Are the Japan-made Platinum fountain pens from the 70's or 50's any good?
And if so can someone recommend a couple that are in the $30-$100 zone.

I buy and sell Japanese pens and have sold hundreds of Platinum pens. There are a number of models in which you might be interested. Frankly, there are too many to mention and only pictures might do.

Please email to discuss.

Platinum has made some nice quality fountain pens in the 60's and 70's, even up to the present day. They're one of the big three (Pilot, Platinum, Sailor) and I believe they are ranked #2. Pilot is #1 by a long shot, in terms of sales volume. All three Japanese brands are very competent. You can't go wrong with a Platinum pen. In comparison to Western made pens, you'll find their nib sizes run almost 1 size smaller.

hi,

stan is a great seller.

make sure when you purchase a platinum pen from stan that you also purchase a converter.

platinum cartridges are difficult to buy in the u,s.a.

I bought one of the long cap models a couple of months ago, and really like it. It has a labelled M nib, but is definitely more like an F. On ebay I paid $46.

Some comments to the above comments.

To me, Platinum nibs seem to run 1/2 to mostly 3/4 less in size than American pens. Nibs can be generally found in all of the usual sizes from BROAD to MUSIC, even in the 1970s models. Obviously, the model common by an overwhelming margin is FINE. They are in both 14K, 18K, 21K, and 22K, the 14K generally being more flexible.

Platinum made converters for their short pens but, for reasons only known to themselves (I think they wanted to sell their ink) they did not sell them in Japan and focused more on selling cartridges. The converters sometimes turn up on pens sold by speerbob from Thailand. I can only guess that Platinum's marketing gurii determined that pens sold in Thailand had to come with converters.

If you like one of their smaller pens you might get used to using cartridges, either replacing them or refilling them. One of Russ Stutler's web sites show how a cartridge can be adapted to be used as a converter. This seems like one way to go. The larger models all use the standard larger converter, which will fit even the 1970s models.

If you are interested, buy a pen and see if you like it. Japanese pens are downright inexpensive compared to comparable western models and some are real steals. With the proliferation of Japanese pens on eBay, be careful, and ask as many questions as necessary. If the pens are coming from Japan, look closely at shipping costs and return policies.

Converters and cartdiegs are available here in America. without a distribution network in place, you'll need to look for them. If ou have difficulty finding any, please let me know as I always have some in stock.

Can I trust the pen seller Russel Stutler?
He is a member of the FPN, and I saw his website, he seems pretty reliable.

Russ Stutler has been a mainstay for the fountain pen community for a number of years. I can't imagine your having anything but a good experience buying from him.

I've purchased from Russ and highly recommend him. I've also had good experiences with eBay sellers speerbob and engeika.

Alright, thanks guys.

I've also had good experiences with Russ. He packs his pens very well and ships promptly. But you may find that his auctions tend to close rather high as of late. He does add a lot of content to his websites that suggest a significant shortage of pens that is contrary to other opinions (and to the volume of pens found on Yahoo Japan). For the longest time, he wouldn't offer a converter in his pen auctions (while other sellers would include them as part of the sale). In his recent auctions, I am now seeing him mention the availability of converters for an additional $5.

My experience is that there is no shortage of Japanese pens. There are several sources for many of the older pens finding their way to eBay.

1. Old stationary shops. It is a practice of some collectors and sellers to trawl old stationary shops for vintage pens. These exist in every neighborhood and many have stock left over from the 1970s and earlier. As neighborhoods get worked over, stocks become depleted. One of my friends finds some of my pens in these shops. He's fortunate that his job takes him all over the Tokyo metropolitan area and has free time between projects to visit a few shops.

2. Another friend is big on flea markets and has numerous dealers save up their pens for him. Very surprsingly he finds everything from Mont Blancs, modern Conway-Stewarts, and all sorts of great stuff. He showed me the most incredible makie pens he's found.

3. Antique shops are very promising. My brother-in-law collects assorted paintings and collectables and has found a few of my most amazing pens in my collection.

4. Older pen shops. These have become far and few between but, those remaining will sell at often great prices.

5. Yahoo Japan. The Japanese eBay. One will need to get a Japanese bank account and address if you want to play there, and they don't ship overseas. A real bummer for us over here. There are a significant number of pens sold there but, as I understand, it is hit and miss.

The pens seem to be out there but, to find them requires effort. To think they are becoming scarce is only an opinion and, worse, an effort to further hype up the price of what should be very reasonably priced pens.

Ciao.

The nibs size is difference with Europen pen. I also have Platinum or other Japan fountain pen.

The nib size name "M', the line is similar "F" nib in Europen fountain pen.

Jojo