What Fountain Pens to Buy Before Tariffs?

[@sandraharris8386]

Nice work again, thank you Doug. I am not in the US, but enjoyed the quick summary of Chinese pens regardless

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@MH7_256]

Ooh good info!!!! Also, dude I love your intros! And as a newbie, I really appreciate that you show affordable options, that are great pens.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@texasmom8827]

@ I second the intros. My only ‘beef’ is that I wish they were longer. Don’t judge me!😀

[@zq371]

For anyone who did not understand how tariffs work, this was both educational and a public service.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, @zq371!

[@zq371]

I would not be shocked if this was your primary objective...

[@blaiseutube]

I agree. I didn't realize that the tariffs started Feb 1.

[@thadtheman3751]

It's not so simple as to whether the tariff will be passed on. It depends on markup, competition and other factors. For examp0le, most phones ( other then really cheap ones ) have markups of 800%. Is extra price of an iPhone over a Samsung worth it? For me either phones will do the job just as well, other will "need" the iphone. Is losing people like me worth passing on the tariff? Others you have to pass on the tariff because they are low margin . Whether they are passed on or not is complicated and depends on a lot of things. I suspect that low end items will pass it on, but high end ... The one thing I will say , is it causes the Janesville factory to be reopened ( I doubt it will ) then I am for it.

[@constancec.7177]

Great video. I made purchases before inauguration day. I didn't realize I had until Feb 1 and will double check my list! Thanks!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, @constancec.7177!

[@davecharvella4854]

Purchased my last three Chinese pens in December: Two Majohn P139's, orange & black and a white and black, and one Titanium Ti P136 "hammered". Great timing on my part! And, all three pens are amazing! Cheers!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Awesome!

[@texasmom8827]

Excellent video as always, Doug. Thank you for keeping the politics out of it. I bought the Wingsung 630 steel nib for the heck of it after watching your glowing reviews of the one with the gold nib. It is now my every day pen and I absolutely love it, so much so that I’ve ordered another one. The gold nib one is on my list as well, but checking my spending on pens after the holidays.😢 Looking forward to the next episode!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the 630!

[@randomnative3630]

Great video. I wish more of my countrymen (and women) her in the United States of Dumbfu--istan shared your attitude...or even knew what a tariff is. A Hong Dian was my doorway drug to fountain pens. The Black Forest is great, and comes with a converter that puts all the Pilot converters I own to shame. Hard to be Pilot nibs though. Cheers.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@M.J.C.W.]

I made my purchases already because of this, but I'm wondering how the De Minimis Act (H.R.644) will be applied. In essence, the act allows for the importation of goods under $800 to be exempt from tariffs.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for the update!

[@kd5byb]

THANK YOU for avoiding politics. I get enough politics elsewhere!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Ain't that the truth!

[@goya951]

Thank you for this video Doug. It really helped prioritize my purchases 👍

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@13noman1]

I accelerated my purchase plans already! A sad necessity but necessity just the same!

[@Plhmel561]

Great review! That 601! I have three, but I will go looking for one like yours. That is gorgeous.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks! The 601 is a classic.

[@MissouriAngel]

Thank you for the video! ETA: I bought a bunch of Jinhao 992s and cartridges to give away to people who are intrigued by my pens. I got one as a 99 cent welcome gift to AliExpress and have had Platinum Carbon Black in it for months without troubles. That inexpensive little plastic pen is a tank. I had bad luck with the nib on my Majohn M800, so much so that I wrote notes about how much I hated the pen *with* the pen. I swapped out the nib with a Kaigelu long knife medium nib and now it’s wonderful. Now I want to grab another one and copy you by swapping in a Leonardo stub…

[@InkquiringMinds]

That's a great idea, a Kaigelu knife nib is a great choice, good for the swap! And the Leo 1.1 stub in my Galaxy M800 is wonderful.

[@deandesrosiers6857]

Great list, kind of a refresher list of great pens from China. As a Canadian, I can only hope that perhaps our dollar improves. I’d love to find a PenBBS, Niangao finish.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The Niangao finish is a real looker!

[@mollymollie6048]

@@deandesrosiers6857 I keep looking for one of those myself!!! That is such a beautiful resin!

[@deandesrosiers6857]

Where did you order it?

[@АлександрТорянников]

I bought two of Asvine J16. Unfortunately, both nibs are scratchy…

[@InkquiringMinds]

Sorry to hear that. Mine was perfect.

