Search the Community

The writing of the dragon snake may be natural, but the wording of the statement certainly isn't. I was ‘researching’ and browsing for something else, when I came across this: Source: Item listing on Taobao The endless scroll of marketing images in the item listing say, among other things: Source: Item listing on Taobao This looks like marketing collateral that came straight from Jinhao, and not advertising some after-market nib work. So, after all this time, it looks like a fountain pen manufacturer has finally stepped up to the challenge, and produce a very fine nib for a line width that is in the range Platinum previously published for its EF nibs, that is a standard option for the pen model and not custom ground. You can even order the nib in any of four different coloured finishes! The finest Chinese nib I've seen marketed to date, before this, is nominally 0.35mm EF (even though most Chinese EF nibs are nominally 0.38mm). As for nibs bearing European and American fountain pen brands, I don't think I've seen any brand advertise or commit to even 0.3mm. Parker speaks of an Extra Extra Fine nib that is available (specially produced on demand) only through its nib exchange programme, but in my experience that product is nowhere near fit for purpose. How this Jinhao nib — which, to my pleasant surprise, is labelled Extra Fine but not Extra Extra Fine or Ultra Extra Fine, while 0.35mm is Medium Fine, and so it is now adopting something closer to what nib width grades mean for Japanese nibs — will actually perform awaits to be seen; but I have every confidence it will better than what Parker can do.

I got a fountain pen for Christmas It's a Platinum #3776 Century with an ultra-extra-fine nib. I normally write with a Pilot Penmanship (or that nib in another pen) which is an Extra Fine, so I was expecting it to be finer than that. I was surprised to find, though, that the Platinum seems to be very dry, and that the black ink I'm using looks more like grey - actually it looks more like pencil, to me. I can make more ink come out, without really noticeably affecting the line width, but only if I apply quite a bit of pressure - I normally write quite lightly. I've flushed the pen through with water (I originally inked it as soon as I took it out of the box, but then thought I should have a go at flushing it!) but that hasn't made any difference. I've tried the pen with Noodler's Black in the converter, and with a standard Platinum black ink cartridge. I was wondering if this is normal for this pen, or not? This is my first pen of this level of fineness, so I don't know if I have unrealistic expectations or not! I've attached a photo of the 3776 alongside the Penmanship for comparison. To be honest, the line with the 3776 is light enough that I have some trouble reading my writing, as I found when I wrote a page with it! I'd be greatly appreciative if anyone can give me some advice about if this is normal, and if there is anything I can do make it wetter.

Hello, I am an artist who has recently moved away from India ink and rapidograph/technical pens (4x0) to UEF platinum 3776 fountain pens and dye based fountain pen ink. My style is drawing/inking on top of watercolors. As such fountain pen ink tends to spread and I lose my thin line. I’ve found I can apply spray workable fixative to the watercolor, let it dry then ink with fountain pens and fountain pen ink over it with great success. I use extremely light pressure. My question. Am I doing damage or harm to the nib? Thanks, Carol

Hi, I write in English, Korean, Japanese and math, so I've always used Japanese EF nibs (Pilot and Platinum). These nibs being so fine, I've found them also prone to inconsistent flow and gunk that happen to get stuck between the tines. Most of the time flushing the pen in warm water fixes it, but sometimes that's not enough. Of course I turn to the all-knowing Google, but most advices I find (in English, at least) seem to be for much thicker tips. Pressing down on the nib to spread the tines apart sounds like kinda stupid to begin with, and it doesn't work with these EF tips because the nib bends before the tines spread, etc. So I turn to here and seek your wisdom how would you fix inconsistent flow for tips so fine that you can't see the gap when you hold it up to a light? (no puns intended in this entire post!)

