Platinum 3776 fountain pen - End of an era!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- The 3776 Century isn't my favorite pen but it is a great pen. I'll talk about the issues I have with it and also what makes it great.
I will miss this nib!
link to new platinum nib:
www.platinum-p...
There are some fair arguments. I appreciate you that you based your opinion on the 3776 series after having used several.
In defense of the 3776 there are some pros that could have been mentionned :
- The slip and seal mechanism insure no ink drying of the nib over long periods
- The Platinum converter is one of the best between the 3 Japanese brands (higher capacity than the con-40 and Sailor universal converter, and also easy to disassemble.
- They were cheaper than most of the counterparts at the same range/size. Although it changed recently and their prices went up. Sailor's pens prices also rose recently. We'll see in the future if Pilot's pens price will rise.
Damn, I remember when 3776 were around 80€/90$ back in the the days 😅
The 3776 is my favorite pen (I have 3 and want one in every nib size) and I haven’t had any of the issues that you’ve described thankfully. Thanks for this video!
Superb review thank you.
I think you are being a little unfair in the nib side of things. They are famed for an excellent smooth nib which writes very well indeed. My only 3776 writes very well. Besides, a tiny amount of polishing removes scratchiness.
Your point of comparing it to for the Pilot 74 for value is very good indeed. But, again the size criticism is not so valid. The 3776 is more of a 1930's size, but more chunky.
Just a heads up: I regularly read websites in languages I can't read - Google translate does a prety good job.
Thanks for the info about what is coming.
This review was a great watch. Thoughtful and insightful.
Thank you 👍
Great video. Agree about the irritating plating issue and the fact that it gets spotty over time. Regarding another positive, the slip and seal mechanism is great. The nib feedback is just enough to maintain control over the flow on as you say low quantity paper.
Great review. Shows how different we all are, because most of the things you have as negatives, I love about it. For me, the 3776 nib combines smoothness and character through the hint of feedback like no other pen. I find it a joy to write with. I like the way the writing section doesn't constrain how you hold the pen, and the size, for me, is just perfect for sustained writing.
Surprisingly enough I had more quality control and consistency problems with Pilot rather than any of my Platinum pens. Platinum usually never dries out and the line is consistent with any ink at any direction. Custom 74 on the other hand is known to have flow issues with upstrokes while downstrokes are quite wet. Also most of my Pilot pens has tines way too tight from the factory and require some nib massaging before being good. I also had 3 different Pilot VP and all of them had singing nibs. Platinum and Sailor nibs are usually great from the factory.
Agree with you on uncapped size and the need to post. However, the writing experience when posed is one of few pens that wow me every time. When capped I have great difficulty in distinguishing from my Sailor 1911L, another great, but different writing experience.
Thanks for your videos and keep up the good work
always loved the shape and design of 3776 nibs. they look really cool.
I am fascinated by the issue of nib inconsistency. Whereas you seem to have issues with Platinum, I have the same issue with Pilot pens - nearly all of my Pilot pens have had nib issues over the years. On one occasion, I bought two of the same pen with the same nib, and they vary significantly. Both are 18k gold in fine, but one of the writes more like a wet medium, and both suffered from hard stops. I sent back my current Custom 74 just a few weeks after I bought it because of issues with poorly polished nib.
My Platinum 3776s, on the other hand, have worked just fine...
Thank you for this great video! I recently purchased a Platinum 3776 and I do like it. But, I really love the Pilot and Sailor pens too.
Thank you. I had the same issues with my Platinum 3776 Music nib. Paint polish works for scratches but very small amount. As for the plating, a cheap 0-15 V DC power supply and a plating pen with 10 ml 18 or 24K gold plating solution you can make your 3776 look brand new. Does it worth for that? Up to me, yes it does.
DC Power Supply ~$30 (on Amazon)
Plating Pen ~$18 (e-Bay)
Gold Plating Solution 4 oz ~$40 on e-Bay
(Sorry for my poor English.)
Wow! I have to admit you have more dedication to your Platinum pens than me! haha
@@seattlepenclub 🙂
G&B. Thank you ! RS. Canada
@BOGDAN SERBAN Yes in situ Bogdan. You don’t necesseraly attach the negative clamp (touching is enough). After deeping the plating pen into the solution for a couple of secs, touch the pen tip to the metal parts. You can clearly see the process starts by the smell and the bubbles on the wetted surface. You can plate and resurrect your watches, jewelry etc. But the surface must be prepared. Shined and wiped off finger prints. Cheers
I like them because you can get some big old tipping on a 14k nib for not a lot of money with the coarse nibs. It's large in all directions as well, perfect for getting them ground into any shape you like.
