Platinum Desk 14K Pens And Desk Base

[hari317]

After I had tried out the Pilot Desk pens and was wowed by their performance, but frustrated by the lack of matching desk bases for the lovely pens, I decided to find out what the Pilot competitors in Japan had to offer. I turned to Platinum and saw from their Japanese website that they had a good variety of desk pens and best of all, a wide variety of matching desk bases on offer. Ranging from heavy marble bases to the lightweight(and cheaper!) acrylic and resin bases.

 

I decided to go for the gold nibbed KDP-3000A series pens and the Resin two tulip DPD-1500E desk base.

 

This review covers the following model nos:

 

KDP-3000A #1 in Black with F 14k nib.

KDP-3000A #10 in Red with F 14k nib.

DPD-1500E two pen desk base in Resin.

 

The widest nib available in the KDP-3000A series is the F nib!! They do have some models with the steel M nib but the MOQ packing quantity was 10 pieces so the choice was automatically limited.

 

When I ordered the items from the dealer, I was advised that it might happen that both the tulips are black when delivered since Platinum had discontinued the one red and one black tulip production. I said, OK.

 

Anyway, between my order and today, the one week Japanese holiday came in between, so the items were shipped only after that and today I have received the items in hand. Here is my review documenting these models.

 

The desk base first:

 

Very simple packing:

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8859.jpg

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8860.jpg

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8861.jpg

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8862.jpg

 

Removed from the box:

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8863.jpg

 

Glad to see that I was able to get the one red and one black tulip to match with the ordered pens.

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8864.jpg

 

The pens in a simple cardboard shipping box:

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8865.jpg

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8866.jpg

 

No converter was supplied, but matching colour cartridges were provided.

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8868.jpg

 

Opened:

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8867.jpg

 

Golden Tails

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8869.jpg

 

The 14k Nibs: pretty standard, nicely done:

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8870.jpg

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8871.jpg

 

Translucent feeds:

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8872.jpg

 

Metallic threads!!

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8873.jpg

 

The base with the Platinum pens:

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8874.jpg

 

The tulips are quite well made. They are fitted with spring loaded inner caps:

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8875.jpg

 

The best part, the Pilot desk pens fit in the Platinum tulips perfectly!!! see

 

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t543/hari_317/PlatinumDeskPens/IMG_8876.jpg

 

I am very happy to have discovered this. In fact, now the desk stand sits on my desk carrying a Pilot DP-500 and a red Platinum F nib loaded with the red cartridge, the Platinum red color is also quite pinky bright!! nice color and the F point is typical Platinum, perfect!!

 

Cost:

 

That is the best part with these JDM (Japan domestic market) goodies. The pens cost me only approx 30USD each(yes, for a brand new fountain pen with a solid 14K gold nib) and the desk base came to just around 23USD.

 

I hope the review is of some help to others considering these lovely goodies.

 

Cheers!

Hari

Edited August 26, 2013 by hari317

[theadityajain]

Solely on the basis of nib & performance which pen is the better DP500 or the Platinum.

[hari317]

  On 8/26/2013 at 7:04 PM, theadityajain said:

Solely on the basis of nib & performance which pen is the better DP500 or the Platinum.

The DP500 I have is M nib and the Platinum I have is F nib, so sorry I can't make up my mind which is better, so I have them both and like them both

 

I think both marques are excellent in their own right, you have to choose based on your own parameters. Do bear in mind that Platinum does not offer fatter nibs on their desk pens, so that might be a consideration...

 

HTH.

 

Hari

[shrujaya]

Ah yess...so you finally got them...good...btw, I got to know now that these upturned caps fixed to the base are called tulips... it is compact and nice...and nice thing is that is as if it has been made for these pens...enjoy...so, you desk will look official...wow...

 

Jai

[Faisel]

Fantastic. I have both the Pilot and Platinum desk pens but no base. I want to order the DPD-1500E base. Did you order the base from a distributor that might export them to the UK? I am keen to get one as soon as possible.

