When you brought up the pen on the screen, my eyes never left it. You know when you move something someones zeroed in on and you move it from left to right and all that.... thats me XD.... beautiful finish.... I wonder if they have a green one.
We actually have two of these. More precisely, my wife has two of these. One used to be mine. But she wanted twins. So now she has the red and the green. But man... as far as we’re concerned? Magnificent pens. Simple in design, but crazy elegant with the depth of the urushi. And good writers as well. No regrets here!
looks like I wiil be going to your classes (handwriting videos) to learn how to flourish.... I always get a kick out of your writing samples and classes (everyone else says videos, I say calsses). ;)
Gorgeous pen, although I would be slightly hesitant to buy one if yours wasn’t perfectly tuned and polished out of the box for that price...I’d hate to have to send it back or bring it somewhere special to have it fixed. Love the pen itself though and wonderful review
It is a beautiful pen - love the urushi look and organic shape. Some companies tend to overplay the cultural/historical qualities of their products. At that price the nib and feed need to be great.
That pen sure is pretty! Thank you for your time and effort entertaining and informing us 👍 😎 4:41 every pen fanatic has had that moment 😳😯 Had one yesterday, my vanishing point deployed unknowingly and got sprung and I mean sprung like it looked like a snakes tongue wide V shape, to think of it, it might as well have been a snake in my pocket for the feel of terror I felt. But with a little tender love and care I managed to get it back to 90% and even now I'm working on it.
Lovely pen Asian! I hope that you guys are enjoying the Canadian frontier.. 30 years in Colorado and I still miss my NYC Ocean environment. I myself have a Kuro Tamenuri Naka Ai from Nakaya.. the urushi is really stunning and durable.. I still find the Platinum nibs to be very dry and more feedback prone.. still, I love the Izumo design.. best wishes! Frank from Boulder, Colorado
Hi Azizah-my broad-nib Izumo was polished perfectly and writes well with that nice Japanese 'pencilllin' feel on paper. In that regard, it’s better than my Nakaya Writer, but my ebonite/urushi KOP's nib is better still. I do like the depth of the Izumo's black finish and its curvy, kind of voluptuous shape. Glad to hear you’ll be at the Philly Pen Show!
Is it possible to fix this skipping at home? I have a pen which skips too. If you show us the technique it will be appreciated. (I cleaned my pen it but still skips)
wonderful video as alwayys! at that price, not being able to post and a less than perfect nib would be a deal breaker. I will stand with my Platinum President and its perfect broad nib and a cap that I can post.
Oh Azizah, don't do this to me. Don't!!!! Hahahahahaha. Izumos make me weak in the knees. I should've bought the yellow-brown urushi one a few years back but I didn't. This is tempting me again.
Nice pen. Really nice. Interesting review. I’m one of those people who writes on planes/ trains. A pen that doesn’t post won’t work for me. (Lost an expensive cap under my seat once.) So if the pen is good, I want to take it with me!
If Platinum gave you the opportunity to design one of its pens, which colors would you use? A President nib sounds different. What title would you want to give nibs if you could design them?
Nice review. I got the Tagasayan hardwood glossy version in a broad, and it's also a gorgeous pen that writes beautifully. But I got it from Cult Pens for a lot less--maybe it was just a super one-time sale--so North Americans should check there, since the VAT doesn't apply to us.
Thanks! I really enjoyed this review, I didn't really know about this pen, and in spite of your nib it's a very appealing pen. I will happily pay a little extra to support my local retailers. Sometimes "local" being B&M, sometimes just online retailers in my country. But I won't pay a LOT more and the distributors price increases on Japanese pens are just obscene. If I wanted to buy one of these with a custom grind then maybe it would make sense to use a US shop that also can customize the nib, otherwise I would buy from a Japanese online retailer.
I agree that for the price, Platinum uses cheap plastic toggles and flimsy balsa wood boxes. I think this undercuts exactly the prestige that they are trying to evoke.
I like it, but for the money I prefer something a bit more stylish, such as Visconti or the other Italian pen makers. Thank goodness you didn't drop it first, because you know it's just a matter of time before mister giant hands lets it fly, lol. I enjoy the closeups of you writing, so thanks for this one.
