2021 Kaigelu 356 Fountain Pen Unboxing and Review

[@patrickvandewiele2440]

Cool review of a cool pen! Thanks!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for watching!

[@kuyagords]

I came for the song and stayed for the pen.

[@greyareaRK1]

Great looking pen. The architect nib is a little subtle for me. Thanks.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for watching!

[@thorhilda]

On Sailor pens, the N stands for "naginata togi" (sabre tip = architect nib) and MF is the size smaller than medium but slightly larger than fine. NMF= medium-fine architect nib. Fine downstrokes, medium lateral strokes. The 356 looks like the Chinese cousin of the Sailor 1911. Some jewelers can engrave your initials on the blank space left on the cap ring.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yeah, I don't think I'll have a $20 pen engraved. Maybe when I get my MB JFK? LOL

[@crouserm]

@@InkquiringMinds If you're not willing to spring for a Montegrappa Apollo 11, then how serious are you? (To be clear, if I were cursed with the gift of such a pen, I would feel myself obliged to abandon family and coworkers, cut off any future grandchildren, and withdraw to a secret place in the mountains or desert, to be certain that no one ever took the pen out of the box and wrote with it. No way.)

[@florianbuerzle2703]

Just got these Kaigelu nibs from Amazon 😀 I inserted them into an Asvine 126 and an Asvine P50, respectively, and they write beautifully right out of the box, no adjustments needed. I‘ll surely buy more of them. Really the best performing steel nibs I own!

[@InkquiringMinds]

I've got one on my Galaxy P20. Awesome pen now.

[@stefanwood2182]

Another solid review. I'm happy to see these manufacturers continually improve and tweak their designs based on customer feedback. I am intrigued by the architect nib - I have one from a different maker on my Jinhao 159 and I like it. Ordered a 356 in blue.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Right on, Stefan! I hope you enjoy it!

[@gristlevonraben]

Please never feel obligated to respond to my comments. Good video, I appreciate you showing all price levels of the fountain pen world. And I especially appreciate your honesty. Have a great day.

[@InkquiringMinds]

No worries!

[@horaciobuelna7429]

I love this fountain pen. It is very beautiful. good size, and the colour is heavenly beaufitul. I like the fact of the gold trim. I like more the gold trim than the silver. I like to see the kangaroo of the nib too.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I totally agree!

[@LANCSKID]

Thanks for this review, Doug. I have the purple version on order. I will stay with the supplied nib, but it is good to have the swap option. If I am happy with the purple one, I will order the blue, also with the nib. I try and avoid EF/F whenever possible. I am sure I am not the only one who gets more than a little confused by the different Oriental pen company names! Also, how are they allowed to continue claiming that nibs are 18/24 gold plated when they most likely are not? If a company in the U.K. did that, they would be prosecuted under the Trades Description Act.

[@InkquiringMinds]

They probably have some gold in the plating and they have their own rules in China.

[@tictac9074]

Thanks I was actually looking at the 316 in teal blue but now thinking about this one. Great video

[@InkquiringMinds]

Good choice!

[@lucm6476]

Love the Kaigelu nibs, i just learn that they sell their nibs separatly, woohoo! Thanks to you

[@InkquiringMinds]

I just bought a couple more from Bobby on Aliexpress.

[@JG3Reviews]

This was an expensive video for me to watch, Doug! Add to cart...add to cart...add to cart...phew, end of video. lol

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL! Sorry, James!

[@jasonshone1510]

Great Review Doug and also a great pink Floyd intro

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you kindly

[@oscarmedina1597]

Another excellent review... I even paused it to order a 356 and a pair of architect nibs.

[@InkquiringMinds]

You'll like those "long blade" nibs. They might need a touch of micromesh but they are excellent.

[@georgeparapadakis]

Great video again. Waiting eagerly for mine to arrive. Your acrylic is a much nicer blue than the one in the ads. Here’s hoping!!!

[@InkquiringMinds]

I hope so too, George! It is a home-run for Kaigelu especially with the long blade architect nib.

[@sandipbhattacharjee3304]

Excellent review!

[@archivist17]

That is a beautiful acrylic! I hope we do get to see more from Kaigelu.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I hope so too!

