Platinum Balance Engeika Special

[docbp87]

Today I want to share my initial thoughts about the Platinum Balance that Engeika offers. I'm not sure what all makes it different from the standard Balance, but I do know that it has a steel nib (Maybe gold plated. Gold colored at least, but not solid gold, unlike the 14K or 18K nibs that the regular Balance has). As such this is a more budget minded pen. I'll go ahead and mention that I only paid $22 for this pen, new from Engeika on eBay, since he considers (and in my experience, accepts) all offers.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/docbp87/1dbfe923-42d7-4dbc-a89f-fc42972f1138_zpsc501952f.jpg

 

 

The pen is made of a sort of soft plastic. The barrel and cap have a metallic green color, while the section is a solid green, of a slightly different color. The trim/fittings are all gold colored. The cap is a push/snap cap, which personally I like, as this is kind of a knock-around pen, and a snap cap is great for quick notes, and what not (which is what I plan to use it for at work). It does post, very securely, and as it is an all plastic construction, it is very light, and remains well balanced (no pun intended) whether posted or not. It is of medium size, and the slight taper to flair of the section makes for a comfortable grip.

 

The pen comes in a clear plastic box (inside a blue cardboard sleeve, branded Platinum), and includes a Platinum converter (in my opinion higher quality than the Pilot Con-50, and the Sailor converter), one Platinum Black Cartridge, a Standard International short cartridge, and an adapter to allow it to take S.I. cartridges, which is pretty cool. Not anything fancy in terms of packaging, but for the low price, I wasn't expecting anything more.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/docbp87/f9fd26e8-e881-4bf6-b9ae-1a6a376c2137_zps7363a076.jpg

The nib is a medium, and is gold plated, or at least colored. The shape of the nib reminds me of the Plaisir/Preppy nib, but I don't think it is identical. The material seems thicker. The feed is also different from the Preppy. As far as I can tell, it can't be removed, at least without some serious force, and maybe some heat. It is a Japanese Medium, so somewhat finer than a Western Medium. It is surprisingly smooth, giving almost zero feedback or scratch. It isn't a gold nib, or a flexible nib, but some pretty decent line variation can be squeezed out by applying minimal pressure when writing, which is pretty impressive for such an inexpensive pen. The flow is pretty good as well. I used the pen all day at work today, and experience no hard starts or noticeable skips. It is currently inked with Platinum Black, in the cartridge included.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/docbp87/1e1ad80e-83ac-4085-83d2-12f00bd4b06c_zpsaba2a790.jpg

For the price paid, I think this is a superior option to the Plaisir, and next to other pens in its price range, it is pretty nice to use. The nib is smooth, and expressive and since it comes with a variety of filling options (cartridge, converter, adapter for Standard International) you can use pretty much any ink you want. I'm definitely pleased with this purchase, and would recommend Engeika (be sure to buy on ebay, since he accepts offers, and you can get it at a lower price point this way).

 

Quick writing sample, and size comparison:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/docbp87/4c8d2bfd-96b4-46aa-b620-2a3929fedd52_zpse76e41fa.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/docbp87/3f1af2eb-1bfb-4648-bbf0-99e190d39e3b_zpsb996fd56.jpg

(Top to bottom: Lamy 2000, Platinum 3776 Century, Platinum Balance, Pilot 78G, Sailor 1911S)

[fabri00]

I visit Japan for business since years, and I boght some Platinum Balance since they were introduced in the market.

 

I have never seen one with gold nib. All of them are just gold plated nib.

So, i do not agree that the standard Balance has gold nib.

 

This one from Engeika look the same of the others sold in Japan, like thate ones I bought.

 

Beside frm that, it is a nice cheap fountain pen, available also in clear colors.

[fabri00]

Sorry, I forgot: it is priced 3.500 yen in japan now, in any shop.

[docbp87]

I have never seen one with gold nib. All of them are just gold plated nib.

So, i do not agree that the standard Balance has gold nib.

 

You are right. I seem to have gotten the Platinum Standard and the Platinum Balance mixed up. Neither one seems to be a pen that is available in the US market.

[perrins57]

You are right. I seem to have gotten the Platinum Standard and the Platinum Balance mixed up. Neither one seems to be a pen that is available in the US market.

Goulet pen co sells the clear version in the US under the Platinum cool name.

[fabri00]

Goulet pen co sells the clear version in the US under the Platinum cool name.

 

See my post here above:

 

Beside frm that, it is a nice cheap fountain pen, available also in clear colors.