Azizah, interesting review as always and a very nice pen to boot. I think most of the price differential is due to taxes / overhead costs etc from one country to another. Agree with you that when possible I also like to support the local brick / mortar stores, especially when something "goes wrong" they tend to be able to take care of you (the customer). For instance had I bought this pen, and the nib came overpolished I would have to clue on how to fix this (must hang out with you guys more), so a local retailer would be able to take care of this (even sending the pen back). Once again thanks for the review, always fun to see what is out there.
Hey Azizah! Great pen and review, thx. I am a big fan of any Urushi pens and that one of yours is very nice :) Great close up shots! So for me, I bought my Nakaya from nibs.com as I wanted a warranty and the pens are expensive. I too would buy your Izumo urushi from a store as I'd want a warranty on that as it is expensive enough. However, I bought my Custom 823 'WA' from Japan, as even with UK import charges, etc, the cost was still cheap enough (compared to USA or EU prices) for me to take that chance about the warranty cover here. Don't get me wrong, I have a Japanese warranty from the shop I got it from, I do not have UK or EU warranty shop to send it to. So I agree with you, the price does affect whether I'd buy from a store or not. Sorry for rambling, lol.
There is an interesting thing - I compered urushi finnish on Nakayas I have and some more "not-my-pens" with Platinum Izumo of more or less same technique (tamenuri, aka and kuro) and they are very different. I would not notice this difference several months ago, but since I work with urushi myself it is more visible. I am almost sure different artists/workshops are responsible for urushi on those pens, despite same (almost same) company making them.
Pen Friends not night and day. But Tamenuri on Izumo is... too perfect. Too even. But it might be irrelevant for somoene who is not such urushi freak as me ;))
Regarding what you said about preferring buying locally- I get the reasons for it and usually, I am all pro-local buying. But when an item is sold for such a price, it is in some level an obligation of the customer to buy the item at a lower price, if available, to make let the economic competition be going. It does not matter if the store itself or their distributor or the importer is the bottleneck: eventually, they will lose profit and will have to reduce the price in order to get to the customer's pocket. The price should be higher than the one overseas but not by a vast difference, importing fees and the cost of shipping are both lower than one might think, but running a brick and mortar store has its own cost and you as a customer have your value from buying locally (as said on the video). I would put a limit for when the country of origin (where the retailer and distributor are operating) has a less developed economy. In this case, it is cheating: The lower prices are not resulted in better management, but by the circumstances in which everything costs less. The local retailer and distributor cannot compete with these prices.
I just got my Cross Bailey Fountain pen. It is red lacquer with silver trim. It truly is a classic looking fountain pen. The nib is medium and the ink flows smoothly. It dries really fast, before you finish the next word on the paper. You will have to get used to writing with a fountain pen if you are a first time user. The posting (Posting is when you put the cap on the back of the pen while you write, regardless of whether it pushes on or screws on with threads) is HORRIBLE. It does not stay and becomes loose and won't stay posted. I am an author and own 12 cross pens from ball points, roller balls, fountain pens. I don't know why cross can't fix this. If it wasn't for the loose posting, this would be one hell of a classic fountain pen for the price. fredberri.com
thanks for sharing actual writing samples! So hard to find premium pen reviews that are actually willing to write with them!
It has a gorgeous, dolphin look.
Very Lovely.... and the Pen's fairly nice also!
When you brought up the pen on the screen, my eyes never left it. You know when you move something someones zeroed in on and you move it from left to right and all that.... thats me XD.... beautiful finish.... I wonder if they have a green one.
My dog with remote controls, or me with boobies.
As always your presentation is entertaining and unique.
Really like the close up angle of the writing sample at the end.
Great reviews. Loved the close ups!
Glad you like them!
Hi there, the Japanese label just says 'fountain pen ', some numbers, and your particular color at the bottom (akatame).
I'd be curious to the difference between a nakaya and Izumo!
We actually have two of these. More precisely, my wife has two of these. One used to be mine. But she wanted twins. So now she has the red and the green. But man... as far as we’re concerned? Magnificent pens. Simple in design, but crazy elegant with the depth of the urushi. And good writers as well. No regrets here!
looks like I wiil be going to your classes (handwriting videos) to learn how to flourish.... I always get a kick out of your writing samples and classes (everyone else says videos, I say calsses). ;)
Love the close up writing in the end!
It was sensuous.
“hello jelly” 😂 Am back for another look at this pen (April 2020 lockdown pen reviews!) Brilliant pen. Thx Azizah 😀👍🏻
Azizah, is always fun to watch your videos.
