I love the concept of desk pens. Not in the literal Platinum Desk Fountain Pen way, but rather, in the “these are the pens that live on my desk permanently” kind of way.
Desk pens in that latter category usually have specific jobs to do. They may not be in heavy rotation, but they are ready and available at a moments notice to jump into action. Pens that fall into this category are fineliners (like the Kuretake Zig Mangaka,) micro tip ballpoints (like the Jetstream Edge,) wide rollerballs (like the Retro 51,) and highlighters (like the Pentel Fitline.) Pencils are in this category as well, both wooden and mechanical.
Yes, I have 20-30 pens and pencils within arms reach at my desk at all times. Probably more, but who is counting!
While those are my desk pens, the Platinum Desk Pen gets the MF Doom-esque caps treatment of its name. What exactly is a Desk Pen?
As you might imagine, it is a pen originally designed to be used at a desk. Normally in a stand or holder, next to an ink bottle for easy dipping, writing, and then dipping again. Fountain pens weren’t always the portable writing wonders that we now have.
The long, skinny barrels are a holdover from quills, I’m assuming, giving desk pens their unique look. The length helps when reaching across the desk to grab one for use, and provides a good feel and balance when scratching out dozens of signatures on the day’s proclamations. Huzzah!
Modern desk pens, while still available with matching pen stands, are often designed to use ink cartridges or converters. And, I see them used more frequently in artists hands, not by the lords and ladies of the manor. There is something brush-like about the pen handle that works for a wide range of motions.
Despite its more vintage look, the Platinum Desk Pen is firmly in the modern pen camp. It even sports Platinum’s popular Slip and Seal cap design to keep the nib from drying out for a long period of time without use. Platinum says up to a year, and while I can’t verify that with this pen, I can report it has sat for weeks between uses and fired right up on uncapping.
That’s even more impressive since I choose to use Platinum Carbon Ink cartridges with this pen, and I suggest you do too. This pigmented, water-resistant ink is perfect for artists, but great for the rest of us, too. The lines are pitch-black, and almost glossy on drying, giving a unique look on the page. You can buy it by the bottle as well, if you choose to use a converter.
Why do I like the Platinum Desk Pen so much? Platinum’s steel nibs are great, the barrel is lightweight and comfortable, and the overall design makes me feel cool. That’s right, I like how I feel when I use it. That should matter, and it does to me.
At $11.50 from JetPens, it won’t break the bank by any stretch. It is available with a Red barrel, along with the Black one I use. You can add on the Platinum Desk Pen Stand for $20 if you want to go full powdered wig mode, but you will lose the modern amenity that is the Slip and Seal cap. I’d stick with the standard cap, and add in a 4-pack of Platinum Carbon Black ink cartridges, putting you at $15 all-in.
I enjoy using the Desk Pen as a desk pen. It makes for a great note-taking, doodle-sketching, low-maintenance workhorse. I can’t recommend it highly enough it you want to try something different in your writing arsenal.
(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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