I definitely want this pen but it’s outside of my 5 for 55 (creating a 5 pen collection for my 55th birthday this year). Maybe I’ll get it for myself for Kwanzaa 😊 😉
When I first saw the vanishing point a year or so ago, I thought I’d NEVER want one. They seemed awkward and unattractive. Recently I’ve been contemplating purchasing one; it’s funny how our viewpoints change. ( Like how I was totally disinterested in fountain pens not that long ago! 😄). This was a helpful and pleasant review. Thank you!
I, too, thought I'd never want one. I thought it would be too thin, and the clip would be too awkward. Then I ran into someone who had one, and I tried it, and I discovered I was wrong on both counts. Aesthetically, it is not the most gorgeous design. But it is a very unique one, which is almost just as good. I got one this week, and I couldn't be happier.
You are a poet.....in the way you Express the feel of fountain pens. I enjoy your stories. I have a Decimo and love the look, the feel, the writing experience. Thank you for your videos. BLESSINGS
"I Journal ✍ like a fiend!" That is certainly a statement I can relate to, wholeheartedly and profoundly. I have been going through my beloved Black Pilot Precise V7 pens at an obnoxiously rapid rate for years, hence, my newfound determination to cultivate a modest collection of fountain pens ✒ I currently own a whopping TWO fountain pens but the realm of inks, quality papers, and aesthetically pleasing Journals have all amalgamated into a very pleasant portal of escapism for the challenges and harrowing experiences that comprise my life. I find this Pilot quite intriguing. I fervently believe that very few sounds in life are as satisfying as the click of a quality pen. ✒ Seeing the myriad Hemingway-related titles on your shelves reminds me of a Hemingway category on a recent episode of Jeopardy. I answered each question aloud but quietly (and correctly) and happened to impress a very sweet nurse in the Hospital who had been checking my vitals at that very moment. Ernest Hemingway was a fascinating individual.
As a recent FP convert, partly due to this channel, I scoped this pen. It is nice. But I couldn't shake the feeling that this pen is somewhat clinical. Much like the Lamy 2000, it is well made, looks professional, and it is stealthy. But I struggle with it since my interest in FPs is, at present, the romantic. Perhaps this is like people new to watches eschewing quartz at all costs, even when brilliantly done or interestingly executed (e.g., a Grant Seiko 9F or spring drive). Maybe it will click eventually. Thank you for the review.
You make excellent points and fantastic comparisons. I agree completely. It is a bit like a quartz watch, but it has an awesome gold nib and that is a huge plus. However, if you’re not feeling it, move on. There are others. Maybe an E95S? It’s much less and also has a gold nib. And I did a review of that too.
I love writing one of two ways, either on my iPad writing app or with the Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen on paper. I stopped using a ballpoint pen shortly after getting the Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen because of the way it write and the way it feels in my hand
Hello Hemingway!!! Hope you are having a great day. Well, I too love the Pilot Vanishing Point fp. I have two, one bought in2005 on a whim, and my second was bought about 6 or 8 months earlier. I started using the pen in 2005. At that time, I was hospitalized quite a bit cuz I was undergoing chemotherapy. Everytine I went to the hospital for a stay, I would always pack my Vanishing Point fp, a bottle of ink and a good notebook. Writing in my journal in those dark days helped me retain my sanity. So, the Vanishing POint fp has a lot of meaning for me. So, both of my VPs are the standard version of the pen, i.e., they are the ones with a laquered metal bodies with gold clips and the rings. The older pen is burgundy colored body with gold clips and rings. The newer pen is blue with the gold clip and rings, sort of like the colors of my alma mater, the Univ of Michigan. The older pen has a very smooth medium nib, whereas the newer one has a very smooth nib in fine. Both pens are very good writers, perfect inkflow through perfect writing nibs. The fit and finish of both pens are flawless. As you have alluded to, some people find the clip to get in the way of their fingers, and thus they cannot enjoy these fine writing pens. But there are some pen repair people who can remove the clip of a VP pen, without damaging the pen, so people might look into this option. And, thank you, Hemingway, for the wonderful pen review, you have done outdone yourself, once again. Thank you.
Great review. I’m new to fountain pens and really enjoying them. While I would love to get a Montblanc, I must wait on one for now. The Vanishing Point has caught my interest, so I’m watching reviews before purchasing. BTW your cat is sweet!!
Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed the review and the lovely Ophelia. She is such a sweet cat. Good luck on your purchase. Let me know if you have any questions and all the best!
I've know about this oddity for a long time, even from before I went down the FP rabbit hole. Never thought I'd own one, let alone love it more than any other in my collection. Even more than my first MB 146, which writes buttery smooth. Somehow this one writes even buttery-er... And as luck would have it, I got my hands on the 2014 Copper Limited Edition, Broad nib, #80 out of 2014. Also my first broad nib! The shading it does with Diamine inks is amazing.
