Custom 74 vs Pro Gear Slim vs 3776 Century
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video I compare the features and writing experience of the Pilot Custom 74, the Sailor Pro Gear Slim, and the Platinum 3776 Century.
All three pens have fine nibs. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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Thank you for this video. I was comparing these three models, and your video helped tremendously.
Excellent comparison. I just purchased the Custom 74 as my first gold nib pen a day before you published this, and now I am confident I made the right choice for me. The Sailor is definitely on my list now! Thanks for sharing. 🧡
You're welcome! Pilot knows how to make a great pen. The Custom 74 has a fantastic nib, and it is such a comfortable pen to use. I hope you get lots of enjoyment from it. 😀
Thanks for the very helpful video. These pens are popular in this price range and and this extensive comparison was a much appreciated.
You're welcome! I'm glad I could help.
very nice to watch and learn more about those 3 pens! Classic looking for sure.
Thank you so much for helping me decide on the Sailor. I was worried about the size, but I have a 3776 and seeing it in your hand, comparing it with mine, and then seeing the Sailor - priceless. 😘
You're welcome! I'm glad I could help.😀
Thank you !!! This was very helpful. I already own both the Pilot Custom 74 and the Platinum 3776 Century and I love them both and use them both on a regular basis. I have been debating buying a Sailor Pro Gear Slim to round out my collection of Japanese pens. I love the nibs on Japanese pens since my handwriting is small and the fine and extra fine Japanese nibs work well for me....
Enjoyed the comparisons. Great review.
Thank you!
Perfect comparison. Thank you for this.
You're welcome!
Love your choices.. I have them as well.. just a different color Sailor. Love your accent!
Well done!
Frank
Thank you Frank! These are three solid pens.
Very helpful comparison! Thank you 🙂
You're welcome Hans!
thank you for this superb review :)
Thanks for this video I've been debating between these 3
You're welcome!
gadgetstop321 It’s amazing how you still answer to comments on a video that’s 1 year old.
Ps: I have a Sailor Pro Gear slim with a medium nib, but I also want to buy the platinum or the pilot as a workhorse for my next year of college.
@@Matt-dd1zr I occasionally have people leave comments on videos I made about an old phone or tablet that I had 8 or 9 years ago. It cracks me up when they ask why I'm using such an old version of Android.
Good luck at college this year. Stay safe and I hope you're able to get a Platinum or Pilot pen to use for your school work. They're both great pens. You can't go wrong whichever you choose.
Nice review of three very popular pens. I use same type paper for my inked log.
Thank you! 😀
Thanks very much for a great video, I've really enjoyed it.x
You're welcome, David!
love the video!
Thanks for comparing these three. I think this has solidified my desire for the Custom 74.
You're welcome! I've been very happy with my Custom 74.
I had a choice between SF and fine and I went with the fine, but I am curious about how the SF writes.
The Sailor 1911 L would be a closer match for the 3776 and Custom 74 in terms of overall size and shape, but the nib on the 1911 L is 21k in contrast to the 14k nibs on the other two. The Sailor Pro Gear Slim, while possessing a 14k nib, is significantly smaller as compared to this field of pens to the degree that I personally consider it a pocket pen rather than a full-sized pen. Your estimations of nib smoothness, quality of construction, etc. are spot on, and I thoroughly enjoyed your comparison review. Thank you!
Subbed
Thank you!
You're welcome! 😀
I love your videos! Thank you for this wonderful detailed review! I am wanting to pick a great inexpensive gold nib pen with a smooth, solid writing experience for my next acquisition. What would be your recommendation?
Thank you! My experience with gold nibs revolves around the 3 Japanese brands: Pilot, Sailor and Platinum. I prefer fine nibs and of those 3 brands, Pilot nibs are the smoothest and also my favorite. At Jet Pens, the Pilot E95s and the Pilot Decimo are the least expensive gold nibs from any brand. If you shop around on eBay, you may be able to find them even cheaper, but watch the ratings of the seller. 😀
@@gadgetstop321 Thanks so much!!!
I like the two toned look and darker and lighter shades while writing.
I trying to find a black that looks like Ravens colors
Black but when reflecting it is bluish greenish black
Great comparison review ! It came just at the time when I concluded to exactly these three pens as my final fountain pen choices and wonder which one to buy ! (in Sailor I've chosen the 1911, although pro gear slim was in the list too).
