Pelikan M200 Or Platinum 3776?

[langere]

Yes, do get both pens, if you can afford it. They are similar but oh, so different at the same time. One comes from the Japanese tradition and the writing of kanji. The other from Germany and the Teutonic aesthetic, which is a bit squarer and appears more solid.

 

I have both pens and enjoy them both. Really, the main difference are the nibs - keep in mind that the Platinum is a Japanese size so an "M" is a European/U.S. "F." The other difference, other than the shape, is that the Pelikan is a piston filler and keeps on running much longer than the 3776. But if you like changing inks often, the Platinum will be better for you.

 

Erick

[max dog]

 

 

I'm not sure about the others' comments but mine was not meant to convey excitement, much less hoopla.

 

 

Hoopla. Perhaps a poor choice of words. Didn't mean to offend or minimize yours or anyone's else's opinion of the Platinum. If it's nib is anything like the Pilot 14K soft nibs I've experienced, then it is a great value for $76. I've had my M200 for about 7 years, and it finds it's way into rotation more than any other gold nibbed pens I have, so I am very biased when it comes to this pen. See my link "What's your Quintessential pen" on the forum. (note, that video is not mine)

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/291927-whats-your-quintessential-fountain-pen/

 

Maybe the 3776 will be one of my first acquistions in the new year.

Edited January 2, 2017 by max dog

[Manalto]

Hoopla. Perhaps a poor choice of words. Didn't mean to offend or minimize yours or anyone's else's opinion of the Platinum. If it's nib is anything like the Pilot 14K soft nibs I've experienced, then it is a great value for $76.

 

No offense at all; I think it's a very good pen, just not an exciting one.

 

I'm not familiar with the Pilot 14K soft nib, but the Platinum fine hasn't a hint of "softness" to it; it's pretty much a nail, albeit a reliable, smooth one. There may, however, be soft nib options for Platinum that I'm not aware of.

[max dog]

 

No offense at all; I think it's a very good pen, just not an exciting one.

 

I'm not familiar with the Pilot 14K soft nib, but the Platinum fine hasn't a hint of "softness" to it; it's pretty much a nail, albeit a reliable, smooth one. There may, however, be soft nib options for Platinum that I'm not aware of.

The soft pilot nibs for the Custom pens are not available in the US. You would have to get them direct from Japan. I have the soft fine-medium in my Custom 74. I assume the same is true for the Platinum. If get the 3776, I will try a soft extra fine if available as I don't have an extra fine Japanese nib.

[Barkingpig]

I spent some time tonite on the Amazon website looking @ the Platinum 3776 pens, there were a couple of them offered with the "soft fine," others with "fine, extra fine & one with Ultra extra fine," these last three did not mention the "soft" option, as the others did. Many were however available with PRIME shipping options.

[owend]

I have both and they're both good. The M200 is about 1mm longer uncapped but surprisingly feels the larger; I use both unposted and they're both a good feel (I have slightly larger-then-average size hands I think!).

 

The M200 in Fine is the same line width as the 3776 in Medium. The black 3776 subjectively looks more formal and the 14K nib is lovely to look at. The M200's gold-plated steel nib looks cheap by comparison but writes beautifully. Both write immediately after being left for up to a couple of weeks.

 

Bottom line: I'd be hard-pressed to choose, but probably the 3776, mainly on looks. Prices at present in UK are around £109 for the 3776, £86 (black) or £100 (green) for the M200 all at Cult Pens. Either should give years of pleasure; sorry not to be definite either way, you still have a choice dilemma!

[Highbinder]

 

No offense at all; I think it's a very good pen, just not an exciting one.

 

I'm not familiar with the Pilot 14K soft nib, but the Platinum fine hasn't a hint of "softness" to it; it's pretty much a nail, albeit a reliable, smooth one. There may, however, be soft nib options for Platinum that I'm not aware of.

 

Contrary to my experience. My 3776 fine nib is soft enough to give me 'bounce' or 'spring' in writing which is exactly the characteristic I enjoy about it. There is no line variation, it is not soft in that sense, as it is not the tines splaying that gives the softness but rather the whole nib flexing.

 

It is much softer than any modern Pelikan I've tried, but also harder than a vintage Pelikan 140 which is a standard 'semi-flex' pen.

 

I spent some time tonite on the Amazon website looking @ the Platinum 3776 pens, there were a couple of them offered with the "soft fine," others with "fine, extra fine & one with Ultra extra fine," these last three did not mention the "soft" option, as the others did. Many were however available with PRIME shipping options.

 

The soft variations are not available on the rhodium trimmed pens, only the gold. A pity really.

[matteob]

Pulled the trigger on a 3776 Burgogne medium for £60 on J-subculture. I like a medium to fine nib so think this is the correct choice. Do people use Platinum ink in theirs though? I know Platinum guarantee its safety with their sealed cap but I heard that it is a very high maintenance ink that can ruin pens. It comes with a disclaimer on Cult Pens.

[cattar]

Have used Platinum pigment inks in my modern pens for years.

Currently, have had one pen inked continuously with Platinum for 8 months, Refill the cartridge. Write about .5 ml of ink with this pen most weeks.

[crescent2]

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

 

Excellent well written reviews. Check that link out if you haven't...

 

 

 

Matteob:

Re using Platinum inks, I haven't used any yet. I've looked at their Pigmented Sepia, but I'm a bit leery of pigmented inks so will pass that one up. I'm not saying it would cause a problem, however. I've used several Diamine and Iroshizukus in my 3776, but usually use either Levenger Cobalt Blue or Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue in it, because these are beautiful vivid blues and the Chartres Blue pen is a beautiful blue.

Edited January 5, 2017 by crescent2

[Runnin_Ute]

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

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/Runnin_Ute/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-01/7e4c03d9-f162-4883-bfcf-88b0819b819f_zpsus98fi7z.jpg

 

Paper: Clarefontaine Triomphe

Pen: Platinum 3776 Century bourgogne - B

Ink: Levenger Pomegranate

[jar]

Pulled the trigger on a 3776 Burgogne medium for £60 on J-subculture. I like a medium to fine nib so think this is the correct choice. Do people use Platinum ink in theirs though? I know Platinum guarantee its safety with their sealed cap but I heard that it is a very high maintenance ink that can ruin pens. It comes with a disclaimer on Cult Pens.

Platinum has two lines of ink, one dye based and the other pigmented. As with all pigmented inks you do run the risk of sediment build up if you don't use the pen regularly but that should not be a problem. The worst case would be you'd need to do an extended cleaning.