The Moonman T1 | The TWSBI Eco Gets Some Serious Competition

[@brutuslaurentius8729]

I have one of these that I got about 6 weeks ago and I absolutely love it. It came with two nibs so I replaced the medium with the fine that they sent along with it. It works fantastic.

[@JG3Reviews]

Glad you like yours. I think this is something of an under-the-radar pen. Mine has been very good.

[@e.j.s.208]

I just got started into fountain pens and have been watching your reviews. Thabk you for the work that you do in making these.

[@JG3Reviews]

Glad you like them!

[@Ali-in8xi]

Hi JG3. I watched this particular video on the day you uploaded it. Your positive review convinced me to give the T1 a try. I went ahead, on the same day I might add, and placed an order for one via Amazon. Just received it, 2/2/2020, in the mail moments ago. Wow, now that's what I call super fast delivery service! I inked it up with one of my favorites, Diamine Oxford Blue, and it writes beautifully. I can attest to the smoothness of this nib. You are correct in that my Eco (fine nib) has more feedback than the T1 (fine nib). The Eco's feedback isn't the type that causes me to never want to use my pen; to the contrary, it is one of my most favorite and reliable nibs to date. However, there is an obvious difference in the smoothness of both. Now, all that's left for me to do is to write with the T1 for some time to see if it's just as reliable. I'm thinking to give it, at the very least, two months. The design of this pen is fabulous! The one thing that is just a tad bothersome (and I mean "tad") is the T1's grip section. It's quite smooth. I'll have to see if that's a problem after writing with it in one writing for an extended period of time. I'll come back in two month's time and post an update. Currently, I couldn't more happier with my new pen! Thanks for the review!

[@JG3Reviews]

Glad you're enjoying it! I just got my first Diamine inks yesterday (a sample set).

[@xybarra3702]

Update? I’m thinking about getting this one so I’m interested in how it held up

[@Ali-in8xi]

I did say I would come back and post an update. My excuse is covid-19. We've got a lot to be distracted over. So, I own three (blue, green, red) and all have been inked up since my initial comment on February 2nd. I will also say that I write with them at lease three times a week. Today is May 14th, so I've been using them for close to fifteen weeks. This is where I'm at... with two of them I've been experiencing start up issues and skipping. They need some coaxing to get started. Once they are writing, they either write consistently or there's skipping here and there. Temperamental suckers! Ha! I wouldn't call the two reliable writers. If I were running into a last minute meeting, they wouldn't be the pens I pull out. HOWEVER, I'VE EXPERIENCED NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER WITH THE THIRD, ALWAYS WRITES IMMEDIATELY AND CONSISTENTLY, never a hard start and no skipping. With everything I've been learning about fountain pens, I believe the issue is that the tines need to be adjusted. This isn't something I've visually noted; it is simply my guesswork. Do a regret their purchase? Can't say until I get them adjusted. In case one wonders about the ink, I've got Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki and Tsutsuji, in the two problematic pens; in the third I have Diamine Marine.

[@Ali-in8xi]

It's been a month since my last update, today is June 15th. Wanted to post another update, and this time with great news... The hard starts and skipping had to do with the way I held the pen while writing. It would seem that I had to hold in more upright, close to a 90 degree angle for it to write properly. This is something I'll need to get used to as I write on average at a 45 degree angle. When I write with the pen at about a 75 to 80 degree angle, it writes with no problems. I also tested whether the pen had hard stops due to ink drying up in the nib, so I left both pens unused for three weeks. They both wrote right away with no skipping. So, would I recommend this pen to others? Yes, with a warning that the pen may have to be written with in a certain way to achieve the best writing experience.

[@jessicamorado6910]

Thank you for the review! I was looking at TWSBI Eco’s on Amazon when I first saw the T1 and feel in love. I wish they came in more then 4 colors.

