Platinum #3776 Nibs Vs Cheap Platinum?

[Laefar]

Hi, all.

As I've been looking for my first gold nib pen, I naturally looked up the Platinum 3776.

Literally all reviews says that the Platinum nibs are "toothy" and "rigid" compared to other gold nibs, but as I never tried any gold nib before I'm not sure if this is good or bad for me.

Unfortunately, I have no way to try the pen out before buying, so I was wondering if any of the Platinum (or, maybe, some other?) nibs can be an indication of how Platinum gold nibs feel? Like, is there a Preppy/Plaisir/Cool pens, that I can get, that would feels close enough to the gold nibs, so I can see if I like it?

 

Thanks!

[mke]

You ask a difficult question. Especially, as you don't say which size (fine, medium or broad) you normally use. And you don't say, if you talk about the 3776 or the 3776 Century.

"toothy" and "rigid" is normally only a "problem" if you are looking for a fine or extrafine. Plus, one person think they are toothy, the other person is convinced they are not.

 

If you want to minimize the "risk", choose an M size. Or even buy a Sailor Profit / SailorProfessional Gear or a Pilot Custom sized M, these are nice pens and not toothy at all. Personally, I am heavy user of Sailor and Pilot pens (only considering the Japanese pens).

 

I don't consider Preppy size F as toothy, my old-style Platinum 3776 F is. The new style pen, the Century 3776, which I only tested in a shop, seems to be (much) less scratchy.

[Laefar]

Yeah, I'm talking about fine nib, maybe a medium, but with the paper I have to use probably fine would be a better choice.

And 3776 Century it is.

Pilot is a backup option, but I really love the looks of Platinum nibs.

[mke]

In my (limited) experience, the size of F is Platinum < Sailor < Pilot. But differences are small.

If you choose between the 3776, the Sailor Profit Standard (outside Japan, 1911?) and the Pilot Custom 74, the Sailor is the smallest, I think. It is not only the nib which makes you like or dislike a pen. I like Sailor, mostly because it fits my hand better than the Pilot.

 

By the way, the Chinese fines are usually much smoother - even without gold. I like e.g. the Baoer 100 LINK - just 3 USD.

[Mech-for-i]

Platinum 3776, as new purchase goes I would assume that's the up to date currently cataloged 3776 Century. Well yes they are toothy compared to the other 2 major Japanese name, but I would say toothy is probably a wrong description. Its more a positive feedback and firm hard nib grind. Well if one is not looking to deliberately wanting line variation of noted proportion nor a calligrapher I see no problem there. Yes you will feel it and its the pens way of telling you where you are pointing that nib and where its going as well. This is very much a requirement in precise writing with Asian languages.

 

You will have to note that the paper take a much greater role when you venture with a Fine or Extra-Fine nib and if the paper stock on hand is not smooth , then you will feel it no matter what and whatever brand you choose.

[steve50]

I have 3776 century in soft fine and broad and I'm very happy with them. I can tell you that at least mines are not toothy in an unpleasant way. But perhaps cheap Chinese pens are as good for a much lower price.

 

But one thing they do offer is the soft nib which is wonderful. It's not a flex nib but behaves in an interesting way that feels very nice. So you might want to take that into account too.

[Laefar]

Thanks you, guys.

But the main question in my post - is there a pen (a cheap, or at least not expensive), that can indicate what to expect from those nibs? The one, that I could get, try to write with and say "yes, I will enjoy it" or "no way, this is not for me".

[jar]

Thanks you, guys.

But the main question in my post - is there a pen (a cheap, or at least not expensive), that can indicate what to expect from those nibs? The one, that I could get, try to write with and say "yes, I will enjoy it" or "no way, this is not for me".

No. There is no such pen.