Improved PenBBS 355 Fountain Pen Review
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- ***EDIT***. The nib is in a nib unit like the 492. The collar of my nib unit is stuck up in the section and I can't get it out. So for now, mine functions as a friction feed!
I somehow got my PenBBS 355 fountain pen in just a week. I go over the "syringe filler" style of filling system and how this pen is improved over the original PenBBS 355.
![Megan Thee Stallion - Neva Play (feat. RM) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TpYTyAaTRts/mqdefault.jpg)
Welcome to our church. Mine is in pre-transit: -78 Misty Mountain with a R(ounded) M(edium) nib. There was not -16 Clear/Transparent finish yet.
hahaha! Thanks! Hope you get yours soon!
Wow what a great review, nice detail, not too much just enough commentary. Soothing voice, calm music, great camera work, no silly stuff, objective descriptions. I will be subscribing and watching for more, NICE JOB :-)
Thank you! I’m trying to get back into it and should have a new vid out in a few days.
I'm always tempted by pens with interesting filling systems. Unfortunately, I only fill my converters half full, so a large ink capacity is a strike against a pen for someone like me. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying videos demonstrating these pens in action. I do appreciate the engineering involved.
hahaha! I thought. you would! The main draw for me is the filling system and the more crazy, the more I like it! I need to figure out a way to put a flex nib in a couple of these large capacity pens. I've re-inked a pen in one writing session when messing with flex nibs. Thanks!
The best review I have seen of the PENBBS 355! I may even purchase one. Japan is a special place with a lot of wonderful people. I only lived there for 2 years, but the people were very kind to me. After two years I was homesick for family, and after over 50 years, I have only my memories of climbing Mr. Fugi, teaching little children and adults at Keimei Academy, and playing baseball and basketball. You will understand my sports story: We beat the Japanese basketball team by around 110 to 35. We did substitute out the best players, but we continued to run a fast break offense (running up the score). In baseball their team was better than ours often. At our field, the Japanese team was beating us by around 6 to nothing. Suddenly the pitcher threw me a ball right down the middle, and I hit it into center field. The two best athletes on either field were their short stop and center fielder; however, the center fielder made a very bad play, kicking the ball, which allowed me to go to second base. The next batter hit a ball to the short stop, who not only made an error, he threw the ball by the first baseman, allowing me to score Fromm second base. Two errors later, we recognize they are allowing us to catch up some. Of course, to Americans someone letting you catch up is the ultimate insult. To the Japanese, you do not embarrass the other team on their home field (when that team is a guest of your country). After a few translated words from our tobacco-chewing old coach, they quickly beat us. Sensitivity in sports was something new to most of us!
Thank you! If it's been 50 years, Japan will almost be unrecognizable to you now! I lived here for a short while 50 years ago (when it was 360 yen to the dollar!) and I can not even find the street I lived on! It's so true about your sports story. Japanese sports do have their own social rules. My daughter trained pretty seriously here for Karate and that was a wild ride! Thanks for your anecdotes!
We must have been there around the same time (360 Yen:$1 when I was there). I did return for just a few days in 2001, but the trip was everything from Hiroshima, Kyoto to Tokyo. I still found the subways and mass transit easy to navigate, but I was with others, so had no opportunity to check out what had been a fringe area to Tokyo when I was there. (I could drive my car away from the city and be in beautiful countryside in less than 30 minutes). Hope you are enjoying your return!
@@keithwhitney7491 I really am! Thanks!
Oh wow! Inky.Rocks gets the clear scoop on the new hotness from PenBBS. Delivery during Covid, outdid Conid! As always, wonderful detailed pro review and meticulous dissection. You raise the bar, er rock on reviewing, rock on!
hahaha! Thanks for that. I needed a good laugh! It was so weird getting the pen early. And as several have pointed out, it's a nib unit, not friction fit. My collar got stuck up in the section hahaha! Take care!
