Platinum Entry Level Fountain Pen Comparison - Preppy, Prefounte, Shooting Star

[@eileengoldenberg270]

I teach a fountain pen class for urban sketching and I give a free preppy with the class. People love them..

[@Doodlebud]

That's definitely a great choice to give out and be very confident you're giving them a pen that will work well!

[@asylump]

Yep, I give a Preppy (sometimes with a box of cartridges) to any coworker who shows an interest in my fountain pens. It's a fun and affordable way to introduce (or re-introduce) multiple people to fountain pens.

⁠@@asylumpI need you as my coworker🥹

[@the_rocs_roost]

I'm a professional writer, magazine editor and KZbinr who has been into fountain pens for over 35 years. My mother bought me a Parker fountain pen at the local stationers in the 1980s. I've used and owned many pens since then-all up and down the price range. My two favorites for daily writing are the Pelikan Souverän M800 and the Platinum Preppy. There's not a day that goes by that I don't use these two pens. To anyone of any age reading this who wants a great pen, I say, "Get a Preppy, get a Preppy, get a Preppy!" In fact, get one of those seven-packs because you're going to want more than one once you get your hands on one. They each come with one cartridge in a color of the rainbow plus black. Once you've used your cartridges, rinse them and refill them with a syringe using the bottled ink of your choice. No need for a converter if you don't want one.

[@bonghungk7544]

I have 11 Platinum Preppys of various size nibs because they write great and the inner seal cap really helps keep my inks from getting dehydrated therefore I feel absolutely confident that after over one year it’ll immediately write without any dry or hard start ups. I normally feel guilty if my FP’s don’t get used regularly and I fear the inks get all dried up and require more cleaning up but I have no concern for my Preppys due to the extra internal seal. Also I like these Preppys with different colours which I use the same colour inks for them.

[@Doodlebud]

Very solid and reliable pens especially for the price point. Sealing cap mechanism is a very smart and nice feature

[@jacobm.9578]

I love the Prefounte in F, its a daily driver for school and showing people the world of Fountain Pens. 10/10

[@LordCinnamon]

The shoting star is cute. I did not know it existed and now I want one

[@Doodlebud]

There are a bunch of varieties! Some cool ones they call the Kawaii, same as the shooting star but a bit of a Chinese New Year feel to them. Here's the link on AliExpress a.aliexpress.com/_mrVtYEI

[@snowmean1]

From all the low budget fountain pens, Platinum Preppy is the best. I have much better performance with Preppy than Kakuno and some of my Metropolitans. Nib is buttery smooth, while Pilot can be pretty scratchy, especially on the nibs.

[@elisabethryder4719]

How interesting. I am having the exact opposite experience. 😄 Thus far, my Pilot Kakuno with an EF nib writes very reliably without skips or any other issues. The Platinum Wa blue ocean waves gives a much thicker Fine line when it does happen to write. The Pilot EF certainly can be quiet scratchy, but I am more than happy to have the nib put down a nice, thin line. Whereas the Platinum puts down the most patchy lines and has been quite a struggle getting it to just work, much less consistently. I imagine there are a number of misses in the pens that are sent out from production. I'm curious to see if something like a Prefoute or Shooting Star would work more consistently if I happened to mess something up or if the pen had some little flaw in it I may be able to remedy. 🙂

[@nitina8564]

I love these platinum entry level pens as they are true value for money and i find nothing beats the preppy when it comes to the value for money thing with platinum pens.. its just my opinion. Loved the comparison. Thanks bud.

[@Doodlebud]

Very good pens for the very little money. Jinhao has some good contenders at this price point too that also come with a converter as well.