I love my Vanishing Point pens. I like how you can swap the nib units between the bodies, too. They are ideal for meetings because you can so quickly deploy the nib to make a note and then stow the nib again. I like to refill old Pilot cartridges using syringes because they hold so much more ink than the converters. Depending on the nib size (XF to M), I will get 2-4 weeks from a Pilot cartridge. Another stellar pen you’ve highlighted for your audience! Excellent job, HJ!! I love the looks of the blue carbonesque - your wife has good taste. 😉
I really enjoy the two Vanishing Points I have in a Fine nib. I have other Pilot pens that write more smoothly (Diamond 580’s being my favourites) but I still enjoy the VP’s. I find I need to use a wet ink with both my fine nibs or they skip though. May I ask what nib size you were using in both VP’s in this video? Particularly the matte black VP?
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my Decimo pen (Vanishing Point’s lighter, slimmer sibling) My problem is that I am afraid of losing it (or dropping and damaging the nib, which I’ve done once or twice) if I take it out and about with me very much- which makes it less practical for on-the-go use.
I liked the appropriate music - "V" for Vanishing Point. This is a pen that I've so far been reluctant to get, but at some point I know I'll want to add to my collection, if only to have an example of the interesting design. The main thing that puts me off is the clip, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't actually be a problem. I'm pretty flexible about how and where I hold a pen, don't mind shaped grips, etc.
This is a most unusual pen and I believe that you either love it, or hate it. There is no in-between with this pen. I do wonder if it has hard starts due to the lack of capping? Once again, you propose an interesting video for the rest of us to contemplate. Good work.
Thanks so much! Yes, this one can be polarizing and often because of the clip. I think it is brilliant though. It writes amazingly well and has an interesting gold nib.
Thanks Amazing! Wonderful to have that kind of access. I love when people peruse my shelves. I have read quite a few books on Hemingway and his are very good.
I didn't see a copy of Farewell to Arms on your bookshelf, but you must have it?! Some of your For Whom the Bells Toll look like they maybe early editions? So many amazing volumes on your shelf.
Thanks so much! I have a few copies of A Farewell… including a 1st Ed. No dust cover though. I have 2 1st Ed of For Whom… on with a dust. I wish I had bought more back when I acquired them. It was much easier then. Thanks for noticing.
I have a blue one just like yours in a fine nib and it writes perfectly every time, I bought new. I do also have a black one with gold trim in a medium which I purchased off ebay and it is so temperamental, lots of hard starts and flow issues I think I need to send it away for servicing. Thanks for doing a review on this pen!
Hello, I’m new to your channel and just subscribed! I’m looking into getting the matte black VP. How long have you had yours and is the paint chipping at all? I hear this is a common occurrence with the matte black over time? TIA!
I have seven. Some regular affordable, some more pricey. I have the soft clicking LS model which is not annoying at all. I also have two “Urushi lacquered” by Pen Wing Stationery from Japan, one of them depicting the famous “Great Wave of Kanagawa ” design by Hokusai. One thing that also admire of these pens is their “modularity “: You can purchase a special gold nib with Stub stroke. I am a fanatic of them, planning to purchase a Fermo model soon.
❤the review. Have 2 VP’s. Decimo and regular. Love everything except the garbage ink filler. I just use one cartridge and fill with a syringe. A more convenient fountain pen cannot be found. One VP has a fine/medium nib which you can order from Japan. This is the way.
Thanks for the vid Mr. Jones. I have the burgundy with gold trim VP and three nibs, fine, medium, and stub. Since the converter only holds a tiny bit of ink I prefer to syringe fill an empty cartridge with my favorite ink. (If you use the cartridge you should also use the supplied metal ink cartridge cap.) The clip fits perfectly between my index finger and thumb so it doesn't bother me at all. (Depending on your grip your mileage may vary.) It's a solid pen and my version (non-Decimo) has some heft to it. There are two variations in pen body thickness. The original and the Decimo. The Decimo is narrower. Since the nibs are 18k gold, this pen will set you back a few frog skins. In an office setting you'll get a few admiring comments!
Hello Hemingway, What nib is on your MontBlanc 149? I have a broad and it is SO broad. I love my MB as well, but I’m considering get it ground to a medium-fine.
@@HemingwayJones It is so very smooth. I am new to fountain pens so I don't have so many standards for reference. But I like it so far, and am learning about the utilities for fine and medium nibs in my personal workflow.
Perle Noire is my go-to black but with my stub Vanishing Point it didn’t seem to pair well (false starts) in my experience and I got a much better flow switching to Chou Kuro. Japanese ink in a Japanese pen, just worked out better. I was glad to find a use for that ink somewhere lol
I love your videos. I have. An extensive collection and I have never been able to connect to my Vanishing Point. I pull it out before work sometimes, but it has never made the ride to work in my shirt pocket. I am afraid to trust it not to leak or stain my shirt. I seem to have relegated it to a desk pen…which defeats the purpose of what it was designed for. I really like it, and it writes like a dream…I just haven’t trusted it, it in the front pocket of my fine white dress shirts.
Hello and thanks for the comment. Has it ever leaked on your shirt? This has not happened to me. Mine has been tight. However, my Pelikan M200 wiggles out of its cap and has ruined a dress shirt on me. Thanks very much!
