Perhaps the biggest obstacle when it comes to writing with a fountain pen is the process itself — taking the pen out, unscrewing the cap, and only then beginning to write. I experience this myself. By the time I remove the pen from its case and unscrew the cap, which I then hold awkwardly in my other hand while writing, I sometimes feel almost discouraged from starting at all.

Now, however, I am holding my very first Pilot Capless fountain pen, and it has completely eliminated this little “laziness” of mine. I know, at first it may sound like a trivial matter. But these small details are, in fact, very important — and I am truly curious about this pen, which I am about to share with you.

Capless system

The Pilot Capless system has fascinated me from the very first moment I tried it. Unlike traditional fountain pens that rely on a cap to protect the nib, this ingenious design hides the nib completely inside the pen body with a simple click mechanism. With just one press, the nib extends, ready for writing; another click, and it retracts seamlessly back into the barrel.

What amazes me most is the precision of this mechanism. When the nib retracts, the pen seals itself perfectly so that the ink doesn’t dry out — and the nib is fully hidden from view. It’s such a clever solution that I’m still completely taken aback every time I see it in action.

The result is not just convenience, but also a unique kind of elegance. There’s something special about seeing a fountain pen that has no visible nib until the very moment you need it. It’s a reminder that innovation and tradition can go hand in hand, and Pilot has truly mastered that balance.

Filling the Pen & Ink Options

Filling this pen feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. Once you unscrew the barrel, you can remove the entire converter along with the nib unit, giving you the chance to admire the nib in all its delicate beauty. The CON-40 converter comes equipped with small silver balls inside, which ensure smooth ink flow and prevent any interruptions. It’s an elegant, well-engineered solution that feels refined and thoughtfully designed—something I haven’t encountered before.

The package also includes a standard Pilot cartridge, identical in size to those used across the Pilot range. Whether you’re writing with a Parallel Pen or any other Pilot cartridge pen, the dimensions remain consistent, making it easy to enjoy the full palette of 24 stunning Iroshizuku ink colors.

For my first fill, I chose Iroshizuku Black using the converter. I wasn’t able to fill the reservoir completely on the first try, but by the third attempt I managed to get it nearly full. I’ll need to look into whether there’s a particular technique I should follow beyond my own intuition. In a way, though, this works in my favor—the quicker I write through the black ink, the sooner I can switch to something more colorful and exciting. For now, I opted for black so I can use the pen every day for regular writing tasks.

Limited Edition of 2025 Pieces

Since 2003, Pilot has released a new limited edition of the Capless fountain pen every year. What I particularly admire is that the number of pens produced always matches the year of release—so in 2025, only 2025 pieces will be available worldwide. That’s a remarkably small number for such a global market, and it makes me wonder if there is a collector out there who has managed to gather every single edition since the beginning. Seeing such a collection would be fascinating.

I’m also curious to know which regions of the world see the highest demand for these pens. My guess is that many of them remain in Japan, their country of origin, where Pilot has such a strong heritage.

My Overall Impression of the Design

When I opened the white outer box, a beautiful blue case peeked out, already whispering what kind of pen was waiting inside. And then came the real surprise—the way the pen was presented. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think of this “floating” design. But after a couple of seconds, it clicked, and I was honestly amazed. It’s not just packaging—it’s a pen stand for my desk! The pen drops right into place as if it was meant to live there forever. Such a small detail, yet it made me so happy. Right now, the pen is “levitating” on my desk, always ready for the next line of writing.

The matte black accents paired with the deep blue Milanese mesh body? Absolutely stunning. Elegant, but with a quiet charm that keeps drawing me in. I love that this shade of dark blue doesn’t shout for attention—it’s subtle, almost understated. And maybe the best part: it has zero glossy elements. Finally, a pen I can photograph without fighting reflections! The whole design feels classy, refined, and I wouldn’t hesitate to pull it out in any company, in any situation.

The black-coated nib is another detail I really appreciate—it blends seamlessly with the rest of the pen.

But the thing that surprised me most? The clip. It’s placed unusually low, right at the grip section. At first, I was worried it would get in the way while writing. But honestly? It doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I see it as a clever advantage—because even if I pick the pen up in the dark, I immediately know how to turn it so the nib hits the paper the right way.

My Writing Experience

The 18k smoky black nib is wonderfully soft and starts writing beautifully right after filling. The ink flow is strong—definitely not shy at all. I went with the middle ground, an M nib, expecting it to lean thinner since this is a Japanese pen. But honestly? This M feels much closer to the European standard. Maybe just a hair thinner than a usual M, but certainly not too fine.

Flipping the nib upside down gave me a true EF line—super thin, with a much drier flow. You can jot down a few words like that, but for longer writing it does start skipping a bit, so I wouldn’t rely on it as a full-time option. Still, a fun detail for anyone who enjoys experimenting.

On the proper side though, the nib glides with such ease. Gentle writers will love the softness, while even those who press harder can relax knowing the nib is strong enough not to bend. The line is precise, steady, and even the lightest touch leaves a beautiful little dot on the page.

The craftsmanship? Top-notch. The details are finished to perfection, and something I personally care about a lot—the threads are flawless. And then there’s the click mechanism… oh, what a joy. Honestly, if I ever developed a compulsive need to click something all day, this pen would happily keep me company. I’ve already clicked it dozens of times, just admiring how perfectly the nib disappears and the little shutter seals it away so the ink won’t dry out. It’s pure engineering satisfaction.

Overall, I’d call this pen an ideal everyday travel companion. I can already imagine it living in my pocket day in and day out, joining me on trips and adventures. Something tells me this pen and I are going to make a lot of memories together.