Enjoyed your list 👍 There're a few I need to check out 😃 Top Five 2:13 Platinum 3776 with a Soft Fine Nib 3:15 Pilot Vanishing Point with a Medium Nib 4:03 Denobil DN500 Ebonite 5:00 PENBBS 323 "Mocha" Aluminum with a Medium Nib 6:20 Tianzi Piston Filler in Mystery Blue with a Medium Nib Bottom Five 8:08 Caran D' Ache 849 with a Medium Nib 9:11 Lanbitou 3088 with a Fine Nib 10:13 Hongdian 6013 with a Fine Nib 11:45 Parker 51 Reissue with a Medium Nib 13:17 Copy of the Wing Sung copy of the Parker 51 Surprising Pens 15:23 Jinhao 85 & 86 16:07 Majohn Wancai Mini Eye-Dropper with a Fine Nib 16:54 PENBBS 469 with RF and Calligraphy Nibs 19:04 Jinhao 100 Galaxy Blue with a Fine Nib 20:24 Moonman Q1 with a F/EF Nib
It's always fun to see the favorites of other people in the fountain pen hobby! For 2021 I acquired an Edison Brockton in lollipop confetti with an extra fine steel nib and I just love it!
James, Thanks for your paper suggestions. It’s good to know that there are affordable notebooks that are fountain pen friendly. Often, as a pen enthusiast I scribble gibberish on a page for a writing sample. These notebooks from Walmart as well as the composition notebooks you suggested from Target are great. When you use pages for writing samples you don’t feel like you’re wasting paper. The opacity is excellent! You can easily write on both sides of the page with no bleedthrough. A one dollar notebook with those qualities is awesome! Thanks again.
Always enjoy your videos, though I have one suggestion for this one: if you had mentioned the approximate price for each pen (or put it on the screen with the pen info you showed) it would have been more informative. I can google them, but if you are already providing basic information, it would have made it more complete (and I know you have reviewed probably all of them before). Thank you for sharing your reviews, Happy 2022
Hi, Just found your review of pens of the year. I started collecting about a year ago and have a mixture of new and vintage pens which is helping me to find what I like. Today my Conklin Abalone with a 1.1 stub nib arrived. I inked it up with Private Reserve Avocado (avocados are real cheap over here at the moment). It writes beautifully. I am also loving writing with a Gucci pen from the 80s, a Waterman Carene and a Balenciaga. So far no stinkers, but lots of fun and my writing has improved this last year. I am excited to see what 2022 brings in both new and vintage pens. Happy 2022
11:03 For the stain, you could try 1/3 OxyClean powder dissolved in 2/3 very hot water applied with a Q-tip. Often works, especially with blue inks. If the stain doesn't disappear completely, it will be less dark and less noticeable.
This year I am just starting to discover vintage pens. Two great pens I did not expect to like was a Parker duofold junior from the 1950s with a 14ct gold nib. It's a really smooth nib. Another unexpected delight is a 1980s osmiroid m italic pen. I never liked the look of the nibs but now really enjoying the calligraphy look of my writing.
So glad you like my personal favourite: Platinum 3776, I’ve got two: EF and an UEF - I’ve got small handwriting and write featherlight, so they suit me well; have got to try the Pilot capless: so many people love them just not sure about that clip!
21:32 That face! 🤣🤣 I've said it before and I'll say it again, James, you never fail to make me smile! I'm a little late to the party, but the pen that surprised me most in 2021 was the Moonman C1. The Moonman #6 nibs are a bit hit or miss, but mine came with an exceptionally good EF nib that is juicy and has that perfect balance between smoothness and feedback. (I read that Moonman doesn't make their own EF nibs, maybe that's why). The stinker of the year was one from your list too, that Lanbitou 3088. You told us not to buy it, I did anyway because it made me curious and I thought, "well, how bad can it really be?" REALLY bad, as it turns out. Lesson learned: listen to James. I contacted NASA to ask if they could take it with them on the next mission to Mars but they politely declined, saying that it may compromise the entire mission by spontaneously combusting halfway there. Thanks for another excellent video!
I did a search to look up your comment about InkyRocks using 1 pen/ink/paper for 30 days and this was just above it in the results. The Mars thing cracked me up all over again. lol
This video was awesome, best video of top 5 pens for 2021 i have seen so far. You are hilarious! and you also gave me some good ideas for pens to try in 2022, so thank you.
The Q1 was definitely the surprise of the year for me. All others I got were basically what I expected. The Q1 in the demonstrator colorway also looks great with shimmering ink loaded in it.
Thank you, James. Of the pens I've bought this year, most have been on the back of your reviews (thank you for reviewing the cheaper end of the market!!). I'm with you on the Jinhao 100: I had a couple of Jinhao pens a couple of years ago, & they dried up overnight with no exception (including the Li Bai special - my favourite Chinese poet - grr!!). This year I've bought a Jinhao 100 in orange on your recomendation & it's absolutely marvellous, keeping wet & ready for action after weeks of no use. And a 699, similarly - have they upped their quality control recently, or have I just been lucky this year? Anyway, God bless you too, James - have a great New Year from us in the South-West UK.
I know this is late, but I've bought 3 of them. One for me, one for my kid and one as a xmas gift for someone who loves writing with her existing fountain pen. I tested the 2nd and 3rd out before handing them over, and both are as lovely to write with as the first.
Greetings from Australia. Great review. I bought the Q1 demonstrator with a medium nib and it's a lovely pen and that was after watching your review. But my other favourite pens were custom made in wood. I have a woods of the earth collection and it is a very slippery slope to down. There is always another pen/wood that becomes available. Very distinguished pens. I love them.
Thanks for the year of reviews. Jinhao 100 best value pen IMO. My 2021 top acquisition is a Waterman Exception Night&Day. And my top ink is Edelstein Golden Beryl 😉
Pilot vanishing point has tiny converter. I had the Decimo the medium nib was too wet. The stub nib had to be held at the exact angle to write. I sold it.
I have to really thank you for the Kanwrite brand recommendation. I have been writing with it at least once a week, it really surprised me. Keep up the great work!! Happy New Year 🎊!!
James What a wonder video. Love how you structured it, inserting stinkers midway then finishing positive. Some great surprises and even unknowns I’ll have to look further into. Great remarks on Parker 51. Even if it writes well and has the look, overriding everything is overpricing a pen…..period. I bought a beautiful brown Wing Sung 626 a couple years back after seeing lots of good reviews. Terrible writer that ya have to struggle on its writing angle. And on occasion the nib burps.I was issued a refund without even sending it back. Loved its look and even had it paired with a gorgeous brown ink. But looks aren’t everything. I’m tempted to try out a nibmeister for the first time. Or better yet smooth away myself what looks like babies bottom. Again great job on the video. I really do enjoy your work!
Hi James, thanks for posting this fascinating video. Absolutely shocked with Caran D'Ache; I was expecting better from them; glad that Diplomat nib is working well for you.