@@HemingwayJones No sir! I’m not going to give it the opportunity! Ha! It is very wet as you noted. So, I surmise that it is likely to get onto that little door, and the area outside and immediately around the door. I’m a seasoned traveler and I have a lot of pens. But some of my shirts, and particularly suits, are quite expensive & unforgiving. I’m not going to chance this one when I can seal all the ink up in a TWSBI with zero chance of a leak. Just my thoughts…
Hi. Great video once again. My P.V.P is a Decimo with black and silver trim, the extra fine nib is very fine and quite smooth.i love using Emerald of Chivor in this pen.🤗 Cheers
I so much want a pen like this at work. I'm a software developer and I take very short notes every few seconds! All my screw caps are not usable for this reason. I use Lamy 2000 or Safari but still a retractable pen would be great. However the clip position looks irritating. I sometimes write long essays-outside work- and it is impossible with this clip. But for my usage at work I can go with it. The perfect pen would be a vanishing point without a clip. I never put a pen in my pocket!
Hello Tony! Yes, unscrewing and screwing a cap all day would be a lot. The Vanishing Point is perfect for this. Have you tried it? I would suggest you try one, if there is a pen or stationery store near you. I thought I wouldn’t like it, but after a minute I forgot it was there. In fact, it sort of anchored my finger. It’s a bit like a European zipper being on the opposite side; it takes about a minute to adjust. All the best and good luck in your search!
I really like my Pilot VP. It's a great pen for my work notebook since it's so quick to pick up the pen and start writing. The comment on needing a deep bottle is bang on. The only way I've been able to fill it from an ink sample is by using a syringe to fill the converter. Also, the construction of the converter seems to ensure that there is always a large bubble of air at the top after filling. I have yet to get the converter full with a normal fill. That said, it holds enough ink to get me through a week of work writing so I'm OK with it.
I have the decimo and I like it. The black mate would be looks wise my favorite but in my experience with time I think you tend to see the marks of the fingers. I maybe get the silver stripped one
My first gold nib pen which I eventually bought after dreaming about it for months.. Its clip doesn’t bother me as much as the little protrusion on Curidas does.. For those who love Capless/retractable pens who’re annoyed by the clicks, slightly more expensive Fermo (or Dialog) is the answer !
Thanks for the great comment and contribution. I need to try one of those. As for the clip, mine has a little notch where my finger fits perfectly. My wife’s doesn’t. Weird. Anyway, stop by and see me again soon.
Greetings from Australia. I enjoyed your video. The VP is a great pen and I have 2 in medium nib and they are great writers. The clip has no issue or me. Yes, I name my pens too. I'm into woods and have a forest of exotic wooden pens. I'm looking forward to your video on the E95S.
I have to be drawn to the design of a pen. The MB 149 is a beauty-so refined. The Vanishing Point I just can’t warm up to. Nevertheless, I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing.
For the feel alone of a Vanishing Point, the coldness of a ballpoint mixed with the quirkiness of a fountain pen actually makes it more interesting to me. Yes, the loss of "uncapping and (optional) posting" does make it more and more utilitarian and less of that time taking ritualistic representation that fountain pens are, but that is what some people yearn for. Having a quick draw, quick use pen is useful. Having to pick between ballpoints and fountain pens for utility sake can make this pen look quite convincing and appealing. As for the sound? There apparently are versions of the VP that have quieter click mechanisms, but they cost about twice the price if not thrice. I'm quite alright with the louder pen, but that's just the situation that I am in.
Late again, I'm afraid. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking being retired means you won't find plenty to do to fill your days. All good in my case, by the grace of God! Had to note, though, that I was tickled to see we have the very same VP. Great minds...? Whatever the case may be, my views on the pen are pretty much identical to your views. With one exception; namely, I am not a fan of the Con 40 converter. To make matters worse, the way it fits in the mechanism, one cannot see how much ink is in it. Otherwise, I really enjoy having it to use when I am out of the house. It is so handy. Of course, the E95s is just about as convenient and you can see your ink level in it, even though it, too, only takes the Con 40.
Happy to hear that you have the same pen. It is a winner. I agree completely on the converter. I am happy that it has one, but wish it were larger and had a better fill option. Thanks so much for the great comment!
@@HemingwayJones so cute! I have a nearly 17 year old tabby called Poppy. To be honest I don't watch 90% of the B roll....I listen to you tube more than I watch a lot so once you stop talking I often turn it off!
The sheer pleasure and ritual of writing with and using ANY competant fountain pen is not to be underestimated . Bics are wonderful pens and writers but using a BIC Biro is hardly an occasion , yet a fountain pen is always an occasion , like shaving with an old fashioned wet shave double edge razor blade and brush , these rituals our Grandfathers lived with have been replaced with disposable "hurry up " get the job done products . Go back in time and do it like our forefathers did you willl not be sorry , write using fountain pens and shave using old fashioned double edge razors ..you won't be sorry ....thank me later
@Wolverine3660 @Hemingway Jones Actually, there is a clip less knockoff version on eBay and Amazon with a steel nib. I bought one out of curiosity. It’s a smooth writer and takes Pilot cartridges. Mine leaks at the step up from the nib area up to the larger cylinder of the nib body. I’m going to experiment with some silicone grease at the joint to see if I can seal it. If that works, it was worth the $35-40. I don’t remember the exact amount.
