Customer Reviews

(13 customer reviews)

5 out of 5 people found the following review helpful

  A desk pen is not mobile..., August 18, 2009

By bluemagister

A desk pen is not mobile and must be kept upright at all times. Getting a nice cup to hold the pen up in or the desk holder (available from Jetpens, too) is a MUST. The cartridges seem a little pricey compared to normal fountain ink, but there is where all comparisons end.

These pens write a fine line with excellent control. The tip writes fluidly and can keep up with even fast writing. The ink is a nice, dark black (although not as dark as some gel inks); it IS waterproof and the carbon will resist chemical attack, as well. Please keep in mind that this IS a "waterdripping" pen that relies on ink flow, gravity and a watery ink to work. This means that if you use uncoated paper or thin, cheap paper, you WILL get some feathering and bleedthrough. So be sure to pair this excellent pen with excellent paper to get the most out of it.

This pen is pure joy to write with! I use mine daily and often. I write letters, pen notes, make sketches and whatever else I can do just to feel the smooth nib gliding across the paper.

I've used the Sailor desk pen, as well, and I can say that, in my opinion, both pens have high quality. I prefer the Platinum ever so slightly (because of the ink), but not by much.

As a quick warning: The carbon ink is NOT made for ordinary fountain pens. This desk pen has a specially widened channel in the feed to accomodate the ink. Putting the carbon ink in a normal pen risks clogging. PLEASE use the right ink with the right pen with the right paper and you will NEVER be disappointed.

2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful

  This is a terrific pen...., November 7, 2011

By marko.kloos

This is a terrific pen. The nib is super-fine, almost a needlepoint, but it still manages to be much smoother than a nib of that size has a right to be.

This pen will work with regular bottled fountain pen ink, but it's really designed to be used with Platinum's pigment-based carbon ink. This ink is waterproof and will resist bleach and other chemicals commonly employed by check forgers. The carbon ink is even more water-resistant than my other favorite, Noodlers Bulletproof Black. (Unlike the Noodlers, the carbon ink doesn't leave a layer of dye particles that washes away and smudges ever so slightly when the paper gets wet.) For instantly waterproof lines, this is the ink to use.

The nib is a delight, really. The pen is super-responsive on just about any paper. I find that I have more control with this pen than any other writing or drawing instrument I own. It has rapidly become my favorite pen for writing and sketching.

The cartridges will last a very long time--the nib is very sparing with ink, yet it flows instantly and never skips. The only drawback to the carbon ink is the fact that it thoroughly stains the plastic of the cartridge wall on the inside, so it's just about impossible to see how much ink is left in the cartridge. But I'm still on my first cartridge since buying the pen three weeks ago, and I probably write 3-6 pages a day.

The pen holder for this pen is a handy way to keep this on your desk. It looks nice and eliminates the need to uncap the pen before use. It's not strictly necessary to keep this pen upright, though--I take it along with the cap when I do work outside the house, and I've had it sitting in my bag for a day or two over the weekend without drying up or hard starting.

A super pen for water-proof writing and drawing at a bargain price. If you like super-fine nibs, you'll love this one. It feels good in the hand and is a joy to use.

2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful

  The Platinum Carbon pen..., July 30, 2009

By ratfactor

The Platinum Carbon pen allows you to use the waterproof Carbon Ink in a fountain pen. After having used this pen for a while, I can recommend it.

I also own the Rotring Art Pen, which is a similar concept. The Rotring uses typical fountain pen ink, which washes away with any water-based media (like watercolor). I also found the Rotring to have flow issues (it was difficult to get it started). If you left it unused for a while, forget about using it without some maintenance.

The Carbon pen seems to address these issues. Plus, it's cheap. I don't think you'll find a better deal on a waterproof ink-based sketching pen. I'm really pleased with this find. Maybe now I can stop lugging bottles of ink with me when I vacation!

1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful

  Mon simple avis, une..., May 28, 2011

By boubette

Mon simple avis, une des meilleurs plumes pour le dessin, le crobard sur le vif voir l'encrage BD, il glisse, extra fin, souple, débit d'encre constant mais pas sans sensibilité et pour couronner le tout encre waterproof (carbon ink cartouche) supporte la baignoire, l'aquarelle, la saison des pluies…
Bon, voilà je ne suis pas Rembrandt mais cet outil c'est sûr c'est une merveille!

  I don't use this pen..., April 25, 2012

By ann...

I don't use this pen every day but have had it for quite a while. I decided when then original cartridge was finished, I would buy the carbon ink. I still am using the original cartridge. The line is so thin that the cartridge lasts a long time. Some day I will get to buy the ink bottle. Anyway, my point is that even though the cartridges may seem expensive, they last a long time.

  I love this pen! I carry..., January 30, 2012

By fvh...

I love this pen! I carry it everywhere with me in a pencil case, so far with no mishaps. The only problem I had was when the ink in the cartridge neared depletion, and a droplet of ink oozed out of the nib. That was messy, but there's been no problem since I changed the cartridge and cleaned the nib. Overall, this pen has given me hours of inspired writing and doodling!

  My new favorite. This..., September 7, 2011

By dayneil

My new favorite. This pen has an elegant feel. It's the perfect shape for a pen.

1 out of 2 people found the following review helpful

  I bought this pen because..., September 5, 2011

By karenkedong

I bought this pen because I was interested in fine Spencerian calligraphy. It is definitely to wide and inflexible for this purpose. It's about this same as the lamy safari extra fine and a hair thicker than the pilot desk pen. Beautiful black ink though. Would much recommend the safari much more comfortable writing, wonderful smooth nib without significant increase in width.

  Wonderfull pen!!!!!!..., September 27, 2010

By balashka1969-intmag

Wonderfull pen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  I just spent $300 on..., July 20, 2010

By irina

I just spent $300 on fountain pens from these site, and I can say that I love all of them, this one in particular. If you like extra-fine writing - this pen is perfect for you.

  Light weight sketching..., June 23, 2010

By betolung

Light weight sketching tool with smooth and reliable performance. I had this pen for a few months now, and it is always ready for an impromptu sketching session starting right away without skipping. I do not use it everyday, but I keep it stored pointing down on my drawing desk.

  I was disappointed with..., March 29, 2010

By albert.luoh

I was disappointed with this pen. It is made from a cheap black plastic and feels it. The ink will not flow smoothly if you do not use the pen regularly (i.e. every day). I have heard that this is an inherent problem arising from the nature of the ink, and that the pen was designed to compensate for the propensity of the ink to clog fountain pen systems (as opposed to dip style pens), but apparently was not very successful. Word is that around the Platinum offices, they hear this complaint often. The carbon ink is great. The pen, not so great.