22K, 23K and even 24K Pure Gold Fountain Pen Nib? The Gold-Content Nib War in Japan in 1960s to 70s

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The Evolution of the Golden Nib: Exploring Japan's Pursuit of Higher Karats Fountain pen enthusiasts are familiar with the gold nibs found in today's market, typically made of 14K, 18K, or 21K gold. This has led some to believe that 21K is the upper limit for fountain pen nib gold content. However, in a remarkable turn of events, the Japanese pen industry experienced a veritable "Gold-Content Nib War" in the late 1960s to mid-1970s, with the emergence of even higher karat nibs, including 22K, 23K, and even 24K gold.

What was the origin and outcome of this legendary "karat competition"? Did these mythical ultra-high karat nibs truly exist? And how were they connected to Japan's economic landscape at the time? This article aims to unravel the fascinating story behind this golden chapter in fountain pen history.

　

Introduction: Why do we need Gold Nibs?

From the very inception of the fountain pen, manufacturers recognized the benefits of incorporating gold into the nib design. This was driven by the limitations of stainless steel technology at the time, as well as the acidic nature of early fountain pen inks, which caused steel nibs to readily oxidize, rust, and corrode. Gold, on the other hand, is highly resistant to corrosion and chemical reactions, making it an ideal material to enhance the durability of the nib. Many pre- and post-war pens produced by American brands like Parker featured 10K gold nibs, with a 41.7% gold composition. This demonstrated the industry's early appreciation for the practical advantages that gold could bring to the humble fountain pen nib.

　

Japan's Pursuit of Luxury: The Rise of Ultra-High Karat Nibs

Since Pilot's development of Japan's first domestically manufactured fountain pen nib in 1916, 14K gold (58.5% gold content) had been the standard in the Japanese pen market. This karat level struck a desirable balance between durability, flexibility, cost, and aesthetic appeal. Increasing the gold content too much could make the nibs prone to deformation and wear, while also driving up prices beyond the reach of many consumers. (Except in certain countries like France, where legal regulations required a gold content of 18K or higher to be labeled as "solid gold," leading local manufacturers to predominantly produce 18K nibs.)

Despite being interrupted between 1940 and 1954 due to the Japanese government's "Luxury Goods Prohibition Order", the production of Japanese gold nibs gradually resumed as the post-war economy recovered.

By the mid to late 1950s, Japan's rapid economic growth had made society more affluent, and fountain pens had transitioned from everyday writing instruments to luxury items. To enhance the perceived quality of fountain pens in consumers' minds, Japanese pen manufacturers turned their attention to developing innovative nib designs. Some opted for larger, more flamboyant nibs, like Pilot's Super series, while others sought to push the boundaries of gold content, leading to the emergence of 18-karat gold nibs.

In 1962, after three years of development, Platinum succeeded in overcoming the malleability issues of 18-karat gold, and launched Japan's first fountain pen with a nib containing 75% 18-karat gold - the Platinum 18 (プラチナ 18). Through extensive promotion in newspapers, magazines, in-store displays, and promotional vehicles, they consistently emphasized that 18-karat gold was more prestigious than 14-karat, and well-suited as a high-end gift. This strategy ultimately allowed them to dominate the market and achieve remarkable success.

Seeing Platinum's impressive performance, other pen manufacturers were unwilling to be left behind and quickly introduced their own 18-karat gold nib fountain pens, ushering in a new era for the Japanese fountain pen industry.

　　

The Dawn of the Gold-Content Nib War

The arrival of the 18K gold nib was not the end, but rather the start of a new race. As the Japanese economy surged forward, the Japanese people became increasingly enthusiastic about consuming luxury goods, and the demand for higher gold content nibs grew stronger. Correspondingly, Japanese pen manufacturers were eager to invest more resources and budgets into developing new technologies and pen models.

In 1969, Sailor overcame technical hurdles and produced the world's first 21K gold nib with a purity close to 87.5%. Coincidentally, pocket pens were extremely popular in Japan at the time, so Sailor decided to incorporate the 21K gold nib into a pocket pen, giving birth to the Sailor Mini 21 (セーラー ミニ 21). (know more:Sailor Mini 21) It officially became the world's first 21K gold nib fountain pen.

　

The launch of the Mini 21 caused a major stir in the entire Japanese pen industry. The Japanese were astonished by the high level of domestic pen manufacturers, who were able to produce nibs with such impressive gold purity, and they showered Sailor with high praise. The luxurious feel and smooth writing experience of the 21K gold nib also earned it many devoted fans. The Mini 21 ultimately sold over 1 million units, cementing the inseparable relationship between pocket pens and the competition for higher gold content nibs.

Some readers may wonder: What makes the 21K gold nib so special? Here's a brief explanation. Gold is a very soft metal, and if used directly for nib manufacturing, it would deform during writing. Therefore, when producing higher gold content nibs, pen manufacturers must add harder metals to maintain the nib's hardness. However, these additional metals often have extremely high processing difficulty and cost, requiring advanced technical capabilities to achieve.

Inspired by the success of the Mini 21, other industry players also jumped into the development of even higher gold content nibs. This marked the official start of the "Gold-Content Nib War".

