Platinum #3776 Century - Chartres Blue - Soft Fine Nib

[graystranger]

GardenMan, this is a wonderful review. What a coincidence, the same day you posted this I decided to add the Platinum 3776 Century in Bourgogne with a medium nib to my collection and ordered one. Without reading your review!

 

I had been thinking about one for a year or so. For some reason I started looking at the line of Century pens at Goulet Pens. They have the Nice Pur reduced from $200 to $160. Then I started looking at the Chartres and Bourgogne. I decided I wanted a translucent model rather than the clear model. I chose the Bourgogne because to me it looks like a polished garnet. Had I seen your review it would have greatly reinforced the decision I made. I read all the Goulet customer reviews for each of the models, reviewed the Goulet videos (which I had seen previously) and made my decision.

 

I have the Carbon Desk Pen, a Platinum Balance, and a Platinum Cool. All are just wonderful writers. Their Preppy EF is the finest nib I have ever used, and I also have Pilot EF and SEF nibs. I anticipate writing a lot with this pen and thought the Platinum M nib will get used more, probably because I usually have a number of EF and F nib pens within reach and thought it might also be a wetter writer. I already know what Japanese M nibs are like, close to my Waterman and Sheaffer F nibs, which I love to write with. Heck, I like everything from the Japanese EF to my Omas italic.

 

You have made me doubly anxious to get this pen, probably coming Wednesday or maybe Thursday. I asked for a "Test Write" with it, that may or may not delay shipment a bit.

 

Fascinating that you have studied the stained glass in the Chartres cathedral and that the resin used matches it so perfectly. This color is also Brian Goulet's favorite.

 

You are right about writing with light pens. I do love the feel of my heavier pens, but I do some of my best writing with my 1965 Sheaffer Lifetime pen, which is very light. But, it just feels great in my hand and it feels like I can write forever when using it. I expect my new 3776 Century will be the same.

 

And thank you for the history of the company. Great background information.

[Frank C]

I have several 3776s sitting on my desk right now. These are wonderful pens and made for writing. They are also the premier fountain pen that never dries out!

[Garden Man]

GardenMan, this is a wonderful review. What a coincidence, the same day you posted this I decided to add the Platinum 3776 Century in Bourgogne with a medium nib to my collection and ordered one. Without reading your review!

 

I had been thinking about one for a year or so. For some reason I started looking at the line of Century pens at Goulet Pens. They have the Nice Pur reduced from $200 to $160. Then I started looking at the Chartres and Bourgogne. I decided I wanted a translucent model rather than the clear model. I chose the Bourgogne because to me it looks like a polished garnet. Had I seen your review it would have greatly reinforced the decision I made. I read all the Goulet customer reviews for each of the models, reviewed the Goulet videos (which I had seen previously) and made my decision.

 

I have the Carbon Desk Pen, a Platinum Balance, and a Platinum Cool. All are just wonderful writers. Their Preppy EF is the finest nib I have ever used, and I also have Pilot EF and SEF nibs. I anticipate writing a lot with this pen and thought the Platinum M nib will get used more, probably because I usually have a number of EF and F nib pens within reach and thought it might also be a wetter writer. I already know what Japanese M nibs are like, close to my Waterman and Sheaffer F nibs, which I love to write with. Heck, I like everything from the Japanese EF to my Omas italic.

 

You have made me doubly anxious to get this pen, probably coming Wednesday or maybe Thursday. I asked for a "Test Write" with it, that may or may not delay shipment a bit.

 

Fascinating that you have studied the stained glass in the Chartres cathedral and that the resin used matches it so perfectly. This color is also Brian Goulet's favorite.

 

You are right about writing with light pens. I do love the feel of my heavier pens, but I do some of my best writing with my 1965 Sheaffer Lifetime pen, which is very light. But, it just feels great in my hand and it feels like I can write forever when using it. I expect my new 3776 Century will be the same.

 

And thank you for the history of the company. Great background information.

 

You're welcome! It is a truly amazing pen! I hope you love yours as much as I love mine!

[ammarmali]

Awesome review! Thanks!

[graystranger]

My Goulet order of a 3776 Century Bourgogne with a F nib came yesterday morning. It is everything that GardenMan said in his most excellent review, except for the color. This is a very deep translucent garnet color, rich and dark, like a fine Cabernet wine.

 

The gold plated trim and clip look wonderful with the burgundy resin barrel, grip and cap. The M nib is everything I expected, a wonderful writing pen that feels perfect in my hand, glides over silky smooth paper with just a hint of feedback. Nicely wet writing, but not too wet. It was inked up at Goulet Pens for a test writing sample by Anna, her note was enclosed. I ordered a box of Platinum Blue Black ink cartridges to try out. Anna put a Platinum Blue Black cartridge in the pen for the test. I'd told Goulet that they could leave the pen inked, but I did not know they would use the same ink that I had ordered for the pen! Great, I did not have to clean out any ink.