[@GetReal521]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your recommendations from these various sources and countries. You provided me with some good ideas for upcoming purchases.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Great to hear!

[@garymoffat591]

I’ve been considering the same looming issue, so based on your recommendations, I purchased three pens for less than $85. No matter when impending tariffs end-if ever-prices will never come down again. That might be a good thing because with 40+ pens, more purchases are not likely to improve my quality of life! I will, however, continue to follow your channel.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Prices going up do not seem to deter the NEED for that new model that comes out next!

[@NameLikeNobodyElse]

Oh, lordy. I don't watch the news either, so thanks for the info. Let me go make my FOMO list now!!

[@InkquiringMinds]

You're welcome! 😁

[@spiderwrangler4457]

Slight misspeak on the Asvine vac filler, V126, not V129 for anyone looking for it

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes. V126

[@TraceyDuncan-sv7ow]

Thanks so much for the quick and thorough review of good pens for less! I have a few of the ones you suggested and now I’m looking to put better nibs on a few for more writing enjoyment. 😊

[@InkquiringMinds]

You are so welcome!

[@unknowncrash1]

Absolutely agree with the pens listed in the videos, all are solid picks!!!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks! I'm glad you agree!

[@creato938]

Good recommendations, there is a lot of value to be had in these pens.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I agree!

[@CyberTrucker1995]

Thanks for the reminder. I noticed several that you mentioned were on my list so I guess I won’t have to purchase them soon.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad to be of service!

[@sunnycharacter]

Does that include Monteverde inks?

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have no idea where Monteverde inks are made. Probably in the US.

[@sunnycharacter]

@ Thanks, not that I need more. But I sure like them!

[@brentsilva6406]

Great video. Where is the best place to find the cedar pen or the capless white/black one?

[@InkquiringMinds]

The cedar Penbbs 308 is no longer available new and rare used. You can get the Majohn A3 on Etsy here: tinyurl.com/ekjp7m6a

[@brentsilva6406]

@@InkquiringMinds Dang it, ok. Every time I find something I like and want it's impossible to find. Lol. I am new to fountain pens so no biggie. I am sure I will come across something else.

[@robbiemer8178]

Good list. And there are one or two pens on it that I don't own right now. Although, if the prices go up only as much as the tariffs add, I think I'll be OK since these generally are so inexpensive to start with. (This is me coping ahead of time just in case I don't find any pen(s) compelling enough to buy in the next few days... :) ) Time to go look at what colors/finishes I can find for the potentially interesting pens you showed us! Thank you for your humor and info about this subject!

[@InkquiringMinds]

You're welcome!

[@robbiemer8178]

@@InkquiringMinds Well. I didn't find a Wing Sung 630 on Amazon but I do now have a Yongsheng Junlai 630 on the way to me. And two new Jinhao pens. And a bottle of Hongdian ink. Not entirely sure I can say that I've "saved"any $ but I have paid less than what I might pay next month. So that's good. I guess... :)

[@RLocksley]

Might I suggest that fountain pens lovers from outside the U.S. consider buying new pens/inks/accessories from the tariffed countries around the end of February to mid-March. By that time, following Economics 101, demand for Chinese fountain pens in the U.S. will likely have dropped substantially and, therefore, so will prices. I'm outside the U.S and have already decided to load up on Chinese fountain pens around that time.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Good point.

[@archivist17]

Great list. The Asvine J16 seems really hard to get delivered to the UK for some reason, but i am hoping to get one soon.

[@archivist17]

But...no HongDian? They're currently my favourite Chinese brand (though Asvine are pulling alongside). Ah, you just explained. I should really stick to commenting AFTER watching the vid 😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

Fingers crossed!

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL!😂

[@willemgroenewegen5934]

Same here in the Netherlands, the only one on Dutch Amazon costs 86 euro now.

[@misswoodhouse5720]

Hi Doug, now I am glad that during the late 90's Australia voted the GST similar to value added tax but only 10%. I think my days of buying from the USA might be over, glad I don't like conklin.

[@InkquiringMinds]

We have a GST in Canada as well but tariffs are not goods and services taxes.

[@March22012]

A great video! I’ve ordered two Asvines. Why wait?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Good choice!

[@pnmoura]

Hello. Great video.... I was looking for the Asvine V129 that you mentioned in your video, but I cannot find it anywhere....is it V129 or the V126? Keep up the good content. Compliments from Portugal!

