The Pen Addict 694: Orange Is the Worst
Dec 4, 2025
The hosts dive into the intriguing world of price hikes from major Japanese pen brands, revealing stunning increases and market impacts. Brad critiques an orange pen design and its pricing, while exploring Platinum's strategies regarding special editions. They discuss Sailor's 'shrinkflation' and the changes in nib options, alongside the implications for consumers entering the pen hobby. Plus, they highlight standout Inkvent releases, including a controversial scented ink, and share their latest stationery desires.
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Sharp Price Shocks Upend Pen Market
- Brad explains major Japanese pen makers raised prices dramatically due to raw material (gold) costs, disrupting recommended price brackets.
- These sudden jumps force brands to rethink product lines and leave gaps between steel and gold-nib pens.
Popular Pens Become Financially Unreachable
- Platinum's repeated large increases (two ~40% rises in months) made favorite pens unaffordable for many consumers.
- Brad questions whether management or material costs explain the aggressive, repeated hikes.
Watch For Special Editions To Fill Revenue Gaps
- Expect brands to introduce more limited or special editions to raise margins and partner with retailers.
- Consider that these editions will likely be priced higher than stock models and may widen overall price gaps.