Fountain Pen: Pilot Vanishing Point Matte Black

VISUAL

There is something about a matte black pen that is just as strikingly beautiful as the sparkliest of colored pens. The Vanishing Point has a very sleek silhouette. This particular one is fully matte black save for two glossy bands on the bottom third of the body.

TACTILE

The matte texture on this pen is very pleasant to the touch. I know that I've read reports of the finish on this pen being prone to flaking, but I've carried this pen regularly with no issue so far! The metal body of the Vanishing Point is also satisfyingly heavy and well-balanced.

The clicky mechanism is really a treat to use - it has a solid feel to the action, catches well, and is very responsive.

I don't mind the placement of the clip at the front of the pen. My particular grip style doesn't encounter any issues with the clip, but I can definitely see how it may interfere with alternate grip styles.

PRACTICAL

When I first decided to purchase a Vanishing Point, I was a bit nervous - it was a pen with a bit of a divisive reputation in online reviews. I am so glad that I took a chance on this retractable pen. At the time of purchase in 2020, there were no alternatives to Vanishing Point when it came to click retractable nib fountain pens. Now, the retractable fountain pen market has had a bit of a boom in the last year or two.

The nib on this pen is an absolute dream. I chose to go with a medium nib, and it is beautifully smooth. It does put down a lot of ink, so I try to pair this pen with well-behaved inks so I can still use it on medium-quality paper at work.

I have not had any issues with the nib drying out, which is a very nice surprise. I appreciate all the care taken in every step of engineering the Vanishing Point.

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STATISTICAL

Pen Measurements:

Weight: 30.6 g

Weight of Cap: n/a

Length Closed: 140.6

Length Open: 123mm

Length Posted: n/a

Nib: 3.8mm 18k Gold

Body Style: Torpedo

Fill Method: Converter

Fill Volume: 0.6ml

Comparison Pens: Pilot Metropolitan and LAMY Safari

My Fountain Pen Database

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OVERALL

This is one of my favorite pens. It is a great workhorse of a pen. I would say that it doesn't have the best fill volume when using a converter, but I generally am journalling within reach of more ink so it has not been an issue for me. If writing length matters, I would recommend switching to a Pilot cartridge for ink over the smaller converter that this pen holds.

The Vanishing Point in matte black is available at many pen retailers.

DISCLAIMER: Pens and inks purchased by myself. Photos and opinions are my own.