Thinking of buying a capless, retractable fountain pen? We’re comparing features of two popular models, the LAMY Dialog 3 and the Pilot Vanishing Point, to help you decide which fountain pen is best suited for your pocket!
Opening/Closing Mechanism
Vanishing Point: One click of the button on the top of the pen makes the nib appear or disappear. This can easily be done with one hand. When the nib is retracted into the pen body a protective shutter mechanism closes over the tip.
Dialog 3: Grasp opposite ends of the pen with each hand, give the barrel a twist and the nib smoothly glides out the bottom or retracts back into the pen. When retracted, a protective ball valve closes over the nib.
Clip
Vanishing Point: Stationary clip mounted near the nib end of the pen. When clipped to a shirt pocket the nib points up to reduce the chance of any leaks, and when writing the clip points away from your hand.
Dialog 3: Movable clip mounted near the nib end of the pen. When the nib is advanced the clip recesses slightly into the body, creating an ergonomic writing experience. Once the nib is retracted the clip can be lifted and secured to a bag or pocket. This design is a great example of genius German engineering!
Nib
Vanishing Point: 18k gold compact hooded nib in either gold or rhodium finish. Extra-fine, fine, medium or broad.
Dialog 3: 14k gold, bi-color gold and rhodium finish. Extra-fine, fine, medium or broad.
Filling System
Vanishing Point: Pilot/Namiki IC50, IC100 ink cartridges or a Pilot CON-50 ink converter (included).
Dialog 3: LAMY T10 ink cartridges or a LAMY Z26 ink converter (included).
Body Material & Weight
Vanishing Point: Metal, 1.1 oz.
Dialog 3: Metal, 1.69 oz.
Pen Colors
Vanishing Point: Black Matte, Gun Metal Gray, Blue Carbonesque, Black Carbonesque, Yellow, Desert Orange, Copper Red, Mountain Blue, Tropical Purple, Valley Green, Red, White, Black, Blue, Raden, Chrome and more…
Dialog 3: Palladium, Matte Black
Pen Size
Vanishing Point: Pen length when nib is retracted: 5.5″; Nib extended: 5.4″; Diameter (not including clip): 0.5″.
Dialog 3: Pen length when nib is retracted: 5.5″. Nib extended: 6.2″. Diameter (not including clip): 0.5″.
Do you use a retractable capless fountain pen? If so, what do you like about it?
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