I have a couple of Platinum pens, specifically some celluloid 3776s with medium nibs, with which I'm not terribly happy. I was expecting a very smooth experience, but I am surprised at the feedback these pens provide. I have a Pilot with a medium nib, and it provides some feedback, but of a different variety: I can feel, as best as I can describe it, a "cushioned" grip as the nib glides over its own ink, sort of like the feeling you get when driving with softer tires. I also have fine-nibbed Platinum that provides the same sort of luxurious feel that the Pilot does. Writing with the medium-nibbed Platinums is not nearly as pleasant as writing with the other pens, which are absolutely wonderful.
Has anybody had similar experiences with feedback on Platinums, or did I get my hands on pair of substandard nibs? I should add that I purchased both pens from the same person, but I'd rather not mention his name.
Cheers,
absent_minded
Full Version: Platinum nibs
I've sold quite a few Platinum 3776s and I didn't sell them to you. My experience with the nibs is that they should write as smooth as a ballpoint. Nothing less.
Some questions need to be asked. Did you buy them new? In America or from a Japanese dealer? Ebay? In Japan many pens get test-driven in shops and some more than others. Yours could be one of these. If you bought it from an American dealer of Platinum pens, you should return them. If they were bought used, anything goes.
Look at the nibs with 10X magnifying glass and see if you can see anything. You might also consider slightly grinding down te nib so the feeling goes away.
Good luck
stan
Some questions need to be asked. Did you buy them new? In America or from a Japanese dealer? Ebay? In Japan many pens get test-driven in shops and some more than others. Yours could be one of these. If you bought it from an American dealer of Platinum pens, you should return them. If they were bought used, anything goes.
Look at the nibs with 10X magnifying glass and see if you can see anything. You might also consider slightly grinding down te nib so the feeling goes away.
Good luck
stan
Stan,
Now that it's out, yes, I did not buy the 3776s from you
I bought the pens several months ago (in fact, one of them almost a year ago) from a Japanese dealer on eBay, and they were supposed to be new. I had my doubts about how new they were, though, when I noticed a lack of attention to some details (for example, on one pen, the derby's hole, into which the clip screws, was drilled off-center, and the derby is misaligned slightly); however, the pens may very well have been new, as they were sealed in their plastic sleeves. Maybe they were Monday-morning/Friday-afternoon specimens...
Not being particularly impressed with the way the pens felt, I stuffed them in my pen case and left them there, until, after reading many people's positive reviews, I had the urge to give them another try. Again, I wasn't happy. I contacted the seller about one of the pens, and, to my surprise, he was gracious enough to offer to replace the entire pen with a new one. But, the replacement I received (and the pen now in my possession) had a tactile nib, scarcely better than that of the original pen. Also, the feed nipple needed some attention, as it was mashed and mushroomed somewhat. I'm guessing somebody made an effort to create sufficient friction for a cartridge/converter to remain seated, as the nipple's stem is too thin to hold a cartridge/converter in place. Either the "new" replacement pen was new but abused during a test drive, or it wasn't new at all.
Long story short, I sent off both pens to have their nibs smoothened. The pens are now better than before, but they are not the silky gliders about which others wax lyrical, and by no means do they feel like a ballpoint, to use your simile.
Maybe I'll have to try selling off the nibs to a nibmeister, who can do something nice to them for someone. The pens are lovely enough that I thought I would buy an ordinary 3776 or two and cannibalize them for their nibs.
Cheers,
absent_minded
Now that it's out, yes, I did not buy the 3776s from you
I bought the pens several months ago (in fact, one of them almost a year ago) from a Japanese dealer on eBay, and they were supposed to be new. I had my doubts about how new they were, though, when I noticed a lack of attention to some details (for example, on one pen, the derby's hole, into which the clip screws, was drilled off-center, and the derby is misaligned slightly); however, the pens may very well have been new, as they were sealed in their plastic sleeves. Maybe they were Monday-morning/Friday-afternoon specimens...
