From left, the Moonman C1, the Moonman C3, and the Moonman M2 eyedroppers.

Brand Profile: Taking a Look at Moonman's Emergence and Current Direction

November 21, 2019

Despite Chinese pens having been widely available for a decade or more - since I’ve been in this hobby - none of the brands have ever caught my interest the way Moonman has. The Moonman M2 is the first Chinese pen that legitimately impressed me, to the point where I think it’s a better writing instrument that many pens that cost five times as much. Why? The nib. Any pen company, anywhere in the world, can churn out mass-produced plastic tubes that look decent. Budget pens that write exceptionally well are true gems, and I’ve yet to experience a bad Moonman nib.

What do we know about the company itself? Not much. From what I can gather by way of Chinese pen experts such as Frank Dong of FrankUnderwater, Moonman is one of several brands manufactured by a large Shanghai-based pen company, Shanghai Jingdian. What differentiates Moonman from other “budget” pen companies is that they have chosen to focus their attention on factory-tuning nibs to a level that most pen companies never reach, while still maintaining a sub-$20 price point.

The nib quality has remained consistent even as Moonman’s product line has expanded. On the M2, Moonman uses a gold-plated No. 5 nib with a basic “Iridium Point German” engraving. So-called “IPG” nibs have garnered - deservedly - an atrocious reputation for quality, but mine arrived tuned to perfection. On newer models such as the C1 and the C2, Moonman has opted for a larger No. 6 nib that still writes well, but quite obviously “borrows” design elements from Conklin and Monteverde. Not only is this tactic unnecessary to sell these pens, but the mishmash of design elements doesn’t work and cheapens the overall look.

Sure, it’s technically a different pattern, but how hard is it to come up with a basic logo that distinguishes your brand?

As much as I enjoy Moonman pens for the fact that they are true bargain-basement workhorses, recent developments have me questioning how much I should support them going forward. Need another example? Well, I probably should have noticed it before now from the promotional photos, but the recently released Moonman C1 is an obvious attempt to replicate Shawn Newton’s Shinobi, particularly the clear models with different color sections. I’m not sure whether this would qualify as technical infringement - the Shinobi design is rather basic and minimalist, after all, and I believe it originates from a custom design proposal submitted to Shawn by a customer - but this goes a step beyond “inspiration.” Is this where Moonman is headed now?

Does the “C” in the “C series” pens stand for “copycat”? The Moonman C2 moves ever closer to Franklin-Christoph territory.

Once you have it in hand, you’re not going to mistake the feel of a C1 for a Newton Shinobi. Shawn’s pens have a much more substantial feel in hand.

Design issues notwithstanding, there’s nothing wrong with the nibs on these pens. Both are excellent writers.

You can see the facet on one side of the pen. The one thing Moonman has perfected here over the Shinobi is that the cap is double-threaded so that the facet on the cap and barrel line up perfectly every time you cap the pen. On the Shinobis you have… — You can see the facet on one side of the pen. The one thing Moonman has perfected here over the Shinobi is that the cap is double-threaded so that the facet on the cap and barrel line up perfectly every time you cap the pen. On the Shinobis you have to guess.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

As much as I enjoy bargain-hunting, recent developments with Moonman as a brand have bothered me a bit, and I’m not sure I like the direction in which this company is moving. Sure, we can debate the extent to which transparent plastic cylinders can/should be protected as proprietary designs, but PenBBS has shown that it’s possible to be successful at this price point without blatant copycatting, which just makes your brand look cheap. Moreover, if I’m going to spend money supporting a company, I want to see them putting effort into bringing something unique to the market, not just inexpensive versions of other peoples’ pens. The irony in this, of course, is that Moonman’s design decisions create a completely unnecessary distraction for the brand. Moonman nibs are more than capable of standing on their own, and the company doesn’t need to churn out knock-offs to be successful.

I’ve acquired all of my Moonman pens via eBay. Currently, Moonman’s “eyedropper” lineup includes the Moonman M2, the Moonman C2, and the Moonman C1, all of which cost less than $20. The only one I can in good faith recommend is the M2, for the reasons I’ve discussed, and the M2 remains an exceptionally nice pen for the money. That said, unless I see the brand moving in a drastically different direction I will certainly lose interest if they continue to release more of the same.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

PenBBS-309-Leonardo-Momento-Zero-Comparison

Pen Review: PenBBS 309 Piston Filler

October 16, 2019

I’m close to finishing up the reviews from my most recent round of PenBBS purchases, and I have to admit that this one was a bit of a letdown. After being absolutely blown away by certain other models - particularly the Model 308 and the Model 456 - the Model 309 piston filler didn’t deliver. While the signature PenBBS nib still offers an excellent writing experience out of the box, the piston sticks and generally feels cheaply made and unreliable.