I write really small when for myself (notes, lists, the ever present 5"x8" cards {gasp})... so I want to try an UEF. I generally write with EF and Stub but it's time I try an UEF. Ive found a Platinum Century #3776 UEF for $73 USD delivered. So first, is that a fair deal? Two, is there a cheaper UEF pen for me to try before jumping into a century? Thanks to you all in advance. -B

Hello, I go by Pocket and I am an artist in Florida, new to the very overwhelmingly endless journey of acquiring my first fountain pen. I don't plan on collecting many pens in the near future. I really just need a specific kind of pen that meets the requirements my new projects demand, and my curiosity brought me to think about fountain pens. What I am looking for is an extremely fine nib. I am not a line drawing artist, I am the exact opposite. I only draw with dots, small dots. The finer the dots I'm able to producer the more control I have over the textures of the subjects I draw. The tactile approach is broken down to the pixelated atomizing nature of things. Like a thread count in fashion, I'm looking for the Super200 of pens, if not higher. If I cannot acquire this pen because it has not been made available, I plan to make it. Passionate fans via comment sections and Youtube videos, the collectors, the admirers, they lead me to believe that this is the community that can guide me into finding and/or building this pen. I'm no longer the only overly sensitive nerdy that needs a specific pen .... I have already reached out to NIBGRINDER who has helped me a bit, might be able to grind any nib of any pen I purchase down to a beak or a Saibi-Togi . An amazingly kind Customer Service Specialist via GOULET has brought me to this Network because I voiced that I didn't want to harass them with all my strange questions. Lets get to it. I need a pen finer than the one I use ... lets start there - I currently use a Copic Multiliner black ink 0.03 pen (felt tip?) I usually have to wait for them to fade gradually from excessive use before I can get a relatively super super fine dot. ​Ah ! I need a dry pen - so more of those ridges in the feed to slow the capillary action. I feel like a wet pen defeats the purpose. With that said I want to refrain dipping pens .... I've been doing some research correct me if I'm wrong. What I think I am looking for is a long lasting, durable, beautiful, well respected fountain pen, ultra ultra fine tip, for dotting artwork, I do not enjoy dipping so definitely need cartridge or converter. customizable maybe - as long as it does not compromise the quality of the pen? I'm really not too sure how to put value on these pens I just see price ranges and try to stay away from the cheaper ones ???? I guess ... But, I might be looking into a Squared Nub ... "what?" ..... yeah - Here's what I'm thinking, if it is possible for me to use the razor sharp squared off corners to stipple with, that's the sharpest edge I've head of thus far and as long as I'm not stabbing my paper like a maniac I should be able to draw within damaging the paper to oblivion. Only thing is, I'm not sure if those corners are capable of feeding the ink and activating capillary response. I can't find that answer anywhere. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THE LOVE AND GUIDANCE Frantz Ali Joachim aka the pocket IG : thepocketart website currently under construction

I've read a lot on here regarding the perceived scratchiness of extra fine nibs. It appears to be a very real phenomenon. What I haven't come across so much are the theories and facts as to why this occurs. I understand how it can and does occur in flex nibs, ie the inside edge of tine can only be smoothed a tiny amount before causing ink to lose connection with the paper. I don't understand how it happens with nails. I understand the difference between feedback and scratchiness. In the main it is scratchiness I am concerned about. However, if you've come across a particular nib made of a particular material that offers reduced vibratory feedback when compared to other nibs in the extra fine (or finer) category, I'm keen to know about it. I'm seeking a nail nib in extra fine for everyday use as my most frequently used note taking pen (possibly a Platinum 3776 Century - maybe even ultra extra fine). I naturally write small. The Lamy fine is too wide with the wet inks I prefer to use. I do understand the stepped difference between Western and Japanese fines. Could people please offer a dash or two of experiential wisdom? Subjective/objective comparisons between nibs you've tried or own, based on the above info, would be most helpful. Alternative pen/nib suggestions are welcome, as are threads on the topic that I may not have come across yet. I don't have access to brick and mortar stores locally that sell a reasonable range of pens.

After having waited close to 3 months from the initial order, the #3776 black in black with UEF was delivered to my home yesterday. As there is no stock available at the time of ordering, Platinum handled this as an order-on-demand. So, my #3776 black in black was fresh off Platinum's production. The slip seal and the friction closing of the cap are similar to the rest of #3776 Century line models. The nib is what this pen separates from the rest. I looked it with my loupe and the tines are in perfect alignment and the tip of the nib is created only an experienced craftman can do. I don't believe any Western companies can do this in house. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4742_zpsf9de800a.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4743_zps00eb27b5.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4744_zpsd5939445.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4745_zpse75cfc56.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4746_zps0e265639.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4747_zpsea965a6d.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4748_zpsb39cb47e.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4749_zpsf434521f.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4750_zps291782ae.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4751_zps668df9e7.jpg http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/YS2003/IMG_4752_zps28278a59.jpg