Thanks ... Nice review. My initial filling experience was the same as what you described. When I received mine (355-16SF) back in mid-January, there weren't many (any) references to check against and I had to figure it out on my own. I was so frustrated and and thought it was defective. I know a number of others who got their 355's and sent them back. I'm glad I kept mine. I had my Conid on order and really want this 355 to tide me over. It's been a fun pen, and now that I have my Minimalistica Bulkfiller, I still use the 355. I also have a 309 and a 456 and really like them. Again, I appreciate your time and effort.
Well done - this is probably the cleanest first fill of a PenBBS 355 I have ever seen! Of the PenBBS models, I can't decide whether the 355 or 456 is my favorite. I have been drawn to this geeky filling system since the first time I saw it and I still love it months later.
Cartridge converter pens are the best for me. I like writing rather than engineering. I carry my Pilot custom heritage 912 with the fa nib. Con 70 converter carries lots of ink, and I can always fall back on cartridges.
Nice to see I was not the only one with the same problem. I have the 16 Clear and am a fan of the engineering that goes into these. The Conid is my Grail pen and these will do till then.
I like penBBS so much I have several 355's, 456, 471's, and 309. Only problem with the 355 and 456 is running out of ink. Sometimes it's nice to change color.
Thanks. I picked one of these up a few months ago at least in part to "test" the filling mechanism in a budget friendly manner. I found myself tempted by a Conid Bulkfiller but like the price of the BBS much better! I had the same initial experience as you with the engagement/disengagement and piston being stiff, finally got it to work but then couldn't disengage the rod from the piston head. I dismantled the whole thing, made good use of silicone grease, put it back together and now enjoy it. I could argue the initial experience issues shouldn't happen and call it a QC thing but I guess you get what you pay for. BTW, the end "nut" that holds the piston rod etc in place unscrews pretty easily with very gentle use of....yup, a small pair of pliers (yikes!).
I know several people have had the same issue with the pen. I still find it an interesting economical choice to the conid. I will say that my plunger mechanism was very tight, but had no issues using the needle nose pliers. I could not find a wrench that would fit and was frustrated at that point so the pliers came out.
Aaron, great review. Just wanted to note as per your comment around 9:20 that Beini from PenBBS has mentioned a few times that the blind cap is glued into place and cannot be removed.
You get a lot better system with a TWSBI 700R and one of their refill bottles. Not saying I wouldn’t get a 355-54 but if you want something that works reliably with a minimum of fuss or mess the TWSBI combo is the way to go.
I really enjoy this pen. I do not own a twsbi vac and probably will not get one. That is no knock on them, but I enjoy my penbbs 456 and 355. Thanks for the comment.
I am sure it wouldn't take long to get used to this filling system. I admire the design and it is nice to get a little of the Conid Bulk Filler experience at a reasonable price. It would be great if PenBBS would include some spare parts should the filling system suffer wear and tear. That would hopefully prolong the life of the pen. The only negative thing I would say is if you need a pen with large ink capacity why not buy an eyedropper? Incredibly simple. Virtually nothing to go wrong. Holds a lot of ink and filling it with a pipette is good fun.
Penbbs is now selling a kit for about $6-$7 with spare parts for their pens. It looks as though it has the same parts in the kit for this pen. I do agree that the filling system is somewhat gimickie as a eyedropper would be so much more simplistic. All in all it is fun to use and the pen size and weight fills nice when writing.
Well done. I have the Galaxy & the Holiday 2019. Do you buy on Etsy? I follow beini_zheng on Instagram to see new posting on Etsy. I now buy most of my PENBBS on Etsy. Both my 355's came with the rounded nibs. Looks like the two-tone nib on this 355. I've found this (nice looking) nib to be on the dry side. I've smoothed & opened tines to get them to write as I like. The monotone turned up F writes very well. Thanks for sharing.
I have gotten used to checking both etsy and Ebay before making a pen purchase. The nib is a bit on the dry side, but have not done anything with it yet. I purchased feeler gauges like the ones you showed and will test them out at some point.
I got this pen early on in the deep dark galaxy color...you can abandon all hope of ever getting it to work reliably when you are doing it in the dark...maybe with a transparent one. Overall, a disappointment that I am afraid to ever re-fill again. Bah! :)
They sell them on ebay and etsy The model for them is penbbs 353. I think this specific color already sold out. Keep checking back as they may restock them.
Eileen Goldenberg As English is not my first language, i need some help regarding general pronouns which are gender neutral. Or accepted for use in such a way. Suggestions?
Thanks ... Nice review. My initial filling experience was the same as what you described. When I received mine (355-16SF) back in mid-January, there weren't many (any) references to check against and I had to figure it out on my own. I was so frustrated and and thought it was defective. I know a number of others who got their 355's and sent them back. I'm glad I kept mine. I had my Conid on order and really want this 355 to tide me over. It's been a fun pen, and now that I have my Minimalistica Bulkfiller, I still use the 355. I also have a 309 and a 456 and really like them. Again, I appreciate your time and effort.
Thank you, I am glad you did not give up in it.
Well done - this is probably the cleanest first fill of a PenBBS 355 I have ever seen! Of the PenBBS models, I can't decide whether the 355 or 456 is my favorite. I have been drawn to this geeky filling system since the first time I saw it and I still love it months later.
It is a very cool filling system. I honestly will probably buy another one in a different color as I enjoy it very much!
Cartridge converter pens are the best for me. I like writing rather than engineering.
I carry my Pilot custom heritage 912 with the fa nib. Con 70 converter carries lots of ink, and I can always fall back on cartridges.
Yes, I know this pen would not be for everyone. I love my pilot pens and the 912 is a pen I have been interested in getting for some time now
neil piper And you must be driving a steam engine car.