Actually, there is a clip less knockoff version on eBay and Amazon with a steel nib. I bought one out of curiosity. It’s a smooth writer and takes Pilot cartridges. Mine leaks at the step up from the nib area up to the larger cylinder of the nib body. I’m going to experiment with some silicone grease at the joint to see if I can seal it. If that works, it was worth the $35-40. I don’t remember the exact amount.
The 'Vanishing Point' is a pen I have to respect. A friend - well, it is years since I last saw him -, is in many respects like me, exclusively using fountain pens, and using them extensively, professionally, for practical reasons. Also, his primary pen interest was also like mine, more curious in different pens than enjoying the luxury. He was - or is, he's maybe not retired yet - a lawyer. Maybe that has something to do why he found it so practical. Anyway, he preferred the 'Vanishing Point' to anything else. - And that is why I have to respect the pen. ...But I don't like it. I'm ashamed of how poor my reasons are. I just don't think it's "like a fountain pen should be". 🧐
You certainly don’t need to like every pen. I sure don’t. I get it completely. I didn’t like this one at first. The clip position threw me off. My wife had it first; the blue one in the video. I love the perspective. Please keep the comments coming and stop by and see me again.
So, when I see you in 6:07 , writing standing with one hand supporting the notebook. I wonder, how, on earth, someone can write in that position. In fact, I cannot writing unless there is a table-like surface to support my paper. So I admire people who can write well using their lap supporting the notebook, more so, who can write using a single hand supporting the notebook.
I often think, if I can write on my lap at least, a lot of things open to me. For example, I can write after I hike to a nice spot, or, I can write in airplane or other transportation. I can write waiting in bank, doctor etc. when only a chair is available. I mean technically I can write on lap but the letters will be too horrible that I don't want to put in.
Hello and thanks for the nice and interesting comment. I don’t know how I do this except that I had to do it by necessity when I journaled standing on the T in Boston or just about wherever I found myself. It’s just a weird Darwinian adaptation! All the best.
Excessive clicking noises?? One click out, one click in, that is all you need, shouldn't bother anyone, unless you, or someone nearby to you is "chronic clicker" I have been looking at these, I really like the blue carbon one your wife has.
It is one of those FP that one hesitates to acquire and prefers to collect the experiences of others. I personally feel curious to have it, but its cost keeps me in doubt because of its unconventional design.
The clip placement and shape of the grip section, the way to fill it, the tiny thin nib that isn't much to look at or customize, the clunky hard click, it's just extremely unappealing to me. A twist out pen with a full nib would be waay more convenient. Either a fold away clip or No clip with a roll stop would also be better.
Hello and thanks for the great comment. I don't disagree with you. All of those things makes it unique and its own thing and it can definitely be polarizing. I love it and love the utility, but it does affect the romance of it. A twist out nib is beautiful. I would definitely get behind this. All the best.
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Oh no I’ve become that person watching videos that are a year old. Looking forward to my first vanishing point purchase
I love that person! I don’t think these expire. They are as relevant as ever. Thanks so much for watching it.
Mine is OTW so yeah…I understand
@@knsbbq1951 I bought a Leonardo....so right now nothing else matters. I hope you enjoy yours
I definitely want this pen but it’s outside of my 5 for 55 (creating a 5 pen collection for my 55th birthday this year). Maybe I’ll get it for myself for Kwanzaa 😊 😉
It is good to be disciplined, My Friend. I wish I had your will power. Thanks for watching.
As usual, a top notch review. Am new to fountain pens, and this is a completely new pen to me, thank you for the introduction.
Thank you very much. I am glad you enjoyed it.
When I first saw the vanishing point a year or so ago, I thought I’d NEVER want one. They seemed awkward and unattractive. Recently I’ve been contemplating purchasing one; it’s funny how our viewpoints change. ( Like how I was totally disinterested in fountain pens not that long ago! 😄).
This was a helpful and pleasant review. Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching. Our taste is always changing and evolving. It is a pretty wonderful pen.
I, too, thought I'd never want one. I thought it would be too thin, and the clip would be too awkward. Then I ran into someone who had one, and I tried it, and I discovered I was wrong on both counts.
Aesthetically, it is not the most gorgeous design. But it is a very unique one, which is almost just as good. I got one this week, and I couldn't be happier.
You are a poet.....in the way you Express the feel of fountain pens. I enjoy your stories. I have a Decimo and love the look, the feel, the writing experience. Thank you for your videos. BLESSINGS
You are too kind. Thank you! I appreciate it very much.
"I Journal ✍ like a fiend!" That is certainly a statement I can relate to, wholeheartedly and profoundly. I have been going through my beloved Black Pilot Precise V7 pens at an obnoxiously rapid rate for years, hence, my newfound determination to cultivate a modest collection of fountain pens ✒ I currently own a whopping TWO fountain pens but the realm of inks, quality papers, and aesthetically pleasing Journals have all amalgamated into a very pleasant portal of escapism for the challenges and harrowing experiences that comprise my life. I find this Pilot quite intriguing. I fervently believe that very few sounds in life are as satisfying as the click of a quality pen. ✒ Seeing the myriad Hemingway-related titles on your shelves reminds me of a Hemingway category on a recent episode of Jeopardy. I answered each question aloud but quietly (and correctly) and happened to impress a very sweet nurse in the Hospital who had been checking my vitals at that very moment. Ernest Hemingway was a fascinating individual.