[@InkquiringMinds]

It is the V126

[@irvintepper5]

it's a v126

[@loracharis6814]

Question on the Admok M800… does the grip section unscrew or has any play at all? I just got one and I was unscrewing throw first time the grip section also started turning. It didnt screw completely, met some resistance and I stopped and retightened.

[@InkquiringMinds]

It should not move.

[@animula6908]

I’m not worried about what extra luxury items to buy. I’ve been struggling to pay for necessities (food, gas, etc) for a couple years already. I’m happy for those of you with this concern, because it means you’re still comfortable enough to shop for pens, which we all love. I’m using my old ones until I lose them all. Then I might worry about buying a lead pen from Jinhao.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for your perspective!

[@CarzorStelatis]

1:48 and if you import personally, you'll have to pay a processing fee (to the courier) on top of the tax itself.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Usually, yes!

[@Subcomandante73]

I would also grab some Jinhao inks. The Bamboo Green and Bluish Violet are very nice.

[@crouserm]

Well timed, my friend! I have followed your philosophy already with getting a new cell phone (it was time), and will take care of pen/ink purchases I had been putting off. BTW, my Asvine P-20, Wing Sung 601A 14k, and Wing Sung (Jun Lai) 630 14k are treasures! ... I hope you've noticed the Black Amber in the Admok Mx00 pens. I love the M400. Anyhow, thanks, Professor!

[@InkquiringMinds]

I’m glad you’re taking care of your pen needs!

[@stephen_hynes]

US customs does not charge taxes or duties on personal imports at or below $800USD. This will likely also include upcoming tariffs.

[@guesswhatthisisnotmyrealna9510]

Does this mean buying from re-sellers on e-bay or the like will dodge tariffs?

[@cjpsmachado]

I don´t believe there is a Parker 51 Flighter version. Isn't it the Parker 45 Flighter?

[@InkquiringMinds]

The Parker 51 Flighter was the very first of the "Flighters". Ken Parker, George's son, was keen on aviation and had the stainless steel version of the famous Parker 51 released around 1950. The 45 didn't come out until 1960.

[@ChrisGVE]

The video may be too late. China is now entering the Lunar New Year celebration period, and shipping will be delayed. Thus, goods might not arrive in the US before February 1st.

[@brahmhenkins8732]

So true! Already too late for the US of A. Rather wait for about 4 years, hopefully things will get back to normal.

[@anneh3185]

Thanks Doug … great video.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for watching

[@AuthorsReserve]

😆Bonus content: a master class in managing the comments section.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much, @AuthorsReserve!

[@chi-towncalifornia5916]

Well, that does it! I’ve been prevaricating to myself on about wanting to get an Asvine J16 medium nib, and this video convinced me to finally pull the trigger on one. Side note: I searched Ali Express for that gorgeous Wingsung 601 with the striped blue finial gold cap and the teal body, but had no such luck in finding it. Am I missing something with my search?

[@InkquiringMinds]

I build that one from parts.

[@patricktrisler2043]

I have a Penbbs that I love to draw with but the cap has a crack, the clip is loose and the converter leaks. Maybe I got a dud as I usually hear good things about them, but I’m wary from buying another.

[@parthibanilango5568]

Where do you get those adorable pen holders?

[@InkquiringMinds]

The brass figures are from coppertist.wu

[@parthibanilango5568]

@@InkquiringMinds thanks a ton

[@chazmena]

You reminded me to buy a Wing Sung 601. Thanks. I don't know which of Bobby's Nibs would be smoother on it, though... Oh Doug, man, I wish I could say more ...

[@InkquiringMinds]

I think you'll enjoy the 601!

[@spiderwrangler4457]

601 is my favorite for using samples! Draws close to the nib, and can do it one handed!

[@followyourbrush]

Great suggestions, I was wondering the same thing. Pam

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Pam!

[@escargotomy]

I don't have experience with Ferris Wheel Inks. Are they wet, dry, saturated, weak??? Can anyone suggest a good one in blue and in green?? That I can buy easily? Thanks!!

[@InkquiringMinds]

They have thousands (it seems) of inks. Most are low saturation and many are shimmering and sheening. My favourites are Roaring Patina Black and Cabernet by the Lake.

[@marmeemarch7080]

I've heard they often are dry. I have the Central Park Greens in a stub nib, and I love it! Shades nicely, a lovely spring green that's not too dark, bright, yellow, or vivid -- just right. I think I got it from Vanness. It does tend to be dry on cheap papers.