[@jaimejaime1178]

@@Doodlebud Hi... Jim from Madrid, Spain (a New Yorker expat living abroad). I subscribed to your channel last year and I don't post often... but I love your reviews (extremely well done, so Congrats!). I've used Fountain Pens throughout my entire life (since College and always within my whole professional Career in the Business world - early retirement now), but I am also using them for Artistic purposes now. I bought 4 Jinhao's x750 (5 bucks per FP aprox) which came with a #6 M nib and I also bought some #6 FUDE nibs for them, mainly for drawing. But I have 2 main problems with them... 1) their converter holds very little ink (compared to my TWSBI ECO or even a Lamy Safary that I was gifted a few months ago). 2) the inks I use (mainly waterproof inks for Line & Wash with watercolors as well as for drawing and writing, of course) tend to dry up easily. From what I am learning from these cheaper Platinum Pens (and this us my question to you, as an expert in Fountain Pens) what is your opinion on using these (and which one do you feel us best) for avoiding ink drying up and to hold a good amount if ink? I usually like to use an EF nib for drawing (I have other FPs for writing) due to its versatility for hatching, as well as a FUDE nib for its different line widths. I ask about these FPs in particular due to their price range and for their artistic capabilities. I really appreciate your opinion (if possible) and just wanted to share that you have an AMAZING channel!!! Cheers from Sunny Spain!!!😁😎👍

[@anguswhite8233]

Platinum make the best entry level pens: the Preppy EF is utterly unbeatable! - have eye droppered mine and inked with Platinum mixable Aurora blue: perfect combo!:)

[@aquanox4438]

Great video. I love the Platinum Preppy, it is one of my most used fountain pens (definitely clean it with dish washing liquid first to get rid of oils). Also it can be Eye Droppered, and my favorite, the cartridge once used, can be cleaned and refilled. (The platinum converter where I live cost 3 times as much as the pen lol)

[@Doodlebud]

Yeah the converter isnt cheap for sure. Really well made pen for the price point.

how do you clean the pen?

[@stefanlaskowski6660]

I bought a Preppy a couple of months ago, and didn't expect much. But it's Fine nib is one of the smoothest writers I own, and I'm considering getting a more expensive Platinum.

[@dashsunil]

My vote goes for shooting star. It looks cool. 😁

[@Doodlebud]

They have some cool looking ones too look at little more fancy a.aliexpress.com/_mrVtYEI

[@beaconoflight3225]

Bought a bunch of preppy's for my kids from 6 to 8 years old all using their own pen of colour and writing pad... never too early to bring little ones into the hobby. 😅

[@TheCreedBratton]

The preppy in extra fine even works well on the crappy copy paper at my work. And the lines it makes are crazy thin especially using the back of the nib

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I like the Prefounte. The colors available are appealing. Mine writes very well. It feels like a very neat, well-made, pen. Very dependable. I use it with the converter. And you get all the pen you can possibly have for $10. I dislike the Preppy. Have tried out but don’t own the Shooting Star. I wouldn’t mind having one. These are always interesting video topics.

[@Doodlebud]

Here's a link on AliExpress for another version of the shooting star that looks pretty cool too: a.aliexpress.com/_mrVtYEI

[@zironemegeaz]

the Platinum preppy is the best bang for buck fountain pen

[@ichirofakename]

1. Another option to de-uglify the Preppy is the new Preppy WA, which for a couple bucks more looks much nicer. 2. My favorite pen in this category is the Pilot Petit1, of which I have 17. It's probably too small for you, but interesting in that it has a wick feed. $3.30. Underloved imho, probably in part because of limited distribution in the USA. Don't know about Canada. Maybe also in part because it takes only proprietary miniscule cartridges.

[@Doodlebud]

I've seen the petit but just too.... Petite for me. If a pens is small, and light a really have a challenge using them. But I've heard they're great little pens

[@derekdavis5720]

Brilliant video. I think Platinum have got this super cheap high quality fountain pen market sown up. I’ve never had one of these pens but have only ever heard good things about them particularly the Preppy. Level entry pens are great in so many ways. Not least as an introduction to the wonderful world of fountain pen use/ownership. Get kids interested from an early age etc. I’ve not been overly lucky with higher end Platinum pens and have reduced my collection from 5 down to 2. These 3 cheap level entry pens bearing in mind they are so cheap seem pretty much flawless. Thank you Doodle Bud.

