Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen Review

[@figoligeiro1477]

Thanks for the review. And thanks for using those unusual inks, i never knew such inks existed!

[@Karenyamilcastro]

That wink on 17:00 haha, just beautiful! xD Thanks for the video, I been watching your videos non stop for the past 2 weeks, very informative!

[@zossie5h]

Thanks so much for your videos on fountain pens. I have a pelikan and a cross, several noodlers and I just received my preppy conversion kit. The pen is amazing for the money. Just like you say it doesn't write as smooth as my Pelikan or Cross but it is very satisfactory and an amazing bargain. I really wouldn't need any other pen.

[@phonelady61]

omg I love your bookcase in the background man oh man to have a bookcase like that ....

[@npl070]

A most interesting and informative review. I purchased a Preppy from Goulet Pens and am quite happy with it. The price you quote is for the pen. The P&P is not cheap and about doubles the price of the pen. Last week I put the pen to test by using it to write the minutes of a meeting. That means fast writing. It performed well. I was very surprised indeed. The pen seems to be on the delicate side. I think that the plastic will crack at some stage. My Platinum Metroplitan will the take over.

[@cartecaygames]

Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate the pens - I had been on the fence about ordering some, but after seeing this video, I did, and I'm glad that I did. These are great pens to have lying around, and as a new fountain pen user, I'm glad that there are options available that wont drain my bank account. Platinum also has a step up from the preppy, the Plaisir, that uses the exact same nib/feed system, in an aluminum body.

[@KBean-y7n]

Just ordered mine, I had to use a fountain pen in my Language class for this semester because my teacher is mad that I write messy. Also great video!

[@sbrebrown]

Thank you. Enjoy the pen!

[@retro51fan]

I have several Preppy fountain pens and I agree with you re: the "Medium" nib width (0.5mm)---it does have some stub-like/italic qualities to it. Both the M and F nibs write well and, as you say, for

[@peterjackson6237]

As always an excellent review. This is a late post but may be of interest to some. After some time searching, I found the Preppy Fine Nib the only fountain pen I can use with a Moleskine notebook, there is very little if any bleed through. I normally use Noodlers Black which seems to dry quite rapidly, especially with the fine nib line. I don't like to travel with my high value pens ...I lose them. The Preppy Fine is my "go to".

[@shawn576]

I didn't know you could buy refillable markers. That's so awesome.

[@redforrori]

This is a BRILLIANT review! I love these pens--and I didn't realize that you could change out the nib/feed to the marker/highlighter/rollerball! Makes it an even better bargain than I thought it already was :D Thanks so much!! (Plus, your accent is just so charming => )

[@FantasticFundas]

Would any standard cartridge fit this pen? Or it has its own customised cartridge?

[@sbrebrown]

No, it only takes Platinum cartridges.

[@jacobhall3417]

You can buy a piece that slips in to convert it to standard international.

[@jtoddjb]

What im doing right now is cleaning out the preppy to make sure it wasnt a bit of debris or whatever that was allowing excessive ink flow. I 'll check out the feed re-setting from richard. thanks. My issue with Konrad is your soppose to be able to move the nib and feed in and out to adjust flow like on the other flex pen so the position of the nib/feed shouldnt be that critical.

[@Lightbeam357]

I like your video's, because they are extremely informative and explain things really well, in real terms though you should be paid something for recommending good quality items at low prices, Keep up the Good Work, Lad. By the way i live in the UK.

[@jtoddjb]

Thanks, I'll go for it. I have a red noodlers piston fill that Im going to use it in. I was able to get that Konrad working and you were right it needed to be heat set. I talked to Nathan and watched a video he made. very helpfull and how cool is it that if you have an issue with a pen you can talk to the man who designed it. I have to admit the issue with this pen was my own fault so i hope I didnt turn anyone off to the Konrad; its really an awsome pen

[@dlong928]

I think it's supposed to make a seal around the nib so it doesn't dry out.

[@chrisseeker1]

Having confidently stated you could make a converter from a old cartridge I find you cannot. But you can buy a converter, it's just a small piece of plastic, that enables you to use an international converter. I got mine from Cultpens in the UK for £1.50.

[@evelynnwinter5994]

I'm interested in using this pen as a substitute for dry erase markers. It will come with the large Noodler's bottles of blue/blackerase. However, which tip is best for writing on white boards? Marker or Highlighter tip? What's your experience with this? I'm looking for a thicker/wider line that can be seen further away. From your writing sample, I would go with the highlighter tip, but I'd like to hear your feedback.

