This young man has excellent reviews with top notch sound and lighting, outstanding content and clarity of speech, he’s even Australian with the face of a model! Why so few subscribers?!? I hope it isn’t the fact he reviews mostly cheaper pens....goodness, I’ve been able to build up a collection of beautiful pens for the price of half a Parker Sonnet!
I agree with you. This man talks sense, without wasting time on opening boxes. Pen is what matters. Some of the 'cheaper' pens he reviews are stunningly good. I am using fountain pens for over 60 years and I know the newer Parkers and Sheaffers and Watermans are not what they used to be. Jinhao is much better than them. My Montblanc has cracked, Sheaffer is not writing. Parker is not consistent. Jinhao 159 is writing without a blemish for the last 5 years! I have other Indian pens -they are inexpensive, not cheap- which have been with me for over 20 years and they still write well! Price is no indication of true quality. High priced pens are a sign of snobbery and conspicuous consumption.
@@TheGlobal747 Kanwrite and Click make some great pens (love the demonstrators!) with great nibs. Many of these are flex nibs, which perform excellently at a fraction of the cost of other "foreign" brands.
Thank you so much for not being a pen snob. Most of my collection is Chinese pens and that's the way my budget rolls. However, I like the Brass Iraurita Octagon Pen a lot, and I think I'll get me one. Also, that Wing Sung 3008 looks like a winner as well. By the way, I've been using a teal color food coloring in some of my pens made by a woman who sells them in 4 oz.quantities, and right now, it's my favorite color ink. Keep on JPL!
@@ralfpetitt713 Its actually fine if its treated correctly (should be mixed with some mild detergent anyway, for better flow), on its own yeah sure it will mold but only a long time, if it takes you that long to use up 0.8ml of ink maybe you should get real ink instead, it'll last you for years at that rate. But if you use it at alarming rates (0.8ml a day or faster) you should be just fine but you do have to wash the pen more often to be on the safe side. I used normal store-bought food coloring on my Jinhao X750 for almost 3 months until i got my hands on some Shaeffer's Scrip. I may come back to it since the Shaeffer's blue-black is the most "meh" color i've seen in my life, i want some red or green in my life. Food coloring does fade quite a bit though, so i would not use it for something i may want to be able to read 6 months down the road.
I only by commercial inks for truly unique colors like Gray bulletproof ink, black inks with different characteristics, and novelty inks like invisible ink. What I do is I take liquid watercolors, that you can find very affordably on Amazon, and use them straight from the bottle or mix the colors I want and add a little glycerin for flow. A little dish detergent will do the same thing if you don't have to have glycerin on hand, but as a crafter I always do. It is so much less expensive! The liquid watercolors I bought on Amazon cost just under $20 for 6, 8 oz bottles. There was a three primary colors and the three secondary colors. My opportunities are endless for the approximate cost of Noodler's Inks - which I happen to love. I bought their Heart of Darkness black which is my go-to black, and I am awaiting a bulletproof Gray and the ghost blue invisible ink that is on the way to me right now as I speak.
Been on holiday for the past week with bad internet connection. Can’t respond to any comments till I get back. I’ll make sure to post a writing sample of all the pens when I do.
I’m gonna need you to come back and make more content. Brian Goulet’s voice is nothing compared to your dulcet tones. Also, please consider making a comeback on Twitter. Please and thank you. Hope your holiday has been lovely. Enjoy it whilst you can! Cheers man! :)
Love the style of your content....the close up writing samples...One of my fav channels for all things Fountain pen....And, not overly long and long-winded...But, lots of useful info....
What amazes me is that just since posting this review the vultures on Amazon have jacked up the price of the Iraurita to over $15US. Thankfully several eBay sellers are still selling at the cheap price you're specifying. Still, must be nice to know that people are paying attention, even if they're Amazon hucksters.
