I still have the original version of Platinum 3776 I bought back in 1980 and it's still in use regularly. I even use the very same cartridge(using syringe) came with the pen. Other than some rub off on the gold plate and some wear on a part of the body where the cap goes on, it looks pretty much the same as day one I got it at the Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo. If my memory serves me correctly, I paid something like $50.-(worth in Yen) at the time. During that time, no professional service ever needed. It's a testament to the durability of the product.
Well, I was surprised (living in Germany) to find a Platinum in a store. I decided to give it a try. The model is not shown here in this video, but it clocked in at 18 € in a cheapo plastic package with a cartridge, not a converter. Super light, feels cheap but ... boy ... that F nib is really, really fine. And it is smooth. I either got a wrong one (I'm going to get me a second) or they changed from being toothy to being super-smooth. That thing writes smoother than my F gold nib from Lamy. And it's dry as well - fine, smooth and dry - a rare combination. So - I hate the cheap feel and low weight but I am totally in love with the nib. The only pen I have that makes writing with the Palmer method a pleasure. Edit: I checked your store - it's a Plaisir. They changed the design from what is shown in your video to what I have.
The Platinum Plaistir feed holds a lot of ink and the cap is very moisture tight. Cleaned and put away for months and filling it resulted in half a page of washed out ink because the water did not dry out. Transferred some ink into a sample container so I could pump ink through the feed with the converter.
I thought I had seen most of your videos but I missed this one. I appreciate you covering the line of Platinum pens. I have 6 Platinum pens and love them all. In fact I'm thinking of collecting them. I disagree with you on one point, I find them smooth. Tbe Balance and the Cool are smooth. (Yes, I got most of them from you). Ok, not like butter on glass, but smooth. But my 3776 Century with a B nib is without a doubt the best pen in my collection, and that includes a MB and a Pelikan (both great pens btw). But the 3776 fits my hand, the nib has never needed tuning, and it writes whenever I pick it up. It writes perfectly and writes oh smooth! Expect Platinum orders in the near future.
Good catch you are correct! Another pen reviewer (WaskiSquirrel??) had a celluloid version where the ring had fallen off, which someone surmised could have been due to shrinkage of the celluloid, possibly it wasn't cured properly which sounds logical as I read they only cure for 6 months vs other manufacturers who say 1 year plus of curing. Also Platinum has that seam since they fold it together instead of lathing from a solid chunk, which is probably why the price is lower than other celluloid pens as they are using less raw material which is the expensive part.
The Plaisir in red shows up in a cheesy Japanese horror movie called Ring of Curse and in black in one episode of a Taiwanese drama called Princess' Stand in. Both are on Netflix. You can tell it's a Plaisir by its pocket clip and silver band at the base of the cap. Just thought I'd let you know.
Does the design on the Kanazowa Leaf Maki-e have Marijuana leaves on it? I promise my mind is not in the gutter, but you have to admit that they look very similar haha.
Hey GP! Need general advice on Japanese fountain pens. If I were shopping in Japan, what brands should I be looking for that might not be available in the US? $3-500 Price point. Thanks!
Hi Brian Will the soft fine nib on the pilot custom 743 (number 15 size) give more flex than the soft fine nib on the custom 74 ( number 5 size) ?will the difference in flex be very significant ? Thank You
Hey I happen to have a 3776 with a fine nib, but I was wondering is there any other nibs (preferably a flex nib) which I can buy/use on the 3776? It doesn't have to be from Platinum rather any which fits onto the 3776 or would I just have to buy a new pen?
Sort of, yeah! Technically the Pilot Varsity is $3, the Preppy is $4. But the Preppy highlighter and markers are $3, so it's kind of a tie ;) -Brian Goulet
Platinum nibs are proprietary so they can't fit other brands pen bodies. The desk pen, in particular, is an unusual shape and really only designed for the Desk Pen. - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company I see thanks for answering. I watched the Platinum cool video that you made and you said that the nib design is kind of similar to one of the Maki-e so i thought they are somehow related.