[@Doodlebud]

Yup, great option to choose when getting started or want to introduce someone to FPs

[@SatieSatie]

Amazing review, informative and straight to the point - thanks! The Meteor/Little Shooting Star one, she is calling out to me. The soft muted candy colors are lovely, I want all of them. Not sure about the fine (Japanese) nibs though, I just prefer the buttery smoothness of medium and broad nibs.

[@SirIsaacTheRed]

Have to agree about the Preppy. A great reliable entry level pen. Have quite a few and will only buy more 🙂. Like the cap and seal mechanism - never did compare it with another of my favorite pens, the 3776. But, they are both very effective.

[@RONSPOTZ]

I keep a Prefounte in my car at all times. Though I keep Noodler's Polar ink in it. Drops down to -20 F (-29 C) at times where I'm at.

[@Doodlebud]

Its cool how they have so many different inks to accommodate things like freezing, etc.

[@marmeemarch7080]

How does Noodler's Polar do with hot temperatures? I also live where the winter temps can (rarely) go a few degrees away from that threshold.

[@paulll47]

The platinum Plaisir was the second pen I ever got, honestly? It writes better than some of my more expensive pens (coughNarwhalcough), a veritable daily driver and really resilient to both, it has followed my fat ass during camping and cycling without showing anything other than a few scratches, the only other pen that lasted that long was my Lamy Al Star and the nib is nowhere near as nice as the Plaisir.

[@cynthiaalvarado8610]

They are great pens in that they write well but a word of caution on the preppy and prefonte: the plastic easily breaks on normal wear. I say the shooting star is the best option because the plastic looks to be more durable. Huge bonus having a star on the nib.

[@Doodlebud]

I've heard mixed feedback about that. Some say they've had them forever with not issues, and others say its not too uncommon to have a crack/break. My daughter really liked the stars on it, noticed them right away. They write pretty well.... not as good as the "crowd pleaser" grind you now have, but not too shabby 😉

[@cynthiaalvarado8610]

@@Doodlebud The crowd pleaser delivers! Glad your little one is enjoying her pen. My 5yo prefers to practice her vocabulary on a dry erase board. One day, she will see the light!

[@Merels]

I've had my preppy for over 3 years and the plastic hasn't broken. I am not careful with the pen and it has fallen multiple times. The only thing that has broken is the clip and the writing has worn off of the plastic. I would say it is a very durable pen.

[@slo_carry]

I love the sped up quick cursive sample! Made me chuckle haha.

[@Doodlebud]

What if I told you that is how quickly I actually write??

[@nope8535]

Just bought one. It's my first. I still blame you for getting me into fountain pens.

[@Doodlebud]

You're welcome 😁

[@Matto5433]

Awesome Video as always!!

[@dameanvil]

00:00 🖋 Platinum offers entry-level fountain pens like the Preppy, Shooting Star, and Pre-Founte for beginners or budget-conscious users. 01:09 🌈 The Platinum Preppy, priced at around $4.50, is a demonstrator pen with a slip and seal cap mechanism, offering various colors, and it's compatible with cartridges and converters. 03:00 ⭐ The Shooting Star, costing about $10, shares internal features with the Preppy, has a fine nib, and includes a converter for ink but holds less ink compared to cartridges. 04:09 🌟 Priced around $11, the Profounte (or Pre-Founte) has a metal clip, a similar build to the Preppy, and comes with a cartridge, offering a slightly more substantial feel. 05:20 🛠 Platinum's cartridge adapter allows the use of non-Platinum cartridges with their pens, expanding ink options for users at an affordable price. 08:08 📝 The Platinum Preppy offers a smooth writing experience with consistent ink flow, suitable for both printing and cursive writing at a budget-friendly price. 09:14 🖋 The Shooting Star, featuring a fine nib, demonstrates reliable ink flow, consistent lines, and good wetness, suitable for various writing styles. 10:04 🚫 The Profounte with a larger nib size sometimes exhibits slight skipping issues, showing a less consistent line compared to other pens in the lineup. 11:36 💡 The cheaper Preppy model includes a printed barcode on the pen itself, unlike the higher-priced versions, which might influence purchase decisions based on preferences.

