Pen Review: PenBBS 355 (Syringe Filler)

June 13, 2019

One pen that receives a lot of press these days is the Conid Bulkfiller, which packs a nearly obscene level of engineering technology into a very expensive semi-custom fountain pen. Pricing on the Conids range from roughly $350 to nearly $1000, depending on the exchange rate, specific model, and options chosen. What most people love about these pens is their ink capacity - using a syringe-filling system that Conid calls the “bulkfiller,” you can fill the barrel to near capacity, something that is almost impossible with a piston or vacuum-filler.

But what if you love the idea of a pen with ginormous ink capacity but don’t have (or merely don’t want to spend) the coin on a Conid? You may not get the flawless engineering and streamlined looks of the Conid, but the PenBBS 355 offers a somewhat similar experience at a small fraction of the price.

Yep, that barrel is 100% full of ink. Sailor Rikyu-Cha to be precise. That’s a lot of writing.

Admittedly, this pen makes me nervous. I’ve owned a Bulkfiller Minimalistica in the past, and even that pen, with its extremely well-designed and well-built filling system, made me a bit uneasy when filling the pen and moving that much ink. How a syringe-filler mechanism works is a bit difficult to explain - essentially it uses a rod and piston to draw ink into the barrel, like a syringe, with the pen filling on the upstroke, and when the rod is fully extended you unscrew it to disengage from the piston and slide it back into the barrel. There are a lot of moving parts, and Chris does a great job showing how to fill this pen in one of his “Pen Talk” YouTube videos (the filling demonstration starts at 12:51). Overall, I didn’t have much trouble with the PenBBS 355, though I did find it somewhat tricky to disengage the rod from the piston after filling the pen, and a few drops of ink came out of the nib when I slid the rod back into the barrel. At the end of the day, the filling mechanism on the 355 is cool, but I probably prefer the “simplicity” of relatively no-fuss piston fillers and vacuum fillers.

I held the pen against the light to get a shot of the translucent green-swirl acrylic. It’s difficult to see the detail when the pen is full.

The acrylic on this particular pen was referred to in the listing as “Aurora Polaris" (presumably intended to be a reference to the Aurora Borealis). I would best describe this as a clear acrylic with streaks of green, brown, and white, with a heavy emphasis on green. It’s a beautiful material that underscores the staggering level of variety PenBBS offers. I currently have this pen inked with Sailor Rikyu-Cha, but in the future I think I might choose a brighter option as the Rikyu-Cha is pretty dark and hides the swirls on the transparent barrel.

The nib is the same as on the PenBBS 456. If I had to choose, I would say that the nibs on the 456 wrote smoother out of the box, but after a quick alignment of the nib tines the 355 was just as good, with this particular nib even providing slight architect-like line variation. In terms of comfort, the 355 feels good in the hand, but at the end of the day I again prefer the PenBBS 456, which has better balance and postability.

You can post the PenBBS 355, but it’s long. You’ll also note that there are no metal threads, which some might prefer but I miss because they front-weight the pen and, in my opinion, give better balance and a feeling of more control over the nib. I … — You can post the PenBBS 355, but it’s long. You’ll also note that there are no metal threads, which some might prefer but I miss because they front-weight the pen and, in my opinion, give better balance and a feeling of more control over the nib. I use this pen with the blind cap slightly open, to ensure a steady flow of ink from the reservoir to the nib.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Though the PenBBS 456 is still my preference, the PenBBS 355 is also a great option, especially if you’re looking to purchase an inexpensive “ink tank.” Seriously, this thing drained nearly half the ink in my Pineider traveling ink pot when I filled it. My main concern here is the complexity of the mechanism and its durability over time. Given the number of moving parts in this sort of filling system, I’m interested to see whether it still works well a year or two from now.

As with most PenBBS pens, you can purchase directly from PenBBS via their Etsy store, or you can purchase from various eBay sellers, which is where I picked up the “Aurora Polaris” acrylic version here. Pricing on the PenBBS 355 currently ranges from $30-60, depending on the material and location of the Seller. The best pricing (albeit with a very limited selection) can be found in the PenBBS Etsy Store. The Company also recently released what appears to be a slimmer version of the 355 (the PenBBS 352) at around the $25 price point. (Correction: the 352 looks similar but does not have the same filling system - it apparently is a cartridge-converter pen. Apologies for any confusion.)

