Has Your Platinum #3776 Century Broken?

[Brian C]

I have 5 of them and all are fine.

You should branch out to other nib sizes. Platinum makes a wonderful broad nib.

[JulianN]

You should branch out to other nib sizes. Platinum makes a wonderful broad nib.

I thought about making that joke but decided it too cheesy...

[ink-syringe]

Platinum B nibs are indeed fantastic.

[Brian C]

I thought about making that joke but decided it too cheesy...

Sorry, I love the cheese!

[ScienceChick]

I have three and no issues.

[jar]

And the "C" double broad and the music nib as well.

[JulianN]

Sorry, I love the cheese!

 

Cheese is in fact good.

[Drone]

I've had/have a few 3776C's. Not one "broke" on me - ever. Keep in-mind though this is a relatively small pen and the injection moulded plastic cap and barrel are not going to knock you off your socks. Also, the gold nibs are nails (even the SF nib). But it is a decent pen for the money, provided you buy it direct from Japan and NOT from the U.S. (or elsewhere), where the prices are outrageously high. At my post-time you should be paying less than $85-$95 USD for a standard 3776 Century including tracked regular EMS/Speedpost International shipment (music-nib versions are a bit higher). Enjoy - David

[Joe in Seattle]

I bought two on EBay for $78-82 each. No problems, good service.

[Wandering Man]

Maybe it was the Preppy you heard about? I had one that split its cap. But that's a five dollar pen. Its supposed to be made out of "cheap plastic."

 

BTW: I met the platinum rep at Dromgooles, and told him my tale of woe. He handed me a new one on the spot. That helped my decision to buy the Century 3776.

 

And the new Preppy has not cracked.

[JulianN]

I was going to buy whatever Japanese pen I get from a Japanese retailer that sells with Amazon fulfillment, and I did actually hear about the 3776 having "cheap" plastic.

[Newjelan]

Sorry, I love the cheese!

It is what we call a "dad joke" - predictable and painful. I had planned a deadpan answer but time marched on...

[Highbinder]

I've had/have a few 3776C's. Not one "broke" on me - ever. Keep in-mind though this is a relatively small pen and the injection moulded plastic cap and barrel are not going to knock you off your socks. Also, the gold nibs are nails (even the SF nib). But it is a decent pen for the money, provided you buy it direct from Japan and NOT from the U.S. (or elsewhere), where the prices are outrageously high. At my post-time you should be paying less than $85-$95 USD for a standard 3776 Century including tracked regular EMS/Speedpost International shipment (music-nib versions are a bit higher). Enjoy - David

 

I would disagree with the nibs being nails. I have a regular F and I would consider it springy, with a bit o pressure yielding a western M. I have no experience with their soft nibs but I can't imagine them being any firmer..

 

Also make sure to check if a converter is included when you buy from Japan - when I bought mine from J-Subculture no converter was included.

[Drone]

 

I would disagree with the nibs being nails. I have a regular F and I would consider it springy, with a bit o pressure yielding a western M. I have no experience with their soft nibs but I can't imagine them being any firmer..

 

Also make sure to check if a converter is included when you buy from Japan - when I bought mine from J-Subculture no converter was included.

 

Yeah, maybe "nail" was to strong a word. I have a 3776C with an SF nib and it is a "little" bit springy, but do not expect any kind real flex from even the SF nib. By comparison, my Pilot 743 with the FA nib is actually what I would call "semi-flexible". But in either case, the pens have plastic feeds that will struggle to keep up with a flexible nib. The 743/FA railroads often unless I'm very careful when flexing, plus I use paper and ink selected to aid flow.

 

Good point on the converter. Engeika includes a converter and may even include a little plastic adapter that allows you to plug-in a standard International cartridge or converter (short type I presume). But I heard the plastic adapters are getting hard to find these days, so ask first to see if the seller even has any.

[owend]

My 3776C hasn't broken. I find it's a smooth Fine nib (although the nib actually says Medium, Japanese sizing!), with a nice amount of feedback and some flex - I wouldn't call it a nail. It is on the wet side which I like, and the feed lets the ink keep up however fast I write.

 

It's great value and the nib looks lovely; the pen is on the short side but surprisingly usable unposted as I tend to use my pens. It does post very securely though and being lightweight it doesn't feel tailheavy when posted.

[JulianN]

I forgot to mention that I am terribly indecisive. I am now thinking that if the nibs really aren't anything too special, other than the looks and material, I should spend the money on ink, seeing as I only have three bottles of ink and some ink samples.

 

My current pen collection is the following: Lamy Safari, Lamy studio and I have a 1.5 and a 1.1mm italic for them; a Pilot Metro, a Pilot 78g, an Esterbrook J, and a TWSBI Diamond 580AL (My pride and joy)

[Highbinder]

I forgot to mention that I am terribly indecisive. I am now thinking that if the nibs really aren't anything too special, other than the looks and material, I should spend the money on ink, seeing as I only have three bottles of ink and some ink samples.

 

My current pen collection is the following: Lamy Safari, Lamy studio and I have a 1.5 and a 1.1mm italic for them; a Pilot Metro, a Pilot 78g, an Esterbrook J, and a TWSBI Diamond 580AL (My pride and joy)

 

The general opinion is that the nibs are something a bit special. Better than the run of the mill Jowo/Bock nibs IMO.

 

Of your pens I only have a Safari (m and 1.1i nibs) but the 3776 is a much more enjoyable nib to write with.

[JulianN]

I don't actually use my Safari anymore...

 

Better in what way?

[owend]

 

The general opinion is that the nibs are something a bit special. Better than the run of the mill Jowo/Bock nibs IMO.

 

Of your pens I only have a Safari (m and 1.1i nibs) but the 3776 is a much more enjoyable nib to write with.

 

I have a Fine steel nib in a Lamy Logo (same nib as the Safari etc), and I'd agree with Highbinder that the Platinum Medium is a considerably better nib for a similar line width.

 

I also have a Lamy Accent with their gold nib which is as good as the Platinum but 50% more expensive here, so again the 3776C comes up as excellent value!

[JulianN]

Are they just softer?