Fountain Pen Review: Platinum Curidas Gran Red

Back in time when I wasn't using fountain pens yet, I hoarded Pilot G2s in all available colors. They're sturdy, reliable, and cheap. They're also retractable 'click pens' that I love because I didn't need to worry about losing pen caps. Shifting to full fountain pen use changed my writing behavior and preferences. Since then, I got used to pens with caps that snap or screw onto the pens. There are also very few retractable fountain pens, and I only had one of them. Thankfully, Platinum announced in early 2020 the release of their brand new retractable fountain pen, the Curidas. The Curidas is a translucent fountain pen available in five colors, named after combining the English word curiosity and the Japanese word Kuridasu, which means to let out. 

It's true that the Curidas has let out people's curiosity. Before its release, fountain pen collectors and enthusiasts clamored for the Curidas. It was one of the most anticipated fountain pens of 2020, and everyone just wanted to get their Curidas fountain pens. I passed on the opportunity to get a pen last year, but luckily, I got one two weeks ago when Scribe.ph received their new stocks of Platinum Curidas and sent one to me for review. I was so excited to get another retractable fountain pen, and I'm so happy I got one in red!

The outer box of Platinum Curidas is made of board paper with a stylized rendition of the fountain pen and the Curidas logo.

The inner box is made of plastic and contains the Curidas fountain pen, Platinum converter, cartridge, an instruction manual, and a set of tools for disassembling the pen's clip.

The Curidas is one of the world's few retractable fountain pens, and Platinum's first. With the Curidas, Platinum offers a new and unique mechanism and a different writing experience. It is available in five translucent colors and three nib widths. It can be filled with ink using a Platinum cartridge or through bottled ink using the supplied converter. It's helpful that the Curidas can be safely and easily taken apart for cleaning. The clip of the Curidas is removable, and Platinum includes a tool to help in disassembly. This is useful for people who want to use their Curidas fountain pen without the clip.

Platinum Curidas Gran Red fountain pen with a medium nib.

The Curidas is comfortable to use. Unlike the Pilot Vanishing Point's clip that extends almost to the nib, the clip of the Curidas is short, leaving enough space that the user can grip while writing. I also love that Platinum used colored translucent plastic for the Curidas because I can peer into what's inside the barrel, and also because they remind me of the Pilot mechanical pencils I used in my illustration classes in college. Gran Red is stunning! But don't let the plastic put you off—the Curidas is a sturdy and reliable fountain pen. 

Platinum Curidas with the nib extended.

The Platinum Curidas fountain pen has the following specifications and measurements:

• Length, nib retracted: 6.04 in | 15.34 cm
• Length, nib extended: 5.50 in | 13.9 cm
• Diameter, body and section/grip: 0.53 in | 1.34 cm
• Full pen weight: 24 g | 0.84 oz
• Body material: Resin
• Cap: Capless
• Clip: Steel
• Nib: Steel
• Nib sizes: Extra Fine, Fine, Medium
• Colors available: Gran Red, Abyss Blue, Graphite Smoke, Prism Crystal, and Urban Green
• Filling mechanism: Platinum converter or cartridge, both supplied with each pen purchase

I mentioned that Platinum offers a new mechanism in the Curidas, and this design is the only thing that may put off some people from getting one. In order to fill this pen with ink, — using a cartridge or converter — one needs to partly disassemble the pen, and no, there is no other way to fill the pen with ink. The top part of the barrel needs to be removed, and the nib assembly after that. But Platinum designed this assembly with guided grooves so that the user will not be lost in the process of filling or refilling the pen with ink. After receiving this pen, I took a few days before finally taking the pen apart to ink it, and I realized it was so easy to do it. And if I can do it, yes you can do it, too!

It was easy to disassemble the Curidas as taking apart the nib assembly is guided by assigned grooves. It's intimidating at first, but once you get it, it's very easy to do.