I love a lot of my pens, but my personal favorite is my Faber Castell Emotion with a wood body. for a stainless steel nib it writes like a dream. My biggest regret was getting a Sailor Pro Gear Slim. Too small and the nib was too hard and scratchy for my taste. Thankfully I got to trade it for another pen with a similar price range so it wasn't a complete loss!
Just vintage, or second hand pens for me this year. It began as making a statement, but turned out to be surprisingly satisfying, and I don’t know if I’ll ever buy a new pen again. An almost unused slim black piston filled Reform wth a medium nib, and an a screw cap turned out to be the most consistent writer. The resin scratch resistant, and still jet black and shiny. The solid feel of the cap ttreads and the smoothness of the piston blew me away. And at a price comparable with the less asian quality pens. A slightly used Paper Mate Flighter with cartridge filling and an airtight push cap was a similar astonishing delight. None of the above have any flex in the nibs, but my handwriting comes out surprisingly nice with discernable line variation. Thus I have writing pleasure in store for 2022 maybe without having to buy another pen, even a used one? I’m excited to find out! I wish you a Happy New Year, James! May your life be blessed!
I completly agree about the NG51. Here in Europe it's priced at about 90-95€, which is clearly excessive. I got a midnight blue, fine steel nib, for just under 50€. This price would be fair to my eyes if a converter were in the box... A few days later I got a TWSBI VAC700R for 80 eurobucks and it blew my mind. Parker totally lost it with their MSRP in comparison. It's a fine pen though, I thinks it looks fantastic and is pretty well made, worth a look if you can find a good deal.
Great review of the great ones and stinkers. There is one pen that is close to my grail pen that you did not review here (maybe you did previously). It is the Pilot Custom 743 with a soft fine nib. I am blown away with the feel and expression I can get with the nib. So smooth right out of the box. I think if such a nib was on the Custom 823, I would have bought that model instead, but I am more than satisfied with the pen that I have. I tried the Falcon pen and it just did not work for me. I found that the soft fine nib provides the line variation that I had been craving to give my handwriting some nice expression and character.
I just discovered your channel yesterday and love your reviews! I'd say that the Tianzi piston filler is probably the greatest surprise in the fountain pen world for 2021. I got one in the dark blue fleck acrylic and it just writes so wonderfully wet (I just wish I could see the ink level). It's a shame that Denobil isn't making pens at the moment, I hope they do again because that ebonite just looks fantastic and the look is different than what you get with most Indian ebonite pens. Regarding the reissue Parker 51, I would get a Wing Sung 601 over that any day! The Caran D'Ache 849s are hit or miss...my first one has a medium nib, then second a broad, and both are buttery smooth with perfect flow. Then I went for one in fine and extra fine, and both nibs were scratchy junk, they just kept mis-aligning themselves because the metal was too thin (and I write with a very light hand). Have a safe, blessed, and God-glorifying 2022 and I look forward to more of your videos.
I love my Platinum 3776 'Bourgogne' (inked up with Diamine Poinsettia), the Wing Sung 699 (inked with GilMar 'Strangely Brown' - one of my own inks) & my TWSBI 680AL demonstrator (with TWSBI Blue/Black ink).
I love your reviews!! This one was awesome and very informative to watch! For me my top 3 fountain pens of this year were 1. Twisbi Eco, 2. Cross Bailey Light 3. Pierre Cardin Pen Omatic
I made two big discoveries in 2021. First, the beginner nibs I've been gushing over. They are the perfect, normal M nib, and I get a kick out of the kiddie aesthetic that comes on their pens for free. And, cheap. Not crazy about the triangle grips, but I gladly play along. Secoond, in the non-cheap category, I found out about Sailor 21k nibs. So expensive, but guess what, you get something special for your money. Happy New Year.
I still haven’t bit on the Sailor gold nibs, but I get the appeal. Where are you getting the beginner pens with M? I’m always looking for pens like that to share here.
Love the lists! I already owned a Pilot VP (bought last year-2020) but I bought both the Jinhao 100 and the Moonman Q1 largely because of you reviews of them, and I completely agree with you on both of those pens. They are surprisingly excellent pens. Thanks for giving more of an “Everyman” perspective on the fountain pen world, it is much needed! God Bless you and your family and happy new year.
If you have a keen eye for the differences in the resin pattern, but that’s it. I keep different colors of ink for both nibs, and that’s made it easy keep straight.
Re: HongDian - mine was a screw cap, but the threaded cap insert came loose, and so I use it as a slip cap now. I'll admit, it's more comfortable with a ring over the threads on the barrel, but it just is a less satisfying experience, albeit still an excellent writer 🤔
When all else fails and you cant lift the ink stain from pale leather, re stain it with Tandy's Marine Black. It can cover anything. I used it to dye a pair of blue shoes black.
Caran dache should be ashamed. I’ ve been eyeing some of their pens, but I’m glad I saw this because my one fear as a pen shopper is that something goes wrong, which can happen in fountain pens, and the company treats you like a stranger after you handed them your money. :(
Great video and thanks for the list. just wanna update some info. 1,about hongdian 6013,they have changed the closure of the pen cap to rotary closure ,so the air tightness is well guaranteed now. 2,the hero 616 is the work of hero brand ,which was used to be one company with the wingsung brand, and they share a lot of design even nowadays. so hero 616 and wingsung 's parker 51 basically have same title here. anyway nowadays the hero and wingsung they split up into two companies and all start their own product line. hopefully we can see more and better products from them.
I'm surprised I love the TWSBI Go. I thought I'd hate it so I bought one to try a Broad nib cheaply. I reach for it wherever I'm long form free writing. I often pair it with Diamine Oxblood.
Ha! I have two original Parker 51s and I love them, but I did not like the reissue. Maybe I should not have expected a technologically improved version -- they just don't make 'em like they used to!
Thanks for sharing the list!i just ordered a jinhao 100 wif chinese calligraphy nib,hopefully it will turn out to be a surprise for me too! 1 pen which i tot i wouldnt like is noodler's ahab.Its not a pretty pen to me and not to mention abt e smell~bt somehow i just tend to reach out for it as its just so wet and i tend to see more obvious ink properties! E disappointing pen i gt was penbbs 456.i got e medium nib but it doesnt write smoothly,and realise e piston is blocking the ink from going into e feed even after i unscrew the top cap.i guess it requires some troubleshooting to work but as of now im not sure how so it will just be left aside. Happy new year!
I got the 3776 with the SF nib. It's wonderful. Incidentally I got the same color, lol. I have the PenBBS 323 in galaxy.blue. Very smooth nib and can be eyedropper filled. Have toook for the Tianzi.
I don't have a "top" anything list. In fact, I don't keep a list. My favorite pens are Japanese brands: Sailor, Pilot, Platinum, and Wancher. They span the range of nib types; F, M, B, Stub, and specialty: e.g., Music, Italic, Cursive, Flex. Put another way, my favorite pen is the one I'm writing with.
