Which One??? 🤷🏽‍♀️ Pilot Custom 74 F nib vs Platinum 3776 Century M nib

👀 Look at these beauties!!! Which one would you pick? The Pilot Custom 74 or the Platinum 3776 Century?
#fountainpen #pilot #platinum #review

[@WallImages]

Nice comparison, and thanks! The 3776 nib looks beautiful, but size isn't everything as your husband discovered with this pen. My experience with the 3776 out of the box was similar (I've had 3), and every one (SF) has been scratchy, misaligned and overly wet. It took me some fiddling to get them right, and I'm now really happy with them (in different bodies, the Platinum body is not a good one for me). However, Pilot: out of the box is awesome. Beautiful nib for drawing (in SF), great flow (neither too much or too little), and nice line variation for sketching. Go for the small awesome nib rather than the big, beautiful but somewhat dysfunctional 3776 (OOTB).

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Hahaha! Your comment made me laugh! I will let him know that he’s not the only one who had to mess with the nib. The great part is that he got so tired of it, he passed it over to me and this thing is my EDC! 💕 I totally agree with you on the Pilot body. It feels like better acrylic than the Platinum for sure! I’m always happy to meet new Pilot friends. I lean towards those every time I’m considering a purchase! Can’t help it!

[@impish22]

so after experiencing both.. I ended up selling the Pilot Custom 74 and keeping the Platinum. I have discovered that the Platinum nibs are my absolute favorites in Medium or Broad. I had bad luck with the Pilot 74. But I do love my Pilot Custom 823, which is heads and tales better than the 74 in my opinion.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@impish22 oh wow! That’s really good to know! Interesting how each pen has a different personality and you really have to get similar nibs to be able to compare. I’ve been keeping a record and it’s showing me which ones I ink more than others. I agree with you on that awesome 823. I’d buy it again if I ever (gasp!) lost it! Which one (platinum or 823) would get replaced by you?

[@impish22]

@@KitchenCounterCrafts I have to have them both !!!

[@darlamaple6319]

Right now I have the white and the chai latte in the shape of hearts, and the grey and cream, the tortoise and the stone. Love them all!

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Ohhh!!!! I would love to see them in person! I love drinking chai, so the chai latte was right up my alley (but not my budget). I also love the addition of the ♥️ I bet they are lovely to look at! Are they all different nib sizes?

[@darlamaple6319]

@@KitchenCounterCrafts I go for the fine and extra fine nibs. I know what you mean about the budget! I blew the budget and have to stop shopping for more platinums. I'm going to my first pen show in July (PNW pen show in Portland). Plan on seeing all the other pens on my wish list and not in the budget :). It is fun to dream.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@darlamaple6319 oh! Fun!!!!!! A tip- take cash. 1) helps you “technically “ stay in budget 2) helps vendors not pay a credit card charge & most pass on the savings to you 3) some vendors only take cash! I said “technically “ because I spent my cash and then saw something I had to have! 😂

[@darlamaple6319]

@@KitchenCounterCrafts Thank you for the good advice. I am saving right now, and trying to make a list, but I know there will be temptations that I didn't even know existed. Thank you for your wonderful videos and I appreciate the tips!

[@darlamaple6319]

I guess I've been very lucky - no issues with the 4 platinum 3776 pens and love my pilot pens as well. All great writers. I do prefer a finer nib (EF or F)

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Ooooh… what colors for your platinum collection???

[@KaiPetro]

9:00 cap threads should ideally be calculated by opening rather than closing the cap.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@KaiPetro thank you! That’s a good point! I love doing the opposite 🙃

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@KaiPetro so… which one would you pick? Do you have either or both?

[@Nils0scar]

I have both. I reach for the Platinum. My Platinum also make clicking sounds.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Oh!!! Thank you so much for letting me know about that clicking sound! I read where someone put a little piece of tissue or something to stop that, but it's okay for me. What size nibs do you have on both? Why do you think you reach for the Platinum over the 74? Also, were they both smooth out of the box? I have SO MANY questions for you!!! 😊Thank you, pen-friend!

[@Nils0scar]

Medium on both. The Platinum writes finer. Both works very well. No tuning needed. It might just depend on the ink choice why I mostly go for the 3776 . I have tape inside my President. It's quiet now. I'll let the 3776 click as much as it likes.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@Nils0scar aha! Tape!!! That’s a good idea! Thank you for letting me know. I loooovvvveee my Platinum ! However, I did realize that I was rattling it during a meeting (I hope others didn’t notice!)!!