Disclaimer: I purchased the pen featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use.

New Products You Should Try: Custom Writing Pads from Blank Slate Paper Company

June 11, 2019

One new paper product that I’ve been using regularly is this new writing pad from Blank Slate Paper Company. If you’re unfamiliar with Blank Slate, it’s the brainchild of Dave and Kelly Rea, who set out to create a company that would allow stationery enthusiasts to design a “completely customizable writing pad” to their exact specifications. You can choose from dot grid, reticle grid, graph, lined ruling, or even a combination!

For my first pad, I chose the HP Premium 32lb paper with orange dot grid.

When the company first launched last year, only single-sided pads were possible, but double-sided is now an option. Blank Slate offers two paper types: HP Premium 32lb and Domtar Bold 28. I prefer the HP Premium paper, as I’ve found it to be some of the most fountain-pen friendly paper in terms of minimizing bleed-through and feathering. It’s what I use in my printers at home.

Blank Slate products are printed and hand-assembled in Rochester, New York. Single custom writing pads start at $23.50 with a discount on purchases of three or more. Head over to the custom pad design tool - which Dave designed and built himself - and get started now!

Disclaimer: Dave was kind enough to provide me with a discount on the pad pictured here. This post contains affiliate links.

Pen Review: PenBBS 456 (Vacuum-Filler) Fountain Pen

June 8, 2019

I’ve done a complete 180 on Chinese pens* over the past year. My attitude towards these pens has been a bit stuck in the past, back when “Chinese pen” evoked the so-called “$1.99 eBay pens” from brands like Jinhao and Baoer that everyone in the fountain pen hobby tried at least once. Personally, I had several bad experiences, and ultimately concluded that these pens weren’t worth the trouble even at the low price point, given persistently finicky nibs, chipping finishes, and overall inconsistent quality. Therefore, I’ve been later to the party than some in terms of trying out brands such as PenBBS, Moonman, KACO, and LiveInYou.

*Just to clarify, when I use the term “Chinese pen,” I’m not referring to pens manufactured in China, which would include pens sold by many American and European brands. I’m referring to pens branded and sold under the name of a Chinese company, both in China and abroad.

On the left are two PenBBS 456 Vacuum Fillers, and on the right is the PenBBS 355 “Bulkfiller”. Look for a review of the 355 soon.

Over the past two years, the topic of Chinese pens has become the subject of renewed attention, mainly because many new brands have emerged, nearly all of which have abandoned the “$1 pen” price point and introduced products that directly compete with entry and mid-level offerings from long-established brands such as TWSBI, Pilot, Lamy, and Monteverde. One such brand is PenBBS, which is based in Shanghai and grew out of an internet fountain pen forum akin to Fountain Pen Network or FPGeeks. As the brand has grown, PenBBS has released dozens of inks and pens, with increasingly complex filling systems and some stunning materials.

As I mentioned, since I’ve been burned in the past ordering pens via eBay from unfamiliar sellers and brands, I’ve hesitated on trying out these more expensive pens. Investing $20 in a Moonman M2 or a KACO Edge is one thing; investing $55 in a PenBBS 456 Vacuum Filler or 355 Bulkfiller, much less a $80 pen from LiveInYou, is another thing entirely. But after doing my homework, and specifically after reading some online reviews from Frank (whose blog FrankUnderwater is your best source for all things Chinese-pen-related, particularly new releases) and watching Chris’s Pen Talk videos on YouTube, I decided the risk was relatively low and picked up a handful of higher-end pens from PenBBS and LiveInYou. The first ones I received were the PenBBS 456 Vacuum Fillers, and I must say, these are exceptional pens for the money. Any concern or hesitation I had was completely unwarranted.

The two-toned PenBBS nib is also Chinese-made, to the best of my knowledge, and came perfectly tuned. Here is a shot of the engraving.

