Platinum Fountain Pen, Plaisir Fine Nib, Ice White (PGB-1000B-#3-F)

Body:Both have a metallic body with a plastic core. However, the metropolitan has a more sturdy feel and slimmer body than the Plaisir.(Metro 1 - Plaisir 0)Weight:The metropolitan is heavier, especially the cap, therefore when posting (i.e. placing the cap on the end of the pen) the metropolitan feel very off balance. The Plaisir is lighter, therefore easy to grip and write with posted, or unposted.(Metro 1 - Plaisir 1)Clip:I don't care for clips, but the metropolitan clip is stiffer than the Plaisir clip.(Metro 1.1 - Plaisir 1)Nib:Both are Japanese stainless steel nib, however, the metropolitan fine is actually finer than the Plaisir fine. Why? I don't know. Therefore, I can't definitively say one write smoother than the other because of the size difference.The nib on metropolitan is slightly longer and wider than the Plaisir.The Plaisir writes wetter than the metropolitan, which helps with smooth writing experience.(Metro 1.6 - Plaisir 1.5)Feed:Plaisir writes wetter than the metropolitan without a doubt. (Read the aesthetic section for more detail)(Metro 1.6 - Plaisir 2.5)Converter:Yes, the metropolitan does come with a cartridge and a converter, the CON - 20... that you should immediately trash.The metropolitan is compatible with the CON - 40 (which replaced the better CON - 50) and can hold 0.6 mL of ink at about ~$7.The Plaisir is compatible with the PLAT - 500 (a.k.a Platinum converter) and can hold 0.6 mL of ink at about $8.The PLAT - 500 is a lot more reliable than the CON - 40, in term of suction and maintenance.(Metro 1.6 - Plaisir 3.5)Aesthetic:PLAISIR. Why are you still reading this?I prefer the simple, yet elegant, design of the Plaisir a lot more than the metropolitan. A lot of the patterns and color choices for the metropolitan seems awkward. The only two I like are the all black or the silver version of the metropolitan, while I like all of the Plaisir color choices.Furthermore, the transparent feed in the PLAISIR, absolutely gorgeous. I really like being about to see the ink flow inside the feed, unlike most fountain pen with an opaque feed, however, the transparent feed area will not be fully filled with a cartridge.The area will only be fully filled when using a converter to fill the pen. (Keep this in mind)(Metro 1.6 - Plaisir 4.5)Review of Other's Reviews:I didn't have a problem with the pen so I read some of the "one star" reviews to see what was the complaint was about. Here's my review of their whinings:"Poor Inkflow" by Laura Morrison (February 12, 2018)-If you used the cartridge, did you turn the pen upside down and allow time for the ink to flow into the feed and nib? This isn't a problem with the fountain pen. It's a problem with all fountain pens using cartridges."skips and does not write smoothly compared to Pilot Metropolitan" by Paion (April 9, 2017)-Dude, it's not a flex nib pen. Applying pressure to the nib will only deform it. You shouldn't be applying any force when using a non-flex nib fountain pen. A good fountain pen can write under its own weight. In fact, it sounds like you applied so much force, you're the reason why the pen is not working properly and malfunction."Very disappointing!" by Evereddieon (February 11, 2017)-It's a $10 fountain pen... It's one of the cheapest fountain pens on the market. What were you expecting? High-quality control?"Does not write very good. Skips and feels very light" by Richard Timmermanon (December 17, 2014)-Honestly, this sounds like your first fountain pen. Fountain pens only write at a certain angle. You just held the pen wrong."Meh" byTonyon (May 29, 2014)-Tonyon, you sound like someone who held the pen wrong and knows nothing about fountain pen. Learn to hold it better and understand what Japanese fine nib is BEFORE placing a review."One Star" by Amazon Customeron (February 17, 2016)-Seriously..? You gave a one-star review because the pen function exactly how it designed, but you simply didn't understand it. OH, COME ON!Overall:If you haven't guessed, I love the pen.It's lightweight, well-balanced, writes wet, and beautifully designed.

Reviewing the Platinum Plaisir fountain pen, blue, 03 nib. Satin, light blue aluminum exterior with a pronounced(!) silvery advertisement band at cap’s bottom. Originally bought as a more robust replacement for my somewhat fragile Platinum Preppy, given their important bits are completely interchangeable. While I love the way both write - the thin, fluid line, starts every time, no skips and minimal scratch - I just can’t get over the Plaisir’s appearance. Not serious, folks. Perhaps that’s part of it’s Preppy pedigree and I get the idea of a “fun” pen. But next time you’re in the corporate board room, you may prefer having a Waterman Allure or JinHao 88 on hand. That is, unless you are part of the creative team.

Lovely, professional looking fountain pen. Purchased light blue. I am moving up from the basic plastic body and am very happy with this pen.

