Platinum 3776 Century Vs. Pilot Custom 74

[London1]

Dear all

 

I'm looking to buy a gold nibbed FP and was wondering between a Platinum 3776 Century of a Pilot Custom 74, both being the same price (and not amazingly expensive when bought from Japan)...

 

What are the good/bad points of both, and what would you recommend.

 

Best wishes

[Bluey]

Hi

Welcome to fountain pen network

 

Depending on what you want, I find that the Platinum is wetter than the Pilot. Pilot's are usually dry but most of mine are very wet (my Custom 74 is dry).

 

The Platinum 3776 in either blue or red is much more beautiful than the classic(boring? conservative? professional?) looks of the Pilot Custom 74. Both the blue and the red really need to be seen in person to be appreciated, especially if you write in a well lit room. In a not so well lit room both of them can appear dark or even black.

 

The Platinum is harsher on the paper and many people find it too scratchy (mine is too) as Platinums are some of the stiffest nibs and also give much more feedback than most pens. Even the soft fine on the Platinum is somewhat stiff, the Pilot soft fine(or soft medium or soft fine-medium) being much softer. The Platinum SF is similar in softness to a regular Pilot. The Pilot is more forgiving and nicer(for me anyway) to write with.

 

The flow on the Platinum is slightly better due to it being wetter.

 

If you choose to get a converter for the Pilot get the con-70. The con-70 converters on the Pilots are way better than the Platinum converters in both it's ink capacity and reliability. Platinum converters are liable to seizing up, so if you get a Platinum converter ensure you grease it up as soon as you get it. Maybe buy a backup or 2 just in case.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Bluey

[FOUR X FOUR]

Hey London. Welcome to the forum. I don't own either pen but I've heard that Platinum nibs are very good

[EbonitePen]

I am interested in this question as well although I have read and seen quite a few reviews. The only experience with Platinum was my Platinum President which had to go back since the feed has broken off! Since then a couple years passed by and I have been looking at either of these pens as a possible replacement but I am hesitant to go with Platinum again, though I realize it was probably only a really bad luck.

[Kataphract]

The Pilot is smoother and has the greater ink capacity (with the con 70). The Platinum has more of a bling factor (love that Chartres blue and Bourgogne) and the slip and seal cap system (on the Century 3776). The slip and seal works as advertised. I prefer the shape of the Pilot 91 to the cigar shape of the 74 (otherwise the same pen), but that's a factor entirely up to you. If you have Amazon Prime, you might want to check them out over Japanese sources. The 3776, uncapped and unposted is a little on the short side - I usually post mine.

[dylim1]

I prefer the Platinum 3776. I have two 3776 (F nib and M nib) and one Custom 74 (FM nib). They all write well. But the feel of writing with the 3776 is better in my opinion. I do prefer firm nibs and Platinum nibs are firmer than the Pilot ones. So, you might want to consider what kind of nibs you want. Pilot Custom 74 does have a larger ink capacity as it can fir the CON-70 converter. For me, the 3776 feels more balanced in my hand.

[ink-syringe]

What they said. I own both. Love both. Literally would flip a coin if I had to choose one.

 

The Pilot has the better filler

The Platinum has the slip and seal cap and sexier finishes.

Both are great writers with a lot of charm.

 

Today I would say the C74 with a SFM nib. Tomorrow I might say the 3776 with the B nib. Both are great values.

Edited June 23, 2016 by ink-syringe

[Jezza]

Both pens are outstanding, especially coming-in less than $100. I have the Heritage 91, which is basically a squared-off version of the 74 with a sword-style clip, and silver trim as opposed to gold. It has a soft fine #5 nib, which is probably my favourite Pilot nib. I also have the 742 (#10) and 743 (#15) in soft fine nibs. While each different pen and nib size has different weight and balance points, the overall performance is remarkably consistent. The Pilot soft fine is a smooth and fairly wet nib--much more so than the standard fine. Pilot's resin is reasonably thick, and feels substantial. The trim is also well executed. In particular, I think Pilot clips are remarkably robust and functional.

 

I only own one Platinum 3776 Century, but I think I've owned about every colour at some point, with extra-fine, fine, soft fine, medium, music and bold nibs. The Century is a solid pen, though the resin has a slightly less substantial feel than Pilot's resin. I don't know how to describe it. Regardless, there's nothing uncomfortable about the Platinum. As others have mentioned, the Platinum is very well balanced with the cap posted, but slightly on the short side otherwise. The Century's nib is appreciably larger than the #5 Pilot. In fact, the Platinum Century's nib is much more comparable to the #10 size Pilot nib found on the 912 and the 742. Platinum's converter is of the standard piston type. It holds less ink than Pilot's CON 70, but more than Pilot's CON 20, 40 or 50 converters. Regardless, it works well. Platinum's cartridges are sealed with a rather large stainless steel ball that serves to keep ink from clinging to the sides of the cartridge once installed. It works very well. Platinum also makes pigment ink cartridges in black and blue, like Sailor. These are nice when you want to travel with a permanent ink, but don't want to take the risk of carrying a large bottle of the stuff in your luggage.

