First Impressions - Wing Sung 699

[@jpg5540]

About to pull the trigger on 699... curious to compare it to PenBBS 456.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

They're both vacuum fillers. I think my 456 is very pretty. I think the Wing Sung nibs in this instance were a little better, but with Chinese nibs, it can be a bit of a gamble.

[@DrinkWater713]

Did you buy it? If so, how is the flex on the nib?

[@adventuredenali]

Always great, thanks for the first impression!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed.

[@JavierArellano]

It was another blue ink but what a lovely ink. I have it and I love it. I also have that pen and is great but tell you what? In the past I flew with the 823 and zero leaks so I tried doing same with this one ( but inside Ziploc just in case) and I had a big leak.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I think the 823 really is the better pen. And good thing you had that Ziploc! What I see with these pens is that the 699 pens just are not as carefully made.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Reverse writing with the medium nib Wing Sung 699 is the best yet. I’ve handled many 823s, this is scarily close.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I'm impressed by the quality of this pen!

[@siguie2355]

I love my Wing Sung pens but one reason is that the fines are usually a real Fine. Both of your pens are writing like mediums. I would love to hear how the 699 compares to the Pilot 823 though if it's close you will make a lot of people happy and the rest of us very very sad. The 823 with a soft fine is one of my favourite pens of all time.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Yes, these nibs are more like a medium. I can't see any difference between them. I'm thinking about the comparison video. It will be soon. I haven't used a soft fine on the 823, but the regular fine on it is quite nice.

[@edenyan7237]

part of the reason is that Chinese written characters are like little pictures, unlike Roman alphabet they need the nib to be extra fine to fit in the some column in a notebook line. So that Japanese and Chinese made pen often VERY fine, because of that, pen lovers in east asia love sheaffer， sheaffer‘s old models like imperial always have a very hard and very fine nib, so that can write those picture like characters with perfect accuracy. :)

[@misswoodhouse5720]

Thanks, Mr Squirrel, I have always been interested in the Wing Sung 699 but never ordered one, the medium looks like a good pen.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

It's a good vacuum filler. I'm pleased with mine.

[@Mattw1987]

Had one of these in amber fine for about three weeks now in the fine nib not to bad by my fine writes more like a. Medium, all in all a nice knock around pen for me to use up some my litre bottle of pelikan black....

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Yes, I don't see any difference between the medium and fine. But you are right: these pens will suck in a lot of ink at once!

[@davidanderson3425]

Just to clarify, the clear pen was the medium nib 0:45 and the amber pen was the fine nib. The writing sample showed both to be medium nibs. The secret is to watch you remove each pen from their marked boxes! As I look down at the comments I wonder if the involvement of China in the pandemic has changed attitudes in the West towards their country. Where once we were happy to buy their cheap and cheerful fountain pens, I sense in some quarters a growing lack of tolerance now.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Yes, I got confused during the writing sample. There is certainly more racism in this country, and certain politicians and news outlets are fanning the flames. I think the outrage will go on for a while, but won't last. Wallets will win.

[@matthewbeddow3278]

Thank you, Jason, for the first impression. I like the look of these pens and yes we have to accept that they took their inspiration from the pilot. Some people don't like that myself but unless its a fake of the original pilot pen then I don't have an issue. I know people have said before about a sample holder and I hope you don't mind me saying: if you get a *PVC socket/coupler 12mm-110mm from eBay* then epoxy this into a ramekin or a saucer this will hold the sample vial and you can tilt it or whatever and any spills go in the ramekin. I use one and it's great much easier than trying to hold the pen and the vial.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Yes, these are not fakes. A little too close to the Pilot for comfort, but, as I've said before, lots of pens are quite similar. It's the Chinese who get most of the attention for this. I do need to do something better with my sample vials. People always mention my way of filling pens from them.

[@jamesaritchie1]

I use a lump of modeling clay. Smoosh it down on a piece of board, push the ink viasl down into it, and you have a one minute vial holder. Cost me about a dollar for enough clay to make twenty of them. I just made three, and gave the excess clay to my grandkids.

[@matthewbeddow3278]

. Can you get it fired and glazed because that would be really cool?

