Hong dian has put forth some really good pens as of late. Mine is in the mail, should expect it in June. Good job on explaining the long knife nib and how it writes.
Great review, especially the etymology section on long knife nibs, etc. All the hongdian n6 and n7 pens have nib collars that hold the nib and feed and unscrew. The first time removing them is usually a bit of a struggle.
Excellent! I think both configurations of this pen are very handsome! And, a piston filler with an ink window and ebonite feed for under forty bucks ... pretty good deal to me!
Can't miss with Take-sumi. Thanks for yet another excellent exposition. BTW, my N7 F is a Frequent Carry Pen -- nurses and others see it and say, oooo. I appreciate yet again your close up of the pen.
I think I’m gonna check this pen out. I’ve been wanting to try an architect nib for a while. And nice editing on the Canadian ABC video to keep it a family friendly show
I was trying to find examples of these "long knife" nibs for a different Hong Dian pen and im glad I found this! Very good video, fantastic editing, love that we can see ur face as well as the paper/pen. and the little jokes and editing are great as well. I subbed.
Great review and you made me get one! You are my consultant for the next Chinese pens to buy (as they launch so many pens)! Perhaps it is just my pen, but my Long Knife nib does not feel so smooth like a regular F/ M nib. Maybe it is expected from specialty nibs like Italic or Architect nibs.
Thank you for your video- I got Hong Dian’s Lunar New Year pen with the “long knife” nib and I was really confused by how different it felt. I can follow up on architect nibs now and understand how best to use and ink the pen.
Sorry, I got so excited I forgot to say thanks for the review. I was literally counting down the time to your posting ( I really need to get a life.) Love the architect/long blade nibs. I have them on a bunch of my Chinese pens thanks to you and they are my favorite writers.
It is just in there really tight. Since I've been able to pull my gold capped version of the N6, I assume the black N6 is just stuck. I have no reason to pull it as I love the nib! :)
Greetings from Australia. Thanks, Doug. I've just ordered this pen on Ebay, and the Chinese company: Pens-World includes the Long Knife blade with goldcap for $54 Australian. Hong dian is making some great pens. I have the silver coloured centennial, 3 Year of Rabbit, and the Maple Leaf. Great value pens.
@@InkquiringMinds --- See, that was also why I sold my N7 even though I love the Moon Rabbit engravings and gun metal. I saw the N6 and thought, "This would be a better buy."
I may have to eventually get one of those architect or "long blade" nibs. So far, though, all my Hongdian pens are fitted with their (0.38 mm?) EF nibs, and I've been entirely satisfied with them and had no desire to get a fatter nib of any sort.
Love your coverage of chinese pens. As a left-handed wtiter I always been scared of trying nibs outside of the rounded ones. I recently bought a lamy 1.5 stub nib to experiment and I must say I completely fell in love with how it writes, and it surprised me the fact that I can use it perfectly as a left-handed. I think I'll try this long knife nib next. Keep up the great work and greetings from Argentina
I believe the Hongdian brand makes 2 long blade nib sizes: medium and fine. Only N9 and N23 are long blade medium, all the others are fine and perhaps that's what the "F" letter on the nib means.
Yup this is a darn good little pen that's quite a lot less than my Lamy 2000 Macralon with an oblique medium nib. Same size as the 2000 and the architect nib is a ripper. An effortless way to put a little pizazz into your writing.
This might be worth a try! I have a Hong Dian Black Forest, was never crazy about it since it’s a bit thin and it dried out super quick. Turns out, the drying out was the Nitrogen ink, not the pen. This N6 looks a lot more comfortable to hold! I bet it would be sharp with some red ink to compliment those red cap bands.
I love my Hong Dian rainbow forest, love love love it, I actually want a few more :) I agree on the Nitrogen ink ... I just stopped using it completely it wouldn't write properly in my pelikan twist at all had to completely overhaul clean that sucker and now it works just fine with a kiwi ink that is a sheen like Nitrogen. That ink can sure be hateful :-\
@@InkquiringMinds Yep, if you are not comfortable with forcing it then is safer to not. As an FIY, all piston pens that they have are with removable nib units (N1S, N6 and N7). Actually, I think all open nibs (non-hooded) pens that I have from them are nib units.
