Platinum Cool: It Was The Ink After All?

[senzen]

I have two Platinum Cool pens, which I understand are just the demo versions of the Balance. Ever since I got them one has had no problems (with Asa Gao), the other would not start, unless I used the nib upside down first, for a few words. I got fed up again, and cleaned it with a drop of soap, for the fifth or sixth time; but this time I replaced Vert Empire with Chiku Rin... And lo, no starting problems! Luckily I (think I) managed to recover a Waterman Laureat for Vert Empire. At this point I have stopped trying to understand the physics of it all and I'm just glad something worked. The ink gods have somehow been appeased!

[Bo Bo Olson]

Fountain pens is an Art, not simple rocket science.

[ENewton]

It is certainly a mystery that Vert Empire wouldn't flow in your Platinum Cool. In your place, I would run the experiment of trying Vert Empire in your other Platinum Cool.

 

I have a Platinum Balance in which I use mostly Rohrer and Klingner Scabiosa, an iron gall ink. I have had no problems with flow, either with Scabiosa or with any other ink I have used in the Balance. The one issue I have had is with the converters. In the 20+ years I have used fountain pens, I have never had another converter fail, but I am on my third Platinum converter after less than two years.

[mitto]

I have been custom making converters for my Platinum pens. I dont use the Platinum converter in my Platinum pens.

[SoulSamurai]

I have been custom making converters for my Platinum pens. I dont use the Platinum converter in my Platinum pens.

 

There is an adaptor available that allows Platinum pens to use standard international cartridges. Perhaps use that adapter in conjunction with a standard international converter would be easier?

Edited July 5, 2017 by SoulSamurai

[almoore]

 

There is an adaptor available that allows Platinum pens to use standard international cartridges. Perhaps use that adapter in conjunction with a standard international converter would be easier?

Hi SoulSamari

 

Try this link as a starting point, https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/PT21607/platinum-international-adapter

 

I've found the Platinum converters are terrible - I always buy two because I have a perfect 50% failure rate; I have Jinhao and Lamy that are much better, it's a shame because the pens are wonderful but the converters make me think twice about buying the pens.

 

Al

[SoulSamurai]

Yes, that's the one I'm talking about. I recently purchased one but haven't tried it yet; if the converter in my new Plaisir fails or I decide to use the pen with cartridges (quite possible) then I'll give it a go.

Edited July 5, 2017 by SoulSamurai

[mitto]

I use no adopter. I custom make the black button of corresponding size and make squeeze converters using blank sacguards (with no marking/brand name) found on fillers of some vintage chinese pens.

[mitto]

Here is one:

 

 

The pen is vintage Sterling Vermeil Platinum with 18k white gold nib. Sorry for the low quality light and hence low quality pic.

Edited July 5, 2017 by mitto

[SoulSamurai]

I use no adopter. I custom make the black button of corresponding size and make squeeze converters using blank sacguards (with no marking/brand name) found on fillers of some vintage chinese pens.

 

Interesting, I might have to try that someday. Do you have a link to a guide or something on how to do this?

[mitto]

Interesting, I might have to try that someday. Do you have a link to a guide or something on how to do this?

No link. It is my own invention. It is a 'mitto made' Platinum squeeze converter that can easily be resaced.

[senzen]

Fountain pens is an Art, not simple rocket science.

 

I was thinking more witchcraft...

[senzen]

It is certainly a mystery that Vert Empire wouldn't flow in your Platinum Cool. In your place, I would run the experiment of trying Vert Empire in your other Platinum Cool.

 

I have a Platinum Balance in which I use mostly Rohrer and Klingner Scabiosa, an iron gall ink. I have had no problems with flow, either with Scabiosa or with any other ink I have used in the Balance. The one issue I have had is with the converters. In the 20+ years I have used fountain pens, I have never had another converter fail, but I am on my third Platinum converter after less than two years.

 

My Platinum converters work, but they are very hard to turn, and start disassembling as you do... Not a friendly design.

[senzen]

I have been custom making converters for my Platinum pens. I dont use the Platinum converter in my Platinum pens.

 

Sounds great, but beyond my manual abilities...

[senzen]

It is certainly a mystery that Vert Empire wouldn't flow in your Platinum Cool. In your place, I would run the experiment of trying Vert Empire in your other Platinum Cool.

 

 

That would have been my instinct, except I've come to just be thankful when an ink / pen combination works. Chiku Rin does come out way wetter than in other pens, I had flossed the nib a little before, which had no effect on Vert Empire.

[mitto]

Sounds great, but beyond my manual abilities...

 

Nothing is beyond man's manual and/or mental abilities.

Edited July 5, 2017 by mitto

[senzen]

I just switched from Chiku Rin to Equinoxe 6, starts right away, poor Vert Empire is cursed!

[deepak23]

Here is one:

 

20170705_171451-1.jpg

 

The pen is vintage Sterling Vermeil Platinum with 18k white gold nib. Sorry for the low quality light and hence low quality pic.

You should post a detailed 'how-to'. This is really great...

[Arkanabar]

Yes, that's the one I'm talking about. I recently purchased one but haven't tried it yet; if the converter in my new Plaisir fails or I decide to use the pen with cartridges (quite possible) then I'll give it a go.

I use my Plaisirs with cartridges. Platinum's cartridges are relatively wide-mouthed, and I can refill them with disposable bulb pipettes.

[senzen]

After a week of being out in the open, this pen again failed to start with Équinoxe 6... . Started fine today after spending its time in a pouch... So it might have a problem with evaporation.