Pilot Fountain Pen Capless Decimo black (B)

The Pilot Capless Decimo is a fountain pen with a retractable nib – extended at the push of a button, retracted back into the barrel at the push of a button. No cap to search for, no laying down, no drying out. The Decimo is the slimmer variant of the Capless family: an aluminum body with polished lacquer finish, rhodium-plated accents, and an 18-carat gold nib that glides effortlessly across paper. Black lends the torpedo-shaped body a restrained precision – the barrel looks more like a well-crafted instrument than a status object.

Special Features

• Retractable Nib Mechanism: A push button at the end of the barrel extends and retracts the nib. An integrated valve seals the nib chamber when retracted – the nib does not dry out and remains immediately ready to write, even after extended periods of non-use.
• 18-Carat Gold Nib, Rhodium-Plated: Rhodium plating protects the nib long-term and gives it a silver shimmer. The gold nib itself has minimal flex and noticeably dampens writing pressure on hard surfaces. Available in three nib sizes: F (fine), M (medium), and B (broad).
• Slim Aluminum Body: Lighter weight (approx. 20 g) and narrower diameter (approx. 10–11 mm) than the standard Capless – the Decimo fits comfortably in hand even with a smaller grip and causes less fatigue during extended writing.
• Clip at the Nib Tip: The clip is positioned at the nib tip rather than at the push button. When writing, it points upward and simultaneously serves as an orientation guide for correct nib alignment.
• Compatible with Cartridges and Converter: Works with Pilot IC-50 ink cartridges as well as the included CON-40 converter for bottled ink. The nib unit is replaceable as a single assembly.

Use & Tips

• One-Handed Operation in Daily Use: The push mechanism makes the Capless Decimo ideal for quick note-taking – in meetings, in class, or at your desk, where searching for a cap is disruptive. Once the motion becomes natural, transitioning from pocket to paper takes seconds.
• Choose Your Nib Size: Pilot nibs tend to write finer than comparable European sizes. Those accustomed to European F nibs usually opt for M; those who write small, precise script do well with F. The B nib gives handwriting more width and expression on smooth, ink-fast paper.
• Ink Selection: Aqueous inks with good flow characteristics work particularly reliably in the Capless system. Pigmented inks are only conditionally recommended due to the valve mechanism – they can stress the valve flap over time. Document-permanent water-based inks generally function without problems.
• Cleaning: The nib unit can be completely unscrewed from the barrel and rinsed separately with lukewarm, clear water – especially convenient when changing ink colors.
• Clip and Writing Position: The clip positioned at the tip is located at the top when writing. If you hold the pen with the clip pointing upward, the nib is automatically correctly aligned. Left-handers and right-handers with an oblique grip should consider their own grip position before purchasing.

For Fountain Pen Enthusiasts

The nib unit of the Capless Decimo – nib, ink feed, and converter adapter as a single unscrewable assembly – is compatible with the nib units of the standard Capless series. This allows for easy nib swapping between sizes or after damage. Those who own a B nib can have the unit reworked by an experienced nib grinder into a broad nib with line variation – the geometry of the assembly is well-suited for this modification. Japanese Pilot nibs in M often correspond more to a European F to EF in line width, making the Decimo particularly interesting for those with fine, dense handwriting.

Technical Data