New Platinum PTL-10000 - Very nice.

[KBeezie]

Received this Platinum PTL-10000 brand new from Japan. I was curious about getting one ever since I noticed it shared the exact same name as the PTL-5000 (both are called "Standard"). I already have a PTL-5000 (with an aftermarket paint job by Engeika), so I was curious how much difference there would be with the PTL-10000.

On Paper the difference from the PTL-5000 to PTL-10000 is:
Nib : 14K (EF, F or M) -> 18K (F or M)
Weight : 12.8g -> 16.6g
Size : 135.5mm x 12 -> 136mm x 13mm
Packaging : Simple clear/blue box -> elegant black (plastic) clam style box

In my hands the PTL-10000 certainly felt substantially better. It's Resin yes, but it has a more solid feel to it, as if it's sturdier or thicker. I find it to be somewhat nicer in the resin than my Platinum Century 3776 Bourgogne, but not by that much. The cap is a snap-on that closes and posts rather securely. The pen's balance seems to be just behind the section unposted, and somewhere in between the section and the cap lip posted.

I found it quite comfortable to write with right out of the box, the nib is very smooth with a nice flow that's a tad on the wet side. The 1mm difference in thickness seems to make a bit of difference in how comfortable it is for me.

Aesthetically the pen appears to be rather classy design on a thin pen without being too thin. The color isn't quite red, but it's not quite burgundy, the best way I can describe it is sort of a cranberry wine of sort.















Some comparison to the PTL-5000

[manoeuver]

TEN THOUSAND?

[KBeezie]

TEN THOUSAND?

Yep, The Platinum Century 3776 is PNB-10000 (and usually like #1 for Black, #70 on end for Bourgogne, etc).

Seems that -####... part goes higher the higher "grade" it is in their inventory.

Both the PTL-5000 and PTL-10000 are part of the "Standard" Line with Platinum : http://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/produc..._standard.html

[manoeuver]

it's like a friggin arms race.

[Cheshire]

Nice review and great photos.

[Tony Rex]

TEN THOUSAND?

Seems that -####... part goes higher the higher "grade" it is in their inventory.
[/url]

That is because those digits correspond with the RRP in ¥. It's a Platinum thingy.

[conib]

Karl, how would you characterize the difference in ink flow and feel (flex, ride, etc.) between the nibs of 14k PTL-5000 and the 18k PTL-10000? Do you happen to have a Platinum "Cool" to compare to them? (The Cool's stainless steel nib seems very similar.)

-- Constance

[KBeezie]

Karl, how would you characterize the difference in ink flow and feel (flex, ride, etc.) between the nibs of 14k PTL-5000 and the 18k PTL-10000? Do you happen to have a Platinum "Cool" to compare to them? (The Cool's stainless steel nib seems very similar.)

-- Constance

Do not have a platinum cool nor have I ever bothered to get one when the PTL-5000 can be had for the same price with a 14K. Also because I've not tried the 14K in Medium and Only EF it's hard to distinguish the two as apples and oranges. The PTL-5000's EF was a bit on the scratchy side and depending on the ink could run dry (but could be made wetter just by sliding the nib forward since it seems to stop at a specific point). The medium on the PTL-1000 is very smooth and good flow.

But as I said I haven't tried anything larger than an EF on the PTL-5000 because that's all Engeika had with their painted ones, and the PTL-1000 just happened to be a Medium in that auction which was preferable since it's a little smaller if not about the same as Pilot's Medium.

The nibs may 'seem' similar but as you can see by side-by-side shots there's a difference in the thickness and general shape/cutting. If the two are bout the same price, I'm going to opt for the gold as it's likely to last longer down the road if I end up using the pen in the long run.

[KBeezie]

And bump with this little tidbit:

Apparently the Platinum PTL-10000 isn't that difficult to disassemble if you need to get at just the nib/feed (especially if you just want to give it a quick ultrasonic bath).

The C/C mount and connector that connects the section to the barrel can be unscrewed easily (may need a rubber band to help get a little bit of a grip, with the standard lefty-losey, righty-tighty guideline). Then once the back is off you just push the feed/nib back out thru the section.

When you re-assembly you just push the nib/feed back thru the back of the section until it sort of 'clicks' into place. Just be sure that the rubber gasket on the back is on straight, and screw back on the section thread (in the direction shown in the picture).

I have no clue if the same can be done with the PTL-5000 the mounting looks a little different on the PTL-5K.

[jde]

IMHO these are very underrated pens with a great nib. An excellent value in a gold nibbed pen.

Good choices, Karl.

The steel versions are very good, too, like in the Platinum Cool.

The 18K is a little softer in feel than the 14K. IME anyway.

Same nib as in my Kanazawa-Haku.

[KBeezie]

IMHO these are very underrated pens with a great nib. An excellent value in a gold nibbed pen.

Good choices, Karl.

The steel versions are very good, too, like in the Platinum Cool.

The 18K is a little softer in feel than the 14K. IME anyway.

Same nib as in my Kanazawa-Haku.

Though for the same price as the "Cool" is here in the US, I'd rather have the PTL-10000 w/ 18K nib.

I do notice that it's consistently wetter than my Platinum Century 3776 with a 14K Medium.

[jde]

Though for the same price as the "Cool" is here in the US, I'd rather have the PTL-10000 w/ 18K nib.

I do notice that it's consistently wetter than my Platinum Century 3776 with a 14K Medium.

I'm with you on that one, preferring the 18K over the steel.

For whatever reasons, not everyone in the US is willing to buy from Japan in order to get these gold nibbed pens at a good price (around $100 or so).

Having tried a lot of Platinum pens, the steel nibs in both the #3776 & the "standard" or "cool" style pens are excellent, and don't want to discourage anyone from trying or loving them. But for someone thinking they can't afford a gold nibbed pen, and if they're willing to buy from one of the many online Japanese sources, the PTL series in either a 14K or 18K nib is an amazing value.

Again, applaud you for spotlighting this great, undervalued pen!

[KBeezie]

Though for the same price as the "Cool" is here in the US, I'd rather have the PTL-10000 w/ 18K nib.

I do notice that it's consistently wetter than my Platinum Century 3776 with a 14K Medium.

I'm with you on that one, preferring the 18K over the steel.

For whatever reasons, not everyone in the US is willing to buy from Japan in order to get these gold nibbed pens at a good price (around $100 or so).

Having tried a lot of Platinum pens, the steel nibs in both the #3776 & the "standard" or "cool" style pens are excellent, and don't want to discourage anyone from trying or loving them. But for someone thinking they can't afford a gold nibbed pen, and if they're willing to buy from one of the many online Japanese sources, the PTL series in either a 14K or 18K nib is an amazing value.

Again, applaud you for spotlighting this great, undervalued pen!

Got my ptl-10k for about 56$ new in box from Japan.