Thanks Doug. Sorry to hear the long blade didn't work- I thought that pen was begging for one from the get go! I agree with you that they would do well by offering medium nibs ( dare I say a Broad for some of us.) I must tell you that I woke this morning and said " Just 3 more hours till Doug posts ." I look forward to your videos; they have become part of my weekend routine. Thanks for all you do.
I found a few gold plated broad Schmidt nibs on ebay a few months back and bought them. I use them in my Hongdians. Sucks I have to spend more money on these for a better nib option, but seriously changes these into fantastic daily writers.
@@InkquiringMinds Agreed. I tend to stick with their medium or broad nibs. The older style (see my post on your FB post) is even better, having a wider shoulder closer to the tip. Zero flexibility but very smooth, especially the broad nibs.
FYI, Schmidt no. 6 nibs will fit these or for a cheaper option you can order Fuliwen no. 6 nibs. Thank you as always for a thoughtful and detailed review. And lets not forget the humor value! LOL
I am really liking the stuff coming out of HongDian, i would have bough several of these by now, the only hitch is there pens dont seem to accept standard #6 nibs, which is a shame.
I know nothing about fountain pens but very impressed by how detailed your review is! It was very easy to follow along and interesting even for someone who randomly stumbled here due to UA-cam recommendations
Am I first? Loved the look at the pen but it does need to write well. So thanks for the video and I like the new style where we can see you as you do the writing sample. Also love the Rocky Horror clip!
I haven't had any luck with Hongdian #6 nibs. Bad regulars and/or scratchy. On the other hand his #5 nibs have been pleasantly good or very good for me. Suppliers of each are probably different.
Even if I could fit a new nib I would have to get that section resprayed gloss black. To my taste accents on pens are supposed to be accents, not whole new languages screaming at me. Mind you, I do have the advantage of having a grip style that sits roughly where the threads meet the barrel so slipperiness of the grip section would not be an issue.
Another stellar review, Doug. I would have guessed you liked it rough, 8:40 but I guess not. By the way, I just ordered an Opus 88 Bela yesterday and I received my HongDian N7 a few days ago.
@@InkquiringMinds amazing! Can’t wait to see it. I suppose you heard about the scurfuffull (skerr-fuff-full) with Noodlers inks as well? I tend to be a fan of Nathan‘s inks but I can certainly understand how one can be upset offended and hurt about the label as well. That’s a bit more touchy of a subject. Edit: spelling
@@avgjoeshow4208 Yeah, I saw it. Big deal. Change the label and sell them again. Same ink. Same guy. I guess we can cheer for the Cleveland Guardians now, but not the Chicago Blackhawks until they become the Chicago Protectors.
@@InkquiringMinds it’s a crazy crazy world we’re living in now. I couldn’t agree with you more. I saw pictures of the Volker Green and was quite interested in checking it out. I buy my ink for its color and properties and value, not it’s label. I hope he does put them back on the market so I can try some. I wouldn’t even mind having the “wrong” label as I’m sure it would be one of not many in 10-20 years.
Nice review. With regards to swapping nibs, I have (and I mentioned before in an earlier post to your review of the Hongdian N7) been able to swap the Bock nib from my defective Moonman 800 into the the N7 with ease. I have been successful with FPR nibs as well, with slight tweaking to the back part of the nib with needle nose pliers to shape it closer to the feed's curvature. Jinhao works as well. I am ordering this not because I am a fawning fanboy who slavishly buys most things you review (though guilty, and I seem to like pens you hate -Kanwrite, cough cough), but because I like the recent line of Hongdian pens over the other brands. Dont mind a little weight, and love that the cap posts deeply. The shape is similar to the N7 and I really like that pen. Moonman/Majohn nibs suck, and I always chuck those off the bat. I bet Bobby nibs would work as well.
@inkquiringMinds - Have you done a video explaining how nibs are sized? How do you tell the difference between a #5 and a #6? Or know of an online resource? I'm just getting into fountain pens.
It was difficult to get out. I had to soak it in soapy water overnight. And then a standard #6 won't fit. A Jowo #6 would require some trimming and reshaping.