 

In terms of writing, it really comes down to which nib. I find Pilot's "soft" nibs to be outstanding. They are smooth and wet. The soft fine is a really great nib, much different than Platinum's soft fine. I've owned 4 Platinum soft fine nibs, and they were all very dry, unpleasant writers. Conversely, the Platinum standard fine nib is--as others have noted--wet and firm. The Platinums tend to have smaller tips than Pilots, but this is somewhat off-set by the fact Platinums are somewhat wetter writing pens (with the exception of the soft fine).

 

If I was recommending a standard, firm fine or medium nib, I would suggest the Platinum. It's a large, wet and firm nib. Typically, they are quite smooth and quality control is excellent. Additionally, if someone was looking for a music nib, I would submit the Platinum Century music nib is leaps and bounds better than the Pilot. I've owned several from each maker, and the Pilot versions all skipped or railroaded (Pilot only uses one feed channel for both tines; Platinum uses two channels, one for each tine). Platinum's broad nibs are also smooth, though because they are so wet I find them unsuitable for my smallish scribbles.

[Bluey]

 

If someone was looking for a music nib, I would submit the Platinum Century music nib is leaps and bounds better than the Pilot. I've owned several from each maker, and the Pilot versions all skipped or railroaded (Pilot only uses one feed channel for both tines; Platinum uses two channels, one for each tine).

Hi

I'm considering a music nib sometime in the future but from what I gather the Pilot version is more like a music nib should be (ie it has some springiness to it), but I've heard good things about the Platinum version even though it is stiff and therefore behaves more like a stub than a music nib. From your experience does the Pilot version has some softness to it?

Edited June 23, 2016 by Bluey

[Jezza]

Hi

I'm considering a music nib sometime in the future but from what I gather the Pilot version is more like a music nib should be (ie it has some springiness to it), but I've heard good things about the Platinum version even though it is stiff and therefore behaves more like a stub than a music nib. From your experience does the Pilot version has some softness to it?

I'm not sure about springiness. The line variation comes more from the stub-shaped tip, which is fed by two tines as opposed to one (except in the case of Sailor, who produces a single-tine music nib). Platinum's nib is probably more stiff. However, it also produces more line variation and a more consistent line. The Pilot music nib--and this is just my personal opinion--is flawed in that is has a single ink channel that runs down the middle of the feed, and then two tines off either side. The three Pilot music nibs I owned all had inconsistent flow ranging from too wet, to too dry, and tended to railroad (ink would find one tine, but not the other). Platinum uses two ink channels that run underneath each of the two tines. Also, the Pilot has a more rounded tip that tends to detract from the line variation.

[Bluey]

I'm not sure about springiness. The line variation comes more from the stub-shaped tip, which is fed by two tines as opposed to one (except in the case of Sailor, who produces a single-tine music nib). Platinum's nib is probably more stiff. However, it also produces more line variation and a more consistent line. The Pilot music nib--and this is just my personal opinion--is flawed in that is has a single ink channel that runs down the middle of the feed, and then two tines off either side. The three Pilot music nibs I owned all had inconsistent flow ranging from too wet, to too dry, and tended to railroad (ink would find one tine, but not the other). Platinum uses two ink channels that run underneath each of the two tines. Also, the Pilot has a more rounded tip that tends to detract from the line variation.

Thanks Jezza.

In reviews there is definitely mention of a slight flex in the Pilot nibs, and music nibs are meant to have this flex according to Richard Binder.

http://www.richardspens.com/ref/ttp/music.htm

This is why I'm veering more to the Pilot than either the Sailor(a normal 2 tine nib doesn't appeal to me) or the Platinum. Although I think I would prefer a crisp line like the Platinums, I'm not over keen on stiff nibs which is why I favour the Pilot from the reviews.

Another minus point for the Platinum is it's more than twice the price of the Pilot.

[pkoko]

Pilot makes great pens. They are all very well made and worthy of "Made in Japan" label.

 

I would consider Sailor 1911 as well.

[Willis]

I think the 3776 is possibly my best value for money pen of all time, considering they can be ordered off amazon for @$70. I love the shape of the nib and the way the tipping is ground on their finer nibs is perfect for drawing.

