Hong Dian Forest Series Fountain Pen Review (Asvine Black Forest Pen)

Considering buying the Asvine Black Forest fountain pen ( amzn.to/3rHtKFw ), which is also called the Hong Dian Forest fountain pen? This thing seems to be a legit hit based on the Amazon rank and ratings, so I bought one to test out. Here are my thoughts.
If you need cartridges for your Asvine/Hong Dian fountain pen: In the video I used these amzn.to/3vEou6Z from Schneider, which are a great refill for a very good price.
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[@caseyjp1]

"lacking in character". THAT is completely subjective. When I saw this pen (the blue forest variant) on Amazon, I drooled. In hand, I'm still drooling. This is the smoothest most perfect pen...FOR MY HAND...that I've used in ages. It became my daily driver even over my N7 (which I love). The engineering on this thing makes it seem 50$ more expensive than it is. Easy to clean, change inks and just write with. I'm a fan.

[@unsharpen]

Yep, some of these remarks will be completely subjective. Glad to hear this is the pen for you.

[@epicPhsycoturtle]

This was my second fountain pen. I got it in green. I love this pen, its surprisingly good for the money. It got me back into fountain pens after losing my first pen years ago.

[@wxnvsk]

I believe the logo on the finial is a stylized Chinese character 弘 (Hong). It’s a bit hilarious that they couldn’t fit the other character for Dian

[@unsharpen]

Thanks!!

[@geryon2386]

I found your channel a while ago and have been watching ever since. For some reason your videos are very calming and satisfying to watch, thanks for posting ❤

[@martinjohnson4405]

I like this pen and think it'll be a nice addition to my day-to-day collection. I am going to disagree with you that the pen is "dull" and "lacking in character." As one who is quite attracted to Bauhaus design (form follows function), I was attracted to it's simplicity and find this pen has just enough design elements to make it unique without being gaudy. I have large hands and am accustomed to using Lamy pens, thus for me the grip too small. I hold the barrel when I write and that works. I'm using Noodler's Black in it, a good ink for this pen.

[@unsharpen]

Fair points all around. Thanks for the note!

[@Steve-kl5xo]

I've had one of these for years. I know nothing about fountain pens but wanted something a little nicer for a day to day, this fit the bill. I agree with everything you said. I'm a mechanic and this pen writes on dirty paper sometimes with oil spots on it and gets the crap beat out of it every day. I personally like that it's not bulky or flashy and specifically wanted one with a snap on cap. I had to replace one, not because of the pen but because the converter started leaking. Now I have a black one with black ink and a blue one with blue ink. It fits me perfectly

[@callumfaulkner8109]

Whenever I search for pens on amazon (usually after watching a video on this channel) this pen pops up. It's crazy. Cool to see it reviewed!

[@peterdandyk2342]

I find the pen has plenty of 'character'. It is sleekly modern & ha s a cool 'machine ' aesthetic. Exactly my cup of tea. I have this one AND the Carbon finish with the Architect ( long knife ) nib. Outstanding value, lovely heft & weight.

[@sillypinkmate]

Hongdian black forest was one of the best sellers in US fountain pen market the last 2 years. They make metal fountain pens with a particular design guidelines heavily inspired by the Otto hut pens. They make the cheap counter parts. My experiences with this pen is simply lovely. The only issue me and a couple of other enthusiasts out there is the quite steep step down from the barrel to the grip, and the small grip, just like what you experience, but you don't wanna compromise the aesthetics. But that's the only bad part to me. Ink flow, tipping quality, durability, all very good. That nib tipping is especially ground to write chinese characters as far as I know. Best to use on 40° above with a bit of angle variation. The tooth you feel, I assume, is because of the black coating, but it's probably for more control when writing chinese characters.

[@unsharpen]

Thanks for the insightful comment! How do you know it’s one of the best selling fountain pens? Just based on amazon rank?

[@sillypinkmate]

@@unsharpen But again, this is strictly "fountain pen" market, not just "pen" market. So the trend is typically only "visible" to us bloody collectors and FP enthusiasts 😅😅. But the black forest had a high popularity, and a ton of youtube reviews.

