2023 Lemon M1 Piston Filler Fountain Pen Unboxing and Review

[@linusshen4719]

Hello Doug, Lemon or 柠檬笔墨 is an internet store in China, who at first do some nib grinding, then it grows and has their special nibs and top finial (very cool even in 925 sterling silver). Almost 1-2 years ago they finally had their full pen and it is this M1. And lemon is actually originated in China :)

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Linus Shen, for the excellent information!

[@majajamie]

Orange you glad that the Lemon wasn’t a lemon? I was worried that this review would go pear-shaped with pun-overuse (I was bracing myself for a raspberry sound-effect), but I breathed açai of relief when I heard how peachy-keen the nib was; I don’t give a flying fig how a pen looks (well, unless it’s really ugli) as long as it writes well. Thank you berry much for the review; I’m soooo grape-ful for your videos about currant fountain pen models!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Everyone wants to get into the act!

[@majajamie]

@@InkquiringMinds "I've got a million of them!"😆

[@toddg330]

I believe that Lemon is a stationery store in China, and this is a "store brand" pen. Though I can't find where I first came across that info now. I purchased the white with the broadest "long knife" nib. It can make some very thick horizontal lines, but you have to have the pen at a nearly impossibly low angle to the paper. Sort of like an architect and a fude had a baby. I haven't used a Naginata Togi, but I wonder how similar it is to these. Thanks for the review, Chinese pens are fun, but you've certainly helped me save some pennies here and there with your tear downs (I hate when I can't swap nibs). Of course this one was just interesting enough in presentation that I didn't wait for a review.

[@linusshen4719]

Yes, you are right, Lemon 柠檬笔墨 is an internet store in China, who at first do some nib grinding, then it grows and has their special nibs and top finial (very cool even in 925 sterling silver). Almost 1-2 years ago they finally had their full pen and it is this M1.

[@archivist17]

I can see the a peel of this pen, but it would be good if it had more zesty colour options. Hope it's fun to use and doesn't leave a sour taste.

[@InkquiringMinds]

OMG!

[@KendallW]

Winning comment :)

[@archivist17]

@@InkquiringMinds Thanks for doing your usual chapters so we can skip to the relevant segments.

[@PalehorseThirteen]

I kind of really enjoy the lemon theme this pen has going on. I got it white specifically because it was the only color that had the lemon logo actually filled in with color. I got the broad Naginata grind, and although I can't say I notice a lot of line variation, it is a very nice broad nib.Of course I couldn't resist inking it up with Platinum Citrus Black.

[@jennifersnow3539]

I have admired your handwriting since I fort started watching your channel. I try to hold on to my penmanship, but I fear my hereditary tremors and shakes may rob me of that eventually. It's already begun to disrupt my print writing and I notice it more and more. My cursive had not suffered much yet, but I fear it will. I love to write.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Just keep writing. It is your own.

[@howardvidaver8994]

I’ve been using my fountain pens as an occupational therapy for a couple of years. It has helped my writing but not the t tremors overall. Admittedly The shaking was messing with an already low quality writing form. Still, I am grateful for the improvement. You will find yourself able to maintain surprisingly well. Heavier fountain pens appear to be easier to use, moderates tremor.

[@unknowncrash1]

This isn't a new brand per se (new to international markets). I have had this pen in pearl white for around 9months now because I shop in taobao. The build on these things are top notch. But my nitpick would be the stock nib, mine was scratchy and removing it was super difficult and requires hot water immersing to swap the nib. The nib unit threading is unknown to me. Also note, the window for ink viewing may be stuck with water/ink if you are unlucky somehow. The weight is okay dpesning if you like heavy pens. But I personally don't dig the duofold design. It would be amazing if they released a torpedo version of this. Due to the weight and the duofold design, I find myself not using this pen much. Alas, I still cannot deny the build quality (ink window issue aside) it is pretty good if you like heavy duofold with piston filling.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cmdrdarwin3682]

How does the window for ink viewing get stuck with water/ink?🧐

[@theProf_01]

You really had me expecting an entirely different review! 😂😂😂. Very clever!!! Instead I learned about an interesting pen and its origins. Thanks

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ExtraSweetPineapple]

“You can also tell because it says ‘Lemon’ on the top.” 😂

[@brightonbabe2139]

Well not a lemon! Love the long blade nib. I agree with an acrylic pen to reduce the weight. I look forward to that one day. Thanks for the demo.

