Platinum #3776 Gathered.

[hari317]

The 3776 line was introduced by Platinum in 1978-79. From what i could gather from the Platinum pages, the first pen in this line was the writer's model with a fluted body. This pen has been constantly offered by Platinum all these years. It has undergone revisions, the earlier nibs appear to have a circular arch, the feeder used to be made of ebonite, the filling was always C/C. The latest models feature the flat arch nibs with the newly redesigned platinum century feeders.

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/37763.png

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/37762.png

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/37761.png

 

The release price of this pen was 10,000JPY in 1978. Today the msr price has doubled to 20,000JPY and the current model number of the gathered pen is PTB-20000G. Scroll down at this link.

 

Even though this is a very old model, this is not that commonly listed by the Japanese pen sellers on ebay, however a few months ago, a few were listed and I managed to buy one for myself. This post is my attempt to document this model and also to compare the #3776 Gathered with the #3776 Balance and with the latest #3776 Century.

 

The pen comes packed in the standard Platinum Gift box:

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0120.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0121.jpg

 

The pen is placed inside a poly sleeve:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0122.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0123.jpg

 

The clip hang tag:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0124_01.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0125_01.jpg

 

The pen itself:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0139.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0140.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0141.jpg

 

Unlike the Balance and the Century, the Gathered has a click fit cap.

 

The cap finial is actually small enough to be called a clip jewel and is shiny:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0142.jpg

 

The nib and feed are identical to those found on the Century:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0145.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0148.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0147.jpg

 

The Cap is simply imprinted with #3776 and Platinum

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0149.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0150.jpg

 

I now have nearly every variety of the #3776 currently produced, be it in PMMA resin, or celluloid (cellulose nitrate), or Ebonite or Briar. I have reviewed a few of these models also. A common complaint that i have read is about some people finding the 3776 small. The Gathered is slightly longer capped as well as posted and has a long concave section so may appeal to those who find the Balance and the Century slightly short.

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0151.jpg

From Top-Bottom: Balance, Century, Gathered.

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Platinum-3776-Ribbed/DSC_0152.jpg

From Top-Bottom: Century, Balance, Gathered.

 

I like the ergonomics of the 3776 line and personally I feel that these make the best workhorse pens. The nibs and the body shape of the gathered is no exception to the excellence of the 3776 line.

 

I hope the readers find this small writeup useful.

 

Cheers!

Hari

 

[eliweisz]

Great review, nice shots!

I love my Century and will seriously think about Gathered - probably with a Medium nib.

[jar]

I find it interesting that Platinum continues to use both the threaded and snap cap systems on the 3776 pens. If you look at the most recent 3776 (kinda) Maki-e and Urushi pens they seem about evenly split between threaded cap models and snap cap models even within the "Century" designation.

[Keyless Works]

The very high end 3776s that I have seen tend to use the snap cap design but I agree that there is a strange split in the line Urushi 3776 line. Maybe the newer designs use threaded caps and the older ones are snap caps?

[rdh]

I got this pen recently, too. Engeika had a good price on it and I was struck by its similar appearance to the Waterman 100 year pen, although with many tweaks to make it a thoroughly modern pen. I am sure that most people, when looking at it, would ask whether the gathers or ribs were uncomfortable. Notice that the section is smooth, so most people will not grip it on the ribbed portion of the pen. The ribs, then, rest on the hand, and do not negatively interfere with my writing.

 

Do you have any observations on the effect of the ribs on your hand while writing, Hari?

 

Dave

[ehemem]

I have one of the original issue with a fine nib. I've used it as an EDC. I also have 2 of the modern production, a black and a red, that are still in their boxes and uninked - backup just in case...

[Aramchek]

Any idea why it is so much more expensive than the other PMMA 3776 models? I'm pleased with my Balance and very pleased with my Century and while I've been attracted to this variant for some time, it seems too expensive.

[subbucal]

Fantastic review...it looks awesome.