　

　

　

　

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K金The Great Gold Nib Showdown

Determined not to be outshone, Platinum struck back the very next year, 1970, with the introduction of the Platinum 22. (Know more:Platinum 22) This pen sported the globe's inaugural 22K gold nib, with a remarkable 91.6% gold purity, which they grandly dubbed the "Double-two-gold" (ダブル・ツー・ゴールド).

　

Pilot, Japan's fountain pen titan, had long favored the classic 14K gold nib, believing it the pinnacle of performance. But shaken by a near-bankruptcy scare in 1968, they swiftly recognized the market's insatiable thirst for ever-higher gold content. Hot on Platinum's heels, they too unveiled their 22K gold-nibbed Elite S-22 in 1970. (Know more:Elite S-22)

　

Yet Platinum's campaign did not end there. Flush from their 22K triumph, they pressed on, launching the Platinum 23 - the world's first 23K gold nib - boasting an astonishing 95.8% gold purity, all in the same year. (Know more:Platinum 23)

　

While Platinum may have claimed the 23K crown first, the ever-innovative Sailor set their sights on making their 23K nib the true apex. Sparing no expense, they unveiled their flagship Sailor Mini 23 in 1971, featuring an opulent, oversized 23K gold nib. (Know more:Sailor Mini 23) Concurrently, they developed diverse 23K nib designs, regaining the lead in creativity.

　

Beyond the big three Japanese brands, even smaller pen manufacturers with nib-making capabilities joined the fray. For instance, the Japanese brand Kumiai proudly introduced their own 21K gold nibs, fitted across their pocket pen range.

　

　

　

　

　

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The Final Chapter of the War

Readers may have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the elusive 24-karat gold pen tip. Which manufacturer would be the first to produce this coveted "24K pure gold" nib? Alas, it was not to be - at least not during the 1970s.

Japan's economic growth began to slow after 1970. In 1971, as the pen tip competition was reaching fever pitch, a shift in US monetary policy forced Japan to abandon its fixed exchange rate in favor of a floating system. This resulted in massive currency losses that severely wounded Japan's export industries. Then the 1973 oil crisis plunged the Japanese economy into further turmoil, with 1974 marking the country's first postwar year of negative growth.

The sudden economic upheaval brought an end to Japan's long postwar boom and the feverish consumer demand that had fueled it. Shoppers lost interest in the high gold-content pen nibs being pushed by manufacturers, who were themselves forced to suspend development plans due to soaring production costs. The rising popularity of ballpoint pens further eroded the fountain pen market. Within three years, the "Gold-Content Nib War" had end, with most brands abandoning tips above 18K in favor of the more economical 14K gold. Only Sailor persisted in producing 21K gold nib, becoming the last living relic of that competitive era.

It would take over 20 more years before Sailor revisited the 24-karat gold nib, introducing their Gracile fountain pen in 1996 with a "24K gold nib" crafted from 23.99K gold alloy reinforced with 0.042% of an ultra-durable metal. They had finally achieved what previous generations could not, filling a decades-old void.

　

　

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Conclusion: The Irreproducible Golden Age

For a long time, people have debated whether fountain pens really need nib made from super-high karat gold. Most agree that 14-karat gold is good enough for practical writing. After trying 22-karat, 23-karat, and even 24-karat gold nibs myself, I tend to agree - these ultra-pure nibs are often too rigid and don't provide much extra benefit.

However, the purpose of these extravagant gold nibs wasn't just practicality. They were meant to make the fountain pen feel luxurious and prestigious. And they succeeded in doing that.

As a fountain pen collector, I can appreciate these nibs from an aesthetic standpoint. The bold karat markings symbolize not just precious metal content, but the relentless pursuit of innovation that defined Japan's pen making industry during its postwar economic golden age. That period of rapid growth and prosperity enabled manufacturers to push the boundaries of what was possible, unencumbered by cost constraints. 22, 23 and even 24-karat gold nibs, once the stuff of fantasy, became reality.

Alas, those halcyon days have passed. The economic miracle has faded, and with it, the unbridled ambition that fueled the great "gold nib war." The window of opportunity has closed, never to reopen. All we are left with are the remnants - the super high gold-content nibs that symbolize an era of dreams realized, now safely ensconced in private collections.

余維達 Jerry Yu

2017/12/20 (Rewritten on 2024.08.26)

　

　

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References:

¹ 激烈日本鋼筆黃金筆尖的純度競爭，鋼筆眾議院。Retried http://pennote.idv.tw/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&p=21248#p21248

²  Company’s History, Platinum. http://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/e_company_history_top.html

³ セーラー万年筆 |公式ウェブサイト。セーラー万年筆105年の歩み。http://www.sailor.co.jp/100years/100years08

⁴ プラチナ万年筆。プラチナ万年筆の歩み。http://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/platinum_history_top.html

⁵ Andreas Lambrou and Masamichi Sunami (2012). “Fountain Pens of Japan”. Kaplan Pens and Books, NA.

⁶ 日產鋼筆簡史 三大廠牌百樂Pilot 寫樂Sailor 白金Platinum 及部分小型廠商。http://card.weibo.com/article/h5/s#cid=1001603816659776353904&vid=0&extparam=&from=1110006030&wm=0&ip=182.239.106.180