PLATINUMFountain Pen, Curidus, Grand Red, Extra Fine Point, PKN-7000#77-1

I was attracted by the idea of a fountain pen with a retractable nib, the novelty and fiddling about.However, it's more than a novelty, it's a great writing pen.

I want so bad to like this pen but it looses in every regard when compared to a Pilot Capless (the Japanese market special alloy nib version of the Vanishing Point). But assuming you are here to read about the Curidas and not the Capless, I will endeavor to review it on it's own merits.Pros:Retractable fountain pen action at a price most can afford.The only (to my knowledge) demonstrator retractable FP.Smooth writing nib.Visual and tactile interest due to mechanism.Cons:Non-premium feeling resin body.No cartridge converter included in the box (sold separately).Mechanism sometimes sticks slightly open, even after application of silicon oil to the slide and spring.Love it/ Hate it:The very visible bump, some people don't mind it while others can't stand it. For me personally, it becomes uncomfortable in my hand after maybe 10-15 minutes of writing. I have larger than average hands, and the bump rides my middle finger while using a classic tripod grip. After a time the pressure becomes slightly uncomfortable. Depending on your grip position, style, and hand size, this may or may not be an issue. For me, it limits the pen to quick notes and signatures. For dedicated note taking I will reach for something else.

The Red one has a nice color with depth from the chromed interior parts. The clicker travel is 1 1/4 inches, about twice than of the other retractible fountain pens in my collection -- Majohn A1 and Pilot Vanishing Point. The Curidas comes with a bottle of lub and cotton swabs to grease the nib cover.That long travel is a problem, but not too bad. The pen is long and fat with odd bulges, but I like it and use it daily for now. It is mostly plastic and lighter than those other retractibles.Loading the cartridge is fiddly and the instructions are pictorial and not that clear. Pay close attention as you take the innards apart and reassembly will go easier.The EF (extra fine) nib writes well with the included blue cartridge. The feel is similar to the Platinum Preppy size 02 nib. Preppys are my favorite cheap fountain pens, so you might try one for about $5 before springing $50 for the Curidas.Cartiridges are proprietary to the Platinum line, so I plan to get a converter and use different ink.

What a fantastic pen.I've wanted a retractable fountain pen for quite some time. I still intend to get a Pilot VP eventually but bought this in the mean time. What a pleasant surprise. It writes beautifully. I am using the standard cartridge that comes with the pen but my converter is on the way. The ink that comes with it is nice too. In my Moleskins it does not bleed and it does not feather AT ALL. I used it on a cheap Office Max yellow legal pad and still no bleeding and no feathering. I know this has as much to do with the ink as it does the nib but hopefully my Noodlers inks perform as well.I would highly recommend this pen. I am very impressed with the build quality and the mechanics. Such a cool piece of writing equipment. I carry a Pelikan Souveran Ballpoint and love that however I may have to put it on stand by to use this for a while.If you've been looking for a fountain pen you can take with you every day, this is a good one. And it writes as good as any.

Sent this back. it's not worth the money

I think this pen looks nice, but after the first fill the nib stopped retracting. I had to disassemble the pen and fidget with some of the parts, but it happened again. The nib isn't that great. It's a little dry and not very medium for a medium. The pen is not made out of the best plastic, so I could see it cracking easily, and mine has already got a little scuffed up. The little bump on the underside of the pen can be a little annoying. Overall, I like the look of this pen, but it's not worth $80.

By no fault of the product the converter was missing from my package. Per the description it should be included. There are other reviews claiming the same issue and i suspect the sellers are pulling the converter out to resell at an additional profit. SHAMEFUL. Anyway the pen is great and the grip section may not be comfortable for all due to the mechanism that opens the flap to expose the nib.

I like the text when it decides it wants to write smoothly… but the ink doesn’t flow and I’ve taken it apart but can’t figure out if it’s the nib or ink quality