I also thought it odd that a company doing so well and raking in so much profit would go out of business due to COVID-19. Meanwhile PENBBS keeps on trucking like nothing happened. Just goes to show which companies prepare for trouble/disasters and which companies do not.
@@Detman101 They haven't gone out of business, they temporarily stopped accepting new orders to streamline the production process, catch up on orders and not acquire a perpetually growing waiting list. They haven't re-opened yet because their parent company Komec(Conid is just a successful side project in a sense) is a high precision machining company, and they make parts for medical equipment. So you can see why they would decide to keep Conid's doors shut a bit longer and use their machines to make something other than fountain pens this year.
Good review, very soothing. I'm surprised the nib unit doesn't unscrew, all other models, except the low end, have a nib assembly. My Misty Mountain 355 is in transit to USA. Will go with my 469 Misty Mountains. I have some original 355s that I can compare to this upgraded model. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Chris--apparently I screwed up (like almost literally)! Another commenter pointed out that it IS a nib unit and the collar is stuck up in the section. I took a look with a loupe and it does look like there might be one in there. I tried unscrewing the nib unit out when I first got it but the nib pulled right out. Do you know of a way to get that collar out? It may be in there permanently! I'm looking forward to your review. Thanks for stopping by.
@@InkyRocks I have used a wooden ice lolly stick that just fitted inside the section or a flathead screw driver (knowing that I have spares in a spare parts pack as a back up)
@@sundeeppuri4526 I've tried that but I just tear up the plastic. I guess I can eventually scrape it out but I'm OK with just using it like a friction fit. It makes it easier to clean! Thanks!
Like you, seeing how excited everyone was about this pen I decided to get one. I went along willy nilly and decided I knew how to fill it. Well - after spraying ink all over my computer, keyboard, planner, and desk - I came here to see if you reviewed this pen. Thank you! I just filled my pen first with water - it worked - and again with Kon-peki. Did not spray the ink everywhere this time! LOL Thank you!
I'm sorry, but I laughed so hard! Getting ink everywhere is a risk I deal with everyday (that I film)! It was funny seeing how someone else has fallen victim too! I'm glad my spilled ink was not in vain and may have been helpful. Hope you enjoy the pen! (I'm still laughing)
Inky.Rocks My fingers, even after taking a shower, look much like yours! I am happy I made you laugh.
Had no idea pen bbs made a bulk filler, Had only seen that on Conid pens. That material is pretty nice too.
Yes, it's a lovely pen--and fun to play with!
Yet another beautiful watch - Thank you.
Thanks so much Paul!
You may want to double-check how the nib is inserted into the 355. It's otherwise a very comprehensive review, but I can't imagine that PenBBS redesigned the section of the 355 to no longer take their customary nib unit. Once you've removed the nib and feed, you should be able to use a very wide common screwdriver (or I use a butter knife, frankly) to take out the nib collar if it became stuck. There should be notches in the nib collar allowing this.
Thank you! I looked back in the pen and it looks like there might be a unit collar in there but I can not get it out for love or money hahaha! I will add an edit in my description. It's funny, I tried unscrewing it when I first got it but the nib and feed slipped right out. It looks like it's really wedged up in there. Thanks for letting me know.
Very nice review and great visuals. My Misty Mountains is still in transit so your video is really helpful. Nice calming vibe.
Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful. Hope you get your pen soon!
I've watched this video at least 30 times...Mostly for the background music lol.
But I just pulled the trigger on a "Cloud" 355 today.
I will replay this video so I can hear the music when I unbox it after it arrives.
=]
I'm loving my 456 but something about the tapered shape just puts me off. So I'm transferring my customized flex nib into the 355 when it arrives. Comparatively, the 355 is easier to clean than the 456 also.
hahaha! I actually pay for a service to use music royalty free, so I'm so glad you like the music! I'm sure you will enjoy your 355. I'm still using mine and still feel it is a great value and wonderful pen!
Thank you for an honest and kindly review. I"ll save my money.