[@chrisseeker1]

I'm pretty sure you can make an adapter for a standard converter by taking an empty Platinum cartridge and cutting it down to around 1.5cm or a little more. The international cartridge will fit into the cut off end and the original cartridge will fit the pen. Remove the ball in the cartridge (obviously). Preppy nibs are great. Buy a Plaisir for durability and Preppys for replacement nibs.

[@evelynnwinter5994]

I came across this in my search for a refillable whiteboard marker: the AusPen sold by EcoSmartWorld. The body is aluminum so I contacted them and this is their reply "the body of the marker is recycled aluminum. Inside the barrel of the marker is felt - this is where the ink is absorbed and refilled when needed. The felt is wrapped in a plastic wrapper…The ink does not come into contact with the outer metallic barrel." Their ink is based on alcohol, so not sure if blackerase will work in it!

[@bsspsyd]

This reminds me of your suggestion to fill a highlighter type preppy with the Pelikan highlighter ink but I am not sure I am ready to convert as easily as you did in the Pelikan 205 video.

[@sapolica1]

Hi! I just received my first fountain pen, being the Platinum Preppy. I have NO idea how to get it started right out of the package, the ink cartrage comes with a metal closing, and I don't want to mess it up by breaking it. Your reply would be appreciated! Your review was brilliant, also!

[@lighturpl3]

I would've liked to see the comparison between the two nib sizes, but I just ended up buying both....

[@prieten49]

I just bought a blue Preppy. After I pressed the cartridge into the pen, I noticed a big blob of ink had formed towards the back of the ribbed part behind the nib. Your black pen looks like it has the same blob in the same place, so I guess that's okay. I started writing some cursive with it. Strange how all my letters began to revert back to the letters I learned back in the fourth grade when I lived in Vienna, Austria. All the kids had to use fountain pens to do all their homework, even math!

[@mkglobetrotter]

Have you tried using the Noodler's replacement rollerball tip with the Platinum Preppy yet? Also, regarding the highlighter, how wet of a line does it lay down? I do a lot of highlighting on glossy paper for school, so I wouldn't want the line to be *too* wet.

[@jtoddjb]

On the preppy the ink drip appears on the side of the feed and grows in size untill it drops onto the paper. I tried pushing it in and it seems to be in as far as possible. On the Konrad I did the normal soap and water cleaning that all noodlers pens require. The problem with the Konrad is poor manufacturing tolerances. I can see light between the nib and body where they contact each other.

[@jtoddjb]

I recieved a eyedropper converted preppy with my order of a bottle of noodlers X-feather ink. I was pretty happy with how smooth it is for being such a cheap pen. the problem is that it leaks ink around the nib. No leaks at the barrel / section joint where you would expect. Have you had any do this / and do you have any suggestions to fix this? oddly enough the Konrad flex pen that i got in that same order from goulet doesnt work either.

[@markos741]

Advice: The only thing I hated about the Preppy is that it's covered with written stuff all over the barrel, and if you convert it into an eyedropper, all these letters are in the way and you can't fully enjoy the ink flow inside. Well fortunately, that's easy to fix. The letters are easily removable with any sharp tool, like the TWSBI-tool for example, that you can use to scrape them off, leaving a nude, transparent barrel which is way nicer to the eye when filled with ink. Try it!

[@jtoddjb]

I got the new rome burning ink in that order too. Very cool. im sure youll get some too. I also got a bottle of 1670 and noticed there is a stain warning on the bottle. how bad does it really stain? I was thinking I'd just put it in a red flex pen and forget about it, or a preppy that didnt leak

[@Tulipsaki]

I just followed The Ink Nouveau's instructional video. It leaked through the barrel area. I've put in a spare cartridge to see how that works.

[@markos741]

I needed some silicone grease so I ordered it from gouletpens. Of course it is ridiculous to order just that (the shipping costs are 5 times what the grease costs) so I threw in 4 preppy pens, medium nib. I also got the rubber O rings for the eyedropper conversion. As soon as they arrive I'll post my opinion. (Another pen I bought because of the Stephen-devil I have on my right shoulder. I must post a list with pens I've bought due to Stephen's direct instigation! :))

[@glitchhhh]

Which one do you like more (and why)? The Platinum Preppy or the Pilot Petit1? Thanks!

[@sbrebrown]

Probably the Preppy for a marginally smoother nib.

[@1BestEnemy]

What is that intro music in the beginning? Sounds amazing

[@sbrebrown]

It's part of Greek orthodox chant.

[@1BestEnemy]

Very nice, thanks.

[@sandrawool5053]

what's with the little thingy in the cap with the spring? BTW, you have me hooked on fountain pens. Thanks a lot. :p

[@christhomas2048]

I've just got my first Preppy and have inserted the cartridge but just can't get the ink to flow. it's completely dry. Any suggestions?

