Maker: Platinum.
The Plaisir is one of Platinum’s lower-end models, having only the Preppy beneath it in the roster of the company’s pocket fountain pens. It is in many ways a Preppy in slightly better trim, as the point and feed are essentially identical to that which runs the less expensive model.
The difference lies in the anodized aluminum outer body, which gives the Plaisir a somewhat more grown-up and sedate appearance than the Preppy. “Somewhat,” because the effort is undercut by one of the madder cap bands in current production. When the pen is opened for use, the transparent section also takes some measure of gravitas away; 12-year-old me would have loved it. My exemplar doesn’t show the frequent self-inflicted wound on this line, as in many colours the point has been given a coating to match the barrel, a practice also found in the Preppy– it looks a little silly, and the finish eventually peels away starting at the slit.
As a final point of concern on the aesthetic side, one finds two digits indicating the size of the point impressed into the top of the cap. This isn’t an unknown practice, but it’s more usual in calligraphy pens and technical stylographs.
Moving to consideration of function, Platinum makes some serious claims about the inner workings of the cap on this model. This is another point of similarity between this model and the Preppy, as both are proclaimed to be fitted with a “Slip and Seal” cap. In effect, there is a very soft inner cap mounted on a spring; it makes contact with the forward edge of the section well ahead of the cap clicking into place, so a strong seal under positive pressure is established. The company claims to have proved to their own satisfaction that the seal is good enough that there’s no perilous concentration of ink for at least a year, and that up to two years of storage-in-battery is possible. This is convenient, but it’s not the sort of thing I’d urge putting to the test.
Given that it is a well-made and low-cost pen, I wish I could be more enthusiastic about the Plaisir’s performance. There is nothing wrong with it, but it is no more than appropriate to the cost of the pen. It is a very light pen, which I view as a virtue when contemplating a protracted writing session, but I know many find lightness and cheapness to equate in modern pens. It’s true in this case, but I still don’t think it’s a bad thing.
Production Run: 2010 – present.
Cost When New: ¥1000 (according to the company website– the tag on mine shows ¥1050); MSRP for North America is $22.00.
Size: 14.3 cm long capped, 15.0 cm posted, 12.2 cm uncapped.
Point: Steel.
Body: Aluminum.
Filler: Proprietary cartridge, capacity approx. 1.2 ml; will accept Platinum’s converter as well, capacity approx. 0.5ml.
Platinum Plaisir in Frosty Blue. The finish is rather glossy for anodization; there is apparently some sort of anti-scratch process/coating involved in the finish.
The box in which it came– not an altogether cheap bit of packaging. The thing in the bag to the left is an adapter to allow the use of International cartridges, something I’m not sure is a standard inclusion or just a bonus from the vendor I used– I rather suspect the latter.
If you are relying on the preceding information to win a bet or impress a teacher, you should read the site’s scholarly caveat. Remember, this is the internet, and it’s full of bad information.