Pilot Vanishing Point Gun Metal Black Matte Fountain Pen Review

I didn't need another Pilot Vanishing Point. I already had two: the famed Black Matte, which became one of the "pens who shall not be named" on the podcast, and a retro Black Faceted model, which is a mainstay of my collection. So why did I NEED this new Gun Metal Black Matte Vanishing Point? I rarely need any new pen, but this one I had to have.

It took a while for me to get on the Gun Metal bandwagon. I wasn't sure of the color scheme at first, but after seeing multiple pictures of it and checking it out in person I went for it. The barrel is slightly different than the full black matte version, with the grey area being smooth as opposed to a satiny matte feel, which is reserved for the tip, clip, middle band, and knock. It's quite a stunning look, especially in person.

It also sports one of the recently introduced black nib units, which I am in love with. I went for the EF nib, which is ridiculously small, even for me. I never recommend this size to anyone but I love it. Paired with a well lubricated ink like Sailor Nano Black, this nib writes wonderfully smooth and consistent. But boy is it fine. You really need to manage your writing angle with this one to make sure you are hitting the sweet spot.

Many people have asked what fountain pen best compares to the Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3 mm/0.4 mm gel ink pens. Pilot's EF nibs, as found in the Penmanship (which can be swapped into the Metropolitan or Prera) and the Vanishing Point, are the closest I have found. Looking at the writing sample in my Field Notes it is closest to the 0.28 mm Uni-ball Signo DX and 0.3 mm Hi-Tec-C, so that seems like a good range. Ink and paper will cause this to vary of course.

But back to this whole idea of needing this pen. Although yes, I got this pen for free as part of my JetPens sponsorship, I still couldn't justify it without selling one of my current Vanishing Points. I didn't see myself actively using two similar pens, so my trusty black matte VP, one of my first big fountain pen purchases, has found a new home. More than any other fountain pen I own, the Vanishing Point is made to be used, anywhere and everywhere. That is this pens job, so having one sitting around collecting dust would be doing it a disservice.

My friend Mel found the words I was struggling to find about my Field Notes Butcher Orange, and it applies here too: "By using it, it is now truly yours and you've fulfilled its purpose." Words to live by.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Ink Links

-- What’s the best everyday pencil? (All Things Stationery)

-- Review: Pen & Ink Pocket Sketchbook (The Well-Appointed Desk)

-- TWSBI Micarta V2 (inklode)

-- Staedtler Noris Stylus Pencil (The Pencilcase Blog)

-- Melissa Gira Grant (The Setup)

-- Context (Crónicas Estilográficas)

-- Review: Sheaffer Balance (Alt. Haven)

-- Uni-Ball 5 Roller Ball Pen Review (THE UNROYAL WARRANT)

-- The Amazing Vanishing Point (Pen Pursuit)

-- Sterling Plastic #526 Roll Top Pencil Box (My Supply Room)

-- Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen review (Peninkcillin)

-- Parker Duofold Centennial in Gold Godron (mycoffeepot.org)

-- Epic ink test - three months in (Fountain Pen Physicist)

-- Pencil Review: Grumbacher Sketching 4B and Charcoal Pencils (A Penchant for Paper)

-- Pilot Acroball PureWhite (The Pen Hunter)

-- Bic 4 Color Metallic Multi Pen (Office Supply Geek)

-- Lamy Safari (The Newsprint)

-- A caped crusader…Italian style (And All Other Tasks)

-- Review: Caran D’ache Chromatics INKredible Colors Delicate Green (The Well-Appointed Desk)

-- Pocket Department Notebooks, reviewed (Woodclinched)

-- Pen Review: Sailor Professional Gear Imperial Black Edition (The Gentleman Stationer)

-- Ink Notes: Pelikan Edelstein Aventurine Cartridge (Fountain Pen Quest)

-- Always Open To The Possibility Of Writing (The Cramped)

-- Big Idea Design – XTS Raw Titanium Pen + Stylus Review (My Pen Needs Ink)

-- Kaweco AC-Sport fountain pen review (Pens! Paper! Pencils!)

-- Pen Review: Parker IM (The Pen Habit)

-- The Pilot Knight Fountain Pen (The Pen Hunter)

-- The 5-in-1 Staedtler Pencil for Paper and Tablets 2014 (Selectism)

-- Pilot Capless Fermo Retractable Fountain Pen - F Nib (The Clicky Post)

-- Pilot Metropolitan White Tiger Fine (The Frugal Fountain Pen)

Platinum Blue Black Ink Review

Platinum Blue Black is an ink I should have loved right out the gate, but it has taken me some time to come to grips with it. There is nothing inherently wrong with the ink. It flows well, dries fast, has some shading, and is a nice color. But it's not a blue black, and that bothered me more than it should.

Do you ever get hung up on something silly like that? I'm my own worst enemy when it comes down to the minutia of things. I've talked about my eye-opening experience with tip sizes recently and the enjoyment I am getting from branching out. I need to apply that type of thinking more often.

Like in the case of Platinum Blue Black. Despite high recommendations, I have barked about it in the past about not being a blue black ink, but almost a traditional blue or even royal blue instead. I don't even consider it a dark blue. But does it matter? If you ask me for a blue black ink recommendation I'll never mention this one but if you ask me for a good blue ink it ranks pretty highly for all of those reasons I stated in the first paragraph.

In fact, once I got over being a dummy about this ink I have committed to using it full time. In cartridge form. In my Kikyo Blue Nakaya Piccolo. Call me insane, but it seems like a perfect fit and I have been enjoying this combo for a month now, with no end in sight.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)