Platinum Pens

[Siv]

I haven't seen the pen in life before but the ribbed design reminds me of a vacuum cleaner tube.

Hehe... I had never thought of that but the observation is spot on

[Silvermink]

I've been contemplating picking up a Platinum President. It'd be nice if there were reviews of it, but it'd also be neat to write the first one. Anyone who owns one have any comments?

[bitterwonder]

I bought my Platinum with a music nib two weeks ago, and am delighted.

It does not skip, it starts up immediately and keeps up with my quick hand.

It is like the missing link between a pen and a brush. I have used it constantly and the sensation is like owning a nice new car.

 

My Namiki Falcon is frustrating, it cant keep up with my hand; my Sailor 1911 skips, doesnt start and when it does, it feels like I am using an etching needle. (and it is a B point) The Sailor is a huge dissapointment. (Yes when I have some extra cash maybe I will look into getting these customized).

 

I havent used my Namiki Vanishing point in a few years, I remember it as being able to keep up with my hand.

Prior to getting the Platimum, my Aurora Talentum was my workhorse pen.

I sure like (love) my Platinum.

 

[MYU]

My Namiki Falcon is frustrating, it cant keep up with my hand; my Sailor 1911 skips, doesnt start and when it does, it feels like I am using an etching needle. (and it is a B point) The Sailor is a huge dissapointment. (Yes when I have some extra cash maybe I will look into getting these customized).

Are you using a light touch with your nibs? Platinum nibs are very forgiving with firm pressure. The Namiki Falcon and Sailor nibs do best with light pressure. What kind of nib is your Falcon? Is it fine/flexible per chance? A broad Sailor should definitely not feel like an extra fine (needle point). Perhaps your tines are out of alignment. I suggest inspecting the nib with a magnifier to be sure.

[Siv]

I echo Gary's comment. I have had a fair number of Sailor and they have all be amazing writers with the exception of my Hanzi LE which is an absolute pig and skips all over the place. Quote frustrating as it's one of the more expensive ones. Anyway, you may have gotten unlucky with your 1911 and if it's new, I'd send it back for replacement. It's not how 99% of Sailors behave...

[bitterwonder]

I have had this Sailor for a few years; when I am near it and the Namiki will look at the nibs and check tines.

 

Neither pen ever worked the way I was led to believe they would work.

 

My hand varies as I use them to draw. I suspect my hand is light but directed, never broke or damaged a nib ever.

Both behave a little better when writing, but the Sailor still

is erratic. Tried on varirety of paper, only used Sailor ink.

 

Will let you know if I find anything out.

Still love my Platinum.

[Silvermink]

Just purchased an 18K-nibbed Platinum pocket pen off eBay from speerbob, so hopefully I'll have some comments in a couple weeks...

[blackranger63]

I have a 3776 in the Midnight Sea and I absolutely love it. The 18K nib is wonderful to write with. It's firm but not as firm as some of my vintage writers and it looks great. I have another plain Jane 3776 with a gold plated steel nib but it still writes fine in my humble opinion. I think pens just talk to us all in different ways

[Tsujigiri]

I've been contemplating picking up a Platinum President. It'd be nice if there were reviews of it, but it'd also be neat to write the first one. Anyone who owns one have any comments?

 

Yes, I have one, I can write a review of it. It's my only Japanese extra-fine, so I haven't experienced the smoothness of Platinum medium nibs other people are talking about, but it's a good pen.

[troglokev]

Yes, I have one, I can write a review of it. It's my only Japanese extra-fine, so I haven't experienced the smoothness of Platinum medium nibs other people are talking about, but it's a good pen.

That would be great! I look forward to reading this.

[dappledawndrawn]

Platinum nibs are super super super! Unlike Pilot and Sailor I think their nibs actually provide a tiny bit of tactile feedback which makes the pen far more responsive. I've never met a Platinum that I didn't like.

[Daniel7]

I really, really do not like that particular Platinum pen with the ribbed look. It's ugly.

 

I agree, I hate the look of that pen. I rarely bash a pen, but I mean I really REALLY hate that ribbed design. Having said that, I must admit that I have one in my daily rotations, though I rarely use it. The reason I keep one is that the ribbing makes it a comfortable pen to write with for long perriods of time. So it is a pen that I keep at my desk and not one that I like to carry around. Any one else out there have one? What is your impression of the Platinum 3776 Ribbed.

 

http://www.kamakurapens.com/PenImages/Platinum3776Original-1.jpg

 

I got the ribbed one in burgundy, I cannot say that I love the design, but it's kind of a classic, (pale copy) of the Waterman hundred year. The nib however is excellent, it's an excellent wet smooth writer (.

I am not carrying it a lot with me, but each time I am getting nice remarks on it. I believe Platinum should be (more) present in Europe, this would be a nice alternative to the European brands, finally I find the price/quality good, and this especially when the pens are comming from the USA or Asia. but the last remark is true for all Japanese penmaker.