They're nice pens but the cheap-looking pocket clips are a real turn-off for me. That whole thin folded metal thing just lets down the otherwise fairly pricey pens. It's traditional, of course.
Yeah, it's definitely not as modern looking, but then that's kind of how they do things there. Have you seen the packaging for the Platinum Balance/Cool? Looks straight out of the late 80's/early 90's. -Brian Goulet
I still have the original version of Platinum 3776 I bought back in 1980 and it's still in use regularly. I even use the very same cartridge(using syringe) came with the pen.
Other than some rub off on the gold plate and some wear on a part of the body where the cap goes on, it looks pretty much the same as day one I got it at the Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo.
If my memory serves me correctly, I paid something like $50.-(worth in Yen) at the time.
During that time, no professional service ever needed. It's a testament to the durability of the product.
Great video, I would love to see this for every pen line. You could start with Noodler's...
Well, I was surprised (living in Germany) to find a Platinum in a store. I decided to give it a try. The model is not shown here in this video, but it clocked in at 18 € in a cheapo plastic package with a cartridge, not a converter. Super light, feels cheap but ... boy ... that F nib is really, really fine. And it is smooth. I either got a wrong one (I'm going to get me a second) or they changed from being toothy to being super-smooth. That thing writes smoother than my F gold nib from Lamy. And it's dry as well - fine, smooth and dry - a rare combination. So - I hate the cheap feel and low weight but I am totally in love with the nib. The only pen I have that makes writing with the Palmer method a pleasure.
Edit: I checked your store - it's a Plaisir. They changed the design from what is shown in your video to what I have.
Oh lord, why did you show me that stunning Galaxy? I'm going to be pining after that for years.
Platinum pens are HUGELY popular in Japan. I lived there for 10 years and the Platinum Desk Pen is very popular for precision writing.
Yeah you guys are pretty adorable together...nerds marry nerds :D
Must admit, I love my modern Maki-e Leaf pen. It's actually a great writer.
Same shirt, nice touch Brian. Thanks for the vid. I enjoyed the Q&A, but this is a good idea.
Yeah, I shot that intro on the same day. I knew as soon as we recorded Q&A that it would be smart to break out a separate video. -Brian Goulet
The Platinum Plaistir feed holds a lot of ink and the cap is very moisture tight. Cleaned and put away for months and filling it resulted in half a page of washed out ink because the water did not dry out. Transferred some ink into a sample container so I could pump ink through the feed with the converter.
This is entirely charming, informative, and helpful!
"technically everything is [made from nature]" has got to be my favorite aside on any pen-review I have ever trudged through!!! :-)
Wow, such an informative 18 minutes. Well done!
Write on!!! :)
I thought I had seen most of your videos but I missed this one. I appreciate you covering the line of Platinum pens. I have 6 Platinum pens and love them all. In fact I'm thinking of collecting them. I disagree with you on one point, I find them smooth. Tbe Balance and the Cool are smooth. (Yes, I got most of them from you). Ok, not like butter on glass, but smooth. But my 3776 Century with a B nib is without a doubt the best pen in my collection, and that includes a MB and a Pelikan (both great pens btw). But the 3776 fits my hand, the nib has never needed tuning, and it writes whenever I pick it up. It writes perfectly and writes oh smooth! Expect Platinum orders in the near future.
+TJ Zidaroff that's awesome, Platinum makes some great (yet underrated pens). -Brian Goulet
I might be wrong but that Celluloid had the ring upside down?
Good catch you are correct! Another pen reviewer (WaskiSquirrel??) had a celluloid version where the ring had fallen off, which someone surmised could have been due to shrinkage of the celluloid, possibly it wasn't cured properly which sounds logical as I read they only cure for 6 months vs other manufacturers who say 1 year plus of curing. Also Platinum has that seam since they fold it together instead of lathing from a solid chunk, which is probably why the price is lower than other celluloid pens as they are using less raw material which is the expensive part.
