Platinum Briar Shell Pen #63

[hari317]

The Platinum #3776 range is one of the widest and most varied in terms of the materials offered than any other model from any other brand today.

 

The 3776 line is offered in PMMA(Acrylic resin), Celluloid(The real camphor smelling nitrate variety), Ebonite (yes, the new red rippled #65) and a variety of woods like Cedar (Yakusugi) and the celebrated Briar wood.

 

The briar pens were offered under the Platinum brand in two colors: light briar and dark briar, both finished with matte lacquer. However in the recent months, a newer finish started appearing on the Japanse auction sites. A certain vendor claims it to be exclusive to them and a lot of other tall claims and also a thoroughly misleading matter about the actual pen material itself, however a little research yielded it to be just a new stock briar finish offering called Briar Shell. (I have no idea if the "shell" in the name is related to the name given by Dunhill for a similar finish to their briar pipes...)

 

Platinum says the following about it here: and here(in Japanese with the accurate model number #63)

 

 

Briar is a deciduous shrub from the heath tree family known as Erica arborea of Mediterranean coastal origin. Clumps of the burl from the shrub that are between 25-100 years old (mainly for making pipes) are used for the pens. The material is subjected to a period of sandblasting (shell) before a hard abrasive cleanser is injected at high pressure. When applied to the surface, the relatively soft part of the wood is removed and the grain of the hard part of the wood comes through clearly. It is then wiped with lacquer to tone down the shininess. By doing so, the beauty of the grain begins to stand out with the lacquer increasing the durability of the wood surface. This pen carries a natural warmth to it that ensures users can enjoy it for a long time irrespective of trends.

 

 

 

I was very intrigued since In already had the other Platinum Briar pens. An ideal opportunity presented itself when my dear friend from Rwanda, Abhik requested me to buy any Japanese wooden pen for him. I started trawling ebay and won a shell briar pen for him. The pen looked very dull in the auction pictures, but I was simply blown away when I received the pen in my hands. Even though I was sorely tempted to keep it for myself, I just examined the pen to make sure everything was alright and put it away and then sent it off to Abhik when he came down to India.

 

In the meanwhile, I kept bidding on ebay and a few days back, won one more example of the pen which is the subject of this review. I really wanted to share how beautiful this pen is and to document it.

 

The pen comes in a standard Platinum box:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8673_zps3e51efe8.jpg

 

The paraphernelia:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8674_zpsb1acd8cb.jpg

 

The pen:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8676_zps2ca7eb6c.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8678_zps1399ef18.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8679_zpsca9e6ba9.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8680_zps928208d1.jpg

 

The M nib, superb section shape, simply love it.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8683_zps6da7c049.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8684_zpsa765f7eb.jpg

 

New Feed:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8685_zps0f1c1203.jpg

 

The pattern:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8686_zps1809c5de.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8687_zpsf99edf06.jpg

 

The cap top, very nicely done:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8688_zps9179c3aa.jpg

 

Finally, the three Platinum Briars:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8681_zps5aa9f1f4.jpg

 

The nib I received on this pen has been perfect out of the box, perfectly gapped and perfectly tapered slit, and I have not had to majorly tweak most of the Platinum pens I have bought. If this trend continues, I will have to admit that IME, Platinum really makes the best nib today even leaving Pilot slightly behind.

 

Some writing samples on ordinary paper:

 

Justus M at full hardness, Platinum M and Platinum Music nibs compared:

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8690_zps51247f79.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/PlatinumShellBriar/IMG_8691_zpsf26b243b.jpg

 

The pen weighs 27.6gms capped with a full cartridge inserted.

The pen without cap weighs 15gms with the cartridge installed.

 

I hope you enjoyed this review.

 

Cheers!

Hari

Edited July 3, 2013 by hari317

[Strang]

An excellent review Hari! I have the dark briar. I was not a fan of wooden pens before I got it but it has made a believer of me. And I think you are absolutely right about Platinum nibs; along with Delta (from Italy,) Platinum makes the most reliable nibs out of the box, imho.

[de_pen_dent]

I have the light Briar myself, in a Music nib, and it appears to be clone of the Nakaya Briarwood as well.

 

I agree with you re Platinum nibs - actually, so far, I have not had any problems with any of my Japanese pens. Barring the oh-so-luscious nib on the Sailor KoP, the Platinum nibs, especially their Broads, are probably one of my favorite stock nibs.

[RMN]

Nice review Hari

 

Thanks

 

What is the weight of these pens? The normal 3776 in my local shop is much too light for my tastes.

 

 

D.ick

[NibNibbler]

A very nice addition! I really like the knotty texture of it, it looks very natural.

