Pilot Custom 742 And Platinum 3776 "soft Fine"

[Jezza]

Both Pilot and Platinum produce what are termed "soft fine" nibs. I've decided to compare a couple of the most similar models from each manufacturer: The Pilot Custom 742 and Platinum 3776 Century.

 

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/DSC00151_zpsd1207c96.jpg

 

Each pen is produced in a variety of colors, but these are the basic black resin versions with gold-tone plated clips and furniture. Similarly, both pens use proprietary cartidges and also include converters for bottled ink. While both converters are perfectly serviceable, Pilot's CON 70 holds more ink and is a bit more unique in terms of its filling mechanism.

 

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/DSC00154_zps7e485bf3.jpg

 

While I prefer the Pilot design better, each clip is perfectly suited to keep the pen securely clipped to one's shirt pocket. Platinum's cap includes the "slip-and-seal" system, which is supposed to prevent the nib from drying out despite prolonged non-useage. Of course, why anyone would not use such a wonderful nib is beyond me.

 

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/DSC00147_zps35509075.jpg

 

The Pilot is a slightly larger pen, although the Platinum's 3776 nib is slightly larger, and slightly wider in the shoulders.

 

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/DSC00146_zps588a8c8f.jpg

 

The Platinum also seems to have a finer tip. But, when the nib hits the paper, the difference is negligible. Sorry for the poor writing sample. The pens produce a similar line. The Pilot nib is slightly stiffer, while the Platinum easily flexes to the width of a Platinum medium, but not much wider without significant pressure.

 

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/ramasesii2000/DSC00156_zpsb97d1c6b.jpg

 

Neither pen is remotely close to a true flex. However, they both are a delight to use, and write with the slightest touch.

Edited July 29, 2013 by Jezza

[XiaoMG]

My Pilot SF nib started out on the dryish and stiff side, and it broke in and now is much more "squishy" compared to what it was. Feels good, but a bit wider than I normally use.

Edited July 29, 2013 by XiaoMG

[KrazyIvan]

I have both those pens but went the opposite direction in nib widths. I have the double broad nib on the Platinum and the stub (SU) on the 742. The Platinum was noticeably smoother when comparing those two.

[hari317]

Very interesting comparison, thanks for sharing.

 

I think it would have been more fair to compare the 3776 century with the Pilot Custom 74 since both the pens have the 10,500JPY msrp.

 

the 742 is costlier at 21,000JPY msrp, but it is interesting to note that Platinum puts a larger sized nib equal to the Pilot 10size even on their 10,500JPY pen, wonderful value and great writing.

[Jezza]

Very interesting comparison, thanks for sharing.

 

I think it would have been more fair to compare the 3776 century with the Pilot Custom 74 since both the pens have the 10,500JPY msrp.

 

the 742 is costlier at 21,000JPY msrp, but it is interesting to note that Platinum puts a larger sized nib equal to the Pilot 10size even on their 10,500JPY pen, wonderful value and great writing.

Thanks for reading my review. The Pilot Custom 742 usually runs $45-$65 more than the Platinum 3776 Century in terms of street price or auction price. You are correct insofar as the Custom 74 is a better match to the Platinum from a retail price perspective. However, I wanted to make a comparison based on functional equivalency rather than cost. When you look at these two pens and their nibs side-by-side, I think the similarity is greater overall than the difference. The Platinum's nib is certainly a bargain. Both wrote out-of-the-box, with no adjustment needed.

 

[hari317]

Thank you Jezza. It is an incredible bargain that the Century offers the same 742 ergonomics at a much cheaper price. My experience with the Japanese pens mirrors yours. Perfect writing out of the box across several examples, with the Platinums holding a slight edge over the Pilots in terms of the writing feel for me.

[Jezza]

Thank you Jezza. It is an incredible bargain that the Century offers the same 742 ergonomics at a much cheaper price. My experience with the Japanese pens mirrors yours. Perfect writing out of the box across several examples, with the Platinums holding a slight edge over the Pilots in terms of the writing feel for me.