Watching your review made me order a 3008 and I love it! (It looks slightly different than your model)! It even runs better than my x750 which seems to run wet and also works well with Quink, unlike my x750. The 3008 is now my default everyday writer!
Which would you prefer for the better writing experience and convenience (no skips, no railroading, can be used with pressure, etc.) , the Wing Sung 3008, or 6359?
I'd add the Baoer 508, available in lovely colourways of lacquer laid on metal - a delightful writer, a tad of flex, some heft, pretty whether posted or not. The contoured barrel looks expensive and I dig the grip (but of course, section preference is very personal). Chinese nibs/feeds have vastly improved and my recent buys are mostly metal bodied. They are durable, quick starting, smooth writing and a delight to own. Chinese pens, Chinese food... what's not to like?
I used to be all about that flex. I thought ot would add expression which other pens would not allow. After using a soft nib, the novelty has faded away. While you do get expression, when writing quickly, a little pressure causes almost too much ink on the page (costly if you use iroshizuku), but also if writing fast, the flex can lead to inconsistencies. A little flex is fine, but don't base an everyday daily on whether the nib flexes a lot.
How about describing the feeding system on these pens in your next video ? Do these pens have piston feeds , vacuum feeds , dropper feed or is there an converter and if a converter which converter .
Thanks for the info on the WingSung 3008 piston filler . I assume from this that the rest of the pens reviewed were cartridge pens but which cartridge and would any of them accept a converter and if yes which converter.
Hello JPL I hope you will review more about your favourite inks! I love your review so much its very clear and unbiased. It helps me a lot to decide buying new stuffs for my fountain pen collection
I own a Wing Sung 698, 2 6359, 2 Baoer 388 and both jinhao x750,x450. For me there's an abyss between the WS 698 and all the others, the 698 (as for the 3008 I guess) is just an amazing writer. While the other pens might suffer from quality control (scratchy unaligned easy to bend nibs, poor finishes, easy to scratch body, easy to break converters, loose caps, starting issues) the 698 is just perfect and after 2 whole years of constant use it looks as new... Still astonished by this thing
Great update! I recently got a Jinhao 51A in the brown/black acrylic and the finish is beautiful. I was worried that the barrel would look poorly turned, but it's smooth and shows a lot of depth/chatoyance! Hope you are enjoying your holidays, I love that you take the time to respond to your comments 😊
Also on the topic of metal fountain pens with no clear branding/model name, I just ordered one that is also called "Iraurita" and I was wondering if you've tried it or if it's on your radar. I like the swirl pattern on it and the shiny gunmetal finish, though I know it may be prone to chipping. This is the eBay Canada link: www.ebay.ca/itm/2018-New-High-Quality-Simple-Full-Metal-Iraurita-Business-Fountain-Pen-Fine-Nib/143070587666
I don't buy a fountain pen made in China anymore. Because, I bought three Kaco pens (edge, retro, sky) I had problems in three. The company was interested but I didn't want to have problems. So far, I have had no problems with German, Japanese and vintage American fountain pens. Maybe after 3 years, I can seriously think of fountain pens made in China but they are currently producing items with many problems.
I got a bunch of Wing Sung 3008 from China for only 73 pesos each (that's roughly $1.5 each) and free shipping, so I got all the colors. They're surprisingly good. I get to pair them with my favorite colored inks...
Great selection! I own more Chinese fountain pens than I imagine is normal. I also love love LOVE the WS3008! Hands down THEE best Chinese fountain pens that I own. I use my 3008’s daily as they never fail me. They put down a nice line, are ground smoothly and never hard start on me. I have sometimes left them for weeks filled with ink and they always write when I put them to paper. The other pens on your list are also lovely writers! Also some of my fave’s in the Chinese pens. Sadly, mine got pushed to the wayside when I bought the WS3008 four pack.... and then a second pack. Only one pen out of eight 3008’s was bad. It has a pinhole leak in the acrylic, right under the silver nib ring by the feed so the ink leaks out between the threads.