[@HJKelley47]

Jessica: The Chinese do not normally have the multitude of colors for one pen line we Americans are so typically fond of seeing--apart from the Jinao X750, 599 and 159. The Lanbitou 3059 piston filler, a Eco clone pen has about 7-8 colors. Most Chinese pens cover about 4-5 colors. In China red, yellow and green are considered lucky colors in China. Green is associated with health, harmony and prosperity. Red symbolizes luck and believed to ward off evil spirits. White symbolizes purity, brightness and fulfillment. Yellow generates ying and yang. Signifies neutrality. Yellow was the emperor's color in Chinese history; and also symbolized heroism. You notice that you do not frequently see purple with the Chinese FPs. It took them quite awhile to add a purple X750, X450 and 159 to the color range of these pen, as well as pink in the X450 & X750. It would be interesting to see a deep rose pink 159 in the collection. TWSBI Eco has come out in some nice colors over its history, and it is nice to see such a beautiful blue for the Moonman T1.

[@YamamotoCaptain]

The way T1 sounds on your paper gives the impression of a golden nib!:)I will definitely give this one a try!

[@2ndskinmineral]

I cannot explain why, but I really enjoy your review more than others. Thank you ^__^

[@JG3Reviews]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!

[@bhoola123]

You can use the same plastic red wrench from the TWSBI to remove the piston on the T1.

[@nitina8564]

I love fountain pens and love your reviews and videos on the same. I am not sure how i did not come across your channel so far. But I've binged watched a lot of your videos in the last 24 hours. Keep up the good work and keep the videos coming.

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks!

[@wheelz8240]

I have the copper version of this pen and love it

[@manoloyloles]

OMG... You cross the sevens! Still some hope on earth! LOOOOOOOL.

[@JG3Reviews]

Ha! After a few years of German in school and then living a Russia a while, I just can't write a 7 without crossing it.

[@calvinrhodes8996]

I'm confused please help me out a previous review of this pain stated that the nib unit does not come out and also the Piston unit does not come out but your video states that they do come out yes or no please respond as I'm thinking of getting this pin

[@JG3Reviews]

Hi, it does dissemble. They don’t include the tool, but they are available separately. Here is a good video by Doug showing disassembly and reassembly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHEmYh7h9Zsb9U

[@frankvars7925]

Very nice review! Interesting fountain pen. Thank you very much James!

[@ameliabuns4058]

my twsbi is feedbcaky but it also hard started a ton that it was unusable, so they are sending me a new nib

[@333pro333]

I would love a head-to-head comparison/ranking of the piston fillers Wing Sung 3008, 698, Twsbi Eco, 580, Moonman T1 and any others that you might have. How have they help up long term? Has your opinion changed?

[@JG3Reviews]

Good idea!

[@afifakimih8823]

Extremely beautiful pen.love it.my one is still on the way.

[@DyannaDark95]

I know this sounds stupid but is this the blue one or the green one? I saw a lot of people saying the colours look totally different on video than in reality so I can't decide which one to get.

[@JG3Reviews]

This is the blue one.

[@cebukitty]

Thanks for the very comprehensive review of this pen :D You've convinced me in getting this pen. I have several TWSBIs but this pen just seems more interesting. Am also taking on line classes and though I love mechanical keyboards and computers, I also love taking notes by hand. It helps my recall and analysis of the subject.

[@JG3Reviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@photorooster8865]

I got mine today and inked it up with Waterman Harmonious Green. My experience was not as good as yours James. The pen had trouble starting and also drew un-inked lines now and then. I gave it some time to break the feed in but it still happens. Oddly, when reverse writing the feed does not fail. I tried to push the tines of the nib down gently to coax a better flow but so far I'm not so happy. I'm going to find out if anyone has swapped out nibs successfully. Thanks for your reviews. If I get it working better I'll post a follow-up :-)

[@JG3Reviews]

I've had more pens lately (I don't know why it's just lately) that have needed good flushes before the first use. That has solved all one once the problem you describe. In that one case, it was a feed/nib issue. The rest recovered greatly after a flush.

[@photorooster8865]

@@JG3Reviews Thanks for the advice. I'll try it tomorrow.

[@stargazer1359]

Hi James, I have several of the Moonman M600s and the nibs are great. No breather hole. I am not a huge fan of piston fillers, so probably will not get one....Although, the design on this is quite nice.

[@colinmartin9797]

I discovered that a kaweco sport clip fits on this pen well enough to be nice and stable. Immediately bumped it in my quality perspective. Doesn't match all the facets. But sits flush enough that it feels just fine.

