01/12/2024
【Part 1】日本Sailor是目前市面上唯一生產21K金筆尖的筆廠，但你知道他們最早研製21K金尖的原因，竟然跟日本的經濟息息相關！它還牽起日本筆壇一場龍爭虎鬥！🏦
鋼筆的筆尖除了使用不鏽鋼，還會加入不同比例的黃金，最常見的有14K、18K和21K。K（Karat）代表黃金的純度，愈接近24K，純度愈高。🥇
話說日本由20世紀初開始，一直以14K金筆尖（黃金純度58.5%）為主流，因為14K在耐用性、柔軟度、價格和外觀等方面都有絕妙平衡。
不過經歷第二次世界大戰後，日本經濟急速起飛。人們逐漸不滿足於普通的鋼筆，筆廠們於是開始研製更高級的筆尖。💰
1962年，Platinum推出全日本第一支18K金尖鋼筆Platinum 18，黃金純度達75%。透過鋪天蓋地的宣傳，他們最終成功橫掃市場。
眼見消費者受落，其他筆廠也紛紛推出18K金尖鋼筆，加上日本經濟繼續增長，於是日本流行起追求筆尖黃金純度的風潮。🌟
終於在1969年，Sailor突破技術困難，推出全世界首個黃金純度近87.5%的21K金筆尖鋼筆——Sailor Mini 21。
Mini 21一經面世，對整個日本筆壇都造成極大震撼。日本人震驚於Sailor的水準之高，竟然有能力製造黃金純度如此之高的筆尖。🔥
Mini 21最終成功售出超過100萬支。受此刺激，業界牽起一場筆尖含金量的競賽，後代統稱為「K金尖戰爭」，22K、23K以至24K等傳說級筆尖紛紛登場⋯⋯💖
到底這場戰爭的始末為何？請看下回分解！或者留言「goldnib」，現在立即閱讀完整文章！💬✨
Sailor is currently the only manufacturer producing 21K gold nibs. Interestingly, their development of the 21K nib is closely tied to Japan's economic situation, which sparked a fierce rivalry in the Japanese pen industry! 🏦
The nibs of fountain pens are often made from stainless steel, but they also incorporate varying proportions of gold, with the most common being 14K, 18K, and 21K. The "K" (Karat) indicates the purity of the gold; the closer to 24K, the higher the purity. 🥇
Since the early 20th century, Japan primarily used 14K gold nibs (with a gold purity of 58.5%) because it offers an excellent balance of durability, flexibility, price, and appearance.
However, after World War II, Japan's economy rapidly grew. People began to seek more sophisticated fountain pens, prompting manufacturers to develop higher-quality nibs. 💰
In 1962, Platinum launched Japan's first 18K gold nib fountain pen, the Platinum 18, with a gold purity of 75%. Through extensive marketing, they successfully dominated the market.
Seeing consumer interest, other manufacturers quickly followed suit, releasing their own 18K gold nib pens. With the continued economic growth in Japan, there was a growing trend toward higher gold purity in nibs. 🌟
Finally, in 1969, Sailor overcame technical challenges and introduced the world's first 21K gold nib fountain pen, the Sailor Mini 21, with a gold purity of nearly 87.5%.
The release of the Mini 21 sent shockwaves through the Japanese pen industry. People were astonished by Sailor's high standards and their ability to produce such a pure gold nib. 🔥
The Mini 21 eventually sold over a million units. This success sparked a competitive race among manufacturers for higher gold content in nibs, leading to what is now known as the "Karat Nib Wars," with legendary nibs of 22K, 23K, and even 24K making their appearance. 💖
Want to know more about this competition? Stay tuned for the next installment! Or leave a comment with "goldnib" to read the full article now! 💬✨