What do I like about the PenBBS 456? Pretty much everything:

Aesthetics and Build Quality. Let me start with the clear demonstrator, because it’s by far my favorite. The fit and finish on this pen is nearly perfect - it’s well-polished to the point where the transparent barrel is as clear as glass. There are no visible tool marks and scratches, the clip is solid as opposed to cheap folded metal, and the overall assembly is very tight with no loose or rattling parts. While the transparent demonstrator is my favorite, the translucent green/red acrylic is also stunning, though I struggled a bit with what ink to fill it with, finally settling on 3 Oysters Black Moss, which isn’t the best match for this pen color-wise but I still love the ink.
Filling System. The PenBBS 456 is a vacuum-filler, like the more expensive TWSBI Vac 700 and the much more expensive Pilot Custom 823. To fill the pen, you unscrew the blind cap at the end, extend the plunger, place the nib into an inkwell or ink bottle, and press down. The negative pressure will suck ink into the barrel, and you can repeat once or twice more to increase capacity. Even with one fill, however, this pen will write for quite a while.
Writing Comfort. The PenBBS 456 feels exceptionally well-balanced, posted or unposted. Unlike the TWSBI Vac 700, the end of the 456 is tapered, allowing the cap to post deeply. I love vacuum-fill mechanisms, but the lack of postability doomed the Vac 700 for me, before I even had to deal with the finicky nib issues. Though the 456 has metal threads, the longer section provides plenty of room for a comfortable grip, and you would have to grip your pen pretty high on the barrel before the threads gave you any trouble.
Smooth, Slightly Upturned Nib. I’ve heard the standard PenBBS nib described as a “mini-fude”, but what jumped to mind for me was Sheaffer’s nibs on certain pens from the 1960s. The slight upturn at the end of the nib makes for a very smooth writer. Most PenBBS pens are sold with only one nib option, which lays down a relatively wet fine-medium line, and while I’ve heard reports of PenBBS nibs being on the drier side, both of my 456 pens have no such issues.

The only downside to these pens, so far, is availability. Though some retailers, such as Vanness Pens, carry a limited stock of PenBBS products, the complete lineup is only available overseas. Shipping can take as long as six weeks from the time you place your order.

I would peg this nib as a “fine-medium.”

Takeaways and Where to Buy

It’s extremely likely that the PenBBS 456 is going to work its way onto my “Best Pens” list in the future, probably in the $50-$100 price bracket. I would easily recommend this pen over the TWSBI Vac 700, and while I love the TWSBI Diamond 580 at around the same price point, I think I prefer the nib on the PenBBS 456. I’ve enjoyed the transparent pen so much that it’s now on its second fill of Iroshizuku Kon Peki - a stunning ink in any clear demonstrator, and especially in one that’s as well-polished as this pen.

I purchased the two pens featured in this review from different sellers, and both took about three weeks to arrive, with most of that shipment time eaten up by customs. The Clear Acrylic is my favorite, but the Translucent Green/Red pen is also quite nice looking. As another purchasing option, PenBBS runs an Etsy storefront, which is relatively well-stocked but doesn’t always have the same variety as other sellers. I think PenBBS focuses on pushing product to their retailers before stocking their own shop.

I paid around $55 per pen, plus a few dollars for shipping. One thing to note is that the price of PenBBS pens can vary by retailer and by material, depending on the popularity of the specific pen or material. Ordering direct from China, as opposed to ordering from sellers based in the U.S. or the U.K, will also get you a better price in most instance. Note that the PenBBS Etsy store is currently selling some variations of the 456 for as little as $32, though not either of the two pens featured in this review.

All 3 Oysters Bottles have a facet on one corner so you can tilt it for easier filling when the ink level gets low.

Ink Review: 3 Oysters Delicious Inks

June 5, 2019

The sheer volume of excellent fountain pen inks on the market continues to astound me. I know I talk about this all the time, but I still remember a time less than ten years ago when there were only two brands (Noodler’s and Private Reserve) that had color options in the double digits. Even as more brands emerged in recent years, most companies focused on bright, highly saturated colors. Those have their place, but when it comes to choosing ink, my interest lies in the darker, more muted, and somewhat murky corners of the color palette. Korean ink maker 3 Oysters checks all of those boxes.