At least the length of the nib seems to remain the same, but maybe the photos are misleading. What I am not really a fan of is that the new nib is supposed to be less stiff .... Actually, this stiffness is what I really like about these pens. It means that once you have a working nib, it is likely to remain that way (unlike some of my Sailor 1911L nibs....). Still, there have been 30 years of 3776 in the vurrent version (or so), there should be enough supply for the years to come. Thanks for the video!
haha true! There should be a ton of 3776s around for a long time :)
If you like stiff nibs, then buying gold nibs is silly. The whole point of a gold nib is that it's softer, or should be. Unless you have no education and can't write in cursive, in which case you should sue your school, or teach yourself, then using a stiff nib is senseless. A soft nib makes lone writing sessions infinitely less tiring, and without cramping. It also means the tiny jerks and spasms we all have during long sessions will be absorbed by the nib before they screw up the writing.
In NO WAY does it mean the nib is likely to remain as it is. If soft nibs are changing on ytou it is solely because you're far too heavy-handed and don't have a clue how to use a fountain pen. Again, buy a pen with a steel nib. A Jinhao would be a good choice.
@@jamesaritchie1 What are your favourite pens?
@@jamesaritchie1 Hey thanks for your reply, your comment made me think a bit more about my issue with the Sailors. I guess I need to be more precise. I am not against some form of springiness of the nib, what I struggle with is when a nib's material is too soft and it has as a consequence issues to retain its form. From my perspective this makes my Sailors (in EF) rather susceptible to hand rotation etc.
Also the flex of a pen is not always a good thing - depending on the use case. For quick notes or at a professional environment I prefer to actually use lamy LX steel nibs.
What are your pens that you like? Your favourite brands? I guess you are a flex nib connoisseur? :-)
You're not the first person to mention the plating issue. I'd been thinking about adding one to my collection as I have a couple of Sailors and Pilots and had liked the inexpensive little Preppy that I use at work, but various reviews like this are why I won't be purchasing.
I have the 3776 10th anniversary, the nib is clearly superior in terms of writing comfort, it has no flow problems as happens with the SF. I don't think that the wording "new" means that it will be mounted on the standard ones in the future, furthermore I don't think the amount of material of the nib is lower.
I own Platinums, Sailors and Pilots and I can't say I've ever noticed a tactile difference in plastic or even in my European pens....I'll go back and check though.
I have three 3776 right now. My no 1!!
A very, very well done presentation. RS. Canada
That blue limited edition one is very cool, looks like a very similar blue to the Montblanc Glacier collection
I have seen that the anniversary pen is supposed to have a new nib, but I was under the impression that this was a special change just for the limited edition anniversary model. Are you saying that they are transitioning to this nib for all of their #3776 Century pens now? I also thought one of the reported reasons for switching to the new nib was increased softness.
My understanding is the new nib will be rolled out across the lineup shortly. My personal opinion is that the increased softness is a byproduct of using less gold / narrowing the shoulders and it's a convenient marketing statement. I haven't used the new nib, so I won't comment on the performance.
@@seattlepenclub It does seem to me that the #3776 Century nibs have thicker nibs with more gold than other nibs, and I like the wide shoulders on the existing nib. I also think Platinum has a corner of the market niche with their high feedback, stiff nibs in a way that other companies don't. I happen to like that. On the other hand, a lot of people criticize them for their nibs (particularly the high feedback and stiff feel), and if they are trying to make a nib that feels more like a Pilot or Sailor nib, would that bring over people who might otherwise have chosen a Pilot or Sailor?
Missed opportunity: Platinum should have been called “Driver”. Because you got Pilot, and Sailor. Haha just a shower thought
I do like the 3776, I like the way it writes…but I think there are definitely quality issues with the barrels. I wouldn’t care if the LE models weren’t so pricey, but when you pay over $250, you don’t expect cracks, which happened twice to me, with new pens that never left my desk and were handled carefully. I also noticed that the barrels are quick to develop micro scratches, as well as scratches on the gold plating. I haven’t had any nib issues, love the big nibs, I have two mediums, a broad, and a fine. The fine is just a little too fine for me, but the mediums and broad are great. I just have to agree that the pens seem to be cheaply made.
I have a few 3776s. I like the look of the new nibs. The "ribs" on the Century are properly called "annular" rings.
Der 3776 ist auch bei mir der Pen No 1 for Sketch im Artist Bereich! Aber es gibt meines Erachtens nur 1 Feder ! die SF.... Präzision , Variation in der Linie und im leichtem Flex macht Ihn in meinen -Augen zur No 1 im Bereich Artist. Daneben benutze ich den Justus 95 in der FM Nib aus Japan und den Indigraph mit Flex Nix... Beste Grüße und nicht zu vergessen die hervorragende Platinum Music Nib for Artist
I have one 3776, blue with a SF nib. The nib does bounce but the feel of the nib is still stiff and scratchy. I haven't given up on it but until I can smooth the nib, I can't recommend it to anyone.
