Forty years ago this month, the design of fountain pens was quietly revolutionised. The Namiki Vanishing Point is still made today, and it’s still the world’s only click-retractable fountain pen. There’s no need for a cap, because the nib retracts completely into the pen body.

The pen was first introduced in November 1963 in Japan, with a twisting action to retract the nib. The “Capless” pen, as it was then known, was retired in the late 60s - but relaunched as the Vanishing Point in the early 70s. It’s now available in several colours, from the discreet to the flashy, and still attracts attention whenever it is used.

We find the pen to be as practical as a biro for everyday use. It is surprisingly light, but what it loses in gravitas, it gains in portability. The medium 14k gold nib writes smoothly, with a nice wet line, and the pen seems to handle any brand of ink with ease.

Unfortunately, a Vanishing Point is hard to find, and you’ll have to head overseas. You can try a search on eBay, or you can order a new pen online from reputable retailers such as Pendemonium. The cost of a new pen, excluding shipping, will be from around NZ$155 at today’s rates.