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This pen interests me because its nib is supposedly soft or springy. I found two threads on it but I'd like some opinions, anecdotes, reviews, writing samples, etc. if possible. Other things I'd like to know (I know I have a lot of questions - sorry!): Are all the non-demonstrator pens translucent? If not, which ones are? Are there any differences between the demonstrator (Cool) and non-demonstrator (Balance PGB-3000) pens besides the transparent material (design, springiness, etc.)? How durable are the pens in your experience? Does anyone have pictures of a Platinum Cool (demonstrator) with the converter inside, loaded with ink? Most online pictures show empty pens. I suspect they look prettier that way. Do they?Thanks!

I was wondering if any of you had experience using the Platinum Century 3776 and the Platinum Balance (or the Cool, which I think is the same as the Balance other than having a transparent barrel), and whether there's enough of a difference between the two to justify getting a 3776 Century. I have a Platinum Balance in Fine, and its a great writer. I also really like the Platinum Preppy with the Extra Fine nib, and I'm contemplating an Extra Fine in the Century 3776, though the Fine in the Balance might be good enough. I've been gravitating towards more rigid nibs with feedback (I've been contemplating getting an Aurora Ipsilon Extra Fine as well) rather than more flexible or smooth nibs, as I don't think I need as much ink flow as a flex pen, and I like the feeling of control via feedback.

I like my Vanishing Points, but they tend to feel heavy! So, for taking notes (and doodles when I'm not writing) I want an extra fine nib that will not feather on cheap paper, and on a pen that feels light and has good balance. So far, my contenders are the Pilot Prera (the solid colored ones) and the new Platinum Cool (aka Balance), both with fine nibs. Argh, I just can't decide!! This is what I'm not liking from each of the pens: Pilot Prera: -Too small (I guess even for my petite girl hands) -I worry that posting the pen will scratch the plastic, and that with the cap's clip, posting will add weight & may not be balanced Platinum Cool: -Don't like that they're demonstrators and have limited colors to choose -Doesn't have interchangeable nibs like the cheaper Pilot pens Like I said about the Prera, I worry about how the pen will feel when posted. I used to own the TWSBI Mini, and I disliked posting because I felt that the clip made it a tad heavier and it felt unbalanced to me, especially as I'm an overwriter and tend to write from different angles. I love the design of the Prera, but I'm hating how similar it is to the TWSBI Mini size-wise (using the Goulet's Pen Plaza tool). If I saw either the Prera or Platinum Cool offered used at a lesser price, I wouldn't mind buying one of them for the sake of trying them out, but no such luck. I'll have to pay the full price, and that's what scares me too, since I'm looking for an inexpensive pen to take to the university (and possibly hospital rounds) By the way, I used to have the Noodler's Ahab (another cheap pen with nice nib), and I didn't like it, despite the size and clever filling system. The reason why I mention the Ahab is because it's an expensive pen of a good size and has a fine nib, but not as fine as I'd like it to be. I'm contemplating the brands Pilot and Platinum, since they offer good converters and cartridges (the type with a ball inside; these are awesome for refilling if I need more capacity). I've exhausted my Google-ing powers. Can you help alleviate my doubts and give me ideas, my FPN friends? EDITED: for reading purposes