Completely agree on the 3008. It's worth trying to find a 3008A which appears to be cosmetically identical but has a better latch mechanism which lets you lock the piston at various places down the barrel, compared to my 3008 only latching at the top, and being rather fussy about latching at all. Reportedly the A model also corrects some leak conditions present in the original, though I have not experienced those. Both are excellent for their price.
I had a little look at the A model pen and I still prefer the original. The biggest difference to me, apart from the locking mechanism was that they changed the screw in the cap that held the clip and top on, the old ones used to rust like crazy
I am too am new to fountain penmanship and I am looking for a few suggests on a pen with the follow criteria: (no particular order): Flexible nib Buttery smooth writing Refillable Could you suggest a few pens in various price brackets that would meet these requests?
Hello! I liked your list. I have some of them but my better nib (smoothest) is in a Jinhao 159. Heavy pen but a lovely nib. Also the Wing Sung 3008 & 3009 are my choice for workhorse pens. The writing samples are made in a rocket notebook or what? That is no paper, right?
I am looking for a really fine fountain pen for drawing. I bought one from Jinhao EF but I didn't think it was thin enough. Do you know any Chinese fountain pen that are really thin? thank you very much, love your videos!
It's good that the quality of chinese pens went up. I just hope that it's constant now. Before it was hit or miss. I just wished they would stop copying other pens. The only thing they are not able to copy are extra fine nibs. Chinese extra fine are always hooded.
Between the Eco and 3008 with supposedly improved nib (it's gold colored) I like the Eco more for writing but it's really close. Body quality of my 3008 is not great. Plastic has micro scratches everywhere, some paint defects and clip is not straight and you can see and feel where the plastic was joined together. The plunger mechanism is very smooth though. So maybe not the best pen if you care about looks but the writing experience is excellent.
There are moulding seams on my Pilot Metropolitan too, and more noticeable than on the 3008. It's a common issue. JPL's is the blue and gold version, one of the strangest ones. Mine is with blue piston and blue cap and I like it quite a lot.
Someone let me know when there is a better cheap piston pen than the 3008. Want something that locks the piston's rotation so it doesn't leak in my pocket. Also, maybe something that would provide a bit more line variation than that Lamy clone without being excessively wet.
They're out there. There are several. One is the bottom end PenBBS one (I forget the model. Maybe 459?), and there's one I only have heard the model of (and it's completely unbranded), I think that it's called a 2006. Look on eBay. Still under $5 US. And they lock.
Thank you! An excellent overview of several remarkable deals from Chinese pen manufacturers. Just wanted to add that a Jinhao 51a, with eBay “Bobby”s hand-ground nib, just costs a couple dollars more - it’s a great option for anyone who prefers a wider medium nib.
Great vid, again! What paper are you writing on with the various pens in this particular video? It looks almost too smooth & shiny - almost like plastic or a white board... Keep up the great channel 👍
Can we ask for a specific review perhaps? Found an interesting looking metal pocket pen (3 inch it says on ebay listings) and I'd like to hear what you'd say about it!
@@hrnekbezucha yeah in that video he said the 698 is better built and has more line variation but then I read a comment of him saying that he doesn't know he can still recommend the 698 with the cheaper alternatives
@@jonasdeejee890 Alright, I didn't know that. I don't have the 698 so I don't know. Another vid is by chrisrap52. I'm pretty sure he brings up the 3008 in the 698 review.
6:21 You and I had a completely different experience with the x450 and x750. The x750 is butter smooth and writes perfectly after 15+ days unused; however, the x450 dried like a mother and couldn't remove the feed even with a knockout block. 🙁 That being said, my favourite of your suggestions has been 3:45 brass every day carry. 😃
I bought Jinhao Swan with two sections, converter and 5 cartridges for less than 2 euros. Even though it was broken in transit (the barrel had multiple cracks at the threaded end and could not be screwed onto the section securely) a bit of glue helped to fix things. EF nib is too scratchy for my liking, but F is a very smooth writer. I really like it and if it cracks again i most likely will buy another one.