[@greekveteran2715]

I got a 28$ Kaweco Sport and to my big surprise,the precision and control I got out of its nib,was on very high levels. So I thought,that you don't have to pay 200,300 or even way more that some pay,to get great performance and looks,out of a pen! Well,I was wrong.After less than a week,the pen begun hard starts and skipping... Did a research and it is a known issue,with many Sport f.pens. I got rid of it and now I don't know what to get. Get a new Sport,hoping it will not come with the same issue? Any suggestions for under 60euro pens ? Id really appreciate it

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

I’m sorry that you had issues with your pen! First, did you use a cartridge or eye dropper? If the ink is less than 1:2 full, it might skip. Try filling it up and see if that helps. For a recommendation, I would try the Pilot metropolitan. It’s an amazing pen and a great writer. Another would be a TWSBI. I keep mine in my purse and write with it all the time. If you’re okay with a pencil thin pen, the Diplomat Traveler is AMAZING! I have videos on all these- please let me know if you have questions about them. I’m so happy to help! I don’t think you have to spend much to have a lovely, reliable fountain pen!😍

[@anguswhite8233]

my preferred nib size is no.6 so very happy with my Platinum 3776’s but use a Pilot custom heritage 912 which has Pilot’s no.10 nib which is similar in size also like the feel of my Sailor pro gear: if you like feedback, you’ll love this!; my Pilot custom 74 has not been in my rotation for quite some time, there’s nothing wrong with it I’ve just honed in on the pens that work well for me!; if I was stuck on a desert island and allowed only one pen/ink/paper, I would choose my lovely Platinum 3776 EF inked with Diamine imperial blue writing in my passport sized traveler’s notebook using a tomoe river insert with a grid underneath:)

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Oh wow!!! I do love me some feedback!!! Thank you for letting me know about the Sailor Pro Gear. I have shied away from them due to their smaller propriety converter sizes. I find that many have a love/hate with Sailor. I only have a Sailor Compass 1911 and I love the way that $30 pen writes, so I am sure the more expensive ones with gold nibs are great. I appreciate you letting me know about the desert island though... how lovely to be stranded with your Platinum 3776! 🌴✒💖 Speaking of blue inks, have you tried Diamine's Blue Velvet or Denim? I own both and I LOVE them both!!! What other ink is your go-to (or fav)?

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

By the way, @sajjadhusain4146 has already got me focused on the Pilot Custom Heritage 912! What nib do you have on it and what do you think about it? How long have you had it?

[@anguswhite8233]

@@KitchenCounterCrafts I’ve got small handwriting so most of my nibs including the one on my 912 are EF which I love with my ink which is Montblanc ultramarine (a dark violet:)

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@anguswhite8233 I used to write with a mechanical pencil when I was in High School and then college - so when I first started, I loved (and still love) the F nib. EFs seem to make the ink color disappear for me, so then I tried a M and fell in love with the way they emphasized the color. It's such a personal preference, along with trial and error, isn't it? Montblanc ultramarine must be gorgeous though - even with a EF nib! Thank you for sharing, I really appreciate your views.

[@anguswhite8233]

@@KitchenCounterCrafts have just picked up a 30ml bottle of Prussian blue which is another Diamine ink which may be quite similar to Denim, other favourite blues would have to include J Herbin éclat de saphir, S T DuPont’s royal blue and plain old Lamy blue - don’t get me started on blue/blacks!:)

[@impish22]

great comparison, still deciding. How do you feel they compare in quality?

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

My opinion is that they feel the same! My husband said that the Platinum felt like cheap plastic. I don’t think it does. They weigh about the same as well! That probably doesn’t help you!😍 Go with whichever one has the best colors!

[@FadiBakir]

Not sure why the price is up there, they stopped making them as I understand, and it could be treated as a collector's item. it has nice NS emblem, on top of the cap, stands for north south and if I recall that a sailor who developed pilot pens. still debating to purchase medium nib.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@FadiBakir I’m learning so much from you! Thank you so much! It’s funny about Pilot being founded by a sailor- it should have been an airline pilot! 😂 NS makes sense now (for North South). I’m not able to help you with the medium nib! All I can say is that I love the Pilot Fine. Seems to be consistent pen to pen with them. Do you have any F pens from Pilot already?

