Top 11 Cheap Piston Filler Fountain Pens 2022

[@funkyfunnyplace9173]

over here in india. There is a pen called the camlin 47 which is a piston filler. it cost ₹100 or almost $1.

[@hanieg2236]

You’re the first fountain pen channel that I’ve subscribed to! Honest tips are always great, but it’s the jokes that knocked my socks off

[@InkquiringMinds]

Welcome aboard and thank you, Hanie!

[@NavyAssassinOnBLAST]

Same! 🏆 🥉

[@kjhendricks55]

Great guitar intro Doug. Well, you just added a few pens to my list to check out. Thank you very much.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Rock on!

[@dwightjones3305]

The Wing Sung 699 vacuum can be eye dropper filled if you unscrew the section. This will let you complete fill the pen. Prevent leaks and burps buy closing the piston. Now you have an Opus 88 at a small fraction of the cost.

[@InkquiringMinds]

This is true. Makes clean out easy as well.

[@UniversalEngineer]

This guy is great! Experienced, helpful, and yes...entertaining. Thank you!

[@lucm6476]

Well Professor , That is a nice review, thank you for sharing 😊

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Luc!

[@superalbertos550]

I commented before about the Hungdian N7, it took some getting used to, and now I love it. The girth seamed big or too thick, but allows me to make a better writing. It is so well constructed, am amazed.

[@ferrypen4952]

I'm happy to say I have most of these pens and am very happy with the ones that I have. I don't have a TWSBI Eco instead I went for a Lanbitou 3059. For the price of one Eco you can buy 18 Lanbitou's! Yes you may need to tune the Lanbitou nibs but for that money (around £1.50 each) I don't expect a perfect pen and it also means I don't have to worry about ink staining them or even misplacing one. The Lanbitou 3059 is very similar to the Eco but with a Lamy Safari style nib which you can get online very easily, I have a range from EF to 1.5mm Stub.

[@Plhmel561]

Great video! I love my Wing Sung 699 which I have in brown. I may get one in blue now, Yours is gorgeous. I was looking at the Wing Sung 629 last night. I have a 630 which is a great pen.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Good choice!

[@victorcatch]

Thank you for this video. I enjoyed watching your reviews.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I'm so glad!

[@keithwhitney7491]

Your creative choices and thorough reviews were superior (as usual; you do a terrific job)!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Wow, thank you!

[@Coffee-Makeup-Stationary]

I literally LOL’d at “welcome back to those back after skipping the rant.” That was me…😂😂😂

[@amyfeigt6715]

I have several of those & love them all! For TWSBI, I have the Classic with a stub nib & love that one as well.

[@johnhooper1492]

Great Video, like that you added ones that I can swap out the nibs on them.

[@bradbeth63]

Great video Doug. Love crack about the outhouse! 🤣👏

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@crouserm]

Nice survey! My Hongdian N7 "Peacock" has been my principle work pen since I got it. Its ink capacity, solid construction, and good looks will keep it in my inked rotation for a long time. Be interesting if they came out in a pinstripe version with a 14k nib, eh?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yeah that would be interesting. I doubt it if, even with a 14k nib, could hold a candle to a Pelikan M800.

[@crouserm]

@@InkquiringMinds 'spect not!

[@nmfixed]

Kinda rolled my eyes when the 618 came on, smacked myself in the forehead when you mentioned the Bobby nib replacement, then yanked & replaced the nib with the mini-fude, it's like a whole new pen. Thanks Doug

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Dan. I'm about to receive some of the same nibs from Bobby, but they are black. I will replace the one in my Sheaffer Icon with a black one. It should be stealthy and sweet.

[@nope8535]

I am starting to enjoying the music intros.

[@jls3220]

I own a few of those thanks to your reviews. Keep it up! 👍🖋

[@zoznammic]

I have been into HongDian pens lately because they all seem such great value for money and don't just try to copy others AS much. I have N7, I am waiting for N23 and have plans to purchase N6 next month, funds permitting lol.

[@oscarmedina1597]

On a dark desert highway, with cool wind on my receding hairline, up ahead in the distance I saw a bunch of pens with thin, no longer comfortable grip sections. Of these, which one has the thickest section, and what is the measurement? I’m finding that I’m choking up my grip to the threads just to get the thickest grip possible.

[@InkquiringMinds]

That would be the HD N7 and N6. They are 12mm near the threads on the section.

[@oscarmedina1597]

12 mm is pretty good. I may have to get one then.

[@oscarmedina1597]

Guess what? I checked my new pen inventory; I already have one. 😬

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@oscarmedina1597 LMAO! When do you know you have too many pens? When you want to buy a new model only to discover you already have it!

[@MrCabimero]

Thanks Sir Doug. Thought for SURE you would have had a reference to the movie Spinal Tap when you were explaining why you picked 11 , not 10. Love your videos as always.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I've been admonished for using too many cutaways. I had quite a number in mind for this video, but I'm a self editor.

