The Fountain #012 - Review of the Platinum #3776 Century Fountain Pen
Pen: Platinum #3776 Century
Colour: Chartres Blue
Nib: Rhodium Fine
Ink: Platinum Blue Black Ink cartridge
Paper: MD Midori, Clairefontaine
I finally took the plunge and bought myself a Platinum #3776 Century fountain pen in Chartres Blue colour and Fine Rhodium nib.
I love the look and feel of the pen. You can definitely see the quality.
It came with an ink cartridge and I bought a cartridge converter.
On first use, you can immediately feel the difference to the Pilot Metropolitan steel nib. The Platinum gives a lot more feedback. Some people love this. I’m undecided.
Using my MD Midori notebook for this test, you can feel and hear the “scratchiness” of the 3776. It is much stiffer on this paper. I do not like this combination of pen and paper.
After posting about this on Reddit (r/fountainpens) some people confirmed that the 3776 is, indeed, stiffer and scratchier. But they also had some suggestions.
Use a wetter ink, was one suggestion. To this end, I have purchased some of the suggested Pilot Iroshizuku inks to give that a go. I have yet to broach inks, but this is as good a time as any 🙂
Trying different paper also. I have a Clairefontaine notebook, and the 3776 is slightly smoother on that paper. I was a little relieved. I can work with this.
So, it could simply be a situation of finding the right ink and paper to use with this pen for the best experience. And I am perfectly fine with that!
One person had the same experience as myself and took a nail file to the nib, in an effort to smooth it out a little 😳 Suffice to say that the thought of doing this raises my anxiety levels! I’ll leave it to others…for now.
Yet another person expressed disappointment and has sent his pen to a nibmeister. I am following with interest to see the results of this.
Overall, I am impressed with the quality and finish of the pen. I’m am slightly disappointed that it didn’t just work for me “out of the box”, like the Pilot Metro did. But I know this is not how fountain pens work.
Ink. Paper. Nib size and material. These all matter to the experience of using a fountain pen and enjoying it.
This experience has not deterred me.
Until next time.
P.S.
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