We saw it! Thank you for the ‘shout out’ ;-). Happy Christmas to you and Stephen. xx
Gorgeous pen, although I would be slightly hesitant to buy one if yours wasn’t perfectly tuned and polished out of the box for that price...I’d hate to have to send it back or bring it somewhere special to have it fixed. Love the pen itself though and wonderful review
I kinda like the Montegrappa Kitcho Phoenix Fountain Pen my self.
It is a beautiful pen - love the urushi look and organic shape. Some companies tend to overplay the cultural/historical qualities of their products. At that price the nib and feed need to be great.
This pen is on my wish list as well. I own a Platinum President and love it, so I already know I'll like the nib. Some day!
That pen sure is pretty! Thank you for your time and effort entertaining and informing us 👍 😎
4:41 every pen fanatic has had that moment 😳😯
Had one yesterday, my vanishing point deployed unknowingly and got sprung and I mean sprung like it looked like a snakes tongue wide V shape, to think of it, it might as well have been a snake in my pocket for the feel of terror I felt.
But with a little tender love and care I managed to get it back to 90% and even now I'm working on it.
Great video Azizah! The shots at the end were fantastic. Loved it! Happy New Year to you both
Lovely pen Asian! I hope that you guys are enjoying the Canadian frontier.. 30 years in Colorado and I still miss my NYC Ocean environment. I myself have a Kuro Tamenuri Naka Ai from Nakaya.. the urushi is really stunning and durable.. I still find the Platinum nibs to be very dry and more feedback prone.. still, I love the Izumo design.. best wishes!
Frank from Boulder, Colorado
Great video! I wonder how does this pen compare with the Pilot custom 845?
Can't decide...
Hi Azizah-my broad-nib Izumo was polished perfectly and writes well with that nice Japanese 'pencilllin' feel on paper. In that regard, it’s better than my Nakaya Writer, but my ebonite/urushi KOP's nib is better still. I do like the depth of the Izumo's black finish and its curvy, kind of voluptuous shape.
Glad to hear you’ll be at the Philly Pen Show!
Is it possible to fix this skipping at home? I have a pen which skips too. If you show us the technique it will be appreciated. (I cleaned my pen it but still skips)
My grail pen ... Thank you for revealing the urushi version
wonderful video as alwayys! at that price, not being able to post and a less than perfect nib would be a deal breaker. I will stand with my Platinum President and its perfect broad nib and a cap that I can post.
I really like the shape
Oh Azizah, don't do this to me. Don't!!!! Hahahahahaha. Izumos make me weak in the knees. I should've bought the yellow-brown urushi one a few years back but I didn't. This is tempting me again.
Nice pen. Really nice. Interesting review. I’m one of those people who writes on planes/ trains. A pen that doesn’t post won’t work for me. (Lost an expensive cap under my seat once.) So if the pen is good, I want to take it with me!
If Platinum gave you the opportunity to design one of its pens, which colors would you use? A President nib sounds different. What title would you want to give nibs if you could design them?
Great review, you do have great handwriting!
Nice review. I got the Tagasayan hardwood glossy version in a broad, and it's also a gorgeous pen that writes beautifully. But I got it from Cult Pens for a lot less--maybe it was just a super one-time sale--so North Americans should check there, since the VAT doesn't apply to us.
i would like to see a comparaison between this pen and a Nakaya's. Seemsto me there pretty similar, nib and finish wise
Thanks! I really enjoyed this review, I didn't really know about this pen, and in spite of your nib it's a very appealing pen.
I will happily pay a little extra to support my local retailers. Sometimes "local" being B&M, sometimes just online retailers in my country. But I won't pay a LOT more and the distributors price increases on Japanese pens are just obscene. If I wanted to buy one of these with a custom grind then maybe it would make sense to use a US shop that also can customize the nib, otherwise I would buy from a Japanese online retailer.
Should a nib master fix the baby's bottom on a pen at this price range or is this a DIY project?
Thank you, Azizah.
I agree that for the price, Platinum uses cheap plastic toggles and flimsy balsa wood boxes. I think this undercuts exactly the prestige that they are trying to evoke.
I like it, but for the money I prefer something a bit more stylish, such as Visconti or the other Italian pen makers.
Thank goodness you didn't drop it first, because you know it's just a matter of time before mister giant hands lets it fly, lol.
