Hi, I didn't post so far but I am reading this forum for a few months already.
I wrote with fountain pens all until college, and I rediscovered them for a few months now.
Still searching for a perfect pen.
So far I had and used 4 fountain pens: Conklin Mark Twain Signature with a medium steel nib, Lamy Safari with fine nib, Pelikan Souveran M600 with 14K fine nib, and Platinum Very Presidential with 18K medium nib. I also have a Sailor 1911M but I didn't use it yet.

1. First Impressions
- Conklin - regular box
- Lamy - basic package, nothing fancy; looks childish
- Pelikan - nice box, but again I didn't buy the pen for the box; nice appearance
- Platinum - so-so box, basic design
- Sailor - nice box, basic design

2. Appearance & Finish

Conklin - was Lime green, very nice looking resin, good finish, nice looking big nib (I think I prefer big nibs), overal nice looking; the lime green a little too bright though
Lamy - interesting plastik, feels and looks almost indestructible; no complaints about the finish
The nib is black and could be nicer; the red clip is very nice over the light blue color
Pelikan - looks nice; the plastic celluloid barrel is very nice; the design is a little too classic maybe
Platinum - classic design, good finish; nice looking big nib
Sailor - looks like a smaller brother of the Platinum, very similar design

3. Size/Weight
Conklin
almost perfect balance for my hand, it's a long and lightweight pen (I rarely post my pens); long gripping sections with threads that aren't too prominent
Lamy
lightweight and long pen, comfortable grip section; you may have problems if you keep your pen at an unusual agle because of the triangular section; also might be uncomfortable for long periods as it is thinner
Pelikan
good balance an weight, but the gripping section is too short and the threads are quite prominent and do bother me if I write a little longer
Platinum
big pen, shorter than the conklin but with a thicker gripping section; also much better designed thread position, higher and they are less prominent
Sailor
did not write with it, but feels quite comfortable; thinner section then Platinum, but it's well balanced, with or without cap (as I said, I don't post my pens, but this one feels quite comfortable)

4. Nib Design & Performance
Conklin - smooth wet nib, had some problems starting; I think it was mainly because of poor converter (the ink would stack at the bottom); once it started it was writing quite nice, no skipping
Lamy - nib too scratchy, not only toothy. I will try to make small adjustments. Performance wise it's very good, no problems starting (ever) and very good flow; excellent for it's price
Pelikan - the tines of the nib were not perfectly aligned, but I manage to arrange them at some extent; writing quite well now, very good flow. Sometimes needs 2-3 mm to start writing after a long period.
Platinum - this is my big disappointment so far. I have 2, one red and one black, I use only the black one; Nib was a little scratchy but tolerable, but now has really serious flow issues. Has problems starting and now is skipping a lot, I need to prime the nib with ink to write. looks like it's writing as long as it has ink in the nib but doesn't manage to get ink from the converter (I tried Noodler black, turquoise and Parker quink and now I put one cartridge from Platinum)

5. The Filling System
all except Pelikan have converters

6. Cost/Value
Conklin - sale, ~30
Lamy -~20
Pelikan - ~145
Platinum -~120
Sailor -~85

7. Overall Opinion/Conclusion
Conklin - I might try another one with a better converter, worth at least 50$; excellent ergonomics
Lamy - if I manage to adjust the nib it will be excellent, best value/price ratio
Pelikan - a little overrated but very good quality overall, excellent writing but not so good ergonomics
Platinum - bland looking but very good ergonomics; if I manage to make it write as it should it's worthing the money, otherwise big disappointment


I would appreciate any suggestions regarding the Platinum, a have it for 2 days now, a washed it with water with some liquid detergent but no change and I tried 3 inks; nib still a little scratchy but can wait on adjusting that.


I will attach a few pictures: the first 2 are the Platinum Very Presidential, then Sailor 1911M, then Pelikan M600, then Lamy Safari

uncapped
the first 2 are the Platinum Very Presidential, then Sailor 1911M, then Pelikan M600, then Lamy Safari

posted
the first 2 are the Platinum Very Presidential, then Sailor 1911M, then Pelikan M600, then Lamy Safari

I will try better pictures maybe tomorrow with a better light

Excellent comparisons. Thanks for your review. Hope to see more in the future.

Great streamlined approach to a review (and an absolutely super selection of combattants).

It's blunt and clear with both metrics and subjective responses. Not convinced by the overall conclusion, however.

BTW, now that Platinum is distributed by Tryphon, the reviewer should have no trouble resolving his problems.

BTW, where's the Conklin?

More, please!

I gave the Conklin to my mother