[@tdowling149]

Thanks for the review! This one is definitely going on my shopping list.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Hope you enjoy it! All four look nice.

[@TweakMDS]

Great review - as usual. I love that more manufacturers are embracing non-standard nibs. After PenBBS now also these architect-type nibs. They don't really suit my handwriting though, so I will hope for a stub or some kind of italic. I put the PenBBS calligraphy #1 in a 480 yesterday, and it kind of looks similar to this, maybe a hair thicker.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing! I'm still waiting for the engraved 14k Penbbs nib. Maybe tomorrow!

[@edwardwiper1323]

Great video as per Doug.You tell it as it is with pen you review you never leave me hanging,i either buy it or forget it.Already have 2 silver & 2 twin tone Kaigelu long knife nibs.Will probably ordering a couple more with the 356,they suit my style of handwriting.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Me too! I just had my Tibaldi Bononia Bora Bora double broad custom ground into an architect by Jack Hernandez and this Kaigelu long blade is close competition. The BB made a much larger nib of course.

[@raclark52]

Great review as usual Doug.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I appreciate that, thanks, Dick.

[@BC7Bill]

Great review! I especially appreciate the info about the architect nibs! That will be my first purchase! 😁

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad it was helpful! I'm getting another two.

[@kjhendricks55]

Seems like a great pen at a bargain price. I Will pick one up with the architect nibs also. Thanks for the heads up, Doug.

[@InkquiringMinds]

You bet, Kevin. I'm going to pick up another two of those nibs. Perhaps the grid pattern this time.

[@MateuMatheu]

NMF as in 'Naginata Medium Fine' I supose. The 356 purple one has rose gold trims. Very pretty.

[@InkquiringMinds]

That makes sense of course. Except that only Sailor can make a "Naginata". But it is like "Kleenex". Kleenex is tissue but not all tissue is Kleenex.

[@MateuMatheu]

Or Iridium, even nibs without are called so. Otherwise I believe Nagahara Junior can also make "naginata" nibs.

[@ichirofakename]

1. Pretty pen. Thanks for reviewing so many pens in my price range. 2. I'm not wowed by filling by removing the end cap. Is it that much easier to unscrew than the whole barrel? And you can't see the ink level. I would guess that usually one would unscrew the barrel to confirm the need for more ink, and would proceed from there, rather than somehow via the end cap.

[@konradyearwood5845]

That end cap feature is useful for younger writers using refills. To pierce the new refill can sometimes be difficult for them so once they have the new refill in place and a second backed against it they can remove the end cap and just press the end of the exposed second refill on the desk to pierce the new refill up front. And it can be done with the cap on! My daughter has a Minka pen (no longer in production) that she was able to refill that way at age nine. Also good for people with arteritis.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I don't use the end cap to refill the converter. I use it on my Leonardos and my Kaigelu to prime the feed a bit after the pen has been left standing for a day or so. I just turn the knob until I see ink filling the feed. Very fast and convenient.

[@ichirofakename]

@@InkquiringMinds Ah. Now I get it.

[@OdE-ObjectosdeEscrita]

@@ichirofakename But it has the negative part to it. The gold ring there is loose and it can be lost easily. At least, in mine - the green - it is loose.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Feature I like most about this pen is the refill blind cap atop the body- saves you getting ink all over your fingers. It would be nice if the brought out a red, the other colours don’t thrill me being honest. There’s a certain resemblance in the shape to the Jinhao X450. Tie me Kaigelu down sport!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Other than the section on the x450, yes.

[@ArkansasMike]

That's a beautiful pen!

[@InkquiringMinds]

It is!

[@kattz753]

I loved the original blue 316. This one is even better. I know where my GST cheque is going next month....This one and that red Hongdian 1841. Hey, that might be a good feature. The best pen to buy with your GST cheque. Not that most of us need help with that. So happy that you are back. You find some great pens.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you Kattz! Good choices. I've just seen a new Jinhao Centennial in GALAXY! OMG Must have... GST cheque!