[@sajjadhusain4146]

In my experience, the 699 is one of the best pens Wing Sung has made so far. My other firm favourites being the 601/601A, 618, and the 626. I already own the absolutely marvelous Pilot Custom 823(Amber). But this WS tribute to the 823 was too hard to resist. So, I bought the clear one with the M nib. I think the 699 is a substantive, solid, very well made pen. Everything about the overall build quality, the Vac-filling system, feel in hand, appearance and writing experience seem to make the pen a purchase I’m extremely glad I made. Of course, only time will tell if it will last for years. That said, I have to admit that I initially found the M nib rather too stiff, too dry and rather underwhelming. Luckily, that somehow sorted itself out soon afterwards. I have Monteverde Copper Noir in my 699. A lovely combination in my eyes. And a dependable and delightful pen for any occasion. Thanks for this very fine first impressions review of an equally good pen.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I'm impressed with the 699. As you say, time will tell how long lasting it will be. I'm glad to hear you enjoy yours as well.

[@ArkansasMike]

Good looking pens. Thanks for sharing.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Glad you like them! I'm enjoying them.

[@ArkansasMike]

@@WaskiSquirrel I had to order one! Lol

[@manoloyloles]

I also got two, but the brown and the clear blue. Nice pens for the price and good writers.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I agree! I like the feel of these. But I got the Amber so I could compare more closely to my Pilot.

[@manoloyloles]

@@WaskiSquirrel I don't have the Pilot... poor me! :-)

[@DrinkWater713]

How is the flex on the nib after two years?

[@LSWUK]

Your writing looks really good with this pen. I'd be interested to know your experiences with leakages while carrying pens in your shirt pocket. Have you had any leak on you? Are certain types of filling systems more prone to leaking? Ever dropped a pen and destroyed it?

[@WaskiSquirrel]

The only pens that ever leaked on me were one old lever filler, and one that came uncapped in my pocket. I think pens with latex sacs are more prone to leaking. Why yes, I have dropped a pen or two and destroyed them. Fortunately, nothing too expensive!

[@FountainPenJourney]

These do look like nice pens - Thanks for sharing Jason. I hadn't been tempted by these pens until I watched your video.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Glad you like them! They are good pens, despite all the anti-China comments.

[@BIBLEBELIEVERSVIDEO]

Glad to see you reviewing one of my favorite Chinese pens! I do have four of them, and am always struck by how different their nibs feel on paper compared to many other pens. I don't have a Pilot Custom 823 to compare with the Wingsung 699, but I would have to guess that the Pilot nib is reasonably superior to the 699's nib.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

The Pilot nib is nicer. And you're right, these do feel good. Too often with Chinese pens, my thought is, "This would be nice with a different nib." I wonder if it has to do with the way they write with all the short strokes?

[@Nojii1]

I hope you do not mind me commenting on your comment Mark. I can confirm the 823s nib is wonderful and some would say it may be not fair to directly compare, but when the pen is so very similar visually to the Pilot, they perhaps are inviting comparisons..

[@BIBLEBELIEVERSVIDEO]

@@Nojii1 you are right. When Wing Sung made the pen, they invited comparison; and that must include the nib. :) I feel a Pilot 823 in my future.

[@Nojii1]

Thank you for your reply Mark. I cannot recommend the Pilot 823 enough and if you decide to buy one I hope it gives you as much writing pleasure as mine do. There are many in my collection that are more expensive (Nakaya/Conid/149 etc) but I don’t think any of them are a *better* writing experience. Perhaps more a work of art or a trailblazer but pure writing happiness, no. I’m excited for you ☺️. I’m a bit of a pen nerd..

[@BIBLEBELIEVERSVIDEO]

@@Nojii1 If the Pilot Custom 74 is any indicator of how nice the 823 will be, then I'm sure I will like it!

[@alanpareis734]

Love those plunger/vac fillers, for me 2nd only to the Parker capillary fill as the best filling system. However don’t love them enough to buy what seems essentially yet another Chinese copy of a name brand. I may have to order a Pilot with all the $ I’ve saved by not eating out the last two months. I.E. funds transfer to support my fav pen retailer.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I haven't tried a capillary filler. From what I understand, they are a challenge to clean? Yes, I was surprised how much extra cash I had recently. It's helping me to re-evaluate my own purchasing in the future.

[@Nojii1]

Hey Waski! Nice looking pens with great ink capacities. Could be a perfect workhorse pen that will keep going through the day? I have 823s in B and M so I will probably stick with them, I’m a Pilot 15 nib kinda girl but I realise some people don’t enjoy them. I’m sure you already know this but you can get 823s in clear too. I had to get it from Japan but they are available! Your two demonstrations didn’t look all that different to be honest - I would have expected the fine to be..finer. Thank you for the video. 😊 Edit: I forgot to say, it was entirely your fault I got my first 823. The second was all on me but you are definitely to blame for the first...😉

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Yes, I'll be writing with these two pens for a long time! The 823 is a good pen. My Lamy 2000 is almost empty, and I'm ready to switch pens for the summer. When I bought mine, the clear ones were hard to find. I think I'm still okay with the brown finish, but if the clear had been available, I would have loved that. You're right, the two nibs are the same. I was even confused in the video when I labeled them both as mediums. Sorry for getting you into the 823! It's a good pen.