 

So far I like the Platinum Blue Black ink, a dark, rich blue that is a modern iron gall formulation and supposed to turn black as it ages. Permanent ink of course. I will put a bottle on my wish list when my box of 10 dwindles down some. The ink seems to be quick drying on Clairefontaine, Rhodia, Tomoe River, Midori, and Apica papers. Feathering is minimal on cheap spiral notebook paper, as is bleedthrough on this cheap paper. A very well behaved ink.

 

The pen design is very pleasing, quite classic, and wonderfully balanced. I usually write un-posted unless it is a short pen like the TWSBI Mini, and this balances very well in my hand. The pen is not heavy, which is fine with me. I like most all pen weights, but this weight is perfect for long writing periods. The resin has a beautiful polish, all the fittings perfectly done. It even has a gold band between the barrel and the grip section.

[migla9]

Thanks for the great review and photos, Garden Man! Both the Bourgogne and Chartres Blue colors look good, but your description definitely has me leaning towards the blue for my wish list. They do now have a version with rhodium trim instead of the gold, but the nib selection is limited to F, M and B (the gold trim version has Ultra Extra Fine to Double Broad according to their web page). If you ever get the Ultra Extra Fine, I'd be interested in seeing a comparison with the Soft Fine nib.

 

Thanks for the history of Platinum. I also just read that the 3776 name refers to the height (in meters) of Mount Fuji.

[Garden Man]

My Goulet order of a 3776 Century Bourgogne with a F nib came yesterday morning. It is everything that GardenMan said in his most excellent review, except for the color. This is a very deep translucent garnet color, rich and dark, like a fine Cabernet wine.

 

The gold plated trim and clip look wonderful with the burgundy resin barrel, grip and cap. The M nib is everything I expected, a wonderful writing pen that feels perfect in my hand, glides over silky smooth paper with just a hint of feedback. Nicely wet writing, but not too wet. It was inked up at Goulet Pens for a test writing sample by Anna, her note was enclosed. I ordered a box of Platinum Blue Black ink cartridges to try out. Anna put a Platinum Blue Black cartridge in the pen for the test. I'd told Goulet that they could leave the pen inked, but I did not know they would use the same ink that I had ordered for the pen! Great, I did not have to clean out any ink.

 

So far I like the Platinum Blue Black ink, a dark, rich blue that is a modern iron gall formulation and supposed to turn black as it ages. Permanent ink of course. I will put a bottle on my wish list when my box of 10 dwindles down some. The ink seems to be quick drying on Clairefontaine, Rhodia, Tomoe River, Midori, and Apica papers. Feathering is minimal on cheap spiral notebook paper, as is bleedthrough on this cheap paper. A very well behaved ink.

 

The pen design is very pleasing, quite classic, and wonderfully balanced. I usually write un-posted unless it is a short pen like the TWSBI Mini, and this balances very well in my hand. The pen is not heavy, which is fine with me. I like most all pen weights, but this weight is perfect for long writing periods. The resin has a beautiful polish, all the fittings perfectly done. It even has a gold band between the barrel and the grip section.

 

I'm glad you like it!!! I really want more... Like at least 5 more.

[Garden Man]

Thanks for the great review and photos, Garden Man! Both the Bourgogne and Chartres Blue colors look good, but your description definitely has me leaning towards the blue for my wish list. They do now have a version with rhodium trim instead of the gold, but the nib selection is limited to F, M and B (the gold trim version has Ultra Extra Fine to Double Broad according to their web page). If you ever get the Ultra Extra Fine, I'd be interested in seeing a comparison with the Soft Fine nib.

 

Thanks for the history of Platinum. I also just read that the 3776 name refers to the height (in meters) of Mount Fuji.

 

If I ever get the UEF I'll let you know!

[jmccarty3]

Thanks for the great review and photos, Garden Man! Both the Bourgogne and Chartres Blue colors look good, but your description definitely has me leaning towards the blue for my wish list. They do now have a version with rhodium trim instead of the gold, but the nib selection is limited to F, M and B (the gold trim version has Ultra Extra Fine to Double Broad according to their web page). If you ever get the Ultra Extra Fine, I'd be interested in seeing a comparison with the Soft Fine nib.

 

I have a Chartres Blue (gold trim) with a UEF. It's a very tricky nib to learn how to use, similar to Sailor's Naginata Saibi-togi. The key is to write with an extremely light touch--otherwise, the nib will feel very rough and ink flow will decrease.

 

My requirement for nibs like this has changed at work and I will be selling both the UEF and the Saibi-togi, if anyone is interested. I'll be bringing them to the DC show, and then to the Dallas show if they don't sell. Each has been filled only once.

[migla9]

 

I have a Chartres Blue (gold trim) with a UEF. It's a very tricky nib to learn how to use, similar to Sailor's Naginata Saibi-togi. The key is to write with an extremely light touch--otherwise, the nib will feel very rough and ink flow will decrease.