I purchased the Hungdian N6 after your review. I’m extremely happy with the “long knife” nib. One question you said it had an ebonite feed. Is that why it doesn’t dry out? And you’re right it’s definitely crying out for a red stripe in the middle.
Ebonite has better inky-flowy-surface properties (that's technical talk) compared to regular old plastic feeds. It doesn't do much about drying (in the air) but it makes your pen write wetter and more "agile" for sure. Creates a nicer writing feel. It's why many classic vintage pens often had ebonite feeds.
What is the ink you use in the introduction of your channel? sorry you must get that allot. I remember you said the name in one video but could not find it.
Hello sorry for my approximate English, I'm french. I love your youtube channel, and I have discovered the cheanese pen univers whith you so thank you. I just wanted to point out that the long blade nib (my favorite too, i d'ont like F and XF generaly) is now available on the easybuy shop on the other N6 and the N7 versions. I couldn't find a way to buy them separately unfortunately. Thank you for your videos and kiss from Paris.
Merci beaucoup d'avoir regardé ! J'ai vu les nouvelles options de pointe pour les Hongdian N8, N7 et N6. Ils sont tellement plus intéressants que les plumes standard !
@@InkquiringMinds Je trouve aussi la long blade bien plus agréable, c'est une de mes préférées désormais. J'aime beaucoup le N6 Peacock, avec cette plume, il sera fantastique. J'ai aussi noté du nouveau chez Asvine avec le P20, mixte entre un leonardo momento magico v1 et un narvhal avec une plume M disponible. Joli, mais pas testé. J'ai commandé un Leonardo momento zero grande Stardust que j'attends avec impatience. Un superbe Leonardo avec un piston et une ink Window, le rêve. Et pour faire de la pub à un de mes petits préférés qui n'est pas dans vos vidéos, j'aime beaucoup le TWSBI precision (mon seul TWSBI, les autres ne sont vraiment pas à mon goût esthétiquement parlant), il est très joli et a une qualité de fabrication fantastique. J'ai plusieurs plumes avec (M, B et 1.5 stub custom), c'est un régal. Bonne continuation, je vous souhaite beaucoup plus d'abonnés et pleins de merveilleux stylos à découvrir.
@@Xerkhal Oui! J'ai un Asvine P20 qui arrive cette semaine. Quelque chose à espérer! Félicitations pour le MZG 2.0. J'espère que Leonardo fabriquera un Momento Zero 2.0 avec un piston et une fenêtre d'encre.
@@InkquiringMinds Thank you. I can't wait to watch your review of the P 20. Maybe a misunderstanding here: "J'espère que Leonardo fabriquera un Momento Zero 2.0 avec un piston et une fenêtre d'encre." My Stardust is a new version of MZG piston filler with an ink window, available recently on Appelboom. The dream come true. 😍
A naginata is not a spear. It is the equivalent of the Chinese guandao. Both are pole weapons. The reason for the translation to 'long knife' or 'long sword' is because both are essentially knife/sword blades attached to long handles (the poles). The 'long' part relates to the pole. It's not a mistranslation in that respect. You're welcome. :)
@@oscarmedina1597 No I didn't miss the point at all. The translation is not only correct but can easily be seen to describe the qualities of an architect grind. What you fail to appreciate is that different languages are not bound to use what you consider to be a particular label. What you call an architect nib the Chinese call a long sword. Consider the shape and effect. Thin lines vertically on the page, thick lines horizontally. Much as would occur if you dipped a knife blade in ink and wrote with that. It is only your cultural prejudice that insists that a different culture/language should use your preferred word. They should use whatever word is appropriate in their language to describe something in their language.
@@BigHenFor Certainly have. More with paint though. There is also the calligraphy tool commonly called a 'folded pen' that is knife shaped. So, short answer: yes.
Nice review! That being said, the pen is in fact a copy (or an “homage”). Search for Montblanc Meisterstuck Great Masters Pirelli and judge by yourself.