[@2010stoof]

So u said that the fine was smoother than the medium? That seems backwards... in your opinion, could that have just been that medium or do belief its universal? Thinking of buying a bunch of these to give away to people interested in FP and would be cheaper than keeping buying metropolitans or disposable varsity opens that could turn them off to FP all together....

[@ichirofakename]

The Preppy fountain pen suits me fine for drawing. I need no other non-flex non-stub pen.

[@2010stoof]

I think you answered this I saw when reading the comments but the grey feed doesn't come out making it very hard to dry after flushing it.... I would think. Do u think replacing the fountain pen nib and putting paper towel in a cup and leaving it nib down for a time would accelerate the drying through the capillary action like other fountain pen feeds or because its in two part, it doesn't work the same as a traditional feed?

[@sbrebrown]

Yes, I think that might work.

[@maryriley6163]

Yes, I can see the ghost ink under the uv.

[@mckonal]

do you think fountain pen ink in the marker mode can be used in the classroom boards? i mean, is it erasable on a whiteboard?

[@sbrebrown]

I doubt that. Noodler's has a whiteboard ink, though

[@mkglobetrotter]

@sbrebrown Nice! I didn't know they had a fountain pen version. Looking forward to the review!

[@dlyz84]

Yeap, I was trying to check the slit for paper fibres + adjust the flow but its so stubborn it wont come off.. but i guess the other way is using the fingernail and pressing down on the nib slightly (used this method on my Safari and it works though risky)

[@Tulipsaki]

Mine is leaking! I converted it to eyedropper, something that I never want to do again, and it was perfect in theory: red preppy filled with Diamine Oxblood. Now, I'm going to use a converter that costs more than the pen. Blerg!

[@mkglobetrotter]

@sbrebrown I'm not a huge fan of rollerballs (or ballpoints) either, but I'm required to use them from time to time. I think I might just take my father's 1970s Parker Jotter out of retirement. It's a pity he didn't get fountain pens instead, but at least the Jotter has one cool feature - an adjustable calendar! Hm... thanks for the info re: the highlighters. I think I'll start off with a sample vial and go from there.

[@alanyuen7369]

I am comparing it with Pilot Prera 350R M nib. Are you using 0.3 in this video?

[@sbrebrown]

Yes

[@preludefugue4859]

I wonder if it is possible to do the same thing (convert to an eyedrop fountain pen) for pilot petit 1...? Both Preppy and Pilot petit 1 are cheap fountain pen, which one has better nibs? Thank you.

[@sbrebrown]

Yes, you can turn the Petit 1 into an eyedropper filled pen. Both the Preppy and the Petit 1 have acceptable nibs, but neither nib is Iinincredibly smooth. I would probably pick the Preppy.

[@BeautyofScent]

I just got a preppy pen. do you need to cut the little silver tip on top of the cartridge that comes with it? or just push it in?

[@sbrebrown]

Just push it in when inserting the cartridge.

[@shawngoyal8731]

If you are wondering how to remove the labeling on the pen, you can clean the pen with diluted nail polish remover. It will take a couple of minutes but you get a much nicer looking pen.

[@sbrebrown]

Thanks for the information!

[@VishnuVardhanS]

Apart from being exceptionally cheap and hence desirable as a trial of FPs. Purely in terms of writing quality, how does it stack up against other beginner pens like The Pilot Metropolitan/78G and the Lamy Safari?

[@sbrebrown]

Both the Safari and the Metropolitan are definitely a class above the Preppy: they feel more robust in construction and with smoother nibs.

[@VishnuVardhanS]

sbrebrown Thanks for the info and for replying.

[@musingsofajay387]

I bought this pen today. I love it. I like it more than the Metropolitan .. I find that one to be way too scratchy and the way it makes you hold the pen hurts your fingers. this one is great.

[@soundpromaster]

My father used to buy fountain pens in bagladesh in the 1960-70 for around 2-5 dakas (their currency). That would be worth,(in Canadian dollars, less than 30 cents. I wonder if they were any good.

[@jisa39]

Writing sample 17:05

[@sapolica1]

@sbrebrown It worked great, thanks so much! After trying it out, I did however realize that I made the mistake of choosing the .5 nib over the .3 nib, thinking they would be relative to regular ball point sizes. Also, I foolishly thought that it would have more of a caligraphy pen-type nib (flatter, I suppose). I am glad that I watched this video on how to convert, since while practicing and getting a feel of a fountain pen, I wrote through half of the ink cartrage!

[@wisnuprabawa2907]

does it have waterproof ink?,, thanks for the review.