[@sajjadhusain4146]

Hi, again! This particular pair of pens has always been almost an automatic choice for a direct comparison. Many others have compared these two before, in video reviews and blogs. So, I’m just happy to see you do your own take on the duo you own. I like the C74, but I never bought one because, frankly, there are other Pilot pens I just like much more. The flat ended, piston-filling, similarly priced (with the same nib) PCH 92, for example. Or the c-c filling PCH 91. That said, the C74 is very well-made as you’d expect from any Pilot pen. Excellent, reliable writer - and even after the recent price hike of Pilot pens, still fairly affordably priced for what it offers. I just wish the tiny nib was a little bigger and a little less ‘squishy’ in its otherwise pleasant springy softness. The section is also somewhat ‘off’ for me somehow. But the C74 remains a strongly recommended ‘entry-level’ gold nib pen of proven quality and value on price. I much prefer the Platinum 3776 to the C74. I own five 3776s, in five different nib sizes, as you already know. First, I like the overall design aesthetics, both capped and uncapped, of the 3776 a lot more than the rather bland, rounded, straight, long cylindrical shape and silhouette of the C74. I also like and prefer the resin 3776’s much darker translucent colors more than the many I’ve seen of the C74. Most importantly, I like the look and feel of the 3776 nib a lot more. It is stiff, but still has a slight give to it. The feedback is distinct but very pleasant and satisfying which I’ve always really loved. Unlike the softness of the 74’s nib, the stiffness and feedback of the 3776 nib lends a certain lovely precision and control over the writing experience that I really dig. It is an acquired taste, perhaps. I have it. The 3776, as you already said, comes in a dizzying variety of color/finish offerings - and nib size options. At such a similar price point for the pens, I’d buy another resin 3776 before I buy a C74. If you had the Laurel Green 3776, it would be an even closer comparison with the Forest Green 74 you have here. And I plead mea culpa for tempting and goading you to just go for a 3776 with a Music nib. 😋😀

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Hahaha! Totally your fault! I told you that my “want” list is growing… ugh! So I’ve been looking at the gorgeous Nice Lavande because I love purple- but seriously… how could I justify the extra $100? The Bourgogne and the Chartres blue are rather fetching (& made even more attractive by the lower price than the limited editions)! If (when?) I get one, it will be the music! 🎶 So what other pens do you think compare with these 2? Any suggestions for me on comparisons? I don’t have the apples to apples here but I do love to use these as daily writers. I agree with you on the smaller nib on the Pilot 74 - still that scrollwork is beautiful! What's interesting about the resin is that my husband thinks that the 3776 was feeling lighter and less impressive than the Pilot C74. I cannot tell the difference and when I looked at the specs for both, they are quite similar. I think you are right, it is a matter of personal preference. That makes it so much harder to purchase pens without touching them first! 😞 Music Nib: So now I need to know... I was thinking about the CH912 with a Music nib. Would you say that the Platinum 3776 Music would be the way to go? I know you are not sorry for the power of suggestion on pens! Hahaha!😁Us "pen people" have that issue... you see something and then you get stuck on it. I have a few of those "somethings" going on. BUT I get to go to a Pen Show soon! So excited to see what's in store!

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@KitchenCounterCrafts ..I’m gladly guilty of sending you on your own pen wish-list/buying decision trips. 😀 Like I said, Pilot’s CH 91 and 92 both are obvious good alternative options to these two pens (i.e. the C74 and the 3776). Platinum has the President model (now only available in Japan, or say, eBay). It is a solid, well-made pen in limited color options but has a wonderful 18k gold nib - and is comparably priced to the 74 and the 3776. Sailor has the PG Slim and the 1911S that are directly comparable in size, other attributes and price. Pelikan’s M200/205 with the steel nib or the M400/405 with the gold nib are viable options, too. You mentioned the Lamy 2000, which is an automatic and excellent alternative. I have three 2ks with M, B and BB nibs. I love my PCH 912 with the Waverley nib. There’s got to be more if I think hard. I have tried several different Music nibs by different brands. If pressed to have only one, I honestly believe I love Platinum’s one best, overall. So, for what it’s worth, I’d pick the Music nib on the 3776. And oh, you’re right the Bourgogne and Chatres Blue are both so great (I have both), that it’s hard to easily justify paying a lot more extra for the even fancier (limited edition) releases, as mightily seductive as they sometimes are. I held off buying the Laurel Green and saved up to buy the two beautiful celluloid 3776s instead. And lastly, I gave in and bought the 10th Anniversary 3776 (very expensive) with a lovely new-look nib that writes even better than it looks, luckily. edit: for the record, in my experience, the other gold music nibs worth considering are by Sailor, Pilot, Franklin-Christoph, and Taccia.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Hey Sajjad, @awaken77 said they have the 742. Do you have one of those (I'm guessing, "yes."). If so, what are your thoughts on the 742 vs the 912. I went online to a forum where they had a chart, so it's larger in body and nib size but what about the way it writes? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@KitchenCounterCrafts ..Hi, Mona..I don’t own the 742 but know all about it. It is the smaller, slightly thinner version of the excellent 743. The 742 has Pilot’s size 10 nib. It’s the identical nib you’d find on the 912, only difference is that the 742’s gold nib is gold colored, while the 912’s is always rhodium plated. The 742 has round ends to the flat tops of the 912. Both are c/c fillers. Both models offer various cool nib size options, including the popular FA nib. The 742 is usually cheaper than the 912. If I had to choose only one, and anybody really ought to buy only one of these two owing to all the similarities, I’d pick the 912. It just looks and feels in hand much nicer. And somehow seems to write a little better. In my biased eyes, of course. Worth the extra dollars methinks. 🙂 edit: I should add that both pens are priced the same in Japan, and predictably, much cheaper than in the U.S.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@sajjadhusain4146 wow! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge about this! I’m going to agree with you since I tried by hand each 912 nib! For the 742, the rounded top is appealing as is the larger nib. However, review after review said that the FA is better on the 912. Knowing how wonderful Pilot is, I’m going to bet it’s a very slight difference!