[Drone]

I bought this pen from Engeika later in 2013 for around $26 USD plus around $10 USD shipping with tracking to Indonesia. This pen is part of the Platinum "Balance" line that has a bunch of differnt models. This pen has the base part number PGB-3000 with suffixes depending on the color/type of the pen. I purchased the solid black model with GT F nib and furniture.

This pen in solid colors and GT nib and furniture seems to be specific to Asian markets (Japan only?). But it seems (I'm pretty sure) to be identical to the Platinum Cool pen sold (exclusively?) in the U.S. The Cool pens are "demonstrator" pens with CT nib and furniture - for a lot more money (e.g. $42.40 USD plus shipping for the Cool from Goulet).

This is a C/C fill pen with a snap-on cap. My pen with the F nib is a standard "Asian" Fine nib (quite fine). My pen came with a Platinum converter with GT metal parts and one (proprietary) Platinum cartridge. The converter disassembles fully for cleaning and has behaved admirably (not inkophilic).

This pen is relatively light, not "Chinese-like" brass/metal with plastic overlay. The pen is "Balanced" nicely, even when writing posted, which is important to me. The plastic on my version of this pen is polished, likely injection molded. There are no plastic seams or flash on the finish at all. The GT nib and furniture is gold color, not "rose gold" at all (as you see more often on Chinese pens). Time will tell how the plating it wears.

I've posted some pictures of my Platinum PGB-3000 black/GT pen on the Ease-My-Flex mod for Noodler's pen thread. A Web-scraped pic of the pen (mine is identical) plus my close-up pics of the nib and feed. I also posted a comparison writing sample with the Platinum "flexing" vs. my Noodler's ebonite Konrad with a flex-modified nib. See my posts here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/240492-noodlers-ahab-ease-my-flex-mod/page-7?do=findComment&comment=2880518

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/240492-noodlers-ahab-ease-my-flex-mod/page-7?do=findComment&comment=2880559

 

I've seen this pen (the black with GT version) on the Web for awhile, but only from Asian (Japanese) sources like Engeika, but I didn't bite untill:

1. I saw a review of the Platinum Cool (video included) by Brian at Gouletpens. Link here (scroll down for video):

 

http://www.gouletpens.com/Clear_Fine_Platinum_Cool_Fountain_Pen_p/plat-pgb-3000a-05-f.htm

 

2. I'm not a fan of cheesy colored/clear demonstrator "school" fountain pens, which the Platinum Cool seems to be. So knowing I've seen solid color versions of this pen with GT nib and furniture, I did a search and found the black/GT version on the Platinum site. Further inquires confirmed I could get the pen from Engeika. But as many know, it can take some time for Engeika to ship. But ship they did, and communication from Engeika was good.

The pen arrived intact, it is very nice - save for the snap-on cap, which I can excuse for a <$30 USD pen. After using the pen for months now, I can say the following:

Out of the box, no issues with the nib, I did not have to "tune" it. Under the inspection loupe, the nib is probably as good as it can by in terms of tipping and alignment. I've had no flow or skipping problems with myriad inks. This is in my experience unusual for inexpensive Asian fine nibs and plastic feeds. The nib doesn't dry out quickly when uncapped.

Yes, the nib does flex a bit. Enough to add flair to your hand. BUt it does take a bit of pressure, as expected with a steel nib. One caveat however is that the feed extends almost to the tip of the nib, so if you push the flex, the feed WILL hit the paper. Subjectively I would NOT call this nib "semi-flex", it's more like "Flexish". An Ahab with an unmodified "flex" nib is dramatically different from the F nib on my PGB-3000 pen.

I made a small effort to pull the nib and feed - without success. I was thinking about grinding the nib for more flex. But even if I can get the nib and feed out, the length of the feed under the nib would render more flex useless because the feed will still hit the paper. Grinding the feed for more clearance is not an option, it tapers a lot so it is too thin where it meets the nib tip.

The cap is sealed, no venting and the snap-on seal seems pretty good as I can leave the pen capped for days or even a week or more without writing and it will start-up right away. Of course YMMV with inks that exhibit low flow.

Keep in mind the F-nib IS an Asian fine, so even though my nib was nicely done out of the box, it is a bit scratchy on poor papers. That said, the flow is good enough with most any ink to do something like a crossword puzzle on newsprint. That's my experience anyway.