[ink-syringe]

Thanks Jezza.

In reviews there is definitely mention of a slight flex in the Pilot nibs, and music nibs are meant to have this flex according to Richard Binder.

http://www.richardspens.com/ref/ttp/music.htm

This is why I'm veering more to the Pilot than either the Sailor(a normal 2 tine nib doesn't appeal to me) or the Platinum. Although I think I would prefer a crisp line like the Platinums, I'm not over keen on stiff nibs which is why I favour the Pilot from the reviews.

Another minus point for the Platinum is it's more than twice the price of the Pilot.

 

 

 

Who am i? No one, but as a musician who did music copying semi-professionally for a short time (I was a copyist apprentice so that is why I say semi-pro, an apprenticeship cut short by the computer) I have a few questions about Binder's article.

 

1. As I knew it flex was optional and some copyist desired hard nibs and disliked flexy pens because they made stem width less consistent. My impression is that as time went on more and more copyists wanted hard nibs. Especially as the music was copied more with guides and rules and less freehandedly. It became, over time less like writing than like technical drawing. Indeed many of our tools came from architecture.

 

But the thing he says is optional was not to pro copyists as I recall. 2 tines. Why? Often final copies were done in carbon ink. Music pens we also sometimes used in an upright position and even on music stands and pianos where you had less help from gravity. You needed the extra channels for more flow. That old carbon is was a bear to use and clean out.

 

My bosses all preferred hard 2 tine music nibs and that was what I was told to look for in a pen. We used a series of Esterbrooks, Osmiroids, and Sheaffers. Italic relief pens were popular because you could use them in conjunction with a ruler as well.

 

I'd be curious to know more. An oral history of old school music copy folks would be interesting.

[setriode]

Each of these pens is excellent. I have one of each although mine is the older 3776 with a B nib in white gold. The OP may wish to take into account the nib options available for each pen and a dilemma I am currently facing.

 

I want to buy a another of these pens. Although I love the barrel colours of the Century and its special cap, the 3776 M nib is too narrow for me. I believe it is close to the width of a Pilot F nib. I am leaning in favour of a Custom 74 because the difference in nib size between a 3776 B and M is too great.

 

With the Pilot, the progression towards narrower nibs is nuanced. I think on a special order Engeika can get me a Custom 74 in burgundy with an SFM nib which would be a perfect for me.

[Dragonmaster Lou]

I think the 3776 is possibly my best value for money pen of all time, considering they can be ordered off amazon for @$70. I love the shape of the nib and the way the tipping is ground on their finer nibs is perfect for drawing.

 

I've seen Pilot Custom 74s (and its flat topped brother, the Custom Heritage 91) for around the same price on Amazon as well. That said, I do love my 3776, though I'm planning on adding a CH91 to my collection as well.

[JunkyardSam]

I have two Platinum 3776 Century pens (F and EF) and two Pilot Custom Heritage 91s (F and EF) which are similar to the 74. (Blunt ends, but same nib.)

 

As others have explained, the 3776 Century pens have more "feedback" - you can feel the paper more as you write. They are also very firm. The gold may bend, but the tines don't open when it does.

 

The Pilot pens are smoother writers. It's almost like something about the pen absorbs some of the feedback before passing it on to the hand...

 

Both of my Pilot pens required flossing of the tines before they would flow ink. On arrival the tines were too tight... (This is a quick five minute fix -- all these pens are friction fit nibs/feeds.)

 

After flossing - the Pilots perform wonderfully.

 

The 3776s worked better out of the box, however the EF had a little TOO much feedback. Just the SLIGHTEST smoothing of the nib solved that, and now it's a great pen, too.

 

 

These are all great pens but I think I would recommend Pilot over Platinum just because you're getting a gold nib - you probably want to feel some of the softness of the metal. Pilot shows that more.

 

However, the Platinums are BEAUTIFUL pens and they have a much larger nib - a very attractive nib.

 

 

Either pen is a win, and if you're into fountain pens I recommend both... but I'd get the Pilot first.

 

[KBeezie]

Seems to me the biggest difference is going to be the nibs depending on your preference (and you can get a Soft F, FM, M, in a 74), but then also the slip-n-seal cap on the Century 3776 if you have more saturated inks more prone to drying out.

[London1]

Thanks to everyone whose replied. A great help.

 

That said if anyone (in the UK) has a Platinum 3776 Century (medium) or Pilot Custom 74, please drop me a line!

 

Best regards

[MontPelikan]

Hello London 1,

 

if you are still not decided, which to by, I hope these little reviews can help to make your decision

 

 

 

Best wishes

 

MontPelikan