So I currently have a Blue Carbonesque Vanishing Point with a Fine 14K Nib (Rhodium plated) that I got used but I had to soak, clean, align/etc it, and even after all the cleaning I attempted it's still a very dry writer unable to squiggle a square patch on paper completely or sometimes fading in the middle of writing before allowing the feed to catch up again.
My prefered choices of inks don't exactly flow quite as well in the VP but has been no problems in any of my other Pilot pens so I just figured this was mainly an issue with the VP nib units (and maybe there might be some ancient ink deep in the feed where the metal covers, despite having soaked it overnight least on two occasions). Though Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo seems to be flowing consistently, just not wet (and I only got maybe 1ml left of that from the sample vial), would love to use the Liberty's Elysium in it though (akkerman #5 being a close non-waterproof alternative).
Since a new nib unit is relatively inexpensive (56 if I wanted to get an unplated one from Richard binder or 62 for rhodium plating), I was looking at the possibility of spending a bit more for one of their pre-ground specialty nibs. I understand that either route, they will test and adjust the nibs before shipping (which I presume also means checking for adequate flow).
The main thing I'm curious about are between something like an italic (possibly softer cursive, and *maybe* in a left oblique since I do sometimes tilt slightly to the left when writing faster), or something like the ItalliFine for dual-purpose. Kind of wondering what 0.9 and 0.7 is like on paper when it comes to the VP nibs.
Figured after I got one, I could decide to keep the fine nib set aside as a backup, or probably sell it (ie: 40ish to offset the new nib's cost, etc).
I'm also curious about the Waverly XXF if they're as smooth as they say, and in the grand scheme of things, just $10 if I want to attempt going finer (better suited ink is of course warranted).
edit:
I have a second Vanishing Point coming with a Medium 14K nib, so I have that as an option (meaning I won't feel 'stuck' with just one nib size for either of my VPs, whichever way I decide to replace the Fine).
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