[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot Vanishing Point Saga – Part 1
Welcome to Monday – and Part 1 of 2 of the Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain pen Review Saga! This is the adventure leading UP to buying the Vanishing Point – next week will be the functional review. Pull up a chair and get the popcorn. Here we go…
For years I’ve known about the expensive pens – but there’s a frugality to my nature that comes from several sources that hasn’t provided the opportunity to indulge in the more “Luxury” pens. But one I’ve known about and set as a goal to finally get has been the Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen. The Vanishing Point simply means… RETRACTABLE. Now other pen companies are making them – but Pilot has been the front runner. Part of the plan was to get one with my first (solo novel) book contract – back when that was a much more nebulous thing.
Fast forward to December 2015. My first solo novel (Tarbox Station – available through Yard Dog Press in print and ebook) came out in July 2015. My job ramped up – eventually to become full time – holidays, bills, etc. – the pen didn’t happen until a sudden epiphany hit. A plan came together (and you know I love it when a plan comes together.)
This past weekend was ConDFW. ConDFW usually anchors “Birthday Week” and is within (generally) striking distance of Paradise Pen Company in the Dallas Galleria. Paradise Pen Company is my favorite (because it’s local and they now know me) pen store where I can only afford a small percentage of their wares – but they let me press my nose to the glass and pet the displays. And for the last two years, the convention hotel has basically been across the street – so I’ve been able to wrangle friends to join me on the pilgrimage.
@reudaly A great choice! Did you already make the trip! We'd love to see a picture of the VP you chose! âœ🏻 @ConDFW @PilotPenUSA
— Paradise Pen (@paradisepenco) February 9, 2016
I took to Social Media to set up the Annual Birthday Pilgrimage with the end goal being to FINALLY, finally buy the Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen. What ensued was a Twitter exchange between me, Paradise Pen Company, and Pilot Pen USA over timing, model, and a request to take pictures. Which I did – which you can see throughout the post. We went on Friday night, and actually found the store busy!
Paradise Pen had a handful of the usual models – which are nice – and one of the 2015 Limited Edition Twilight models. The Limited Editions are more expensive than the regular models, but the graduated coloring from blue to violet with the silver/chrome accents was really pretty. And Jimmy, my wonderful husband and pen enabler, basically said it wasn’t THAT much over what I’d budgeted for AND I’d just been made full time…GO AHEAD, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! (I mentioned enabler, right?). So, that’s the one I went with – and it’s worth it. Though I’ll get into the physical review next week after I’ve had more time to play with the pen, I used it to sign books throughout the rest of the weekend. It’s one of the smoothest fountain pens I’ve used in a long time – even with a non-Pilot/Namiki ink in it. The retractability (it’s a word NOW) is solid. It feels REALLY NICE in the hand.
And the best part? That frugal part of me? The one that always says, “Holy crap, what have I done?” whenever I buy something outside my comfort zone even when planned and budgeted for? Not one bit of that with this. This is a pen that will be well loved and used – even though most would take the Limited and Numbered edition pen, put it in a box and never use it. That’s not the pen person I am. I use my tools. Learn more about the Vanishing Point next week…
TO BE CONTINUED…