Truly, Hemingway was a very complex man. I am so glad we connected. Wish you the best.
As a recent FP convert, partly due to this channel, I scoped this pen. It is nice. But I couldn't shake the feeling that this pen is somewhat clinical. Much like the Lamy 2000, it is well made, looks professional, and it is stealthy. But I struggle with it since my interest in FPs is, at present, the romantic. Perhaps this is like people new to watches eschewing quartz at all costs, even when brilliantly done or interestingly executed (e.g., a Grant Seiko 9F or spring drive). Maybe it will click eventually. Thank you for the review.
You make excellent points and fantastic comparisons. I agree completely. It is a bit like a quartz watch, but it has an awesome gold nib and that is a huge plus. However, if you’re not feeling it, move on. There are others. Maybe an E95S? It’s much less and also has a gold nib. And I did a review of that too.
I love writing one of two ways, either on my iPad writing app or with the Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen on paper. I stopped using a ballpoint pen shortly after getting the Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen because of the way it write and the way it feels in my hand
That is an excellent choice. That Pilot VP is Too Shelf! Great choice.
This is my grail pen! I got it a week ago and I love it! 😊
Congratulations on a Great Pen!!!!
Hello Hemingway!!! Hope you are having a great day. Well, I too love the Pilot Vanishing Point fp. I have two, one bought in2005 on a whim, and my second was bought about 6 or 8 months earlier. I started using the pen in 2005. At that time, I was hospitalized quite a bit cuz I was undergoing chemotherapy. Everytine I went to the hospital for a stay, I would always pack my Vanishing Point fp, a bottle of ink and a good notebook. Writing in my journal in those dark days helped me retain my sanity. So, the Vanishing POint fp has a lot of meaning for me.
So, both of my VPs are the standard version of the pen, i.e., they are the ones with a laquered metal bodies with gold clips and the rings. The older pen is burgundy colored body with gold clips and rings. The newer pen is blue with the gold clip and rings, sort of like the colors of my alma mater, the Univ of Michigan. The older pen has a very smooth medium nib, whereas the newer one has a very smooth nib in fine. Both pens are very good writers, perfect inkflow through perfect writing nibs. The fit and finish of both pens are flawless.
As you have alluded to, some people find the clip to get in the way of their fingers, and thus they cannot enjoy these fine writing pens. But there are some pen repair people who can remove the clip of a VP pen, without damaging the pen, so people might look into this option.
And, thank you, Hemingway, for the wonderful pen review, you have done outdone yourself, once again. Thank you.
Thanks for this review, very informative
Thanks for watching!
Very nice. Something new to consider.
Thank you!
Great review. I’m new to fountain pens and really enjoying them. While I would love to get a Montblanc, I must wait on one for now. The Vanishing Point has caught my interest, so I’m watching reviews before purchasing.
BTW your cat is sweet!!
Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed the review and the lovely Ophelia. She is such a sweet cat. Good luck on your purchase. Let me know if you have any questions and all the best!
Thank you for the review!
I'd love to know, is there a noticable difference in the ease of grip between the smooth finish VP and the matte black VP?
Hell and thanks so much. It is less slippery, but I am told that if you write with it often, it will shine up. So there is that. A wonderful pen!
@@HemingwayJones thank you so much!
I've know about this oddity for a long time, even from before I went down the FP rabbit hole. Never thought I'd own one, let alone love it more than any other in my collection. Even more than my first MB 146, which writes buttery smooth. Somehow this one writes even buttery-er... And as luck would have it, I got my hands on the 2014 Copper Limited Edition, Broad nib, #80 out of 2014.
Also my first broad nib! The shading it does with Diamine inks is amazing.
Wow! Brilliant Choice! Well done!
I love my Vanishing Point pens. I like how you can swap the nib units between the bodies, too. They are ideal for meetings because you can so quickly deploy the nib to make a note and then stow the nib again. I like to refill old Pilot cartridges using syringes because they hold so much more ink than the converters. Depending on the nib size (XF to M), I will get 2-4 weeks from a
Pilot cartridge. Another stellar pen you’ve highlighted for your audience! Excellent job, HJ!!
I love the looks of the blue carbonesque - your wife has good taste. 😉
Thank you very much for the kind comment! I appreciate it. You are correct about my wife, she has a small, but awesome pen collection.
I really enjoy the two Vanishing Points I have in a Fine nib. I have other Pilot pens that write more smoothly (Diamond 580’s being my favourites) but I still enjoy the VP’s. I find I need to use a wet ink with both my fine nibs or they skip though. May I ask what nib size you were using in both VP’s in this video? Particularly the matte black VP?
They are both mediums! Very wet and springy!
A Bonsia that’s awesome. Love the videos. I journal like a fiend too..
Thank you very very much!
That crimson typewriter on your shelves... so nice.
Thanks very much! The Royal P. I have two more of that model. It’s such a great machine. Thanks for noticing. All the best.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my Decimo pen (Vanishing Point’s lighter, slimmer sibling)
My problem is that I am afraid of losing it (or dropping and damaging the nib, which I’ve done once or twice) if I take it out and about with me very much- which makes it less practical for on-the-go use.
