Pilot Vanishing Point: Retractable Nib & Converter
The Pilot Vanishing Point, sold in Japan as the Capless, is a retractable fountain pen: a click of the end button pushes an 18k gold nib out through a trap door in the nose. It has a metal body, measures 140 mm (5.5 in) and about 30 g per Goulet Pens, and takes Pilot cartridges or the included CON-40 converter.
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Product facts
- Product
- Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen (Capless, FC-18SR)
- Brand
- Pilot
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Painted brass barrel, stainless-steel head, steel clip (per Pilot Japan, Black Matte); 18k gold nib
- Released
- 1963*
- Price range
- $$$$over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by Pilot Corporation (Japan); sold in the US by Pilot Corporation of America. Made in Japan: Unsharpen gives Japan as the country of origin. Pilot's Japanese catalog page for FC-18SR-BMF (read in full on October 20, 2026) doesn't state a country. The Japan With Love listing cited earlier no longer loads, and Larry Post's page doesn't state an origin. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Pilot's Japanese site dates the first Capless, a twist-action model, to 1963 and the first push-button Capless to 1964. The current FC-18SR is a later model.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Goulet Pens lists the Vanishing Point at 140 mm (5.5 in) long, 13 mm across the body, 11.8 mm at the grip and about 30 g.
- The nib is 18k gold in rhodium, gold or black finishes; retailers list widths from EF to B and a stub.
- It takes Pilot cartridges or a CON-40 converter, which retailers say comes in the box with a cartridge and a metal cartridge cap.
- Pilot's Japanese site dates the first Capless, a twist model, to 1963 and the push-button version to 1964.
- Pilot's Japanese catalog lists the Black Matte Capless (FC-18SR-BMF) at 140 mm, 13.4 mm and 30 g, with a painted brass barrel, for ¥33,000 (about US$209).
What is the Pilot Vanishing Point?
The Pilot Vanishing Point is a fountain pen with no cap: you click a button to push the nib out and click again to hide it. Pilot sells it as the Capless (キャップレス) in Japan. Pilot’s Japanese site says the first Capless of 1963 extended its nib with a twist, and the first push-button Capless followed in 1964. Pilot’s catalog calls the Capless the world’s first fountain pen without a cap, on sale since 1963, and notes a Good Design Long Life Design Award.
That makes it the fountain pen for people who want to write with one hand, like a ballpoint, for quick notes and meetings. BestReviews names it its top fountain pen pick.
Pilot Vanishing Point specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Pilot Corporation, Japan |
| Model (Japan) | Capless FC-18SR |
| Type | Retractable fountain pen, push button |
| Body | Brass with lacquer finish |
| Nib | 18k gold; rhodium, gold or black finish |
| Nib widths | EF, F, M, B (kakaku.com); stub on some versions |
| Ink | Pilot cartridge or CON-40 converter |
| Length | 140 mm (5.5 in), nib retracted |
| Visible nib | About 8 mm |
| Diameter | 13 mm body, 11.8 mm grip |
| Weight | About 30 g with converter |
| Made in | Japan (per retailers) |
Sizes and weight are from Goulet Pens. Pilot’s Japanese catalog agrees, listing the FC-18SR (Black Matte, F; JAN 4902505422386) at 140 mm, 13.4 mm at its widest and 30 g, with a painted brass barrel, a stainless-steel head and a steel clip, and 18K nibs in EF, F and M; kakaku.com gives the same length and diameter. JetPens also lists the brass body.
How does the retractable nib work?
Pressing the end button pushes the whole nib unit forward, and the nib opens a small trap door in the nose on its way out. When you click it back, the door closes over the opening, which is what stands in for a cap.
The nib, feed and converter form one unit inside the barrel. That’s also how you change nib width: retailers such as Dromgoole’s and JetPens sell spare nib units with a CON-40 converter.
What ink does the Vanishing Point take?
It takes Pilot’s own cartridges or the CON-40 converter for bottled ink; standard international cartridges don’t fit. Retailers say the box includes a CON-40, a Pilot cartridge and a metal cartridge cap, which JetPens says keeps the cartridge clear of the retraction mechanism.
Goulet Pens lists about 1.05 ml with a cartridge. For the converter Goulet lists 0.82 ml, while Unsharpen gives 0.4 ml for the CON-40, so treat the converter figure as uncertain. The same CON-40 fits the Pilot Metropolitan and Pilot Kakuno.
Who is the Vanishing Point not for?
Writers who hold a pen low, near the nib, may find the clip in the way. Because the nib comes out of the front, the clip sits at the writing end, over the grip; Unsharpen calls it one of the pen’s most polarizing traits. Some Fountain Pen Network reviewers also found the metal body heavy for long sessions.