 

Dil maange yeh pen! :-)

[Sagarb]

Great review Hari..A classy pen, excellent photography and so on..Thanks for sharing....do you have any demonstrator from "Century"?

Edited November 6, 2015 by Sagarb

[hari317]

Great review, nice shots!

I love my Century and will seriously think about Gathered - probably with a Medium nib.

Thanks! yes, the gathered is worth considering.

 

I find it interesting that Platinum continues to use both the threaded and snap cap systems on the 3776 pens. If you look at the most recent 3776 (kinda) Maki-e and Urushi pens they seem about evenly split between threaded cap models and snap cap models even within the "Century" designation.

 

True.

 

The very high end 3776s that I have seen tend to use the snap cap design but I agree that there is a strange split in the line Urushi 3776 line. Maybe the newer designs use threaded caps and the older ones are snap caps?

 

Possible.

[hari317]

I got this pen recently, too. Engeika had a good price on it and I was struck by its similar appearance to the Waterman 100 year pen, although with many tweaks to make it a thoroughly modern pen. I am sure that most people, when looking at it, would ask whether the gathers or ribs were uncomfortable. Notice that the section is smooth, so most people will not grip it on the ribbed portion of the pen. The ribs, then, rest on the hand, and do not negatively interfere with my writing.

 

Do you have any observations on the effect of the ribs on your hand while writing, Hari?

 

Dave

 

Hi Dave, the ribs are of no consequence to me due to my grip, it is only a visual effect and a tactile effect when i am idle and run my finger along the barrel.

I have one of the original issue with a fine nib. I've used it as an EDC. I also have 2 of the modern production, a black and a red, that are still in their boxes and uninked - backup just in case...

Nice to hear. good idea to keep spares.

 

Any idea why it is so much more expensive than the other PMMA 3776 models? I'm pleased with my Balance and very pleased with my Century and while I've been attracted to this variant for some time, it seems too expensive.

No idea. perhaps it costs more to mould the ribs? or perhaps since it is an historical model?

[hari317]

Fantastic review...it looks awesome.

 

Dil maange yeh pen! :-)

 

Thank you. You can even get it made you know.

 

Great review Hari..A classy pen, excellent photography and so on..Thanks for sharing....do you have any demonstrator from "Century"?

Thanks! no Sagar, I am not a big fan of demo pens. They look too shabby to me once they are filled.

[Bill Smith]

Nice review. I own a couple of 3776's one in blue celluloid, and two others in the Century series (the burgundy one and Chatres Blue). I love these pens as workhorses. Now I have to find one of these out there.

[hari317]

Nice review. I own a couple of 3776's one in blue celluloid, and two others in the Century series (the burgundy one and Chatres Blue). I love these pens as workhorses. Now I have to find one of these out there.

Thank you. I love the celluloid 3776. I think I have all the colors.

[zchen]

do you know if Platinum retrofitted the spring loaded inner caps to the Gathered model? I know they didn't do it for the Ebonite and Celluloid 3776s

Edited November 15, 2015 by zchen

[Horseknitter]

Bought this pen 5 years ago (maybe more) from John Mottishaw. Ordered it in an EF. I loved it but have since let the pen lapse into disuse because I don't like EFs as much anymore.

 

Going to get it out. I do love Platinum nibs, just wish this one was a M.

 

Good luck with yours!

[rpsyed]

Great review! Your pictures are always beautifully done and very informative.

[fengqid]

I have never seen this model of 3776. Great review.

[amk]

I have one of these and it's a wonderful pen. Just ... because my Chartres and Nice are screw capped, I keep having a little 'Duh!' moment every time I pick it up, and try to unscrew the cap, and remember just too late that it's a clip cap.

[hari317]

do you know if Platinum retrofitted the spring loaded inner caps to the Gathered model? I know they didn't do it for the Ebonite and Celluloid 3776s

No spring loaded inner cap on the gathered. HTH