[@MrCabimero]

@@InkquiringMinds Don't listen to the voices in your head. If they are like mine, they are lying to you! Admonished? From the guy who says " hey if you don't like it too bad this is my channel. " Surely you gest! LOL Your cutaways are priceless and one of the many reasons I , and I am sure many others, keep coming back.

[@santiagomerinoacevedo7475]

Excelent Job. Perfectly explained. And, in my opinion, the order from worst to best is well reasoned and shows good knowledge of all eleven pens.

[@bronco1738]

I have learned so much about Fountain Pens watching your videos. Just want to thank you.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much, Bronco! Me too!

[@joefaracevideos]

Always fun and informative, Doug. Thanks

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for watching!

[@kellieashman6908]

Thanks Doug for this. I have cerebral palsy so my coordination isn’t great and up until now I’ve only ever used cartridge pens because my life wouldn’t be worth living if I spilled ink on the carpet. But I’m curious about piston fillers and before I drop 300 bucks on a Lamy 2000 I thought I could experiment with a cheap piston first. Excellent advice as always

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing, @kellieashman6908!

[@jackivaltrades]

Thank you for sharing so many of these incredibly inexpensive pens in a list. I'm saving this video for reference because I want to up my collection with some "luxe feeling" pens. As you said, Japanese and Chinese made goods are finally crossing over into really great territories where they are sometimes as good if not better than the expensive "name brands." Thanks for the video and the quick reviews of each pen! 🙂

[@InkquiringMinds]

You are so welcome!

[@j._t.]

I was indeed surprised by the PenBBS 309. The 487 also has a tendency to get stuck, so it looks like it’s a recurring issue. It’s especially strange considering how well the 456 works.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The 309 is a head scratcher for me. Of course, so is the very odd Penbbs 535.

[@karlpmueller]

I finally just switched to using my 487 as an eyedropper, it seemed easier since that piston is more work to free up than the 309 one.

[@j._t.]

@@karlpmueller Yeah, according to most reviews the cap magnet isn’t strong enough to unstick the piston, so most people use it as an eye dropper.

[@WeekendWarrior1]

What are your thoughts on the PenBBS 456?

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have quite a few reviews of the 456. It is a vacuum filler, of course, and the best pen that PenBBS makes, in my opinion. I have six.

[@WeekendWarrior1]

@@InkquiringMindsYeah, actually bought one based on your recommendation, jus waiting for it to arrive. Just wondering why you didn't put it here, was the price a bit higher than the others here? (Or cuz it's a vacuum filler?) Also got a HongDian N6, I agree, it's a great pen.

[@WeekendWarrior1]

Thanks for the reply my guy, thanks for making such chill, informative content

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yeah. This was a list of piston fillers.

[@Gözcü421]

Hi also you can try Türkiye made Scrikss 419 it is piston filler, gold plated only around 12USD in Türkiye at the moment.

[@GaiasGreenGirls]

I love the music at the top of the video … I have a double neck ukulele. I have my Daddy’s Guitar, I put nylon strings on it, call it at the 5th fret and play it like a Guitalele. Fountain Pens. Have you tried Stobok Piston filling fountain pen? I have a different set, but I’m awaiting this set. I’m not sure which way it’s set up … 🧐💚

[@InkquiringMinds]

Never heard of "Stobok". 🙄

[@markmurovitz7470]

W. Edwards Deming and Japan. Deming has been universally acclaimed as one of the Founding Fathers of Total Quality Management, if not the Founding Father. The revolution in Japanese manufacturing management that led to the economic miracle of the 1970s and 1980s has been attributed largely to Deming.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Mark, for the excellent information!

[@RichardSmith-uw6st]

This is all true but the sad part of the story is that Deming went to American manufacturers first, primarily automotive companies and they laughed him right out of their board rooms as we were buying all the cars they could produce. He is the driving force as to why the Japanese autos developed better quality than the Americans and in large part still are although the gap is much smaller now. Thanks for the interesting review Doug!!

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@RichardSmith-uw6st Fascinating stuff!

[@stefanwood2182]

Good survey, Doug! I just received a blue 618 yesterday, and it is a remarkable pen for the price. I will also get a bobby nib for this, as extra.fine is too narrow for me. And with regards to these pens and their nibs, I would think the Hongdian long knife would be the best of all, out of the box. Most if not all the others I would swap nibs, if only because I prefer the bock or FPR nibs, since they come in medium, broad, stub or architect. So yes, there is an extra cost involved if one prefers a different sized nib, but still they are a steal price wise.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Exactly. And you aren't afraid to experiment with these pens because they are so inexpensive.