Hey! It's good to hear that someone else likes yellow pens. I always have, and I feel like it's not a color often offered. Do you have any specific yellow pen (or pens) that are your favorite?
Not directed at me, but I recently obtained a Sailor Stellar Black Hole and can highly recommend it if you want something special in yellow.
Thanks! I looked at my collection. Turns out, I only own one other yellow pen which is a Pilot Kakuno haha. I used to own a yellow Twsbi Eco - I kind of regret letting that one go. I've used a yellow Sailor 1911 King of Pen and yellow Kaweco student before but haven't owned them.
I disagree with nothing you said in the video. You just prefer Sailor and Pilot.....
What's the MM of the NIB? Thank you.
I totally agree with you !
The fading out of the plating is really disappointing, mine has gone almost all on the clip.
Also, although the the transparent Chartres blue is of very nice quality the screwing of the cap on the body of the pen feels cheap and not smooth, at least after a couple of years.
The size is alright for me that I have big hands.
Yes ! The nib is the absolute advantage of this pen !
I have the soft fine nib and I absolutely love it !
I think Pilot,Sailor,Platinum, each brand has its own merits.
Cool! I like Platinum's SF as well
You can sand down the plating, beneath it its brass, so it actually looks better with complete sanding of the font.
I don't think they are changing the nib for regular models. That PDF linked in the description is specifically for the "3776 Century Decade" special edition.
I enjoyed both the video and the discussion in the comments, most of which is well-reasoned fountain pen appreciation. 🧐✒ And then there's me, thinking about the pen introduced at 7:58. I'm torn between _Hey, that's cool - the contrast between the grey/ruthenium cap and the demonstrator body_ and *HAHAHA THAT PEN FORGOT TO PUT ON ITS PANTS!!!* 😂
Very good review. Thank you. I like Pilatinum..
I prefer Parker.
Uncle Ben will be proud
I'll never get a Pilot fountain pen as they don't do nib replacements. It doesn't matter how good they are.
I find the pilot nibs do not write as smooth as the 3776 nib. I would say Sailor and Platinum are far better than Pilot right now.
That's silly. Do you even own a Platinum pen? Platinum INTENTIONALLY builds feedback into their nibs. None of them are perfectly smooth, including the 3776 nibs. All have some roughness, and this is the number one complaint about all platinum pens. Seriously, do you do any research at all? Platinum is famous, or infamous, for the roughness in their nibs, depending on whether you like nibs with noticeable feedback, or like your nibs buttery smooth.
It is really strange that anyone would say Platinum nibs are smoother than Pilot nibs. Or Sailor nibs, for that matter. Sailor also has a reputation for having nibs with a lot of feedback, though not as much as Platinum.
Pilot, on the other hand, not only has the reputation for making the smoothest nibs in the business, this has been proven by actually testing.
I would say that you either don't have most of these nibs, or you have no clue what feedback and roughness even are. It's not even a legitimate question. Pilot has buttery smooth nibs from their cheapest pens, right up through their Namiki Maki-e pens. Pilot nibs are made in-house, and are simply as smooth as nibs can get.
Platinum intentionally leaves some serious roughness in their nibs because this is supposed to make nibs last longer. And it does, assuming the nib is used a great deal, the way a professional writer would use it. I can wear out a pilot nib in five years, if I make it my daily work pen. I've never worn out a Platinum nib, and don't know a writer who has.
None of this matters at all for the average user. Under normal conditions, a Pilot nib will last a lifetime, as will a Platinum nib, a Sailor nib, or any other good nib.
But to say Platinum and Sailor nibs are smoother than Pilot nibs is not only wrong, not only silly, it's something even Platinum and Sailor admit isn't true. It isn't even close.
They are certainly different. I personally prefer the way Pilot pens feel but just my opinion. I do find it's easier to be more precise with Sailor and Platinum pens and lots of my friends prefer them to Pilot like you
@@jamesaritchie1 why not write a whole essay about the feedback of nibs? Lol.
I personally own several Sailors, Platinums and had Pilots. I like the Platinums most because they are the smoothest. Sailor either have medium or strong feedback. My Pro Gear Slim Spring Sky is even on the verge of being scratchy. I had two 74s and they both were conistens but about as smooth as my Platinum medium nib. Sure, my Platinum ef nib is quite feedbacky but it is hard to get a nib that thin to be smooth. It'll always have a good amount of feedback. But that feedback is consistent. So i definitely can't confirm what is said in this video or what you say. Especially not about Sailor vs. Platinum. My ef Platinum is smoother than my mf Sailor.