[@sillypinkmate]

Looks like my first comment got deleted. Yes I received the info from one of my FP enthusiast friend living in US. The Amazon and a couple of other Chinese OLS like Ali Baba and Etsy had the black forest popped up on the top when you search "fountain pen" or "chinese fountain pen" in 2020. It's probably not at the very top anymore, but it'll probably still pop up especially if you have a look in chinese OLS. About 2 years back Ali Baba Etsy and even Amazon had a ton of black forest shipped to US, a lof of US buyers didn't bother waiting 4-8 weeks of delivery from Shanghai and other foreign vendors and you can see in youtube that the black forest is highly reviewed, almost very highly I say. Idk if my assessment is that accurate, but us enthusiasts somehow agree that black forest was in one of the new batch of chinese pens we consider higher in quality. Back then chinese pens had QC issues especially in their build. The new batch came about 2 years ago, marked by a couple of pens including the black forest, jinhao 100 (truly gorgeous acrylic pen, resemblence of parker duofold), and a couple of other pens from PenBBS, Moonman, Wing Sung at the following year. They are into serious competition that a couple of their pens relatively considered outclassed US$ 70-100 pens in the US market. The hong dian isn't one of them, but popularity wise, it was very high. Sorry for a long post 😅😅.

[@edcottingham1]

Lacking in character? That top decoration has so much character that you can't even make out what it is! Kind of a Rorschach test in your pocket! Gives it character without barfing all over the utilitarian motif. Love mine!

[@KGatLC]

Got one with EF nib. Love it. It's the one I judge all other EF nibs by. Excellent.

[@tee_m]

Have had one of these for quite a while and it's definitely a good value. Nib is good and it's well made. Delike do a number of solid turned brass pens which are all absolutely great (I've got 6 different ones!). Jinhao make quite a few full metal pens too at ridiculously cheap prices.

[@bermuydraws]

Been using this for a while now for sketching. I have the Fude version of this. I like how it has a little weight to it, really nice to draw. I really dont have any problem with it. I love this pen.

[@notsans9995]

Would be fun to get this blacked out pen and fill it with most flashy neon shimmer ink you can find lol

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

I think that we associate knurling to Zebra or Rotring, which is more edc- oriented or mechanical in nature. In my mind, fountain pens are more organic, fluid, aethestic. The hardness, and roughness, aren't typically associated with a fountain pen. That's where are brains are trying to resolve that polar opposite conflict. Still a good buy! Thanks again!

[@UNKUHNOODLES]

My FUDE version of this pen is my go-to drawing instrument. Flawless lines and character...💪💪💪

[@unsharpen]

Hm maybe I’ll pick one up. Thanks for the tip

[@aladdinkayqubad1645]

Oh Damn, Thank you for this!!!!!!!!!

[@fredericlinden]

Hi, Just got mine... Impressed with the immediate ink flow (contrarily to what I experience usually). However, did the nib get smoother and glide more, specifically on the up stroke, once it shaped to your hand after months of writing with it ?

[@unsharpen]

No, mine was pretty smooth from the start. I think there might be some inconsistency in the nib’a polish from one pen to the next.

[@ThinKtakeNotes]

nice video mate. Never had fountain pen before but been flying through Micron Pens... Not sure if I want a Fine Point or Extra Fine Point. I like the Archive writing texture, and mostly writing not much drawing. I enjoy the .20 and .25mm Micron Pens... so still on the fence on which one to order.

[@juanoalv181]

Hello, excuse, International is 3.4 or 2.6mm???

[@epi.thelium]

Hong Dian is red dot in chinese, is this a play on Rot Ring, red ring in german??

[@willgordon5737]

Nice video thanks

[@amalayum]

I have this in silver and it's one of the most beautiful pens I've ever owned. I like the look of it more than the Lamy 2k.

[@AulosMacabre]

Nice review, I already have the pen and have enjoyed it but made the unfotunate mistake of leaving it in my car once and ever since it has been very hard starting and skips a lot. Does anyone who own the pen know of the nib is friction fit removeable? I have not had any luck trying to loosen it at all.

[@RossMcgowanMaths]

Yes , I am in the market for my first fountain pen and this looks like a good candidate. I want to use it for mathematics , I have also started learning cursive writing as my handwriting is terrible. Also for the mathematics I want to produce elegant looking script. So it's a sea change for me in writing and mathematics writing.