[@jamesmiddleton2856]

Thanks for this, I do have a fondness for piston fills. I keep hoping for more, better, flashier, cheaper, laugh. The last couple years has pushed me towards other filling systems. I do use the 699s and the T-5s, in both fine and medium. With some polishing time on the tips and tine adjustment for wetness, they are great pens. Used with saturated, lubricated, excellently flowing inks, like diamine writers blood, monteverde olivine and some of the kwz inks, both the 699s and T-5s make for an enjoyable writing experience. I use them for clairefontaine A4 notebooks and rhodia dotpads when I'm writing long drafts. Old tomoe river and cosmo air paper do get the expensive pens with the fancy ink. The 618s have been relegated to using up the old notebooks that I still have. The moonman nibs for $4 on aliexpress are fun to use to make curved architect and other nib styles. Please, keep making videos like this.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, James!

[@NavyAssassinOnBLAST]

That wasn't a rant. That was gospel truth! My favorite pen channel.

[@Gwently]

The Lorelei 667 has 4 finishes from what I can tell. I have the purple one at the moment

[@InkquiringMinds]

I'm glad to see them branching out. This was the only color available at the time of my purchase.

[@smp24298]

What ink are you using it's beautiful

[@InkquiringMinds]

The intro ink is J Herbin Kyanite du Nepal.

[@ichirofakename]

Wing Sung for the double win! Great info for all you piston lovers out there.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Right on

[@paulmchugh1430]

I do not have a Wing Sung 699 with either gold or steel nib. So, I cannot comment. But, I do have the penBBS 456 in Galaxy resin (thank you for that recommendation). I liked it so much, I sold my Pilot Custom 823 for a tidy sum. I figure if the nib or pen ever stops working, well, I have a slush find to get another. I just ordered the Wing Sung 629. I will never afford a Montblanc fountain pen. I am hoping the styling and performance will satiate any desire I may have had to possess a very overpriced pen. I got the N6 and so far it has been a great writer. I will look at the Wing Sung 619, or was it 618? In any case, I never looked at this pen and certainly worth considering. Thanks Doug.

[@InkquiringMinds]

It is the 618. I had my two 618s gifted to me by ardent fans of the pen.

[@jacobus57]

I do love my Wing Sun 699vac, and my only beef is the weird-a** nib size. If they ever re-tool it to a #6, I will buy another!

[@InkquiringMinds]

IKR?

[@samyg123]

One feature that impresses me with the PenBBS 309 is that you don’t need a tool to disassemble. Besides that, I agree it is worthy of a redesign.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The Lorelei 667 doesn't need tools and it almost identical to the Penbbs 308.

[@philipkern7925]

Love my eyedropper 309. One of my best.

[@damonayer99]

Nice film Doug. I am a bit surprised the wing sung 698 is not included here

[@InkquiringMinds]

I'm not. I have (had) two of them (threw one in the garbage). Both were awful after multiple attempts to make them write even replacing both nibs twice each.

[@johnsomers8269]

How was your concert? Will you be offering a CD of your guitar playing?

[@InkquiringMinds]

The concert was marvelous. Laila Biali was amazing. Wonderful jazz pianist and vocalist. I've made a CD a year for friends and family for many years. You can hear full versions of most of my musical intros on my SoundClick website here: www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandID=368777&content=songs

[@nancymilawski1048]

@@InkquiringMinds maybe in your next giveaway you give a copy of your CD. 😀😀😀

[@iodboi]

hey doug.. howdy! where do you think the majohn P136 fits in here?

[@InkquiringMinds]

At the top of the list. It is an excellent pen for the money!

[@iodboi]

@@InkquiringMinds Thanks Doug.. Have a great holiday season..

[@iodboi]

Just to confirm I ordered the pen, partly based on your reviews. Not bought the wrench/tool as I found it overpriced for what it does. In any case, I plan to make it my EDC type pen which means it will take one of Herbin perle noire, Pilot blue black, or Conklin Horizon Blue.

[@connorbnelson]

4:15 got me thinking. Are there any videos of Chinese manufacturing facilities for fountain pens specifically? I'd be very interested in seeing that. I tried searching, but couldn't find results. I'm sure the titles wouldn't be in English anyway. If anyone knows of any, please drop a reply. I'm sure others would be curious too. :)

[@InkquiringMinds]

There are quite a few people who live in China who are members of the Penbbs Facebook group called "Taste the Rainbow". I bet some of them could point to some KZbin videos.

[@13noman1]

Oh, to think of the $$$s I could have saved had these pens and this great list been available 20 years ago! I do like piston fillers and have many of the higher cost competitors to these. I have nevertheless been growing my "shadow" collection of pens like these for "no worry" carry! It's sad to lose or break a 30-40$ pen but painful to lose one that goes for $200+.

[@darkchocolate4643]

I have a JoWo #6 nib in one of my Wing Sung 699. Turned a good pen into a stellar one.

[@SilverSeaOT7]

Where do you purchase the jowo nibs? I have both 699s and am curious. The pens are lovely though.