Might have been food coloring. Works quite well and easy to mix and make your own colors, especially with a bit of white food coloring (that may need some extra drops of water to keep the consistency fluid as the white food coloring has some extra ingredients to thicken it up a bit). Hope that helps. 👍
Go to settings (the little gear). Go to "Playback speed" and select 1.75 or 2. You're welcome. My fellow Americans should note everything he's saying about the cost of these pens is in Australian money. $5 Australian is $3.50 US. So all this stuff is even *less* expensive than it sounds. Meanwhile: 0:00 rambling beginning 1:30 ergonomic grip issue-Wing Sung 6359 (aluminum) 2:54 Jinhao Swan ("forgiving") 3:39 Iraurita brass pen ("durable," unbelievable bargain) 5:06 Baoer 388-stainless steel 6:09 Jinhao X750 and X450 . . . #6 nibs and why that matters . . . 8:09 ...Zebra nib installed in a Jinhao... 8:41 Jinhao 51A- hooded, plastic (less flex, more speed) ...looks like a Parker... 10:27 Jinhao 911-hooded, *metal* body 11:20 piston-action Wing Sung 3008, EF nib, his MVP 14:08 outro
Can we use flex nibs for writing in exams or for long writing sessions? They look cool but can they be used as a regular writing pen or they are just for pleasure writing? Here is what I'm saying : If I want to write 10+ pages in a normal 2-3 hours of university exam will it be a good choice to use flex nib (like zebra g) considering long writing session and you have to write fast with it?
a zebra g nib is not a good choice at all. unlike fountain pen nibs that are made of stainless steel it's instead made of spring steel that will rust if it is in contact with ink for a prolonged time like leaving it in the pen when it's not in use.
I find the creaper by noodler a good cheap flex for regular use. The g nib is more for very fine calligraphy - awesome combined in an FP because it solves the issue with dipping constantly, but not common use. The creaper will get you a common use flex for under 20$.
Hello, the only problem you will be facing if your paper is cheap, the ink will bleed. If you want to write fast, I suggest a Noodlers Pen , I dont suggest you to use a zebra g for fast writing sessions since It looks like your new to flex pens or nibs
Warning about the Wing Sung 6359 - there are cheaper models ($1.5-$2) which are plastic with metalic paint. Plastic feels pretty flimsy and you're better off getting a Jinhao 599 if you're after cheap but decent Safari/Al-star-like that is plastic. Regarding the Baoer 388, it's not exactly a #5 nib. I tried replacing it and found the nib&feed diameter is a bit smaller, rendering it incompatible.
Yeah I think I got ripped off with that. I got a black 6359 and as soon as I put just a little pressure on the nib it bent and didn't go back. i ended up throwing it out.
I got a big order of around 15 Chinese fountain pens and the 6359 was by far the worst one. It was straight up broken. the nib would "flex" but not flex back. it would just bend and stay there. and this happened with barely any pressure. The nib said extra fine but it was more like a broad because of how broken it was. I ended up throwing the pen out because it just didn't work. That being said, I was very impressed by the rest of the 14 or so pens I ordered.
I don't even know how my wing sung 6359 (EF) writes better than my lamy safari (F), my lamy safari has like shading or something like that, smooth AF but using both Parker quink and Pelikan 4001 brilliant black, I get grayer lines on the safari, anyone knows what could be the case?
i like the jinhao 911 a lot and instead of the baoer 388 which i don t like(nib and cap are awful) i love the Jinhao 601. one of my favourites chinese fpens, better looking that the baoer 388. ty
i actually have this one but it keeps being very inconsistent (the inkflow is terrible) i do really like the design tho. its very classy looking in comparison to other hooded nib the nib is of the metal itself. oh yeah and it actually leaked so i threw it out.