Great review. Lovely pen. I did order the wrench. Hopefully it will arrive before the leaves on the trees turn... I like the fact it has an ebonite feed, as it may be called "hard rubber". I only have one other Hongdian the 1841. Love how it writes and have, perhaps unreasonable expectations it will perform just as well.
@@InkquiringMinds This is an update on the experience with the N6 Black. I have used it extensively for the past couple of weeks. It is such a wonderful pen to use. Capped or uncapped, it feels good in the hand. The nib is sooo smooth and the ebonite feed is providing an excellent flow of ink. This one is a keeper. Getting the wrench will be a bonus when I do maintenance on the pen. I just ordered the Wing Sung 629. Hopefully it will work just as well. Steel nib. I couldn't see spending the money for the gold nib version.
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah, I've gotten away from buying Chinese pens but this one intrigues me, from its black-on-black theme to its interesting nib. Must...resist... *ordered*
I would hesitate to call "long knive" a mistranslation because it does mean long knive with a surface level translation. It's like saying I'm suffering from 'the lack of blood' , rather than anaemia. Yes technically anaemia is the lack of red blood cell. Not blood as a whole, so it's wrong to say lack of blood. But I wouldn't call it totally wrong. Anaemia meant without blood a long time ago but it means something a bit different now. The same word evolved to mean different things over time.
Yeah. What I meant was that we see a number of different translations that mean essentially the same thing. Like long blade, long knife, long spear. Naginata Togi is a spear.
I got recommended this video at least 15 times and finally decided to watch it. Glad I did! :)
Awesome! Thank you!
Sublime review, as always. The very best fountain pen channel hands down.
Wow, thanks!
Hong dian has put forth some really good pens as of late. Mine is in the mail, should expect it in June. Good job on explaining the long knife nib and how it writes.
Thanks, Stefan!
Great review, especially the etymology section on long knife nibs, etc. All the hongdian n6 and n7 pens have nib collars that hold the nib and feed and unscrew. The first time removing them is usually a bit of a struggle.
Good to know. I didn't want to break the ebonite feed by putting too much force on it. They are fragile.
Excellent! I think both configurations of this pen are very handsome! And, a piston filler with an ink window and ebonite feed for under forty bucks ... pretty good deal to me!
And in a stealthy all black version to boot!
Can't miss with Take-sumi. Thanks for yet another excellent exposition. BTW, my N7 F is a Frequent Carry Pen -- nurses and others see it and say, oooo. I appreciate yet again your close up of the pen.
Thanks Rob! It’s great to see how some of these pens are being used.
Concur on Take-Sumi, just love Iroshizuku's "take" on the historic charcoal sumi ink.
Hey for pointing out what those “long sword” nibs really are. I got some a while back and haven’t used them yet.
Always good to see some new midrange pens. And more tasty niblets!
I think I’m gonna check this pen out. I’ve been wanting to try an architect nib for a while. And nice editing on the Canadian ABC video to keep it a family friendly show
Go for it!
I was trying to find examples of these "long knife" nibs for a different Hong Dian pen and im glad I found this! Very good video, fantastic editing, love that we can see ur face as well as the paper/pen. and the little jokes and editing are great as well. I subbed.
Thank you so much! Welcome!
Thanks for your video, because it helped me decide on the fountain pen.
Glad I could help!
I miss schrodingers cat too. Cracking bloke. Great channel.
Thank you kindly
Great review and you made me get one! You are my consultant for the next Chinese pens to buy (as they launch so many pens)! Perhaps it is just my pen, but my Long Knife nib does not feel so smooth like a regular F/ M nib. Maybe it is expected from specialty nibs like Italic or Architect nibs.
Yes. Architects naturally have more feedback, much like crisp italics.
Thank you for your video- I got Hong Dian’s Lunar New Year pen with the “long knife” nib and I was really confused by how different it felt. I can follow up on architect nibs now and understand how best to use and ink the pen.
Awesome! Thanks!
