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slaine
23
Sep 24, 2014
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How's this compared to the pilot retractable fountain pens? Anyone know?
Sep 24, 2014
Fatestorm
39
Sep 24, 2014
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slaineI don't own a Pilot Vanishing Point, but I know the Lamy Dialog 3 is heavier. Lamy is 1.7 ounces, the Pilot about 1 ounce. They are about the same length with the nib retracted; with the nib out Lamy is a bit longer. The Lamy I think is a bit larger around (girth) than the Pilot. But what I don't like about the Pilot is the clip; it's larger and more obtrusive for your thumb and forefinger to position around on the Vanishing Point, in my personal opinion. The Lamy clip is a lot sleeker and narrower, I think; and when you deploy the nib it even retracts down a bit into the pen.
Other than that, they are pretty similar. Both are cartridge/converter, both have gold nibs. I think Lamy's gold nibs run a bit broader and wetter than Pilot's gold nibs, but I could be wrong. The Vanishing Point is, of course, a click pen though; whereas the Dialog 3 is a twist pen. Pilot came out with the Fermo which is a twist-deploy; however I've *heard* that you only twist the back portion of the Fermo (not sure, haven't used one); whereas with the Dialog 3 you twist the whole barrel section to deploy.
Don't get me wrong; the Pilot Vanishing Point is a fine pen, and plenty of people love and use it. I just find the shape of the clip uncomfortable to use.
Sep 24, 2014
RainReign
89
Sep 25, 2014
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FatestormYou're right about the Lamy nibs being broader, it's the Euro/Japanese thing. A Lamy Extra Fine is about a Pilot Fine but that's pretty standard. Personally, I don't mind the clip on the VP but I can definitely see how it would bug some people, I actually thought it would bother me but took the risk anyway. I'm definitely in on this at the lowest drop, I'll have to think a little more if I'll fully commit at a higher price. I read around that some people have had issues with this pen drying nibs out quite a bit even when retracted. I've never had an issue with my VP even after it sitting for several days unused and retracted.
Sep 25, 2014
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