[@edwardstaats4935]

Love your rants

[@suvivaldude]

Would you happen to know where to buy replacement parts for wingsung pens? Ive bought and returned several 699’s in, amber color, and they all arrive with a cracked grip sections that leak ink. I really like feel and look of the 699, and would love to get mine in proper working order. Love you videos by the way, they’ve helped a lot over my journey in this hobby!

[@InkquiringMinds]

You returned them yet need to repair them?

[@suvivaldude]

@@InkquiringMinds I’ve returned 4 and all the replacements I’ve received have been cracked as well. My most recent replacement I received Monday and it was still cracked. I’ve just been thinking it may be easier just to see if I can find replacement parts. Who knows how many more replacements I’ll go through to find an undamaged one.

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@suvivaldude I don't know of any sources of sections. You can replace nibs and feeds, but parts for inexpensive Wing Sung pens? I don't think so.

[@suvivaldude]

mmm ok, thanks anyways. I've seemed to stop the leaking by filling the cracks with super glue, then hitting the spots with micro mesh to smooth it out. hopefully it all holds

[@bengagliardo1080]

allways looking for a new good quality cheep pen... anyone can get an expensive pen there expensive for a reason there great..usually... the challenge for the rest of us is going through the rest thats left that aint the best to find the gem in the rough.. lol fun video it gave me something to look up on the internet,,.. thanks..

[@brettsmith1655]

You're gonna like the 699 w/14k nib. I have had mine since December and it is a helluva deal for $100. I also keep thinking that I need to get a Pilot Custom 823 to compare but I have had such poor luck with Pilot pens in the past that I haven't yet pulled the trigger and do a comparison. Therefore, I am anxiously waiting for yours. I think the lack of a Wing Sung 698 is a glaring omission from this roundup but otherwise, keep up the great work.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I just can't even show the WS698 as they have been so horrible for me. I bought two; both awful. I replaced nibs on both of them. Still awful. Perhaps it was just my TWO pens but not having a good experience twice, makes me keep them out of any list other than "worst of".

[@brettsmith1655]

@@InkquiringMinds Well, that's crazy. I have only owned one but it has been absolutely fantastic for the last 3 years. I call it the TWSBI Killer. A 698 with 14k nib is scheduled to be in my mailbox today so we'll see how that goes. For now, your sample size of 2 trumps mine, though. Glad the 699 has been as good as it has for me too.

[@manicdataminer]

Amazing! How did this video manage to avoid copyright strikes? 🙃

[@InkquiringMinds]

I kept the clips under 20 seconds.

[@santauxia]

Happy Canada Day Mr. D.R.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Santa!

[@davidnavarrete6413]

I wonder how the List would change if you were to remake this video Doug, a lot of good quality inexpensive Piston and Vac Fillers have been released since the creation of the video. Anyways great Video Doug I'm sure most of these hold up even against the Asvine p20.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes indeed, it would be much different today with the addition of all the Asvine, Hongdian, and the new Penbbs piston fillers.

[@h3o296]

Rant was spot on! 100%

[@bambambam5663]

That Eagles cover is great!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much, daybeforetheday!

[@Juan_C84]

Great countdown Doug! Always a pleasure watching your videos. Your Hongdian N6 is a sight to behold. A piston filler, ebonite feed and a long knife nib all under $40 is a great deal! It has a cool Darth Vader vibe to it. On the Eco not being able to post, it can by pushing the cap over the o-ring right under the piston knob; it's not very deep but it is secure but makes the pen long. Thanks again for the great video Doug! 👏👏

[@ccahua]

Great Hotel California intro 👏would have loved to hear more... gone too soon 🥲

[@InkquiringMinds]

More than 20 seconds in a clip of Hotel California will get me banned for life on KZbin. No joke.

[@ccahua]

​@@InkquiringMinds Ohhh... that takes the piston outta things 🤕Beautiful < 20 seconds 🥹! Onwards to pens 😊

[@Javi_C]

Much appreciated Doug

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Javi!

[@ztienapm]

i don't have a piston fill pen. in my head cheap piston fill pens are the gateway drugs to truly expensive pens. i know that once i get a piston fill even to check out i've knocked down that wall and i'm going straight to Lamy 2000 next. not that a Lamy 2000 is expensive but it's on that road. right now i can still say "yeah but it's piston fill'. just my opinion. great video.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, Mike!

[@MrAndrew1953]

I bought several Majohn T5s as I love piston fillers. Found it to be a very good quality inexpensive everyday writer. Majohn make a brass T1 with a fude nib which I use for writing up Caligraphy headings on journals. Regular version also very good. I own /use several Tianzi piston fillers. No problems, nice pen. Hongdian N6 with architect / Long Knife nib. Brilliant pen - bought 2. I use one with black and one with red ink to make up my daily Covid-19 journal lists. State govts here list new cases, patients in hosp, ICU, on ventilators etc. Wing Sung 629 not as good as Pilot 823 nib wise, nor does it match 823s ink capacity BUT the 629 is a very good everyday writer. Buy a medium 823 to go with 2 Hongdian N6s. Also get a Lamy Tippo aluminium mech pencil (.7mm) for X words.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I bet the WS699 vac filler matches the 823 in ink capacity.