Nice to see I was not the only one with the same problem. I have the 16 Clear and am a fan of the engineering that goes into these. The Conid is my Grail pen and these will do till then.
I really like the engineering that goes behind the pen. Glad you like yours as well!
I like penBBS so much I have several 355's, 456, 471's, and 309. Only problem with the 355 and 456 is running out of ink. Sometimes it's nice to change color.
just discovered your videos, you're one of the best reviewers right now imo, thanks for making these
Thank you
Thanks. I picked one of these up a few months ago at least in part to "test" the filling mechanism in a budget friendly manner. I found myself tempted by a Conid Bulkfiller but like the price of the BBS much better! I had the same initial experience as you with the engagement/disengagement and piston being stiff, finally got it to work but then couldn't disengage the rod from the piston head. I dismantled the whole thing, made good use of silicone grease, put it back together and now enjoy it. I could argue the initial experience issues shouldn't happen and call it a QC thing but I guess you get what you pay for. BTW, the end "nut" that holds the piston rod etc in place unscrews pretty easily with very gentle use of....yup, a small pair of pliers (yikes!).
I know several people have had the same issue with the pen. I still find it an interesting economical choice to the conid. I will say that my plunger mechanism was very tight, but had no issues using the needle nose pliers. I could not find a wrench that would fit and was frustrated at that point so the pliers came out.
Beautiful pen, I love the swirl pattern. That keychain is super cool! What a great idea. I really enjoy your reviews.
Thanks!
Thank you for review!
20:02 is the weight with cap or without cap?
Aaron, great review. Just wanted to note as per your comment around 9:20 that Beini from PenBBS has mentioned a few times that the blind cap is glued into place and cannot be removed.
Good to know. I am assuming the tool I saw was for the 456 and not the 355. Thanks for the comment.
Aaron's Pen Videos happy to share. I absolutely love my 355s. I think they are very well made and a bargain at $30-40. Cheers!
Did the improved version take care of some these “problems” ?
You get a lot better system with a TWSBI 700R and one of their refill bottles. Not saying I wouldn’t get a 355-54 but if you want something that works reliably with a minimum of fuss or mess the TWSBI combo is the way to go.
I really enjoy this pen. I do not own a twsbi vac and probably will not get one. That is no knock on them, but I enjoy my penbbs 456 and 355. Thanks for the comment.
I am sure it wouldn't take long to get used to this filling system. I admire the design and it is nice to get a little of the Conid Bulk Filler experience at a reasonable price. It would be great if PenBBS would include some spare parts should the filling system suffer wear and tear. That would hopefully prolong the life of the pen. The only negative thing I would say is if you need a pen with large ink capacity why not buy an eyedropper? Incredibly simple. Virtually nothing to go wrong. Holds a lot of ink and filling it with a pipette is good fun.
Penbbs is now selling a kit for about $6-$7 with spare parts for their pens. It looks as though it has the same parts in the kit for this pen. I do agree that the filling system is somewhat gimickie as a eyedropper would be so much more simplistic. All in all it is fun to use and the pen size and weight fills nice when writing.
The spare parts have some o-rings and feeds that would work with the 355 the Piston is not in the kit.
@@aaronspenvideos4420 Thanks Aaron. I didn't know they sold a kit. Good idea as the pen is worth maintaining. Great review!
Well done. I have the Galaxy & the Holiday 2019. Do you buy on Etsy? I follow beini_zheng on Instagram to see new posting on Etsy. I now buy most of my PENBBS on Etsy. Both my 355's came with the rounded nibs. Looks like the two-tone nib on this 355. I've found this (nice looking) nib to be on the dry side. I've smoothed & opened tines to get them to write as I like. The monotone turned up F writes very well. Thanks for sharing.
I have gotten used to checking both etsy and Ebay before making a pen purchase. The nib is a bit on the dry side, but have not done anything with it yet. I purchased feeler gauges like the ones you showed and will test them out at some point.
Informative. Great Video.
Thank you
Capped 355 a few times and it accidentally pulled out the piston. More times than i am comfortable with
Did it expel ink? I am waiting for the symphony to come out in the 355. I luckily have not had any other issues with mine since I received.
Aaron's Pen Videos can it write with the end cap screwed in all the way or must it be loosened like custom 823?
I generally loosen mine a little bit out of habit of using the 823. I have not tried to write for long periods without loosening the knob.
Cool
For Chinese pens please look in Ali Express. I get most of mine there.
I got this pen early on in the deep dark galaxy color...you can abandon all hope of ever getting it to work reliably when you are doing it in the dark...maybe with a transparent one. Overall, a disappointment that I am afraid to ever re-fill again. Bah! :)
That is exactly why I avoided the galaxy one. I waited until I could get a transparent of some sort. I will say that I am enjoying the pen.
Are these Chinese or Japanese pens?
Nice FPNibs there!
Thank you!
I want to know about the key chain
They sell them on ebay and etsy The model for them is penbbs 353. I think this specific color already sold out. Keep checking back as they may restock them.
@@aaronspenvideos4420 thank you
Chinese. They make some very good pens.
I agree! They have definitely stepped it up the last couple of years!
Aaron's Pen Videos I tried a few websites but could only get fine nib pens which doesn't interest me at all.
Dear Aaron, we are NOT “guys”!
Eileen Goldenberg As English is not my first language, i need some help regarding general pronouns which are gender neutral. Or accepted for use in such a way. Suggestions?
@@Johan-vk5yd you can always use the word "cracker"
Snow Hound HaHa! Thanks for helping out! We’re a cracking bunch us Aaron followers, aren’t we!
Snow Hound And Longman’s dictionary of contemporary english says that ”guys” is not gender specific in america. I just looked it up.