[@sbrebrown]

+wisnu prabawa No, it doesn't.

[@FeelG00D94]

Just wondering , how long will it last if used for daily use?

[@sbrebrown]

I haven't tested that. These are simple pens that are made well, but the plastic definitely will crack when strained too much.

[@FeelG00D94]

ahh my brother broke his when he converted to eyedropper.. may seem counter-intuitive but for those who wants to do the eyedropper style , you might want not want to twist too tightly. Also don't place the pen in your shirt pocket or when it does crack and leak you would look silly. Just like my brother. Btw , the scratchy sounds it makes when u write really fast is awesome in a quiet exam hall

[@FeelG00D94]

sbrebrown Just wondering , what are the pros and cons of converting to eye dropper?

[@sbrebrown]

More ink to write with, more ink to spill.

[@KaneGruber]

I use mine nearly every day (more than a year now). The worst thing about it was the cap cracked (small crack) near the open ring when I closed the pen up one day. I think its soft click fooled me and I pushed to hard, and *crack*. What that did was make it so the cap no longer *snaps* back into place and is horribly loose. I've been using electrical tape to tighten the crack closed, which appears to hold it in place... barely. I have to retape it (often with fresh tape) too frequently for my taste. Other than THAT, it's a super pen! I use it without converter or cartridge (that o-ring is a pocket saver!) so it holds a LOT of ink. Everyday use (and I write a LOT) leads me to need to refill it once a month. The nib is killer, probably my favorite nib ever.

[@soicon3599]

platinum preppy vs pilot. Which you will recommend for me? i don't know should to chose. Thanks +sbrebrown

[@sbrebrown]

+Sói Con What Pilot? There are dozens of different models...

[@soicon3599]

+sbrebrown pilot 78g and platinum preppy. thanks.

[@sbrebrown]

+Sói Con 78G

[@markos741]

Just an update: I have left my eyedropper Preppy inked for a while and the "O" ring got loose, and started leaking. So, I removed the ring, I greased the threads again and now the pen in an eyedropper without the O ring. Everything seems working well. So, if you don't have an O-ring, you can still make a reliable eyedropper out of the Preppy without any problems. It could even work better without it :)

[@naota888]

It should also be included that they also come in a Japanese Extra Fine.

[@13ballom]

If you had to choose between schneider easy and this pen which one would you choose??

[@sbrebrown]

I don't think I've ever used a Schneider Easy.

[@MagnusHedemark]

+Somesh kelkar Neither. Jinhao X450 for the win! In the US, total cost shipped from China is $0.99!! Standard #6 nib, standard ink cartridge. The only think I don't like about it A LOT is the included converter is junk. But a standard international converter fits fine and works great. Likewise, you can use international cartridges.

[@Tulipsaki]

I hope the Goulet pen company gives you free shipping considering you mention them so much.

[@Tulipsaki]

Yes, it did.

[@Tulipsaki]

No issues with a cartridge, FYI.

[@manwhofumbles]

does it take any converter ?

[@sbrebrown]

Yes.

[@bkzwolf]

Does it keep up with you well enough?

[@sbrebrown]

You mean with my writing speed? Yes.

[@bkzwolf]

Thank you. I was planning on getting the nice little deal they have ($20 for noodler's ink, converted to eyedropper, with choice of tip replacement like marker, rollerball, etc.)

[@sbrebrown]

bkzwolf It's a nice modular system.

[@SimonKuang2718]

You tend to use words like "some feedback" and similar euphemisms to cheapen (pun intended) the unpleasant feelings of some pens. Are there any pens that you _really_ don't like?

[@scoobkwtsou2463]

Might you write me the links for each thing specifically? Thanks a lot!

[@routhstars]

These pens write better than pens priced 10 times higher

[@ritinpachnanda]

This or pilot metropolitan? Thank you

[@sbrebrown]

+Ritin Pachnanda I'd say the Metropolitan for the robustness.

[@ritinpachnanda]

+sbrebrown Thank you!

[@prototypep4]

This pen is $15 in Australia... I'm guessing pen importing has a tax since every fucking pen is expensive here. Lamy Safari? $50 without a converter. It's ridiculous.

[@johnhanson6002]

I've had luck buying Safaris through Amazon with free delivery. In Canada I've seen them $25-$30 there, sometimes.

[@thelongslowgoodbye]

As a fellow Aussie, I know your pain. I find that buying off eBay is much cheaper than buying local.

[@soumyajitsarkar2372]

it's 5 to 6 USD in India , don't understand the point of tax for pens .

[@marvindacat]

Oh, good to know before I move home. I'll buy my pens here.

[@ilight11il]

I like how you wink.