[@InkquiringMinds]

You and me both!

[@beqvyper8504]

I would love an acrylic pen body as well. I like Hong Dian pens but the weight on many of them makes owning one a no go.

[@Mikey-ii8ef]

Okay, now I'm in trouble with the better half! Thanks to your inspiring reviews, I have a Visconti Mythos coming. In addition, my biggest takeaway from this video was Asvine P20's in Galaxy and Amber - oh my! Esybuy again! 😊

[@InkquiringMinds]

I should have mine next week!

[@Mikey-ii8ef]

@Inkquiring Minds I stayed with medium nibs on both. I was going to get one with a fine, but at .5 for the medium, I didn't want to risk a thinner line...we'll see if that's the correct choice, but at least it's easy enough to switch nibs.

[@archivist17]

Back already? 🤣😂🤣

[@Javi_C]

😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

I knew you’d miss me!

[@johnsomers8269]

There seems to be no end to Chinese fountain pen offerings! I have my Pelikan pens, and a real Parker Centennial, tank you very much! I do a daily writing with my Jinhao 100 and 80, two ok Chinese offerings, one did require a super glue repair, and I did a NB replacement with a Goulet nib, which I highly recommend.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing!

[@paulmchugh1430]

I like that we have a Centennial inspired pen with a piston filler. Like you mentioned, if it was an acrylic body, it would be a star, not a lemon 😂. If it came with a textured lemon colored body, it would be wonderful pen. As always a great review, Doug.

[@InkquiringMinds]

That would be cool!

[@majajamie]

@Paul McHugh -- I thought the same thing....keep everything the same but use acrylic for the pen body instead of metal.... Hey, for all we know, they might be releasing that version next!

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@majajamie I hope so!

[@Javi_C]

The Facebook translations to nibs in Italian had me laughing 😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

I know right?

[@ichirofakename]

1. Regarding unfortunate name selections, I suspect the names are just fine in China, which I suspect is where the large majority of their sales take place. 2. Interesting review, thanks. If you understand the Chinese nib names, I'd like to hear your explanations and opinions on them vs. nibs with names we are accustomed to.

[@twain888]

Thanks for super-informative review and ROFL at cultural lost-in-translations! My childhood was mostly spent ROFL at double entendres. I discovered Monty Python and Tom & Jerry as a kid and my mother would scratch her head, "What's so funny?!!!" because her frames of reference are Mandarin and Cantonese-first whilst mine are Cantonese, Mandarin, English, French etc at the same time. She wouldn't get your lemon lampoon! Re the pen, yup, I'll wait for this cool 0.85-1.3 mm long blade in a RESIN body. Any pens over 18g are a no-no for me, sketch-wise.

[@InkquiringMinds]

My Dad was the same with Monty Python... "Huh?"

[@TakumiGD]

Hello, could you review the hongdian 1843 navigator? I recently bought this pen and would like to know your opinion about it 😅

[@josephfiore2843]

The finish looks cool.

[@robertnyc4489]

Another great and entertaining review. Puts me in the mood for some lemonade, or lemon meringue pie, or maybe a Ford Edsel...OK, that's enough.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Right on!

[@w.j.m.91]

Another incarnation of Duofold clone of yet another Duofold variant: Kaigelu and Moonman were based on 1990's Duofold (two equal cap bands), Jinhao 100 on 2016 version (single wide cap band) and this Lemon one on the first Centennial from 1988. If only it wasn't made of metal...

[@Sallysaurus]

I know I might be the only one that encounters this problem but space inside the cap is a problem for me sometimes. I got the C4 yesterday and there is hardly any room in the cap for nib swaps. I don't know how you could measure such a thing besides having a triple stack to put in the pen to check for clearance but that really disappointed me that my new Moonman is so limited in the swapping department. Also I know someone who isn't super happy about the it's a hongdian thing. They say they are probably just contracted under them or something, just buying components but mostly their thing is nibs. Not like how delike and moonman are under the same holding company so names get confused but delike has its own style for sure

[@InkquiringMinds]

I think it is impossible to untangle the web of Chinese companies and brands.

[@amyr.862]

I've wanted to get people to pay me to make sure their translations read well for ages. The Localizer 😆 I should start hitting up Amazon sellers with "Give me $10 and your product listing will make sense." I've seen these Lemon pens and wondered where they came from. You made it a little less mysterious. Another not as mysterious thing I saw was NEW A1 COLORS WITH A RESIN BODY or something like that. You'll have to throw one in your next order for science. I finally got a coupon from eBay and bought the Majohn C4. I love the size of it and it writes well. The cap issue people have talked about is a little frustrating but it feels good in the hand. It's going to be a handy nib holder.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing, Amy R.!