I wanted to like it too - looks quite classy till you uncap it (I find that section too garish for my taste) - but 3 1/2 turns? That, coupled with no nib option beyond an F, not to mention playing dodgy-nib roulette... I'll pass on this one, I already have enough questionable Chinese pen purchases decorating the interior of my desk drawer.
Doug I cleaned my Hongdian 1841 and It didnt write the same after. It had become my daily writer for a special journal using Diamine Oxblood red ink. Problem is I cannot use a loupe to try fix it, because I am laying on my recliner due to spinal disease and its become worse. I tried looking through the loop as long as I could and everything looks normal. I noticed that the screw in cup that the feed and nib go into, for lack of the correct term, it has about 5mm that has come off yet screws in and out ok. It is just too painful as I have dry eye syndrome and cannot keep my eyes open to focus, within that 2 seconds my eyes have teared and wet my face. too painful for me to look through the loupe. My disability has become worse and to top it off not being able to move my neck to see its too painful . If I mail it to you, could you see what I did to it? I find it does write the same but just not as smootly as it should. I love the tactile feel of the pen, in my hand it is so smooth. It is my favourite daily writer. Please help??
Chinese pens are not for me, although I admit to owning a Wing Sung 699. I agree that the Hongdian is elegant, but that’s about it. Question: when you say that the Hongdian posted is quite a bit shorter than the Pen BBS , would that be Metric or Imperial?
@@InkquiringMinds sorry, but I quoted you when you compared them posted - the Hongdian was “quite a bit” shorter. My attempt at humor fell “quite a bit short “😂
@@InkquiringMinds In that case (which I do believe), yay to Pilot for constant prices for their two cheapest (and best) pens, the Petit1 and the Parallel!
Sorry to hear this pen was such a disappointment. Like you, I've liked the Hongdian pens I've had to date, starting with a 516, several colors of the Forest series, the 517D, and a couple of others.
@@InkquiringMinds Incidentally, now I'm wondering if these are two different companies, where Hongdian pens with 3-digit identifying numbers might be made by a different "entity" than Hongdian pens with 4-digit identifiers. Like Wing Sung 6xx products are from a different company than Wing Sung 3xxx products.
Thanks Doug. Sorry to hear the long blade didn't work- I thought that pen was begging for one from the get go! I agree with you that they would do well by offering medium nibs ( dare I say a Broad for some of us.) I must tell you that I woke this morning and said " Just 3 more hours till Doug posts ." I look forward to your videos; they have become part of my weekend routine. Thanks for all you do.
That's awesome, MrCabimero! Thank you. Yeah, I was anxious to try a two-toned long blade in this pen. It would have made it a pen I would have used.
I found a few gold plated broad Schmidt nibs on ebay a few months back and bought them. I use them in my Hongdians. Sucks I have to spend more money on these for a better nib option, but seriously changes these into fantastic daily writers.
@@mrcharon6197 I've had several Schmidt nibs and only one was satisfactory. It might be because most of them were fine.
@@InkquiringMinds Agreed. I tend to stick with their medium or broad nibs. The older style (see my post on your FB post) is even better, having a wider shoulder closer to the tip. Zero flexibility but very smooth, especially the broad nibs.
FYI, Schmidt no. 6 nibs will fit these or for a cheaper option you can order Fuliwen no. 6 nibs. Thank you as always for a thoughtful and detailed review. And lets not forget the humor value! LOL
Thanks! I’ve had one Schmidt that wasn’t a piece of Schmidt! Lol
I am really liking the stuff coming out of HongDian, i would have bough several of these by now, the only hitch is there pens dont seem to accept standard #6 nibs, which is a shame.
I know nothing about fountain pens but very impressed by how detailed your review is! It was very easy to follow along and interesting even for someone who randomly stumbled here due to UA-cam recommendations
Thanks so much!
I believe 1845 factory Nib is 32cm, no.5 nib. But the section and cap clearance allows a no.6 nib to be put on. That's what i am doing this week.
As always Doug, thanks for the videos 😀
Thanks, Javi C!
I think that’s the most attractive Hongdian I’ve seen yet. Maybe after my Tisanzi arrives I’ll pick one of these up.