[@fadibakir9265]

I have the platinum ultra extra fine, its great for technical writing but nit for singing documents. I am motivated to get the pilot NS, steel nib and as everyone saying its starts great from the box, but the price is only thing stopping me, as for the sane price I could get the custom 74 with gold nib. Thank you for sharing

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@fadibakir9265 Thank you for watching and for sharing! I have never heard of the Pilot NS and I’m a Pilot girl!!! Wow! You’re right… the price doesn’t make sense to me for a steel nib? Curious… Do you know why it’s priced almost at the Custom 74?

[@HADESPAYLOAD]

Take a look at Pilot #10 nibs have the PO nib. C742 and CH912. I love PO's and the platinum UEF for thin consistent lines. Posting nibs write smooth and on poor paper which makes is a great note taker for use small writers. They were historically designed for post cards. I am not aware of the #5 nibs having the full range of pilot nib options. That UEF is noisy but mine is not scratchy try a another ink it may lubricate you experience more. UEF Ive used Diamine Green/black and Taccia Ubi to good effect. Ink to pen to paper each plays a role. If work paper is poor maybe a PO nib solves it.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@HADESPAYLOAD you’re speaking my language! I tried that PO nib last year at the Dallas Pen Show and I have been thinking about it since then! I thought it was going to be miserably small, but nothing about Pilot is miserable! It was so great! I haven’t tried the Platinum UEF- I bet it’s worth looking at. I’m several years into this hobby and I still love my F and EF nibs! 😍 Have you tried the EF Flex from Franklin Christoph? I have a video on it and have been using it for my sketches since I got it (well, stole it from my husband!)! So what pen/nib is your favorite?

[@HADESPAYLOAD]

@@KitchenCounterCrafts I really only use a flex on my 912FA it has a 2 slit ebonite feed that helps with railroading. FA and stubs are my play nibs and can make practice more fun. Most pens of mine are F-UEF/PO which I find almost identical but have not inked each with the same ink yet to give a real test. The PO has no line variation if you press harder it just gets darker similar to a UEF Platinum. I dont have a favorite but The F c823 does write wet and fine and I enjoy that where usually I like them dry. My PG 21k bitone I love the feel and sound of the pencil but its a bit short for my hand unposted. The platinum UEF mine writes very well little feedback but louder than the sailor for noise about double. Ive bought the PO nib on the ch912 and the c742 I enjoy it that much and it is great to put a red/magenta ink in for markups of my notes. Vermilion c urushi 845 or the 743 is on my radar but I cant justify that cost of the 845 vs filling out my 742 and 912 I want to have most of the nib options. Im stopping buying for now as I bought 8 gold nib pilots and 2 sailors and 1 platinum among other steel nibs in the last 10 months. I really got into the hobby then watching jetpen videos for my gelpen love. Have had a Metro and penmanship for for 10+yrs and jetpens made me look at fountain pens again. In 10 months I walk up the price ladder TWSBI/Pilot Steel->e95s->ch92->ch912+c743->823s + Sailors and Platinums. Im now going to just write a lot.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@HADESPAYLOAD That sneaky Jetpens! :) Hahaha! My husband was all into their gel pens because they are pretty special, until they kept running out and he had to keep purchasing because he writes so much for his work. I kept telling him to try my fountain pens and he was not interested UNTIL he started writing with one and now he's just as crazy as me! 😁 So you bought 8 gold nib Pilots in the last 10 months??? LOVE THAT (of course, unless you are getting into debt). I have asked to not get flowers or something like that for Mother's Day, birthday or Christmas, but pens and inks! It sounds like you have an amazing collection and if you use them, then hey, that's what this is all about! I love my pens and I am not ashamed at having them - I use them all the time for everything and at least 2-3 pens live in my purse as well. So glad to have met you - this is when it's tough to do this virtually because I'd love to see your Pilot pens and just meet up with people to do some journaling or writing, sketching, etc. Are you in the US?

