The Kokuyo X Platinum Preppy Perpanep Fountain Pen could be the next highly sought after disposable pen. I’ll explain that thought in a moment, but first we have to get one thing out of the way: The name of this product line is atrocious.
From Kokuyo:
“The brand name "PERPANEP" is a combination of the words "pen" and "paper". This stationery series was designed with the best combination of pen and paper in mind.”
They did this on purpose. They sat in a meeting, brainstormed, and decided this was a good idea. Kokuyo, one of the largest stationery brands in the world, with what has to be a sizable marketing budget, chose Perpanep. An anagram of “pen” and “paper.” Again, on purpose.
Le sigh.
The Perpanep paper lineup consists of three notebooks, each with their own paper type - Ultra Smooth, Smooth, and Textured. The Ultra Smooth and Textured papers are recommended for Fineliners and Fountain Pens, while the Smooth is recommended for Gel Pens, Ballpoint Pens, and Pencils. I hope to have a review here soon of all three notebooks, but in the meantime, check out Ana’a breakdown at The Well-Appointed Desk.
At launch, there were no pens or pencils designed to bring you the “best combination of pen and paper.” There were only notebooks. Certainly, if Kokuyo made pens and pencils to match, I would have jumped on those, but at least they collaborated with Platinum for a branded Preppy model.
This pen was an insta-buy the moment I saw it while browsing Yoseka Stationery. Why such an immediate positive reaction to what is ostensibly an overpriced Preppy? For that, I need to share with you the story of the Sailor Ink Bar.
When I posted my Ink Bar review in July, 2009, I had just received it from a friend in Japan. The pen eventually made its way to JetPens, and I acquired a few more. Then they vanished - no longer available for purchase anywhere.
As a nascent fountain pen user, I loved the Ink Bar. It was simple, self-contained (unrefillable,) had a great nib, wrote well, and cost $3. As it turns out, I wasn’t the only one who liked it. Once they became hard to find, the amount of emails I received about the Ink Bar increased. People LOVED this pen, and Sailor did away with it, never to return.
The Perpanep, visually speaking, brought me right back to the Ink Bar, making it an instant purchase.
This pen is 100% Platinum Preppy outside of the logo on the barrel. That means, it is already one of the best inexpensive pens you can buy. The 03 Fine nib is round, smooth, and writes wonderfully. It’s refillable, using Platinum proprietary cartridges, and the cap contains their patented Slip and Seal mechanism to keep the nib from drying out.
The only true difference between the Kokuyo branded model and a traditional Platinum Preppy is price. You will pay $3 more ($7.50 vs. $4.50) for the artwork, and the beauty of the word “PERPANEP” stamped on the side of the barrel.
For me, it was worth it. The basic white plastic aesthetic is something I love, and combined with an already great product in the Preppy there was no doubt it was heading to my house. The only problem now is I am forced to figure out other stationery anagrams to get ahead of Kokuyo’s next branding adventure.
(I purchased this pen from Yoseka Stationery at full retail price.)
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