I have a full review of this PGB-3000 Black w/GT version on the back burner. I've been waiting to post the review because I wanted more mileage on the pen in case any problems show up - and there have been no problems so far. I need to get around to finalizing the review and posting it here on the FPN.

Summary: A nice pen at a very nice price. It feels and writes beyond the purchase price would suggest. If you want to get one of these pens, I would recommend avoiding the Platinum Cool versions and opting instead for the same pen in solid colors with GT plated nib and furniture - not only because of the significant price difference, but because the solid color pens look/present so much better IMO.

[perrins57]

But it seems (I'm pretty sure) to be identical to the Platinum Cool pen sold (exclusively the U.S.

[/quote.q,]

 

The cool is also sold in the UK, Cultpens (Platinum dealer) has the demo in three colours. Another online retailer is importing Japanese market solid colour balance pens.

[migo984]

I've had a Platinum Cool (clear) for over 18 months, bought in the UK. I think it's a great pen for the cost. I don't treat it very well - chuck it in a pencil case with mechanical pencils, metal sharpeners, rollerballs etc, and rarely clean it properly. Yet it doesn't complain, starts up every time, still looks good and the nib is a dream. I love writing with it.

 

(NB I do NOT treat all my pens like that. It's just that the Cool has become my fountain pen equivalent of a wooden HB pencil. Nothing fancy & it just works )

[conib]

I made a small effort to pull the nib and feed - without success.

 

 

The nib and feed can be removed after the metal adapter (the part that's screwed into the section, onto which the barrel is screwed) is removed. Once that adapter has been unscrewed and removed from the section, then you'll be able to push the nib and feed out by pushing it into and through the section.

 

-- Constance

[Kugelschreiber]

 

The nib and feed can be removed after the metal adapter (the part that's screwed into the section, onto which the barrel is screwed) is removed. Once that adapter has been unscrewed and removed from the section, then you'll be able to push the nib and feed out by pushing it into and through the section.

 

-- Constance

 

 

Stephen Brown's disassembly video shows what you described.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aItyn_Q-lyA

[Drone]

Thanks for the info and the link to Steven's video on disassembling the PGB-3000 Balance/Cool.

Indeed, I did try to unscrew the metal piece on the back of the section before, but it would not come lose. This time I broke out some rubber gripping material and had at it. The piece eventually unscrewed.

I was surprised how tightly the metal piece at the back of the section was screwed in from the factory. After reassembly, I added a touch of silicon grease to the part and screwed it back on securely; but not as tight as it originally was. I'm afraid screwing it in too tight may crack the plastic section. All is good as new now - better actually as everything is sealed and lubricated.

So, for the black/GT version you can break this pen down to the point where it becomes completely serviceable. Cartridge, nib, feed and all. But that's not the case for the Platinum Cool version IMO.

Now, on to the Platinum Cool and the cap liner...

I don't see a simple way to pull the cap liner. For the Platinum Cool, that may become an aesthetic problem if ink gets caught between the clear cap and the liner. You don't have this issue with the solid color versions of this pen.

Using a standard inner cap puller tool is out of the question with this pen because it has a snap-on cap. I tried using a pencil with an eraser to pull the cap liner, but the pencil didn't fit snug enough to grip. There's no screw holding the white cap liner to the cap. In-fact, the cap is completely sealed when capped. No air can escape, even where the clip attaches to the cap. So I'm assuming the cap liner is press-fit. Maybe someone else has already solved this problem?

 

The good thing however is that the clip does not attach by penetrating the cap. The clip attaches to a small plastic protrusion on the outside of the cap. A nice design in my opinion, far superior to your typical clip attachment method on inexpensive pens.

 

Since the clip doesn't penetrate the cap, you can get pretty aggressive when flushing the cap without the worry that the clip hold-down point my corrode due to trapped water between the liner and the cap.

 

But nothing can really substitute for an easily removable cap liner when it comes to a demonstrator (clear) style pen. I think this is a serious oversight on Platinum's part when introducing the "Cool" demonstrator versions of this pen.

 

Thanks again for the tips, David

[Alex2014]

I bought from Engeika a Platinum PCB-3000#49-F as well, that is a green one with F nib. The green color is very nice, like a Peacock Iro ink. My nib wrights VERY smooth for a fine nib. I find this pen exceptional for its price. Even imperfect, the lacquer seems to be striated in profoundness. The section is long (around 30 mm) and its shape is very ergonomic allowing a good gripping of the FP. I like this pen for its color and for its good writing performance. Not to say that is is the lightest FP that I have (only 18 gr).