Am I first? Loved the look at the pen but it does need to write well. So thanks for the video and I like the new style where we can see you as you do the writing sample. Also love the Rocky Horror clip!
Yes you are! Great antici...................................... PATION!
I haven't had any luck with Hongdian #6 nibs. Bad regulars and/or scratchy. On the other hand his #5 nibs have been pleasantly good or very good for me. Suppliers of each are probably different.
That could be. I don't think I've had an HD nib that I wouldn't swap out given the chance.
Even if I could fit a new nib I would have to get that section resprayed gloss black. To my taste accents on pens are supposed to be accents, not whole new languages screaming at me. Mind you, I do have the advantage of having a grip style that sits roughly where the threads meet the barrel so slipperiness of the grip section would not be an issue.
Yeah, my grip too. The pen isn't all that slippery. I just thought that texture would be rougher.
Thank you for a great review!
My pleasure!
Thank you for this awesome review. I have the all-silver version and I like it although it feels quite heavy in my hands.
Thanks for watching!
@@InkquiringMinds and good to learn that I can’t swap with a Kaigelu calligraphy nib 🤦🏻♀️
That's a really really old pen. Cool stuff
Another stellar review, Doug. I would have guessed you liked it rough, 8:40 but I guess not. By the way, I just ordered an Opus 88 Bela yesterday and I received my HongDian N7 a few days ago.
Good choice!
Must be a hit and miss situation with the nibs - the nib on my copy is actually well behaved (for a fine nib).
Yeah. This is the first HD nib that’s been a dud.
Would LOVE to get your thoughts on the beef between TWSBI and Hongdian/Moonman.
Tomorrow morning AJS!
@@InkquiringMinds amazing! Can’t wait to see it. I suppose you heard about the scurfuffull (skerr-fuff-full) with Noodlers inks as well? I tend to be a fan of Nathan‘s inks but I can certainly understand how one can be upset offended and hurt about the label as well. That’s a bit more touchy of a subject.
Edit: spelling
@@avgjoeshow4208 Yeah, I saw it. Big deal. Change the label and sell them again. Same ink. Same guy. I guess we can cheer for the Cleveland Guardians now, but not the Chicago Blackhawks until they become the Chicago Protectors.
@@InkquiringMinds it’s a crazy crazy world we’re living in now. I couldn’t agree with you more. I saw pictures of the Volker Green and was quite interested in checking it out. I buy my ink for its color and properties and value, not it’s label. I hope he does put them back on the market so I can try some. I wouldn’t even mind having the “wrong” label as I’m sure it would be one of not many in 10-20 years.
great review, and very funny
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice review. With regards to swapping nibs, I have (and I mentioned before in an earlier post to your review of the Hongdian N7) been able to swap the Bock nib from my defective Moonman 800 into the the N7 with ease. I have been successful with FPR nibs as well, with slight tweaking to the back part of the nib with needle nose pliers to shape it closer to the feed's curvature. Jinhao works as well. I am ordering this not because I am a fawning fanboy who slavishly buys most things you review (though guilty, and I seem to like pens you hate -Kanwrite, cough cough), but because I like the recent line of Hongdian pens over the other brands. Dont mind a little weight, and love that the cap posts deeply. The shape is similar to the N7 and I really like that pen. Moonman/Majohn nibs suck, and I always chuck those off the bat. I bet Bobby nibs would work as well.
Yeah I"m sure I could have reshaped and shortened a nib to fit, but that was way more work than I wanted to do on a pen that I probably won't use.
@@InkquiringMinds makes total sense. But the bock nib I didnt have to do anything it slipped right in.
@@stefanwood2182 I only have a couple of Bock nibs and the pen isn't worthy of them.
@inkquiringMinds - Have you done a video explaining how nibs are sized? How do you tell the difference between a #5 and a #6? Or know of an online resource? I'm just getting into fountain pens.
The nib size is determined by the diameter of the feed at the base.
@@InkquiringMinds Thank you and I love your humor.
11:30 YES!!! Chinese pens are particularly poor at doing Medium nibs. I h8 having to choose F or EF.