Thank you so much for making me feel like I've offered something useful. Take care!
A good review. I’m a PenBBS fan and I own two 355’s of the old model. My Amber is a cat is on route and your review was helpful and enjoyable.
Thank you! Last year was the first time I had gotten a PenBBS pen (the two nibbed 469). I was just wandering around on Etsy and "discovered" them. Now after several pens, I think they are such a good value and great pens. Hope you get it soon!
Thanks for that comprehensive review. A beautiful pen at a reasonable price, I like it.
Thanks Jackie! (Still haven't sent the letter hahaha! This week should be not as nutty)
Solid review. Thank you. You have a calming presence. :D
Thank you so much! Though I'm really not very calm around pens hahaha!
Beautiful pen and the good use of camera and music. I enjoyed it
Thank you so much--I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful review!
I've been watching videos on pens to find my backup pen.
I believe I've found the one...
Thank you. Glad you found it helpful!
Great review, thanks. I feel like I know exactly how it works, the good and the, well, less good. Now I don't have to buy one to satisfy my curiosity. That's why I like very thorough reviews like this one.
For myself I'm not especially fond of pens with huge ink capacity. I don't write enough every day to use them up quickly, so I end up with the same pen in my inked pens for weeks or longer. I'd rather run out of ink after a few uses and then move on to another pen. I think that's a sign that I have too many pens.
hahaha! If I get tired of an ink, I dump it into my "ink dump" bottle and it is a mixed bag that usually looks like a brownish blue. I didn't know what to do with it, but now I'm going to use it for dripping in my videos! Thank you for your feedback, it's good to know what resonates with my watchers!
Omg...I've watched this video over 5 times now.
Mainly because I plan on getting this pen for fathers day...secondly because the background music is FIRE!!
Makes me want to get out the old guitar....
hahaha! Thank you! I like having music in my vids!
Thank you for the review! Gosh it's so pretty ❤️💕. The cap design hides ink splotches!
I always enjoy your narratives.
P.S. can you please make a video of fountain pen glossary terms? Midway through I got a bit confused at terms like "blind cap" and "end cap". I think it'll be a really useful video!
Thank you "Adelaine"! Hope you are doing good!
Thanks for the nice close ups.
You're welcome! Thank you for watching!
I like the design on this "version 2" vs clear barrel (mine). I picked mine up about a year ago honestly to see how I liked a bulk filler system since I was tempted by the MUCH more expensive CONID Bulkfiller. I was glad I did because I find it a bit too fiddly for my taste. Filling is Ok but I often have to fiddle to get the ink flow just right (screwing and unscrewing the uncap a bit here and there). It was a cost-effective experiment as I learned I'm perfectly happy with a converter and/or piston filler with the occasional eye dropper pen for high capacity.
That's a great approach to this pen. I haven't used it long enough to see if that bothers me, but it is one of the reasons I no longer use the TWSBI Vac series--you always had to unscrew the top, and as you say, I had to always fiddle with it. For me, the converter is the least exciting but most reliable and low maintenance filling system. Thanks for your feedback!
I enjoy your reviews - thank you for this one. My Misty Mountains is en route from China!
Thank you so much. Please heed the correction: it is a nib unit, not friction fit. My nib unit collar is stuck up in the section and I can't get it out hahaha! I hope you enjoy your pen--it is fun!
I cannot get my own. Really surprised that you received already. Mine is still in China post. Also surprised that nib/feed are not screw in like all other PenBBS. Thanks for the review
If you check the description, you will see that it is indeed a nib unit. My collar got stuck in the section and when I tried to screw it out, the nib and feed came out. That's why I thought it was a friction feed. I got mine early because I live in Tokyo. Japan is accepting mail from China and Hong Kong. Thank you for watching!
I wonder if we're getting to a point where the justification for some of the more expensive pens is being negated....Maybe we're well past that point. I know that it's mostly about the nib and writing experience, but a gold nib with these PenBBS filling systems can be a much cheaper alternative than the big brands are offering.