[@sunnycharacter]

I’ve been thinking about this considering I have a few more Jinhao I want. But no huge deal if I don’t grab them. I’ve got tons.

[@rahulshah1408]

Took you advice and went for 2 more Asvines. I’m shocked at how smooth the v126 is. It’s been a rough month and shopping is therapy. :). Bought the J16 in fine and V200 in bock F… scratch that. Bock medium.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The J16 is great! I'm glad you found one you like!

[@jlanz183]

There is still hope for us pen people…I think lol. As of now I don’t think they have made a decision on changing the De Minimis Exemption. I’ve read that they may be changing it so some items may be ineligible for the exemption but as of right now (1/25/25) no changes have been finalized…I think 😂 So we may not have to worry about small purchases like pens and ink purchased from Ali express.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, @jlanz183, for the excellent information!

[@jlanz183]

@ you’re very welcome. I’d like to add that after posting that I immediately ordered another admok m800 and asvine v126 just in case 😂 thanks for the video!!

[@paulmchugh1430]

I have though about buying oens before the tariffs begin. I just bought the Asvine C2000 with the #8 nib. I was hoping for a Hong Dian A7 but it sells out faster than I have seen from any other model. (You should try one of the recent models like the D1 with its soft nib.) I have hemmed and hawed about the J16. I should get it. Thanks for the recommendations, Doug.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I just got two C2000s.

[@karel2249]

Hi inkquiring minds, i have a question which you could possibly help me with. I have a normal lamy fine pen and it writes really smooth, almost perfectly and writes pretty wet. I wanted to buy a penbbs 456 medium but i am scared for the nib. I also dont have shims so i could not make it more wet. Should i take the risk? Thanks in advance, i love you content!

[@InkquiringMinds]

PenBBS nibs, whether fine or medium, write dry out of the box by design. Using a shim will help, but I use the "7 Strokes" technique to make them wetter. You have to use caution because you could spring the nib if you press too hard.

[@karel2249]

@InkquiringMinds okay thank you sir, i will have a look at it!

[@axelstein9773]

Hello! Is it possible to install a Jowo nib into Asvine P20?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes! But you must use the Asvine feed and nib collar!

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

Say it ain't so! I love my Asvine pens and the idea of having to pay a tariff to get the newest release is breaking my heart. This is a timely and useful topic, by the way.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks Teresa!

[@lucm6476]

good stuff, thankyou

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@aag24]

Can't we all just get along? Love all the people.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Sure!

[@afrog2666]

@@iwishyouhappinnes1125 Oh you mean Amazon? gotcha. Supporting slavery for convenience, LOVE Amazon! ;)

[@justincalhoun879]

Tell that to the hateful old man targeting the rights of humans he doesn't like

[@justincalhoun879]

Great video.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for watching!

[@ivanupton6586]

there might be another whole video on how to tell the difference between the admok that you showed first and the second asvine lol they both look incredibly similar if I had both in those exact colorways I would be forever confusing them

[@InkquiringMinds]

You are right, they can be tricky to tell apart! The Admok is a clone of the Pelikan M800. The Asvine is a clone of the Leonardo Momento Zero/Magico.

[@MH7_256]

*Also, I love the comment, cut the bullsh*t 😂 You are epic!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, @MH7_256!

[@LEO19495]

Only pens i want are german or intage american so Ig I dont gotta worry

[@InkquiringMinds]

Excellent!

[@stanbrown915]

😂😂😂😂 He ain't gonna put up with any shenanigans 😂😂😂

[@Copperplate_69]

Good luck to all US-Americans that the requested pens are available at reasonable prices! 🍀 And thank you Doug for not having to write anything about politics, because I have no idea about that 😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

My pleasure!

[@philippebarillecavalier9275]

Impact of tariffs? I'm guessing the most visible effect will be instead of buying 5 Jinhao at a time, it will be reduced to 4.

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL 👍

[@brahmhenkins8732]

Hmm, it probably has to do with the import of oil from Alberta. But anyway, give it about four years, and hopefully this absurdity will fade again. I would still love to get the Asvine V126 in several colours, a PenBBS 456 in Galaxy Blue, which I know is impossible. Urgh, too many others I know I can't get. Sad sad.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much, @brahmhenkins8732!

[@cdgarcia]

Bought the MM P139 because of this vid

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much, @cdgarcia!

