We each have a style that is unique to us, and that translates into the stationery we use. For me, it’s extra fine nibs, silver trim, and bright colors - among other things - that I enjoy the most in fountain pens. So adding something like a Platinum Kanazawa Leaf fountain pen to my arsenal takes a bit more consideration on my part.
Let’s get this out of the way right up front: These pens are downright stunning. I chose the Red Mt. Fuji model, but I could have picked any of them and been happy with the artwork. Kanazawa Leaf is named after the city in Japan which is known for their long history of gold leaf production and craftsmanship. For example, this pen depicts the golden sunrise around Mt. Fuji, which is surrounded by silver clouds. It’s difficult to not stop in the middle of writing and just take in the artwork.
That’s a little bit of the hangup in purchasing a pen like this to be honest. Not that you shouldn’t stop and appreciate the artwork as often as possible, but rather, you can’t let the artwork stop you from using the pen at all.
It took me many years of using fountain pens to be comfortable with actually using them in any and all situations. This goes back to my original Nakaya purchase. I wanted one badly, but it took me years to come to grips with being comfortable using a piece of art that cost a lot of money. Once I got comfortable with using the pen for what it is actually made for - writing - did the anxiety lift from my life.
While the Platinum Kanazawa Leaf fountain pen costs a fraction of a Nakaya, I struggled with the same thoughts. Will I damage the artwork on the barrel? Will that keep me from using it? Is this pen made to be looked at and not used?
No, no, and resoundingly no.
Part of falling in love with a pen is making it yours. The more you use an urushi-finish Nakaya, the more it changes color. It becomes more a part of you. The same goes for the Kanazawa Leaf finish. It will wear with use, but that is a positive in my book. The artwork will always be a story the pen has, but the inevitable change in the artwork through use will be your story. What did you create with this pen? Whats words did you write? What art did you make?
Creating new stories is why it is important for me to use the products I buy.
Wow, that was a really big digression to tell you I am thoroughly enjoying using this pen. It features a lightweight black plastic barrel and an 18k gold nib. It is lighter and thinner than the base 3776 models, and the nib is more plain. I think those decisions were made to keep the overall price down and focus on the artwork. I’m a bit surprised that it lands under $200 to be honest - I would have guessed a bit higher.
As I alluded to up top, black and gold pens are not normally my thing. But this is much more than a black and gold pen. I even used an ink color I wouldn’t normally, because I thought it would work well with this pen. Platinum Classic Forest Black flows perfectly from the fine nib, and matches the aesthetic perfectly for me.
In the end, I’ve found the Platinum Kanazawa Leaf fountain pen to fall into the every day carry category of pens for me. One with a bit extra, at that.
(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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