6 years later - Getting the classy Balance !
Stunning pens, I’m drooling! 😁
The Plaisir in red shows up in a cheesy Japanese horror movie called Ring of Curse and in black in one episode of a Taiwanese drama called Princess' Stand in. Both are on Netflix. You can tell it's a Plaisir by its pocket clip and silver band at the base of the cap. Just thought I'd let you know.
Haha, that's awesome! -Brian Goulet
Hi Brian
Which modern day flex pen gives maximum line variation irrespective of the price ?
Thank You
OMG there are Ninja Turtles on your desk! For that alone you deserve my "Like"
like that Karakousa!: Platinum pens rock!:)(thanks for this:)
Does the design on the Kanazowa Leaf Maki-e have Marijuana leaves on it? I promise my mind is not in the gutter, but you have to admit that they look very similar haha.
Perhaps it's a Japanese Maple? :-)
+Chelsea Tafoya It's a maple leaf but I can see how you can mistake it for something else :)
Hey GP! Need general advice on Japanese fountain pens. If I were shopping in Japan, what brands should I be looking for that might not be available in the US? $3-500 Price point. Thanks!
Hi Brian
Will the soft fine nib on the pilot custom 743 (number 15 size) give more flex than the soft fine nib on the custom 74 ( number 5 size) ?will the difference in flex be very significant ?
Thank You
Hey I happen to have a 3776 with a fine nib, but I was wondering is there any other nibs (preferably a flex nib) which I can buy/use on the 3776? It doesn't have to be from Platinum rather any which fits onto the 3776 or would I just have to buy a new pen?
You guys are awesome! Love from India :)
+Ameya Godbole Thanks for saying hi! And for watching :) -Margaret
can you eye-dropper the celluloid pens?
What's the difference between the President and the 3776?
Is goulet pens company sold pen in india or it only in us
Is it possible that the most expensive and the most cheap pen in GPC are both Platinum?
Sort of, yeah! Technically the Pilot Varsity is $3, the Preppy is $4. But the Preppy highlighter and markers are $3, so it's kind of a tie ;) -Brian Goulet
The Goulet Pen Company Just minutes after I posted this message I remembered the Pilot Varsity. But I settle with a tie :)
Hello! Do you know which pen body could fit my platinum desk pen nib???
Platinum nibs are proprietary so they can't fit other brands pen bodies. The desk pen, in particular, is an unusual shape and really only designed for the Desk Pen. - Colin
Thank you for the quick response!
PLEASE Rachel do not interrupt Brian!
I find Platinum nibs ugly, but I really liked this video format of showing a brand's line-up.
Brutally honest, Eric! I'm glad you like the video though ;) -Brian Goulet
nice tan Brian
1zshah thanks! That's long gone now ;) -Brian Goulet
is the Platinum series under Pilot??
Nope, Platinum is its own separate company. - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company I see thanks for answering. I watched the Platinum cool video that you made and you said that the nib design is kind of similar to one of the Maki-e so i thought they are somehow related.
Maki-e is a technique for the designs on those pens. Pilot (Namiki) has some maki-e pens, but so does Platinum, Pelikan and a few others! - Colin
Now I get it. Thanks.
Do you post to uk?
Yes, we do ship to the UK! You can read more about our international shipping rates/options here: www.gouletpens.com/faq - Colin
You guys are so cute together!
She did the pen sniff! Didn't she kinda make fun of you Brian for being a pen sniffer?
She pokes fun at me for all kinds of stuff ;) haha! -Brian Goulet
They're nice pens but the cheap-looking pocket clips are a real turn-off for me. That whole thin folded metal thing just lets down the otherwise fairly pricey pens. It's traditional, of course.
Yeah, it's definitely not as modern looking, but then that's kind of how they do things there. Have you seen the packaging for the Platinum Balance/Cool? Looks straight out of the late 80's/early 90's. -Brian Goulet
You've a hot wife