[hari317]

  On 8/27/2013 at 9:49 AM, shrujaya said:

Ah yess...so you finally got them...good...btw, I got to know now that these upturned caps fixed to the base are called tulips... it is compact and nice...and nice thing is that is as if it has been made for these pens...enjoy...so, you desk will look official...wow...

 

Jai

Thanks for the comments Jai. I already had a Wilson two BP desk set on my desk/table. This has been placed adjacent to it.

[hari317]

  On 8/27/2013 at 10:06 AM, Faisel said:

Fantastic. I have both the Pilot and Platinum desk pens but no base. I want to order the DPD-1500E base. Did you order the base from a distributor that might export them to the UK? I am keen to get one as soon as possible.

Hi Faisel, nice to hear from you after a long gap. I bought them from a dealer in Japan, I think he might be glad to export to the UK as well. Get in touch back channel.

 

Best

Hari

[conib]

I'm wondering if anyone has found it possible to remove the Platinum Desk Pen's nib and feed for cleaning (and then be able to replace it properly, of course!)

 

This pen looks to be very similar (except perhaps for the details of the feed) to Platinum's Carbon desk pen, and so if nib and feed removal and replacement works for this one, I'm thinking it should work similarly for the Carbon pen.

 

-- Constance

[pelman]

Very nice review Hari. I love your attention to detail and the pics are always wonderful.

 

I think the Platinum Desk set wins out for me over the Pilot because of the base. The only drawback I am seeing to the Platinum is the one nib choice and the lack of a converter, but I would use this pen at work only for quick jotting or initialing paperwork these "drawbacks" would not be as much of a hindrance.

 

ETA: I think I must have read some of the review without my glasses. I see the Pilot pens fit well into the base. Problem solved.

Edited September 12, 2013 by pelman

[Montblanc owner and lover]

Very nice,i remember your review of the pilot ones and i think i've tell you at this time to watch for platinum if it thanks to me you've made i'm very happy

 

Can i advise you to look at Nakaya? They have very nice desk pens and stands coated with urushi

[hari317]

  On 9/12/2013 at 5:27 PM, Montblanc owner and lover said:

Very nice,i remember your review of the pilot ones and i think i've tell you at this time to watch for platinum if it thanks to me you've made i'm very happy

 

Can i advise you to look at Nakaya? They have very nice desk pens and stands coated with urushi

Thank you for the suggestions. The Nakaya base is moderately priced as compared to the pens, but maybe for the future. for now, I am very happy with the platinum desk base with one pilot pen and one platinum pen in it.

[hari317]

  On 9/12/2013 at 12:31 PM, pelman said:

Very nice review Hari. I love your attention to detail and the pics are always wonderful.

 

I think the Platinum Desk set wins out for me over the Pilot because of the base. The only drawback I am seeing to the Platinum is the one nib choice and the lack of a converter, but I would use this pen at work only for quick jotting or initialing paperwork these "drawbacks" would not be as much of a hindrance.

 

ETA: I think I must have read some of the review without my glasses. I see the Pilot pens fit well into the base. Problem solved.

Thanks Pelman!

[hari317]

  On 9/7/2013 at 1:31 AM, conib said:

I'm wondering if anyone has found it possible to remove the Platinum Desk Pen's nib and feed for cleaning (and then be able to replace it properly, of course!)

 

This pen looks to be very similar (except perhaps for the details of the feed) to Platinum's Carbon desk pen, and so if nib and feed removal and replacement works for this one, I'm thinking it should work similarly for the Carbon pen.

 

-- Constance

Hi Constance, I have not tried to take the pen apart, but, if I ever do, I will be sure to document it.

[conib]

Thanks Hari! And BTW many thanks also for posting these desk pen reviews.

:-)

 

I'm asking about nib and feed removal and replacement because I want to know whether I'd be okay using pigmented ink ...