I don’t think there is any pen on the market that can beat a 912FA I had the feed replaced and the nib reground now I wonder if I should skip buying a Waterman 52 Does A 52 go from 0,18 to 2+ mm? If not I will skip it most likely
Clone of a clone of 51 ? LOL ! Imagine a clone of Lanbitou ? I’ve a Curidas which isn’t able to withstand summer of southern India - it dries out frequently, so it’s a permanent resident of my pen case, unlinked !!
I'd agree with you about Lanbitou nibs. I've refused to get a 3088 (I have no need for a capless pen) but I have several pens with Lanbitou nibs that are actually quite nice. As to the Parker 51: Parker historically has been on the edge of the overpriced range. So, it kind of stands to reason that the modern 51 would be overpriced. I have a 1947 Parker 51 Vacumatic, and I barely paid more than the modern steel nibbed version. Restored, even. The top value of the 51 in the past was about $150 USD, in today's money (around $12, then) so the price of the gold nibbed version is even more outrageous to me. Not trying to say that vintage is better. It's what you like and want to use that should be the biggest issue. For my pocket, vintage pens tend to be cheaper than modern, the inconsistency in nibs has usually been taken care of years ago, and sac fillers don't bother me. (Not any more difficult to clean than most modern piston filler pens, IMO. 😁) If everything was a cartridge converter I'd be thrilled. The copy? I've been bitten by those, myself. I have a fake Hero 616 that has edges sharp enough to draw blood, the nib is absolutely not salvageable, and was already used when I got it... Pens I love? Anything pre Parker buyout from Wahl-Eversharp. And my beloved Esterbrook pens. And, and, and. Haven't really gotten anything I didn't like, this year. I have had a few vintage pens that broke as I tried to get them working again, but I don't count those. I like a broad range of writing experiences, so there's few that I haven't liked. Maybe a few extra fine nibs... I have always enjoyed your videos and your take on the pens you show. Thanks for sharing them, and hope you have a blessed New Year!
@@JG3Reviews I'd recommend a Skyline. They have the look of a streamlined locomotive, and tend to be quite reasonable in price. And, although it pains me to say, with my love of vintage Esterbrooks, the best writers I've used. Tend to be a very firm fine, but so smooth and wet... For bang for your buck, in gold nibbed pens, vintage really can't be beat. "They're hard to clean." Not worse than most piston fillers. "The ink sacs fail." In maybe around 10 years, but they're made with the same formula and the same equipment as vintage, and I've gotten several that are over 70 years old and are still on the original ink sac. Are we REALLY sure that a cartridge converter will last longer? 😉 I feel that you will enjoy the rabbit hole of vintage. 😁 God bless, James!
I have a couple from your love list (3776, penbbs323) and the decimo is on the wish list. For the stinker list, I agree with the 849. I've had issues with the nib on mine as well. To the point that the 849 stays in my storage case and is not being used. From you surprise list, I have the mini wancai which I'm not a huge fan of. it's just too small for me.
I bought a ten dollar Jinhao retro from Amazon and absolutely loved it, unfortunately one of the MD;s at work picked it up off my nursing station and wrote with it and bent my tines.. now it leaks puddles of ink.
I was doing something when I watched this and have been meaning to get back to leave a note. Don't feel bad about the Caran D'Headache. That is it's name now. You didn't do anything wrong. There is nothing wrong with complaining about a bad product or service as long as you don't get abusive. I don't see you ever being like that. You are owed an apology as far as I am concerned. We all rely on hearing the good with the bad. I'm happy that it worked out. Lanbitou can make some good nibs.The M Lamy style nib that you put on your Jinhao 35 is Lanbitou if it's the same as mine. They're good. And I accidentally ended up with a Jinhao 992 clone (long story). It's exactly the same as a my clear one without the branding and has a generic nib. You can't get much cheaper than that. I like the nib and I would buy more if I knew who made them. Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for all your hard work bringing us great reviews last year.
Yes, in editing I remembered why I had stopped combining that mic setup (Yeti on a desk-mounted mic arm). The desk beats like a drum with very easy movement.
Sir i am a huge fan of your channel..i like your recommendations and love my jinhao hooded nib pens such as the 85, 86, 911 and 51a..i would request you to please try the lamy 2000, its the smoothest and the best writer in my collection. I use it in the fine point..i am a huge lamy fan by the way..and own 5 safaris, 1 al star and they are my EDCs..other pens that i own are a lamy studio, pilot custom 823, kaweco perkeo and sport, diplomat aero, kanwrite desire, heritage, platinum prefonte, TWSBI eco, pilot metropolitan in medium and fine nibs (though i hate the fine..its very scratchy and the ink flow was not good out of the box)..anyways thanks for you wonderful pen reviews..i look forward to your videos always.
My biggest disappointment was the Pilot 823. I couldn't wait to get it but in the end, no matter what I do, I can't get it to stop skipping. It writes ok for a little while, then just skips and skips. SO annoying. And yes, I have cleaned it and tried every different ink I own and the piston is opened. I think I got a lemon.
@@JG3Reviews I think mine IS a dud. And, believe it or not, I bought another one. Fortunately it is working beautifully. BUT ( and I hope I don't get hate mail for this) it is still not my favorite. After all the rave reviews, I may have been expecting too much. At least the new one works.
I notice Jinhao have revamped their Duofold 100, and given it an arrow clip. Shame really because the original was more true to the original Parker. The only dud I have is the Wing Sung 235. Horrible in every way, from the gaudy finish to the skippy nib. So unlike the quality that I usually associate with Wing Sung. Happy New Year from England.
I too bought the lanbitou 3088 I didnt have anything wrong with the pen but the nib is so fine its finer than some of my dip pen nibs and I can hardly read the lines I put down and thats putting it liberly they are like so fine I didnt think nibs could get xxxxx fine and its not a matter of smoothe or the matter of the design but wow a 6 dollar pen that was so fine I got a ex fine to see how fine it was ... too fine for me :)
It’s fairly unusual that I like an EF, but every now and then I find one. I’ve got a Pilot EF that is basically just a paper fiber collector. It really turned me off the EFs for a while.
@@JG3Reviews exactly there is fine and then there is so fine it scrapes the page and feels like writing with nails on a chalkboard. And not to mention. Making 0aper fibers accumulate
so right about the LANBITOU 3088 my one can not leave home it must be near a jamjar of water to start of same with the Hongdian, again right about the LANBITOU 3088 great nib one of my best extra fines, from a Nihilist who is into love and compassion
I’m definitely keeping it around just for the nib. I keep it at my office so I have water nearby. Love & compassion is hard to beat! Have a great New Year!