Let’s start with the positives: Like every other PenBBS pen I’ve used, the presentation, fit, and finish on the Model 309 far outstrip any other pen I’ve purchased for $23. This pen looks amazing, with a classic streamlined shape and “peaked” ends. It doesn’t break any new ground from a design standpoint, but with this type of standard piston filler, not many pens do. The closest comparable would be the Leonardo Momento Zero, with the PenBBS Model 309 slightly slimmer and longer.

Seriously, you would expect a pen at this price point to ship in a cardboard sleeve, or maybe a plastic tube. PenBBS boxes are well-designed and, best of all, recyclable. Where possible, I’ve started recycling pen boxes if I can in an effort to redu… — Seriously, you would expect a pen at this price point to ship in a cardboard sleeve, or maybe a plastic tube. PenBBS boxes are well-designed and, best of all, recyclable. Where possible, I’ve started recycling pen boxes if I can in an effort to reduce clutter around my house.

Though I had some issues with the plastic piston mechanism - discussed further below - it reduces the weight of the pen. While those with smaller-sized hands might find the PenBBS 309 slightly long to use unposted, I had no such issues given how light this pen is. The Model 309 posts securely, and slightly deeper than my Leonardos.

I understand that PenBBS is attempting to engineer sophisticated fountain pen filling systems in a way that makes them inexpensive to produce. That’s admirable, and likely the driving factor in why PenBBS is able to sell at their current price point. This piston design on the Model 309, however, falls flat. I had trouble filling the pen because the piston kept sticking to the sides of the barrel, and moving the blind cap actually caused it to disengage from the main piston rod, disassembling the mechanism itself. I was able to get things working again by pushing and pulling to “unstick” the piston, but this shouldn’t happen straight out of the box. Eventually I’ll disassemble the pen and apply some lubricant to the piston to see if that helps. I’m not the only one who’s experienced this problem, and plenty of people have posted fixes online. (Just Google “PenBBS 309 stuck piston.”) PenBBS should take a page from TWSBI and re-engineer the piston on the Model 309 to resolve the issue. If TWSBI can figure out how to incorporate a reliable piston into the TWSBI Eco, PenBBS can as well, even if it means charging a few dollars more.

Piston issues notwithstanding, the nib on the Model 309 still offers the same great PenBBS writing experience.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve reviewed several PenBBS pens over the past few months, and while I have enjoyed the Model 308 (cartridge-converter), the Model 456 (vacuum-filler), and the Model 469 (double-ended eyedropper), I’m hesitant to recommend the Model 309 (piston filler) or the Model 355 (syringe-filler/”bulkfiller”) unless people go into the purchase with their eyes wide open as to the potential issues. I just can’t get past the fact that the filling mechanisms on these two pens feel a bit janky and give me doubts about long-term reliability. If I can get a TWSBI Eco with a reliable piston for the same price point, the only reason I wouldn’t do that would be to pick up a pen in one of the unique PenBBS materials. (Majusaka Red, anyone?)

A comparison shot of the various PenBBS Models, from left: Model 309 in Mojito, Model 308 in Manjusaka Red, Model 308 in limited edition “Niangao is a Cat” acrylic, Model 469 in Manjusaka, and a clear transparent Model 456 vacuum-filler.

That said, I firmly believe that the unique acrylics and materials, at this price point, are driving PenBBS sales. If I can get a transparent colored demonstrator that writes this well for $23, maybe I am willing to put up with a slightly janky piston rather than shell out hundreds of dollars - not to mention deal with complex shipping logistics - for a Japan-only Sailor exclusive in a similar color. Apparently, many people are deciding that this tradeoff is worth it, and PenBBS could be positioning themselves for success in the event of a recession or other event where disposable income gets tight.

You can purchase the PenBBS 309 piston filler directly from the PenBBS Etsy shop, with prices ranging from $22.99 to $29.99. The transparent green “Mojito” pen pictured here is one of the lower priced offerings, at $22.99.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I purchased the pen featured in this post with my own funds, for my own collection.

Pen Review: PenBBS 308 Fountain Pen

October 9, 2019

What does less than $20 get you these days in a fountain pen? Well, on the one hand, you have the so-called “kids’ pens” that many people use but which are plainly geared towards the education market (the Pilot Kakuno and the Pelikan Pelikano Jr., for example), as well as quasi-disposable pens like the Platinum Preppy. Otherwise, the pickings are fairly slim from the “traditional” pen companies. Platinum arguably leads the way with its upcoming Prefounte, as well as the excellent Plaisir. The Kaweco Perkeo is also a good choice for a very inexpensive fountain pen, as is the TWSBI Go, but my point remains: pickings are slim, and most of these pens look, well, kind of cheap.

