Platinum Pens Canada

The Platinum Lineup – From Preppy to Izumo

Platinum's catalogue spans a wider price and quality range than most fountain pen brands. The table below maps each model line against what it's actually for.

Preppy

Platinum's entry-level pen and one of the most famous "first fountain pens" on the market. Under $10, refillable with Platinum cartridges, and beloved in the fountain pen community for a specific reason — it can be converted into an eyedropper-filler with a simple silicone grease mod, turning it into the largest-capacity fountain pen under $50. See the FAQ below for the quick mod.

Plaisir

The Preppy's aluminium big sibling. Same nib unit and cartridge, same writing feel, but with a proper metal body in a range of colours. The usual "second fountain pen" recommendation after a Preppy.

3776 Century

Platinum's flagship and the one model that draws most search traffic. A 14k gold nib at the lowest price point in the Japanese gold-nib market (typically 40–60% less than an equivalent Sailor or Pilot). The Century variant added the Slip & Seal cap — the older "3776" without Century lacks this. Every 3776 sold at Blesket is the Century revision.

Nib grades available on the 3776 Century: UEF (Ultra Extra Fine), EF (Extra Fine), F (Fine), SF (Soft Fine) — a stress-reactive nib with slight flex, unique to Platinum — M (Medium), B (Broad), and C (Coarse / Music). The SF is the most-requested of the range and worth trying even if you normally write fine.

Izumo

Flagship. Natural lacquer or urushi body, 14k gold nib, and a price that reflects both. The Izumo is a lifetime pen in the literal sense — Platinum offers nib replacement and lacquer refinishing service through Blesket's dealer channel.

Curidas

Platinum's retractable fountain pen — the direct competitor to the Pilot Vanishing Point. Nib clicks out via a push-button mechanism. Lighter and more affordable than the Pilot; same core concept.

The Slip & Seal Mechanism

Platinum's patented cap design (found on every pen from the Century and up) creates an airtight seal when the cap is screwed closed. The result: ink stays wet inside the nib and feed for up to two years without writing.

Uncap a Platinum after a year in a desk drawer and it starts on the first stroke — no priming, no dry-start, no flushing needed.

Why this matters: most fountain pens need flushing and re-inking if left capped for more than 2–3 months. If you rotate between several pens, or only reach for a fountain pen occasionally, Platinum is the only Japanese brand built specifically for this use pattern.

Japanese Nib Sizing — What to Expect

Japanese nibs run one grade finer than European nibs. A Platinum F writes like a European EF; a Platinum M writes like a European F. If you prefer a bold, wet line, order one nib size up from what you'd choose on a Lamy or Pelikan.

If you want the finest line possible for small handwriting, the UEF nib on the 3776 Century is as fine as a mainstream production nib gets — roughly 0.2 mm.

The SF (Soft Fine) on the 3776 Century is the standout. It's a softer-than-normal steel-reinforced 14k nib that gives slight line variation under pressure. Not a full flex nib, but noticeably more character than a standard rigid nib.

Platinum Inks

• Platinum Mix Free — a 9-colour system designed to be mixed. Comes with formula cards for 200+ custom shades.
• Platinum Carbon Ink — a genuinely pigmented waterproof ink (not dye-based). Archival and water-resistant after drying. Safe in fountain pens if the pen is used regularly — rinse once a month to prevent build-up.
• Platinum Classic Ink — iron-gall formulation that oxidises on paper for a muted, archival line. Safe in fountain pens; avoid in high-end gold-trim pens for long storage.

Buying Platinum in Canada

Blesket is an authorized Canadian Platinum dealer. All pens are genuine Japanese product, shipped from our Canadian warehouse with full Platinum warranty coverage. Fountain pens ship free on orders over $99 Canada-wide; free shipping in ON/QC on orders over $55.