I also have had great luck with Platinum--and Pilot for that matter. Purely as a matter of preference, I like writing with the Pilot better out of these two pens. It has just the right amount of resistance, ink flow, and smoothness. It actually writes a little more on the fine side than the Platinum, despite having a larger tip. I suspect it's because the Platinum is a bit softer. Of course, take two different soft fines of the same make and model, and the results could be different. I know some folks think the Pilot is a bit softer. Regular Pilot nibs sometimes are too stiff: They will write great on the downstroke, but have almost no flow in any other direction. The SF nibs tend to write better in all directions, and have better ink flow.

Edited July 29, 2013 by Jezza

[XiaoMG]

It just takes a few days of moderate pressure scribbling to get the nibs to where they should be (not super-dry on horizontals). I have had this experience with all of my better Pilots and Sailors...enough to think it might be intended.

 

When Platinum is good, it's a very nice nib. I struggled through a lot of store samples to find one that was ground to satisfaction. I wish it were a more attractive nib and a more comfortable section, since the better ones show some promise. I've had much better luck with Pilots, and slightly better luck with Sailors. I don't unconditionally recommend them because I've come across mediocrity in every brand and my sample sizes are too small to be representative.

[proton007]

Why do Platinum pens look so similar to Pilots'? Is there some relation between the two companies? Its not only the modern pens, even vintage Platinums look similar to vintage Pilots.

 

Whats going on?

[hari317]

Why do Platinum pens look so similar to Pilots'? Is there some relation between the two companies? Its not only the modern pens, even vintage Platinums look similar to vintage Pilots.

 

Whats going on?

Hi, I think they look very different from a pen person point of view. One cannot confuse a Platinum for a Pilot or vice versa.

[nicholasyeo]

Having owned a Pilot before, I must say I don't fancy the Pilot converters. Pity, cause the FA is a great nib. The Platinum does its job, though variation wouldn't be as dramatic. One thing is for sure, the one I tested was real smooth!

[KrazyIvan]

I think the real question is, why do Platinum and Pilot pens look like Montblanc pens?

[proton007]

Hi, I think they look very different from a pen person point of view. One cannot confuse a Platinum for a Pilot or vice versa.

 

I'd say slightly different, but 'very different' would be pushing it.

 

They've pretty much copied all the styles Pilot popularized, right from the cap/barrel design down to the nibs.

 

Take a look at this :

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Platinum-1970s-Pocket-Fountain-Pen-Japan-/15/!CEYIfmgB2k~$(KGrHqV,!mEE1GCTmy!OBNRs6YBq8Q~~_3.JPG

as compared to:

http://www.engeika.com/data/engeika/product/20130729_90f035.jpg

 

 

I can find similar examples with the Pilot Custom series as well. Even the nibs are shaped in a similar manner.

[hari317]

 

I'd say slightly different, but 'very different' would be pushing it.

 

They've pretty much copied all the styles Pilot popularized, right from the cap/barrel design down to the nibs.

 

Take a look at this :

 

as compared to:

 

 

 

I can find similar examples with the Pilot Custom series as well. Even the nibs are shaped in a similar manner.

yes you are right, all the three have had very similar pens in the past. I think Pilot was the trendsetter esp in fabulous nib shapes. Today it is Sailor, no one has multilayered nibs like they have...My comment was directed toward the specific two pens compared in this review, I was under the impression you were referring to these two pens.

[proton007]

yes you are right, all the three have had very similar pens in the past. I think Pilot was the trendsetter esp in fabulous nib shapes. Today it is Sailor, no one has multilayered nibs like they have...My comment was directed toward the specific two pens compared in this review, I was under the impression you were referring to these two pens.

 

Even these two pens look similar. If you remove the clip, it would be hard to identify them. The barrel, cap, nib, all have similar shapes.

 

Sailor is different, atleast they've tried to make different models.

