Which Pilot Is Finer?

[A Smug Dill]

Shortly after the O.P. started this thread, I discovered that Dymocks on George Street in Sydney CBD has the Platinum #3776 tester set display (locked inside a glass cabinet behind the counter), so I asked to try the UEF nib. The next day, a pen specialist store in the same neighbourhood tried to put the sell on me for a Pilot Custom PO nib (as it didn't carry Platinum, but in any case I was actually in store to ask about a Diplomat), and insisted that I test write with one on a Custom 743.

 

Based on that experience, I'd say the Platinum UEF leaves a definitely finer line, without being scratchy as far as I noticed; but a Pilot #15 PO nib as found on a Custom 743 may not be the same as a #10 PO nib on a Custom Heritage 912.

 

...

 

Edit: And now (minutes ago) I have impulsively bought myself a Platinum #3776 Century Bourgogne with a UEF nib! Not my first choice of colour, as I already have one of those, and the price wasn't nearly as low as I could have bought it a while back, but I suppose approximately A$150 is about as low as I can get it for (including shipping and, where collected, tax) these days new from an authorised dealer. :-/

Edited July 14, 2020 by A Smug Dill

[Maurizio]

Shortly after the O.P. started this thread, I discovered that Dymocks on George Street in Sydney CBD has the Platinum #3776 tester set display (locked inside a glass cabinet behind the counter), so I asked to try the UEF nib. The next day, a pen specialist store in the same neighbourhood tried to put the sell on me for a Pilot Custom PO nib (as it didn't carry Platinum, but in any case I was actually in store to ask about a Diplomat), and insisted that I test write with one on a Custom 743.

 

Based on that experience, I'd say the Platinum UEF leaves a definitely finer line, without being scratchy as far as I noticed; but a Pilot #15 PO nib as found on a Custom 743 may not be the same as a #10 PO nib on a Custom Heritage 912.

 

...

 

Edit: And now (minutes ago) I have impulsively bought myself a Platinum #3776 Century Bourgogne with a UEF nib! Not my first choice of colour, as I already have one of those, and the price wasn't nearly as low as I could have bought it a while back, but I suppose approximately A$150 is about as low as I can get it for (including shipping and, where collected, tax) these days new from an authorised dealer. :-/

 

Thanks for the further information Mr. Dill. I really appreciate it, I was getting ready to go for the 912 but you've got me wavering again. I don't have as many Platinums as I do Pilots, and since I know from your active posting here on the network that you have a lot of fountain pens your data carries some weight with me. After Amanda said good things about her Platinum desk pen, I pulled mine out of the drawer, flushed it, re-inked it with Platinum Carbon Black and I now am enjoying its fairly fine line with is comparable to the Platinum Preppy .02 I have but a bit more of a pleasure to use since the long tail of the desk pen gives a bit more controI. So, I think I just may go for the Platinum UEF; this will also be a little less dear than a Custom 912. I used to have a Custom 912 with a stub nib; I liked the size and shape of the pen, but the nib didn't do much for me and I sold it. I've never had a 3776 so, that's another factor leaning me in favor of the UEF.

[A Smug Dill]

I think I just may go for the Platinum UEF; this will also be a little less dear than a Custom 912. I used to have a Custom 912 with a stub nib; I liked the size and shape of the pen,

 

To be honest, I like the shape and feel of the ('basic', plain black) Pilot Custom Heritage 912 better than I do the Platinum #3776 Century with the clear or translucent AS resin bodies, which are in turn more suited to my tastes than the Pilot Custom 74 (I had two and sold both) and perhaps the Pilot Custom Heritage 91, which are their closest peers in terms of standing in the brands' respective product lines.

 

However, I find the Platinum #3776 line technically better (and 'prettier' due its resin's translucence), with:

• Slip and Seal mechanism specifically marketed as being effective against ink evaporation when capped, and is the exemplar and yardstick against which (I think) all Japanese, Chinese and Western fountain pens would be compared in that regard;
• converter that can be readily and fully disassembled for deep cleaning and then reassembled (note: Sailor's converters, too, but just not Pilot's CON-40, CON-50 and CON-70 converters)
• Ultra Extra Fine as a standard nib option for even its 'basic' models, without charging a premium for it, although Pilot comes close (but, to be fair, Pilot offers Music nibs as a standard option on the C74 while Platinum generally speaking^† doesn't on the #3776C)

and, out of the Japanese 'Big Three', Platinum seemed to calculatedly offer more for price points on the 'budget' end.

 

... comparable to the Platinum Preppy .02 ...

I really don't think the Preppy is typical or representative of Platinum's fountain pens in any way, in terms of nib, ergonomics or construction quality. They have their good points and uses, and I have a few of those pens, but they all sit in a pen cup alongside cheap rollerball and ballpoint pens.

 

So, I think I just may go for the Platinum UEF; this will also be a little less dear than a Custom 912.

Cult Pens in the UK just started its 10% brand-wide discount campaign for Platinum yesterday, and even just a basic Platinum #3776 Century model (with an UEF nib, if you want) qualifies for free international shipping. That's from whom I just bought mine.

 

Update: UEF nib option sold out now for the Platinum #3776 Century Bourgogne.

 

^† I could acquire a Music nib on a Platinum #3776 Century for the same price as other nibs, but that's not how Platinum in Japan and its regional distributors have priced the products.

Edited July 17, 2020 by A Smug Dill

[Maurizio]

Thanks for helping me make a decision. Im going to go for the Platinum UEF. I really like the idea of the slip n seal cap, and although I have and enjoy several nice steel nibs including 2 Pilot Lucinas in fine and medium, and an excellent very fine Pilot Desk Pen, I believe gold nibs, because of their slight but noticeable softness, provide a better writing and drawing experience with subtle line variation.

 

I really enjoy the way my Pilot Elite (F) writes, so I am looking forward to drawing with the Platinum gold nib.

Edited July 15, 2020 by Maurizio