@@InkyRocks Absolutely. I have cheap pens (
You are lucky. I ordered Apr05, and Apr 11, and still no sign of either... Nice detailed review!
I think it depends on where you live. I'm in Tokyo and Japan is accepting packages from China and Hong Kong. I'm not getting anything from the States. I hear it may take a month to get it.
@@InkyRocks ahh... I heard shipping from Japan to North America was taking it's time too. I haven't given up hope, but I've 'accidentally' ordered other things in the meantime.. haha
@@BrandochGarage Best way to handle waiting for a pen--order more!
私は日本人です。参考になりました。ありがとうございます。
役に立ったと思っていただけて嬉しいです!
Pretty nice!
Thanks! I just got it and have been playing with it all day!
I have 3 on the way ;)
hahaha! I have a friend that has 5!
Don’t you worry that filling a pen with so much ink and then not being able to write it all out will bring bad joojoo. I emptied a PenBBS 494 filled with what I believed was Private Reserve Black Cherry. But later started to worry it was Diomine Oxblood. I am basically haunted.
Justifiable so! I'm not sure you can recover from such a mistake. I hear the only thing you can do to break that spell is to write with a dry ink for a month. Good luck--you will need it!
You are very lucky. I ordered a pen from China in early May. It is June 8th, and I still have not received it.
I think the main reason is that I'm in Japan. I'm not getting anything else in a timely manner from other places than Asia.
@@InkyRocks First time listener. I did not know you were in Japan. You would be closer than me (USA), so it would make sense that you would get post quicker than I would. Japan fascinates me. I would love to learn the language. Writing Japanese is a beautiful art. :)
@@c.catlover4080 It is beautiful! Thank you for checking out my channel!
Nice review!! You should maybe try a Conid because you could swap nibs easily :-) Waterman #6 nibs are a good fit, for example. My Bulkfiller came with a titanium nib that is really smooth and has some flex - enough for me - so I didn’t feel the urge to change it... but from time to time I toy with the idea! Anyway thanks for the nice vid, bonsoir depuis la France (by the way, would you like a french pen pal?)
Thank you so much! I SO want a Conid but they are still not taking orders. The titanium nib sounds awesome. A flexy nib on a pen with a lot of ink capacity is a great pairing. If you are interested, please message me on IG (same name) and I'll send you my address.
What an interesting little pen. Looks like they copied the filling system from Conid, a Belgian fountain pen manufacturer. At 35 bucks, this would indeed have been a steal, but the going rate for these on AE is now around 70. Too bad I didn't see this video two years ago.
Wow! It increased in price that much? I have a Pilot Parallel nib jammed in there now!
@@InkyRocks Hahahaha. Of course you do! 😉😉
That looks interesting! I was able to fit a 21k Sailor nib into my original 355, but too bad that they didn't adjust the nib on the redesign. :/
That sounds cool! CY says that the original had a nib unit. Mine was a straight friction fit. I'll probably ask him to fit something else in there for fun! There is enough ink for experimenting with bigger or flexier nibs.
@@InkyRocks the fact that they don't use a nib unit is a bit surprising. Maybe they did it as a cost saving measure as the mechanism is more expensive to make?
@@UrbanHafner It looks like they do use a nib unit. My nib collar is stuck up inside the section and I never noticed it! Even when filming the section hahaha! I can't get it out. I tried unscrewing it when I first got the pen, and it didn't unscrew so I didn't think about it. Another commenter told me he has the same problem and uses a screwdriver to get the collar out but that isn't working for me. That pen may end up being a friction fit only for me hahaha! I've added an edit to the description. Do you know how to get that thin piece of plastic out?
@@InkyRocks no idea. I wouldn't want to use a screwdriver as that might damage the unit. It's more of a curiosity anyway, isn't it?
@@UrbanHafner Friction fit or no, it still works, and I'm enjoying it!