[@MrAndrew1953]

@@InkquiringMinds I would have to disagree with you on that one. I have 3 699s. The 823 has a much larger capacity. You'll have to do a liquid capacity measure test.

[@Sonicman415]

Here for the humor, opinions and the expertise. Great vid. 😊

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Giulietta!

[@jimblackie5476]

Love the rant. And the rest.

[@eugenborcan]

Hey, Dollarama has good and cheap (price wise) fountain pen paper that comes from China and Vietnam... so even there you can find some good stuff :D. Btw, if you like N6 and N7, you should add the N1S to your collection as well :).

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yeah but they only have them in that bright orange marmalade colour.

[@eugenborcan]

@@InkquiringMinds I have one and in my hands looks more like a "Chuncky Mango Slush" :). Really nice acrylics. I agree though that more options would of been nice.

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

Some Hotel California to start the day. Nice playing.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Rock on! I'm holding my breath to see if I get a copyright strike and take down order.

[@TheNightowl001]

If you haven't tried the Wing Sung 3008, you really should.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have. I have four of them. All cracked with very little use. Two of them not even inked.

[@TheNightowl001]

@@InkquiringMinds Oof. I have a couple. You know I'm a fan of that Wing Sung EF nib. I haven't had any cracking issues with any of mine. I don't know what to tell you.

[@malcolmroach2348]

I disagree with you about the TWSBI Eco. I have one and have not experienced any of the issues you mention. Mine posts perfectly.

[@bradleyshank6243]

I would have included the PenBBS 494 for around $10. I own three and all work very well.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I've never had the desire to try one. Does the piston work better than the 309?

[@karlpmueller]

@@InkquiringMinds Mine has never stuck, but they're very different pens--the 494 is thin, like a longer version of the 78g, doesn't disassemble like the 309, and feels cheap (fair enough, mine cost $4), but has a great wet nib, a slightly faceted section, and a clear feed. I like it a great deal.

[@viv_2489]

Great intro hotel California ❤

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you!

[@АлександрТорянников]

I think you should release this video in 2023 as there are so many interesting piston pens released in a year 😊

[@InkquiringMinds]

Good idea!

[@paulherman5822]

Well said, Doug! Having seen pens that claim to be made elsewhere ("Italian resin, assembled in Miami") that are virtually identical to a Chinese brand that was out first, for example, or Conklin still branding with "Toledo," trying to tie the modern brand to the high end designs that were actually made in Toledo Ohio about 80 years ago, and relabeled the nibs when they were sold to another company, and moved to Chicago. Why not admit it? Conklin, Taiwan... And don't get me started on Monteverde Monza, the badge engineered Jinhao... Those who tend to howl the most about Chinese pens remind me of the folks who slapped the American unions bumper stickers "Out of a job, yet? Keep buying foreign." on their Chrysler minivans. "Made in 'Murica?" Chinese steel and Canadian built engine from a Japanese design. And the Ford F150 driven by others... And I'm sure still deluded by the 1990s Walmart claim to be selling mainly USA made items, whilst mainly being of Chinese origin. Do some Chinese pens have virtually identical designs to more established brands? Yep. But those selfsame brands have done the same thing themselves, or only one brand would have ever had a metal cap. Only one would have a cigar shape (and not the most expensive brand, either.) There'd been only one brand of lever filler. Only one who used celluloid or the more common today, cellulose acetate. Some more established brands are frankly not as good as Chinese pens have gotten with fit and finish. There's those that retail well in excess of $100 USD that are really just an overpriced plastic pen with poor cleanup of the molding seams. And then there's the frankly unethical behaviour from "well respected" brands in the last few years. Time to get off my soapbox. Rant over for now. I appreciate how you and several others have shown the underdogs of the fountain pen world in a more balanced light. Might not use that many piston fillers, as I like to change up the pens in use fairly quickly, but I agree with the ones that you shared. Thanks again, and have a brilliant weekend!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Well said, Paul! Thanks so much. The Conklin "All American" is the one that really boils my eggs! Seriously? All American?? LOL Or the $200 "New" Parker 51 made by Jinhao.

[@paulherman5822]

@@InkquiringMinds I have a Toledo made Conklin, and take malicious glee in trashing the modern ones. Even though I've had an "author" (can't find ANYTHING they've published, and they're supposed to have been writing for decades) who lit into me when I said that the modern ones are a poor quality copy of the real thing, that doesn't change my mind. I'll take my 1917 Conklin any time over the modern Mark Twain. Didn't you know? "Parkers are only made in France." Bull. They're still making them in India and China, not unlike the other "heritage" brands from the United States. And not just copies. Actual models. When the official pen of the President of the United States is basically a Chinese pen, I'll bet they can be decent.