Not being particularly impressed with the way the pens felt, I stuffed them in my pen case and left them there, until, after reading many people's positive reviews, I had the urge to give them another try. Again, I wasn't happy. I contacted the seller about one of the pens, and, to my surprise, he was gracious enough to offer to replace the entire pen with a new one. But, the replacement I received (and the pen now in my possession) had a tactile nib, scarcely better than that of the original pen. Also, the feed nipple needed some attention, as it was mashed and mushroomed somewhat. I'm guessing somebody made an effort to create sufficient friction for a cartridge/converter to remain seated, as the nipple's stem is too thin to hold a cartridge/converter in place. Either the "new" replacement pen was new but abused during a test drive, or it wasn't new at all.
Long story short, I sent off both pens to have their nibs smoothened. The pens are now better than before, but they are not the silky gliders about which others wax lyrical, and by no means do they feel like a ballpoint, to use your simile.
Maybe I'll have to try selling off the nibs to a nibmeister, who can do something nice to them for someone. The pens are lovely enough that I thought I would buy an ordinary 3776 or two and cannibalize them for their nibs.
Cheers,
absent_minded
Good. That's a relief.
Am very sorry to learn of your experience.
Sold many of them and the only complaint I recall is that the cap on older models doesn't sit tightly on the pen. Otherwise, AFAIK, the pen has been a stellar performer. Many might jump all over me for this but, I suspect, that the quality control at Platinum has gone downhill during the past several years and this might be reflective of some of thier recent issues. I assume the pens were really new when you got them and not gussied up to look as such.
We all make mistakes when selling and, as many on this board may attest, I make more than my share. It's good to hear the seller made an apparent effort to remedy the problem. Many will just blow you off. That you received a pen that might be worse than the one returned is bad. I would have returned the pens for a full refund.
You do not mention which models you purchased. The plain black. A Re-Celluloid? Maple? Makie? I would think the pen is a plain black model. My experience is more limited to the celluloids and makie.
If you are changing out nibs, I'd like to offer the following suggestion. Try finding one of the older 3776 models that has the round, not flat, nib. They are mostly seen on the 3776 with ribbed barrel. It has been my experience that those nibs perform slightly better than the flat designnow used by Platinum.
That being said, my Nakaya Piccolo performs flawlessly after Mr. Yoshida spent about three hours working on the nib. Most of the time was trying to figure out my writing style. He also wore out one nib in the process. I use this pen almost daily and am tempted to buy another Nakaya during our next trip to Japan.
Good luck. If you are in need of some Platinums, please send me an email.
Stan
Am very sorry to learn of your experience.
Sold many of them and the only complaint I recall is that the cap on older models doesn't sit tightly on the pen. Otherwise, AFAIK, the pen has been a stellar performer. Many might jump all over me for this but, I suspect, that the quality control at Platinum has gone downhill during the past several years and this might be reflective of some of thier recent issues. I assume the pens were really new when you got them and not gussied up to look as such.
We all make mistakes when selling and, as many on this board may attest, I make more than my share. It's good to hear the seller made an apparent effort to remedy the problem. Many will just blow you off. That you received a pen that might be worse than the one returned is bad. I would have returned the pens for a full refund.
You do not mention which models you purchased. The plain black. A Re-Celluloid? Maple? Makie? I would think the pen is a plain black model. My experience is more limited to the celluloids and makie.
If you are changing out nibs, I'd like to offer the following suggestion. Try finding one of the older 3776 models that has the round, not flat, nib. They are mostly seen on the 3776 with ribbed barrel. It has been my experience that those nibs perform slightly better than the flat designnow used by Platinum.
That being said, my Nakaya Piccolo performs flawlessly after Mr. Yoshida spent about three hours working on the nib. Most of the time was trying to figure out my writing style. He also wore out one nib in the process. I use this pen almost daily and am tempted to buy another Nakaya during our next trip to Japan.
Good luck. If you are in need of some Platinums, please send me an email.
Stan
I have recently added a Platinum with the music nib, it is with out question one of the smoothest nibs I have used. I am a very happy 
A simple clean design. I love it. I'm sorry you are having issues
A simple clean design. I love it. I'm sorry you are having issues
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