Pilot Custom 742 And Platinum 3776 "soft Fine"

[Dr.Grace]

I actually like my Sailor 1911s despite the fact that they look like Montblanc pens.

[proton007]

I actually like my Sailor 1911s despite the fact that they look like Montblanc pens.

 

I like my fake Rolex despite the fact that it looks like a real Rolex.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

While there are a huge number of pens that look alike, I collect Japanese pens, I can often tell from a distance who made what pocket pen. It can tell from a distance whether it is a Sailor, Pilot, or Platinum pen. My mom says that they look alike, but even she can tell them all apart fairly easily. They may share a similar shape, streamline with flat ends but with a longer cap, and it's quite possible that was the fashion in that ear to make such pens, and to stay competitive and sell pens, one needed to make that shape. With the Sailor Profit, Platinum 3776, and Pilot Custom 74 as well as the Montblanc, for me it is really easy to tell them apart. It's very obvious to me that they are different pens, and the differences stand out more strongly to me than those of the pocket pens even though I don't collect these types of pens. Of the bunch, I prefer the Pilot Custom 74 in shape with the more round ends. I also like the Platinum #3776 a lot in shape and style. The Sailor Profit and the Montblanc have their own charm, but they are different. One could say that the Sailor and Montblanc have a very similar feed since they both have a feed design where the feed fins are like plates hanging off the top of the feed, and the breather holes on the nib feed the breather channel on the feed, but those are just design elements that I think are coincidental. I'm pretty sure though, that if you painted the Montblanc star over, then tossed me all the cap tops and barrel ends of all the pens, I would be easily able to tell them apart. It's really obvious to me since they are all quite different although they share a similar pattern.

 

Anyway, I don't think the ogival shape (yes, I also collect Italian pens), streamline with round ends, is new. It's older than the Montblanc Meisterstück. There is also the flat end shape like the Parker Duofold and the streamline pen with flat ends like the Aurora Optima and Sailor Professional Gear. Last, there is also the Doric shape with facets like what Omas has. Did they all copy each other? I really don't know. The shapes are all quite common, and they aren't new shapes to have for a pen. They aren't trying to be fakes or homages of each other. I think they are all paying homage to a classic shape that many pens before and after them have come in.

 

That said, I really enjoyed reading about the comparison of the soft fine nibs and the pens from Pilot and Platinum.

 

I hope all have a good day/night. I hope my ramblings make sense and don't bore anyone too much. Basically my bottom line is "It's not a copy. The pens are all homages to a basic design that has existed for many years and predates them."

 

Dillon

Edited August 2, 2013 by Dillo

[proton007]

Hi,

 

While there are a huge number of pens that look alike, I collect Japanese pens, I can often tell from a distance who made what pocket pen. It can tell from a distance whether it is a Sailor, Pilot, or Platinum pen. The same is true for the Sailor Profit, Platinum 3776, and Pilot Custom 74 as well as the Montblanc. Of the bunch, I prefer the Pilot Custom 74 in shape with the more round ends. I also like the Platinum #3776 a lot. The Sailor Profit and the Montblanc have their own charm, but they are different. I'm pretty sure though, that if you painted the Montblanc star over, then tossed me all the cap tops and barrel ends of the pens, I would be easily able to tell them apart. It's really obvious to me since they are all quite different although they share a similar pattern.

 

Anyway, I don't think the ogival shape (yes, I also collect Italian pens), streamline with round ends, is new. It's older than the Montblanc Meisterstück. There is also the flat end shape like the Parker Duofold and the streamline pen with flat ends like the Aurora Optima and Sailor Professional Gear. Last, there is also the Doric shape with facets like what Omas has. Did they all copy each other? I really don't know. The shapes are all quite common, and they aren't new shapes to have for a pen. They aren't trying to be fakes or homages of each other. I think they are all paying homage to a classic shape that many pens before and after them have come in.

 

Dillo

 

I understand.

Most customers associate with brand names more than the pen design itself.

Maybe its homage, maybe its copying, we'll never know for sure.

However, I do think companies should have instantly identifiable elements that are unique, its what makes them special.

 

Its good that pen companies don't file for design patents. Otherwise half of the pens on the market wouldn't exist.

Edited August 2, 2013 by proton007