Gotcha! Congratulations on an excellent purchase!
I liked the appropriate music - "V" for Vanishing Point. This is a pen that I've so far been reluctant to get, but at some point I know I'll want to add to my collection, if only to have an example of the interesting design. The main thing that puts me off is the clip, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't actually be a problem. I'm pretty flexible about how and where I hold a pen, don't mind shaped grips, etc.
Thanks so much! That clip was my hesitation. It took only a few moments to adapt; better to mine than to my wife's. It is so unique and so fun.
This is a most unusual pen and I believe that you either love it, or hate it. There is no in-between with this pen. I do wonder if it has hard starts due to the lack of capping? Once again, you propose an interesting video for the rest of us to contemplate. Good work.
Thanks so much! Yes, this one can be polarizing and often because of the clip. I think it is brilliant though. It writes amazingly well and has an interesting gold nib.
Carlos Baker’s books on Hemingway? A serious aficionado! I took Baker’s course on Shelley at Princeton.
Thanks Amazing! Wonderful to have that kind of access. I love when people peruse my shelves. I have read quite a few books on Hemingway and his are very good.
I didn't see a copy of Farewell to Arms on your bookshelf, but you must have it?! Some of your For Whom the Bells Toll look like they maybe early editions? So many amazing volumes on your shelf.
Thanks so much! I have a few copies of A Farewell… including a 1st Ed. No dust cover though. I have 2 1st Ed of For Whom… on with a dust. I wish I had bought more back when I acquired them. It was much easier then. Thanks for noticing.
@@HemingwayJones in a word: jealous! What amazing keepsakes.
I have a blue one just like yours in a fine nib and it writes perfectly every time, I bought new. I do also have a black one with gold trim in a medium which I purchased off ebay and it is so temperamental, lots of hard starts and flow issues I think I need to send it away for servicing. Thanks for doing a review on this pen!
Thanks so much for watching. I appreciate it. The blue pen is actually my wife’s! I swipe from now and then.
Hello, I’m new to your channel and just subscribed! I’m looking into getting the matte black VP. How long have you had yours and is the paint chipping at all? I hear this is a common occurrence with the matte black over time? TIA!
Hello Kassandra and welcome!!! I have had no issues with the Black Matte VP. I don’t use it a whole lot though. Thanks for being here.
I have seven. Some regular affordable, some more pricey. I have the soft clicking LS model which is not annoying at all. I also have two “Urushi lacquered” by Pen Wing Stationery from Japan, one of them depicting the famous “Great Wave of Kanagawa ” design by Hokusai. One thing that also admire of these pens is their “modularity “: You can purchase a special gold nib with Stub stroke. I am a fanatic of them, planning to purchase a Fermo model soon.
Thanks so much. That Great Wave pen sounds amazing.
❤the review. Have 2 VP’s. Decimo and regular. Love everything except the garbage ink filler. I just use one cartridge and fill with a syringe. A more convenient fountain pen cannot be found. One VP has a fine/medium nib which you can order from Japan. This is the way.
This is the way. Thanks! So much! I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the vid Mr. Jones. I have the burgundy with gold trim VP and three nibs, fine, medium, and stub. Since the converter only holds a tiny bit of ink I prefer to syringe fill an empty cartridge with my favorite ink. (If you use the cartridge you should also use the supplied metal ink cartridge cap.) The clip fits perfectly between my index finger and thumb so it doesn't bother me at all. (Depending on your grip your mileage may vary.) It's a solid pen and my version (non-Decimo) has some heft to it. There are two variations in pen body thickness. The original and the Decimo. The Decimo is narrower. Since the nibs are 18k gold, this pen will set you back a few frog skins. In an office setting you'll get a few admiring comments!
Sounds like a good plan, My Friend. They really are excellent pens!
Hello Hemingway,
What nib is on your MontBlanc 149? I have a broad and it is SO broad. I love my MB as well, but I’m considering get it ground to a medium-fine.
Hello! This is a medium. Thanks!
Watched this before buying the pen, waiting for the pen to arrive, and now after using the pen.
How do you like it?
@@HemingwayJones It is so very smooth. I am new to fountain pens so I don't have so many standards for reference. But I like it so far, and am learning about the utilities for fine and medium nibs in my personal workflow.
Perle Noire is my go-to black but with my stub Vanishing Point it didn’t seem to pair well (false starts) in my experience and I got a much better flow switching to Chou Kuro. Japanese ink in a Japanese pen, just worked out better. I was glad to find a use for that ink somewhere lol
I love your videos. I have. An extensive collection and I have never been able to connect to my Vanishing Point. I pull it out before work sometimes, but it has never made the ride to work in my shirt pocket. I am afraid to trust it not to leak or stain my shirt. I seem to have relegated it to a desk pen…which defeats the purpose of what it was designed for. I really like it, and it writes like a dream…I just haven’t trusted it, it in the front pocket of my fine white dress shirts.
Hello and thanks for the comment. Has it ever leaked on your shirt? This has not happened to me. Mine has been tight. However, my Pelikan M200 wiggles out of its cap and has ruined a dress shirt on me. Thanks very much!
