Caro Vincenzo, Thank you for you for the excellent summary. I agree that the Hong Dian is the top Pen Maker. You keep inspiring and guiding my purchases (like that HD N1S, you helped me with). We would not know where to turn in this new exciting revived world of the Fountain Pen, now made possible by the wast array of these reasonably priced Chinese pens. Thank you for your work. Buon Anno, Carlo
If you replace "Chinese" with "Italian" or "German" in the title, all complaints about these pens being pricey would go away, don't you think? Besides, you even ordered yours in several colors! How else would you be able to afford it?!
Thanks. This is a service even if one might argue about particular choices. Some of us actually prefer cartridge/converter fillers. I like to change inks and pens a lot and I find many piston and vacuum fillers just take up more ink than I care to use. A converter full is plenty fort me.
Agreed!!! Everybody has been gushing over Asvine and JinHao for the last year or so but Hongdian has been quietly releasing a new pen every couple of months for the last year or two. The current model lineup is now 35+ different models, not accounting for variations in style like you can find on pens like the N11. Not only that, but Hongdian has the most consistent nibs coming out of China, rivaling JoWo and certainly better than Bock. Sorry Japanese pen makers but Hongdian's EF #6/35 nibs are the best EF nibs out there right now, period. The P136 was too low, though, and your POY is too high because the racing stripe doesn't line up consistently when putting the cap on
You didn't include the Kaigelu 316. I think it writes like a gold nib; it's so light and it comes in beautiful resin choices. Also, I'd have put the Asvine P20 in the top 1 or 2. I noticed you didn't include the Hongdian A6, which isn't as good a writer as the others but deserves a mention for style. But, it's all subjective, and I did enjoy your video, very much. I do agree that Hongdian is THE Chinese pen maker of the year.
The Kaigelu is among my favorites but it was in my spotlight last year. As to the A6, stay tuned I have another best of video coming soon on Skelton pens.
A wonderful Vincenzo! Having imported and sold Chinese pens for 25 years, I totally agree with your positive assessment of how these companies -- and a few others -- have really upleveled the quality of what is now produced. You also have the best 'opening' sequences of any of use who post video reviews. 🙂 Really great. Regards, Norman
I enjoyed the comparisons, but there were two faults: 1. The lighting was too dark. 2. The camera wasn’t focusing correctly. In my case, although I own piston-filling pens, I prefer cartridge/converters, because they are easiest to clean, and they write just as well as any other filling method. My final critique of your video is that your voice varied from a normal range of speaking to a very low, nearly inaudible pitch.
Thanks for the constructive criticism. I have made some adjustments. Sometimes the more expensive a camera the more complicated it is too control, this is especially so if you are not a professions photographer.
Really appreciate your channel after it popped up in my YT feed in past weeks. The algorithm knows my likes (fountain pens) and your content and style is informative & engaging. The Chinese pen manufacturers have produced amazing writing instruments this year in 2023, HongDian in particular have become exquisite producers (and Asvine seem to have come from nowhere into great things). Jinhao, WingSung, Majohn always produce quality goods year on year. Fascinated by your array of choices - I will need to rewatch and mull over the attributes you bring out of each one. Much appreciation from a pen lover in Scotland
I would have to agree that Hong Dian is the pen maker of the year. Love the D5 for its presentation. I do think the D1 should have been on the list, especially for the soft nib which was a very pleasant surprise. I just got the N10 and am looking forward to using it. The Wing Sung 630 is fabulous. I have it with the 14K gold nib and just ordered the steel nib version. I like the Asvine P20 a lot. Beautiful resin. The piston works great. The price is very good. Writes like a dream. What's not to like?
I recently got interested in fountain pens and got a hongdian rainbow forest 1851. I love how smooth it is and do most of my writing with it. I did buy 3 jinhao pens. I like the x750 and the 82. But do not know how to use the bent nib so have to learn how before I decide on it. ( on the 82). I want to get another hongdian forest but want to know if Asvine sells it is it an actual hongdian or their make on it. I am not sure on Amazon as they do not advertise correctly all the time. I got rid of all my ballpoint pens except for my fancy ones in pretty metals. I like the snap covers. The 82 you have to screw on the cover.
Totally agree. As I mentioned to another viewer: I have made some adjustments. Sometimes the more expensive a camera the more complicated it is too control, this is especially so if you are not a professions photographer.
Greetings from Australia, I knew that it would be Hong dian. I thought that the D5 would have been number. 1. Brilliant pen. I have three of them in different colours. I have the Maple Leaf pen, too. But I thought that the Year of the Rabbit pen would have been there in your round up. I must get the N10 to cap off my Chinese pen collection. Great Video. Thanks
Thanks for sharing, I just thought the year of the rabbit had come out too long ago for me to include it. Perhaps I was wrong not too because I only discovered it this year and the nib on that pen is 10/10.