And although 3776 is more impressive in real, I'm closer to Pilot 74 because of their excellent nibs that give you that just a little better feeling when you write with them !
Thank you very much !
(I might end up buying all three 😂)
You're welcome! I made this video because when I was trying to decide which of these pens to purchase, I couldn't find a comparison of all three. When I got the Custom 74, I said I would never buy another pen because this one was perfect - the Custom 74 was the only pen I was going to use for the rest of my life - I was going to sell all my other pens. Well, you see how that turned out.
I really enjoyed the comparison of these pens. Of the three I think my favorite is the Sailor. Interesting to see the line variation in the way the ink lays down, I never noticed that so now I'll be looking for it.
Thank you! I've tried to pick a favorite, but each of these pens have features that I enjoy. 🤔
Thank you for sharing! I am a student, and I use a pen for about 7 hours a day. While I was using European fountain pens and looking for Japanese pens, I found this perfect video of the three models I was thinking about. Can you recommend a pen between these three models if you use it for a long time like me?
They are all great choices, but my favorite is the Pilot Custom 74. It has the smoothest nib out of the three.
gadgetstop321 sounds perfect. thank you!
Out of the 3, I prefer the stout Platinum but the extra give and bounce of the Pilot is more to my liking, especially with that con 70 converter.
I agree, Andrew. Each of these three nibs has some quality that makes them desirable.
for some reason, have never been a fan of the Pilot custom 74: it feels like a too long, skinny pen with a punny no.5 sized nib: much prefer the Pilot custom heritage 912 with it’s no.10 sized nib (European no.6)and it’s chunkier section; there is a reason that the Platinum 3776 pen with it’s no.6 nib is hugely popular in Japan: for me, a no.6 nib is my preferred size: have to pay twice as much to get Sailor Pro Gear/Pilot 912 with the same sized nib:)
I really like pilot 74!
I agree! Pilot makes very good pens and the Custom 74 is my favorite.
I finally have Custom 74 on extra fine to help testify compared with the Platinum 3776, but especially after noticing the list on Nakaya pen adjustment service and certain Pilot advertisement on their nib, about how vertically straight Japanese fine nibs should be hold, the bounce on either Custom 74 or Platinum 3776 feels significant around the 60-70 degree holding angle which described as regular-tall writing angle by Nakaya(same nib as 3776), making for incredibly fine lines too depending on the angle and quite differing flow control experience, but Custom 74 is definitely bouncier, smoother and wetter, albeit it is possible to write UEF with C74's EF or 3776's F if written almost vertically, with minimum pressure therefore minimised scratchiness/feedback
I love being able to write smaller hiragana/katakana above kanjis with these gold nibs on just one pen(either one is excellent!), absolutely no steel nib can do it, not even kakuno's EF.
Thanks for the information. That's good to know!
What kind of ink and paper do you use?
@@gadgetstop321 Kokuyo's slippery/サラサラ loose leaf mostly! I tried Maruman 5mm square grid loose leaf and it's slightly better because it doesn't feather as much after taking moisture from the hand(unlike Kokuyo), I even tried $1/100円 notepad by maruman that was bought and dampened by rain during visit to Tokyo last year and it still doesn't feather to be used now. either paper takes C74's wet flow pretty well. Ink is Iroshizuku Murasaki-Shikibu on 3776, or Pilot Red+Parker Black Quink of my own mix on the C74
@@Shiruvan So, can I interpret that Japanese pens are not ideal for cursive writing?? I hold my pens at a shallow angle of 35-40 degrees and 60 degrees as normal is impossible angle for me... Thank you for the interesting information.