[bizhe]

Better than pilot?! Strong words - are comparing Ms or Fs?

[mongrelnomad]

Hari - that is one exceptionally gorgeous Platinum. What does the finish feel like?

 

I am trying very hard to resist pulling the trigger on one of these (as, like you, I find Platinum nibs simply wonderful).

[Artes]

A "shell" finish means that the briar has been sandblasted to create the textured finish.

 

Here are two examples from my favourite pipesmith, Julius Vesz of Toronto.

[hari317]

An excellent review Hari! I have the dark briar. I was not a fan of wooden pens before I got it but it has made a believer of me. And I think you are absolutely right about Platinum nibs; along with Delta (from Italy,) Platinum makes the most reliable nibs out of the box, imho.

Thanks Strang. It was on your advice that I tried Platinums and you were right.

 

I have the light Briar myself, in a Music nib, and it appears to be clone of the Nakaya Briarwood as well.

 

I agree with you re Platinum nibs - actually, so far, I have not had any problems with any of my Japanese pens. Barring the oh-so-luscious nib on the Sailor KoP, the Platinum nibs, especially their Broads, are probably one of my favorite stock nibs.

 

My dark briar has a Music nib. I have tried their F,M,B and MS nibs all good. Now only C is left to be tried.

Nice review Hari

 

Thanks

 

What is the weight of these pens? The normal 3776 in my local shop is much too light for my tastes.

 

 

D.ick

 

27.6gms, thanks for reminding, I have updated the review.

 

A very nice addition! I really like the knotty texture of it, it looks very natural.

 

Indeed. Thanks!

Better than pilot?! Strong words - are comparing Ms or Fs?

 

inching towards that... based on several samples in personal collection. of course YMMV.

Hari - that is one exceptionally gorgeous Platinum. What does the finish feel like?

 

I am trying very hard to resist pulling the trigger on one of these (as, like you, I find Platinum nibs simply wonderful).

The finish is just superb, even the tactile sensation is heavily textured but not rough at all. I wonder why they don't offer it with the Nakaya brand. My colleagues know that I am a pen nut with often a different pen in my pocket. This pen was immediately noticed and appreciated. They loved its "natural" finish(their words).

 

A "shell" finish means that the briar has been sandblasted to create the textured finish.

 

Here are two examples from my favourite pipesmith, Julius Vesz of Toronto

Thanks really. I am not a smoker and have no knowledge about these exotic things, although I am very intrigued.

 

Regards

Hari

Edited July 3, 2013 by hari317

[de_pen_dent]

Ok, people, stay away from the auction I am bidding on

[hari317]

Ok, people, stay away from the auction I am bidding on

how will we know which one if you don't supply us with the item number ? BTW if you also go the auction route, what will be the fate of Raul? have you considered it?... just joking.

Edited July 3, 2013 by hari317

[ehemem]

I've had the shell briar pen with a medium nib for a few months now. I filled it with Iroshizuku yama-guri and use it every day despite my preference for fine nibs. Hari's commentary and observations are spot on. The finish on this pen has a wonderful tactile feeling.

 

As for the nib, well, it is a standard Platinum smooth nail, well suited for everyday writing. If you are a fan of Platinum and wood pens, this is a must-have.

 

One of the descriptions mentions that the pen is coated with lacquer - I wonder if it is urushi coated or some other lacquer.

 

( I also have the RMHR #65 Jupiter for a while, but haven't been able to use it: when the postman delivered it, I was on my way out, so all I got to do was rip open the package, open the box, take out the pen and do some dry writing to test the nib. The pen was beautiful and very shiny. I put it back in the box and left it behind at home. About 45 minutes later, I started to develop small patches of blisters where the pen would be in contact with my hand when I write. I hadn't seen any mention of the pen being urushi-coated, but I contacted the seller to ask if the pen was , since I am allergic to uncured urushiol, and got a positive response. So the pen has been sitting around for a while now, waiting to fully cure. This is the first time I have had any reaction to anything urushi-coated. I keep telling myself I have lots of other pens to play with, no big deal...)

[KarloT]

Beautiful!

 

I'd really love to see the #65 Jupiter ebonite pen as well! Looks like the Platinum people have been quite busy churning out new stuff, and hear that they were set to introduce a lot of fresh offerings at last week's stationery fair in Tokyo.

[hari317]

I've had the shell briar pen with a medium nib for a few months now. I filled it with Iroshizuku yama-guri and use it every day despite my preference for fine nibs. Hari's commentary and observations are spot on. The finish on this pen has a wonderful tactile feeling.