Greetings from Panama. I have just started in the world of fountain pens because I am left-handed. I have 4 Jinhao pens and 2 HongDian, I feel that the Jinhao are better than the Hongdian. They are all fine tips and, with Montblanc inks, the difference in paper models is felt.
Hello Vincenzo! The list is similar to mine with Hongdian at the top, only the D5 I would have put in first place, the pen is simply design-like and also a dream from the pen! I now also have several Chinese fountain pens, and the quality has improved greatly in recent years. Now I have 3 pens in a shopping cart again, this is a barrel without a floor 😂
Great lineup Vincenzo! I was blown away by the Jinhao 9019, I think it's the best pen to come out of China this year. The #8 nib, huge converter, ergonomic design, and solid QC make for unbeatable value! The quality of Chinese pens has been steadily improving in recent years. Would you consider buying a Chinese brand pen with a gold nib, such as the Wing Sung 630 with the 14k #8 nib option?
I fully agree with your assessment of the evolution of Chinese pens. I have the 630 and the hongdian d5 with gold nibs in my cart waiting to pull the trigger. Just not a priority right now.
I just bought two Asvine V126 in EF,F as my first vacuum fillers. I wish they had a broad or stub nib option. Thanks for providing this review and discussion!
With my caliper, I measure the Jinhao 9019 as a #7 nib (7mm base, 7mm feed). I also super love my WingSung 630 (also #7), which feels like such quality for the price. I've eyed the N10 before and am shopping for Chinese pens right now, so I'll give it a second look :)
Interesting exercise. I measured my Bock No 8 and it is truly 8mm at the base. My measurements of the N10, 9019 and 630 ( at the base where it meets the section) give me approx. 7.5
Buenas tardes Vicenzo. Lo acabo de descubrir en RU-vid y me ha gustado tanto el video que me he suscrito. Solo hace un año que soy coleccionista de plumas, de las que usted ha examinado solo tengo la Jinhao X150 (negra y oro) y la 9019 (de esta tengo dos, Burdeos y transparente azul), tengo varias mas de Jinhao. Los domingos por la mañana voy al rastro (mercadillo) de mi ciudad y encuentro plumas Parker, Waterman, Paper Mate etc., de los años 1940/50/60/70 del siglo XX, las reparo y las dejo nuevas, es un disfrute total Me ha gustado tanto su video, que voy a intentar comprar todas las plumas que ha puesto en su lista. Muchas gracias y un saludo desde Zaragoza (España)
funny how many ppl call "inspired' to a completely Knock off copy. They've done the same with the Lamy 2000 and so many others. looks like they lack originality, it's easier to copy a popular design than to come up with a new one...for the Chinese
@@fountainpentherapyIn fact, of all the Chinese companies, the only one with its own or original designs is PenBBS, you will not find a refill system, nib, feeder, or body design copied from anyone; All others, including Hongdian, copy either designs or systems.
Asvine does a lot of things right. I love my V126. The P20 has a significant design flaw. If you firmly post the cap, the inner cap seal locks onto the piston filler. When you twist the cap to unseat it, ink shoots out the nib. I gifted one and it took about 60 seconds for this to happen and get ink everywhere. Asvine did immediately respond to a message from me and I hope future versions fix this.
I am morally very conflicted about Chinese pens. We don't know what the labour conditions are like in their factories. It is certainly nothing like those in a free democratic country. Given the cheapness, I imagine that the wages are very poor. We often say that China has become capitalist, but all I can say is "yes and no". As far as I am aware, you need to be given permission by the regime to start a factory, and capitalisation of the business depends on this approval. I also don't like the fact that they rip off designs of pens from other lands. Many of their companies just crank out inferior copies of great pens from around the world. Anyway, all that being said, thanks for your video. I enjoyed watching it.
Annie, yes, a lot of fountain pens from the West are now made under licence in China, that's true. I haven't tried the new Esterbrook pens. I have a couple of the oldies from the 1950s, both of which were made in the British factory of the original company. I am not against reviving old brands, but it seems to me that if you are going to do that, you should at least manufacture them in the country where they originated. The two good examples of this are Kaweco in Germany and Onoto in the UK. I just don't get why famous US brands like Esterbrook and Conklin can't be made in America? It has nothing to do with nationalism, just authenticity. Anyway, what are the new Esterbrook's like to use? They look very smart.
@BOGDAN SERBANMonteverde is certainly making them in China. I bought one not long ago. The brand changed its name to "Monteverde USA", and therefore you can find "Monteverde USA" written on the pen, like you would see "Pilot Japan" or "Waterman France" on others. Clever trick, but really pathetic. I thoroughly inspected the box and papers, zero indication where it's made, so we can safely guess China (except the German JoWo nib). Why are Chinese pens, from Chinese brands so cheap? You skip the Western middleman who does nothing and is incapable to do anything (you just pay for his MBA).
As an American, I will say that things are not that great here in the USA. We continue to be plagued by racism, homelessness, classism, poverty and other serious issues as well as being the most violent and warmongering society on the face of the Earth.