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@paulherman5822 Well at least the PResidential pen is an American-made Cross again and not a Sharpie.

[@paulherman5822]

@@InkquiringMinds American brand... Before the Cross, was the Parker 45, and at least through early in the Kennedy administration, Esterbrook desk pens. (Even Lincoln used Esterbrook dip pens, from what I've found.) I'm also surprised that several administrations haven't used crayons...

[@karlpmueller]

Great video Doug. Hey, you know what's incredibly easy? Un-sticking the piston on the 309. :-) Also cleaning it, which as you note can be a PITA with some piston fillers. Most significantly it posts better than any PenBBS Pen except the 456, which combined with the nice thick section makes it one of my favorite pens for long notetaking at work. (My only real gripe about it the uneven QC--two of my four 309s have OK-but-not-great cap threading.) My blue-and-yellow one, which PenBBS calls Hawaii, has been inked up and in heavy use ever since the Ukraine invasion.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The trick to having the 309 NOT stick is to never leave the piston fully retracted. After filling, move the piston a touch.

[@edwardstaats4935]

Happy Canada Day

[@Richard1855]

Hi Doug, totally agree with what you said, albeit with your brand of humour. I was going suggest an alternative to the word “cheap” which you did use later in your video. I like to keep things simple, including the use of the English language, by not using multi syllable words (MSW), three at the most; but in this case was unavoidable(another MSW heh heh) and the word is INEXPENSIVE. You are right that China does produce other quality products and at competitive (MSW) prices. One other product that I purchase is 3D metal kits for my other hobby, which I am very impressed with. In fact one KZbinr of this hobby even found out, that some of the more established 3D kit manufacturers get the Chinese manufacturers to produce for them; now that is an endorsement. Am going to look into the Wing Sung 629. Keep them video comin’.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The word "cheap" draws more viewers. The point is, they are relatively inexpensive, high quality pens.

[@Richard1855]

@@InkquiringMinds your are right there on both points, as we are always looking for bargains, but sometimes can be our own undoing. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers.

[@alvina1150]

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR VIEWERS: . Hello, I was a subscriber and decided to buy a wingsung 699 after watching Doug's reviews. Other reviewers also recommended this pen. My pen arrived last week. . My experience with this pen was different with Doug's, and I have concluded that Wingsung as a company has some really bad quality control. I RECOMMEND TO NOT BUY THIS PEN. . here are the differences: 1. My pen's vacuum filling worked well, unlike Doug's. I get around 80℅ filled right off the bat. 2. The pen posted well, unlike Doug's but not necessary for me because i have smaller hands and prefer it unposted 3. The clip on the cap broke after 5 days and I could not assemble it back. 4. The ergonomic of the pen is nice, contributing to a nice writing feel as Doug has said, however the nib is horrible. Not smooth, worse than a jinhao x450. You will need to buy a new compatible nib, which cost more. 5. The feed broke and split into 2 after 1 week of use. I was already being careful. . Conclusion: do not buy this pen. There are better alternative with similar price. Most of us are not youtube reviewer or collectors. We only need 3 to 4 pens that can last a lifetime. Dont take risks in brands not known for reliability(not trying to stereotype but coincidentally happen to be chinese pens). If you are looking for value, dont buy pens from aliexpress. I had to wait 1 month for shipping (because of covid) and most of the spareparts and replacement are only available from aliexpress anyway + those replacements arent necessarily legit. . Save up and find a good local store with good customer service that provide many spareparts. For example, in my city (somewhere in southeast Asia), there is a distributor for pilot and sailor. I bought a sailor lecoule (similar price with wingsung 699) and am very happy. Buy pens with piston converter instead because if it broke, the replacement is cheaper, hence a wiser financial decision in the long term. . Don't make the same mistakes I did. Here are some affordable pen brands i have heard has good quality control and wide distributor channel (which result to wide customer service) - Faber Castell - Sailor - Pilot - Platinum . ^ not trying to ruin anybodys hustle, just want to make people to stop wasting their hard earned money like me. I was really disappointed in myself for falling to reviews so easily. It was a bad financial decision.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you for sharing your experience with your Wing Sung 699. I'm sorry it was a bad one for you. I assure you I did not hustle anyone into buying a Wing Sung 699, including you. I simply give my honest opinion on my own personal experiences. I've had many Wing Sung pens, some good, some not so good. I had a pair of WS698s that were horrible and a Wing Sung 601 Flighter that has been an every day carry for me for more than a year. If your pen's clip and feed broke, I'd take it up with your retailer. I had a Penbbs 500 clip break and I asked for a replacement clip and it is now good as new for no added cost. My video was about inexpensive piston fillers. Your suggested piston filler alternatives are *Faber Castell* (I think you have to go back to the 1960's for a FC piston filler), *Sailor* (Realo $352 US), *Pilot* (823 $288US), *Platinum* (not one piston filler in 103 years except for 1989 and those go for over $500US). But I agree with your premise that if you want just 3 or 4 pens to last a lifetime, a $25 pen probably isn't a great place to start.

