I can’t believe, in over 12 years of blogging about fountain pens, I’ve never reviewed a Platinum Plaisir. Thanks to Gentleman Stationer for sending over this extra special Platinum Plaisir Aura 2022 Special Edition ($41 available in 3 colors). This model of the Plaisir is a little bit fancier than the standard model (approx. $18) but the biggest differences is in the color choices rather than anything specific to the nib options or overall materials.
I received the Merry Pink color of the Plaisir Aura. This model features a white pearlescent barrel and cap color. The grip section is clear so that the user can see the contrasting color feed. As the name suggests, the Merry Pink has a pink feed. The Plaisir is available in Fine (03) and Medium (04) which are the same nib sizes available for the standard Plaisir models.
The Plaisir, like many of the other fountain pens in the lower end of the Platinum line, the pen opens and closes with a snap cap and features the “slip and seal” cap which keeps the ink from drying out in the pen. I love having snap cap pens in my office since most writing done during the day is short notes, meeting notes and lists and being able to quickly remove and replace the cap makes my life a little easier while still getting to use a fountain pen.
The only aesthetic issue I have with the pen is the bright silver-colored cap band. The engraved details make the cap band feel fussy when compared with how clean and modern the pen feels overall. Honestly, its the cap band that has probably kept me from purchasing the Plaisir in the past.
The Plaisir ships with a blue ink cartridge but if you want to use a converter, it will have to be purchased separately.
Comparison:
The most similar pen to the Plaisir is the Pilot Metropolitan (approx. $19.50). Both pens are roughly the same and feature an aluminum body. Both have rounded ends like a cigar shape though the Plaisir is a bit rounder.
The Pilot Mertropolitan is a little slimmer and just a little bit shorter.
However, the Metropolitan is heavier than the Plaisir. The Plaisir weighs 17gms capped or posted while the Metropolitan weighs 26gms. Uncapped, the Plaisir weighs 10gms and the Metropolitan weighs 16gms. The difference in weight is minimal but it’s interesting to note that there is a difference.
Both pens can be posted and are being about the same length posted as they are uncapped or capped.
The nib on the Plaisir is the same nib used in the Procyon, Prefounte and Preppy. They can be interchanged among each pen should you want to swap them out. Similarly, the Pilot Metropolitan nib can be swapped out with the Penmanship, Prera, Cavalier and Kakuno (I feel like the last two should be the Pavalier and Pakuno — just to keep with the predominance of Ps in the pen names). You can see why I immediately made a comparison between these pens.
With these lower priced fountain pens, the converters cost almost as much as the pen. The Pilot CON-40 ($7.25) and the Platinum Converter ($11) are both surprisingly pricey. But, the converters can be swapped across all the pens in the brand’s catalogue so you don’t need to have one for each pen if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on converters. With the fine nibs, the cartridges will last quite awhile so you don’t need one right away.
Writing Sample:
When writing with the Plaisir, the nib is smooth and has a little bit of bounce. When compared with the Metropolitan (also a Fine nib) they are quite similar but the Pilot Metropolitan Fine is a little finer and as a result has a bit more feedback.
Overall, the Plaisir Aura is a lovely pen (cap band is being ignored because the white iridescent and bright feed colors are cool). Would I recommend paying $41 for a Plaisir Aura? Sure, why not. We are the same people who pay $20 for a Metropolitan when we could get a similar nib for $10 in the Kakuno or Penmanship. It’s all about aesthetics and FOMO. I think the Plaisir Aura is a nice opportunity to get a cool looking pen for under $50. Platinum makes good pens and their converters, while pricey, are some of the best in the business.
DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by Gentleman Stationer for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
FYI: I believe the Procyon has a different nib than the Preppy, Plasir, and Prefounte. Similar shape, but larger with a different feed.
I know the Procyon feed allows the nib to be swapped out with 3776 nibs but I hadn’t tried it myself.
You are correct. My husband has 5 Procyons, 6 Plaisirs, and who knows how many Preppys, and just ordered his first Prefounte! He LOVES Platinum! The Procyons have a different nib. He also has a 3776 Century, but prefers all of his other pens…..weirdo! ♀️
“I feel like the last two should be the Pavalier and Pakuno — just to keep with the predominance of Ps in the pen names” — yes; more alliteration!
I have some of the earlier special edition Plaisirs from the Day and Night series. I like them well enough. They’re the ones I keep in my purse. But I do like the iridescence on these. Am I imagining things or are the iridescences slightly different on each pen? To me it looks as if is slightly tinged with a hint of the colour of the feed.
I think all three are the same white iridescent color and you are just seeing the ambient reflection.
The iridescence (“aura”) is supposed to match the feed: https://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/en/news/detail/?pid=11063
Well isn’t that charming!
I have two Plaisir pens. One is gold tone, and came with a gold tone nib. The other is Nova Orange. I like the looks of the Plaisir, as they look like a more expensive pen. As a stub and italic nib fan, I’d be happier with a B option, but it isn’t available. No plans to buy any other Platinum to swap nibs.
Thank you for the excellent review.
I cannot imagine why anyone would by this. Not that it is bad! On the contrary.
But what empty market niche does it fill?
None whatsoever. It is a pen without a point.
Seriously.