Pilot/Namiki Capless - Old and New

[JimC]

While the MB and others are really great pens, for some reason I've been drawn to the Pilot/Namiki Capless, or Vanishing Point, fountain pens. I love the late 80's / early 90's design much more so than the "new" Vanishing Point. I purchased a "new" one, didn't even ink it, and gave it to a friend after holding it. I just didn't like the feel / grip. It was "irritating" compared to the older style.

IMHO, they screwed with a timeless design. I have several (three black, one red, green, and blue) and use one every day. I take copious notes in my Moleskine notebooks all day and love the fine point nib.

I was wandering around the FPN. I happened to stumble upon an older ad. It was for a 1964 Pilot / Namiki Capless (VP) pen. The VP design was introduced in 1963, but was different than the others. (Yes, I hope to find one someday...) The price had dropped a couple of times. I contacted the seller. I guess these pens aren't "hot sellers" which makes it all the better for me.

So I received the pen today. Its the one in the foreground. The nib is a bit "scratchy" but is an "Extra Fine" compared to my 'modern' Fine Point nibs. There is small crack (that was disclosed) near the clip, but over all, it is in great shape.

Here's a quick shot that compares the two pens.

[Lion]

Jim, the pen looks really nice so take pleasure and enjoy writing with it.....

[JimC]

Thanks, Leo!

[STEELINOX]

Jim, can the "Scratchiness" be adjusted out??
Is that something some 1k grit paper would do?

Thanks,
Randy

[shandy]

They look wonderful Jim
Like you I the modern ones just don't rock my boat but these have a different look altogether. The look more elegant I think.

A couple of thoughts on the scratchiness of the nib. Are the tines perfectly aligned? I find that extra fine nibs tines are easier to get out of alignment, might be worth a look, also, is the iridium on the tip in good condition, again I have found that due to less material on the finer tip it can wear out faster. And then of course one last thing, have you tried the brown paper bag trick?

Congratulations again Jim, hope you get a lot of pleasure out of it

[JimC]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Jim, can the "Scratchiness" be adjusted out??
Is that something some 1k grit paper would do?

Thanks,
Randy

Randy, I don't know enough about what I would be doing to give that a try. I would be afraid of screwing something up beyond repair. It isn't "excessive" but it certainly is no where near as smooth as the more recent fine points in my 80's and 90's versions.

Originally Posted by shandy

They look wonderful Jim
Like you I the modern ones just don't rock my boat but these have a different look altogether. The look more elegant I think.

A couple of thoughts on the scratchiness of the nib. Are the tines perfectly aligned? I find that extra fine nibs tines are easier to get out of alignment, might be worth a look, also, is the iridium on the tip in good condition, again I have found that due to less material on the finer tip it can wear out faster. And then of course one last thing, have you tried the brown paper bag trick?

Congratulations again Jim, hope you get a lot of pleasure out of it

Ian, yes, the nib looks to be in alignment. I can't say for sure the nib is in "good condition" but under a loupe I don't see anything that catches my eye. However, as untrained as I am, there could be a big issue and I just don't see it. Good thing we don't have snakes in Alaska...

I'm sure I could Google, but can you give me some hints as to the ol' paper bag trick? That, to me, seems less "drastic" than Randy's suggestion of super fine grit paper. Of course, I am totally unfamiliar...

[shandy]

Originally Posted by JimC

Randy, I don't know enough about what I would be doing to give that a try. I would be afraid of screwing something up beyond repair. It isn't "excessive" but it certainly is no where near as smooth as the more recent fine points in my 80's and 90's versions.



Ian, yes, the nib looks to be in alignment. I can't say for sure the nib is in "good condition" but under a loupe I don't see anything that catches my eye. However, as untrained as I am, there could be a big issue and I just don't see it. Good thing we don't have snakes in Alaska...

I'm sure I could Google, but can you give me some hints as to the ol' paper bag trick? That, to me, seems less "drastic" than Randy's suggestion of super fine grit paper. Of course, I am totally unfamiliar...

Absolutely Jim! You can use the bags that you put mushrooms in when you go to the supermarket or something similar, brown parcel paper works as well!

Lay the paper flat on a table and write large figure "8"s on it, you can do it with a wet nib, do that four or five times. You might want to alter the angle of the nib so that the sides as well as the tip get the treatment.
Then try the nib on your writing paper, if it still feels a little rough do several more. This trick has worked on every vintage pen I have, Hope that helps and let us know if it does!

Oh yes, brown paper should be more than rough enough. I would not recommend sand or emery paper!

[JimC]

Originally Posted by shandy

Absolutely Jim! You can use the bags that you put mushrooms in when you go to the supermarket or something similar, brown parcel paper works as well!

