Platinum #3776 Century Travia

[A Smug Dill]

Has anyone seen, or even acquired, the new Platinum #3776 Century Travia fountain pen yet?

 

https://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/common/pdf/travia_ja.pdf

 

It has the revised nib design seen previously only on the (10th anniversary) limited edition Platinum #3776 Century Decade.

 

The initial production of 2,000 units (1,100 for the Japanese domestic market, and 900 for overseas markets), released 14 March 2026 according to the document, are sold packaged with a limited edition book.

Quote

 

Limited to an initial run of 2,000 units: Special package including the revised edition of the book ‘Ah, Fifty Years of Wind and Snow’
‘Ah, Fifty Years of Wind and Snow’ is the autobiography first published in 1966, in which the company’s founder, Shunichi Nakata, chronicled the company’s history. Based on this original first edition, the current president has produced a revised edition, reflecting on the past whilst adding his thoughts on the future. At the end of that path lies a new model that will pioneer the future: the ‘#3776 CENTURY Travia’. We present these two items as a single story, linking the past to the present and onward to a yet-unseen ‘new chapter’. We have prepared a special set package, limited to an initial production run of 2,000 units, allowing you to hold in your hands and simultaneously feel both the history we have built up and the excitement of the challenges that lie ahead.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

 

 

It is not clear whether those 2,000 pens are imprinted with serial numbers.

 

The document states that after stock of the initial 2,000 units have been run out, the pen model will be released as a regular retail product, and implies by omission that there will be no reduction in price from the initial limited edition units.

 

…

 

Even with the low yen, the asking price is still a bit too rich for my tastes personally.

[jchch1950]

A new design, but the material is the same?

[PithyProlix]

Here's an English version of the 'flex' graph from the PDF linked to above, hotlinked from

https://www.stiloestile.com/en/fountain-pens/special-limited-edition/platinum-3776-century-fountain-pen-travia-limited-

edition

 

It is claimed on that Stilo e Stile page that "Compared to the current #3776 Century Fine nib, the FLAF nib offers a softer flex response, requiring less pressure to achieve line variation." I have 3776 Centuries with F and SF nibs. Surely they don't achieve that much line variation without way overstressing the nib? Note that the graph caption seems to indicate that it is not tine separation but deflection of the nib vertically.

[A Smug Dill]

16 minutes ago, PithyProlix said:

Note that the graph caption seems to indicate that it is not tine separation but deflection of the nib vertically.

 

But that's exactly what ‘soft’ nibs are meant to do under pressure, not so much allow the tines to splay laterally (as ‘flex’ nibs do) to produce line width variation (by stretching a film of ink across the tine gap, the breaking or failing of which would lead to the phenomenon of ‘railroading’), but for the tines (and tine tips) to remain close to each other while the ‘soft’ metal curves upward and creates a concave shape, exposing a different facet of the nib tipping to put it in contact with the paper surface, and producing line width variation that way.

[mke]

FYI

Changing the pdf URL vom ja to en shows the English document.

https://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/common/pdf/travia_en.pdf

 

On Yahoo shopping you already get it 10% cheaper.

 

 

[PithyProlix]

1 hour ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

But that's exactly what ‘soft’ nibs are meant to do under pressure, not so much allow the tines to splay laterally (as ‘flex’ nibs do) to produce line width variation (by stretching a film of ink across the tine gap, the breaking or failing of which would lead to the phenomenon of ‘railroading’), but for the tines (and tine tips) to remain close to each other while the ‘soft’ metal curves upward and creates a concave shape, exposing a different facet of the nib tipping to put it in contact with the paper surface, and producing line width variation that way.

 

I am cautioning against misinterpretation (such as by Stilo e Stile).

[stan]

The book might be more interesting than the pen.

[mke]

9 hours ago, stan said:

The book might be more interesting than the pen.

 

I saw the 100th anniversary book on Yahoo Auctions. Perhaps this one will be available sometimes in the future.

[Ambien]

I saw it on IG and I realized I prefer the older 2011 nib design overall. Also, IDK if there's a huge market for this one, esp since they have way cheaper pen lines available already. 

 

I guess it's more unique than adding a new LE collab with a colorway and selling that for $400 again each month. 

[PhiloPlume]

So this is a flex nib?  I really like the Pilot Metal Falcon and nib in Fine, but I don't want to use a flexible nib all the time. I will use a pointed pen and nib for that.  I really like Platinum pens though, except they are a little small like Sailors (even the 1911L is on the small size for me).

 

[A Smug Dill]

2 hours ago, PhiloPlume said:

So this is a flex nib?