Sorry, I got so excited I forgot to say thanks for the review. I was literally counting down the time to your posting ( I really need to get a life.) Love the architect/long blade nibs. I have them on a bunch of my Chinese pens thanks to you and they are my favorite writers.
No worries! Thanks, MrCab!
I just received a black N6 with LB nb. My nib unit unscrewed easily & I flushed it out. Wonder why yours did not.
It is just in there really tight. Since I've been able to pull my gold capped version of the N6, I assume the black N6 is just stuck. I have no reason to pull it as I love the nib! :)
Greetings from Australia.
Thanks, Doug.
I've just ordered this pen on Ebay, and the Chinese company: Pens-World includes the Long Knife blade with goldcap for $54 Australian.
Hong dian is making some great pens. I have the silver coloured centennial, 3 Year of Rabbit, and the Maple Leaf. Great value pens.
Love stealth pens! Long Spear nib looks interesting, too!
It is a terrific writer for instant line character!
Thanks for another great review! Which do you prefer: N7 or N6?
This one! I'll keep this one inked.
@@InkquiringMinds --- See, that was also why I sold my N7 even though I love the Moon Rabbit engravings and gun metal. I saw the N6 and thought, "This would be a better buy."
I may have to eventually get one of those architect or "long blade" nibs. So far, though, all my Hongdian pens are fitted with their (0.38 mm?) EF nibs, and I've been entirely satisfied with them and had no desire to get a fatter nib of any sort.
Tiny writer?
@@InkquiringMinds Very much so!
Love your coverage of chinese pens. As a left-handed wtiter I always been scared of trying nibs outside of the rounded ones. I recently bought a lamy 1.5 stub nib to experiment and I must say I completely fell in love with how it writes, and it surprised me the fact that I can use it perfectly as a left-handed. I think I'll try this long knife nib next.
Keep up the great work and greetings from Argentina
Cheers! Thanks, Diego!
Message from Hongdian HQ General - All your ducks have been aligned Sir. PS Thanks for the tip on the ink - we have an unopened bottle in stock.
Glad to help
I believe the Hongdian brand makes 2 long blade nib sizes: medium and fine. Only N9 and N23 are long blade medium, all the others are fine and perhaps that's what the "F" letter on the nib means.
13:13 With you it's always learning Mr. D.R. LOL Good looking pen.
Thanks, Buddy!
Yup this is a darn good little pen that's quite a lot less than my Lamy 2000 Macralon with an oblique medium nib. Same size as the 2000 and the architect nib is a ripper. An effortless way to put a little pizazz into your writing.
I like effortless!
Those aesthetics work for me.
Hello! You did review a nice Chinese pen that had gild cap and blue body. Did you remember the model?
Was it the Wing Sung 601A?
Darn it Doug, I don’t need anymore pens, I have a soft spot for the red and black theme and interesting nibs
Good thing they don't break the bank! :)
This might be worth a try! I have a Hong Dian Black Forest, was never crazy about it since it’s a bit thin and it dried out super quick. Turns out, the drying out was the Nitrogen ink, not the pen. This N6 looks a lot more comfortable to hold! I bet it would be sharp with some red ink to compliment those red cap bands.
That would be a cool choice!
I love my Hong Dian rainbow forest, love love love it, I actually want a few more :) I agree on the Nitrogen ink ... I just stopped using it completely it wouldn't write properly in my pelikan twist at all had to completely overhaul clean that sucker and now it works just fine with a kiwi ink that is a sheen like Nitrogen. That ink can sure be hateful :-\
Thank you!
Welcome!
The feed and nib are a removable nib unit!
I have 2 N6 pens and both nibs unscrew just fine - you don't have to pull the nib and feed out.
Mine are stuck in there very tight! I don't think I want to risk breaking those ebonite feeds.
@@InkquiringMinds Yep, if you are not comfortable with forcing it then is safer to not.
As an FIY, all piston pens that they have are with removable nib units (N1S, N6 and N7). Actually, I think all open nibs (non-hooded) pens that I have from them are nib units.