The Curidas is a unique fountain pen, but the extended button is quite long. It makes clicking it a bit tricky for me because getting my thumb over it takes my hand away from the other end and increases the risk of hitting something as the nib extends. 

The button of the Curidas is longer than most retractable pens' buttons and it makes the pen exceptionally long.

I received the Gran Red Curidas with a medium nib and it writes so well! I expected it to be dry and scratchy, but I am surprised that it's not. The medium nib writes smoothly, almost stubbish, and delivers wide and wet strokes right out of the box. This medium nib writes thicker lines than most Japanese medium nibs do, in fact, it's very close to a western medium.

The medium nib of the Curidas writes smoothly with wide and wet strokes.

Side by side, the Curidas dwarfs the Pilot Vanishing Point with its long button. It's also thicker at 0.53 inches in diameter than the Vanishing Point at 0.44 inches, but it's still comfortable to grip without the clip getting in the way. While it seems a heavy pen, it's actually light and comfortable to use even for long writing periods.

Platinum Curidas and Pilot Vanishing Point, both retractable fountain pens from Japan.

The Curidas is longer than most full-sized pens because of its long button. With its nib retracted, it is longer than the Lamy Al-star—my standard pen for size comparison, Pilot Vanishing Point, Platinum Prefounte, and Sailor 1911 Profit Junior, also known as Compass 1911. I also noticed that the material for Gran Red is very similar to that of the Crimson Red Prefounte. When the nib is extended and the button is pressed, the Curidas is still slightly longer than all of these fountain pens. 

From the top: Lamy Al-star Ruby Red, Pilot Vanishing Point, Curidas Gran Red, Prefounte Crimson Red, and Sailor Compass 1911 Transparent Red.

Even with the nib extended and the button is pressed, the Curidas is still slightly longer than all of the four pens.

Testing fountain pen nibs and doing writing samples are always a challenge for me. While my purpose is to show how a nib writes, I also want to produce writing samples that are relevant to the pens' origins, designers, or brands. However, there are times when I cannot find any written piece that I feel is suitable, and I do random poems or song lyrics. This time, though, I remembered something I wanted to do before. Remember Sex and the City? The film? There was a scene in the film where Carrie and Mr. Big were reading together, and the book was Love Letters of Great Men, Volume 1. Carrie read a love letter to Mr. Big, and it was Beethoven's letter to his Immortal Beloved. Now that love letter is special to me and one I will always love reading. It's also one I loved writing with a very special red fountain pen with a smooth, wet, stubbish medium nib I filled with matching red ink, Robert Oster's Red Candy.

I used the Platinum converter included in the box to fill the Curidas fountain pen with Robert Oster ink. The medium nib wrote smoothly out of the box, and I did not experience any hard starts, dryness, or skipping. It's a wonderful experience writing with a spectacular nib.

Here is a perfect match of fountain pen, ink, and paper: Platinum Curidas Gran Red, Robert Oster Red Candy, and Midori MD notebook. All perfect for Beethoven's love letter. 
Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.

I missed getting the Curidas the first time it was launched last year and I didn't think that I'll get to try one, especially during these difficult times. But here's one with me now, in a bright and happy color that's just perfect for the times. The Curidas is a wonderful fountain pen made by great pen makers, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to try retractable fountain pens. Get one for your Platinum collection!

Rants of The Archer thanks Scribe.ph for providing the Platinum Curidas Gran Red fountain pen in this review. Scribe offers Platinum fountain pens in their stores and through their online service, Scribe.ph. Visit their website to learn more about their products, promos, and new brand offerings. Scribe.ph now offers worldwide shipping. For more updates, follow them on social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScribePH/
• Instagram: https://https://www.instagram.com/scribe.ph/

Fountain Pen Review: Platinum Prefounte

The holiday season is here and this week, Rants of The Archer has a fun stocking stuffer for fountain pen lovers and for those who are new to the hobby. Platinum has several beginner fountain pens such as the Preppy and Plaisir. On November 1, 2019, Platinum, one of Japan's big three pen companies, launched the Prefounte, a new beginner fountain pen in the brand's entry-level pen series. The Prefounte is very similar to the Preppy, but it has an upgraded metal clip and without the excessive branding of the Preppy. It looks smart and polished with a metal clip and subdued body colors, giving it a more professional look. 