 

There is zero indication that this model has a flex nib, especially Westerners' idea of ‘flex’, being that the tines should splay laterally when downward pressure is applied and assume (tine gap width = line width), as opposed to exposing a different facet of the nib tipping to produce line variation with a soft(-er than regular nail-hard stiff) nib.

[PhiloPlume]

On 3/25/2026 at 3:16 AM, mke said:

FYI

Changing the pdf URL vom ja to en shows the English document.

https://www.platinum-pen.co.jp/common/pdf/travia_en.pdf

 

On Yahoo shopping you already get it 10% cheaper.

 

 

Shipping is $85 from Japan to US.  Might as well spend the extra money and buy it from GouletPens with free shipping or $15 two-day FedEx.

[PhiloPlume]

22 hours ago, PhiloPlume said:

So this is a flex nib?  I really like the Pilot Metal Falcon and nib in Fine, but I don't want to use a flexible nib all the time. I will use a pointed pen and nib for that.  I really like Platinum pens though, except they are a little small like Sailors (even the 1911L is on the small size for me).

 

Here is the scoop from GouletPens

 

"

The Platinum Travia features a 14k gold nib, but it isn't considered a true flex nib. 14k gold nibs are often softer and provide a bit more "bounce" or shock absorption than a steel nib, but it isn't designed to spread its tines for line variation like a true flex nib.

 

In my experience, I say it gives just a enough variation, however! I hope this offers some insight! Please let me know your other questions, if any"

 

[Lithium466]

On 4/5/2026 at 9:30 PM, PhiloPlume said:

So this is a flex nib? 

 

No flex involved. It's between the regular 3776 nibs and their soft versions (SF and SM, although the SM doesn't seem very available now) in terms of softness. 

[PhiloPlume]

15 hours ago, Lithium466 said:

 

No flex involved. It's between the regular 3776 nibs and their soft versions (SF and SM, although the SM doesn't seem very available now) in terms of softness. 

Thanks! I didn't know Platinum made soft nibs.  I primarily like how the regular 3776 fine points write because of the nice, thin, elegant lines. And they are smooth to write with for me. Just wish the pens were a little larger/longer. 

[A Smug Dill]

40 minutes ago, PhiloPlume said:

I didn't know Platinum made soft nibs.

 

Soft Fine (細軟) is one of the regular nib options on the Platinum #3776 Century entry-level PNB-15000 and PNB-18000CR models, but not offered on higher-end Platinum #3776 Century (e.g. the Kananzawa-haku or Kaga maki-e) models.

The last times I can recall Soft Medium being offered as a nib option was on the Platinum #3776 Century ‘Kumpoo’ and Platinum #3776 Century ‘The Prime’ (100th Anniversary commemorative) limited editions.

The gold F nibs on the Platinum Vicoh line are noticeably softer than the F nibs in the #3776 line, and not because you can only get the Vicoh now with 18K gold nibs. I have an old Vicoh PTL-5000A with a 14K gold nib, and it is still softer than the 14K gold nibs on any of my #3776 pens.

[PhiloPlume]

Well, I broke down and bought the fine point. It writes terrible and is heavy.  Book looks okay, but the set came without a bottle of ink like the Coffee Jelly set did last year (which writes wonderfully).

I am not exaggerating with I tell you that my $50 Ellington Stealth XF writes so much smoother with the Ellington ink in it, and the pen looks almost as nice as this Platinum.

I put Platinum Blackest Black ink in it and have tried HP 32# laserjet paper, Claire Fontaine, Strathmore Writing, and Franklin-Christoph (I think it is rice) papers.

The Platinum 3776 Coffee Jelly and the other 4 3776 Platinums with fine nibs write amazingly, not like this one.  And there is no variation in how line width, vertical, horizontal, infinity circles and does not flex whatsover.,  It is hard to write with, so slow.  Certainly does not glide like a "feather" should across the paper. I really have to press down to write with it.  And it is HEAVY!  I won't even cap it to write. And, the lovely "scratchiness" of the normal 3776 pens is totally gone!

I should have trusted my instinct and not bought it, but I like Platinums very much.  I do not see myself using this pen very often.  Again, the $50 (probably now $30) Ellington writes so much smoother.  So do all the Pilots (love them, but write a little too fast sometimes) and Sailors.

Oh well!  I certainly learned an expensive lesson. I recommend staying away from this extremely expensive LTD Edition Platinum #3776 with this FLAF nib. Maybe the medium writes better, but all my other Platinums are fine nibs and they write amazing.

It is like writing with a nail! 😞