 

As for the nib, well, it is a standard Platinum smooth nail, well suited for everyday writing. If you are a fan of Platinum and wood pens, this is a must-have.

 

One of the descriptions mentions that the pen is coated with lacquer - I wonder if it is urushi coated or some other lacquer.

 

( I also have the RMHR #65 Jupiter for a while, but haven't been able to use it: when the postman delivered it, I was on my way out, so all I got to do was rip open the package, open the box, take out the pen and do some dry writing to test the nib. The pen was beautiful and very shiny. I put it back in the box and left it behind at home. About 45 minutes later, I started to develop small patches of blisters where the pen would be in contact with my hand when I write. I hadn't seen any mention of the pen being urushi-coated, but I contacted the seller to ask if the pen was , since I am allergic to uncured urushiol, and got a positive response. So the pen has been sitting around for a while now, waiting to fully cure. This is the first time I have had any reaction to anything urushi-coated. I keep telling myself I have lots of other pens to play with, no big deal...)

Thank you for sharing your experience with the shell briar. I think their Japanese website is quite specific, if it were synthetic, they would mention it, like in the case of the Izumo Tagayasan, which has an Urethane lacquer coating.

 

Really surprised to hear that the #65 has an Urushi coating. there is no mention of it anywhere on their website from what I could research. I have lost all the auctions for the 65 so far. let's see...

 

Beautiful!

 

I'd really love to see the #65 Jupiter ebonite pen as well! Looks like the Platinum people have been quite busy churning out new stuff, and hear that they were set to introduce a lot of fresh offerings at last week's stationery fair in Tokyo.

Thanks!

[de_pen_dent]

how will we know which one if you don't supply us with the item number ? BTW if you also go the auction route, what will be the fate of Raul? have you considered it?... just joking.

 

Hehe, I am playing the double-blind game, hoping no one will bid on ANY of those pens

 

Yeah, I think between me and our other mutual friend, we must account for most of Raul's business. I'm hoping to luck out on the auction - else I'm going to have to wait a bit before ordering it.

 

I am a sucker for wood pens!

[hari317]

All the best dpdent!

[Abhik]

Hi All,

I like share my experience with this pen, which Hari graciously sourced on my behalf. Hari recommended me Platinum Briar when we discussed about getting any Japanese wooden pen to start with! Now this particular finishing was not discussed nor we new about its existance! Once Hari, found this particular finish, I requested him to bid on my behalf. Rest Hari has narrated in his review preamble!

I got a B nib instead of my regular F nib and I am happy with it. Last month when I was in India I tested it with Camelin Black. It was a bit runny! After returning back to Kigali, Rwanda< I changed the ink to a mixture of Pelikan Brown and Sheafer Brown. It matches with the appearance and writes superbly. Some photos to share, if you are interested!

http://s760.photobucket.com/user/abhikmukh/library/Platinum%20Briar

Thanks for viewing!

Abhik

Edited July 5, 2013 by Abhik

[hari317]

Hi All,

I like share my experience with this pen, which Hari graciously sourced on my behalf. Hari recommended me Platinum Briar when we discussed about getting any Japanese wooden pen to start with! Now this particular finishing was not discussed nor we new about its existance! Once Hari, found this particular finish, I requested him to bid on my behalf. Rest Hari has narrated in his review preamble!

I got a B nib instead of my regular F nib and I am happy with it. Last month when I was in India I tested it with Camelin Black. It was a bit runny! After returning back to Kigali, Rwanda< I changed the ink to a mixture of Pelikan Brown and Sheafer Brown. It matches with the appearance and writes superbly. Some photos to share, if you are interested!

http://s760.photobucket.com/user/abhikmukh/library/Platinum%20Briar

Thanks for viewing!

Abhik

Dear Abhik,

 

The pattern on your pen is so much more detailed, I am jealous! Wonderful pictures showing off the texture, I have embedded the links here for easy viewing.

 

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/abhikmukh/Platinum%20Briar/PlatinumBriar1.jpg

 

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/abhikmukh/Platinum%20Briar/PlatinumBriar2.jpg

 

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/abhikmukh/Platinum%20Briar/PlatinumBriar3.jpg

 

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/abhikmukh/Platinum%20Briar/PlatinumBriar4.jpg

 

Regards,

Hari

Edited July 5, 2013 by hari317

[breaker]

nice review and pics!

thanks!

[pelman]

Beautiful pics and absolutely gorgeous pen. I have a couple of Platinum pens and I find them to be just about perfect out of the box as well.

 

I think I have to make a note to myself to not to read your reviews . I have this inexplicable urge to go find a pen that you have reviewed. I guess that is what makes a great review.