[@markmolnar4319]

This thorough and professional review makes me to consider seriously to buy one of these. It is fortunate that you show the original nib qualities as well, not just the architect one (by which I am rather dissapointed with as I have tried this in other pens). Still, I am interested to know, do you like the original nib too? My impression is yes, but would like to be sure before jumping in. I'd be ready to go for an F nib, the M looks too thick to me. I look forward to receiving a note from you. Thank you.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The original nib is okay - nothing special. But they are standard #6 size so easily replaced.

[@TheNightowl001]

I have a 316 in a swirled black into white, which I think is very attractive. Now, I guess I have to get a 316a! Thanks, Doug! I have discovered over the years that I actually prefer the flat ends on the Duofold/No Nonsense kind of designs, so the 356 doesn't really trip my trigger quite the same. If I was just collecting Kaigelu pens, though (i.e., if I was rich and could buy ALL the pens I wanted!) I would have to add it to my collection, and the blue is far and away the best color of the lot so far offered (I suspect they'll expand their color options soon, though; that seems to be the way they do things)!

[@InkquiringMinds]

The 316A is a BIG improvement on the 316. It is much lighter than the original.

[@paulmchugh1430]

Beautiful pen with smooth nibs. I just received the 316 with the EF nib. Beautiful writer. The converter being extended to fill with removing the end finial is a plus. I wonder if it can be purchased separately.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I haven't found a converter that fits with a longer knob. Penbbs fits the nozzle but won't fit in the barrel.

[@paulmchugh1430]

@@InkquiringMinds pity. I think the 316 would be great with the extended converter.

[@JuceePeachz67]

Another fantastic and informative video, Doug. I like the pen but I have placed myself on a “no buy” pens until December. 😀.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Oh no! No pens until December? That's a tall order Marianne. I hope you're planning something special for the lucrative gift giving season!

[@dashsunil]

Thanks for the excellent review. Artitect grind gives the writing a lot of character. 😊

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes it does!

[@santauxia]

Cool pens. I'd go with the Amber one in this case.

[@MrCabimero]

Doug thanks again. I went to the site and it is listed as the “long knife” calligraphy nib. Same thing I am guessing?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yup. "Long Blade", "Long Knife", "Naginata Togi", they are all similar to the architect grind which creates a long vertical slit that makes a thick horizontal line and a thin vertical. The Naginata Togi was developed for Sailor by Nagahara Nobuyoshi in 1949, but Sailor says they were making them since 1911. The Naginata Togi is slightly different than an architect though as the vertical gets thicker the lower the angle to the page and the blade is shaped like the Naginata "spear" from feudal Japan.

[@Guderina]

Thank you, Doug, for another wonderful review. I have had this pen on my radar for a time now and after seeing it, I must say it is another "Must have" in my humble collection. These nibs are nice as well, and at a very good price too, alas architect grinds not my cup of tea, my writing seems done with a marker pen.

[@InkquiringMinds]

My pleasure! Everyone is different. I find that a stub makes my writing a little messier where an architect give it some added style. It is all in your handwriting which is, like fingerprints, unique for everyone.

[@luckyoleary9626]

Thank you for the review Doug. I have this calligraphy (Naginata) nib on order. Between your reviews and Jacob (Fudefan from Tokyo Inklings podcast), I'm chasing all of the Naginata style steel nibs to try. I also ordered the EF version of this nib from Aliexpress (Long Knife Grinding Tip EF) which I'm hoping will be a bit better for work use.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Cool!

[@MartinHsueh]

Thanks Doug, for another excellent & informative video on fountain pens. I too have been eyeing the Kaigelu 356 & the new Long Saber nibs. These Long Saber nibs appear to be in more plentiful supply on AliExpress compared to ETSY. ETSY PenBBSOficialStore has the one called Model 355 No.1 Calligraphy nib charm, in very limited supply. I managed to snatch one recently! With regards to the name "Yong Sheng" you mentioned in this video, it is the same characters as "Wing Sung". Yong Sheng is how it is pronounced in Putonghua (the official dialect), while Wing Sung is how the name is pronounced in the Cantonese dialect. The written characters are the same --> 永生。Written Chinese was unified in the first dynasty but each dialect retained their own pronounciation.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I had assumed as much. Thanks!

[@tomshult3044]

Very pretty

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you! 😊

[@Mikey-ii8ef]

So, is the calligraphy nib the same as the long knife? Call me confused...