[@paolopellegatti5686]

Great review James, thank you. Indeed you convinced me to start exploring Chinese pens with your channel. I got my T1 from Amazon: blue and grey come with Prime, I wish they had the red without waiting for a month. Beautiful pen, my only issue is the "F" nib that really feels like an "M". Apart from that it flies on paper, the Pilot Iroshizuku Wild Chestnut looks beautiful through the acrylic and I personally love the lack of clip.

[@davidanderson3425]

Thank you, James, for this review. The T1 seems to be finding a lot of friends in the pen community. It wouldn't surprise me if Moonman introduce more colour variations once the initial excitement is over. I don't own this pen but some recent reviews have caught my interest. You are right to compare this to a TWSBI Eco. I suppose the advantage of the TWSBI is a greater choice of nibs.

[@joseparada4430]

Please, let me propose a review of a Tramol eyedropped fountain pen. It seems a subrand of Opus 88. A nice fountain pen.

[@BIBLEBELIEVERSVIDEO]

Thanks for another great review!

[@Haggaarrd21]

Hey great video. Keep up the good work!

[@3Nikon]

Thank you for the review. I'm going to get one after watching your review. Just curious about the aluminium section if it's slippery or not?

[@JG3Reviews]

It's a matte finish, so not overly slick, but it may still be less grippy for some.

[@rvieira8057]

Really nice review, James. Thanks you! This is a pen I really want to get but sadly the range of colours available for this model doesn't really appeal to me... Anyway, a friend of mine who bought a T1 says the build quality is superior to the Twsbi Mini he has.

[@JG3Reviews]

I think it really is an underrated pen. 👍🏻

[@rvieira8057]

@@JG3Reviews You are right. After some thought, I think the grey version will do for me.

[@ShahriarFarkhan]

Nice review!

[@lucm6476]

On my Moonman T1 (i have 2) the nib were really bad . I guess they we the older ones.

[@Lorvina1]

On mine, too. Did you replace them?

[@lucm6476]

@@Lorvina1 yes ,i replaced both of them by jowo's

[@Lorvina1]

@@lucm6476 Thanks

[@RonoTron01]

Thanks for the video. Out of all the pen you have used, what's the best piston filled fountain pen under $100 USD?

[@JG3Reviews]

That's tough! I'll give a list. For EDC, the TWSBI Eco is probably most versatile and has good nib choices. The Moonman T1 is excellent, but doesn't come with a clip, and has fewer choices of nib (though I'd think there's a world of swaps that would work well). I like them both equally, but the TWSBI still might have the advantage for most people. My other two running very, very close to the ECO would be the TWSBI 580 and the Scrikss (smaller than the others, but good)

[@clau7997]

very interestng review, thank you very much. I would like to know what size is the nib - you only said that twsbi eco was smaller, but did not specify how much smaller or gave us a number´s nib , if number 5 or 6

[@JG3Reviews]

It is a #6 nib.

[@clau7997]

@@JG3Reviews thank you very much!

[@manoloyloles]

Great video and better review. I have purchased many Moonman pens, but this mix of Kaweco and Twsbi is definitely not for me... I am out!

[@ianboard544]

no clip?

[@NicholasColeman-DeadlyClowns]

What is the best place to buy moonman products?

[@JG3Reviews]

I bought this one on eBay, but I just checked, and the seller is away temporarily.

[@lez7767]

HiJG enjoyed your presentation. The pen is attractive but the top looks a bit out of proportion. The sided top is nice to stop it rolling. The nib details were interesting and feedback is something I like because it helps me write oddly enough. The pens I have that glide smoothly over the paper tend to cause my writing to suffer. I have an Italix Captains Commission pen that actually 'sings' like when you rub your finger around a wine glass and my writing is OK with it,so feedback can be quite helpful depending how you feel. So I take it you got it off amazon??? Not a bad place to shop and there's customer protection. I take it from the amount of subscribers that you've recently started reviewing pens??? Your approach to it is different and I like that myself. Only just found your channel so when the time presents itself I'll have to look more of your stuff up. Thanks for your interest and establishing a KZbin channel Best wishes to all PenPeople. LeZc. @@

[@petethehawk5186]

Well they stuck a knock off Kaweco cap onto a knock off TWSBI barrel so...lol. It looks terrible capped.