Lay the paper flat on a table and write large figure "8"s on it, you can do it with a wet nib, do that four or five times. You might want to alter the angle of the nib so that the sides as well as the tip get the treatment.
Then try the nib on your writing paper, if it still feels a little rough do several more. This trick has worked on every vintage pen I have, Hope that helps and let us know if it does!

Oh yes, brown paper should be more than rough enough. I would not recommend sand or emery paper!

I have a couple of shopping bags. I will give that a try. Thanks, so much! I'll report back.

My thought was to send the pen to someone like John Mottishaw and hope they could set it up to smooth it out and reduce the ink flow. I didn't think about it being "worn out". Now I am concerned I have a dud.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by JimC

I have a couple of shopping bags. I will give that a try. Thanks, so much! I'll report back.

My thought was to send the pen to someone like John Mottishaw and hope they could set it up to smooth it out and reduce the ink flow. I didn't think about it being "worn out". Now I am concerned I have a dud.

Don't worry too much Jim. I have only seem the iridium worn away on a really tired old pen and yours looks to be in very good condition. Under the magnifying glass you should see the iridium quite clearly, it will look a little silver.
With vintage we have to conted with other people who have written in their own style.
That is why the paper bag trick works as it seems to take the burr off where the nib has shaped to the original writers style.

Even if the iridium is gone new iridium can be put on and I would recommend John in heartbeat!

[JimC]

I put the "old" one through its paces. Maybe not enough...

While it did smooth up a bit, it is still far more 'scratchy' than my other pens. Maybe I should just contact Classic Fountain Pens tomorrow and see what they might be able to do.

Should I try another round of paper bag scribbles? I have lots of surface left.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by JimC

I put the "old" one through its paces. Maybe not enough...

While it did smooth up a bit, it is still far more 'scratchy' than my other pens. Maybe I should just contact Classic Fountain Pens tomorrow and see what they might be able to do.

Should I try another round of paper bag scribbles? I have lots of surface left.

Yes, give it a few more goes jim and remember to do the sides of the tip of the nib as well! If it is smoothing up chances are a bit more should do the trick!

[JimC]

I'll give it another shot. Thanks, Ian, for your guidance.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by JimC

I'll give it another shot. Thanks, Ian, for your guidance.

No worries Jim, also, I know you already own Japanese pens so you will know, but if this one is extra fine it will almost be like a needle

Ohh, yes, one last thing! You might want to try it with no ink in and a dry nib, there would be less lubrication then. If you do then just try 5 figure of eights and then dip the nib in ink and see how it is going!

[2careless]

Congrats Jim. That is a nice looking pen.
I have been doing the brown paper bag trick for all my pens to "open" them up. Have fun drawing 8's :-)

[JimC]

They (Japanese) nibs do tend to run "finer" than others. I like a fine nib, since I write (print) very small most times. This one, while being XF, does not play nice and is feeling like an XF, but laying down ink like a fine to medium.

Somewhere in between there should be an adjustment. I'm going to play with the brown paper a bit more. I wonder if Randy's suggetion of 1K grit may hold merit...?

I remember way back in grade school... "Round, round, ready, write..." Maybe they knew something I don't...

[shandy]

Originally Posted by JimC

They (Japanese) nibs do tend to run "finer" than others. I like a fine nib, since I write (print) very small most times. This one, while being XF, does not play nice and is feeling like an XF, but laying down ink like a fine to medium.

Somewhere in between there should be an adjustment. I'm going to play with the brown paper a bit more. I wonder if Randy's suggetion of 1K grit may hold merit...?

I remember way back in grade school... "Round, round, ready, write..." Maybe they knew something I don't...

Not the 1k grit, I beg you!

[JimC]

Ok... I will hold off...

Some vigorous 8's with the back of my shopping bags, for now. I did try to "work" all sides. Maybe a bit more will do the trick.

You are correct in that Japanese nibs can be like needles in the xf (and finer) nibs. This one has me stumped, since it lays down such a wet line. This goes against the grain, and what I expected.

[Lion]

Ian, thanx for the information on opening up the nibs by practicing figure eights on a brown bag. I surely do appreciate all the knowledge I've been learning on this sub-forum!!!

[shandy]

Originally Posted by Lion

Ian, thanx for the information on opening up the nibs by practicing figure eights on a brown bag. I surely do appreciate all the knowledge I've been learning on this sub-forum!!!

Your more than welcome Leo, it really is a great technique to smooth of a rough nib. Hope your enjoying writing with your pens! Have you tried different inks yet? There are so many shades out there to choose from, great fun!

[STEELINOX]

Me too, very informative !