If you can, hold one before buying, or compare it with a lighter capped pen such as the LAMY 2000 at 25 g.
How does the Vanishing Point compare to the LAMY 2000?
Both are gold-nib pens in our $$$$ band; the Vanishing Point is quicker to use, while the LAMY 2000 holds more ink.
| Pilot Vanishing Point | LAMY 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cap | None, retractable | Snap cap |
| Nib | 18k gold | 14k gold, platinum-coated |
| Filling | Cartridge or CON-40 | Piston |
| Length | 140 mm (retracted) | 140 mm capped |
| Weight | About 30 g | 25 g |
| Made in | Japan | Germany |
LAMY 2000 figures come from its guide. If you’re new to fountain pens, our best fountain pens for beginners starts at a lower price. For Pilot’s capped gold-nib pen, see the Pilot Custom 74.
Where is the Pilot Vanishing Point made?
Unsharpen’s spec sheet says Japan. Pilot’s Japanese catalog page for the FC-18SR doesn’t state the country.
How much does a Pilot Vanishing Point cost?
The standard Vanishing Point is in our $$$$ price band, over $75 per pen. That is from the US listings we checked in October 2026; limited editions cost considerably more. In Japan, Pilot’s web catalog lists the Black Matte FC-18SR at ¥33,000 (about US$209) including tax, or ¥30,000 (about US$190) before tax. Pilot Japan also sells Capless models not offered in US shops, such as the Capless LS and limited runs like the 2023 Capless 60th Red.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Pilot Vanishing Point work?
Press the button at the end and the nib unit slides forward, pushing open a small trap door in the nose. Press again and the nib retracts and the door closes, sealing the nib so it doesn't dry out without a cap.
Is the Pilot Vanishing Point nib gold?
Yes, 18k gold, in rhodium (silver), gold or black finishes depending on the version, per Goulet Pens and retailers. Pilot has also sold steel-nib versions, according to Unsharpen.
What converter does the Pilot Vanishing Point use?
The Pilot CON-40, which Pilot's Japanese catalog lists for the Capless and Endless Pens says the pen is fitted with. It also takes Pilot's own cartridges, which go in with the metal cartridge cap supplied.
Is the Vanishing Point the same as the Pilot Capless?
Yes. Pilot sells it as the Capless in Japan and as the Vanishing Point in the US and some other markets.
How heavy is the Pilot Vanishing Point?
Goulet Pens lists about 30 g with the converter in. The Pleasure of Writing lists 25 g for a White/Black Matte version, so weight varies a little by finish and listing.
Where is the Pilot Vanishing Point made?
In Japan, according to Unsharpen's spec sheet. Pilot's Japanese catalog doesn't state the country.
Why is the clip near the nib?
Because the nib comes out of the front, the pen is carried nib-up, so the clip sits at the writing end, over the grip. Unsharpen notes that some writers find the clip gets in the way of their fingers.
Can you swap nibs on a Vanishing Point?
Yes. Pilot sells the nib as a complete unit, and retailers such as Dromgoole's and JetPens sell replacement nib units with a CON-40 converter, so you can change width by swapping the unit.
Sources
- パイロット ウェブカタログ「キャップレス」FC-18SR-BMF (Pilot Japan catalog: 140 mm, 13.4 mm, 30 g, materials, 18K EF/F/M, CON-40, ¥33,000, JAN; world's first capless fountain pen, 1963)
- それぞれが個性的な「歴代キャップレス」（1963～2019年発売） (Pilot Japan article: Capless models 1963 to 2019)
- Goulet Pens: Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen, Black/Rhodium (length, diameters, weight, capacity, nib)
- JetPens: Pilot Vanishing Point fountain pen, Black Matte (brass body, push button, metal cartridge cap)
- kakaku.com: Pilot Capless FC-18SR (140 mm, 13.4 mm, EF to B)
- Endless Pens: Pilot Vanishing Point Matte (nib finishes, EF to stub, CON-40)
- Larry Post: Pilot Capless (Vanishing Point), 18ct gold nib, with converter
- Unsharpen: Pilot Vanishing Point (clip, CON-40, IC-50 and IC-100 cartridges)
- The Pleasure of Writing: Pilot Vanishing Point White/Black Matte (141 mm, 25 g)
- Dromgoole's: Pilot Vanishing Point nib with converter
- Fountain Pen Network: Pilot Vanishing Point review (weight in long sessions)
- BestReviews: Best fountain pens (Vanishing Point top pick)