[@archivist17]

Brutal rating putting #11 below #10! 😆

[@InkquiringMinds]

I calls 'em as I sees 'em!

[@thadtheman3751]

You missed the "Peter Draws" pen made by narwal for ... goldspot.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I didn’t miss it. It is $60 and all of these pens are under $50. Besides, I only have a Schuylkill.

[@archivist17]

Is the Tianzi a close cousin of a Narwhal?

[@InkquiringMinds]

I doubt it. The Tianzi is made from a much thicker, more substantial acrylic rod than a Narwhal. And Tianzi is Chinese, where the Narwhal is from Taiwan.

[@archivist17]

@@InkquiringMinds I see. Thanks. I thought Narwhal came from the mainland.

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@archivist17 Hmmm I'll have to check that. I was told that they were from Taiwan when purchasing my first Narwhal from Reid's.

[@archivist17]

@@InkquiringMinds You're probably right. I've been wrong before today 😄

[@Warioda]

SO ... much... data.... Thank you! (he says while sobbing with joy)

[@InkquiringMinds]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kongboshi]

Thoroughly enjoyed the "rant."

[@Sonicman415]

I like the Wing Sung 618…

[@sathishrao7926]

My Twsbi Diamond Rose gold mini looks “ridiculously expensive” at $150, in comparison with these “ridiculously inexpensive” piston filler pens from the same country of origin 😞

[@origamichik3n]

To this day, Wing Sung 3008 remains one of my favorite piston fillers. At first, i had to make sense of all the different looking 3008s. In the end, i chose the one with transparent tapering cap, because the matt plastic one with flat stamped clip was just not doing it for me. As it happens with all cheap pens, quality control can be an issue. For that reason, since 2019 (when i came back to fountain pen as a hobby rather than torture at school), i bought three 3008s (ranging from 2 to 5 euros, shipping included) and managed to assemble the pen that i still enjoy visually (simply because colors of the piston assembly look differently in real life than in promotional pictures) and as a writing tool. There is also a 3008 with "Pilot style" nib, sometimes called 3008A. For some reason, 3008A looks and feels more cheap, doesn't have the nice rigged texture of the barrel etc. Another dirt cheap piston filler is Lanbitou 3059. It is heavily "inspired" by TWSBI ECO, down to red cap finial. Unlike ECO, it has very sharp triangle section, which i am not a fan of. But the nibs are well worth it. I bought one 3059 with EF hooded nib and one with F "Lamy style" nib (2-3 euros, shipping included). They are a joy to write with. The flaw of cap not the nib drying out very quickly can be easily fixed by inserting a cap liner from a Jinhao 599, which matches perfectly. I also bought a bunch of Lanbitou nibs to use on other pens as they are compatible with Jinhao, Wing Sung, Hero and other pens and probably the best of all the Chinese "Lamy style" nibs i have ever used. Edit: I bought my Lorelei 667 piston filler in a lovely "Autumn" finish back in 2019.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have a couple of deal breaker issues with the WS 3008; the screw inside the cap rusts and the barrels crack. I have four of them, three have rusty caps and two have cracks.

[@origamichik3n]

@@InkquiringMinds I had forgotten about the rusting screw. The 3008 that i assembled from the three pens did not rust for a while, so i guess i assumed that WS started using better screws (i may have read or heard in reviews about it). But i checked it just now and sure enough, it already has some rusty spots. As for the barrel, i could not find any cracks at all. I guess with these cheap pens it all boils down to luck. For example, like many others, i really liked my clear 618. But after much less use than 3009, it developed a whole bunch of cracks all around the end of the barrel where piston assembly screws in. I recently bought a solid black 618, hoping that the plastic will be less brittle. But i have not used it yet.

[@perlofquist8385]

@@origamichik3n I’ve switched to stainless steel screws on my 3008’s😊

[@nullifye7816]

The "surprising" wing sung 618 is probably a result of the fact that the Chinese have been making knock-offs of the Parker 51 for longer than any other pen, it's basically a staple of the Chinese school system as I understand it (I can believe it, writing Chinese characters is far easier with a fountain pen than ballpoint). I imagine they've perfected it by now. I think there were some shenanigans with Parker starting production there, showing the Chinese how to make it all, then leaving. So it's sort of an "inherited" product more than a knock-off. Not my cup of tea, I don't like those integrated nibs, or whatever they're called.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Parker tried to get into the Chinese market in the summer of 1979, giving Hero the plans and tooling to make the Parker 45. The deal fell through but Hero made the Hero 100 from the tooling and the rest is history.