[hari317]

 

Even these two pens look similar. If you remove the clip, it would be hard to identify them. The barrel, cap, nib, all have similar shapes.

 

Sailor is different, atleast they've tried to make different models.

Clips between pens are a distinguishing feature and often a trademark of the marque, we cannot remove/ignore that most important bit... I think if you remove the sailor clip and place all three together, all three will look similar. black and gold.

 

We sometimes try to identify the age of the same pen model based on very slight variations in clip design, feed design, nib marking/plating etc for e.g. on a 149, so to me the differences are very major between the two pens in OP and I would never ,mistake one for the other, I can only speak for myself. The results, of course, might vary for others .

 

Hari

[proton007]

Clips between pens are a distinguishing feature and often a trademark of the marque, we cannot remove/ignore that most important bit... I think if you remove the sailor clip and place all three together, all three will look similar. black and gold.

 

We sometimes try to identify the age of the same pen model based on very slight variations in clip design, feed design, nib marking/plating etc for e.g. on a 149, so to me the differences are very major between the two pens in OP and I would never ,mistake one for the other, I can only speak for myself. The results, of course, might vary for others .

 

Hari

 

Well, if you look closely, ofcourse you'll be able to see 'platinum' written on one pen, and 'pilot' on the other. From a distance, they look the same.

 

My point is, why create similar designs? These companies should design their own pens, like Pelikan/Parker/Lamy and a lot of other pen makers do.

 

A Pelikan nib for instance, is pretty unique. So is Lamy. You don't even need to read the label to tell which one's which.

[hari317]

 

Well, if you look closely, ofcourse you'll be able to see 'platinum' written on one pen, and 'pilot' on the other. From a distance, they look the same.

 

My point is, why create similar designs? These companies should design their own pens, like Pelikan/Parker/Lamy and a lot of other pen makers do.

 

A Pelikan nib for instance, is pretty unique. So is Lamy. You don't even need to read the label to tell which one's which.

 

and I am saying that the pens do not look the same to me from a distance. I would not need to read what is written on the cap. It depends on who is seeing it. The devil is in the details.

 

If we are discussing in general, then Pilot and Sailor have made pretty original nib designs FWIW. Pls look at the Pilot Silvern inset nib or look at their Pilot Ultra 500 nib(very short lived)

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/122692-fs-pilot-ultra-super-500-fp-wrolled-gold-cap/

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/59429-pilot-ultra-super-500/?p=571606

 

HTH.

[proton007]

 

and I am saying that the pens do not look the same to me from a distance. I would not need to read what is written on the cap. It depends on who is seeing it. The devil is in the details.

 

If we are discussing in general, then Pilot and Sailor have made pretty original nib designs FWIW. Pls look at the Pilot Silvern inset nib or look at their Pilot Ultra 500 nib(very short lived)

 

HTH.

 

Well, as I was going through some pictures, I found out that Pilot/Platinum copied the Montblanc, who took legal action against them.

 

Here's the line of suspects:

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQ69G8Wh9To/TFwj3djiOkI/AAAAAAAAAiA/c1KCEk195xY/s1600/IMG_1976-red.jpg

 

Pretty shameless copies of the montblanc.

 

Whether you can tell them apart has no bearing on the fact that these are copies.

 

In this picture its pretty hard for me, because I'm not familiar with these pens.

Edited August 1, 2013 by proton007

[hari317]

 

Well, as I was going through some pictures, I found out that Pilot/Platinum copied the Montblanc, who took legal action against them.

 

Here's the line of suspects:

 

 

 

Pretty shameless copies of the montblanc.

 

Whether you can tell them apart has no bearing on the fact that these are copies.

 

In this picture its pretty hard for me, because I'm not familiar with these pens.

 

Ok. maybe spend more time with pens, the glaring differences should start becoming clear.

 

MB and MB's litigious nature (usually unsuccessful in the end) is well known, I will not derail this thread further.