Scribe.ph, the only authorized seller of Platinum pens in the Philippines stocked up on the Prefounte as soon as they were released. The initial reviews were good and said the Prefounte is an excellent fountain pen. With the Prefounte, Platinum has filled the gap between the Preppy and the Plaisir. I may not be a fan of both pens, but I like the Prefounte a lot and its writing performance. I'm glad that people who want to move up after the Preppy can get a less expensive but more professional looking fountain pen. At PhP495 (roughly US$10), this pen is a good catch! Platinum offers Prefounte as a beginner pen at an affordable price point that makes it an ideal gift or someone's "first fountain pen." 

Unlike most pens that are sold in boxes, the Prefounte is offered in retail packaging so that it's easy to display in stores. The packaging is simple and includes a cartridge of Platinum Blue Black ink. This packaging is very similar to the one used in Pilot Kakunos.

The Prefounte fountain pen has the following measurements and specifications:

• Colors: Crimson Red, Dark Emerald, Vermilion Orange, Night Sea, and Graphite Blue
• Material: Polycarbonate
• Filling mechanism: Converter or cartridge included in the package
• Cap: Snap-on, postable
• Clip material: Chrome-plated steel 
• Nib: Stainless steel in Fine or Medium
• Length, capped: 5.4 in | 13.8 cm
• Length, uncapped: 4.8 in | 12.1 cm
• Length, cap posted: 5.9 in | 15.1 cm
• Full pen weight: 13g including cartridge

The Platinum Prefounte fountain pen is made from impact-resistant polycarbonate resin and available in five stylish colors: Crimson Red, Dark Emerald, Vermilion Orange, Night Sea, and Graphite Blue. These five colors are offered to suit both formal and casual styles. I think all colors are suitable for any setting, and these pens will be useful in testing inks later on.

The Prefounte is available in either Fine or Medium stainless steel nib. These nibs are the same ones used in the Preppy and Plaisir fountain pens. The Fine nib is suitable for writing in small spaces, while the Medium nib writes with thicker lines with smooth ink flow. While most prefer the Fine nib, I am more comfortable writing with the Prefounte's Medium nib which is more like a western medium than a Japanese medium. They all wrote smoothly out of the packaging and I did not have to do any priming.

The Prefounte fountain pen's cap is equipped with Platinum's unique "Slip and Seal Mechanism" that prevents the ink from drying out in the nib. With this mechanism, the Prefounte can go unused for months and not dry out. It also prevents ink loss due to evaporation and ensures writing with fresh ink each time the pen is used.

The Prefounte shares the same material, shape, and size as the Preppy and writes so much like the Preppy. While capped, it's longer than the Pilot Kakuno, and just the same with the Pilot Metropolitan.

Uncapped, the Prefounte is shorter than the two Pilot fountain pens and is exactly the same length as the Preppy.

It took me a year to try the Platinum Prefounte and I must say that it writes so much better than I thought, especially the medium nib which is perfect for writing quick notes and some doodling.  The Prefounte writes beautifully and very comfortable for long periods of writing. Its medium nib is more of a western medium so it's wetter than other Platinum medium nibs and I love it! 

To test all five Prefounte fountain pens, I filled them with the following inks: Krishna Inks Sindhoor (Crismon Red), Pelikan Edelstein Jade (Dark Emerald), Robert Oster Red Orange (Vermilion Orange), J. Herbin Bleu Nuit (Night Sea), and used the Platinum Blue Black cartridge for Graphite Blue. All five pens wrote easily upon inking and I did not get any hard starts.