Fuliwen, Kaigelu and JInhao seem to making them more.
Nice review, is the nib easy to swap ? Thinking of a Jowo for this pen 😆
It was difficult to get out. I had to soak it in soapy water overnight. And then a standard #6 won't fit. A Jowo #6 would require some trimming and reshaping.
As usual, great review Doug! Oh yeah ... go Yankees! 😁
They are on FIRE!
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah ... hopefully' they won't "burn out"!
I think I'm going to follow you, everyone's saying I should.
Thanks! I’ll try to watch where we are going.
.....good shape .and body finish always my favourite....Lines ....Is it resin coated like the Parker Insignia... ..? Tq again ✍️💯🧡🤠
It is enamel over metal.
OK-I have a Wancher that takes 6 that is six turns to get the cap off-you don’t want that one!
Wow! Insane!
By the time I had that cap off, I'd have forgotten what it was I wanted to write! 😆
@@archivist17 Sooooo true--still it's a fat faceted pen and i like it!
I wanted to like it too - looks quite classy till you uncap it (I find that section too garish for my taste) - but 3 1/2 turns? That, coupled with no nib option beyond an F, not to mention playing dodgy-nib roulette... I'll pass on this one, I already have enough questionable Chinese pen purchases decorating the interior of my desk drawer.
Doug I cleaned my Hongdian 1841 and It didnt write the same after. It had become my daily writer for a special journal using Diamine Oxblood red ink. Problem is I cannot use a loupe to try fix it, because I am laying on my recliner due to spinal disease and its become worse.
I tried looking through the loop as long as I could and everything looks normal. I noticed that the screw in cup that the feed and nib go into, for lack of the correct term, it has about 5mm that has come off yet screws in and out ok. It is just too painful as I have dry eye syndrome and cannot keep my eyes open to focus, within that 2 seconds my eyes have teared and wet my face. too painful for me to look through the loupe.
My disability has become worse and to top it off not being able to move my neck to see its too painful . If I mail it to you, could you see what I did to it? I find it does write the same but just not as smootly as it should. I love the tactile feel of the pen, in my hand it is so smooth. It is my favourite daily writer. Please help??
Sure thing, Maria! Email me at INKQUIRINGMINDS@GMAIL.COM
Chinese pens are not for me, although I admit to owning a Wing Sung 699. I agree that the Hongdian is elegant, but that’s about it. Question: when you say that the Hongdian posted is quite a bit shorter than the Pen BBS , would that be Metric or Imperial?
I said about 1/4" shorter than the Penbbs - that's imperial. I'm ambimetric.
@@InkquiringMinds sorry, but I quoted you when you compared them posted - the Hongdian was “quite a bit” shorter. My attempt at humor fell “quite a bit short “😂
@@williamcrane1 LOL No worries!
Did Hongdian just double their prices?
All prices are on the rise!
@@InkquiringMinds In that case (which I do believe), yay to Pilot for constant prices for their two cheapest (and best) pens, the Petit1 and the Parallel!
*Uncle Buck ❤
LOL Mike Starr (Dumb and Dumber) as Pooter the Clown
@@InkquiringMinds Got it. Silly me. Another favorite.
@@stargazer1359 Yeah that was Uncle Buck! I was just saying the actor was in "Dumb and Dumber" as well, as the guy they killed with hot sauce! LOL
Sorry to hear this pen was such a disappointment. Like you, I've liked the Hongdian pens I've had to date, starting with a 516, several colors of the Forest series, the 517D, and a couple of others.
The quality of the N7 and N6 is remarkable.
@@InkquiringMinds Incidentally, now I'm wondering if these are two different companies, where Hongdian pens with 3-digit identifying numbers might be made by a different "entity" than Hongdian pens with 4-digit identifiers. Like Wing Sung 6xx products are from a different company than Wing Sung 3xxx products.
@@TheNightowl001 It is all so opaque, it is hard to know for sure.
Oh yeah, Pooter the clown. I believe in the field of local live home entertainment he is a god.
According to Pooter! LOL
I don’t like metal pens even if they are gold or silver.