Agree! I think the 3776's main claim to fame is the seemingly never-ending range of special editions etc albeit with a (substantial) cost differential. They have a lot of finishes that catch my eye but first and foremost to me is the writing experience which I've found disappointing in these (so I only have a sample fo one!)
I’m going to be a bit critical here: you really surprised me at the end when you said you wanted to do a quick video about why this is such a great pen and why it is such a great nib. In fact, you spent most of your time tearing the pen apart, citing cheap construction issues, and it wasn’t until the end that you had anything good to say about the pen. And then a few others jumped on the bandwagon, saying that they had experienced the same issues. Everyone has their own experiences. I love my 3776, for its feel, appearance, and most of all for the way it writes. I use it a lot, far more than my Pilot Custom 74. I also found your presentation to be rambling. It might help if you were to jot down a few notes about what it is you wish to say. Then you wouldn’t spend several minutes tearing the pen down, explaining why it is such an inferior piece of workmanship, and then concluding by telling us that your intent was to demonstrate why it is such a great pen.
I find your comment quite strange. This video had very clear and concise thoughts on the 3776 with the added benefit of examples shown. He even took your advice and jotted down a few notes of exactly what to say.
@Seattle Pen Club - Please don't listen to this comment and keep doing what you're doing. I find you to be one of the most interesting pen TH-camrs and you always have great and unique insight!
Sounds to me like @ravkesef is smoking mega copium
I agree. The plastic feels cheap, too light and the grip is too short especially as host to the nice nib. The cap serves me well both to post and the screw tightening keeps it wet. My fine nib is scratchy which I’m told to expect but I recently purchased a Cross Peerless 125 with a Sailor fine nib and it’s smooth, so of course I prefer that now. Until then I thought the Pilot was great but now I wouldn’t collect them although the price point is attractive. Also all the stores have Platinum but never Sailor so the Platinum is easier to purchase in person.
What are the advantages of a larger nib?
When I started this hobby, I thought it was smoothness. Turns out, that has nothing to do with the material of the nib but rather how the tipping is finished. In general, larger gold nibs feel softer. Not always the case - Duofold is a great counterpoint. In my experience, larger gold nibs dampen the vibrations from the paper more. It's a subtle thing but if I write with a Custom 74 for a long time then switch to a 823 or Custom Urushi, it feels less ...harsh (?). Maybe it's the placebo effect and I'm going crazy but that's my 2 cents ;)
@@seattlepenclub I think it might also be easier to see what you are doing?
@@seattlepenclub I have a minor case of RSI in my writing wrist and softer nibs definitely help a lot with hand fatigue and it's just overall more pleasant for me. Stiff nibs provide more accuracy but I think you described it pretty well already in that it just feels a lot less harsh to write with softer nibs. I guess it's not so much about the nib size but the overall softness or springiness but larger nibs might be a bit softer by default.
@@seattlepenclub Nothing wrong with the placebo effect.
My experience? Horrible nib. Way too light and cheap-feeling plastic. Hate capping and you almost have to with that pen. Unfortunately, I bought it over the internet without ever having held one. Don't even know where it is atm, and I don't care.
The plastic FEELS brittle, hard, cheap? That is a ridiculously silly statement regardless of the pen you're talking about. As soon as you say something FEELS brittle, hard, cheap, you're always talking complete nonsense because that's an impossible statement. Nothing, anywhere, FEELS brittle, hard, cheap. There is no such thing as FEELING brittle, hard, and/or cheap. It goes far beyond silly.
Now, personally, I'm not a fan of the 74 at all. It's just a nothing pen with nothing features, and isn't much of a writer when compared to dozens of pens in iot's price range, let alone when compared to even low mid-range pens. The 74 is, at best, a beginner pen that has an extremely poor design in the grip section.
I feel much the same about the 3776, though when measured against what it's supposed to be, what it's supposed to be used for, I think it beats the 74in every possible way.
Posting this pen is stupid. Posting almost any fountain pen is stupid, but posting a pen like this means you shouldn't be allowed to own any fountain pen. You don't know what you're doing, you don't know how fountain pens are designed to work their best, and you don't have a clue about. . .well, you simply don't have a clue.
I know how cheap the 3776 is, but that's no excuse to jam the cap onto the barrel when it clearly should not be there. Of course it has scratches. The same thing happened so often with extremely expensive Maki-0e pens, too, because, unfortunately, any numskull with money is allowed to buy one. If you can scratch Urushi by posting, what chance does a 3776 have. Pilot Namiki solved this problem on many pens by lining the cap with soft material, but this is not going to happen with a pen as cheap as the 3776.
Doesn't holdf up well? No, it is not idiot proof. Few things are.
not sure if that long rant was intended to make us laugh but you certainly succeeded. Thanks!
did u know that people can do whatever they want for the product they paid for, crazy right?
/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DECADE-Special-page.pdf is the English version