@@HemingwayJones No sir! I’m not going to give it the opportunity! Ha! It is very wet as you noted. So, I surmise that it is likely to get onto that little door, and the area outside and immediately around the door. I’m a seasoned traveler and I have a lot of pens. But some of my shirts, and particularly suits, are quite expensive & unforgiving. I’m not going to chance this one when I can seal all the ink up in a TWSBI with zero chance of a leak. Just my thoughts…
I love my Pilot VP, second only to the Lamy Dialog CC.
The knock (click mechanism) and weight are great.
Hi. Great video once again. My P.V.P is a Decimo with black and silver trim, the extra fine nib is very fine and quite smooth.i love using Emerald of Chivor in this pen.🤗 Cheers
Thanks very much! That Emerald of Chivor is an awesome color. Very well chosen.
I so much want a pen like this at work. I'm a software developer and I take very short notes every few seconds! All my screw caps are not usable for this reason. I use Lamy 2000 or Safari but still a retractable pen would be great.
However the clip position looks irritating. I sometimes write long essays-outside work- and it is impossible with this clip.
But for my usage at work I can go with it.
The perfect pen would be a vanishing point without a clip. I never put a pen in my pocket!
Hello Tony! Yes, unscrewing and screwing a cap all day would be a lot. The Vanishing Point is perfect for this. Have you tried it? I would suggest you try one, if there is a pen or stationery store near you. I thought I wouldn’t like it, but after a minute I forgot it was there. In fact, it sort of anchored my finger. It’s a bit like a European zipper being on the opposite side; it takes about a minute to adjust. All the best and good luck in your search!
I really like my Pilot VP. It's a great pen for my work notebook since it's so quick to pick up the pen and start writing. The comment on needing a deep bottle is bang on. The only way I've been able to fill it from an ink sample is by using a syringe to fill the converter. Also, the construction of the converter seems to ensure that there is always a large bubble of air at the top after filling. I have yet to get the converter full with a normal fill. That said, it holds enough ink to get me through a week of work writing so I'm OK with it.
Thank you! Great points and I agree completely! It has fast become one of my favorite pens. All the best!
I have the decimo and I like it. The black mate would be looks wise my favorite but in my experience with time I think you tend to see the marks of the fingers. I maybe get the silver stripped one
My first gold nib pen which I eventually bought after dreaming about it for months..
Its clip doesn’t bother me as much as the little protrusion on Curidas does..
For those who love Capless/retractable pens who’re annoyed by the clicks, slightly more expensive Fermo (or Dialog) is the answer !
Thanks for the great comment and contribution. I need to try one of those. As for the clip, mine has a little notch where my finger fits perfectly. My wife’s doesn’t. Weird. Anyway, stop by and see me again soon.
Greetings from Australia.
I enjoyed your video.
The VP is a great pen and I have 2 in medium nib and they are great writers. The clip has no issue or me.
Yes, I name my pens too.
I'm into woods and have a forest of exotic wooden pens.
I'm looking forward to your video on the E95S.
Thanks very much! That video is coming soon. Thanks!
I have to be drawn to the design of a pen. The MB 149 is a beauty-so refined. The Vanishing Point I just can’t warm up to. Nevertheless, I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for watching! I appreciate it greatly!
For the feel alone of a Vanishing Point, the coldness of a ballpoint mixed with the quirkiness of a fountain pen actually makes it more interesting to me. Yes, the loss of "uncapping and (optional) posting" does make it more and more utilitarian and less of that time taking ritualistic representation that fountain pens are, but that is what some people yearn for. Having a quick draw, quick use pen is useful. Having to pick between ballpoints and fountain pens for utility sake can make this pen look quite convincing and appealing.
As for the sound? There apparently are versions of the VP that have quieter click mechanisms, but they cost about twice the price if not thrice. I'm quite alright with the louder pen, but that's just the situation that I am in.
Click away, My Friend! It is a wonderful pen for utility.
I love your iZod shirts!
Thank you!
I love my VP and use it daily.
Yay! Such a great pen!
My VP is my main pen-at-work. It’s just perfect in that role.
Agree completely!
Late again, I'm afraid. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking being retired means you won't find plenty to do to fill your days. All good in my case, by the grace of God! Had to note, though, that I was tickled to see we have the very same VP. Great minds...? Whatever the case may be, my views on the pen are pretty much identical to your views. With one exception; namely, I am not a fan of the Con 40 converter. To make matters worse, the way it fits in the mechanism, one cannot see how much ink is in it. Otherwise, I really enjoy having it to use when I am out of the house. It is so handy. Of course, the E95s is just about as convenient and you can see your ink level in it, even though it, too, only takes the Con 40.
Happy to hear that you have the same pen. It is a winner. I agree completely on the converter. I am happy that it has one, but wish it were larger and had a better fill option. Thanks so much for the great comment!
You have a cat!! ❤ Who is the cat? Need details of that cutie.
Ophelia! She is such a sweetie. I’ve had her in B Roll before. She is the best. I’ll do more on her soon.
@@HemingwayJones so cute! I have a nearly 17 year old tabby called Poppy.