I enjoy the closeups of you writing, so thanks for this one.
Azizah, interesting review as always and a very nice pen to boot.
I think most of the price differential is due to taxes / overhead costs etc from one country to another.
Agree with you that when possible I also like to support the local brick / mortar stores, especially when something "goes wrong" they tend to be able to take care of you (the customer). For instance had I bought this pen, and the nib came overpolished I would have to clue on how to fix this (must hang out with you guys more), so a local retailer would be able to take care of this (even sending the pen back).
Once again thanks for the review, always fun to see what is out there.
Very lovely pen and video! Can you tell me if the section is ebonite? I've been eyeing this pen for 6 months. Thank you!
I like it. Very classy. A proper old-fashioned looking pen. Reeks of quality. Christmas is coming up, hint hint ;-)
If Poss.. more close up writing! It’s like Pen ASMR 😊
Hey Azizah! Great pen and review, thx. I am a big fan of any Urushi pens and that one of yours is very nice :) Great close up shots!
So for me, I bought my Nakaya from nibs.com as I wanted a warranty and the pens are expensive. I too would buy your Izumo urushi from a store as I'd want a warranty on that as it is expensive enough. However, I bought my Custom 823 'WA' from Japan, as even with UK import charges, etc, the cost was still cheap enough (compared to USA or EU prices) for me to take that chance about the warranty cover here. Don't get me wrong, I have a Japanese warranty from the shop I got it from, I do not have UK or EU warranty shop to send it to. So I agree with you, the price does affect whether I'd buy from a store or not. Sorry for rambling, lol.
Pen would probably be okay if you dropped it! I imagine that the lacquer is very tough.
Beautiful pen. Thanks for sharing. Have an awesome weekend.
There is an interesting thing - I compered urushi finnish on Nakayas I have and some more "not-my-pens" with Platinum Izumo of more or less same technique (tamenuri, aka and kuro) and they are very different. I would not notice this difference several months ago, but since I work with urushi myself it is more visible. I am almost sure different artists/workshops are responsible for urushi on those pens, despite same (almost same) company making them.
Are the Nakayas night and day different?
Pen Friends not night and day. But Tamenuri on Izumo is... too perfect. Too even. But it might be irrelevant for somoene who is not such urushi freak as me ;))
Tamenuri Studio it’s 10 percent off at the sec from cult pens in the uk! At a decent price already. 380 as I write!
Regarding what you said about preferring buying locally-
I get the reasons for it and usually, I am all pro-local buying.
But when an item is sold for such a price, it is in some level an obligation of the customer to buy the item at a lower price, if available, to make let the economic competition be going.
It does not matter if the store itself or their distributor or the importer is the bottleneck: eventually, they will lose profit and will have to reduce the price in order to get to the customer's pocket. The price should be higher than the one overseas but not by a vast difference, importing fees and the cost of shipping are both lower than one might think, but running a brick and mortar store has its own cost and you as a customer have your value from buying locally (as said on the video).
I would put a limit for when the country of origin (where the retailer and distributor are operating) has a less developed economy. In this case, it is cheating: The lower prices are not resulted in better management, but by the circumstances in which everything costs less. The local retailer and distributor cannot compete with these prices.
Does this qualify as a "6 heart"review?
Mmmmm... FP AMSR 😍😍😍
Great review. was it enjoyable? Definitely. Was it usefull? No cause i don't have the 600$ to buy it LOL
Very entertaining review, but I'm a Pilot girl.
I DO care about your feelings on plastic.
Lol complete terror so funnie
But your tastes in pens is far superior to his!
Stephen will drop that pen. Don't let him touch it.
Are you married to Steven SBRE Brown?
Yes she is
I just got my Cross Bailey Fountain pen. It is red lacquer with silver trim. It truly is a classic looking fountain pen. The nib is medium and the ink flows smoothly. It dries really fast, before you finish the next word on the paper. You will have to get used to writing with a fountain pen if you are a first time user. The posting (Posting is when you put the cap on the back of the pen while you write, regardless of whether it pushes on or screws on with threads) is HORRIBLE. It does not stay and becomes loose and won't stay posted. I am an author and own 12 cross pens from ball points, roller balls, fountain pens. I don't know why cross can't fix this. If it wasn't for the loose posting, this would be one hell of a classic fountain pen for the price. fredberri.com