PLATINUM Fountain Pen, Black Body (DPQ-700A#1)

I am extremely pleased with this fountain pen. It is light weight which is wonderful for extended writing sessions (or for anyone with hand pain.) It delivers a fine, yet easily visible/readable line. Despite generally preferring medium pens, I LOVE this particular fine nib. It does not feel dry or scratchy. The cap gives a nice click when fully closed. You should note that the cap does not post to the end of the pen, which I do not mind in the least. I have been writing with it extensively with the included cartridge for several weeks now and it has not yet run out of ink and the pen has shown no signs of being inferior in any way. The included carbon ink has been water resistant/proof on all the papers I tested and does not feather, bleed to the other side or smear. This included testing and using on good quality papers, standard copy paper and even thin dollar store notebook paper. I use this pen mostly for writing and also tried it for artwork. It has become my main pen for writing at my desk. I am highly satisfied and recommend this pen.

Platinum is the only company that can make a $5 pen that has the quality of most $50 pens out there. It's a bit big in size, which is great because it makes my sketches looser. The cartridge that came with it wasn't waterproof, but I use Platinum Carbon ink, which is, so I bought a converter and used the ink I already have (which is recommend for economical and environmental reasons). It's a light weight, quality sketching pen that I won't be heartbroken to lose if I'm on location, and I use the non-waterproof ink in a different pen so I can use it as an on-the-go wash. ETA months later, it's even better. I'd recommend getting a converter or buying a 2 pack of Platinum Carbon cartridges, they're $7 and you'll need them later, anyway. I came back to the page to buy another pen so I can use it with the non-waterproof ink (I'll put tape around the barrel so I don't grab the wrong one and inevitably make a mess when I add watercolour), and figured I'd mention pulling ink from the nib with your water brush for a super light Plein air kit.

Classic desk pen design at a price low enough to give it a try. It definitely feels "cheap" in hand, more from how light the plastic is - however, it is comfortable to hold and write with. I did opt to purchase the compatible converter for it, which is nicer than the pen itself and cost nearly as much, but allowed me to use my own ink. As for nib quality, it writes smooth for being so fine, however I do want to say this nib is definitely an "Extra Fine", I was hoping for a little more line thickness for writing. The Lamy brand Fine nib is currently my favorite Fine grade nib I've tried. Using this extra fine nib, in addition to altering how I hold the pen based on its weight and shape, greatly affects my handwriting, and not necessarily in a good way. I find that each pen I own has their own feel that alters the look of my penmanship, and I struggle most with extra fine nibs, so with this pen, I have to slow down and take my time drawing letters, similar to how I would write with a flex nib, only this pen doesn't have the advantage of any flex, so the words look rather plain, like I just used a disposable ballpoint pen. I'll give it more time and use, it wasn't a waste of money so long as I use it, but it's not going to be the first or even second or third pen I'll grab when journaling. This comes down to line preference, so if you love extra fine, you'll love this pen. With the converter (sold separately) ink flow is great, just enough feedback but not scratchy, it's remarkably smooth for how fine the nib is.

The PLATINUM Desk Fountain Pen, Black Body EF nib arrived in original Japanese packaging, nice. The nib wrote just grand and smooth. I am really pleased with this purchase

I’ve been writing off and on with this pen for four weeks - and left it to sit for 3-4 days twice to see if it would dry out. The pen I received didn’t dry out with sitting so it seems to be sealing well when capped. Mine came with a Platinum black cartridge which isn’t water resistant like the carbon black or blue-black Platinum cartridges. It has a nice consistent flow and lays a nice line on the Tomoe River paper I’m using. It could be my imagination but it seems to be writing smoother with use. Even with some reviewers having a different experience, I’d buy another if I needed it. It was listed at a fair price.

Pen was a god price as Platinum is supposed to be a good pen. This one wouldn't write consistently. Terrible ink flow. It also was very scratchy and tended to rip the paper. Maybe I got a defective nib. Returned this pen. Ordered a Platinum Preppy (need some way to use up the Platinum ink cartridges I ordered) and this seems to write well.

I wrote a previous review, and want to update it after a few days of use of the pen. I have not used it for two days and the flow has stopped. I have tried dipping the tip of the nib in water, and also tried giving it a shake to mix up the pigments in the ink. No luck. Is it just me or is it the pen? The old type of Platinum desk pen that I had for years, would write immediately after weeks of disuse! And that was an extra fine nib while this is a fine. Have they also changed the interior workings of this pen? I am very disappointed! Previous review: I lost my previous extra fine Platinum pen while sketching on a plane, and did not discover the loss till the next day. I bought this one as a replacement. It looks different to my original, and has a different type of cap. Nevertheless, so far it seems to work very well and seems to have the same line as my previous extra fine, although it was described as fine on Amazon. I love these pens for sketching! They also are specially designed for the waterproof carbon inks.