[@tomshult3044]

Every preppy I have had cracked. But the Plaisir is great.

[@Doodlebud]

I'll see how these ones turn out. Heard mix reviews on the preppy. Some seem to last forever and others crack

[@gerardzonjee]

These pens are indeed quite similar. So much so that you can frankenpen the barrel between all these models and make a particularly ugly yellow feed and pink Kokuno barrel combination 😉

[@cliffberry1900]

Great job! Very informative.

[@AlphineWolf]

Fun fact, if you check out the Kaweco and the Moorman T1 drama, you'll find the Meteor released around the same time the drama happened very much of a coincidence. It's as if Platinum was having fun messing with Kaweco because according to them a 10 sided faceted cap was similar enough to call it a knockoff. The entire line initially was basically Platinum deciding to have a little fun with messing with a bullet Kaweco

[@irvintepper5]

For the best cheap pen I think the jinhao 166 is the best. Comes with a converter, has Lamy style changeable nibs, writes every time and is cheaper than any of the platinum pens. IT ALSO SURVIVES THE CARWASH TEST.

[@Doodlebud]

I've had a few issues with the 166. Got 2 of them now and both nibs have issues and dry up. The Jinaho 86 I did the other day (virtually same price) in the parker 51 alternative line up, actually really impressed me. 3 turns for the cap is a bit annoying, but damn it writes so well and feels really good in the hand. Pretty sure it could take a few rounds from the car wash too 😆

[@irvintepper5]

@@Doodlebud I have had no problems with 166, also love the 86

[@irvintepper5]

@@Doodlebud I have one in my notebook for last 3 months starts up every time. Maybe its your ink

[@daniellewhite168]

I use the Procyon at work and it's one of my favorites! It not $10 and under but... I didn't realize so many of their pens are named after space!

[@Doodlebud]

Someone must be a bit of a astronomy fan at Platinum

[@santauxia]

Platinum Preppy is worth every penny. IMHO.

[@Doodlebud]

Absolutely!

[@kauaiphotography]

Aloha Doodlebud! Another nice review of pens that I am very familiar with, with the exception of the Shooting Star model. Just a few comments. You had mentioned the residual ink in the area between the feed and grip section and I am under the impression that these pens were not necessarily made to be inked like a normal fountain pen or even to be used with the converter, especially when you are paying more for the converter than the Preppy! Another issue I have had is once I use a converter with the Preppy, it can no longer be used on my Platinum #3776 as it's too loose (apparently the nipple on the Preppy is just a hair wider in diameter than the #3776 and that stretches the converter opening?) It's convenient that the "nib unit" can be easily pulled out so you can switch nibs. I also found the best way to fully clean the feed is to leave the nib unit in the pen and use a bulb syringe and when the water runs out, the air seems to do a good job of pushing the ink out. Simichrome polish, a soft cotton cloth (important that it's soft!) and elbow grease will take off all the markings on the barrel and top of the cap. You may want to try a different ink in the 05M that was skipping with Platinum Carbon Black ink. I find the PCB ink to be dry and possibly a bit more viscous, so I find some of my pens don't write as well with that ink. Let me know your thoughts! Mahalo, Thomas

[@Doodlebud]

I will try a different ink once the cartridge empties out. These are my only platinum pens so far so good to know about the converter issue. Hope your weather is better than what we going on here on the "wet" coast!

