This, pen pals, is a “modern Maki-e” finish on a Platinum Procyon fountain pen. Aficionados of the Japanese art known as Urushi Maki-e will know it’s a tedious, time-consuming hand-crafted process of applying layers of materials, powders (often gold and silver dust) then lacquer. Maki-e fountain pens are one-of-a-kind works of art and command high prices.
THIS (Procyon pen above) is the “Luster” version which was then layered with stencil work of the moon and cranes art and further embellished with “gold and silver” dust (how pure is unknown.)
My version is “flat” kind of matt finish which I prefer for actual use. The highly polished lacquered versions sell for several hundred, if not thousands, and are works of art like fine Japanese swords.
The pen is mightier than the sword, said UK novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839.
I don’t regret this choice, since my most perfect writer remains my Italian Visconti fountain pen with medium iridium nib (see previous Aug 27 post.) It too was a less expensive model (based on Rembrandt “chassis”.) The Eco-Logic uses hemp whereas the Homo Sapien model uses Basaltic lava. The point being, for me the Visconti is writing perfection. Smooth as silk with its J Herbin cartridges, never inked from bottle, flows easily 24/7 for days (even a week capped) without a dry start or skip. PERFECTION.
This is not the case with the Procyon. This nib is borderline “scratchy” and runs dry while writing. I’m so surprised because I ordered new Carbon black Platinum cartridges so I could compare to my test pen (a medium Platinum Preppy, with similar nib.) That $7 pen writes like a dream and Platinum’s carbon black is so dark and silky. I thought this Procyon could be my dream pen…
not yet.
Something is probably wrong with the nib/feed, but I’m in no mood to return it given how long it took USPS to get it here. I’m going to attempt some nib adjustment and see if this uses removable sections. Anyway, I will update. It arrived two days ago, Monday 12.04.2023.
BTW, maki-e is pronounced mah-key-A (long /a/ sound.)
UPDATE: I finally got ink flowing to the nib but it’s not dreamy like the Visconti. That’s okay. It produces a finer line (like MF or even Fine) which works well on thinner expensive paper like Tamoe River or my Stalogy notebook. BTW, #8 on my youtube pen playlist is this pen, check it out.
ZiaLink Ink 