My #1 disappointment that has me just wanting to scream in frustration is my Conklin All American ebony wood with gunmetal trim. LOVE the look. LOVE the size. LOVE the shape. It should be the pen I reach for every minute of every day...but the cap does NOT seal and the thing dries out within minutes seemingly. It is not just a hard start - it is BONE DRY. I have tried different inks, feeds, and nibs. All with the same results. I can only assume it is similar to the one mentioned here and that the spring loaded clip leaks air. I am mad, frustrated, and disappointed all at once about this pen.
TOP: Penbbs 266 Galaxy No.1 calligraphy nib = gorgeous and a delightful, wet writer. STINKER: Leonardo Momento Zero Prugna Plum stub nib = pretty as can be but dries out like the Sahara desert after being capped for any amount of time; an awful product and not inexpensive. No no Leonardo! SURPRISE: Penbbs 355 (improved version) Amber Is a Cat, medium nib = based on rave reviews, I expected this to be wonderful. Nothing "wrong" with it but nothing special, either, IMO. I sold it for a whole lot less than I paid for it.
The Parker 51/2021 definitely belongs in the trash pile. I have two and I'd actually be less complimentary than you. Mine both have ink starvation and dryout problems after just a couple of days non-use. The nib is bland, the pen is bland and the Jinhao 86 is much better, more reliable and not at all fussy. As a Parker fanboy and lover of the "real" 51 it pains me to say that. The price tag is excessive. Interestingly though, here in the UK the steel 2021 version can now be had on Amazon for £33.52 delivered so, at a guess, maybe US$40. It's not even worth that but it tells me the market has not received it well & sellers are trying to offload this dud, this liability, this insult to the heritage of the proper 51.
I'm afraid it was a cynical decision in a boardroom, not a pen by people passionate about their product & history. That's a real shame. I'll agree that the Jinhao 86 is a good little pen. Honestly, I have a difficult time telling them apart in my pen case. I have a black 86 that has been incredibly reliable and doesn't dry out if left for a few weeks.
@@JG3Reviews I know what you mean about differentiating the 86 from the 51. I look for the presence or absence of vent holes in the cap finial and whether the cap comes off in one turn or three. Otherwise unless I read the cap band or unscrew it, I can't tell the difference. One thing to watch though. Once I was not paying attention, picked up an 86 and pulled the cap rather than unscrewing it. It did actually uncap because the threaded collar seems to just be a friction fit in the cap. I was able to put it back in and it still seems secure, but that was definitely my fault. It just looked like a slip cap. I don't know if the P51/2021 would have the same behaviour.
@@JG3Reviews I considered glue but I have a tendency to over-apply anything like that, similarly with silicon grease on piston rings. Less is more. Anyway with the friction fit alone, once I pushed the collar back into the cap as far as it would comfortably go, I screwed the cap on gently and felt for any rotation, which I didn't actually get. Another of my bad habits is over-tightening caps and other threaded components. This exercise helped me realise a cap only needs to be finger tight, enough to not shake loose, and that should still provide enough of an air seal. So now I'm a little more careful... I hope!
@@JG3Reviews may be you should pen down a Blue with it (puns intended). I shall began without delay - I filled out the converter with whisky, and the pen seems a lava warm Visconti....
I stand with others regarding the Jinhao 100 Centennial. Each of my 12 100s are excellent writers. The real treat was when I found the Centennial made with a lovely brown acrylic, which is a unique color for a Chinese pen. Next on my list for 2021 was the Kaigelu 316A. Like the new acrylics, and the fact that they are not as heavy as the original model. The nibs are smooth writers. My 3rd surprise for 2021 was the Jinhao 166 with fine nibs, which write more like a F/M. Cost less than $1.00/pen. It was hard for me to believe there was not a lot of feedback for such a cheap pen; and the nibs are very decent writers. Another surprise for me is the Sheaffer NoNonsense pen. I collected 10 of them starting at the end of 2020 and completing the collection in early 2021. The last surprise for 2021 was the Hong Dian 1841. Any pen with a #6 nib gives me plenty of room of nib smoothing, if necessary. There are four more pens which deserve honorable mentions--the Picasso Avignon (which has a butter smooth nib), the Lamy Joy, TWSBI Swipe and Sheaffer Sagaris. Well that is my list for 2021. The real stinker for 2021 was the LM Dialogue Focus 3. A total waste of money.
Enjoyed your list 👍 There're a few I need to check out 😃
Top Five
2:13 Platinum 3776 with a Soft Fine Nib
3:15 Pilot Vanishing Point with a Medium Nib
4:03 Denobil DN500 Ebonite
5:00 PENBBS 323 "Mocha" Aluminum with a Medium Nib
6:20 Tianzi Piston Filler in Mystery Blue with a Medium Nib
Bottom Five
8:08 Caran D' Ache 849 with a Medium Nib
9:11 Lanbitou 3088 with a Fine Nib
10:13 Hongdian 6013 with a Fine Nib
11:45 Parker 51 Reissue with a Medium Nib
13:17 Copy of the Wing Sung copy of the Parker 51
Surprising Pens
15:23 Jinhao 85 & 86
16:07 Majohn Wancai Mini Eye-Dropper with a Fine Nib
16:54 PENBBS 469 with RF and Calligraphy Nibs
19:04 Jinhao 100 Galaxy Blue with a Fine Nib
20:24 Moonman Q1 with a F/EF Nib
Thanks!
Thank you so much!
It's always fun to see the favorites of other people in the fountain pen hobby! For 2021 I acquired an Edison Brockton in lollipop confetti with an extra fine steel nib and I just love it!
Thanks James for a year of great and entertaining reviews. I look forward to 2022.
Thanks for watching. Happy New Year!
James,
Thanks for your paper suggestions. It’s good to know that there are affordable notebooks that are fountain pen friendly. Often, as a pen enthusiast I scribble gibberish on a page for a writing sample. These notebooks from Walmart as well as the composition notebooks you suggested from Target are great. When you use pages for writing samples you don’t feel like you’re wasting paper. The opacity is excellent! You can easily write on both sides of the page with no bleedthrough. A one dollar notebook with those qualities is awesome! Thanks again.
Always enjoy your videos, though I have one suggestion for this one: if you had mentioned the approximate price for each pen (or put it on the screen with the pen info you showed) it would have been more informative. I can google them, but if you are already providing basic information, it would have made it more complete (and I know you have reviewed probably all of them before). Thank you for sharing your reviews, Happy 2022
Hi, Just found your review of pens of the year. I started collecting about a year ago and have a mixture of new and vintage pens which is helping me to find what I like. Today my Conklin Abalone with a 1.1 stub nib arrived. I inked it up with Private Reserve Avocado (avocados are real cheap over here at the moment). It writes beautifully. I am also loving writing with a Gucci pen from the 80s, a Waterman Carene and a Balenciaga. So far no stinkers, but lots of fun and my writing has improved this last year. I am excited to see what 2022 brings in both new and vintage pens. Happy 2022
Thanks so much. Have a great '22. Looking forward to future reviews.
Thanks, Happy New Year!