I purchased the Hungdian N6 after your review. I’m extremely happy with the “long knife” nib. One question you said it had an ebonite feed. Is that why it doesn’t dry out? And you’re right it’s definitely crying out for a red stripe in the middle.
I think the ebonite feed absorbs more ink, like a sponge, than a plastic feed. And that may well have an effect on keeping the nib moist longer.
Ebonite has better inky-flowy-surface properties (that's technical talk) compared to regular old plastic feeds. It doesn't do much about drying (in the air) but it makes your pen write wetter and more "agile" for sure. Creates a nicer writing feel. It's why many classic vintage pens often had ebonite feeds.
@@idimiditavicorpzone5954 I love the ebonite feeds on my Leonardos.
Why isn’t more ebonite used? How much more expensive is ebonite? The N6 is an inexpensive pen. It was used in bowling balls and they’re huge.
@@jls3220 I have no idea. Plastic must be cheaper and easier to make through injection molding is my guess.
What is the ink you use in the introduction of your channel? sorry you must get that allot. I remember you said the name in one video but could not find it.
It is J. Herbin Kyanite du Nepal with my Leonardo Moment Zero Blue Hawaii with a custom architect nib.
Hello sorry for my approximate English, I'm french. I love your youtube channel, and I have discovered the cheanese pen univers whith you so thank you. I just wanted to point out that the long blade nib (my favorite too, i d'ont like F and XF generaly) is now available on the easybuy shop on the other N6 and the N7 versions. I couldn't find a way to buy them separately unfortunately.
Thank you for your videos and kiss from Paris.
Merci beaucoup d'avoir regardé ! J'ai vu les nouvelles options de pointe pour les Hongdian N8, N7 et N6. Ils sont tellement plus intéressants que les plumes standard !
@@InkquiringMinds Je trouve aussi la long blade bien plus agréable, c'est une de mes préférées désormais. J'aime beaucoup le N6 Peacock, avec cette plume, il sera fantastique.
J'ai aussi noté du nouveau chez Asvine avec le P20, mixte entre un leonardo momento magico v1 et un narvhal avec une plume M disponible. Joli, mais pas testé.
J'ai commandé un Leonardo momento zero grande Stardust que j'attends avec impatience. Un superbe Leonardo avec un piston et une ink Window, le rêve.
Et pour faire de la pub à un de mes petits préférés qui n'est pas dans vos vidéos, j'aime beaucoup le TWSBI precision (mon seul TWSBI, les autres ne sont vraiment pas à mon goût esthétiquement parlant), il est très joli et a une qualité de fabrication fantastique. J'ai plusieurs plumes avec (M, B et 1.5 stub custom), c'est un régal.
Bonne continuation, je vous souhaite beaucoup plus d'abonnés et pleins de merveilleux stylos à découvrir.
@@Xerkhal Oui! J'ai un Asvine P20 qui arrive cette semaine. Quelque chose à espérer!
Félicitations pour le MZG 2.0. J'espère que Leonardo fabriquera un Momento Zero 2.0 avec un piston et une fenêtre d'encre.
@@InkquiringMinds Thank you. I can't wait to watch your review of the P 20.
Maybe a misunderstanding here:
"J'espère que Leonardo fabriquera un Momento Zero 2.0 avec un piston et une fenêtre d'encre."
My Stardust is a new version of MZG piston filler with an ink window, available recently on Appelboom. The dream come true. 😍
@@Xerkhal Yes. I was stating my desire for Leonardo to make a new Momento Zero, not the Grande, that is a piston filler.
Your intro really had my foot tapping on the floor. AC/DC really tends to automatically do that.
Thanks, Wayne!
A naginata is not a spear. It is the equivalent of the Chinese guandao. Both are pole weapons. The reason for the translation to 'long knife' or 'long sword' is because both are essentially knife/sword blades attached to long handles (the poles). The 'long' part relates to the pole. It's not a mistranslation in that respect. You're welcome. :)
I think you missed the point. While it is still a mistranslation, they should refer to it as architect.
Thanks, Oscar! That's it precisely!