[@crouserm]

Impressive pen/nib. Great review. Thanks! It would be interesting to know if the proliferation of obviously related pen companies had to do with how the Chinese government taxes industries in brackets that make spin-offs more profitable than expansion of the main brand.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Good point!

[@animula6908]

It looks brick red to me, which is arguably a shade of brown.

[@АлександрТорянников]

Hello, Doug. Which one to choose: Asvine P20 or this Lemon?

[@InkquiringMinds]

P20! Much lighter!

[@mitchpearce8540]

Hello, I'm looking at this pen in AliExpress. What's the difference between the blade and the long knife nibs? (I'm a fountain pen newbie)

[@InkquiringMinds]

The blade is a stub and the long knife is an architect.

[@mitchpearce8540]

@@InkquiringMinds Thanks very much

[@thirtycrows]

Did you try the M2? Looks like the acrylic version of the M1.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have not.

[@thirtycrows]

@@InkquiringMinds Guess I'll be ordering one. As far as I know the M1 has the least clearance issues with different #6 nibs and I'm specifically looking for a nib testing pen.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

The hong dian n1s does not fit inside the cap :( I have tried to swap every #6 size nib I have in my collection the clearance is not there .

[@InkquiringMinds]

Interesting! I had no issues.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

@@InkquiringMinds I tried to close it and I felt scratching and then looked inside and there was ink in the cap where the nib touched the cap and I bent the crap out of a nib 😫

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@MissMarilynDarling I’m wondering if the nib was seated all the way or the unit was screwed in all the way.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

@@InkquiringMinds I for sure made sure that both the nib unit and the nib were seates all the way in by using consider amount of force just to see if that was the problem but no that wasnt it .. I dont know maybe mine was the only one I hesitate to try another ... this new pen thought I wonder what the clearance is ... have you done the skewer test to see if there is much clearance ?

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@MissMarilynDarling I only did the nib swaps using five different nibs.

[@Idfkwhyy]

What do you think are the best Chinese pens with piston filling mechanism? I was thinking of getting one, but the only ones I know are the moon man p136 and the hongdian N6.

[@InkquiringMinds]

PenBBS 456

[@oscarmedina1597]

Oh, damn it, I might have to get this one too.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Which color though?

[@oscarmedina1597]

I’m liking the light blue with chrome hardware.

[@zathrasnotzathras9435]

That pen form factor is my favorite of all time. And this is a beautiful looking pen. The only thing I don’t like about it is the price. Close to 50 bucks for a Chinese pen seems unnatural. But it does look like it deserves that price.

[@АлександрТорянников]

Hello, Doug. Have you seen the new Hongdian N2? I am very upset that this is not a piston filler

[@InkquiringMinds]

I’ve got one in the cart.

[@sevenchild7]

I am going to have to find out if the FPR #6 stubs and broads fit in the M1. Very informative as always.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Hope so!

[@konradyearwood5845]

After my earlier shock I opened this with a great degree of fear and trepidation, especially when I saw thw name of the pen! 🤣

[@InkquiringMinds]

Wonderful!

[@cmdrdarwin3682]

Suddenly, the Asvine becomes the “Ass One” at 6:11🤪…

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL!

[@archivist17]

"Lemon" is such an odd brand name to choose. I know there have been some unusual names, mostly due to cultural differences or alternate translation, but...

[@InkquiringMinds]

IKR?

[@Lowkster]

Hey as long as you can remember the brand name then its done its job no?

[@InkquiringMinds]

This is true! But remember and BUY are two different things. Would you BUY a new Ford Pinto?

[@Lowkster]

@@InkquiringMinds of course not, that's because my favorite is Ford probe ! By the way I remembered the name of the pen and purchased one. Its otw to me but I opted for the chrysanthemum.

[@deniz4152]

What kind of a brand name is ass wine

[@InkquiringMinds]

A bad one.

[@Soul_Watcher]

First! Ha haaaa!

[@aag24]

I’m so confused. With the date of 1st of April and all that. I’m just confused. They should employ westerners who like a good snigger.

[@aag24]

Superbly made video, as always, sir!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, aag24!