 

(Specifically, if a pen's nib and feed aren't easily removed and replaced for regular cleaning I wouldn't want to use pigmented inks in that pen. I'm just too lazy to even think about setting myself up for doing a couple dozen flushes on a pen each time I re-ink it -- and then wondering if it's really cleaned out properly after all. Popping out a nib and feed is just sooo much easier and less labor-intensive. And I can *see* when everything is clean.)

[hari317]

Constance, IIRC, Platinum initially released their carbon black FP ink only in cartridges and that too for use with their Carbon ink desk FP only. I think that pen is specially designed to handle the pigment ink. However if you are using the bottled carbon ink they released later for all FPs, I think you should be fine suing it with any pen with the usual level of maintenance. HTH.

[51ISH]

Hi

 

Would the Carbon Pen base fit the Desk Pen and or the Pilot Penmanship do you folks think? The tulip looks very similar, but then it would wouldn't it

 

http://www.cultpens.com/acatalog/Platinum-Desk-Pen-Stand.html

 

 

Any experiences with the Pilot Penmanship gratefully received.

 

 

Thanks

Edited September 13, 2013 by 51ISH

[hari317]

The pen stand shown in the Cultpens link is identical to the pen stand in this review except for a single tulip instead of two.

 

If the Pilot penmanship is of the type shown at the following link:

 

http://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Penmanship-Fountain-Pen-with-Ergo-Grip-Extra-Fine-Nib-Clear-Body/pd/4008

 

then I am almost certain that it will not fit well into the Platinum desk base.

 

HTH.

[51ISH]

  On 9/13/2013 at 1:46 PM, hari317 said:

The pen stand shown in the Cultpens link is identical to the pen stand in this review except for a single tulip instead of two.

 

If the Pilot penmanship is of the type shown at the following link:

 

http://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Penmanship-Fountain-Pen-with-Ergo-Grip-Extra-Fine-Nib-Clear-Body/pd/4008

 

then I am almost certain that it will not fit well into the Platinum desk base.

 

HTH.

Thanks Hari, I see now that you had mentioned this in one of your posts, that I had missed.

Doesn't take a lot to confuse me now

[conib]

  On 9/13/2013 at 7:48 AM, hari317 said:

Constance, IIRC, Platinum initially released their carbon black FP ink only in cartridges and that too for use with their Carbon ink desk FP only. I think that pen is specially designed to handle the pigment ink. However if you are using the bottled carbon ink they released later for all FPs, I think you should be fine suing it with any pen with the usual level of maintenance. HTH.

 

Hey, I hadn't known that Platinum had done two different formulations of its Carbon ink -- that's good to know.

 

I've been using Sailor Sei-boku pigmented ink in a Prera (medium nib) for a few weeks now as my grocery list pen and am pretty happy with the results. It gets daily albeit limited use. A couple of times I've had to touch the tip of its nib into a thin stream of water to get it going again, but since it stays in the kitchen that's not even a slight irritation.

 

That particular Prera is almost ready for a refill, and I'd planned to pop the nib and feed and clean them as well as the section prior to filling it up again. On his "Care and Feeding: How to Pamper Your Pens" web page Richard Binder says "it’s a good practice to flush and refill your pens once a month or so", and this will be after approximately two months.

 

I haven't tried Platinum's Carbon ink yet, but I received a sample of it in the mail last week. After reading your post about the different formulations I now feel confident about going ahead with my idea of trying it out in a Pilot Penmanship with its EF nib. Thanks Hari!

[hari317]

  On 9/13/2013 at 9:23 PM, conib said:

 

Hey, I hadn't known that Platinum had done two different formulations of its Carbon ink -- that's good to know.

 

<snip>

I haven't tried Platinum's Carbon ink yet, but I received a sample of it in the mail last week. After reading your post about the different formulations I now feel confident about going ahead with my idea of trying it out in a Pilot Penmanship with its EF nib. Thanks Hari!\

 

That's the impression I got when i read through the Platinum website regarding their carbon ink. Pls see the entries for the bottled ink as well as the cartridge carbon ink in the translated link below.

 

LINK.

 

HTH

Hari