The Prefounte is a good value and an excellent fountain pen from Platinum and it's widely available at an affordable price point. The "1 Year No Dry" claim is also interesting and useful as most fountain pen users have the tendency to leave inked pens in storage. I'd also prefer to give the Prefounte as gifts to friends because they look less flashy than the Preppy. Get one—or get all for your collection—and your friends, too!

Rants of The Archer thanks Scribe.ph for providing the Prefounte fountain pen in this review. Scribe offers the Prefounte and other Platinum fountain pens in their stores. Visit the Scribe.ph website to learn more about their products, promos, and new brand offerings. Scribe.ph now offers worldwide shipping. For more updates, follow them on social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScribePH/
• Instagram: https://https://www.instagram.com/scribe.ph/

Scribe Writing Essentials: The Philippines' One-Stop-Shop for Fine Writing Instruments

I remember the first few years after I started using my first fountain pen. I was so frustrated because the only ink I could use then was Parker Quink Black. When I joined Fountain Pen Network-Philippines, or FPN-P, I learned about a specialty store in Quezon City's Eastwood Mall selling not only fountain pens, but fountain pen inks and fountain pen-friendly notebooks as well. The store, Scribe Writing Essentials (SWE, or Scribe), became a very popular name within FPN-P since then. Soon, owner Marian Ong joined the group in one of our monthly pen meets to introduce a highly celebrated German brand, Pelikan. That was three years ago.

FPN-P 2010 Christmas Pen Meet, Conti's Greenbelt 2, Makati City. Marian Ong (in striped top) seated in front.
This photo belongs to FPN-P member Arnell T. Umali.

  

Today, Scribe has grown tremendously. In less than a year, four more stores were added to the one in Eastwood, all selling a wide variety of products from journal and diaries to fine writing instruments from around 20 brands from all over the world. 

Scribe now offers fine writing instruments from Japan and Taiwan in Asia, and Germany and Spain in Europe. Brands such as TWSBI, Sailor, Platinum, Inoxcrom, Kaweco, Lamy, and Pelikan are all known to produce high quality writing instruments, and most of their products are collectibles. Topnotch and highly-coveted Japanese notebook Midori is also in Scribe's shelves now, as well as Hong Kong made notebooks and stationery items from Daycraft. Scribe has also made a giant leap by offering fountain pen inks that used to reside only in my dreams: J. Herbin from France, Pelikan Edelstein from Germany, and Noodlers from the US. Other fountain pen inks from Sailor and Lamy are also available from their stores.

To officially launch Scribe, their stores, and the brands they carry, Scribe's founder and owner, Marian Ong, hosted a cocktail party at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall on March 4, 2014. The event was well-attended by a large number of FPN-P people, members of the press, and Scribe's friends. 

The Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza Mall where the Scribe launch was held on March 4, 2014.

The Scribe store in Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City. Photo provided by SWE.

Scribe has three brand ambassadors who were present during the launch. They are Michael Manalo, and FPN-P's Leigh Reyes and Fozzy Castro-Dayrit. Their art were displayed during the event. 

Art by Leigh Reyes, who counts the Scribe display as her first exhibit ever.
Leigh is a known figure in the advertising world, having won the country's first ever GOLD CLIO and WORLD PRESS Gold awards. Her work has been recognized both here and abroad. She loves doodling with pen, ink and paper and making jaw-dropping works of art. She gets most of her stuff from Scribe which she considers her "happy place." 

Fozzy Castro-Dayrit's intricate calligraphy.
Fozzy has conducted calligraphy workshops for the store in the past. Her classes are sought-after as she specializes in calligraphy, designing wedding invitations and personalized cards. Fozzy considers Scribe a one-stop shop for all her calligraphy and art supplies needs.

