  Vintage models would be a.o.k.! 

[christam]

I bought a Pilot Capless (VP), M nib, on a whim a few weeks ago and every time I use it I'm amazed by how easy it is to click open/shut and how smoothly it writes.  Some users find the position of the clip awkward but it hasn't been an issue for me and I grip the pen the same way as I would any other.  The one I've got is the white carbonesque and I've found nothing to fault in either the quality or the design.

 

However, I'm in the fortunate position of not needing to multitask in the same way I had to do when I was still working.  I was a teacher, so multitasking was a way of life.  I've got some nice fountain pens but if I were still working my Capless is the one I'd be taking to school every day.

[A Smug Dill]

5 hours ago, Turquoise88 said:

I'm hesitant to buy one because I'm generally not a fan of Japanese nibs.

 

That's fair enough, but until you've tried the Pilot Capless 18K gold EF, F, M, B and Stub nibs and decided none of them suits how you use a pen with a retractable nib, I think you're just cutting off your own options. It sounds to me you're after a functional writing instrument for a particular set of use cases; you don't have to be “a fan of” or otherwise adore the nib, for it to do the job adequately (even taking into account you're paying for a gold nib).

 

5 hours ago, Turquoise88 said:

I'd appreciate feedback from owners of the Pilot, Platinum, and LAMY regarding how easy they are to use when needing to multi-task along with feedback on their quality/design.

 

My first Pilot Capless, a matt black Vanishing Point, was my EDC pen on work days for four or five years. Deploying and retracting the nib was second nature when I had to jot something down, and not a physical/mechanical procedure that I had to think about when performing it almost unconsciously; and the pen writes beautifully. Personally, I think it's well worth the US$150 I spent on it, and it held up very well both mechanically and in terms of the barrel's finish. Knowing what I know now, if the price had been US$300 for a workhorse pen like it that isn't made of ‘precious’ wood or adorned with maki-e, it'd still be worth it.

[JosephKing]

The capless is very easy to multi task with.

The medium nib is much broader than the fine, like a western medium

The quality is consistent with the price: good tolerances, fit and finish.

 

Two negatives:

1) my threads 'squeak', as the two halves come together after filling, inducing a similar response as nails on a chalkboard

2) my pen fell, knock first, and deployed the nib then bounced and bent the tines

 

Another option is the Pilot Fermo: a twist version of the capless.

[Turquoise88]

1 hour ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

That's fair enough, but until you've tried the Pilot Capless 18K gold EF, F, M, B and Stub nibs and decided none of them suits how you use a pen with a retractable nib, I think you're just cutting off your own options. It sounds to me you're after a functional writing instrument for a particular set of use cases; you don't have to be “a fan of” or otherwise adore the nib, for it to do the job adequately (even taking into account you're paying for a gold nib).

 

 

My first Pilot Capless, a matt black Vanishing Point, was my EDC pen on work days for four or five years. Deploying and retracting the nib was second nature when I had to jot something down, and not a physical/mechanical procedure that I had to think about when performing it almost unconsciously; and the pen writes beautifully. Personally, I think it's well worth the US$150 I spent on it, and it held up very well both mechanically and in terms of the barrel's finish. Knowing what I know now, if the price had been US$300 for a workhorse pen like it that isn't made of ‘precious’ wood or adorned with maki-e, it'd still be worth it.

 

Thanks — I haven’t eliminated the idea of the Pilot capless — it’s definitely on my list, and I’m leaning towards the matte black vanishing point with a stub or medium nib because  that might give me more of my preferred nib experience.  Good to know that it holds up well and writes beautifully!  I just wondered if there were other options out there to broaden the field of choice. 

[Turquoise88]

12 minutes ago, JosephKing said:

The capless is very easy to multi task with.

The medium nib is much broader than the fine, like a western medium

The quality is consistent with the price: good tolerances, fit and finish.

 

Another option is the Pilot Fermo: a twist version of the capless.

 

That’s why the clickable retractable nib appeals to me — seems like it would be easier to use that a twist version like the LAMY or the Pilot Fermo (which I will check out, though — thanks for the suggestion!) 

[A Smug Dill]

22 minutes ago, JosephKing said:

1) my threads 'squeak', as the two halves come together after filling, inducing a similar response as nails on a chalkboard

 

Have you tried smearing silicone grease thinly on the threads to remedy what you seem to find physically discomforting?

 

10 minutes ago, Turquoise88 said:

I just wondered if there were other options out there to broaden the field of choice. 

 

 

[Marioferu]

10 hours ago, Turquoise88 said:

I have a little Montblanc Boheme retractable, which I love. I would like to find another retractable, however, that could be easily used one-handed.  The Boheme retracts by twisting the end of the barrel, as does the LAMY dialog -- both CAN be used one-handed with some practice (e.g., while in a meeting or Zoom conference or at the grocery store, etc.) but it's not designed to be used that way. The LAMY dialog, from what I understand, is more usable in this regard because it doesn't have a cap to deal with -- the Boheme cap screws onto the end of the barrel, which involves an extra step and part to keep track of. 

 

I am aware of the Pilot Vanishing Point, Pilot Decimo, and the Platinum Curidas, all clickable (versus twisting) retracting nib pens. I'm hesitant to buy one because I'm generally not a fan of Japanese nibs.  I've been watching/reading reviews, which also seem mixed, with the Curidas falling pretty far below the two Pilots in terms of quality and operability.  

 

I'd appreciate feedback from owners of the Pilot, Platinum, and LAMY regarding how easy they are to use when needing to multi-task along with feedback on their quality/design.  AND I'd also appreciate suggestions for any other retractables I might look into -- past or present.  Vintage models would be a.o.k.! 