To be honest I don't watch 90% of the B roll....I listen to you tube more than I watch a lot so once you stop talking I often turn it off!
Journalling in the shadows of Longfellow, if I'm not mistaken, must provide fine grist for the mind.
Thanks! It's a wonderful setting. I actually got married there.
The sheer pleasure and ritual of writing with and using ANY competant fountain pen is not to be underestimated . Bics are wonderful pens and writers but using a BIC Biro is hardly an occasion , yet a fountain pen is always an occasion , like shaving with an old fashioned wet shave double edge razor blade and brush , these rituals our Grandfathers lived with have been replaced with disposable "hurry up " get the job done products . Go back in time and do it like our forefathers did you willl not be sorry , write using fountain pens and shave using old fashioned double edge razors ..you won't be sorry ....thank me later
Well said, My friend. Being a safety razor brush user, I heartily agree. Happy New Year.
No VP for me, as I have no need for its rapid access. If I did, I'd want a clipless version, which they don't sell for some reason.
That would be a brilliant idea.
@@HemingwayJones - Some nib-meisters actually offer a service, they will remove the clip of a Vanishing Point fp for you.
@@Wolverine3660 Then there is that.
@Wolverine3660 @Hemingway Jones Actually, there is a clip less knockoff version on eBay and Amazon with a steel nib. I bought one out of curiosity. It’s a smooth writer and takes Pilot cartridges. Mine leaks at the step up from the nib area up to the larger cylinder of the nib body. I’m going to experiment with some silicone grease at the joint to see if I can seal it. If that works, it was worth the $35-40. I don’t remember the exact amount.
Actually, there is a clip less knockoff version on eBay and Amazon with a steel nib. I bought one out of curiosity. It’s a smooth writer and takes Pilot cartridges. Mine leaks at the step up from the nib area up to the larger cylinder of the nib body. I’m going to experiment with some silicone grease at the joint to see if I can seal it. If that works, it was worth the $35-40. I don’t remember the exact amount.
What type of converter are you using? Mine came without a converter
So sorry. It should come with a Con-40. It’s very integrated. All the best and thanks for watching.
The 'Vanishing Point' is a pen I have to respect. A friend - well, it is years since I last saw him -, is in many respects like me, exclusively using fountain pens, and using them extensively, professionally, for practical reasons. Also, his primary pen interest was also like mine, more curious in different pens than enjoying the luxury. He was - or is, he's maybe not retired yet - a lawyer. Maybe that has something to do why he found it so practical. Anyway, he preferred the 'Vanishing Point' to anything else. - And that is why I have to respect the pen.
...But I don't like it.
I'm ashamed of how poor my reasons are. I just don't think it's "like a fountain pen should be". 🧐
You certainly don’t need to like every pen. I sure don’t. I get it completely. I didn’t like this one at first. The clip position threw me off. My wife had it first; the blue one in the video. I love the perspective. Please keep the comments coming and stop by and see me again.
What prevents the ink from drying out since it has no cover?
There is a tiny door that swings shut as the nib retracts into the grip section.
I was going to say “Pilot Magic,” but @Dave Terry is correct! It works quite well.
So, when I see you in 6:07 , writing standing with one hand supporting the notebook. I wonder, how, on earth, someone can write in that position. In fact, I cannot writing unless there is a table-like surface to support my paper. So I admire people who can write well using their lap supporting the notebook, more so, who can write using a single hand supporting the notebook.
I often think, if I can write on my lap at least, a lot of things open to me. For example, I can write after I hike to a nice spot, or, I can write in airplane or other transportation. I can write waiting in bank, doctor etc. when only a chair is available. I mean technically I can write on lap but the letters will be too horrible that I don't want to put in.
Hello and thanks for the nice and interesting comment. I don’t know how I do this except that I had to do it by necessity when I journaled standing on the T in Boston or just about wherever I found myself. It’s just a weird Darwinian adaptation! All the best.
Excessive clicking noises?? One click out, one click in, that is all you need, shouldn't bother anyone, unless you, or someone nearby to you is "chronic clicker" I have been looking at these, I really like the blue carbon one your wife has.
She has a gorgeous pen! I love borrowing it to film with. Excellent pen.
It is one of those FP that one hesitates to acquire and prefers to collect the experiences of others. I personally feel curious to have it, but its cost keeps me in doubt because of its unconventional design.
You adapt surprisingly quickly. It is an amazing pen for one that you can click and go. I quite like it.
@@HemingwayJones -Thank you very much, I appreciate your opinion very much and it is sure to be on my year-end shopping list.
I believe there is a Chinese knock-off at a much lower price that some folks enjoy.
@@TheDarivan Thank you!
The clip placement and shape of the grip section, the way to fill it, the tiny thin nib that isn't much to look at or customize, the clunky hard click, it's just extremely unappealing to me. A twist out pen with a full nib would be waay more convenient. Either a fold away clip or No clip with a roll stop would also be better.
Hello and thanks for the great comment. I don't disagree with you. All of those things makes it unique and its own thing and it can definitely be polarizing. I love it and love the utility, but it does affect the romance of it. A twist out nib is beautiful. I would definitely get behind this. All the best.