Design by Architect Michael Manalo.
As a boy, Mico loved looking at illuminated manuscripts from the Gothic Age. He then studied Architecture with a masters degree in Architectural Conservation from the Escuela Nacionál deConservación, Restauración y Museografía INAH, Mexico City. Now, he spends his time designing new structures, trying to restore old ones and travelling to learn about the importance of saving heritage while working with the UNESCO. 

Before the program started, guests were encouraged to write messages to be posted at the Scribe Calligraphy Message Wall. Paper, Speedball ink, and colorful quills were provided to the event's enthusiastic guests. 

FPN-P members Reggie Reginaldo and Mars Hagedorn write their messages for the Calligraphy Message Wall.

Calligraphy Message Wall

The program started with a short documentary about how Scribe evolved to being the one-stop-shop that it is now. Trivia games were played as brands carried by Scribe stores were introduced, and three FPN-P members went home happily with Scribe gift certificates. Fountain pens were raffled off, with two more FPN-P members going home the happiest. 

Left to right: Michael, Marian, Fozzy, Leigh, and program host RJ Ledesma. 

The Scribe launch was a joyful celebration for me. I knew it was a very important event for Marian and her group, and we at FPN-P were just happy to celebrate with them. It was also an occasion where I get to be with my FPN-P friends who are the kindest, happiest people I know. We get to meet once or twice a month, but being with them at an event to launch our favorite store is just awesome!

Indeed, Scribe has brought not only the sophistication to our choice of writing instruments, it has brought back an art long considered lost and archaic. More and more people are enjoying the art of using fountain pens nowadays, and the growing number of FPN-P newbies is proof of that. 

To say that we at FPN-P are happy that we now have a "one-stop-shop" for fountain pens, ink, and notebooks is an understatement. No longer are we envying neighbors Malaysia and Singapore for their pen boutiques for Scribe, in Manila, is offering us a haven for our pen and pen-related needs.

Below are some photos of FPN-P members during the event. Photos courtesy of Scribe.

Marian with FPN-P's Raffy Roxas and Peter Bangayan

The Archer, Cesar Salazar, Gelzon dela Cruz, Ernesto Tabujara, Ronnie Geron, Mars Hagedorn, 
Mona and Reggie Reginaldo

Allan Caindoy, Peter, Jonathan Isip, Carlos Abad Santos, Dennis Duran, Raffy, 
and FPN-P's founding father, Butch Dalisay

And again, FPN-P with Scribe's Marian Ong and Cindy Dingkoi. I hope the next FPN-P + Scribe group pic won't take another three  years in the making.

For more information about Scribe and the brands they carry, visit their website at: http://www.scribewritingessentials.com/ or like their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ScribeWritingEssentials.

You can also visit a Scribe store nearest you. Below is a list of Scribe's stores, their store hours and contact numbers.

EASTWOOD MALL
Level 3, Eastwood Mall Eastwood City

E. Rodriguez Jr Avenue, Bagumbayan Quezon City

Mon to Thur 11:00am – 10:00pm
Fri to Sat 11:00am – 11:00pm
Sun 10:00am – 10:00pm
Tel. 900-0053

SHANGRILA PLAZA MALL
Lower Ground Floor, East Wing Shangrila Plaza Mall 

Brgy Wack Wack Mandaluyong City
Mon to Thur 11:00am – 9:00pm
Fri to Sat 10:00am – 10:00pm
Sun 10:00am – 9:00pm
Tel. 654.5071

GLORIETTA 5
Level 2, Glorietta 5 Ayala Center 

Brgy San Antonio Makati City
Mon to Thur 11:00am – 9:00pm
Fri to Sat 11:00am – 10:00pm
Tel. 804.3889

SM AURA
Level 4, SM Aura Premier 

26th Street corner McKinley Parkway 

Fort Bonifacio Global City Taguig
Mon to Sun 10:00am – 10:00pm
Tel. 519.5346

SM MEGAMALL
Level 4, SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Mandaluyong City
Mon to Sun 10:00am – 10:00pm

Tel. TBA