Platinum 3776 Century

[ransky]

I have a Shoji as well purchased from a reputable online pen store. It has an injection defect in the section and a small spidery stress crack at the very end of the barrel. I didn't inspect the pen carefully when I received it so I can't say if the crack is something that developed over time. However, the build quality overall just doesn't make me say, 'wow.' Feels a little cheap (cringe). My nib, a soft fine, sorry to say, was very scratchy out of the box. It could be my impression of the pen is tainted due to the nib. I notice slight line variation with the nib, but it doesn't approach my Pilot Falcon soft fine in this regard. Wish I could say I enjoyed this pen more. On the plus side, the slip and seal mechanism in the cap works great - no nib dry out seen.

[gwgtaylor]

Odd, my Platinum 3776 has no unusual injection molding stuff. Is it possible that eBay versions could be factory seconds?

When I bought mine at launch from the goulets and received it shortly thereafter I was horrified by the marks and took pictures and emailed them to Brian. He confirmed the marks were on all of his inventory.

Shame on Platinum. If you're gonna do a demonstrator, do it right.

[jor412]

I'd be miffed too. The 3776 Century isn't a cheap pen, and the clear demos are more expensive than the other colors.

[Nonsensical]

I have a Platinum Chatres Blue, and just ordered a Bourgogne. I went with a fine nib the first time...and the second time. I have to admit the nibs are very very very good. I'm partial to Sailor pens, because of the build quality and the stiffer nibs, but the Platinum nibs are better, to be honest (from my very limited experience so far).

I've also tried the lower end Platinum pens, and was mostly diasappointed, which is why I waited until just 3 months ago to pull the trigger on my first higher-end Platinum.

Pilot pens also have very good nibs, and I'm especially fond of the VP/Decimo series nibs. The regular #5 nibs are too springy for me. I prefer stiff or flexible...not-quite semi-flex doesn't appeal to me.

[jor412]

I have a Platinum Chatres Blue, and just ordered a Bourgogne. I went with a fine nib the first time...and the second time. I have to admit the nibs are very very very good. I'm partial to Sailor pens, because of the build quality and the stiffer nibs, but the Platinum nibs are better, to be honest (from my very limited experience so far).

I've also tried the lower end Platinum pens, and was mostly diasappointed, which is why I waited until just 3 months ago to pull the trigger on my first higher-end Platinum.

Pilot pens also have very good nibs, and I'm especially fond of the VP/Decimo series nibs. The regular #5 nibs are too springy for me. I prefer stiff or flexible...not-quite semi-flex doesn't appeal to me.

You mention that the Platinum nibs are better, but how does the build quality of the 3776 Century compare to Sailor pens? I have no Sailors and only a slew of cheap Pilots, so these more expensive Japanese pens are a new thing for me.

[pictogramax]

I have to jump in although I don't have the CENTURY but the older 3776 SOFT FINE pen. Reading this discussion made me do a little blog post on the springiness of this pen, to sing a few praises to this kind of nib that usually gets somewhat discarded either by advocates of flexier vintage pens or cheaper semi-flex alternatives. While both of them bring truth with their arguments, this option still has a lot to offer on it's own, to someone that longs for some character in line and pleasure in getting it. Not all flex pens have to be wet noodles, after all.

"I made this drawing on purpose, to illustrate the qualities of PLATINUM 3776 SOFT FINE nib and demonstrate it’s springiness. While not a flex nib in the vintage sense of the term, it still can provide some line variation, especially in the finer register of spectrum. You can easily pull the hairlines with it (as seen in the spots on the scarf and wrinkles around the eyes) and push it to some extent (like deeper folding in the drapery). Someone might jump at this with a “you can get more line variation from Noodler’s AHAB or KONRAD“… and while it is true considering just the extreme width of the line, PLATINUM is so much more pleasant to work with, supple to spread as much (or as little) as it can and always prompt to snap back. On top of all that, it’s a solidly built and truly reliable pen that never failed to start or perform. Makes me wonder how higher-end NAKAYA pens perform if this entry level pen is this charming."

