Design Oversight A Deal Breaker? Hongdian C2 Fountain Pen Review

[@robbiemer8178]

I generally do not post my pens. Some of the really small ones I will. That this pen doesn't post is a miss but not, for me, a deal breaker. The other Hongdian pens I own all write very well for me so adding one--or both. :)--of these to my pile is probably just a matter of time. I will need to see what colors are available. One thing I would really love to see is Hongdian offering a pen with a conical nib. Thank you for showing us this one!

[@RynoDBones]

Definite deal breaker for me. I need a long pen for my hands. No cap means it would be waaaaay too short. Great video!

[@fountainpencollection]

Well, if you like Hong Dian C2, all you have to do is to buy the Stainless Steel version, i just bought this version, and it has no problem with the posting , it posts very well and firmly.

[@manifunk1]

I think with all your knowledge you should offer manufacturers a beta testing service for fountain pens and provide them impartial feedback before they go into full production/ release

[@dannysvinylrainbow4852]

I so very much agree

[@georgerichards2713]

ABSOLUTELY! I agreevin spades

[@Doodlebud]

@@manifunk1 I would absolutely love to do that for companies (for a fair fee of course 😉). I would sign all the required NDAs as I've done in the past. I ultimately just want to see the best possible version of a pen delivered to the end user. Sometimes all that's needed is a tiny little change, but it can make a huge difference 🙃

[@tgfflynn]

Watched your episode on the C1 and bought one off Amazon and really liked the fountain pen. I ordered another one in a different color for myself, both F nibs. I also ordered 2 for two relatives that are fountain pen enthusiasts. I almost ordered a C2 but held off and glad I did, I like to post. Thank you for your reviews. Joyous grand writing to you.

[@Doodlebud]

Absolutely LOVE the C1. Wish it sealed a bit better. It's good for EDC but does dry out quicker than I hoped. A bit disappointed with the C2

[@NathanKenyon]

My C2 just got delivered in the mail today! What perfect timing for your review.

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Nice color on the C2, but the C1 seems far better. Classic Parker style hidden nib.

[@Bodhranbelle]

Never tried Hongdian before. Got a C3 recently and am pleasantly surprised

[@ravkesef]

Thanks for a great review-as always. Since I never post my pens it isn’t such an issue for me, but I certainly understand the frustrations of those who do. The choice of different nib sizes is certainly a plus, but as I’m very happy with my C1, I’ll keep muddling along.

[@spin-knit-june]

Always enjoy your reviews of pens. I probably have plenty of pens, but your reviews help when considering getting another pen.

[@graylingboysalisbury]

My C1 doesn't dry out at all but the C2 is a no no for me as I just love the hooded nib game..

[@zeus52452]

Another nice review DB. It's a nice color and not a bad looking pen. The ink was a nice pairing for the pen, I may have to get a bottle. As for posting or not posting I can go either way without an issue. For now, I'll just be sticking with my C1 even with the limited nib options.

[@jesperanza5443]

You should review the newly released Jinhao 10, its another VP clone. I've been thinking about getting it but since its so new theres no reviews yet.

[@Doodlebud]

I have one on route

[@adrianm3718]

@@Doodlebud Great ! Can you please check if the Jinhao branding ring can be removed ? It looks so bad :) Thanks !

[@santauxia]

I have two C1's and very happy with them, good for the price. I believe I have the C2 on my cart, but posting is a must for me.

[@theprof_001]

Good video. Enjoyed the comparisons. 👍

[@JohnBarrow1961]

The Private Reserve avocado looks like a really nice green ink. For whatever reason, green inks are among my favorites. I already have too many of them.

[@edanthony6]

I have used a hack on other pens: An o ring on the end of the barrel where the cap will shove on top of it. I jam the cap on to post it snugly enough. When I am done writing and want to cap the pen, I'll slip the o ring onto the cap and put it under the clip, for safekeeping. I don't have a C2 yet, so I don't know if this hack works on it, but I'll give it a try. On a small pen, I want it to post it.

[@judyjacobs5827]

The hooded nib on the yellow pen looks pretty sweet, but I'm not sure how that could be made into a larger tip size. Too bad about the C2's posting failure. Can you convince the design/engineering teams at the Chinese fountain pen conglomerate to hire you as a consultant? Your observations are usually right on target, and you don't gush about irrelevant factors. Now that there's a proliferation of pen reviews on KZbin and elsewhere, I continue to watch yours. Trustworthy, fact-based, backed by knowledge and data. Thanks, as always.