[Ledjeffelin]

Comparing the 3776 to Sailor, my impression is the Platinum models are not quite a good. I have had minor complaints such as the caps do not screw on as securely as Sailor and the converters tend to rattle.

 

The nibs I think are comparable but my Sailors have been smoother and smoother is my preference.

 

I am waiting on a Platinum ribbed model so maybe it will be an improvement but given the choice, I would lean towards Sailor before buying another Platinum in the same general price range.

[Rob G]

I have a PTB-5000B with the UEF (Ultra Extra Fine) point, which was wonderfully fine and wonderfully smooth until I banged it into a desk drawer.

 

The one thing I hated about it was that, when posted, the cap would routinely fall off. :hmm1:

[Flourish]

I've always had naturally teeny tiny handwriting and until I learned about Pilot Namiki, Sailor, Platinum and Nakaya I had only found one pen that worked for me, a Scheaffer snorkel with an accountant nib, and I stuck with it for most of my life. But since learning of all these wonderful pen makers from Japan I have been in utter penmanshiply nirvanna. The one thing I have noticed about Japanese pens is that they are designed as using pens first, especially for us micro writers, the flash can be added later. And for us micro writers, and for the price, these pens nibs cannot be beat. For the off the shelf fine, extra fine, extra extra fine, fine soft, Namiki fine falcon, extra fine Pilot falcon and on and on and on. Now, don't get me started on all the monster sized specialty nibs you can get from Japan, and can't get from any western manufacturer, off the shelf.

 

Being new to Japanese pens I'll admit a strong preference for them. I'll also say that I have yet to try even a small fraction of all the possible nibs to be found on Japanese pens, but the ones I have tried so far have all been spot on when it comes to the sweet nib. Japanese pen manufacturers still recognize the need for many different off the shelf nib styles to suit more uniquely individual writers, and pursue a level of nibsmanship (can I use a made up word?), that no western companies can match. And like european manufacturers if you want a flashier pen you step up to the next level and pull out a thicker wad.

 

Let's face it when you put basic Japanese pens next to basic western pens most are dead center middle of the road. Nothing too exciting one way or the other. Nothing to really pull your heart strings and tug at your wallet. And unfortunately for western tastes the Platinum 3776 is the most middle of the road looking Japanese pen out there with it's slight chubbiness and simple attire. Heck, it might even be a top contender for most middle of the road looking pen of all time. But, with Japanese pens it's all about the working end of the pen, the nib.

 

Now for the nibs of a few Japanese pens I've tried, let's stick with anything fine or extra fine for this comparison. Because for me it's all about the micro nib.

 

1)Sailor 1911M extra fine, dead sexy perfect line every time it's touched to paper, mine can even handle Noodler's BulletProof Black after sitting around unused and inked for 3 months. The 14k nib isn't flashy but for an extra fine it is built rock solid and you can really zip through the pages with this baby. The shape is so sleek your really have to resist the urge to suck on it and stick it in your ear. Yeah, yeah, I know certain things that draw me to certain pens are utterly illogical and subconsciously rooted, but come on you all have a pen or two that draw you to do things you wish no one would ever find out about. Like scratch your head or eyebrow when no one's looking sort of thing?

 

2) Sailor Sapporo Rhodium with zoom nib upside down. You can write microscopic with this upside down dry nib. Best of all you get like 10 more nib widths for the price of one. It is a bit tricky if you're going for line variation but with each use, as with a full flex nib, you can picture the lines you'll make as you get better with practice. This is one of those nibs that convince you that you can do better and that gives you the courage and motivation to do so simply by holding it in your hand and using it. Again a rock solid nib that can handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. Looks wise this pen isn't to my particular tastes, nor is the Sapporo Mini or the Professional Gear, however it has the nib. And with the Pro Gear it's got a couple nibs you can't find on any other pen unless custom begged, I mean ordered.

 

3) Namiki Falcon. You've all read or heard about, tried or own one of these. Fantastic daily user and beater drawing pen. It's semi-flex is great for people unsure of their line and will actually help teach someone to use a flex nib properly. Great way to dip your fingers into the world of the elegant flourished line. Looks, again nothing to really get excited about but it is a perfect fit for those who like a thinner pen body.

 

4) Pilot Custom 74 fine nib. I had mine extra fined and flexed up a bit so take this customization into consideration. With this nib extra fine and semi-flexed this is, for now, the best nib I've come across for 1/4 inch roundhand scripts. It has a snap in the flex that is perfect for smaller line work. Now, what this modifed nib has shown me is that if it is so solid a nib after having been modified just imagine how bulletproof it must have been before the modifications.