[@mgscheue]

Chris Hadfield book, yay!

[@InkquiringMinds]

The best book I’ve read on a long time! I literally had to put it down in the middle of a reading session because it was overwhelmingly exciting!

[@mgscheue]

@@InkquiringMinds He’s great. Went to a talk he gave, several years ago.

[@dennismanning3964]

you da best!

[@MrAndrew1953]

Now compile a list of inexpensive Indian converter and piston fillers. Indian pens usually come in a flat,clear plastic lunch box wrapped in bubble wrap and newspaper.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I've got a few of those Dollar pens, but they are hardly worth inking.

[@stepheninks]

I would have loved to see you add a Narwhal pen right next to the Eco and make them kiss.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Ouch!

[@stepheninks]

@@InkquiringMinds all in the name of love, of course.

[@user-br3sl9go3b]

A fun review I would like you to do is the Dirty Dozen: the most overpriced fountain pens 2022. (Esterbrook would score high for sure.)

[@InkquiringMinds]

And it would cost me a fortune! LOL

[@user-br3sl9go3b]

@@InkquiringMinds Oops! Apologies. I never thought of that angle. (On the other hand, how much does it cost for two decent seats to watch an NHL in Calgary?)

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@user-br3sl9go3b Good seats for a regular season, non-battle of Alberta, game… a couple hundred.

[@user-br3sl9go3b]

@@InkquiringMinds Me too! I can see the Flames in Boston when they come in the upcoming season in very decent (not sensational but good enough) seats for US$212.15 each. About the same as a Pelican M8005 Souveran would cost. But ... why would I want to see the Flames?

[@ELECTRONICSANDGADGETS]

Love your video. Even if youre from canada ;)

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks! 😃 LOL

[@ELECTRONICSANDGADGETS]

@@InkquiringMinds What is your favorite chinese pen?

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@ELECTRONICSANDGADGETSProbably the Moonman M800

[@ELECTRONICSANDGADGETS]

@@InkquiringMinds I got a moonman.....black silver enggravering I think they are trying to copy mont blanc. Not sure what the hell the name even is of the pen. It's got majohn signature on the side. Damn nice pen.

[@ELECTRONICSANDGADGETS]

What is your all time favorite ink if I may ask. Thank you sir

[@dortheaford8083]

So my two dollar piston filler didn’t make the list… it was actually a cheap pen in the worse sense of the word.

[@Nikhilesh360]

Can I get all the names of those pens anyone please

[@InkquiringMinds]

They are listed in the description.

[@ZackN85]

"Just because they live in a totalitarian state with a government that is actively dismantling their individual rights and freedoms... Wait. No. Yes. Yes, we're talking about China, right?" *sobs from the USA* This is the kind of biting satire and political commentary I need in every fountain pen review from now on, please.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Your wish is my command!

[@houghwhite411]

Tianzi? Goodness I thought it's peter pen???

[@InkquiringMinds]

It has the same swirl type resin as the Narwhal Peter Pen but the Tianzi is a much more substantial pen. The acrylic is much thicker than the Narwhal. I'm surprised Narwhal didn't come out with a Narwhal covered in chicken wing BBQ sauce in honor of Peter.

[@animula6908]

I think the Japan thing had more to do with them leaguing up with Hitler and Mussolini and actively trying to conquer the world, including the us than us just being hateful toward bushido or some crap. No apologies on that one, not for either bomb. Canada can talk because they didn’t get attacked, but a few were pretty sympathetic at the time. My best to those good men. Wish y’all had any like them left these days. 😔

[@InkquiringMinds]

And Canada was in the war a full two years before the US. And 900 Canadians died on the beach at Dieppe two years before D-Day. So, there's that.

[@hmjeon8609]

majohn p136

[@drawingwithfountainpens]

I have bought two wing sung 699 and both cracked. They are junk.

[@jimmybritt8405]

God bless America!

[@judyle4893]

Come for the fountain pen opinions, stay for the saucy political insights

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks, Judy!

[@AndrewsArachnids]

@6:44 roflmaoo

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL

[@AndrewsArachnids]

@@InkquiringMinds thanks for acknowledging that. You are definitely one of my favorite pentubers. If you had to choose between buying a used visconti dark ages "bronze" with a pd nib, a new pelikan m1000, or a new Pilot custom Urushi? If none of the above what would you suggest for a large pen in the 600-1000 range? I want a smooth and wet nib, flex is fine but not something i am looking for specifically.

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@AndrewsArachnids That’s a no-brainer for me. Pelikan M1000.

[@AndrewsArachnids]

@@InkquiringMinds Thank you for the input!! the pelikan really draws me in on everything aside the colors available. so may end up just getting a black one.

[@AndrewsArachnids]

@@InkquiringMinds also, do you dislike pilot pens? i dont see you talk about them much.