About a year ago, there was a big fuss in one of the Facebook fountain pen groups I’m in. The store, 5 below, was selling 2 packs of “calligraphy” pens. One set was a Lamy safari dupe. The other set was a bang on pelican twist dupe. I got both. They write nice! I’m saving them for my granddaughters.
I love this kind of pen. I substitute teach, so I love pens that I can hand to a little kid without fear of a major investment being destroyed. These may not be our grail pens, but they surely serve a function in the life of fountain pen lovers. Sharing the joy of using fountain pens is a major part of the hobby to me. It gets kids interested in writing, in history, and (if you show them Noodler’s rome burning color changing under water) in science. Thanks for sharing some cheap options so I can share more pens.
I picked up one of these as well. My first impressions were also pretty positive, but it didn't take long for my opinions on the pen to change. The designs on the pen quickly began rubbing off, the cap on mine cracked at the base, and the nib dried out in no time at all. For just a little more you can get pens of much better quality if you're willing to wait a few weeks on shipping from China.
I ran into those too, and got the jungle print one. It would be a great pen, especially at $1, if only, as you discovered, it wasn't a terrible pain to open. I wonder if they would do well eye droppered. Maybe you could see the ink level in the fineal?
Thanks so much for this video. Unbelieveable how easily you snapped in the cartridges, I struggled with breaking the seal, gave up and used a screw driver to pierce the plastic top. I also purchased three of these pens because the pkg stated "Calligraphy Pen" but found out they are what used to be called fountain pens back in the olden days. I still remember my mustard-color Sheaffer ink pen from high school. The first ones had to be dipped into a bottle of ink to refill, later versions took cartridges. These pens may help me learn the basics of calligraphy. They aren't what I was looking for but they did bring back memories.
I bought one and I love it for doodling. I haven’t had any problems and I bought three more. It just takes a little patience and strength to get the cartridges down all the way.
Proves, that the pen component of fountain pen writing is secondary in contributing to fine writing to the ink used. The nibs of each pen presented can be smoothed out, solid colored can be print designed, etc to your liking.
What's a safe way to smooth out a nib? I've just dipped my toe into the fountain pen world and I love them, especially with how great the entry-level pens are. It's so approachable, especially for people who like a lil DIY in their hobbies 😁
@@CatholicZola Doodlebud has a video: "Tuning And Smoothing A Fountain Pen Nib" that I used. It's much better conveyed in a video than could be through text. Good luck.
They worked good for me till my second one the cap goes on to far and broke the cap then the nib dried super fast even though i did try to fix cap still really liked the way they worked when it was working would just say be very easy putting cap on i have since bought a good one so i atleast got to see i liked it enough to invest more
I just seen some of those at dollar tree I thought about buying couple of them for my nephew but then I was like nah he might take it apart make a mess lol
I'm not sure. I guess it would depend on the style of writing you want. These being fountain pens you won't have the variation in strokes like a calligraphy pen.
For me the plastic bead was in the way so I had to poke it with a pencil before I put it in the pen, if you do this tho be careful not to spill the ink
About a year ago, there was a big fuss in one of the Facebook fountain pen groups I’m in. The store, 5 below, was selling 2 packs of “calligraphy” pens. One set was a Lamy safari dupe. The other set was a bang on pelican twist dupe. I got both. They write nice! I’m saving them for my granddaughters.
Just checked their online store and they still seem to have them and then some...so it looks like I'll be stopping by my local store soon
What an interesting find. I may have to watch for them. Could be a nice little party favor or Christmas stocking stuffer. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I love this kind of pen. I substitute teach, so I love pens that I can hand to a little kid without fear of a major investment being destroyed. These may not be our grail pens, but they surely serve a function in the life of fountain pen lovers. Sharing the joy of using fountain pens is a major part of the hobby to me. It gets kids interested in writing, in history, and (if you show them Noodler’s rome burning color changing under water) in science.
Thanks for sharing some cheap options so I can share more pens.
You are very welcome!
