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Platinum 90th Anniversary Pen


AltecGreen

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So by way of background, I felt like I needed a new pen on weekend and decided to stop by Maido in San Jose. I've been heavily collecting Italian pens for past few months and felt it was time to change gears. So I figured, I'd pick-up a Sailor Pro Gear or Pilot Custom 845. So off to Maido I went. Upon arriving at the store, I spent a few minutes looking at the pens in the usual glass cases. I turned around and noticed two new cases and a sign that said, "Platinum Pen Event". What luck. So I looked in the cases and saw a whole bunch of Platinum pens that are not commonly seen.

My eyes caught sight of the 90th Anniversary pen which stood out because it did not look like any other Platinum pen (or Pilot or Sailor). I prefer very fine nib pens so I naturally gravitate towards the Japanese nibs. However, the typical Japanese pens just doesn't grab me and most seem pretty unappealing, hence my love for Nakayas and italian pens. The 90th Anniversary pen is very striking and definitely different than the usual torpedo shaped pens. One would be hard pressed to

 

The 90th Anniversary pen comes in a pretty elaborate package. The outer carton is made of fine Japanese paper. Inside is a large case with a clear plastic lid. The body of the box has a drawer which contains a bottle of ink, a converter, the base of an acrylic stand, and the paper work. The pen itself rests under the clear plastic lid on a special acrylic holder. This holder fits into the acrylic base to form a custom stand for this pen. Pretty snazzy.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2516/3733737686_a90c631542_b.jpg

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/3732937927_370c73c5aa_b.jpg

 

The pen itself is rather long (about 6") and has a wide section in the middle. The barrel and cap of the pen is made from carbon fiber and set with metal trim. The metal trim is made from aluminum and coated with rhodium. All in all, the pen displays a very high level of fit and finish befitting it's anniversary nature. The top and bottom of the pen is set with metal trim. The top has the words "the 90th Anniversary" stamped on it while the lower piece has the number of the pen and Japan stamped on it. While his is a large pen, the pen is exceptionally light. Platinum refers to this pen as 25G material and the pen is just that 25 grams. The pen tapers from the middle towards both ends. Surprisingly, the cap is not screw on but is snap on. The carbon fiber is finish has a very dark grey color and weave pattern. The resin covering the fibers give the pen a very smooth glass-like finish.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3733750202_c3878e2ee6_o.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3737905780_7dffb0ddaa_b.jpg

 

The nib is 18K and two-toned. The nib has a pretty nice engraved 90th Anniversary motif and is rather attractive. The size of the nib is identical to the nib on my custom Nakaya portable cigar although the Nakaya nib is 14K instead of 18K. This pen wrote perfectly out of the box and was very nearly identical to the performance of my custom Nakaya. The pen laid down very sharp and well defined wet lines with a slight audible feedback. The nib is fairly stiff but offers a great amount of control. This pen is well suited for those who have a very light touch. I suppose given the relationship between Nakaya and Platinum, the result was not surprising. This pen feels like it was tuned exactly the way my custom Nakaya was tuned as per my specs. My other less expensive Platinums do not have the same feel or writing characteristics.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2630/3733738224_4c2a9ea36c_b.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3733737744_75dede0497_b.jpg

 

I would not say that this pen has a deliberate ergonomic design. Still, the low weight and the taper of the pen feels pretty comfortable. This pen posts although I prefer the balance unposted. The section of the pen is on the narrow side, especially compared to the girth of the middle. Certainly not a pen for people who like wide sections. The section is fairly long so it can accommodate a wide variety of grips. The lack of threads works well for people who like to grip further up the pen.

 

This is a limited edition pen and rather pricey. The price is certainly in "grail" territory. If one wanted a similar writing experience but not the price, an Urushi Nakaya or even a Platinum President might offer the same basic writing experience for less money. However, this pen has a certain cool factor and a distinct look. I was drawn to the pen because I like the Japanese fine nibs but not the look or feel of the current torpedo shaped pens. So in this regards, it is a natural fit for me. This is also not a pen that is very common; another point that appeals to me.

Edited by AltecGreen

2020 San Francisco Pen Show
August 28-30th, 2020
Pullman Hotel San Francisco Bay
223 Twin Dolphin Drive
Redwood City Ca, 94065

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Thanks for this review.The 90th pen seems to be very durable and functional as writing instrument.I prefer this Platinum 90th rather than Pilot 90th. I think the name of this pen must go down in the history of fountain pens.

rokurinpapa

 

 

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For those who may not know, Pilot released 2 pens for it's 90th anniversary. There is the lower tier M90 and then the upper tier Toki. The Toki echoes some of the 85th Anniversary pen design, with maki-e workmanship and the cap band motif. Although not nearly as flashy (gaudy) as the 85th Anniversary model, I would prefer the Platinum 90th also... although both pens are probably excellent writers.

 

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/MYU701/pens/Pilot/Pilot_Toki_FP_montage.jpg

Edited by MYU

[MYU's Pen Review Corner] | "The Common Ground" -- Jeffrey Small

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What a great looking pen! I just ket on staring at the pictures.

 

I dip-tested this pen in a penshop near Ocachimachi station in Tokyo. So curvy, smooth, light, juicy..man,I felt like kissing it.

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The aesthetic reminds me of certain Italian pens. What a lovely pen. I bet this thing is a killer; no Platinum has disappointed me yet. I love the nib engraving - definitely a step up toward the Nakaya design.

Edited by Martius

"Can I see Arcturus from where I stand?" -RPW

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I enjoyed the review although this pen is not what I'd be looking for. When I first saw it I thought maybe but..... it didn't grow on me. I'm sure it writes extremely well and I'm glad you're enjoying it.

JELL-O, IT'S WHATS FOR DINNER!

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For those who may not know, Pilot released 2 pens for it's 90th anniversary. There is the lower tier M90 and then the upper tier Toki. The Toki echoes some of the 85th Anniversary pen design, with maki-e workmanship and the cap band motif. Although not nearly as flashy (gaudy) as the 85th Anniversary model, I would prefer the Platinum 90th also... although both pens are probably excellent writers.

There were actually three.

They had the M90 (9000 units), the silver/rhodium Toki (900 units) and the gold Toki (90 units). I stand by my statement in my review of the M90: the M90 is the pen that people will remember and love.

 

The Gold Toki is available from Pen Gallery (link under the image in fair exchange for using it):

 

http://www.pengallery.com/products/3652.gif

 

I'd like to have a look at the Platinum anniversary model. I love carbon fibre: though I think the shape of the grip would disagree with me, it remains a beautiful object.

Edited by troglokev
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The aesthetic reminds me of certain Italian pens. What a lovely pen. I bet this thing is a killer; no Platinum has disappointed me yet. I love the nib engraving - definitely a step up toward the Nakaya design.

 

 

This pen certainly looks more like an Italian pen. That was why it caught my eye when I first saw it.

 

The design philosophy on this pen seems very different than the other pens in Platinum's current lineup.

2020 San Francisco Pen Show
August 28-30th, 2020
Pullman Hotel San Francisco Bay
223 Twin Dolphin Drive
Redwood City Ca, 94065

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