@@naarayanu3700 It is okay, but I think especially Japanese gold nibs which known for their feedback, will not be as comfortable when writing at shallow angle because the shallower you write, the more it depends on pressure to write, and the more it grabs and give you feedback of the paper, against the usually expected most fountain pen to be light writing and smooth. I think this is the cause why people have issues and send Japanese nibs to nib tuners right away, especially on the medium-broad side. some Japanese themselves has even noted this 'issue', because regular ball tip like Metropolitan/Kakuno would write at complete disregard of those particular control difficulty. Chinese characters also used in Japanese are often written with definite stops or swipes which plays around the pressure on that part of the stroke, I find that the habit of putting in and out the pressure like you expect out of 'flex' nib, transfers to smoother writing experience(but don't expect line variety much, just the flow of ink opening better)
@@naarayanu3700 you can definitely write at shallow angle and without pressure, but depends on the writing style, the look on the letters may not be what you like. At least for me, writing cursive with Japanese gold nib for notes, with very light pressure and sort of fast doesn't make me happy, they look too sharp, so I make use of the pressure and feedback to help make more rounded letters that I prefer to read back (additionally, too light of writing/pen hurts my wrist somehow). Pilot maybe the safest option, but it doesn't seem to be completely away from that Japanese gold nib peculiarity.
Have short listed these two pens. First proper fountain pen. Looking to use as daily writer at work. Would you recommend one over the other? Thanks.
These are all good pens!
gadgetstop321 sorry, I posted my question in the wrong video. It was the video where you were comparing the 1911 and Pro Gear Slim where I should have posted my question.
@@wesarnold2408 The only difference between the 1911 Standard and the Pro Gear Slim is the shape of the ends. So your choice just depends on whether you want flat or round ends. I prefer the 1911...I just like the way it looks.
The Sailor Fillers are made out of resin, not plastic.
I have two Sailor pens a Custom 845 and a Custom Urushi (both are Urushi pens) the nibs are stellar. I love both pens one has an M and the other a B nib, this second one I use with more "colorful" inks, and I am delighted with them.
I also have a Sailor Pro Gear KOP, m nib, this pen is gorgeous, like the other two I do not want to miss it, the nib is also excellent. The only one complaint is the converter, it is just too small for me.
Thanks for the info, Maximilian. The Custom 845 is a grail pen for me. If I'm ever able to get one, I would probably get a fine nib. 😀
@@gadgetstop321 If you get one I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed! The pen is lightweight and the converter holds an excellent quantity of ink, especially if you have an F nib. The only thing you have to take care of is, not to let the pen be exposed to direct sunlight, which will change the color of the pen.
I thought the Pro Gear nib was only available in the medium fine?
Certain models of the Pro Gear Slim are only available in medium fine. I don't know what the determining factor is...maybe US exclusives and the regular line are available in EF, F, M, B, Zoom, and Music.
thanks !!!!
I have the Black Custom 74. It is from Japan, and the packaging is different from the US pens. I love it. You are correct, the grip is absolutely comfortable. I have mine in a Soft Fine Medium.
As for your comment regarding the 3776 looking like the Montblanc. The 1911 also looks like the Montblanc. The clips are almost identical, and three have a thick center band. At first I was like, wait a minute, they all look the same. So my question is which one came first? Since that realization I have decided that, that classic looking iconic pen will be a sub collection within my collection.
So it will get expensive but I am thinking the 149, 146, the 1911/1911 Large, the King of Pens, the 3776, the President, the Custom 74, and the Custom 823, though the Pilots are noticeably different.
Iron Mike I agree with your thoughts on this style of pen. All the pens I’ve had my eye on recently have the classic cigar shape.
@@gadgetstop321 At first it never appealed to me. I found the Pelikan M1000 more interesting than a Meisterstuck 149, but I don't know what changed. It might look a bit foolish to have 8 pens almost identical, but I don't care.
I was all set to start saving up more my pursuit, and then I went and bought a Benu last night. In my defense it was 50% off.
Iron Mike Ah, good deals will get you every time! Which Benu did you get?
I always thought the Sailor Pro Gear Slim would be my favorite pen, but after using the Sailor 1911, I fell in love with the cigar shape. I also like the Platinum 3776 very much...in fact I have one on the way that has a medium nib. I’m curious to see how the Sailor medium compares to the Platinum medium.
@@gadgetstop321 Yep, I am staring down what I think will be a great deal on a 149. Just don't know if I can pull the trigger.
I bought the Briolette in Gold Ore. It seems nice. Catchy for sure. Only thing is the nib is a #5 may be a 4 and it's in EF. I like larger nibs and broader/italic nibs.