 

Thanks for the tip. I'm used to using a Japanese EF on a Pilot Penmanship, so I was curious about the UEF. The western EF on my Lamy and Pelikans are not as fine as I'd like, but I think the UEF may be going a bit too far. I'm also curious about Platinum's Soft Fine nib.

[Garden Man]

 

Thanks for the tip. I'm used to using a Japanese EF on a Pilot Penmanship, so I was curious about the UEF. The western EF on my Lamy and Pelikans are not as fine as I'd like, but I think the UEF may be going a bit too far. I'm also curious about Platinum's Soft Fine nib.

 

The Soft Fine nib is actually really fine, much closer to a Japanese EF than a western EF, that being said, it depends on the amount of pressure put on the nib. Writing with a light touch (or no touch at all) produces a very thin line, while applying just a hint of pressure can cause the line to go to around a 1.1mm line.

 

When Platinum means soft, they mean soft. It's really easy to get line variation without worry of destroying the nib. It's really a fun nib to write with!

[pictogramax]

My 3776 with SF nib is my main pen for several years now - I confirm all your praises :-) Great review!

[staflea]

Excellent review and it's been added to my wish list. Matt Armstrong's review was equally as enthusiastic, and there the noise you wrote of was very noticeable. Not one to use in a silent library.

[Gloucesterman]

Sorry about the double post. IPad acting up, I guess.

 

Double post? Heck that was a "sixer". Obviously you ARE happy with your pen. :lol:

[Gloucesterman]

Okay, I'm inspired. I bought a UEF Platinum 3776 (used) and am now waiting for its arrival - in about a week.

 

I know I like fine and extra fine nibs. Guess I'll find out if I like UEF too. Any suggestions about perhaps turning it into a "Spencerian"? It is a 14k nib, after all.

[Frank C]

Okay, I'm inspired. I bought a UEF Platinum 3776 (used) and am now waiting for its arrival - in about a week.

 

I know I like fine and extra fine nibs. Guess I'll find out if I like UEF too. Any suggestions about perhaps turning it into a "Spencerian"? It is a 14k nib, after all.

 

From nibs.com:

 

 

Other Pens with 14k Nibs

While many other pens we carry, including some offerings from Aurora, Bexley, Pelikan, Platinum, and Sailor, can be sold with 14k nibs which can then be ground to needlepoint and given some added flex, we do not consider these pen and nib combinations the best possible candidates for the Spencerian customization. Size and rigidity of the original nib and the deepness of inscriptions in the nib face are among the factors affecting the suitability of any given nib for the Spencerian customization.

While John will regrind to needlepoint and add flex to the extent possible on such a nib when requested, please note that we consider this an approximation rather than the true Spencerian customization. Please note as well that the Spencerian cannot be performed at all on any pen with an 18k, 21k, or steel nib. The price for regrinding to needlepoint and adding flex on any pen or nib unit other than the specific Pilot, Omas, Nakaya, and Eboya models indicated above is $130.00.

 

 

http://www.nibs.com/spencerian-customization.htm

[TSherbs]

I am not interested in the pen, but THAT is a great blue acrylic!

[Blackhorse]

I have the Century 3776 (M) in the Bourgogne, a stunning pen in every regard. I thought I was done Jonesing for a 3776 but I'm thinkin' your review pushed me over the edge for a Chartres. Aside from the technical aspects there is just something in the way light plays onto, into and through the pen body that is breathtaking. There are certainly many gorgeous pens in the world but the folks at Platinum must love baseball...cause these are outta the park!

[Gloucesterman]

 

From nibs.com:

 

 

Other Pens with 14k Nibs

While many other pens we carry, including some offerings from Aurora, Bexley, Pelikan, Platinum, and Sailor, can be sold with 14k nibs which can then be ground to needlepoint and given some added flex, we do not consider these pen and nib combinations the best possible candidates for the Spencerian customization. Size and rigidity of the original nib and the deepness of inscriptions in the nib face are among the factors affecting the suitability of any given nib for the Spencerian customization.

While John will regrind to needlepoint and add flex to the extent possible on such a nib when requested, please note that we consider this an approximation rather than the true Spencerian customization. Please note as well that the Spencerian cannot be performed at all on any pen with an 18k, 21k, or steel nib. The price for regrinding to needlepoint and adding flex on any pen or nib unit other than the specific Pilot, Omas, Nakaya, and Eboya models indicated above is $130.00.

 

 

http://www.nibs.com/spencerian-customization.htm

 

Thank you for the suggestion. Before I invested that much money in a $60.00 pen, I would want to either see a writing sample or test one myself that had been modified thus.

[akustyk]

I have one of these, except in the typical black resin. I love the nib, but I am surprised that people get any Spencerian-type line variation from this nib. Yes, it's a bit soft, but there's no line variation that's anywhere near usable. I saw the "elastic" grind of these nibs, and even that is marginally flexible. Yes, you can press on the nib and then it moves away from the feed, more ink flows, then stops because the nib loses contact with the feed. For me, this would be the most painful way to get line variation.