Posts filed under Platinum

Platinum 3776 Shungyo Fountain Pen Review

I have done nothing but rave about the Platinum 3776 Shungyo Fountain Pen since receiving it. Not only is the barrel design stunning, and my favorite limited release they have done, but the Soft Fine nib on the model I received was eye-opening. I’ve never used a stock nib that felt like this, and it fit my writing style perfectly. But, there is a but, and I want to cut right to the chase:

I recommend the Platinum 3776 series of fountain pens to anyone. I only recommend the Soft Fine nib to very few, and very particular, users.

This came to light at the San Francisco Pen Show, as I watched other fountain pen users try out my Soft Fine nib. Some got it right away. Others couldn’t make it write at all. The results were consistent, throughout a wide range of fountain pen experience levels.

When I got home and continued to write with my Platinum Soft Fine nib, it hit me. This is the Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3 mm gel ink pen of the fountain pen world.

*L to R: Sailor Hard Fine, Platinum Soft Fine, Pilot Hi-Tec-C 0.3 mm*

I rave about the Pilot Hi-Tec-C. It suits me and my style perfectly, especially the 0.3 mm. It is my favorite gel ink pen. I also rarely recommend it because it is so particular. The tip is ultra fine, and sometimes the line can be inconsistent. I’m willing to work through it because when the output is good, it’s the best pen I own. I’m finding the process of using the Soft Fine nib in this Platinum pen almost identical.

I can’t always get a perfect line out of this nib. If my pace is too fast, I outrun the ink. If my writing angle is off the sweet spot at all, my line breaks. When my writing is locked in and consistent, it is amazing and one of my favorite writing experiences. Just like the Pilot Hi-Tec-C.

Because of this, you should be aware of what your needs are if you are considering the Platinum Soft Fine nib. I can wholeheartedly recommend any other stock Platinum nib size without caveats, but not this one. What is perfect for me may not be perfect for you, especially in this case. I got to see this in person in San Francisco many times over.

The stock Platinum Fine nib is far more consistent, as is something like the Sailor Hard Fine nib. You would think the Sailor would be dry, but it has more tipping, which seems to be the reason the line is more consistent. I love them both, but they are very different experiences.

The Shungyo model is limited to 3776 units and is available at JetPens for $216. It’s more expensive than the stock versions of the 3776, but is one of the best looking pens - along with the Nice Lilas - they have released in some time.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, which I am very grateful for.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Platinum, Fountain Pens, Pen Reviews.

Platinum Citrus Black Ink Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

When it comes to yellow inks, I can't say I have much experience. It's not a color that I've been attracted to so far in my ink journey, but it doesn't mean I have anything against it, either. So, when I received a bottle of Platinum Citrus Black to try out, I was intrigued. The color of the ink that's visible through the bottle is very light and mostly transparent. I didn't expect this ink to surprise me as much as it did.

Upon inking up a pen and taking it to paper, the light, highlighter yellow ink was barely visible as I wrote. My impression was, "this is a useless color," but that's when things started to change. I hadn't researched the ink before trying it, and I discovered very quickly that Citrus Black is an iron gall ink that Platinum offers. To my surprise and delight, I watched the highlighter yellow ink transform into a deeper yellow with green tones, followed by an even deeper green/yellow that looked closer to olive. Needless to say, my initial impression was blown away.

*Drying characteristics taken over a 30 second timeframe*

If you've never tried an iron gall ink before, you're missing out. They have a unique characteristic (the iron) that causes the color and shade to change drastically as it dries. In every iron gall ink I try, this trait fascinates and delights me. With Citrus Black, it's no different.

Apart from the obvious color-changing trick, this ink also packs a pretty significant shading characteristic that makes it even more fun to use. Once the ink dries (which is a fairly quick process), you're left with a medium yellow/green/brown color on the page. It's technically an off-black, but it's not nearly dark enough in my mind to qualify for that name. Either way, it's an attractive color both wet and fully dry.

Being an iron gall, it's also very water-resistant if that's something you look for in inks. It's also worth pointing out that iron galls can cause some damage to your pens if left inked and unused for extended periods of time, but just make sure you clean it out after a month to ensure your pen keeps functioning as expected.

If there's one downside to this ink, it's the fact that the wet ink is just so darn difficult to see while writing. It really is a shade similar to highlighter, which makes it nearly illegible when wet. After about five seconds, that problem no longer presents, but it can be difficult if you're trying to keep your handwriting steady and legible. It's almost like writing with invisible ink.

Platinum Citrus Black, and all of the Platinum Classic Inks, are available in 60ml bottles for $25 at JetPens. The price is a bit higher than what you might normally expect, but it's a large bottle and a fascinating ink wholly worth the extra couple of dollars.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Platinum, Ink Reviews.

Platinum 3776 Century Nice Lilas Review

There is something about the Platinum 3776 Century that separates it from other pens. What that ‘something’ is exactly is difficult to put into words. Is it the look and style? Is it the nib? Is it the nearly 100 years the company has been in business? It is easy to say all of the above, but there is no one thing that sets the 3776 apart. It’s all of it together, and it just works. What more can you ask for in a fountain pen?

Well, there is a little more, and in this case, it is the wonderfully pink and rose gold Platinum 3776 Century Nice Lilas. From the moment I saw pictures of this pen I knew it was going to be great, and now that I have it in hand I can confirm: It is awesome.

If you know me at all then you know I love pink pens, so yes, I am biased towards this color. That said, I don’t think there is a translucent color I wouldn’t like in this design. The frosted finish gives it a unique look, and the grooved barrel makes it shine. I’m not normally a fan of rose gold accents, but even I have to admit it is the perfect match for this pen.

Writing with Platinum pens is always a treat, and this one is no different. Perfect out of the box, the nib sings across the page. My loaner was a Medium nib, and it also comes in Fine and Broad. Japanese Medium nibs are the perfect writing size in my opinion, providing excellent line width and laying down enough ink to show off whatever properties your favorite ink has.

If there is any downside to this particular model it is that the barrel ridges are sharp. It didn’t affect me at all when writing, but it is something I noticed while just holding the pen in my hand. Also, don’t buy this pen for the Limited Edition aspect of it. Platinum did a weird thing by not numbering the pen, but rather including a numbered blotter card in the box to denote the first 2000 units. The Nice Lilas looks to be part of Platinum’s regular lineup, at least by how they are offering this pen so far. And I don’t know why they include their silver trim converter instead of the gold, which would of course match the pen better.

This is a beautiful pen and a joy to write with. I said from the get go that I would pass on buying one of these because I have enough pink pens and enough 3776 pens, but I’m more tempted than ever after using it. It’s fantastic all the way around.

(Goulet Pens provided this product on loan to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!