It was the 149 that got me interested in fountain pens. I saw an ad in the airlines magazine, on an international flight. You know they show all the "good" stuff in those magazines. It was the nib that got me. I found the engraving on the nib was detailed craftsmanship. Though I don't like the "status symbol" of Montblanc, When I saw how big the #9 nib was, I got re-introduced to 149 and Montblanc. Well I think that was what changed. I like the Sailor nibs too. I am thinking of getting a Music, Zoom or a Course nib on mine when I get them.
@@ironmic9244 I didn't understand the appeal of Mont Blanc until I tried that style of pen. The 1911 and the 3776 fit me perfectly, but I can see someone being draw to the larger pens like Mont Blanc. Good luck with your pen shopping.
I've a pilot C74 B which I bought for signature purposes but unfortunately it has a lot of skipping especially in the horizontal leftward strokes that makes me disappointed despite the fact that it being a B. I have heard that Platinum 3776 M is used by many for signature with permanent ink like atramentis in it. Could you please say whether Platinum too has the same issue. My Lamy safari F writes better signature than C74 B. It has even less skipping compared to its big brother Lamy 2000. Could you please suggest regarding Platinum M. I really like the color of Chartres blue
I've never had any issues with my Platinum 3776 (M) skipping. I don't own any Pilot broad nibs, but my medium nibs do skip occasionally on smooth paper.
@@gadgetstop321 thank you so much for the reply. Actually I was about to buy a pelikan m1000 souveran ef. But there was something holding me back from spending a huge money on it mainly due to its inconsistency regarding nib size. I don't want to spend a fortune on a pen merely for admiring its external beauty and regretting the non-suitability of its core function v.i.z writing. I do love Lamy pens for its consistency and butter smoothness. I had entirely turned my mind off the Japanese pens ever since my experience with C74. But after watching your review I have changed my mind and will go for Platinum M. I don't mind the feedback sound if it writes smoothly. Once again thank you for your invaluable help. I am able to save some money too🙂
@@san2881 You're welcome. One more thing I should mention - my handwriting is very small so the line width in my writing samples may seem wider than they actually are. I recommend checking out some writing comparisons of the various nib sizes. There are some good videos out there that show this.
@@gadgetstop321 sure I'll check it out
the soft fine nib on the 3776 is about as good as it gets for the fountain pen writing experience, esp at this price point. the sailor pgs is made from a higher quality plastic than the others and i like the pencil-ish feedback but god the feeds on those things are just not reliable in my experience - i’ve never owned a more frustrating pen. and the pilot 74 is just a good solid basic pen if that’s what your into, but since you can get the much nicer pilot 912 for only ~$30 more online i wouldn’t really recommend the 74 to anyone.
My favorite Platinum nib is the 3776 medium, but I've never tried a Platinum soft fine. I agree with you on the Pilot Custom 74. I found out that I prefer the Custom Heritage 92. I like the balance and proportions of the 92 better, but still the same great #5 fine nib. I've never written with a Pilot #15 nib, but I've heard great things about them as well.
those are three very different pens :)Nib on Platinum is very flat and with wide shoulder :) Sailor´s one is flat too but it has completely different thinner and like aggressive form. Nib on Pilot is most curved and classical by form-still different from western ones. I have Platinum 3776 Century Bourgogne ...it´s more semisoft than soft actually. I like it´s feedback..and how you actually almost hear it when writing :)Also have a Pilot Custom 74 SF and this is completely different touch and wider range of line variation. Only Sailor with golden nib i have is older type 1911 Profit -the one with Nagahara smile on nib:) This one has H-M and this one is very serious oponent to Pelikan and MB. I was looking for another Sailor, but it went this way, that now i have 2 more Pilot´s :P Custom Heritage 91 and Custom 742. Switch nib on your Pilot to SF ;) then you have a great daily writer Sailor; Platinum as an alternatiive approach and Pilot for the soul :)
:) and if you look- feed on each one is different too, by form ,amount of ribs etc. The one on Pilot is blue like smurf when new or cleaned :)Nice ones, all 3! excellent choiche
Is the Pilot Custom Heritage 91 much different than the Custom 74 other than the shape? I have been tempted to get one, but I don't think there would be enough of a difference to make it worth it.
Thank you!