@@oscarmedina1597 No I didn't miss the point at all. The translation is not only correct but can easily be seen to describe the qualities of an architect grind. What you fail to appreciate is that different languages are not bound to use what you consider to be a particular label. What you call an architect nib the Chinese call a long sword. Consider the shape and effect. Thin lines vertically on the page, thick lines horizontally. Much as would occur if you dipped a knife blade in ink and wrote with that. It is only your cultural prejudice that insists that a different culture/language should use your preferred word. They should use whatever word is appropriate in their language to describe something in their language.
@@davyj5216 Have you ever tried to write with a knife with ink? 😂
@@BigHenFor Certainly have. More with paint though. There is also the calligraphy tool commonly called a 'folded pen' that is knife shaped. So, short answer: yes.
Thanks Doug 😊
Thanks, Wendy!
Is the grip thicker than hongdian black forest?
I think so. I'm not sure as I've never had a Black Forest.
@@InkquiringMinds Okay I see, nice pen and review!
I discovered that few people know that the Hongdian N6 is the cloned pen of the Montblanc Meisterstück Great Masters Pirelli fountain pen € 2,670.00
Nice review!
That being said, the pen is in fact a copy (or an “homage”). Search for Montblanc Meisterstuck Great Masters Pirelli and judge by yourself.
Great review. Lovely pen. I did order the wrench. Hopefully it will arrive before the leaves on the trees turn...
I like the fact it has an ebonite feed, as it may be called "hard rubber".
I only have one other Hongdian the 1841. Love how it writes and have, perhaps unreasonable expectations it will perform just as well.
Cool, thanks
@@InkquiringMinds This is an update on the experience with the N6 Black. I have used it extensively for the past couple of weeks. It is such a wonderful pen to use. Capped or uncapped, it feels good in the hand. The nib is sooo smooth and the ebonite feed is providing an excellent flow of ink. This one is a keeper. Getting the wrench will be a bonus when I do maintenance on the pen.
I just ordered the Wing Sung 629. Hopefully it will work just as well. Steel nib. I couldn't see spending the money for the gold nib version.
@@paulmchugh1430 Excellent. Thanks for sharing, Paul! I'm sure you'll enjoy the 629!
Just received my Black N6.i
I love this stealthy black N6 with the LB nib. It is an EDC for me.
Came across a picture of "Montblanc Meisterstück Great Masters Limited Edition Pirelli Fountain Pen" today. Uncanny resemblance ;-)
Interesting! I bet it wasn't $30! ;)
@@InkquiringMinds Give or take a couple of thousand… Look it up :)
😭Waaahhh!!! Doug's N6 has a cooler nib than mine! Not faaaaaaaiiiiirrrrrrr!!!!!😭
Wear a hat!
Ohhhj! Pretty!
It is rather attractive!
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah, I've gotten away from buying Chinese pens but this one intrigues me, from its black-on-black theme to its interesting nib. Must...resist...
*ordered*
@@sailcat9 そいつぁよかった
I would hesitate to call "long knive" a mistranslation because it does mean long knive with a surface level translation. It's like saying I'm suffering from 'the lack of blood' , rather than anaemia. Yes technically anaemia is the lack of red blood cell. Not blood as a whole, so it's wrong to say lack of blood. But I wouldn't call it totally wrong. Anaemia meant without blood a long time ago but it means something a bit different now. The same word evolved to mean different things over time.
Yeah. What I meant was that we see a number of different translations that mean essentially the same thing. Like long blade, long knife, long spear. Naginata Togi is a spear.
Woohoooo... I'm second 🤣😂👍
You look like #2! ;)
LOL 🤣😂🤣 funny... that's why everyone tells me! 😂🤣😂🤣👍 Keep safe and keep well. Thanks for all that you do for the fountain pen 'community' 👍✒️🖋️
@@markdanks6418 Hehe. Thanks, Mark!
the reason the nib goes a bit more to the right is because chinese characters are usually written towards the right and downwards!
👍
Yahoo! I'm first
Yay!
I just watched this a year late and I am deeply disturbed to hear about Schrodinger's cat! 😢
LOL!
plastic section weak and easily break