[@Dobj319]

I have 3 C1s and the post quite well and they are all great writers.

[@fountainpencollection]

Well i just received my version of Hong Dian C2 from the post office and mine posts very well, it has no problem in this regard, but mine is the stainless steel version.

[@bernhem]

What I find odd is more so the decision of making the C2 pen lose the ability to post after the C1. Thank you for the review, I was looking at this pen a little bit previously!

[@apollosix]

The Jinhao 80 has the same posting problem. Place a small square of cloth tape in the cap and it will post fine. It will last until the clip breaks off from its poor construction.

[@faniro4792]

Thanks Doodlebud! To be honest, after viewing your video I purchased an M2 ;-).

[@Doodlebud]

Hope you enjoy it

[@Jay-qs6jk]

what do you think to chinese pen brands as a whole? do you think QC could be better with some, etc.?

[@llchapman1234]

Engineering 101: Make a cap that posts (🙄). Always a deal-breaker for me.

[@MrAndrew1953]

I bought the set of the C1s and have found it to be a nice little writer for what it is. You do have to watch the cap coming off easily which is annoying.

[@mayaart]

Hello. Which cheap pen from Aliexpress still draw after few days non usage? Thx. What you recommedid?

[@archivist17]

I was considering one yesterday, but was distracted by a vintage Wyvern. I'm on tenterhooks waiting to hear your verdict on the C2.

[@archivist17]

Ah. Think it's no deal breaker for me. It certainly should post! Two pens that I am shocked and appalled don't post: Majohn Q2 Wancher Puchico 😱

[@SaucySausageForkman-wp3hd]

I have a C1 of my own and I’ve loved it since I bought it. Though I have neglected it since the start of summer and now it has a nasty ink booger

[@calvinreeder7580]

Dealbreaker for me. I post almost all of my pens, cuz most of my writing isn't done at a desk. Posting is a convenient way to keep track of the cap.

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi DB! Thanks for showing this new Hongdian! I've had the same problem with my yellow HD where it dries out if not used, but its such a great looking pen! Now that they fixed that, they messed up the posting! Arrrgh! On a lot of pens a non poster tends not to get used. Might be ok for me as my hands are not large, but that could be a deal breaker for me. And all they would have had to do is add a little metal ring on the back!!! That's almost a no brainer! Might try one anyway and see how it goes. That P.R. Avocado ink is a pretty darn good green ink! Have it in a green Jinhao 82 and at least one other pen. Thanks again!

[@fossilimprint2954]

Amazing how posting (lack thereof) was missed during design and testing of pen.

[@totallylegit2068]

most pens arent designed to post

[@ichirofakename]

Too bad about that C2, that's a screw-up. However I really prefer the C1 anyways. I need me some hooded nibs!

[@totallylegit2068]

the c3 already existed before the c1 and c2, its a flower patterned pen

[@cjpsmachado]

I have 2 C1, one is a wonderful writer, even with a nib hard as nails, the other is a problem still to be solved, hard starts, ink starvation, and scratchy nib. just put her aside. this one as the deal breaker for me you identified, no posting not for me.

[@tdowling149]

That's my experience with the C1 exactly.

[@manuelsalazar3938]

No posting? No problem for me 😂 But, I don't buy pens with nibs smaller than #6 anymore, they just look ridiculous. You know? We all have our manias 😂

[@paulmchugh1430]

It's a pity that the C2 does not post. I like the optional nibs available though. I have the C1 and I have eyedropper filled the pen and works well. My only complaint is that the ink can stain the section around the nib. I haven't figured out why this happening but thankfully the stain washes away when you flush the section. I may actually look for the Expert 3. Looks like a nice pen. Have you done a review of it?

[@anguswhite8233]

I like that C2: I never post, so that doesn’t bother me; would buy it if they offered the equivalent of a Japanese EF nib and got rid of those bl**dy useless isc’s (would someone please redesign these: I’ve never had one that didn’t leak:(

[@KL005]

BOOM

[@shane6242]

it's a shame about the posting! i hope they take your constructive criticism!

[@joyuna]

What a shame. Not being able to post is a definite dealbreaker for me.

[@EnCwoisant]

Dooooodlebud