Since I’m a sucker for dark greens, and especially green-blacks, I picked up a bottle of Black Moss as I was leaving this year’s Baltimore Pen Show. A month later in Little Rock, during a visit to the Vanness store, I added samples of Gogung (a grayish brown), Red Wine (self-explanatory), and Chilli Red (a brighter red with hints of orange). The only color I did not care for was Mustard. The color is interesting, but it’s a bit light for everyday writing and doesn’t fit a need in my rotation.

All of the 3 Oysters inks I tested dried quickly and exhibited zero bleeding, feathering, or even show-through. These really are great inks! I used 3 Oysters on a variety of papers across several work days, and never had an issue. If I could anticipate any criticisms that someone might have with the 3 Oysters inks, it would be that some might find certain inks a bit undersaturated (i.e., washed-out), especially colors such as Chili Red and Mustard.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve enjoyed my time so far with the 3 Oysters “Delicious” inks, and the bottle of Black Moss will certainly see some use. Behavior-wise, they remind me of Pilot Iroshizuku, being slightly less saturated and having similar flow. The price point is $18 for 30ml, which on a price-per-ml basis sits on the expensive side, but I don’t have any information on the scale of production - it’s actually difficult to find much information on the company behind the ink. I assume it’s a relatively small operation, with import and shipping costs driving the price of the ink up even further. That said, the price is not per se unreasonable, and sits well below Sailor’s new price point of 20ml for $15.

You can currently purchase all 3Oysters inks from our sponsor Vanness Pens, which carries the entire line, including not only the “Delicious” inks featured here, but also the “Hun Min Jeong” and “I.Color.U” series, and a special edition “Marine Green” ink.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. Vanness Pens is a sponsor of this site and provided me with the ink featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes.

Six Month Review: Miscellaneous Paper, Accessories, & More

June 2, 2019

Last recap post before things get back to normal this week! Today I’ll look at miscellaneous stationery accessories that I’ve enjoyed reviewing in 2019. As with other similar posts, all links are to my own previous reviews. Enjoy!

Traveling with Fountain Pens: Do You Need a Traveling Inkwell? Although “Traveling Inkwells” or “ink pots” have been on the market for some time, they’ve received a lot of attention over the past year when Visconti and Pineider both made a push to get these products some additional exposure by lowering the price to a more reasonable level. Personally, I use my two inkwells to hold the remnants of near-empty ink bottles, or to help me use inks from bottles that make it hard to fill pens with larger nibs. It’s also much easier to fully fill a vacuum-filler fountain pen using an inkwell - just be sure to hold the inkwell tightly so it doesn’t fly across the room.

Traveling with Fountain Pens: In Praise of the Humble Ink Cartridge. In the second entry of my “Traveling with Fountain Pens” series, I looked at the ink cartridge - something that often gets overlooked (or mocked) by “serious” fountain pen enthusiasts, but which I use regularly as a convenient and functional way to refill pens at work and on the road. Use those cartridges proudly!

Jetstream SXR-600 Refill. For years, I’ve wanted a Uniball Jetstream hybrid-ballpoint refill that I could use in my standard ballpoint and rollerball pen bodies. Now, you can have the Jetstream’s write-anywhere, quick drying experience in any pen that takes a standard Parker-style refill, such as the Retro 51 Tornado or the Baron Fig Squire.

Staples TRU RED Notebooks. The paper in the black “soft-cover” notebooks is excellent for fountain pens, and I hope Staples continues to source this paper in the future. It’s a low-cost option that’s readily available at your local office-supply store, and the leatherette covers are nice as well.

Pen Storage Solutions: Pen Boxes and Folios. I’ve really reworked my pen organization/pen storage over the past year, and am preparing to do another round of thinning the herd in the coming months. In this post I highlight several storage options that I use to keep my pen collection (relatively) organized and easy to navigate.

Thanks for bearing with me while I’ve been on vacation. I’ve needed a break and I look forward to tackling the second half of the year!