[@kauaiphotography]

@@Doodlebud Rainy weather here, but typical for this time of year. You can easily pull the feed and "tail" even with the pen inked and swap/try the 03F nib to see if you have the same issue with the finer nib and PCB. Let me know how it goes and your findings. Mahalo, Thomas

[@aladdinkayqubad1645]

Mango Chutney... hmmm... exquisite taste Sir.

[@Doodlebud]

Need to make my spicy meatballs with mango chutney sauce! Been craving it for a while now 😁

[@radiofreealbemuth]

I think the Platinum Prefounte has quality control issues with the nibs hard starting and skipping. Mine has the same problem. Sbrebrown also had the same problem on his review of the Prefounte.

[@beaconoflight3225]

Interesting... I have the full set of Lamy LX colours, I have them all in medium, 2 are super smooth.... just beautiful the other 2 scratchy very underwhelming.... all new, not dropped, so quality control on steel nibs might be a common problem, I don't know. :(

[@radiofreealbemuth]

@@beaconoflight3225 ah, I see. I haven't tried Lamy yet. I've since bought two more Platinum starter pens - a Preppy and Plaisir, both in Medium 05 nib, and both hard start and skip. The only nib size I've had luck with so far is Extra Fine 02. I've given up on Platinum

[@PrazgreenStudios]

Despite owning more expensive pens, the Preppy is still my most used because of the slip and seal and its price so that if it breaks or cracks, I won't feel that annoyed

[@Doodlebud]

There are some great low cost pens out there. I'm a fan of the Pilot Kakuno

[@PrazgreenStudios]

@@Doodlebud indeed. Huge fan of the Kakuno, however, I love the slip and seal.

[@PrazgreenStudios]

@@Doodlebud I have started to get a little annoyed with some minor details of the Preppy and other low cost pens. Despite snap caps being amazing, I personally love screw caps that just need one turn to open. I am working on a custom shell for the pen that fixes all my minor annoyances with it though.

[@PrazgreenStudios]

more specifically making it a pocket pen.

[@sathishrao7926]

I bought a couple of Wa Limited Edition Preppys today (7USD each). I felt really sad and began repenting because these pens write as good as any of the more premium pens I’ve and purchase decision of these inexpensive pens has made me question my purchase decisions of more premium pens ! ( Eg., Platinum converters I use for 3776 and Curidas cost me more than these Preppys!)

[@Doodlebud]

I guess you should feel good that they also ake good low cost pens. More expensive pens are also about materials & methods used in construction. You can get a good nib and put it in a minimally built pen that's good enough to write. Or put it in a pen that takes design, aesthetics, materials, fit & finish, etc into account. It's always a value proposition with more expensive pens

[@wernervdwesthuizen]

The Prefounte is great, but my cap started cracking pretty quickly, so that might be something to watch out for...

[@marcihummel9715]

I recently bought a Preppy but have had nothing but trouble with the nib - skipping, poor ink flow, etc. It obviously needs to be tuned. Drat!

[@Doodlebud]

Ahh, yeah my prefounte had that same issue. 1 min later was working great, just opened the tines a touch

[@hisham56hamilton50]

Thanx very much dude. Very nice pens specially with Noodlers inks.😂😂

[@bapon85]

My platinum preppy 0.3 nib occasionally skips when drawing a long straight line

[@LuvsSno]

With the little ball in the Prefounte work well for sheening or Shimmer type inks?

[@Doodlebud]

It would help, but not sure how many shimmer & sheening inks are available in cartridges. The little ball or coil in converters do the same job to mix things up and help break surface tension to help with flow.

[@manecobeirao]

Parabéns ! Excelente apresentação. Receba os cumprimentos do Brazil .

[@Doodlebud]

Obrigado! 😁

[@mrN3w7]

The most annoying part about these is that the converter is separate and buying it is the same if not more expensive than the actual pen :|... I don't get that to be honest... I guess best bang for buck will be the Platinum Shooting Star - comes with a converter and cartridge. Same nib and section. I like their nibs though - great for drawing.

