Platinum & Pilot Sf - Do I Need Both?

[AmandaW]

I already have a Platinum #3776 Century SF that I enjoy using for both writing and drawing. I chose it because I wanted to try a soft nib, it promised not to dry out too quick and it was half the cost of the Falcon SF that I really wanted... I thought that would be the end of the matter. I like it very much and use it every day.

 

Now I am wondering if the Pilot Falcon SF would offer enough of a different experience (eg wetter, more expressive etc) to be worthy of having both.

 

By expressive I don't mean great flex - just enough extra or different line variation to be interesting. I don't deliberately flex the Platinum much, but appreciate that it's not monoline. Nothing wrong with them, I have and appreciate those too. OK, I just like pens and ink and trying to justify another.

[Bluey]

The Falcon is very very wet and is very different in character to my Platinum SF. The shape of the Falcon nibs means that it's naturally more vertically inclined like this (top = Platinum, bottom = Falcon).
http://i.imgur.com/ONRDkaa.jpg

It has a whole different sensation when writing. For example, it feels like it catches on the page slightly on the upstrokes. At first it can seem annoying.

 

It will flex more(it's not meant to be flexed though) but not much and there isn't much difference in their softness.

[zaddick]

Need is never relevant in these discussions. None of this is a need. I always save money by buying the more expensive pen that I really wanted the first time. Otherwise you end up still wanting the pen and farther away than when you started.

 

Buy the pen ypu want if it will not put you into a bad financial situation. Life is short so be happy as much as you can.

Edited July 13, 2017 by zaddick

[AmandaW]

Need is never relevant in these discussions. None of this is a need. I always save money by buying the more expensive pen that I really wanted the first time. Otherwise you end up still wanting the pen and farther away than when you started.

 

Buy the pen ypu want if it will not put you into a bad financial situation. Life is short so be happy as much as you can.

 

Maybe. I make my living with my drawings. It's not a luxurious income so economising is necessary.

 

If the line I will get is sufficiently different/exciting/inspiring, then having both pens is a good outcome (even if it is not easily done).

 

If the difference is not a lot, then I guess I made the right choice the first time.

[Algester]

Elabo isnt the only soft nib that pilot offers if you want the same price range as the 3776 you will need to look for the custom 74 in black solid color and the custom heritage 91 in black hope this helps either way to me the soft nibs in these line tend to go to the western size for Pilot though

[JunkyardSam]

Hi! I'm a fan of modern soft nibs, too. I have a 3776 SF, Falcons SEF/SF/SB, and an 823 FA (nib swapped from a 743.)

 

The feel of the 3776 SF is absolutely different from the feel of a Falcon/Elabo. I find my 3776 SF to offer less line variation. The bend pressure is about the same, but the Falcon's tines spread more. (Not that I use it for "flex," just subtle line variation.)

 

My unscientific test suggests a Falcon flexes nearly twice the width of a 3776 SF with the same pressure even though the pressure to bend the nib is about the same. So the 3776 SF offers more 'bounce' than 'flex' if that makes sense.

 

If you do get a Falcon I would opt for the SEF over the SF. My SEF is finer than my 3776 SF and it's really good for very fine lines as well as for use on paper which bleeds. My Falcon SF is actually a bit wider and wetter than my 3776 SF.

 

I like my 3776 SF, but it would be the Falcon SEF and 823 FA that I would keep if I could only have two pens.

 

The 743/823 FA is the dream writing experience. It's significantly softer than your 3776. It's still not a "flex nib" but it requires so little pressure that you'll feel its softness even when writing with no pressure. (Whereas the Falcon & 3776 SF feel relatively normal when used with no pressure.)

 

And finally -- regarding the Falcon -- it's a pen that works best at a low angle and works best with wet inks. When you hear people speak of the Falcon as having feedback it's usually because they hold their pens at more of a vertical incline or they're using an ink that runs too dry in a Falcon.

 

So for you -- I would suggest getting a Falcon SEF, 743 FA, and then enjoying your soft nib trio as I do. =)

 

But specifically to your original question - the Falcon does feel different than a 3776 SF. Absolutely. But it's the 743 FA that feels the most different in terms of softness.

[zubzub]

Kind of related, but not related
I have Platinums in regular fines and I have two Pilots in SF. You don't "need" either. I don't have a particular opinion as to which one is "better," but I'm more than content having both because I'm addicted to having a collection.

[AmandaW]

Maybe it's a cultural thing? To use the term need is reference to tools for line making - which will do what, whether I can make one pen do both. I am stuggling with enough (bleep) in real life to get put down for what some people here see as a wording error is just too much. I thought I had something to contribute to this forum, but I'm not up to getting stuff like this in return.

[zubzub]

I don't know what the heck you're talking about. Get both if it will make you happy.