Pelikan M200 Or Platinum 3776?

[matteob]

Thanks I have seen some great deals on the #3776 on amazon (though for ethical reasons I avoid them when possible) from Japanese vendors. Strangely they come without a converter though.

 

I will settle the Xmas bills then decide!

[Manalto]

You don't have to shop on Amazon. www.j-subculture.com is one option with comparable prices and I'm sure others can make suggestions for where to buy.

[sandy101]

You will probably end up paying import taxes if you order from Japan. Cult Pens sells the #3776 - but before you buy that take a look at the Platinum Modern maki-e. You don't get th eslip & seal mechanism, but you do get a springy 18K nib, and a beautiful pen to boot.

 

Just food for thought.

[Bluey]

Strangely they come without a converter though.

 

Buy a converter separately for around £5

 

You will probably end up paying import taxes if you order from Japan. Cult Pens sells the #3776 - but before you buy that take a look at the Platinum Modern maki-e. You don't get th eslip & seal mechanism, but you do get a springy 18K nib, and a beautiful pen to boot.

 

Just food for thought.

If it's any indication, I have bought 7 pens from Japan and have yet to be charged for import duties. Import duties are usually only charged when buying from America.

At local places he will pay nearly twice the price when he doesn't have to - £109 at Cultpens, £58 from a Japanese supplier on Amazon. I know which I would choose.

Edited December 31, 2016 by Bluey

[Warnerbaw]

I have used both, but prefer the M200 by a hair, mainly due to the interchangeable nibs and the fact that the M200 is a piston filler

[jar]

Actually, every Platinum #3776 I've ever purchased has come with the converter regardless of where I bought the pen.

[Manalto]

My 3776 didn't come with a converter. I ordered it from Japan. The price was good (can't remember exactly, but it was worth the wait) and there were no import duties added on.

 

The lack of a converter wasn't a negative for me, however, since I'm not terribly fond of them and was able to refill the cartridge provided with a syringe, (It's incredibly quick, clean and efficient.)

 

You do realize, of course, that this is just an intellectual exercise and, before too long, you're going to wind up owning both pens.

Edited December 31, 2016 by Manalto

[matteob]

Yea best price I have seen is £59 from an ebay seller from Japan.I use cult pens but £109 is steep @Manolto yea my Avatar may be a mole but I am good at going down rabbit holes: Happy New Year all.

Edited December 31, 2016 by matteob

[Runnin_Ute]

If you grease the converter when you first get it then all will be well. Small issue but most people are unlikely to do so (unless they're aware of it) so they find their converter seizing up a few weeks or months later.

I have had mine for about a month and noticed the converter stiffening up. So last fill (yesterday) I grabbed my silicone grease and a toothpick and did it the same way I would my piston fillers. Tiny little drop. Of course it was in the "up" or full position making it easier.

 

 

Bottom line is you can't go wrong with either pen. I have two M200's (and had two M205's in the past which vanished on me, so I replaced them. M200 instead of M205, but that is trim primarily)

 

I have a M200 Cognac with a fine nib and a old style (derby) cap blue marbled with an OB. I consider them my top 3 pens and I have only had the 3776 Century Bourgogne with a B for a month. It rocketed to the top almost immediately. And I love my M200's. The 3776 is slightly longer and fatter than the M200 capped if that is something you need to consider. Uncapped they are almost exactly the same length.

Edited January 1, 2017 by Runnin_Ute

[crescent2]

I ordered my Century 3776 from amazon. It was sold by a company in Tennessee (IIRC fulfilled through amazon, but I'm not sure). I think it was around $74. I don't recall whether I ordered the converter separately or not. I honestly would not have bought it if I'd had to pay $150 for it. There is a huge mark-up on items like pens. And what is really wrong in ordering from a company in Japan if you are willing to wait for the longer delivery and perhaps pay shipping charges, tax, etc. ?

 

Why would this be unethical? If a company gets them from Japan and is willing to sell them cheaper, why would that be wrong? Prices at Walmart, Ollies, etc. are a lot cheaper than paying MSP and people purchase there all the time. I assume people purchase from amazon all the time too. Prices vary a lot on books, depending on which store you use, and the same goes for many items including cars. I never even gave it a second thought.

 

I just ordered a Visconti Michelangelo Venus pen from Anderson Pens for $149 with free shipping. I think this is about half of list price.

