Everything You Need to Know About the Platinum #3776 Century
Two of the unique nibs on the #3776 Century are the coarse nib (front) and music nib (back). Each will give slight line variation, and they write very wet and smooth!
If you were to ask a collector of fountain pens which pens everyone needs to have at least once in their collection, you’d likely come across the Platinum #3776 Century relatively quickly. Whether it’s due to its smooth writing experience, affordability for a gold-nib pen, or its nib and colour options, the #3776 is a beloved choice for the transition into luxury pens.
One of the most popular pens from Platinum, the #3776 Century is one of the best first gold-nib pens. The #3776 has a 14 karat gold nib, and it is one of very few models on the market to have a gold nib for under $250 CAD. The difference between a steel nib and a gold nib is all in the feel: gold is springier, so it has a lighter, smoother feel on the paper.
On the #3776 in particular, there is a bit of feedback on the pen, but it is only scratchy if you’re choosing an ultra-extra-fine or extra-fine nib. Like most Japanese brands, Platinum nibs will write quite fine compared to European nibs you might be used to. For instance, a fine Lamy nib is a similar width to a Platinum medium nib. Luckily, no matter which nib width you like, there is a #3776 choice for you:
Writing samples using the coarse and music nibs. On the left is the colour Bourgogne and on the right is the 2019 limited edition Carnellian.
Ultra-extra-fine (UEF): For the thinnest of lines, only the ultra-extra-fine nib will do! If you’ve heard of a needlepoint nib, this is a great example, as fountain pen nibs don’t come finer than this!
Extra-fine (EF): An extra-fine nib is just slightly wider than the ultra-extra-fine, and it is great for details and writing in small spaces. It’s also one of the better nibs for writing on lower-quality paper because it doesn’t use a lot of ink.
Fine (F): Perfect for everyday writing, the fine nib is one of the most popular options in the #3776. If you have small-to-average handwriting but still want your nib to be smooth, a fine is a good option for you.
Soft-Fine (SF): The soft-fine nib is just what it sounds like — if you write normally, the pen will write exactly like the fine, but you can also apply some pressure to get line variation! For a calligraphy fountain pen, this is one of the best options in the store.
Medium (M): Best for average-sized writing, a medium nib in the #3776 is still relatively fine. However, it is broad enough to accommodate larger handwriting and a bit more ink on the page.
Broad (B): If your writing is a little on the large side or you like seeing the properties of your ink in everyday writing, broad is the best choice for you. Unlike broad nibs in some other brands, the broad nib on the #3776 doesn’t pool ink on the page. That means the ink will dry faster, making it a great nib for quick notes!
Coarse (C): Also sometimes referred to as a chiseled nib, the C nib has a wide line that has some line variation depending on the angle you hold the pen! Hold it straight up for a thinner line or very close to the paper for a very thick line. This option is excellent for writing with personality, like headers and envelopes.
Music (MU): The music nib is a unique variety from the Platinum #3776 because it has three tines instead of two! Designed for the demands of writing music notes, it also adds flair to any kind of handwriting. This nib lays down so much ink that you’ll definitely need high-quality paper, but it is one of the smoothest nibs in the store.
No matter the nib size, no matter the colour, the #3776 Century has a model for you! Pictured from top to bottom are Nice, Chartres Blue, and Bourgogne.
Like most Platinum pens, the #3776 Century has the “slip and seal” mechanism that prevents the pen from drying out. Because there is a little pressure on the nib when it is capped, Platinum boasts that the ink won’t dry up in the pen even if it hasn’t been used for a whole year! Even if you have a bunch of pens in your collection that you don’t use every day, the #3776 will be ready to write whenever you are.
The pen takes a proprietary cartridge or converter, which are sold separately. The bodies of most of the pens are made from resin, and the trim on the cap and the clip will match the colour of the nib. The #3776 comes in five regular edition colours in Canada, and each colour is available in every nib size. Bourgogne, Laurel Green, and Chartres Blue are translucent, meaning that you can see the inner mechanisms of the pen if you look closely. The remaining two, Chenonceau White and Black, have opaque bodies. All of the regular edition colours in this line have gold trim, including gold coloured nibs and clips.
If you’re looking for something unique, there are also several other lines of the #3776 Century! If you love colour, check out the gorgeous colours on the Celluloid collection. As the name suggests, the bodies of these pens are made with celluloid and have unique colours like Calico and Sakura. If you enjoy more texture on your pen, you may also enjoy the Nice (with rose gold trim) or the Nice Pur (with rhodium trim).
Finally, the #3776 Century also has new limited edition releases every year! In 2020, Platinum released the Shiun, the 4th release in the "Fuji Shunkei" collection, a gorgeous purple with a textured, translucent body. We also still have limited availability of the 2019 North American exclusive Carnellian, a translucent, shimmering red.
Do you have a Platinum #3776 Century? What’s your experience? Let us know in the comments!