11:03 For the stain, you could try 1/3 OxyClean powder dissolved in 2/3 very hot water applied with a Q-tip. Often works, especially with blue inks. If the stain doesn't disappear completely, it will be less dark and less noticeable.
I’ll give it a shot, thanks!
This year I am just starting to discover vintage pens. Two great pens I did not expect to like was a Parker duofold junior from the 1950s with a 14ct gold nib. It's a really smooth nib. Another unexpected delight is a 1980s osmiroid m italic pen. I never liked the look of the nibs but now really enjoying the calligraphy look of my writing.
Nice finds!
Well, man, YOUR CHANNEL is at the top of my surprise list! I’m glad I found you, lots of great reviews and a really nice guy!
Thank you! Happy New Year!
Thanks again for your references and honest down to earth reviews. I bought the Tianzi after you talked about it. Great pen! Great price!
So glad you like my personal favourite: Platinum 3776, I’ve got two: EF and an UEF - I’ve got small handwriting and write featherlight, so they suit me well; have got to try the Pilot capless: so many people love them just not sure about that clip!
21:32 That face! 🤣🤣
I've said it before and I'll say it again, James, you never fail to make me smile!
I'm a little late to the party, but the pen that surprised me most in 2021 was the Moonman C1. The Moonman #6 nibs are a bit hit or miss, but mine came with an exceptionally good EF nib that is juicy and has that perfect balance between smoothness and feedback. (I read that Moonman doesn't make their own EF nibs, maybe that's why). The stinker of the year was one from your list too, that Lanbitou 3088. You told us not to buy it, I did anyway because it made me curious and I thought, "well, how bad can it really be?" REALLY bad, as it turns out. Lesson learned: listen to James. I contacted NASA to ask if they could take it with them on the next mission to Mars but they politely declined, saying that it may compromise the entire mission by spontaneously combusting halfway there.
Thanks for another excellent video!
I did a search to look up your comment about InkyRocks using 1 pen/ink/paper for 30 days and this was just above it in the results. The Mars thing cracked me up all over again. lol
@@JG3Reviews Hahahaha, well glad I could YOU laugh for a change, James!
This video was awesome, best video of top 5 pens for 2021 i have seen so far. You are hilarious! and you also gave me some good ideas for pens to try in 2022, so thank you.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you James for your reviews. I wish you and your family a joyfull and brilliant new year.
Thank you!
James, thanks for a year of nice reviews. Happy new year to you and your family!
Glad you enjoy the channel, Happy New Year!
Hi James, Merry Christmas have a fantastic New Year. Lovely wrap up of the 2020 pens, great choices of pens.
Chelsea
Thanks! Happy New Year & Merry Christmas to you, too!
@@JG3Reviews Your welcome :)
The Q1 was definitely the surprise of the year for me. All others I got were basically what I expected. The Q1 in the demonstrator colorway also looks great with shimmering ink loaded in it.
I brought a tianzi last week at a pen show. What a surprise, it really is a stunning pen and very reasonably priced too
Thank you, James. Of the pens I've bought this year, most have been on the back of your reviews (thank you for reviewing the cheaper end of the market!!). I'm with you on the Jinhao 100: I had a couple of Jinhao pens a couple of years ago, & they dried up overnight with no exception (including the Li Bai special - my favourite Chinese poet - grr!!). This year I've bought a Jinhao 100 in orange on your recomendation & it's absolutely marvellous, keeping wet & ready for action after weeks of no use. And a 699, similarly - have they upped their quality control recently, or have I just been lucky this year? Anyway, God bless you too, James - have a great New Year from us in the South-West UK.
I think Jinhao may have stepped it up, too. I’ve noticed their #6 nibs have been even better on the few I bought this year. Happy New Year!
I know this is late, but I've bought 3 of them. One for me, one for my kid and one as a xmas gift for someone who loves writing with her existing fountain pen.
I tested the 2nd and 3rd out before handing them over, and both are as lovely to write with as the first.
Greetings from Australia.
Great review.
I bought the Q1 demonstrator with a medium nib and it's a lovely pen and that was after watching your review.
But my other favourite pens were custom made in wood. I have a woods of the earth collection and it is a very slippery slope to down. There is always another pen/wood that becomes available. Very distinguished pens. I love them.
Thanks for the year of reviews.
Jinhao 100 best value pen IMO.
My 2021 top acquisition is a Waterman Exception Night&Day.
And my top ink is Edelstein Golden Beryl 😉
I agree with your opinion on parker, they’re Parker IM series is a much better buy.
Pilot vanishing point has tiny converter. I had the Decimo the medium nib was too wet. The stub nib had to be held at the exact angle to write. I sold it.
I have to really thank you for the Kanwrite brand recommendation. I have been writing with it at least once a week, it really surprised me. Keep up the great work!! Happy New Year 🎊!!
James
What a wonder video. Love how you structured it, inserting stinkers midway then finishing positive. Some great surprises and even unknowns I’ll have to look further into.
Great remarks on Parker 51. Even if it writes well and has the look, overriding everything is overpricing a pen…..period.
I bought a beautiful brown Wing Sung 626 a couple years back after seeing lots of good reviews. Terrible writer that ya have to struggle on its writing angle. And on occasion the nib burps.I was issued a refund without even sending it back. Loved its look and even had it paired with a gorgeous brown ink. But looks aren’t everything. I’m tempted to try out a nibmeister for the first time. Or better yet smooth away myself what looks like babies bottom.
Again great job on the video. I really do enjoy your work!
Great info. Thanks!
PenBBS's is some of the best pens around. I love the 323 soo much. I have the whole collection in all the metals and acrylics!
Hi James, thanks for posting this fascinating video.
Absolutely shocked with Caran D'Ache; I was expecting better from them; glad that Diplomat nib is working well for you.
I was, too, but I’m very happy with the fix, and glad it was salvageable.
I love a lot of my pens, but my personal favorite is my Faber Castell Emotion with a wood body. for a stainless steel nib it writes like a dream.
My biggest regret was getting a Sailor Pro Gear Slim. Too small and the nib was too hard and scratchy for my taste. Thankfully I got to trade it for another pen with a similar price range so it wasn't a complete loss!
Just vintage, or second hand pens for me this year. It began as making a statement, but turned out to be surprisingly satisfying, and I don’t know if I’ll ever buy a new pen again.
An almost unused slim black piston filled Reform wth a medium nib, and an a screw cap turned out to be the most consistent writer. The resin scratch resistant, and still jet black and shiny. The solid feel of the cap ttreads and the smoothness of the piston blew me away. And at a price comparable with the less asian quality pens.
A slightly used Paper Mate Flighter with cartridge filling and an airtight push cap was a similar astonishing delight. None of the above have any flex in the nibs, but my handwriting comes out surprisingly nice with discernable line variation.
Thus I have writing pleasure in store for 2022 maybe without having to buy another pen, even a used one? I’m excited to find out!
I wish you a Happy New Year, James! May your life be blessed!
Interesting review..thanks James.