:) Sorry...was´nt a long online there. They are quite different...this is pretty much weird, cause nib is like the same- same size,same form too. Actually all parts are interchangeable :) But nib on CH91 is different by touch. I have SFM on CH 91 and SF on C74...but i would say- the one on CH91 is softer. Line variation is same, still. Would say, C74 is possibly better as first fp, maybe as daily pen too... CH 91 like needs more writing experience.The pressure must be very even, otherwise dots and horizontal strokes will be wider & darker . with lighter inks it will seem, like they were later
overlaid with other pen :) Seems CH91 is meant to be a step higher pen. In my case it took a bit time to get used to it J But I like him very much.
@@allanojasoo2900 Thanks for the reply. I think hold off on getting a 91. I like the softness of my C74, but I'm not interested in line variation.
My only Pilot fountain pens are Vanishing Points with different nibs. Also have Sailor 4 Season (HF) in green and 1911 Epinard . Platinum 3776 Medium nib.
Pilot gold EF Nibs have a extra scratchy feedback on Cheap paper but writes with less feedback on fountain pen friendly paper not enjoyable . Pilot (M, B) nibs just feel like writing with a #2 pencil as I call it. F nib is some where in between compared to (M, B) and EF Nib
3776 like any Platinum product just has a feedback that tells you that you are writing. You feel the paper on cheap paper but less on fountain pen paper.
Sailor just has a feedback that you either love or hate it on either cheap /fountain pen paper. It's like #2 pencil feedback but not Pelikan nib /Nemosine nib glass smooth. You feel the paper as you write but does not cut the paper.
Dry pen like you said.
Good review overall..
Thank you! I've had a few people tell me that their fine Pilot gold nibs were scratchy and unpleasant to use. However, mine is very smooth. I'm starting to wonder if I got lucky. Wow, you have a 1911 Epinard...that is a beautiful pen!
@@gadgetstop321
My Pilot F nib are smooth like you said. Just the EF Nib are just unpleasant and toothy. I had to get some mylar paper to smooth it out. It's a lot better but since I'm using cheap copier paper, it is still not the best. As for Sailors gold nibs, the HF nibs are just toothy like I mentioned.
Keep up the good work and love the accent💕
I have all 3, except Custom 742 instead of 74.
Cool! I've heard good things about the nib on the Custom 742 - that it's the best, so I'd like to try one some day. Currently, my favorite nib of all time is Pilot's 14k #5 size fine nib. I have two of them - a Custom 74 and a Custom Heritage 92. It's hard to imagine a nib being better than that. 😀
@@gadgetstop321 I have Soft Fine nib on 742, so it's kind of special. but my observations are generaly similar : Platinum 3776 is very wet pen, and also has great cap insulation - no hard starts, if wasn't used for long time. Pilot 742 less wet than 3776 but also quite good flow, and very reliable. Sailor Pro gear slim is dry pen, also sometimes has problems with obstructed flow. It's temperamental for me. It writes fine, when flushed and freshly refilled. But once the convertor is 3/4 part empty, it suffers from dry flow.
I don't know this is correct info or not, but a man in Japan said,
Platinum F: 0.30mm
Pilot F : 0.32mm
Sailor F : 0.36mm
So, my choice is Platinum M, Pilot F, Sailor EF.
Those numbers sound about right in my experience. I've never used a Sailor EF, but I do like the Platinum M and the Pilot F.
@@gadgetstop321
On converter, Sailor started marketing Empty Cartridge to be used repeatedly, and they say it fills 50% more ink than converter. May be convenient.
sailor.co.jp/product/13-0303/
sailor.co.jp/movie/fp_supportkit02/
I have a Pelikan m405. How does the pro gear slim compare to the Pelikan in terms of size posted?
The Pelikan is about a half centimeter longer than the Pro Gear Slim when posted.
Sailor!
Tre penne da avere in collezione e splendide per scrivere. Adoro la serie 74 di pilot su tutti il SF nib.
first
That accent damn...
😉
F-nib of 3776С does not write well - this is how it is made from M-nib by turning the side faces. It turns out not a smooth, round ball, but with flat faces.
I prefer Pilot nibs because the work well with a wider variety of inks and paper. However, with the right ink and paper the 3776 can be nice also.
The 3776 C is the extra bold broad, or double broad. It is not a F-nib.