Here's a link to the post with working links and a few others that illustrate this pen's potential:
http://www.pictogramax.com/2013/05/04/spring/
http://www.pictogramax.com/2012/11/1...e-de-jour-017/
http://www.pictogramax.com/2013/02/1...e-de-jour-022/
http://www.pictogramax.com/2013/02/1...e-de-jour-023/
http://www.pictogramax.com/2013/02/0...e-de-jour-021/

[Nonsensical]

I have a Platinum Chatres Blue, and just ordered a Bourgogne. I went with a fine nib the first time...and the second time. I have to admit the nibs are very very very good. I'm partial to Sailor pens, because of the build quality and the stiffer nibs, but the Platinum nibs are better, to be honest (from my very limited experience so far).

I've also tried the lower end Platinum pens, and was mostly diasappointed, which is why I waited until just 3 months ago to pull the trigger on my first higher-end Platinum.

Pilot pens also have very good nibs, and I'm especially fond of the VP/Decimo series nibs. The regular #5 nibs are too springy for me. I prefer stiff or flexible...not-quite semi-flex doesn't appeal to me.

You mention that the Platinum nibs are better, but how does the build quality of the 3776 Century compare to Sailor pens? I have no Sailors and only a slew of cheap Pilots, so these more expensive Japanese pens are a new thing for me.

It's not as good as the higher-end Sailor pens, but it feels solid in my hands. No major issues, and the difference isn't very big...the plastic used does seem prone to collecting microscratches, though.

If you're after a good writing experience, I would definitely recommend both pens (the Platinum has slightly more feedback, but in a very even way, whereas the Sailor has a smaller sweet spot). Right now, I have the Platinum bug, but I still use two Sailor pens regularly - a Sailor Somiko (1911 young) with Sailor nano black, and a Sailor Sapporo mini-slim with Sailor Sei-boku.

If you're after a very smooth writing experience, the Pilot VP/Decimo nibs are great. I have a Decimo with a fine nib, and it writes smoother and wetter than my Platinum. Also a great choice, if the clip placement isn't an issue.

[jor412]

Oh I see. I'll take better care of my Platinum to avoid the microscratches as much as possible.

Thanks for the comparisons. One of our B&M shops sells Sailor pens and they're expensive here but sounds like they're worth looking into. I've mostly been drooling past the shop window. :P

I've tested my friends' VPs and they're great, plus the click mechanism is pretty cool, except I can't get my hands to hold them right so the clip is an issue for me. For the Pilots, I'm considering a custom 74 with an F nib. I've tested this, too, and rather liked the nib -- smooth with a tiny bit of spring. My friend said he trained the "spring" into the nib.

[UK Mike]

I have Sailor 1911 and Platinum 3776 pens.

The Sailor is very slightly bigger and fatter and I would say there is very little difference in the quality of materials or the way they write. The gold banding on the Sailor has a few tiny details that show it to be the more luxurious pen, as does the 21k nib. The Platinum does have a superior converter and in isolation looks identical to the Sailor.
Sailor nibs are closer to European sizes - maybe half a size smaller. I originally got a Broad Sailor but it was too broad for me - luckily it was changed at no cost, without a problem.
Platinum nibs are typically Japanese in sizing, being at least one size finer than Europens. For example, my medium Platinum gives a finer line than a Fine Lamy Studio/Safari/Z50 type.

In practice, if you want a pen to use, the Platinum at half the price of the Sailor is a clear winner with no disadvantages.

I have been completely won over by Japanese pens and prefer them over the the likes of Montblanc and Pelikan, for the feel and character of the nibs. When you consider that a Platinum 3776 costs about the same as a Pelikan M200, it appears to be a real bargain.

[pictogramax]

Yes, my Fine Platinum is indeed very fine. And completely agree with statement that 3776 is really a great pen at very good price.