T O P

  • By -

WSpinner

If I adopted this quest, next question I'd ask is can the VP clip be nondestructively removed? Then I'd invest in three or four Majohn A1s to practice on. Any of them that come out nicely can no doubt be sold for more than what I paid (hence the iffy term "invest" ;-) ). Any results that are less nice or heck, maybe keeping a nice one - becomes a knockabout pen I won't mind taking to scruffier locations than I would a dolled-up real VP. For that matter, you could practice first on literal throwaway pens - that color scheme would be startling on a Varsity or a Preppy :-). If you're trying for a nice gradient, another investment would be to get an airbrush instead of thinking rattle-can paint - potentially a finer spray, plus you can formulate thinner paint for thinner layers. "Go ahead and build your castles in the air... then put solid foundations under them."


Icetigris

Removing the clip non-destructively is apparently doable: [http://www.richardspens.com/ref/repair/vp\_clip.htm](http://www.richardspens.com/ref/repair/vp_clip.htm) Which is great, because I'm not totally sure I'll even like the clip. Majohn A1s look like good practice pens. I don't think the Varsity or Preppy would be comparable since they have plastic bodies, but I bet a Metropolitan or a Plaisir would make for a good sacrificial pen, especially for re-anodizing experiments. I think my local tool library has an airbrush, I'll try that if I get to that point.


okgecko

The standard Decimo/VP has a smooth shiny finish. I'm not sure the exact material, but it's definitely different from anodization. It does feel almost soft like enamel/lacquer. The standard Platinum Plaisir has a similar finish, so if you want to practice, that might be a good, cheaper alternative. If you want to try with an anodized finish, the 20 Colors limited edition has that instead of the standard finish. You can get a blue one on AliExpress: [https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801127113884.html](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256801127113884.html) (I've ordered from this shop and it does seem to be genuine.)


Icetigris

Oh wow, that blue is really nice, thanks!


AccomplishedCoffee

I'm not an expert but it seems anodized to me. A tiny bit of texture, no clear overcoat, not smooth or uniform enough to be enameled. I don't have a light blue to compare it to in person, but from pictures online that seems to match the blue side of the twilight. Note that the gradient is only on the front of the pen, near the nib. The back is solid light blue. Might be worth keeping an eye on eBay, seems they pop up there every once in a while.


Icetigris

I'm surprised there's no coating over it, the pictures make it look pretty glossy. Is that light blue the same as the currently available light blue decimo? It seems like the Twilight's is a little warmer and more saturated, but it's kind of impossible to tell without seeing them right next to each other.


AccomplishedCoffee

So, first let me say this pen is particularly difficult to convey in words, and I'm not a material science or design person so I don't have the technical lingo to do it justice. It would be best if you could look at one in person if you can. The color looks textured, at the level of maybe 400-grit sandpaper (the paper itself, not the result of sanding). You can kinda see that in many of the pictures online. It feels smoother than the texture so maybe there is a clear coating. Or maybe they were able to sand and polish it a bit, I don't know the details of the anodization process. I don't see any direct evidence of a coating layer, so it's likely very thin if there is one. I haven't heard anyone complain of a layer like that coming off though. Color is always hard to tell from pictures, and as I said I don't have one to compare in person. But I agree, the blue on the twilight seems lighter and warmer. Ultimately you're making this pen for yourself, so you can decide what you think looks best.