[@impish22]

Did you have any trouble with the gold plating rubbing off on the 3776?

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

No, not at all- what’s going on with your pen? Is it a black one like mine?

[@impish22]

I want to buy the burgundy one with gold trim, but there were a couple videos on youtube that showed that the gold plating on the clip had rubbed off. So I was wondering if this was common or maybe they just got a bad pen. I'm usually pretty careful with my pens and don't use any chemicals. So I was wondering if you had any indication of issues with the goldplating.. thanks

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

@@impish22 none that I can see. My husband had it for a year before he gave it to me and I’ve been using it almost daily (it lives on my desk). No changes to the gold finish on clip or band that I can see. I also don’t use chemicals- just some warm water and a drop of dawn soap

[@impish22]

I appreciate the help. thank you. They look like great pens and I do enjoy a bit of feedback with the nib experience

[@awaken77]

I like 3776 slightly more, because wetter flow, more body color choice, and more traditional converter. My Pilot 742 has CON-70 converter, which is awkward to use (although it has larger ink capacity than Platinum 3776 converter). But generally these pens are in similar class, and both are great writers. p.s. I have Pilot Custom 742, not 74, which is similar but slightly bigger body, nib is bigger too (#10 vs #5)

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Thank you so much for your reply! I’m not familiar with the 742. Just the 823, 74 (which I did reviews on) and I still want the CH 912. I’m really loving my 3776. I think it’s the wonderful (slight) feedback that makes me happy. I did not think I would like it so much but it’s a pleasure to write with. I also agree with the wetter flow than the Pilots. What nib sizes do you have for both? Also, in your collection, which pen do you reach for most often (not just Pilot or platinum- I’m just curious)?

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Ugh! Now I’m looking at the 742’s and I like the body shape better than the 912!!! Do you have a 912 also? Just curious if you can compare 912 vs 742

[@sushanart]

😇🩷🙏🙌

[@AkkshayMarkandayan]

The Platinum is a disgrace. It tears the paper every time I pen down.

[@KitchenCounterCrafts]

Oh no!!! Do you live close to a nib smith? Sounds like the times might not be aligned. I have the same problem with my Parker 51. It will tear paper so I’m sending it to a nib smith here in the US

[@tbayless8324]

My Jinhao 9019 is cuter and cheaper. And bigger. LOL!!! Nice Video.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

The Platinum 3776 is much pricier, yes, but has a great gold nib and just prettier, classier, and meant for keeps. 🙂

[@tbayless8324]

@@sajjadhusain4146 it looked like it wrote better. But it did have a medium nib on it. And you do have to consider what ink she is using! How are you Sajjad?

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@tbayless8324 ..Hi, I’m doing alright. Nice to see you show up here again. Hope you’re also healthy and happy. The medium on the 3776 is just a great nib for all purposes. It obviously had the edge on the 74’s fine nib. But then she had generally wet, free-flowing Iroshizuku inks in both pens. So, I think that somewhat compensated for the difference in nib size points. My earlier comment was in response to your own about the new Jinhao 9019 that everybody seems to be reviewing and raving about lately. I just think save up and buy a choice 3776 instead. 🙂

[@Heidejournal]

The Pilot Custom 74 was my first Pilot with a gold nib - I just love the turquoise color of it. I since swapped the fine nib for a medium nib from a Custom 91 I got second hand and I like that more. I have 3 Platinum 3776, a soft fine nib on the burgundy one, a medium nib on the Nice Lilas and a broad nib on a blue one. I like them, but I like my Pilot pens more. The nibs on the 3776 are very stiff and only the medium on the Nice Lilas is really enjoyable for me.

[@tbayless8324]

Sajjad, I will get there one day. Maybe on sale if they go on sale. You still think Kaweco would be a good buy? I think you suggested earlier. I did buy the Prera and a Kukano. they were cheap and you can swap nibs. Jet pens has alot of variety. What about flex nibs? I think I need to go hit the Dallas Pen show next month. ???? My name is Tracie...Sajjad. @@sajjadhusain4146