Pen is too slippery to hold. The finish is good looking and shiny. Nib is fine but not too smooth.

Brief back ground.For a long time, my Platinum 3776 I bought back in 1980 was the only fountain pen I've used regularly. Before that, two more fountain pens, one was Pilot(Pilot Short) and I don't remember the other one.I've been very happy with my Platinum 3776, so I had no doubt in what I could expect.My first impression on Plaisir(white pearl finish, fine nib).1) light weight, for me, a pen can't be too light.2) Nice finish, very pleasing color. I later found out that the finish is extraordinary durable. I was expecting some sign of wear after repeat of cap and un-cap, by the experience from other pens. After two months of regular use, no sign of dullness. It still shines like new.3) Stainless-nib, it works just as good as 14 k gold(as my 3776 has) nib. It felt a little rough at first but by the time first cartridge was finished, it was noticeably smoother. It's almost as smooth as 3776 now, which has impressed anybody tried it. The nib is not flexible, just like all other general purpose writing nibs. I won't be hesitant to choose another stainless nib if I was given a choice between gold nib and stainless nib.4) Cap & Seal: it really works! I had problem with 3776 for needing a priming (writing something on the paper until the ink flow becomes consistent after it was left a few days unused). There's no need for such worry. It writes with full flow of ink from the first letter on the paper. It's a remarkable improvement over the older models.Cons?Some of you may find some cheapness about it, like the band around the cap. It is a cheap pen, it can be bought at $10.-. I have no complaints as long as functionally good.I'll get another one of these or a few of Preppy with different ink colors.If you have never tried fountain pen before, any fountain pen, you'll like how it writes compare to other types of pens, Unlike other types of pen, what fountain pens do is just sliding over the paper with no resistance unlike other types which requires you to push the tip down on the paper and smear the ink on the paper. Another advantage is evenness of the line thickness. If you've been dissatisfied with your hand writing, fountain pen makes your hand writing look much better.

Bin sehr zufrieden.

Von der Optik schön, aber das Schreibgefühl ist nicht so wie erwartet. Wollte einen Stift, der sehr dünn schreibt, wie ein koreanischer Kugelschreiber den ich mal besaß, aber das Schriftbild wirkt mit dem Füller leider nicht so fein.

Kein hochwertiges Schreibgerät - aber ich finde Größe und Gewicht für den Alltag passend. Leider passen keine Standard-Patronen, aber da ich einen Konverter mitbestellt habe, bin ich flexibel, was Tinten angeht.

やっぱり書きやすい。前に購入したものは、途中で固まってしまい、お湯につけても復活出来なかったので、諦めてまた同じ物を購入。手頃な値段だし、前に購入したカートリッジインクもそのまま使えるし、また買って良かった。今後は固まらないように、ボールペンよりもこちらを優先して使います。

I used to avoid Platinum pens. I thought they were expensive simply because they were made in Japan. What changed my mind was a Platinum Preppy. I thought it was a stupid name but kept hearing good things about it; plus, it wasn't expensive. I was surprised. It glided over the paper in a way I hadn't experienced before. Effortless writing. It had a 0.5mm nib, and the resulting line was wider than I like - wider than with other 0.5mm nibs I have. When I saw this Plaisir at a good price with a 0.3mm nib I couldn't resist.It looks beautiful, in a minimalistic way. It promises to not dry out if left for many months. The cap pushes on, not screw on. It is described as Yellow, but it's not. It is a Gold colour, and nicer for it. I've seen this same pen offered on other pen sites but at a higher price. Not only that, but if you buy a blue Plaisir then it comes with a blue cartridge, or red with red etc. After I ordered this pen I thought - Oh no, they'll give me a yellow cartridge, the least useful colour for ink. They didn't. Thankfully it came with a black ink cartridge.I'm pleased with the pen but I need to say this: The nib doesn't glide over the paper as effortlessly as the Preppy. This is due to it having a 0.3mm nib. I feel certain that I would be in the same position if I'd bought a 0.3mm Preppy instead of the 0.5mm. I wish they made a 0.4mm version.If you are not familiar with Platinum then you need to know about the cartridges. They hold more ink, i.e. larger, than other cartridges.Other brands of cartridges will not fit. They've gone down the Parker road - Buy our pen, you'll need our cartridges.You can buy a converter which will fit the Preppy or Plaisir, but it costs more than a Preppy. Also available, as mentioned by another reviewer, is an adapter to enable International size cartridges to be used. Not cheap though, for what it is. I'll probably refill the cartridge with bottled ink using a syringe or pipette. Bottled ink has more colour choice and I love Diamine Saddle Brown.Yes, I'm glad I bought it. Just as well since I am waiting for two more to arrive.