[@donhall-aquitania1025]

I found the Wing Sung 630 to be larger than a Montblanc 149 but still a good writer.

[@InkquiringMinds]

They are almost identical in size. Variances are negligible.

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

Nahvalur missed? It was made in Changchow, not California

[@InkquiringMinds]

As far as I know, the tariffs do not apply to Taiwan. I could be wrong, in which case, hope on a Nahvalur Original + !

[@willemgroenewegen5934]

Great list, reminded me to get a Penbbs P20. Apart from that new tariff, there is also the new EU directive on imports from outside the EU, wherein only companies with a representative in the EU can still sell online to the EU. Means all those wonderful one-person Etsy shops outside the EU are now closed off to me as a European customer. I hope eventually Dutch pen/stationery shops will import more themselves.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Didn’t know that about the EU!

[@bradwavemb]

Wait. For real?

[@willemgroenewegen5934]

@@bradwavemb Yes, I'm afraid so. It's called the DSA, the Digital Services Act. It replaces rules from the early 2000's that had already described the representation thing, but not implemented them. Over the years, it's proved very hard for customers buying abroad online to file complaints/hold sellers accountable when products were faulty and these new rules aim to make that easier by demanding companies outside of the EU having a representative within it. Unfortunately, such a representative cannot be a person, but has to be an organisation with the means and legal competency to cover liability. And that's only affordable for larger companies. Various Etsy shops have already closed to the EU.

[@bappadityadutta857]

Doug the Chinese fountain pens are really good considering the price you pay for the pens. 😊

[@InkquiringMinds]

They certainly are!

[@yingyuburgess7874]

You weren't impressed with the Admok 800, especially the acrylic which you thought cheep. Have you changed your mind since the review? I don't mind the admok 800, its ok for the price. Thanks for the video.

[@InkquiringMinds]

There are nib options now that there weren’t before. The first one had an Admok nib. The second had a Schmidt. My Galaxy has a Bock nib that is amazing.

[@15654lawol]

Here in the UK we pay 22% anyways in VAT ( called value added tax) so US catching up .

[@janelllonga1898]

Tariffs are not like the VAT. Our equivalent would be the sales tax.

[@mollymollie6048]

Thank you so much for the help…I was trying to buy up all the Chinese pens I could before the tariffs, and I thought they were coming soon, but maybe not this soon (and I didn’t know Canada and Mexico were going to be on the naughty list??!!! 🙄) I also don’t know how much of a hit it’s going to be…ugh. Anyway, as we’re heading into the end of the month, I don’t have much of a budget for pens, but there were a few on my own list (and thank you for yours!!!) so I’m glad I have my ducks pretty much in a row at this point. I need to find a Majohn A3 on sale because I love that white with black trim, and the thinner ones with the clip at the end don’t appeal to me (I think the clip will bug me…but I could be wrong, I should probably just get the Jinhao 10 in one of the awesome ombré colors and try it out. I can always penable someone with it if I don’t like it.) Well…off to AliExpress!! Thanks so much, Doug, I think I’ve watched the majority of your back catalog in the last month looking for good pens to get before this happens 😣 (P.S., I love Cary Grant, love his old movies, and the “Get out!” clip is always a favorite…as is the NO! button 😁)

[@InkquiringMinds]

I think I'll put new batteries in my "NO" button!

[@mollymollie6048]

@ oh no! Does that mean you’ve got some upcoming reviews that didn’t leave you with a happy feeling? (Or just for life in general? Hopefully all is well with the Inkquiring Minds Family and Friends!) I think I need one of those NO! buttons myself!! I wish I’d had one when I was working to hit every time I got “voluntold” into some new position that came with a cool title and looked great on my CV…but added a pile of work and a lot of headaches to my week 🤪 Regardless, thanks for letting me know when the tariffs start. I avoid the news and politics…it reduces the need for the NO! button significantly 😁

[@kd5byb]

I didn't know Canada was on the naughty list either!

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@kd5byb Yes. We are known terrorists and very bad neighbours. We add extra letters to words and stuff.

[@kd5byb]

@@InkquiringMinds Nonsense! Been to Canada many times - Ontario, Quebec, PEI, NS - lovely places, lovely people!

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

Been talking with Majohn about opening a subsidy in Ohio. Katie Zhao from Ti136 Hammering Dept. refused the proposal.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Interesting! :)

[@thadtheman3751]

You mean a factory? Maybe they will be more receptive now.

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

@thadtheman3751 I'm joking. Trump asks the world to open factory in the States.

