‘Integrated pen sets’ are a sub-genre all by themselves. At the peak of 1980s design exuberance, Japanese pen brands fell over themselves to produce ever more ingenious ways to package and carry a variety of pen types, and sometimes other stationery items like rulers, staplers and such, in a single unit. Sometimes it was a tiny case that mimicked a Tardis, containing far more than seemingly possible, and sometimes, the design would go toward minimalism, like the Plus ASTRUM set, where a slim, overachieving articulated metal frame doubled as a carry case and desk stand.
Today’s example is a lot less ambitious. I had no idea the SET PEN SIX writing system by Platinum existed until I came across a lonely example of the mechanical pencil on Mercari. It was visually striking in its simple black and red color scheme, but what had initially drawn me was the capped design (another favored rabbit hole of mine). I was always drawn to distant relatives of the Kerry and Pel, and so I purchased it on a whim.
It was only on closer examination that I noticed the ‘SP.6’ markings, and the nifty identification icon showing a mechanical pencil tip. Upon searching, I soon discovered ‘SP.6’ was actually a family of six writing instruments. They could be capped individually, or carried in threes with a special integrated ‘Deka Cap’. Oh! And it was sold in 2 separate sets that split up the different pens:
SUBSET 1:
• CSTM-400 Marker - Pink
• CST-300 Marking Pen - Blue
• SBST-400 Rollerball - Green
SUBSET 2:
• MST-300 Sharp 0.5mm Red
• BST-200 Ballpen - Yellow
• PST-500 Fountain Pen - Grey
Here, the six types are printed on the back of the boxed set. I have never been a fan of fountain pens but there is something super satisfying to see all the different types together. The color accents and icons are super smart, fun and functional.
Lastly, here’s a closer look at the ‘Deka Cap’ and some of the refills. The cap has a sturdy clip to secure onto a bag pocket, and seems to be air tight for preventing the various tips from drying out. The refills are dated from 1986 and 1987, and I also found out that the SET PEN SIX won the Good Design Award in 1986, the year it was launched. Curiously, the award seems to be slit up for the Deka Cap, Marking Pen, Ball Point Pen and Fountain Pen. I’m not sure why there isn’t an entry for the whole set but a win is a win! 