Yes it looks like a popular piston fill pen. Shares some design elements, adds some new ones. An excellent value. Writes well, made well, easy to service. A trifecta.
Now own 9 of the 3059. Exchanged the nibs with medium Lamy style nibs, which I got from Bobby. Absolutely enjoy writing with my Lanbitou 3059s. Easy to take apart to clean and to regrease the piston. I have found them to provide me with nice ink flow. Despite what pens I have inked, I always have a Lanbitou 3059 included in the roster. Only my last two 3059s cost me $9+ each. All my earlier 3059s cost me $3.49-$4.29. The first seven I have had for 2-3 yrs, and have not experienced any cracks in the barrels.
Current price of the Eco is $31-50. Cost of the Lanbitou $2.50-$3.00/pen or $10.99 for a pack of four. For the cost difference the TWSBI Eco better be a better made pen. I can see the Lanbitou for a college student who is on a tight budget, or for a young person just learning to write with fountain pens. Like you said Chris, each pen has its place. I have two TWSBI Ecos and one TWSBI Mini with 1.1 stub nibs. Some have complained that the Eco has developed cracks. So far I have not had that problem; and for the cost, if I did experience cracks, I would not be very happy. Chris I made a comment on FPN that I had to stop watching your videos to keep from going broke and hungry. Your videos are so encouraging, and full of valuable information. (smile)
My580 had cracks, I emailed TWSBI & had replacement parts in a few days. That is one thing the extra money gets you. I enjoy my ECO & my 3059s. The green one has been a good writer since I sealed the cap. You are spot on in comparing these two pens. Glad you like my videos.
The screw comes out and the clip comes out - I noticed the clip's slot is enough of an air gap for mine to dry out. I added a dab of bathroom sealant to the slot from inside the cap with a Q tip and then reassembled, has fixed the problem. The section has an O ring for the cap to seal against, so it doesn't (once you seal that little air gap) need the inner seal like the TWSBI does. Also like the O ring for the cap to securely post on. I agree that the 3008 is the nicer feeling pen. I just don't like that the cap posts and turns the piston, and I like that the piston knob on the 3059 clicks once you fill it completely. I'm not sure you were twisting the knob completely on the 3059, but it has a snap that prevents the piston from turning. the 3008 also doesn't dry out at all.
I just received one of these pens from a viewer - and I am happy to be able to learn more about this pen by watching your video Chris! I see you have a revisit video on it too. Very helpful!!!!
Recently got my 3059 and I think its an alright pen but the triangular grip isn't comfortable at all. I don't like the lamy style grip but the lamy grip only has 2 cut outs, this has 3 and it isn't all that ergonomic :(
I'm waiting the eternity for mine to get shipped and I cant wait for it to get here. I must say I don't understand why it carries such a premium. it was $18, while the wing sung 3008 which is also a piston filler but a lamy nib (instead of a pilot nib) was only $4
Today it is three, I just put a broad Lamy nib in the 3059 with Sublime ink & it's wonderful. I am enjoying my 618s & 3008s. Tomorrow it maybe different. Like the song, "Love the one you're with".
I finally bought my first fountain pens. The same 4 in the thumbnail. I figured I’d start out with this then if I like it I’ll get a LAMY Safari & a aTWSBI ECO. I’ve been watching Fountain pen videos on and off for about 6 months now lol In your opinion what’s better for a beginner... the 3008 or the Lanbitou TWSBI Clone?
Wow. It's getting to be like a day without sunshine without a review from Chris. I guess Chinese pens are like Chinese food. An hour or so later, you're hungry for more. I thought the Wing Sung 3008 was being sold for a crazy low price. The Lanbitou 3059 is downright insane. Is there such a difference in quality that explains the difference in price? BTW. Love that red ink.
I have three of them. They also come with the EF hooded nib... which I feel writes superbly. I'm not sure if you realize the "click" which locks the piston after you turn the the knob till the end to prevent over-turning the knob.
My clear ones click, which I really like. I was going to ask if the colored ones did too. I wonder why the difference? Maybe the clear ones are a newer batch that has this feature added?
I have the clear one, as well as one black and another white. They all have the screw lock (the click) feature. The seller told me that the feature was added after the first batch was produced. So it depends on the seller (on Alibaba). Some sellers have a mix of both the old and new pens and they ship at random.
Have you tried swapping with a Lamy branded nib, and we're there any issues with the swap? I would be interested in buying it if they were cross compatible.
I can swap them, just did. The Lanbitou is slighly less wide than a Lamy nib. A gently squeeze on the Lamy nib & it fits snub on Lanbitou feed. The Lanbitou nib is a tight fit on the Lamy feed but can be put on.
I only use ammonia to flush nib & feed. Do not use on metal pens as ammonia may attack coatings. Best to remove nib & feed & clean with an ammonia/soap solution.
finally!somebody did review on this great pen.Hera is something i want to say about this pen :1.it has a demonstrate version which i really enjoyed a lot 2.usually it comes with rhe Fine Nib which it's okay but it's kind of dry ,you can purchase some Lanbitou M nibs on TaoBao for maybe 11.5 yuan(less than 2 dollars) for 5 nibs,and it also can fit in with the Hero 359 nibs.however it can't fit with the Lamy nibs at leasrt not very well for my experience.3.this pen is very cheap in China,I bought 4 for just 24yuan,that's about lees than i dollar for each,and because og it,i found that some of these nib can't wirte very well,but again it's a very cheap pen,for its price,it's [erfect.Thanks for your review.
In case you haven't already got wind of it, now there are also both pastel (turquoise, pink, grey and...peach, I guess?) and clear versions of the 3059!
Hey Chris, check out the Indian made fountain pens offered by Fountain Pen Revolution. They're a pen retailer based in Plano, Texas offering some great affordable pens, most in the price range of the Chinese pens you've been reviewing. And some are cheaper and some are more expensive.
I have a few FPR pens with a variety of nibs. I did not find them suitable, from a writing & quality view. I also have other Indian pens & do not find their writing adequate. Thye are priced higher than the Chinese pens. So I have not made a video of them.
I'm enjoying your reviews but I'd rather buy one Eco than 4 of these. Can't stand these copied designs. Not against Chinese pens but I'd rather support original ideas.