[perrins57]

See my post here above:

 

Beside frm that, it is a nice cheap fountain pen, available also in clear colors.

??

Yes i know, I was just pointing out where interested people could buy it, and that it sold under a different name.

[GeekyGirl]

I like the green!

 

I just purchased this pen in cherry red color with a fine nib and it's gorgeous and the weight is perfect for me. I also like the slight amount of flex that it has. However, it is very scratchy, though much more in sound than in feel. But it's so bad that it sounds like scraping a fingernail across a chalkboard, so it's driving me crazy.

 

I've tried smoothing the nib with the smoothest buffing side of a nail buffer seven or eight times and I've flossed between the tines with a brass sheet. And yet, the annoying scratchiness remains.

 

Can anyone make any suggestion?

 

The seller is willing to take the pen back but, given that I only paid $20 and it would cost $5 to ship it back, I would really like to try to get it working as I know that pen should write very well.

 

My $4 Platinum Preppy writes wonderfully and is not scratchy like this pen, which is the reason that I ordered the PGB-3000, as it looks so much nicer.

[Aramchek]

I've got a Balance Maestro (PTB-10000B) with a really sweet soft fine gold nib, but I've been too scared to take it with me since the plastic seems more fragile than my Pilot and Sailor pens. The pen in this review is also in the Balance series, but much cheaper - would the nib from my pen fit in this pen, so I could use it as a replacement body?

[fabri00]

No. The nib is different.

You can esly check the picture at the bginning of thos thread, comparing th nib with that one of your pen.

Is obviously very much different.

[Aramchek]

No. The nib is different.

You can esly check the picture at the bginning of thos thread, comparing th nib with that one of your pen.

Is obviously very much different.

Well... I was not actually asking if my pen and this pen used the exact same type of nib, I was able to see the photos. I was instead asking if the nib and feed from my pen would fit in this pen.

[Drone]

I like the green!

 

I just purchased this pen in cherry red color with a fine nib and it's gorgeous and the weight is perfect for me. I also like the slight amount of flex that it has. However, it is very scratchy, though much more in sound than in feel. But it's so bad that it sounds like scraping a fingernail across a chalkboard, so it's driving me crazy.

 

I've tried smoothing the nib with the smoothest buffing side of a nail buffer seven or eight times and I've flossed between the tines with a brass sheet. And yet, the annoying scratchiness remains.

 

Can anyone make any suggestion?

 

The seller is willing to take the pen back but, given that I only paid $20 and it would cost $5 to ship it back, I would really like to try to get it working as I know that pen should write very well.

 

My $4 Platinum Preppy writes wonderfully and is not scratchy like this pen, which is the reason that I ordered the PGB-3000, as it looks so much nicer.

 

My PGB-3000 Balance has some feedback when writing, but it is not annoying; to me anyway. This is understandable with such a fine nib (this is a Japanese Fine Nib in the true sense of the word). Also the feed is quite long on the Balance, which may tend to "amplify" the sound a bit.

 

The only way easy way I can think of to "fix" the nib so it makes less noise is to try and use smoother paper and/or a lubricating ink. Try using Rhodia/Clairfontaine or Kokuyo paper with an ink like from the Noodler's Eel lubricated ink. If you don't have a lubricated ink, decant some ink into a vial and add a small drop of dish washing soap.

[GeekyGirl]

 

My PGB-3000 Balance has some feedback when writing, but it is not annoying; to me anyway. This is understandable with such a fine nib (this is a Japanese Fine Nib in the true sense of the word). Also the feed is quite long on the Balance, which may tend to "amplify" the sound a bit.

 

The only way easy way I can think of to "fix" the nib so it makes less noise is to try and use smoother paper and/or a lubricating ink. Try using Rhodia/Clairfontaine or Kokuyo paper with an ink like from the Noodler's Eel lubricated ink. If you don't have a lubricated ink, decant some ink into a vial and add a small drop of dish washing soap.

 

Thanks for your post. I somehow missed seeing it earlier. I get the same nail-scratching noise on either Rhodia or my 24 lb. inkjet paper, which is my primary paper.

 

I appreciate the dishsoap idea. I knew about this but had forgotten about it. By a "drop," do you mean a drop as in you literally turn the bottle upside down and let one drop fall in the ink vial? Or do you use something, the tip of a syringe maybe, to "drop" a smige of the ink into the (mostly full) ink vial?

 

Thanks!