Thank you. Very interesting review.I don't know anything about PenBBS. Is their fine nib a western fine or Japanese fine?
Glad you enjoyed it. I would say as far as thickness of the line, they are more toward a Japanese nib but not quite as thin. As far as writing feel, they feel like a Monteverde or the modern Conklin nibs. Thanks!
I have tried to find this pen and cannot find a seller. I am new to fountain pens so my search skills are weak. I live in the US. any suggestions?
Have you tried their Etsy page? They look like they have some 355s. www.etsy.com/shop/PENBBSOfficialStore
Please do tell me - will you be doing more ink reviews in due course.
Yes! Would you be interested in a special edition, Japanese, Aurora, Pierre Cardin, Vinta, Troublemaker or Tono & Lims? I will be doing an ink review on some Nick Stewart inks soon. I'm always torn because I don't want to do a review on an ink that is terribly difficult to get, but I don't want to do one that already has a million reviews!
Looks like they've pulled (heavily?) from Visconti Opera demonstrators to me. Inspired by or outright copying? I suppose Fountain Pen Land isn't immune to intellectual property issues, either. Said as I swirl in my hand my Jinhao that looks remarkably like a MB 149. ha ha. That said, writing with my beautiful Taccia and Namiki pens does somehow feel better, even if only in my mind. Anyway, another great video - you always make my Fridays brighter! Hope you are staying safe in Tokyo. It's strange times here in the US, as we weigh the reopening of the economy against the expected 3,000 daily deaths that are all but certain to come as the result. It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the America you left compared to the one you next encounter. I suspect we may be more like Tokyo's citizens than ever before, with lots of folks walking around masked and disinfecting stations abound. Stay well, and as always, look forward to next Friday's inky goodness!
Thanks so much! I've not tried the Opera so I don't know. I do agree, I like my Japanese nibs a lot better. In many ways, Chinese nibs feel like a slimmer version of Monteverde nibs. I saw a picture of the inside of a New York subway and saw that everyone was wearing masks! I've never seen so many Americans wearing masks! The only difference was that in Japan, people tend not to wear home-made ones. They all look like disposable paper ones or cloth ones made by a company. You take care and stay healthy!
Oh please, do you seriously think Visconti has a patent on swirled acrylics? By the way, MB 149, Sailor KoP, and just about every torpedo shaped pen is a 'copy' of the original Sheaffer Balance, whose design patent expired long before desegregation of schools. The only noticeable innovation on the torpedo shape was done by Raymond Loewy, hired by Eversharp design its Skyline range. I'm just glad PenBBS didn't copy Visconti's absolutely appalling quality control. Every PenBBS I have (all 7 of them) have written well out of the box. You'd be lucky to get one Visconti to write well out of seven you try. By the way, I've had no problem with screwing caps back onto my PenBBS pens; the same can't be said about that piece-of-dog-sh1t Visconti Wall Street I had, whose celluloid cap was so defective that it shrank and warped. I swear to God, these g0ddamn Italians are just about the most focking useless people in the world.
Sooooo, a Chinese copy of the Conid Bulkfiller. Good to see the Chinese keeping up with their originality 😃.
At lest they are better at original viruses 🤣
😐 Too soon?
haha! Probably! Check out Douglas Rathbun's video on the original 355. He says it's not a copy. It's been around since sometimes in the 1800s.
1. This isn't an exact replica of the Conid system. Same idea in spirit but slight difference in execution. The interlocking parts fo the Conid are more advanced still in design.
2. Definitely too soon.
Its no longer accurate to say that the interlocking parts are less advanced than the Conid system. Both systems are bayonet-style, and the PenBBS system uses multiple entry points with metal, rather than a single entry point with plastic. They're certainly now on-par with each other.
Yes, too soon, but not too soon to stop being an ass.
Well, they even used the name « bulkfiller » from what I heard at the beginning of the video, so it’s no secret what they tried to copy ;-)