[@thadtheman3751]

@@Shanghai_Knife_Dude I actually said in a different comment that I hope it causes the Janesville factory to be reopened ( it would be nice to see some pens made in the US ), but I think the market is too small.

[@ironmic9244]

Good call on the pens you mentioned. Of course this only applies to Americans, as you said, and really just applies to the Chinese pens, until the tariffs will be levied on everything coming into the US.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Ferris Wheel Press has pens that come from Canada.

[@ironmic9244]

@@InkquiringMinds Quite right. FWP is in my backyard too lol. I am skeptical about FWP though, because it feels like they are not as popular as some years back, but I could be missing something.

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@ironmic9244 I've reviewed a couple of FWP pens and found them wanting. The inks are very interesting and I have a few favourites. But the bottles are horrible.

[@ironmic9244]

@ Ha. Usually people like the bottles - at least the look of them. I don't use shimmer inks, so I don't really gravitate towards FWP inks, and pens look to thin for my liking, and I am not sure about how fun the nib is. The inks do look nice though, but also look kind of dry.

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@ironmic9244 The 38ml bottles have narrow necks and are top-heavy making them an accident waiting to happen.

[@pensane]

There’s not a single model of Monteverde or Conklin pens you like? Seeing your taste in pens, I find that hard to believe. May I recommend their Mountains of the World and Trees of the World models? Both are stunners from Monteverde. I’ve never understood why people bad mouth Monteverde and Conklin. I find it irresponsible, as a fountain pen community influencer, to make blanket statements against brands that bring unique and fun pen designs to people at reasonable prices. I hope you will make a video that takes a look at these brands with an open mind while explaining your opinion in more detail. I have tremendous respect for your channel, even when you’re wearing your Calgary Flames cap (Kings fan!), but this is disappointing. I hope Cary Grant doesn’t tell me to get out. Yours is one of my go-to channels.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Sorry for being an irresponsible fountain pen influencer. I've used and reviewed pens from both Conklin and Monteverde and stopped buying them because of the huge markup on what is, basically, a Chinese pen, branded in the US. Opinions vary. This is mine.

[@pensane]

@ thanks for the reply, Doug! I appreciate it. The rising price of Chinese pens doesn’t affect this opinion? When I first entered the hobby, an expensive Chinese pen was $20. Most of them were easily under $10. It seems like the average now is in the $40-60 range with prices going well over $100. Regardless, your opinion is your opinion. And I do respect it. I just get tired of people bashing Monteverde and Conklin, contradicting my own experience with the brands. I’m sorry your experience hasn’t been good. But keep up the great work on your channel. I will continue to enjoy it. 👍

[@TheProwlerAssassin]

Well, americans will now get a small taste of what living in brazil is like.... At least you guys have a lot of cool stuff from your own country and, if I understand correctly, you can still get stuff from europe and japan...

[@ichirofakename]

Look at all those beautiful Chinese pens!

[@misswoodhouse5720]

Oh no, I have things in my Amazon wish list that are from the US but are surely made in China, quick........... waaaaa

[@KenoticMuse]

Trump is threatening more tariffs on Feb 1st, but I don't think it's for sure. Either way, this is a good list of pens to get in case the tariffs goes through.

[@iwishyouhappinnes1125]

It is sad. I hope it is just a small price increase.

[@payambagheri6370]

❤

[@contentconsumer487]

Vitriol is bad! I just posted a vitriolic comment. 😮

[@InkquiringMinds]

I'll excuse it once. ;)

[@mayurpatel2901]

You feeling okay? You sound a little hoarse. Please stay healthy and safe.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for the well wishes!

[@archivist17]

🤐🤐🤐 *insert non-political post here 😂

[@rahulshah1408]

Nailed the vibe.

[@InkquiringMinds]

🤣

[@mollymollie6048]

@@archivist17 Same here!!!! < insert Seinfeld clip> Serenity now! Serenity now!

[@tomlevasseur8550]

Really trying to refrain from any Chinese products. Tariffs are fine with me because they serve a purpose and do it effectively.

[@lpanades]

Take it easy, fastly the fabrics will begin to produce inside USA much better products with low cost.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I hope you're right!

[@lpanades]

@@InkquiringMinds , I live in Brazil but I hope too. God Bless America. You are very lucky to return to the formula that made you prosperous. An example to the world. In Brazil we are going totally in the wrong way, we will turn ourselves slaves of China.