Happy new year .
Thanks, have a great New Year!
Pickle Pen. I love that. Thanks!
Happy new year 🎉 thank you for your reviews.
Happy New Year!
That's unfortunate about your Hongdian 6013, I have the screw cap version of it and it writes so damn well.
I completly agree about the NG51. Here in Europe it's priced at about 90-95€, which is clearly excessive. I got a midnight blue, fine steel nib, for just under 50€. This price would be fair to my eyes if a converter were in the box... A few days later I got a TWSBI VAC700R for 80 eurobucks and it blew my mind. Parker totally lost it with their MSRP in comparison. It's a fine pen though, I thinks it looks fantastic and is pretty well made, worth a look if you can find a good deal.
Great review of the great ones and stinkers.
There is one pen that is close to my grail pen that you did not review here (maybe you did previously). It is the Pilot Custom 743 with a soft fine nib. I am blown away with the feel and expression I can get with the nib. So smooth right out of the box. I think if such a nib was on the Custom 823, I would have bought that model instead, but I am more than satisfied with the pen that I have. I tried the Falcon pen and it just did not work for me. I found that the soft fine nib provides the line variation that I had been craving to give my handwriting some nice expression and character.
I just discovered your channel yesterday and love your reviews! I'd say that the Tianzi piston filler is probably the greatest surprise in the fountain pen world for 2021. I got one in the dark blue fleck acrylic and it just writes so wonderfully wet (I just wish I could see the ink level). It's a shame that Denobil isn't making pens at the moment, I hope they do again because that ebonite just looks fantastic and the look is different than what you get with most Indian ebonite pens. Regarding the reissue Parker 51, I would get a Wing Sung 601 over that any day! The Caran D'Ache 849s are hit or miss...my first one has a medium nib, then second a broad, and both are buttery smooth with perfect flow. Then I went for one in fine and extra fine, and both nibs were scratchy junk, they just kept mis-aligning themselves because the metal was too thin (and I write with a very light hand). Have a safe, blessed, and God-glorifying 2022 and I look forward to more of your videos.
Thanks, welcome to the channel, and Happy New Year!
I love my Platinum 3776 'Bourgogne' (inked up with Diamine Poinsettia), the Wing Sung 699 (inked with GilMar 'Strangely Brown' - one of my own inks) & my TWSBI 680AL demonstrator (with TWSBI Blue/Black ink).
I love your reviews!! This one was awesome and very informative to watch! For me my top 3 fountain pens of this year were 1. Twisbi Eco, 2. Cross Bailey Light 3. Pierre Cardin Pen Omatic
Thanks! I’m not familiar with the Pierre Cardin, but the first two are in regular rotation. Great pens.
I made two big discoveries in 2021. First, the beginner nibs I've been gushing over. They are the perfect, normal M nib, and I get a kick out of the kiddie aesthetic that comes on their pens for free. And, cheap. Not crazy about the triangle grips, but I gladly play along. Secoond, in the non-cheap category, I found out about Sailor 21k nibs. So expensive, but guess what, you get something special for your money.
Happy New Year.
I still haven’t bit on the Sailor gold nibs, but I get the appeal. Where are you getting the beginner pens with M? I’m always looking for pens like that to share here.
Love the lists! I already owned a Pilot VP (bought last year-2020) but I bought both the Jinhao 100 and the Moonman Q1 largely because of you reviews of them, and I completely agree with you on both of those pens. They are surprisingly excellent pens. Thanks for giving more of an “Everyman” perspective on the fountain pen world, it is much needed! God Bless you and your family and happy new year.
Thanks, Ian! God bless you and yours as well.
The double-headed pen, can you tell the ends apart with the pen closed?
If you have a keen eye for the differences in the resin pattern, but that’s it. I keep different colors of ink for both nibs, and that’s made it easy keep straight.
Re: HongDian - mine was a screw cap, but the threaded cap insert came loose, and so I use it as a slip cap now. I'll admit, it's more comfortable with a ring over the threads on the barrel, but it just is a less satisfying experience, albeit still an excellent writer 🤔
When all else fails and you cant lift the ink stain from pale leather, re stain it with Tandy's Marine Black. It can cover anything. I used it to dye a pair of blue shoes black.
I’ll keep that in mind!
you just made me buy the Tianzi pen! Happy New Year
Enjoy the pen, and Happy New Year!
Caran dache should be ashamed. I’ ve been eyeing some of their pens, but I’m glad I saw this because my one fear as a pen shopper is that something goes wrong, which can happen in fountain pens, and the company treats you like a stranger after you handed them your money. :(
I love almost all my 2021 pens, except the lanbitou 3088. Used once the nib was dry. Then it fell apart and does not click anymore
Yep. Glad the others were good!
Great video and thanks for the list. just wanna update some info.
1,about hongdian 6013,they have changed the closure of the pen cap to rotary closure ,so the air tightness is well guaranteed now.
2,the hero 616 is the work of hero brand ,which was used to be one company with the wingsung brand, and they share a lot of design even nowadays. so hero 616 and wingsung 's parker 51 basically have same title here. anyway nowadays the hero and wingsung they split up into two companies and all start their own product line. hopefully we can see more and better products from them.
Those Tombow pencils are probably better than the everyone’s favorite Blackwing pencils. At least I like them more than the Blackwings.
These and the Mitsubishi 9850 "Office Use Only" pencils are my favorites.
If you want a 'Wancai Mini' with a #6 nib, try the PenBBS 471. My 471 is in Starry Night, like your 469.
I keep thinking I need to check that pen out. Sometimes it's available in resins I like, but can't get in larger pens.
in re penbbs 469; how much ink leakage do you find in the bottom cap if you store this vertically?
I'm surprised I love the TWSBI Go. I thought I'd hate it so I bought one to try a Broad nib cheaply. I reach for it wherever I'm long form free writing. I often pair it with Diamine Oxblood.
The Go is an underrated pen and a great writer.
Ha! I have two original Parker 51s and I love them, but I did not like the reissue. Maybe I should not have expected a technologically improved version -- they just don't make 'em like they used to!
Thanks for sharing the list!i just ordered a jinhao 100 wif chinese calligraphy nib,hopefully it will turn out to be a surprise for me too!
1 pen which i tot i wouldnt like is noodler's ahab.Its not a pretty pen to me and not to mention abt e smell~bt somehow i just tend to reach out for it as its just so wet and i tend to see more obvious ink properties!
E disappointing pen i gt was penbbs 456.i got e medium nib but it doesnt write smoothly,and realise e piston is blocking the ink from going into e feed even after i unscrew the top cap.i guess it requires some troubleshooting to work but as of now im not sure how so it will just be left aside.
Happy new year!
I'm having issues with a 456 as well...
I got the 3776 with the SF nib. It's wonderful. Incidentally I got the same color, lol.
I have the PenBBS 323 in galaxy.blue. Very smooth nib and can be eyedropper filled.