 

Am I a felon? Seriously, I've never heard or thought about buying something at a lower price from an established company as being unethical. What am I missing here?

[Noihvo]

 

 

[visvamitra]

Both are nice writers but I think Platinum offers better price / what you get ratio (gold nib, great slip&seal mechanism in the cap, better plastic IMO).

[martinbir]

Also remember that all Pelikans are overpriced now. Three years ago the Platinum was about £100 but the M200 only £60. Pelikan has a policy of price hiking, presumably they felt there was too big a gap between them and Montblanc.

 

I don't have the Platinum, but at £60 the M200 seemed decent value. Worth half as much again as a Lamy Studio? Possibly not, but still worth considering. I do have difficulty seeing it as a £100 pen though.

 

I could easily be tempted by a 3776 with its gold nib though.

[Highbinder]

You will probably end up paying import taxes if you order from Japan. Cult Pens sells the #3776 - but before you buy that take a look at the Platinum Modern maki-e. You don't get th eslip & seal mechanism, but you do get a springy 18K nib, and a beautiful pen to boot.

 

Just food for thought.

 

When I bought my 3776 from j-subculture I was charged for import and VAT but it was still MUCH cheaper than buying from a UK retailer. IMO the price cultpens charge is crazy.

[overwriter]

I guess I haven't been as fortunate as everyone here with my 3776. Dry writer. Scratchy. I can say however that I have two M200's that have been dead reliable for years and I have not been particularly nice to them either. And they write well.

[matteob]

Will probably get both as you guys say. I am leaning towards the Platinum Bourgogne at the moment as can get a good deal on that Japanese site. I don't know whether to get Medium of broad though. My TWSBI Eco medium nib is just about spot on. I want something like that.

 

Yes the Pelikan seem steeply priced to me but look nice.

 

@Creacent2 no you are not a felon lol. I just have beef with Amazon over their employment practices and working conditions in their UK fulfillment centres. They have had a lot of bad publicity here. I am a bit of a left winger but that discussion does not belong here

[jar]

Will probably get both as you guys say. I am leaning towards the Platinum Bourgogne at the moment as can get a good deal on that Japanese site. I don't know whether to get Medium of broad though. My TWSBI Eco medium nib is just about spot on. I want something like that.

 

Yes the Pelikan seem steeply priced to me but look nice.

 

@Creacent2 no you are not a felon lol. I just have beef with Amazon over their employment practices and working conditions in their UK fulfillment centres. They have had a lot of bad publicity here. I am a bit of a left winger but that discussion does not belong here

I just posted a comparison review that included a medium Platinum Bourgogne that might help you.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/316914-comparing-some-medium-nib-pens/?p=3757596

[max dog]

 

 

te

Nice comparison of the two pens. The M200 in blue marble looks gorgeous. I don't have the Platinum, but maybe will try one to see what the hoopla is about. In the Platinum I just see a familiar very nice 14K nibbed, but generic looking pen (montblanc/sheaffer inspired). The appeal in the Pelikan is the entire package from nib to the whole pen that is very unique and original from any other brand.

Edited January 1, 2017 by max dog

[matteob]

Thanks for the comparison. I think the appeal of the Platinum is in its 14k Gold nib (i think the M200 is gold plated) which is hand made and seems to be highly praised. Platinum it is at the moment as aignificantly less money. I am sure a Pelikan will come though.

[Manalto]

I don't have the Platinum, but maybe will try one to see what the hoopla is about.

 

I'm not sure about the others' comments but mine was not meant to convey excitement, much less hoopla. The Platinum is reliable, pleasant to hold, pleasant to use and has a feature that keeps the nib from drying out. It's a good workhorse pen. I suppose I did wax a little poetic about the sun hitting it and revealing its color; it's the one thing about this pen that places it a little above the generic. Uncap your Platinum 3776 and, rest assured, you'll have a dependable writing instrument, but you're not going to hear traffic screeching to a halt.

 

The appeal in the Pelikan is the entire package from nib to the whole pen that is very unique and original from any other brand.

Appeal is subjective, degree of uniqueness (or is it uniquosity?) notwithstanding. I wouldn't presume to tell the OP which pen was more appealing; how could anyone?

The fact that I happen to agree with you in favoring the Pelikan's looks is moot.

Edited January 1, 2017 by Manalto