Figuring out two platinum fountain pen.

[drakolord]

Don't know if this is a Platinum Karakusa pattern black the top two pics. The last two are the pocket pen, which I think is the 3000. The reason I am asking is for two reason. I think karakusa due to the patterns. But I am not sure because it has a steel nib instead of gold. I got them both for 40 bucks.

 

Also would a modern platinum converter fit them both?

Edited December 30, 2024 by drakolord

[Dillo]

The modern Platinum converter will only fit the long pen out of the box. For the shorter pen, you would have to reduce the length of the converter slightly. Usually I reduce the length of the piston rod just a little bit so that the knob can still grip it, then I reduce the length of the piston knob. After that, I add a plastic spacer ring on the piston rod (between the anti rotation ring and the piston head) so that when the piston is retracted, it cannot retract so much that it sticks out the top of the piston knob. I recommend to use sand paper on the piston knob to get a smoother finish.

[drakolord]

22 hours ago, Dillo said:

The modern Platinum converter will only fit the long pen out of the box. For the shorter pen, you would have to reduce the length of the converter slightly. Usually I reduce the length of the piston rod just a little bit so that the knob can still grip it, then I reduce the length of the piston knob. After that, I add a plastic spacer ring on the piston rod (between the anti rotation ring and the piston head) so that when the piston is retracted, it cannot retract so much that it sticks out the top of the piston knob. I recommend to use sand paper on the piston knob to get a smoother finish.

Thanks again for another response. First I am not that good at diy things. So I will plan on trying that later. I did however find a platinum adapter for 3 bucks along with a vintage cartridge. The only issue with the adapter I have seen is it is hard to take off. But since the long short 2000 gt is not in pristine condition and does not have original gold nib. I don't think it would hurt to try the adapter. 

 

If neither don't work then will definitely will do the steps with the modern converter.

[Dillo]

Depending on your location, I may be able to help you with the converter modification should you have trouble with it.

[drakolord]

Sent you a private message. 

[Dillo]

Both pens you have there look original to me. I would believe that they came with steel nibs on them if that is what they have now. Swapping these nibs out was not necessarily that easy because of all the sizes available, and generally a lot of Japanese companies including Platinum would not be that amenable to this, even in those days (I actually tried this before, and they said that "this is not the way we do business"). In some cases, it can also be difficult to find Platinum pens with intact steel nibs because a lot of them did not necessarily survive in good condition. I would not change the nibs if I were you. There were a lot of different sizes they used, and then the pen would no longer be original. If you want one with a gold nib, get one with a gold nib.