[@Nojii1]

Well it’s nice to talk to you again, I haven’t dropped a comment for a while. I am sorry. I might email you why... 😐 And really, don’t worry about the 823 thing. I adore mine and I really love their nibs. But you knew I was pulling your leg... 😊 I am a terrible influence with ink so we cancel each other out!

[@tsherbs1309]

You labeled both nibs as "M" in the writing test. Was the brown one actually an F? It looks wetter than the M clear, but it could be the ink.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

You're right. The brown one is a fine. I showed the nibs, but then I forgot about it when I did the writing sample. And you're right, the fine seems to be wetter. I should have used the same ink.

[@pookachu2392]

Just found your channel as I'm considering the Wing Sung 699. After a year, do you still use/enjoy it? Also, keep up the awesome work, looking forward to watching more of your videos :)

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Honestly, I only inked it up one other time after filming this. It's a decent pen, but I like other pens better.

[@pookachu2392]

@@WaskiSquirrel That's incredibly helpful to know and add to my pro/cons! Thanks for taking the time to reply and hope you are having a lovely week :)

[@Mattw1987]

I still want the real deal and get a custom 823 at some point to go with my custom 743, but i bought to many pilot pens this month... Your reviews do not help my wallet at times! Good job I have spent less these days with the whole world thingy going on.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

The 823 is a great pen, and most reviewers seem to agree on that! But the 743 is a good pen too with a similar feel to the 823.

[@Mattw1987]

@@WaskiSquirrel There is one thing i do love about the 743 its that it is a cartridge/converter pen so does make it quite fast to change inks in it which i tend to prefer, find with this wing sung 699 that i feel like i have to stick to one ink to avoid the cleaning

[@MrAndrew1953]

My 699 has a screw up piston rod, not the straight pull up , push down on your version. Either way the 699 is so close to the 823 it’s scary.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I agree: remarkably similar. And it really is a well made pen as well. Though I did later learn that the parts are not compatible.

[@DrinkWater713]

How is the flex on the nib on the 699? Is it too stiff?

[@blakeward2]

Total disregard for Pilot's IP. I hope people support companies who develop the real deal.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

It looks more similar than I would like. At the same time, you're getting a steel nib pen with much lower quality manufacture. And they never claim to be anything they're not. That's been pretty standard practice in fashion and many other areas.

[@SilvaFeesh007]

I have a real Pilot Custom 823 with a gold nib, which I’m more than happy with. I am one of those that think Wing Sung ought to be put out of business for clearly breaching patent and trademark law. For consumers, it’s great, but WS really are piggybacking and undercutting other risk - taking business’ success by copying pen designs and selling them cheaply. Pen manufacturers that innovate will lose income and won’t continue to innovate until thieves like WS are stopped. This parasitic behaviour is very bad for this industry in the long term.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

The whole topic of what is breaching law and what is merely homage or inspiration is a tricky one. A lot of Wing Sung models are improvements on the originals (many of their Parker 51 clones, for example). I did a discussion on this in my Pens in Use May 1 (which should publish today).

[@chrislj2890]

No thanks, I'll stick to the real thing.

[@chrislj2890]

@Steve Burdick When possible I'm trying to avoid buying anything from China, which is hard when even our drugs are produced there. I have nothing against the people, just their government, and I have no issue with purchasing from Taiwan.

[@JoelTurrell]

I agree. My Custom 823 will still work for my child, and then a grandchild, just as I still can use my grandfather's Wahl Doric II (similar filling system). My Chinese versions are PenBBS 456s, and they are 10 to 20 year pens only. Nice enough pens, but not as high quality.

[@chrislj2890]

@@JoelTurrell Yes, I have a couple of PenBBS pens, and they are decently made and a very good value, as are most all of the Chinese pens I have. But the Custom 823 is definitely a notch above the others, including the European pens.

[@chrislj2890]

@Steve Burdick Yep, me too, and I also have a great love for the Italian pens, even though their nib adjusting skills can be very sporadic, lol.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

The difference is that I'd take these to more places than I would take the 823. But you're right, the 823 is a better pen.