 

5)Platinum 3776 fine nib. As smooth a writer as any other fine or extra fine off the shelf Japanese nib. Platinum doesn't offer all the more exciting nibs that Pilot/Namiki and Sailor do. And it is rather frumpy looking when placed next to other pens but for certain people these basic nibs outshine all others. This includes you, you Nakaya lovers as your pens have the same basic nibs. They are more delicate than comparable nibs on Sailor or Namiki/Pilot pens but as a result they seem to have that magical little amount of natural flex that just magically propels the pen along the paper glassy smooth as a lake in the early morn, and for a fine or extra fine nib that's just boot scootin' good.

 

6) Nakaya Black Piccolo and Clip Heki-Tamenuri Writer both extra fine extra flex. Read above Platinum 3776 statement and add a simple urushi lacquer finish to even chubbier pens and you have what many of you here would argue is one of the greatest pens of all time, myself included, of course.

 

There you have it, my two cents, or rather multiple wallets, worth. I must also add that for western pens in the same price range that I have come across so far absolutely none have nibs in the same league as the above Japanese manufacturers right off the shelf. Now with a bit more cash and a trip to workbench or a nibmiester, western nibs can equal Japanese but then you wouldn't have an affordable pen with one of the best nibs you can your hands on off the shelf.

[MYU]

Sterling-Vermeil (~1975) (Larger, prettier image here.)

http://www.ciar-roisin.net/photos/jp/SterlingVermeil-02.jpg

 

I just obtained one of these... and it is breathtakingly beautiful. The enlarged photo does it much more justice. The raised treatment has a wonderful feel and visual dimensionality. The nib is the slightly larger Platinum nib (though small compared to the 3776), but is a superb writer. A controlled smooth character, of XF-F size. I can't see ever letting this go, except if I am destitute!

[PatientType]

It is so interesting & informative to read these strings...

 

Speaking as a neophyte ... the Platinum brand turned out to be my choice. I've got a 3776 on order now. So, apparently Platinum is doing OK among buyers that base their buying decision primarily on reputation.

 

Before going with Platinum, I'd bought a Sapporo having read all the wonderful reviews about it having the ultimate nib. Well, the Sapporo had a flinty hard nib that put down a fairly wet, precisely even, never-varying-in-any-way line. In other words, the Sapporo delivered the same line as a good, flair-type $2.50 disposable pen.

 

After getting the Sapporo I'd purchased a less expensive Platinum 5000 for my son. The 5000 has a medium 14K nib that writes a fairly fine, smooth and elegantly variable line. For half of what the Sapporo cost, he was getting much nicer script. So, I sold the Sapporo. I then checked out the higher end Sailors and Pilots and read a lot of reviews. I was looking for the qualities of the nib that I'd seen on his pen but in a larger, better quality barrel. Considering price, looks, and the nibs available, I ended up ordering the Platinum 3776.

 

People that actually had a 3776 or President liked them. The 3776 was of good size and weight and provided a larger, nicer pen with a nib that was more of my liking for very close to the Sapporo in price (when bought on sale).

[Pippin60]

My favourite place on FPN is the Rising Sun forum and over the time that I have been trawling it, we gets lots of topics about Pilots, Sailors, Danitrio and Nakayas. Hardly anything is written about Platinum pens. Why is this? Are people going straight to Nakaya? Do they perform poorer than those Japanese staples Pilot and Sailor?

 

Well I just plumped for one of these:

http://www.platinumpenusa.com/images/makie/PTB-70000C.jpg

Looks so much like the Pilot VP Raden and the price seemed reasonable so I just went for it. Let's see if it lives up to it's Japanese brethren

 

Can I ask what model that is? Its a beautiful pen.

[Pengrump]

I have wildly mixed feelings about Platinum pens. The very first pens I bought back in 1997 when I went from being a one pen gal to an accumulator were Platinum's lower end maki-e. They leaked and I sent them back, deciding not to buy any more. After a couple of years, I gave Platinum another chance and bought a lot of very good pens that I use frequently. But then last month I decided to buy a ribbed Platinum with music nib (even though I have three other Platinum music nibs, one on a celluloid 3776, one on a vintage long-capped short pen, and one on a thin pen that used to be called the Conductor). I thought the ribbed pen would be different and a bit longer than the 3776. It was longer, but the nib wouldn't write at all. I did everything short of pulling it out and stomping on it. So I returned it. The seller (Pam Braun, who is just super great) offered to send me a replacement. She tried the replacement and it too was problematical. I guess somebody at the factory forgot to finish the nibs properly.

 

My sense is that when Platinum is good it is very, very good, but when it is bad it is unusable. I guess I'll keep my eye out for a Pilot music pen with a #10 nib that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I already have a Pilot with a #5 music nib and it writes quite well, though I like the writing feel of the Platinum music nib, when I get one that works, a bit better.

[rollerboy]

After getting the Sapporo I'd purchased a less expensive Platinum 5000 for my son. The 5000 has a medium 14K nib that writes a fairly fine, smooth and elegantly variable line.

 

My understanding is that the nib on the 5000 is actually gold plated steel, not 14K. Yet another example of a well performing steel nib.