[@Doodlebud]

Guess at this price point they figure its mostly a cartridge pen. No dirty cheap or free converter like we're used to with Jinhao pens. It is a well built converter, but if you want one for each pen it adds up quick

[@mrN3w7]

@@Doodlebud I get what they tried to do; the same old story of trapping you in their ecosystem... let's be honest though, to build a converter like that, is not as much as they charge for :). They can easily charge $4 extra on the pen and still make a profit. They should of done what Pilot did with their Varsity fountain pen - disposable, holds a ton of ink since is pretty much an eye dropper and they come in packs of 5 for LESS the price you pay for 1 Preppy. And the icing on the cake, if you remove the nib and feed you CAN re-ink those pens as well :). Case and point, I have 2 Preppy sitting on a shelf because I do not want to pay more on cartridge or the extra converter; but I do use their Carbon black ink in all my other pens :D. I will try the Shooting Star (I think on Asian market are named Kawaii Platinum fountain pen). I like that converter that is included... and is my favourite type too - simple slide and the pen is ready to go in less than 2 seconds. Darn... lol, sorry for the wall of text :D. I guess maybe is not a good idea to become a pen reviewer :D.

[@tobymulder196]

A syringe and your favorite ink works well with a cleaned out Platinum cartridge. Holds more ink too

[@mrN3w7]

@@tobymulder196 I know but... I have no reason to bother with a syringe when I have so many other options that come by default with a converter.

[@notarobot4492]

Sample size of 1 here but my Prefounte 05M also skipped slightly on fast long strokes. Not really noticeable on normal writing but very annoying any time I try to draw a line across the page. I don't use that pen anymore.

[@Doodlebud]

Nib probably just needs a quick adjustment

[@mattmaddox9976]

Great video Db. I know there are many that eyedropper the Preppy. What are your thoughts on doing this? I've also looked at the Preppy highlighter for it's refilling ability. I haven't tried it yet.

[@ichirofakename]

I was on Team Eyedrop until I had a leakage.

[@Doodlebud]

I'm with Ichiro Fakename on this one. I'm generally terrified of eyedroppers. I keep them at home. I wear suits and nice shirts for work so can't risk ruining my clothes. All my stuff has to get tailored and sometimes custom made so I keep try any potential leaks faaaaaaarrrrrr away!

[@Edico999]

JetPens no longer sells the cartridge adapter…

[@louispoulin3843]

where can i buy that small black cartridge slip on converter to bigger cartridges??

[@Doodlebud]

I bought mine from Jetpens. Link in the description

[@basta.dotto_]

How did you remove the adapter from the Preppy, please? Once I put mine in, in it stays - no ifs, ands or buts. I've tried and tried.

[@Doodlebud]

Wow, mine just slipped on & it comes off no problem as well. Not sure what to say

[@FrankR.71]

if you want a pen which writes good you can not do something wrong with all three pens...Ich love the preppy and have 30 of them...

[@Doodlebud]

30 of them!!! You definitely do love them!

[@FrankR.71]

@@Doodlebud yes I love to write with it...naturally there a lot of better pens, but for this prize it is a really good pen...

[@prabirkumardas5650]

How can i get a nib only.

[@Doodlebud]

Not sure, but I would try checking out Aliexpress

[@theartyone]

Preppy and all the similar feeds pens aren't designed for the pigmented Carbon Black ink so careful when using it. Platinum Carbon Desk Pen and Platinum Cool have feeds designed for Carbon Black.

[@Doodlebud]

Good to know

[@marmeemarch7080]

​@@DoodlebudI've had PCB in an extra fine Preppy for about three months. I use it every other week, no problems at all. Great for addressing envelopes.

[@bbrachman]

Has anyone tried to modify one of these inexpensive pens to substitute for a glass nib pen? Just to use the tiniest bit of ink for swatch samples. Shave down the feed so it only holds a line or two of written words. Glass nibs are horrible.