[@InkquiringMinds]

Generally a calligraphy nib is a stub where the long knife is an architect.

[@wendyholiday2021]

So many beautiful kangaroos! Is there a name for a gathering of Joey's?

[@tdowling149]

A mob.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yeah I used it in my introduction; a mob. But I suspect I don't have enough Kaigelus to make a mob. Maybe half a mob! LOL

[@tdowling149]

@@InkquiringMinds A moblet.

[@wendyholiday2021]

Half a mob is better then none!

[@MissMarilynDarling]

this is a beautiful pen Its definitely on my radar

[@InkquiringMinds]

That's great Marilyn! :)

[@MissMarilynDarling]

@@InkquiringMinds I just bought one I have one question though is the nib housing keyed like most pens have where the nib fits only one way or is it completely round and can be inserted in any direction something like the pen bbs nibs ? Thanks so much :)

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@MissMarilynDarling The nib unit unscrews and the collar is transparent. There is no key.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

@@InkquiringMinds Excellent thank you :)

[@keithwhitney7491]

Thanks, Doug! Your reviews are always terrific! Unfortunately (for me), I will likely have to have one! :)

[@InkquiringMinds]

Any time! Thank you, Keith!

[@amyr.862]

I've slowed down on pens this summer because I want some other goodies...but I saw some old posting nibs that are tempting me. Darn nonstandard nibs. Gotta catch em all.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Always something new to look forward to.

[@amyr.862]

@@InkquiringMinds This naginata type nib might make it to the AliExpress wishlist!

[@glennkelley6096]

The blank space could be engraved with your initials.

[@sathishrao7926]

Slightly off-topic : I’ve always wondered how much of time and efforts are needed to find, cut and insert those ‘fillers’ with matching context/relevance into your review videos !

[@InkquiringMinds]

Well it goes a lot faster now that I've refined some of my edition processes. I've automated a lot of editing with my marvelous editor DaVinci Resolve 17. Finding clip can be as easy as searching KZbin or as difficult of digging out an old DVD. Once it took longer to find a particular clip than it did to film the entire episode! LOL Between writing the script, filming, editing and uploading, I've got the process down to about one full day of work per video. It used to be two full days per video! (8hr days)

[@sathishrao7926]

@@InkquiringMinds Appreciative of all your efforts, hard work and passion - from India 🇮🇳 !

[@josepmariaaguascaribot9239]

I've a MOONMAN with a KAIGELU nib, (¿¡!?), writing well and I think that this is the matter.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

Do you prefer the 316a or the 356?

[@InkquiringMinds]

The 356.

[@LuvsSno]

What is the name of the color of the ink.. is it meraldo?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Smeraldo. Italian for emerald.

[@LuvsSno]

@@InkquiringMinds I thought there was a letter in front of the e, and I tried to listen when you pronounced it, but I totally missed the *S*.. thank you

[@raclark52]

Thanks!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Welcome! Thank YOU!

[@jeancarlostashima8629]

Beautiful Aliexpress have a white color

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes they do

[@davecharvella4854]

Great review, and a very handsome pen! Oh yeah ... GO YANKEES!!! 😁

[@InkquiringMinds]

It is going to be a VERY interesting couple of weeks watching Boston, NY and Toronto! Some great baseball!

[@davecharvella4854]

@@InkquiringMinds Amen!

[@deanandreoli1975]

my comments dont stay on your vids anymore. weird.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I see them!

[@cmdrdarwin3682]

Cool review! I do like the acrylic! & I’m intrigued with the nibs, but my experience with most Chinese nibs (not all) has been that they are mostly junk & not made from good metals, despite what they advertise. After all, these are the same people that brought us lead painted children’s toys, poisonous dog food & COVID…

[@InkquiringMinds]

And iPhones... LOL

[@cmdrdarwin3682]

@@InkquiringMinds - True that, but they are “Designed in California”🤪

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Aurora Optima? Very nice 'cept I have to polish what people politely call 'strong feedback' out of every one of their nibs - I think it's so bad I call it seriously scratchy - then they are magnificent. FWIW I won't knowingly buy Chinese products it's all about Uighurs, forced labour and freedom of speech in Hong Kong. But that's just me.