Have toook for the Tianzi.
I keep looking at the 323 in Galaxy blue. Awful tempting.
@@JG3Reviews beautiful pen. Beautiful resin.
@@JG3Reviews I have another question. Do you have a TWSBI 580? Does the Tanzi pen compare favorably?
I don't have a "top" anything list. In fact, I don't keep a list. My favorite pens are Japanese brands: Sailor, Pilot, Platinum, and Wancher. They span the range of nib types; F, M, B, Stub, and specialty: e.g., Music, Italic, Cursive, Flex. Put another way, my favorite pen is the one I'm writing with.
Hmmm, just ordered a Platinum 3776 with a SF nib (black). I really enjoy their C [coarse/DB]. Hoping this SF fits the bill 👍😎.
Hope you enjoy it. It’s an interesting nib, and a very well made pen.
The Curidas itself is annoying and frustrating! Mine is now in pieces because I’m sick of the hassle of changing ink!
I don’t think there is any pen on the market that can beat a 912FA
I had the feed replaced and the nib reground now I wonder if I should skip buying a Waterman 52
Does A 52 go from 0,18 to 2+ mm? If not I will skip it most likely
I can't speak to the Waterman, but I'll agree that the 912 FA is a fantastic pen.
Clone of a clone of 51 ? LOL ! Imagine a clone of Lanbitou ?
I’ve a Curidas which isn’t able to withstand summer of southern India - it dries out frequently, so it’s a permanent resident of my pen case, unlinked !!
I'd agree with you about Lanbitou nibs. I've refused to get a 3088 (I have no need for a capless pen) but I have several pens with Lanbitou nibs that are actually quite nice.
As to the Parker 51: Parker historically has been on the edge of the overpriced range. So, it kind of stands to reason that the modern 51 would be overpriced. I have a 1947 Parker 51 Vacumatic, and I barely paid more than the modern steel nibbed version. Restored, even. The top value of the 51 in the past was about $150 USD, in today's money (around $12, then) so the price of the gold nibbed version is even more outrageous to me.
Not trying to say that vintage is better. It's what you like and want to use that should be the biggest issue. For my pocket, vintage pens tend to be cheaper than modern, the inconsistency in nibs has usually been taken care of years ago, and sac fillers don't bother me. (Not any more difficult to clean than most modern piston filler pens, IMO. 😁) If everything was a cartridge converter I'd be thrilled.
The copy? I've been bitten by those, myself. I have a fake Hero 616 that has edges sharp enough to draw blood, the nib is absolutely not salvageable, and was already used when I got it...
Pens I love? Anything pre Parker buyout from Wahl-Eversharp. And my beloved Esterbrook pens. And, and, and. Haven't really gotten anything I didn't like, this year. I have had a few vintage pens that broke as I tried to get them working again, but I don't count those.
I like a broad range of writing experiences, so there's few that I haven't liked. Maybe a few extra fine nibs...
I have always enjoyed your videos and your take on the pens you show. Thanks for sharing them, and hope you have a blessed New Year!
I’ve been thinking a Wahl-Eversharp needs to be part of my ‘22 goals, and I’d like to explore vintage pens more in general. Happy New Year!
@@JG3Reviews I'd recommend a Skyline. They have the look of a streamlined locomotive, and tend to be quite reasonable in price. And, although it pains me to say, with my love of vintage Esterbrooks, the best writers I've used. Tend to be a very firm fine, but so smooth and wet...
For bang for your buck, in gold nibbed pens, vintage really can't be beat. "They're hard to clean." Not worse than most piston fillers. "The ink sacs fail." In maybe around 10 years, but they're made with the same formula and the same equipment as vintage, and I've gotten several that are over 70 years old and are still on the original ink sac. Are we REALLY sure that a cartridge converter will last longer? 😉
I feel that you will enjoy the rabbit hole of vintage. 😁 God bless, James!
I have a couple from your love list (3776, penbbs323) and the decimo is on the wish list. For the stinker list, I agree with the 849. I've had issues with the nib on mine as well. To the point that the 849 stays in my storage case and is not being used. From you surprise list, I have the mini wancai which I'm not a huge fan of. it's just too small for me.
I bought a ten dollar Jinhao retro from Amazon and absolutely loved it, unfortunately one of the MD;s at work picked it up off my nursing station and wrote with it and bent my tines.. now it leaks puddles of ink.
Oh, no!
I was doing something when I watched this and have been meaning to get back to leave a note. Don't feel bad about the Caran D'Headache. That is it's name now. You didn't do anything wrong. There is nothing wrong with complaining about a bad product or service as long as you don't get abusive. I don't see you ever being like that. You are owed an apology as far as I am concerned. We all rely on hearing the good with the bad. I'm happy that it worked out.
Lanbitou can make some good nibs.The M Lamy style nib that you put on your Jinhao 35 is Lanbitou if it's the same as mine. They're good.
And I accidentally ended up with a Jinhao 992 clone (long story). It's exactly the same as a my clear one without the branding and has a generic nib. You can't get much cheaper than that. I like the nib and I would buy more if I knew who made them.
Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for all your hard work bringing us great reviews last year.
How do the Parker Chinese knockoffs compare to the legit Chinese-made Parker pens?
Some like the Jinhaos and Wing Sungs even better, depending on the model. The 85/86 from Jinhao holds its own.
You are hitting the mic, which sounds like drama, on key lister back, and smile
Yes, in editing I remembered why I had stopped combining that mic setup (Yeti on a desk-mounted mic arm). The desk beats like a drum with very easy movement.
Sir i am a huge fan of your channel..i like your recommendations and love my jinhao hooded nib pens such as the 85, 86, 911 and 51a..i would request you to please try the lamy 2000, its the smoothest and the best writer in my collection. I use it in the fine point..i am a huge lamy fan by the way..and own 5 safaris, 1 al star and they are my EDCs..other pens that i own are a lamy studio, pilot custom 823, kaweco perkeo and sport, diplomat aero, kanwrite desire, heritage, platinum prefonte, TWSBI eco, pilot metropolitan in medium and fine nibs (though i hate the fine..its very scratchy and the ink flow was not good out of the box)..anyways thanks for you wonderful pen reviews..i look forward to your videos always.
I'll be sharing my impressions of the Lamy 2000 sometime in the coming weeks. I've had it a while, but not done a video, yet.
Are you undergoing chemotherapy treatments? I ask because I notice things in appearance I had when I had this illness.
Nope, I’m afraid that’s just the extra wear and tear of the last few years.
My biggest disappointment was the Pilot 823. I couldn't wait to get it but in the end, no matter what I do, I can't get it to stop skipping. It writes ok for a little while, then just skips and skips. SO annoying. And yes, I have cleaned it and tried every different ink I own and the piston is opened. I think I got a lemon.
I've got a PenBBS 456 that gets raves, but mine is doing what your 823 did. I've cleaned it out and am looking for answers hoping it's not just a dud.
