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Thread: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

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    Default Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    Hello to all,
    Some time ago I bought a Platinum Maki-E fountain pen. It writes very well, but after some time, the drawing lost some of its colour, especially one colour. I have rather sweaty hands, is this a known issue with Maki-E pens? Should I refrain from using this type of pens and only use plain colour ones? Or could this be a manufacturing problem?
    I have used the pen a lot for writing but I have treated it with care.

    I have attached photos of the original and my pen.

    Thank you and regards,
    Robert.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Senior Member Detman101's Avatar
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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour


    Holy shinola...the mountain looks corroded!!
    Your sweat must be very very acidic!!
    "I can only improve my self, not the world."

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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    There is no lacquer on this style of modern Make-i pens to protect the image and prevent the image from coming off.

    So, if it is not kept in a case, and you rub the barrel a lot, you end up with the image scraping off.

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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    So better quality Maki-E pens like Namiki do have laquer protection?

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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    Quote Originally Posted by rmeppeli View Post
    So better quality Maki-E pens like Namiki do have laquer protection?
    Some Namaki pens.

    The pen you show is at the very entry level when it comes to Maki-e; a screen printed design over a metal body. They are mass produced. As more layers of urushi are used and more of the maki-e done by hand the quality goes up but also the costs.

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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    Yes, but they are four times more expensive.

    The Platinum modern make-i you have also has an 18k gold nib - and it is a very nice one too.

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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    Thank you for the explanation, that makes perfect sense. Indeed this Platinum pen is marvelous for writing. I've used a number of fountain pens for over 45 years, including gold nibs of Parker, Cross, Mont Blanc, ... but this "simple" Platinum writes better than any of them.
    Last edited by rmeppeli; December 2nd, 2020 at 04:08 PM.

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    Senior Member jar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    Quote Originally Posted by Sandy View Post
    Yes, but they are four times more expensive.

    The Platinum modern make-i you have also has an 18k gold nib - and it is a very nice one too.
    Often more than just four times as expensive and still underpriced.

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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    Curious indeed... It looks like I was not the only one with this issue...

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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    Quote Originally Posted by A Smug Dill View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Sandy View Post
    There is no lacquer on this style of modern Make-i pens to protect the image and prevent the image from coming off.
    That was my first thought, too; especially when the current product page on Platinum's site (after last year's web site and pricing ‘refresh’) makes no mention of any coating.

    Source: Platinum Pen

    However, the product page for the ‘previous’ model of this pen (not migrated in last year's web site refresh) that I retrieved from the Wayback Machine states otherwise:


    Source: Platinum Pen
    Maki-e is applied OVER an urushi base. The body is coated with urushi and then the maki-e is applied on top of the urushi base. In higher scale items additional urushi layers are then applied over the makai-e designs.

    But every layer of urushi adds both to cost and times of manufacture. Urushi must be cured over time and under controlled environmental conditions and so represent a significant reduction in the number that can be produced in a given period.

    In the specific example of the entry level maki-e pens from Pilot/Namiki, Platinum and Sailor the silk screened parts are usually covered by a thin urushi layer but then the actual maki-e color additions and details done by hand in a studio production line setting where often there are several artists who each specialize in one color or detail.

  11. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to jar For This Useful Post:

    A Smug Dill (December 3rd, 2020), Chemtiger (December 17th, 2020), Chrissy (December 3rd, 2020), Detman101 (December 3rd, 2020), ethernautrix (December 3rd, 2020), rmeppeli (December 3rd, 2020)

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    Default Re: Platinum Maki-E pen losing colour

    Maki-eek!

    I am reminded of how antique furniture is appreciated for its wear and patina, or an old coin for its toning. Something to be said for objects designed to be handled which can not age gracefully. Maybe, as the image lifts and fades, the process will have an overall meaning, like a melting snowman.

    Bob

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to Seattleite For This Useful Post:

    Yazeh (December 4th, 2020)

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