A Changed Viewpoint

[SAPed]

I finally ordered my first higher end FP, a Pilot VP from Richard Binder. Its funny how I used to wonder why anyone would pay so much for a pen. Now I'm thinking one pen can't satisfy all my requirements and I know I'll be getting another at some point. With nib options, filling systems, ink capacity, body size, caps (snap or screw or capless), etc there seemed to be tradeoffs on all the pens I had been considering.

It was fun doing the research, but the convenience factor of the VP won me over and the replaceable nib options. Plus, since its my first higher end pen I didn't want to take chances with the nib (particularly with the Fine that I chose), so I felt comfortable ordering from Mr. Binder knowing it will perform at its best.

So, now I wait, er, uh, patiently - yeah thats it, patiently. I have the "fine nib, convenient use, interchangeable nib" portion of the fountain pen "portfolio" covered. Since diversification is a smart strategy, guess I'll soon be shopping for "ink capacity"!

Almost forgot, choosing the color nearly drove me crazy. Ordered two bodies, the brown with rhodium trim and the gunmetal gray with black matte trim. One of the two will be going back unused, at least thats the plan as explained to the Mrs. Hopefully I stick to the plan and don't end up just ordering a second nib, its not like I was considering a cursive italic or anything!

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

It happens to a lot of us...

 

[Price]

This is a painfully familiar story. Just a few months ago I was perfectly happy with 2 Plaisirs & a Pilot Prera.

 

[syngent]

LOL Wait till you start looking into what will NOW become higher end pen prices for you

that's when you know there is no hope

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

and then you start window shopping for a Pelikan M800 tortoise with a OBBB nib.

 

[andrew98]

It happens to a lot of us...

It sure does!

LOL Wait till you start looking into what will NOW become higher end pen prices for you

that's when you know there is no hope

This is true, except I think I have found my pen price ceiling, which is about $200. Nakaya pens would be the only exception I would entertain.

and then you start window shopping for a Pelikan M800 tortoise with a OBBB nib.

Nice!

-Andy

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

and then you start window shopping for a Pelikan M800 tortoise with a OBBB nib.

and then you decide to pay off one of many student loans instead haha!

 

[Slivovitz]

There are perfectly good fountain pens under $30 that are a major improvement over ballpoints for general writing experience, but then, your typical ballpoint user wouldn't recognize a $10 Pilot FP-78G as the bargain it is.

Once I persuaded myself that the point of diminishing returns on price might be a little higher than I'd originally thought, I found pens that really were a cut above those perfectly good starter pens, a Pelikan M205, Namiki Falcon, and yes, the Vanishing Point. Also some vintage pens with really excellent gold nibs, although I didn't necessarily get the absolutely best prices on those.

You can, in fact, frequently find excellent vintage pens at around the price level of some of the modern "low end" ones, Esterbrooks for example, or the Sheaffer Admiral TD filler that cost me about $32 including Danny Fudge's restoration fee. But perhaps the OP is not quite ready to go there.

 

[SAPed]

Regarding vintage pen options, at this point I really didn't consider these only because I don't trust myself yet to judge condition and market values. Maybe I need to research restorers/resellers where I might pay a premium, but the premium is justified due to the reconditioning of the pen.

I've been using a Lamy Vista daily at work for 5 months and also have a Lamy Nexx M. I enjoy being able to change the nibs easily and am amazed at how well they write. I've enjoyed learning about different pens here on this site, and also all the paper and ink options. A whole new world I barely knew existed!

 

[Doc4]

One of the two will be going back unused, at least thats the plan as explained to the Mrs. ...

what is this "explaining to the missus" thing some guys talk about??

 

[TickTock]

I bought a Vanishing Point from Mr. Binder at a show this year and it is a great pen. The fine nib on this is excellent--not as fine as some other Japanese fine nibs (which can be like a needle point) but plenty fine. Writes like a dream, and the clicky thing is great and very convenient, especially if you are a write/think/write/think type--you don't have to keep putting the cap back on and off or worry about it drying out if you think too long.

I got the black carbonesque but I thought long and hard about the yellow.

 

[andrew98]

I got the black carbonesque but I thought long and hard about the yellow.

This is funny. I have both. I like the carbonesque pens better. They're nicer to hold, imo, than the lacquered metal pens.

-Andy

 

[jzuzphreek]

... its not like I'm considering a cursive italic yet!

ftfy.

What about ink? How many bottles did you order?

 

[djm2]

ftfy.

What about ink? How many bottles did you order?

Jeez, give the dude a break. His budget is already shot completely to he// and now you want exotic inks.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Jeez, give the dude a break. His budget is already shot completely to he// and now you want exotic inks.

Not necessarily exotic... just abundant.

 

[SAPed]

Just to close the loop here, I decided to keep the gunmetal gray with black matte trim. I liked the way the pen felt compared to the brown with rhodium trim. Although I think the brown had the edge on looks, the feel of the gunmetal body in contrast to the feel of the black trim made it the pen of choice. I like the gunmetal at work because it really doesn't draw attention to itself. The fine nib is great and it lays down a nice, even, thin line (my point of comparison regarding line width is my current Lamy Vista fine). I don't find it scratchy at all. It is perfect for marking up documents and you can't beat the convenience. I'm using up the provided cartridge and will then refill it. I just hope the black matte holds up to wear as there have been some comments about that.

Can you tell I'm a happy customer of Mr. Binder?!