@@JG3Reviews I think mine IS a dud. And, believe it or not, I bought another one. Fortunately it is working beautifully. BUT ( and I hope I don't get hate mail for this) it is still not my favorite. After all the rave reviews, I may have been expecting too much. At least the new one works.
I notice Jinhao have revamped their Duofold 100, and given it an arrow clip. Shame really because the original was more true to the original Parker. The only dud I have is the Wing Sung 235. Horrible in every way, from the gaudy finish to the skippy nib. So unlike the quality that I usually associate with Wing Sung.
Happy New Year from England.
Happy New Year! I prefer the first clip offered on the 100 as well.
I too bought the lanbitou 3088 I didnt have anything wrong with the pen but the nib is so fine its finer than some of my dip pen nibs and I can hardly read the lines I put down and thats putting it liberly they are like so fine I didnt think nibs could get xxxxx fine and its not a matter of smoothe or the matter of the design but wow a 6 dollar pen that was so fine I got a ex fine to see how fine it was ... too fine for me :)
It’s fairly unusual that I like an EF, but every now and then I find one. I’ve got a Pilot EF that is basically just a paper fiber collector. It really turned me off the EFs for a while.
@@JG3Reviews exactly there is fine and then there is so fine it scrapes the page and feels like writing with nails on a chalkboard. And not to mention. Making 0aper fibers accumulate
so right about the LANBITOU 3088 my one can not leave home it must be near a jamjar of water to start of same with the Hongdian, again right about the LANBITOU 3088 great nib one of my best extra fines, from a Nihilist who is into love and compassion
I’m definitely keeping it around just for the nib. I keep it at my office so I have water nearby. Love & compassion is hard to beat! Have a great New Year!
As a writer, I feel unusual if I don't have stains on my leather stuff. Stains mean I actually USE my notebooks and such lol.
How do you know when someone's a writer...?
My #1 disappointment that has me just wanting to scream in frustration is my Conklin All American ebony wood with gunmetal trim. LOVE the look. LOVE the size. LOVE the shape. It should be the pen I reach for every minute of every day...but the cap does NOT seal and the thing dries out within minutes seemingly. It is not just a hard start - it is BONE DRY. I have tried different inks, feeds, and nibs. All with the same results. I can only assume it is similar to the one mentioned here and that the spring loaded clip leaks air.
I am mad, frustrated, and disappointed all at once about this pen.
That's so frustrating. I was tempted by that pen, but never bit. I wouldn't have expected that much trouble.
Never underestimate Jinhao
Good video👈👈👈
Ned Flanders? Is that you?
Far too cranky for that. 😉 Closer to Hank Hill.
TOP: Penbbs 266 Galaxy No.1 calligraphy nib = gorgeous and a delightful, wet writer. STINKER: Leonardo Momento Zero Prugna Plum stub nib = pretty as can be but dries out like the Sahara desert after being capped for any amount of time; an awful product and not inexpensive. No no Leonardo! SURPRISE: Penbbs 355 (improved version) Amber Is a Cat, medium nib = based on rave reviews, I expected this to be wonderful. Nothing "wrong" with it but nothing special, either, IMO. I sold it for a whole lot less than I paid for it.
The 266/308 is so hard to beat in its range. The Leonardo. Uh-oh. I’ve got one in a box on my dresser that I haven’t inked yet…
The Parker 51/2021 definitely belongs in the trash pile. I have two and I'd actually be less complimentary than you. Mine both have ink starvation and dryout problems after just a couple of days non-use. The nib is bland, the pen is bland and the Jinhao 86 is much better, more reliable and not at all fussy. As a Parker fanboy and lover of the "real" 51 it pains me to say that. The price tag is excessive. Interestingly though, here in the UK the steel 2021 version can now be had on Amazon for £33.52 delivered so, at a guess, maybe US$40. It's not even worth that but it tells me the market has not received it well & sellers are trying to offload this dud, this liability, this insult to the heritage of the proper 51.
I'm afraid it was a cynical decision in a boardroom, not a pen by people passionate about their product & history. That's a real shame. I'll agree that the Jinhao 86 is a good little pen. Honestly, I have a difficult time telling them apart in my pen case. I have a black 86 that has been incredibly reliable and doesn't dry out if left for a few weeks.
@@JG3Reviews I know what you mean about differentiating the 86 from the 51. I look for the presence or absence of vent holes in the cap finial and whether the cap comes off in one turn or three. Otherwise unless I read the cap band or unscrew it, I can't tell the difference. One thing to watch though. Once I was not paying attention, picked up an 86 and pulled the cap rather than unscrewing it. It did actually uncap because the threaded collar seems to just be a friction fit in the cap. I was able to put it back in and it still seems secure, but that was definitely my fault. It just looked like a slip cap. I don't know if the P51/2021 would have the same behaviour.
@@bikkies I did that, too! I'm so used to the Jinhao 51a pull cap. Ha. I put mine back in with a little glue and it has been secure since.
@@JG3Reviews I considered glue but I have a tendency to over-apply anything like that, similarly with silicon grease on piston rings. Less is more. Anyway with the friction fit alone, once I pushed the collar back into the cap as far as it would comfortably go, I screwed the cap on gently and felt for any rotation, which I didn't actually get. Another of my bad habits is over-tightening caps and other threaded components. This exercise helped me realise a cap only needs to be finger tight, enough to not shake loose, and that should still provide enough of an air seal. So now I'm a little more careful... I hope!
Parker is just milking its customers by intentionally overpricing the 51.
Your pens are singing blue.
It’s true. Even when I branch out into other colors, the blues seem to take over.
@@JG3Reviews may be you should pen down a Blue with it (puns intended). I shall began without delay - I filled out the converter with whisky, and the pen seems a lava warm Visconti....
Wank Ai Mini 😅
I stand with others regarding the Jinhao 100 Centennial. Each of my 12 100s
are excellent writers. The real treat was when I found the Centennial made
with a lovely brown acrylic, which is a unique color for a Chinese pen. Next
on my list for 2021 was the Kaigelu 316A. Like the new acrylics, and the
fact that they are not as heavy as the original model. The nibs are smooth
writers. My 3rd surprise for 2021 was the Jinhao 166 with fine nibs, which
write more like a F/M. Cost less than $1.00/pen. It was hard for me to believe
there was not a lot of feedback for such a cheap pen; and the nibs are
very decent writers. Another surprise for me is the Sheaffer NoNonsense pen.
I collected 10 of them starting at the end of 2020 and completing the collection
in early 2021. The last surprise for 2021 was the Hong Dian 1841. Any pen
with a #6 nib gives me plenty of room of nib smoothing, if necessary. There are
four more pens which deserve honorable mentions--the Picasso Avignon
(which has a butter smooth nib), the Lamy Joy, TWSBI Swipe and Sheaffer Sagaris.
Well that is my list for 2021. The real stinker for 2021 was the LM Dialogue Focus 3.
A total waste of money.