[@unsharpen]

It’s a good starting point. But I generally recommend the Lamy Safari or pilot varsity.

[@x0311ofone]

I've been trying to find an actual model on it. The extra nibs you can purchase, the EF,F,Bent set. Eye balling it they look exactly like the EF one that came with it. But I'm new to fountain pens for my art work.

[@nathanbroggi]

On top of the cap i believe the two letters are HD for Hong Dian

[@bluelagoon5235]

I got this exact same model of pen last year and my experience couldn't be more different from yours. Most of the issues were with the nub itself. It frequently skips and loses the capillary action on the pen and it's really hard to write anything with it. I'd hate to have spent $20 for a non-functioning pen, but I'm also hesitant to spend even more to send it to a nibsmith to see if they can get it working again.

[@unsharpen]

Sounds like you got a lemon. I'd talk to the manufacturer/Amazon seller if possible and see if you could get a new nib unit or something!

[@elisabetjasso1066]

I was wondering can if you can pull out the nib or is it the twisted one

[@caseyjp1]

It screws out quite nicely. Hongdian is selling a 3-pack of replacement nibs for this model on Ebay/Amazon. (fine/ex-fi and bent).

[@TurtleOfHope]

Would I be able to use Pilot bottled ink with this pen? I'm new to fountain pens some I'm not sure if that works

[@unsharpen]

Yea any bottles ink would work

[@viviandibrell849]

I just bought a green version of this pen from Amazon for the same price. I filled it using the converter that it came with, with Sennelier Walnut stain ink and For the life of me cannot get it to write. I even took it apart and washed it. I am very frustrated and don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Could it be the ink?

[@unsharpen]

Try this! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fl60gnuwna2UgKc

[@joke4617]

Hi! I come from Switzerland and I LOVE pens. I really enjoy your content and it would be very nice if you gonna do a review for Grafton Everyman Metal Pen. Anyways, wish you luck for channel

[@unsharpen]

unsharpen.com/pen/everyman-grafton/ no video but this might help

[@joke4617]

@@unsharpen Thank you

[@fredericlinden]

Hi, Everyone ! I'd like to get the bent nib, and just the nib (maybe that is the one I should have purchased with the pen). I have other perfectly effective pens (Pentel calligraphy) that I use to write music, but I'd be willing to give the bent nib a try. Most sites sell Nibs in packs. Anyone could stir me in the right direction ?

[@Javi_C]

👍

[@icarus2k]

Writing Sample 6:34

[@markferguson3365]

To me the only downside is the stiff clip! I do like the color of the nib!

[@lindenis9119]

Dude your PinYin(Chinese pronunciation system) is on point.

[@edgarruiz2553]

I buy the same one and it’s not working, it’s probably just mine, but it’s not working 😅

[@HungPham-ki9wu]

I afraid it is a liitle bit small to write continuosly

[@botdcypher]

That logo on the pen cap is the Chinese character for Hong.

[@unsharpen]

Good call, thanks!

[@thethoughtballoons]

I think the design is meant for those who likes minimal design.

[@evayaaasantewaa448]

Yes. The reason I watched this video is because I was watching a video about the Muji pen (I recently gave two of them away), and the comparison to this one was made. So, I got curious. I think the Muji might have more visual interest for folks, but I would suggest checking out the alternative colors for this Hong Dian one. They're kinda snazzy. I'm thinking of getting either the sky blue or the purple. I would agree that the black does not stand out much. But there are other lovely colors--green, dark blue, etc.

[@aries2020]

Can we eyedropped this one?

[@unsharpen]

It's generally not recommended with metal pens, so I'd say no.

[@kaseyclark2108]

Does it use International Standard Cartridges?

[@unsharpen]

Yes

[@m.c.6559]

@@unsharpen Did you try it? According to them and people on reddit it only uses their inhouse stuff.

[@caseyjp1]

@@m.c.6559 Hongdian uses the 3.4mm bore for their carts/converters. The "standard" in this case really isn't that much as it is all over the place for many vendors. Jinhao for instance, uses the 2.6mm bore.

[@patrickbateman6768]

first

[@mikec7387]

Checked

[@MonkeySpecs301]

Jet pens racist they don’t carry it.