I picked up one of these as well. My first impressions were also pretty positive, but it didn't take long for my opinions on the pen to change. The designs on the pen quickly began rubbing off, the cap on mine cracked at the base, and the nib dried out in no time at all. For just a little more you can get pens of much better quality if you're willing to wait a few weeks on shipping from China.
Good to know.
I ran into those too, and got the jungle print one. It would be a great pen, especially at $1, if only, as you discovered, it wasn't a terrible pain to open.
I wonder if they would do well eye droppered. Maybe you could see the ink level in the fineal?
These can use Hong Dian cartridge converters if anyone has extra ones lying around like I did.
Good to know!
Really interesting. They come in cute patterns. I wish they came in something other than an extra fine though.
Thanks so much for this video. Unbelieveable how easily you snapped in the cartridges, I struggled with breaking the seal, gave up and used a screw driver to pierce the plastic top. I also purchased three of these pens because the pkg stated "Calligraphy Pen" but found out they are what used to be called fountain pens back in the olden days. I still remember my mustard-color Sheaffer ink pen from high school. The first ones had to be dipped into a bottle of ink to refill, later versions took cartridges. These pens may help me learn the basics of calligraphy. They aren't what I was looking for but they did bring back memories.
I bought one and I love it for doodling.
I haven’t had any problems and I bought three more.
It just takes a little patience and strength to get the cartridges down all the way.
I’d pick the palm leaves. But like you said…for $1.25 why not all three? 😊
Absolutely!
Lol, that was so funny! When you started writing I knew you thought this isn't bad at all. Hilarious
You just never know!
Thanks so much! your video was very helpful ❤
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for proving that tlmy Wa Preppy pens were great collectibles, and choices over highly priced pens.
Mine dried up or stopped writing. Will have to revisit.
Proves, that the pen component of fountain pen writing is secondary in contributing to fine writing to the ink used. The nibs of each pen presented can be smoothed out, solid colored can be print designed, etc to your liking.
What's a safe way to smooth out a nib? I've just dipped my toe into the fountain pen world and I love them, especially with how great the entry-level pens are. It's so approachable, especially for people who like a lil DIY in their hobbies 😁
@@CatholicZola Doodlebud has a video: "Tuning And Smoothing A Fountain Pen Nib" that I used. It's much better conveyed in a video than could be through text. Good luck.
@@azzgunther thank you very much!
Cool vid bro
❤❤❤
They worked good for me till my second one the cap goes on to far and broke the cap then the nib dried super fast even though i did try to fix cap still really liked the way they worked when it was working would just say be very easy putting cap on i have since bought a good one so i atleast got to see i liked it enough to invest more
I just seen some of those at dollar tree I thought about buying couple of them for my nephew but then I was like nah he might take it apart make a mess lol
I have the watermelon one and don’t know how to get the bead to move.
It could be faulty.
Good can I write wedding invitations with them
I'm not sure. I guess it would depend on the style of writing you want. These being fountain pens you won't have the variation in strokes like a calligraphy pen.
@@curatedavalon ok 👍
Proves you don't need to spend a fortune to get a decent writing pen :)
Is it avalible in Canada? 🤔
I don't know! It would be neat to find out.
Are these refillable? Im new to calligraphy. 😊
They are refillable. Fountain pen and Calligraphy are two different styles of pens and writing. Calligraphy style pens are for more fancy writing.
I just found them st the dollar tree.not to bad
What happens if the ink does not come out
There would be some kind of blockage or perhaps the cartridge is dried up or not set in the pen properly.
For me the plastic bead was in the way so I had to poke it with a pencil before I put it in the pen, if you do this tho be careful not to spill the ink
Did you ever try and smooth the nibs out?
I haven't touched them. I'll have to revisit!
Update please
Will have to!
I don’t find them scratchy.
I hate scratchy pens.
No they don’t work not one bit this video is a lie
I totally took the time to falsify dollar store pens working. 😆
Omg I found this pen at a flea market and I bought it for 3 dollars 🫠
😄