[@deannaaldridge4202]

@@petethehawk5186 If you don't like it, don't look!

[@jpan7071]

It costs about the same as a twsbi-get a twsbi. Why would you want a copy when for the same money you can get a proven winner (twsbi).

[@TeamFish15]

Needs a clip

[@Lorvina1]

Mine had an awful nib.

[@dhm304100]

Moonman is one of the Chinese fountain pen manufacturers that will survive I think. The Chinese are manufacturing knockoffs of other Chinese pens now. In other words fakes of other Chinese pens. Crazy!!!

[@sushanart]

😇🩵🙏🙌

[@NicholasColdingDK]

The new Twsbi Eco Stub 1.1 is not as god, as the old one. Sorry to say.

[@bhoola123]

Yes! We got a few TWSBI Eco stubs and broads to give as gifts and they all had baby’s bottom. What issues did you notice? I love this Moonman pen, though. Really enjoy it.

[@greg0uk]

Why has KZbin brought me here?

[@JG3Reviews]

Probably the same reason I watched a guy restore an old carpenter's level.

[@PS-to6gr]

Why would some like to buy cheap chinese products?

[@Nome_utente_generico]

Moonman always reminds of a Copy. Twisbi dont

[@MrJwalson3]

Stealing another pen company's design and then flooding the market with cheap knockoffs is not competition, it's theft. I will never buy one as a matter of principle.

[@petethehawk5186]

Exactly this. To throw of all things a Corvette with a 50+ year heritage into the discussion when talking about the pen blatantly copying others was just kind of ridiculous. These Chinese pen companies without repercussions steal things with impunity because of a government that essentially sanctions this stuff and it only hurts the REAL companies who put a lot of time and funding into design, development and manufacturing (under much much higher controls of things like employee pay and health, environmental regulations on materials and waste etc) the actual property.

[@Cortesevasive]

Or they are offering better value product for a more sensible price than an overpriced original manufacturer which simply marks up the price for no reason.

[@illegalopinions4082]

@@Cortesevasive Or they're not because taking someone else's work and passing it off as your own is not "providing value". Slave labour also helps keep the price down, but why would you care about that?

[@illegalopinions4082]

@@Cortesevasive It literally is and attempting to mask it with a different cap is amusing. Pretending that Chinese companies don't copy people is beyond asinine. Those Japanese pens actually differ. Trying to compare the shape is silly. By that logic anything with a cap, barrel, section, and feed is a copy. What we're talking about is the particular design. Apparently switching to aluminium and removing the clip is enough to make people think it's a different pen. "I would rather support slave labourers than some guy who doesn't engage in slavery". You're an idiot.

[@jamesaritchie1]

I don't see Moonman the way you do. It's one thing to borrow a style feature, and quite another to continually take exact mechanisms from every other pen they can find. Using style features is, up to a point, fine, legal, and unavoidable. Taking exact mechanisms and features is not innovation, it's theft of intellectual property. Moonman gets away with this only because they manufacture in China. The Vet may have borrowed features from other cars, but the Vet itself was, and is, unique, and nothing at all like anything else out there. It's special, and a massive improvement. The Moonman pens are just hodgepodge Frankenpens made from other people's hard work and thought. If this isn't illegal, it most certainly is unethical. You don't get to say, "Hey, you guys sit down and figure out how to do these things, and then we'll take them, put them all together in one pen, and make money from your ideas." And I'm having more and more difficulty in buying things from China, anyway. Between child labor, slave labor, and the persecutions of Christian and anyone who disagrees with the official policies, I'm having trouble justifying buying Chinese made products just because they're cheaper. And now we've learned that, if you're on the approved list, meaning friendly to the government, there's a two week wait for an organ donation. Fascinating in a country that has only thirty-seven people signed up to donate organs. Personal choice, of course. A decision we each have to make for ourselves.

[@JG3Reviews]

While we may have points of disagreement on this (I love the Corvette, but GM has a sizable Chinese parts bin, and the car's basic formula quite common, and it's new mid-engine design is awesome, but also derivative), there are points of agreement on China's problems, for certain. I'll have to check out the organ donation story, I'd not read that yet. Would I be right to think that the social credit program ("1984" on steroids) plays into that?

[@davideselmin8018]

I am not going to give money to China.