Nakaya and Platinum make the same pen...except for a different price!

[fountainpenkid]

I'm still not sure I fully understand the connection between Platinum and Nakaya, but nibs.com apparently sells what seems like exactly the same pen from both companies, the only difference between the two being the engravings on the nib and cap band. This is weird enough, but then there's the price: $640 for the Platinum version, and $450 for the Nakaya! Any ideas as to what is going on here?
the links:
http://www.nibs.com/nakaya-briarwood-sandblasted.htm
http://www.nibs.com/platinum-3776-briar-shell-sandblasted.htm

[Jon Szanto]

Have you considered writing them (Classic Fountain Pens, aka nibs.com) and asking? I've noticed the two pens before but didn't really notice the sizable price difference - and I would have thought it would have been reversed! I actually own the Nakaya Briarwood, but in smooth, matte finish. It was less than the sandblasted, and I also had John Mottishaw do a CI nib grind. Wonderful pen, the wood feels so good in one's hands.

[fountainpenkid]

Have you considered writing them (Classic Fountain Pens, aka nibs.com) and asking? I've noticed the two pens before but didn't really notice the sizable price difference - and I would have thought it would have been reversed! I actually own the Nakaya Briarwood, but in smooth, matte finish. It was less than the sandblasted, and I also had John Mottishaw do a CI nib grind. Wonderful pen, the wood feels so good in one's hands.

I will contact them, and post what I find here.

[Laura N]

Didn't they formerly do that with a few celluloid pens, too? One of which was the Koi. I'm not sure if there was a price difference, but I remember that they sold the pens under both brands. Maybe Altec Green will pop up to refresh my faulty memory. :)

[reprieve]

Didn't they formerly do that with a few celluloid pens, too? One of which was the Koi. I'm not sure if there was a price difference, but I remember that they sold the pens under both brands. Maybe Altec Green will pop up to refresh my faulty memory. :)

I'm pretty sure they did. I remember seeing Nakaya-branded Koi and Jade (and possibly the Tortoise?) celluloid pens; I think I remember seeing a notice on Nibs.com several months ago about the Nakaya versions being discontinued. There's also the Platinum Kikyo Housoge, which is this Housoge design (http://www.nibs.com/NakayaPortableHousogeKikyo.html) on a 3776 body.

[Tracy Lee]

I will be interested to hear the answer, too. I am trying to learn more about this family of pens (Japanese) and I have called the folks at nibs.com with Nakaya questions and they were patient and enthusiastic and just great given I had her on the line over half an hour. But I learned so much.

[AltecGreen]

Nakaya was started as a small fun project by Toshiya Nakata, the grandson of Shunichi Nakata the founder of Platinum. Nakaya was started using Toshiya's own money and a loan from Platinum. Since the passing of Toshihiro Nakata, Toshiya's father and former president of Platinum, Toshiya is now both head of Platinum and Nakaya. There is obvious sharing of resources like nib manufacture and as well as other parts. Over the years, there have been overlap in the catalog of both companies. Pens based on the 3776 body have been common to both companies like some of the celluloid pens. I believe the bulk of the overlap is in the 3776 body pens and not in any of the hard rubber pens. Some colors have been exclusive to one company. There are several key differences. You can find the Platinum version cheaper but not always. The Nakaya versions are available in Nakaya's full range of nib sizes as well as trim. i.e. you cannot get a Platinum Briarwood pen with rose gold hardware (clip, band and nib) but you can in the Nakaya version. The Nakaya version comes with the standard aftersale service including nib tuning.

[Jon Szanto]

Ricky has a lot of things in his brain. A LOT. He's better than Google.

[fountainpenkid]

So I got an email response, but it didn't explain the price differential:
"Hi Will,

The Platinium and Nakaya pens are made by different manufacturers.

Each Nakaya pen is handmade in Japan by an artisan in a process that takes 6-8 months.

The Platinum pens are factory made.

Let us know if you have any more questions."

Unsatisfied, I called them, and they were confused by it as well!

[AltecGreen]

So I got an email response, but it didn't explain the price differential:
"Hi Will,

The Platinium and Nakaya pens are made by different manufacturers.

Each Nakaya pen is handmade in Japan by an artisan in a process that takes 6-8 months.

The Platinum pens are factory made.

Let us know if you have any more questions."

Unsatisfied, I called them, and they were confused by it as well!



Technically, the response is correct. Nakaya was started as a small fun project for retired Platinum craftsmen. Nakaya and Platinum are both located in Tokyo (Ueno) and a few blocks apart. The Nakaya pens are turned by Mr. Matsubara. The urushi and maki-e are done by separate craftsmen in Waijima. It is unclear how the Platinum pens are made but I suspect CNC.

The price difference is a complicated issue. If you look at the Japanese MSRP of the Platinum version is quite close to the price of the Nakaya version (~$50) (modulo the current exchange rate). If you look at the US street price at many big dealers, the Platinum version is quite close to the price of the Nakaya version. However, the Platinum versions can be found at a discount from many dealers (especially from Japan) while there is no discounting for Nakaya. So there can be a price difference. This is of course only for the #3776 based pens. This is a non-issue for the urushi pens.


People should check out some old articles on Nakaya.

http://stutler.cc/pens/nakaya/index.html
http://www.stutler.cc/pens/nakaya_visit/
http://www.stutler.cc/pens/nakaya_visit_2/
http://www.newpentrace.net/penbase/Data_Returns/full_article3c7f.html?id=444


Also check out this video. (A shameless plug since I’m in the video)


http://youtu.be/bQD9cA7dbXQ