Welcome to the happy world of retractable nib pens. As for the one-handed mechanism, you're on the right track: the Pilot and Platinum capless fountain pens are the only ones available in big box stores; your adorable Boheme still requires a cap and its production was interrupted by Montblanc (sad). The LAMY Dialog 3 can be operated with one hand, but it is a bit thick to do so. The aforementioned Fermo model, also from Pilot, is the retractable twist mechanism that can be found in the wild. The Fermo was also discounted for Pilot and is expensive. There are more pens with this feature: the luxury Hermès Nautilus and the Visconti Pininfarina, if you're willing to sell a kidney or two.

[Marioferu]

.. and to add more fantastic options, the modular nib of the Pilot Capless (Vanishing Point) and Decimo models could be ordered to be re-grinded  to produce stub, oblique italic and architect calligraphy styles of writing. This is not from Pilot but from one or more of American retailers.

[A Smug Dill]

4 hours ago, Marioferu said:

the modular nib of the Pilot Capless (Vanishing Point) and Decimo models could be ordered to be re-grinded  to produce stub,

 

You can order Pilot Capless 18K gold Stub nibs straight from the factory (but only in overseas markets, and not in Japan).

[TheDutchGuy]

The Pilot has impressed me every time I picked one up. No doubt it is a high-quality and super-practical writing instrument. I’ve resisted buying one because it reminds me too much of a ballpoint. Instead I went for the Dialog3 and had a nib re-grind done from F to a mini-mini-stub. The Dialog3 is über-engineered but it’s not a pen for everybody. Much has been said about it here on FPN - try before you buy!

[chromantic]

Stipula makes some retractable nib pens which I believe work via a twist mechanism. Don't know if it's easily one-handable. (Or made, most of the ones on ebay are pre-owned, the couple brand new ones are in the thousands of dollars and could be NOS.) Here's one example -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stipula-Da-Vinci-Infinity-Amber-Celluloid-Retractable-14K-Nib-Fountain-Pen-LE/383909765896?hash=item5962ce2308:g:eFMAAOSw4CRgBwaS

[Karmachanic]

3 hours ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

You can order Pilot Capless 18K gold Stub nibs straight from the factory (but only in overseas markets, and not in Japan).

 

Thank you. Can't find a way to do this on pilot.co.jp. Share a link?

[nm4]

Having owned the Pilot and dialog 3 as well as having tried the Curidas I can tell you that the Pilot offers the most convenience and easiest use.  The nibs are excellent - I have a fine, a medium, and the stub.  The stub is one of my favorite nibs and easily the best of the bunch for my writing.  
 

NM

[siddr90]

You could wait for the Lamy Dialogue CC that is planned for release this year. Its expected to be a smaller lighter version of Dialogue 3. 

[A Smug Dill]

25 minutes ago, Karmachanic said:

Can't find a way to do this on pilot.co.jp. Share a link?

By “18K gold Stub nib straight from the factory”, I meant those nibs left the factory as Stub nibs, not reground or otherwise modified afterwards by any nibmeister or technician (working independently, or in the employ of Pilot) as suggested by @Marioferu.

 

You can order standalone Pilot Capless Stub nibs that are made in Pilot's factory (and stamped ‘SU’ for the nib type/width on the metal) from La Couronne du Comte, Pen Chalet, etc. You can also order an entire new Vanishing Point pen fitted with a Stub nib directly from Pilot Corporation of America. Either way, you get a factory Stub nib without the cost, risk or extra step of engaging the services of a nibmeister, during the retail process or subsequently.

 

Standalone Pilot Capless nibs — Stub, or otherwise — are not available for retail sale in the Japanese domestic market; and, as far as I'm aware, Pilot only lists EF, F, FM, M and B as nib options for Capless pens and SU (Stub) is not available for any Capless model in the domestic market.

[Ron Z]

Having worked on the DaVinci, and owned a Dialogue 3, and several Pilot pens, for ease of use and quality of build, I prefer the Pilot pens.  They're simple and reliable.    I will say though, that nib quality is not the same as it was 10 years ago, nor as good as it was on the faceted Namiki VP pens. 

 

I also bought a Boheme not long after they came out.  Nice pens, especially in the larger size, but they don't meet the single hand use criteria.

 

 

[Wolverine1]

Second what Ron says. The Pilot Vanishing Point is a very well designed pen, and offers superior performance at all times. For example, I see many doctors at the Univ of Michigan Health System who have Pilot Vanishing Point pens hanging for the lanyards their IDs are attached to. Those pens would not be carried on a daily basis if they were not functioning pens.

[Karmachanic]

19 minutes ago, A Smug Dill said:

 Pilot only lists EF, F, FM, M and B as nib options for Capless pens and SU (Stub) is not available for any Capless model in the domestic market.

 

 

SU is also unavailable in the UK. Stilo&Stile has the best EU price for an SU, but is out of stock

[inkstainedruth]

I don't have a Vanishing Point/Capless because the of the weight and the position of the clip.  But I DO have two Decimos (which fit my hands better) and I love them.  One has an F nib and the other I decided at the last minute to order a stub nib instead of a B and it was a good decision for me to have made.

There's also safety pens (which I thought the OP was maybe talking about when I read the thread header).  I don't have experience with vintage ones, but I do have a Noodler's Boston Safety.  Not 100% sure I'd recommend it (although I do like the feel of ebonite).  I don't think it seals quite as well as the claims are, and it's been a lot more finicky about ink than I was expecting (it didn't like Noodler's Kung Te Cheng, for instance).  So far, the only ink that worked well in it was Noodler's Luck of the Draw LE (from the Baltimore -Washington Pen Show a couple of years ago) and I don't particularly like the ink color.  And I know that at first Nathan Tardif had some production issues with the model.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth