Which Would You Choose ?

[mports]

I have a simple question, but I'm struggling to reach a decision. I have approximately £150 to spend on a new pen (birthday), my choices are as follows:

 

1. Platinum #3776 Century (Rhodium Trim).

 

2. Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen.

 

3. Pilot Vanishing Point.

 

Which would you choose & why?

 

Cheers

 

Mark

Edited September 14, 2014 by mports

[shawndp]

I would buy the 3776 - I own one already (and two Vanishing Points in the interest of disclosue) - I love it way it writes, the balance in hand, the nib just glides... My gf on the other hand has retained both the VP's - they seem to work better for her. I suggest try writing with a VP before you pursue buying one - as in write a couple of sentences and contemplate if the pen suits your hand. I have no issues with the way it writes but like the traditional feel of the Platinum better. All the best in your quest and Happy Birthday!

Edited September 14, 2014 by shawndp

[tonybelding]

I've owned both a Lamy 2000 and a Pilot VP, and they were both very well made and quality pens. Both of them also had a few minor little things that annoyed me. If you need the retractable feature, then the Pilot VP is it. If you don't need it (and I'm assuming you don't really, because then you wouldn't even be considering the other pens), then the Lamy 2000 should get the nod.

 

As for the Platinum... I've got to admit to scratching my head and wondering what the value proposition is for it. It looks like a boring, ultra-conservative, C/C filling pen to me. I guess if you wanted something that resembles a Montblanc but doesn't cost like a Montblanc, then you might choose it? They do offer music nibs and "ultra extra fine" (needle point?) nibs, which is something I don't often see.

 

EDIT: By the way, I gave away my Lamy 2000 and kept my Sheaffer Targa.

Edited September 14, 2014 by tonybelding

[shawndp]

 

As for the Platinum... I've got to admit to scratching my head and wondering what the value proposition is for it. It looks like a boring, ultra-conservative, C/C filling pen to me. I guess if you wanted something that resembles a Montblanc but doesn't cost like a Montblanc, then you might choose it? They do offer music nibs and "ultra extra fine" (needle point?) nibs, which is something I don't often see.

 

 

The value in the Platinum is that it is a conservative looking pen that writes well, has that slip-seal cap that doesn't dry out the nib ensuring that it writes on every start. If you are writing a few pages at a time it and have to go back to read your own work it is easy on the eyes and the hand. When I first started in the car business I never understood why anyone would pay as much as they did for a used Toyota Corolla - they looked dull, had no options, and in a numerical comparison always came up short - then I bought one as a service vehicle and having added 100,000km worth of abuse to the car I am a believer... This pen is sort of like that - write a multi-page exam with it and you will see the value.

[mports]

Cult Pens are currently offering 20% off all Platinum Pens, I've heard nothing but praise from Platinum users - 20% discount is very tempting,

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Edited September 14, 2014 by mports

[lahlahlaw]

The VP, because they are super reliable and the nib looks like a tiny armadillo head.

[KBeezie]

Platinum Century 3776. I've tried two Vanishing Points and two Century 3776s (Black and Bourgogne). I've not tried the Lamy 2K though.

 

The Century 3776 compared to the VP for me :

- Overall more comfortable to hold, especially around the grip

- Slip n' Seal cap prevents the nib/feed from drying out much better than the VP's trap door

- Much easier to fill via a converter than the VP (though Pilot is a little easier to fill their cartridge via syringe)

- Much much much easier to clean a Century 3776's nib/feed/section

 

I've owned the C3776 with a Soft Fine, and I currently have a C3776 with a 14K Medium (Which writes in between a Pilot Fine and Medium, closer to Pilot's Fine) and it's really smooth.

 

They're both about the same capped size, the VP being a little heavier, but that clip isn't very nice for writing with.

 

The Vanishing point's main benefit is the capless design for me. It's "convenient" and the body is metal instead of resin, so a little more confidence of just throwing it into your pant or shirt pocket (something I wouldn't do with the Century 3776, at least to pants without first having it in a harder leather case).

 

Also the larger nib seems easier to handle on the Century 3776 and you have a few more choices such as getting a 14K Soft Fine or Soft medium, or a Music nib, or an Ultra-Extra-Fine.

 

Plus you can get a Platinum Century 3776 for less than $90 USD Shipped which I've done twice from the Bunkidou shop on Rakuten. They also have the "Capless" for around $75, but those are not 14K Nib, but rather "Special Alloy" (likely steel).

 

But either way, of the three, I'd likely go the Century 3776 route because not only is it cheaper for me, it's overall more comfortable to use in the long run, easier to clean, and just doesn't dry out.

Edited September 14, 2014 by KBeezie

[Baric]

I have none of these pens (like you), so my decision process goes like this:

 

1. Lamy 2K - Just butt ugly. Nope, never in this life.
2. Pilot VP
   • Interesting design and utility.
   • Fast access to writing due to the pusher as oppsoed to unscrewing a cap.
   • Available in a wide variety of colors and finishes.
   • Easily available alternate nib units if you like some variety or multiple quick change colors.
   • The pusher is DOWN in the shirt pocket which is where I would carry it and while I know WHY that is (so the tip is up) I don't like it.
   • But the killer for me is the clip, it's absolutely going to bother me since I tend to rotate the pen in my grip so that my index finger would be fighting with it. So no.
3. Platinum 3776
   • Nice classic design, but doesn't fall into the boring black pen pit because it's available in cool colors and finishes. Demonstrators, nice.
   • Section shape is concave and not metal, bonus points.
   • Cartidge or converter, in general this is a plus for me but I'm vaguely disappointed that it's the proprietary Platinum converter. There is an adapter for standard international, but snce I mostly use bottled ink, this is not much of a concern. And I already carry a spare cartidge for emergencies for my Nakaya, which takes the same type of cartridge.
   • Reviews of the pen are mostly very positive.
   • You can get this is a Music nib. Again, bonus points.
   • Slip and seal inner cap to help with nib dry out if you live in a dry or cold climate. Everything I read says it works very well.

Of course, YMMV depending on your own likes and dislikes, ergonomics, etc. The 3776 Century gets the nod based on my brief analysis above. I would do the Chartres Blue or maybe the Nice demonstrator, likely with the Music nib because I'm itching to try it out.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Baric

[KBeezie]

The 3776 Century gets the nod based on my brief analysis above. I would do the Chartres Blue or maybe the Nice demonstrator, likely with the Music nib because I'm itching to try it out.

 

Don't care for Bourgogne?

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/3776/bourgogne/uncapped.jpg

[mports]

 

Lamy 2K - Just butt ugly. Nope, never in this life.

.

Good to know I'm not the only one who thinks the 2000 is butt ugly - LOL

 

I know what you mean about the music nib, I did consider it briefly. But I think it's nib is going to be a little to big, wide & wet to make it a every day useable pen.

 

Is anyone here using the music nib?

 

How are you finding it?

 

Mark

Edited September 14, 2014 by mports

[Sammyo]

For me it has to be the 3776 Century. I am old school and the classic design with modern updated finishes and features is a win, win situation. I have nothing against the Lamy 2000, it is also a good looking pen... However not my taste.

 

The Pilot VP... really not my taste either. Some people love the accessibility of the clicky, clicky nib. I however love the gesture of retrieving your pen from your pocket; unscrewing the cap; pausing for dramatic effect and then starting to write. That is another point for the 3776 Century in my world. It's it very samey to other pens out there? Yes, but I like those pens too.

 

This is why there are so many styles, colours and options out there. If you look hard enough there is a pen for everyone

[Baric]

 

Don't care for Bourgogne?

 

It's nice, and in the absence of any blueness, I MIGHT choose it. But blue ALWAYS wins out with me. I can't help it, blue is smooth, oool, and comforting to me, been that way since I was little. it's like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. Can you tell I really like blue?

[maus930]

No question--- Platinum is head and shoulders above the others

[KBeezie]

I do know that if you buy a Vanishing Point from Richard Binder (RichardsPens.com), you can pay an extra $15 to have the clip completely removed.

 

 

It's nice, and in the absence of any blueness, I MIGHT choose it. But blue ALWAYS wins out with me. I can't help it, blue is smooth, oool, and comforting to me, been that way since I was little. it's like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. Can you tell I really like blue?

Yea I thought bout getting the blue too when Rakuten gave me 2,000 bonus points, but it was $10 more expensive than the Bourgogne. (ie: would have been $82 shipped instead of $72 shipped). The red just seemed ... classier. If the blue were deeper/darker like an almost navy blue, especially with a gold trim, then I'd be on it real fast.

I know what you mean about the music nib, I did consider it briefly. But I think it's nib is going to be a little to big, wide & wet to make it a every day useable pen.

 

I haven't tried the music nib, and primarily because even from a Rakuten shop it's still close to $175 instead of $80 for the rest of the Century 3776 nib options.

 

From the reviews I've read, it's the most favorable of the three brands of music nibs (Pilot, Sailor, Platinum), because with Pilot and Sailor you have to write close to a 90 degree angle, where as Platinum's can be written from nearly any angle and provides a very wet/juicy flow from nearly any angle. It also sucks right thru the ink cartridge like a firehose.

 

Anything above a Western Medium for me tends to be a bit 'too much', so that was the other reason I didn't get it. The Platinum Medium (not soft medium) puts me at a comfortable range, just slightly bigger than a Pilot Fine, but smaller than a Pilot Medium. Where as the Platinum Soft Fine (which is finer than the Soft Fine on a Pilot Falcon) was well controlled, but a bit more feedback than I liked.

 

The main reason someone might want the Lamy 2K over either the VP or C3776 is because it's a Piston filler. (that and maybe because it clips a little easier). In terms of Sleekness, the VP seems nicer, but that clip placement...

 

You can however get a much older Namiki Capless with the faceted clip, which is a bit more flush and streamline into the section.

 

http://www.dannzeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/MG_0196.jpg

Edited September 14, 2014 by KBeezie

[arcadeflow]

I would get the Platinum, even though I usually prefer Pilot. The 3776 is a classic model, I don't think you could go wrong with one of these, or a similar Sailor or Pilot. The Vanishing Point can be a practical pen but in my opinion it is like a Lamy Safari, it is not for everyone. I myself dislike the complex mechanisms, it is harder to clean. But I would own one if I had plenty of other pens I like, if I could get one for a cheap price.

[Baric]

Good to know I'm not the only one who thinks the 2000 is butt ugly - LOL

 

I know what you mean about the music nib, I did consider it briefly. But I think it's nib is going to be a little to big, wide & wet to make it a every day useable pen.

 

Is anyone here using the music nib?

 

How are you finding it?

 

Mark

 

Seems like we're definitely in the minority when it comes to the L2K, but hey, we're entitled to our opinion. I'm sure the pen itself works just fine and I know a lot of folks just love it to death, but I ain't one.

 

The Music nib would definitely by an experiment wth me, I don't own one, but I do like stubs and broad cursive italics, so I am curious. I have seen some videos on YouTube from the estimable sbrebrown and Azizah from Gourmet Pens about music nibs and I'm more curious than ever. I'd also like to try the Franklin-Christoph music nib, they waxed poetic about it in one of the latest videos. There might be an FC with a music nib in my future. Xmas is coming, I wonder who I can convince to satisfy my curiosity...?

[Dutchess]

None of the above tbh.

 

1. Cheap copy (and the heart on the nib looks so tacky)

2. It's a Lamy, need I say more...

3. If you want something that looks like a bp, then please use a bp.

 

Save up for something nicer. If you're gonna spend £150,00, you might as well go al the way and buy a really nice one.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Dutchess

[Baric]

None of the above tbh.

 

1. Cheap copy (and the heart on the nib looks so tacky)

2. It's a Lamy, need I say more...

3. If you want something that looks like a bp, then please use a bp.

 

Save up for something nicer. If you're gonna spend £150,00, you might as well go al the way and buy a really nice one.

 

Dutchess, don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.

 

[Dutchess]

 

Dutchess, don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.

 

If I did, I would have to kill you after that.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Dutchess

[The Blue Knight]

I don't understand why the street price for the VP is much more in the UK $139 does not equal £139.

Edited September 14, 2014 by The Blue Knight