I’ve asked the question before: At what point do Chinese pens enter the discussion as serious contenders on par with pens from European and Japanese companies? Believe me, I understand the skepticism. When I was starting out, I too got eBay burned by $1.99 Jinhaos, Baoers, and even Kaigelus, which had a reputation for a while as the “good” eBay pen. I even dedicated a post to my experiences. But it’s not just about $2 knockoffs anymore: Chinese companies such as PenBBS, Moonman, and KACO are releasing quality fountain pens in original designs, many of which start at or just below the $20 price point. I’ve reviewed several PenBBS pens, including a vacuum filler (Model 456) and a syringe filler (Model 355), and come away impressed with all of them, both as well-made, usable writing instruments and value propositions.

PenBBS manages to offer well-designed, functional writing instruments at a bargain price, AND make them attractive, to boot.

But what about the “entry level” PenBBS pen: the Model 308, a straight-up cartridge-converter fountain pen? To me, the real test of a pen brand is whether their lower-end models write as well as their higher-end pens. Is the nib scratchy? Does the converter allow for adequate ink flow, or is the pen a spotty, dry writer? Does it feel cheap in the hand?

As with every other PenBBS pen I’ve reviewed, the answer to all of these questions is “No.” The Model 308 comes fitted with the same slightly upturned nib as the other PenBBS pens I’ve reviewed, and both pens arrived writing exceptionally well out of the box. Again, if you’ve ever used a Sheaffer “dophin-style” nib that appeared on certain snorkels and touchdown fillers, you’ll understand how pleasant this type of nib is to write with. I also experienced no trouble with the converter, which supplied generous ink flow.

Nothing fancy - just the same high quality stainless steel nib that comes equipped on all PenBBS pens.

The Model 308 also comes fitted with an o-ring. I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t eyedropper this pen, if you wanted to, though you might lose the visibility of the Manjusaka’s red webbing.

The trim on PenBBS pens outperforms the price point. No thin, folded stainless steel here, but instead a rather substantial sword-style clip. Branding is simple with “PenBBS” engraved around the cap band in cursive script.

In terms of build, the Model 308 feels solid, with no hint of the thin, cheap acrylic that marks so many inexpensive pens. The materials themselves have quite a bit of depth. Typically, at this price point you are restricted to solid colors or and clear demonstrators, whereas with PenBBS you have available a wide variety of unique patterns, many of which I have not seen used in other pens. Case in point: the “99 Manjusaka” acrylic featured here, which is clear resin interspersed with what looks like red webbing. It’s gorgeous. The Model 308 is the second pen I’ve purchased in this material, with the first being my Model 469, the double-ended eyedropper. I have to say, as someone who loves red pens, I will probably purchase one of every pen that PenBBS releases in this material. It’s that good. (The silver pen pictured here isn’t too shabby either, with plenty of depth and different tones throughout. This particular material is a limited run called “Niangao Is A Cat,” which comes in both gold and silver trim.)

Takeaways and Where to Buy

In short, I consider the Model 308 another smash hit from PenBBS. My mind is spinning as I figure out how I’m going to rework my various “Best Pen” recommendations for 2020. Look for at least two PenBBS models to make the cut, probably in multiple categories.

From left, the PenBBS Model 456, the PenBBS Model 308 Niangao-Is-A-Cat, the PenBBS Model 309 Piston Filler (review coming soon), and the PenBBS Model 308 “99 Manjusaka”.

Lately I’ve been purchasing all of my PenBBS pens directly from the PenBBS Etsy store, which is where I have seen the best pricing. The Model 308 cartridge/converter pens range from $13.99 (an absolute steal) to $29.99 for some of the more limited acrylics. The red “99 Manjusaka” pen featured here is currently available for $19.99, and the limited edition silver “Niangao Is A Cat” pen sits at the higher $29.99 price point.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pens featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use. This post contains affiliate links, which I use to support the blog. Please see our Privacy and Cookie Policies for additional information.

A Vintage Gateway? Wing Sung 601 "Vacumatic" Filler

September 15, 2019

Longtime readers of this blog know that despite my primary focus on the “high-end” segment of the fine-writing industry, I have a soft-spot for bargains, especially if I find a sub-$20 pen that outperforms pens costing 3-5 times as much. Over the past year, brands such as Moonman and PenBBS have moved to the top of my list quality-wise, but it’s hard to dismiss Wing Sung. But before you write the Wing Sung 601 off as yet another cheap Chinese Parker 51 clone like those that used to sell on eBay at $5 for a pack of 6, let me assure you that all of the recent Wing Sung Pens I have tested, including not just the 601 but also the 618 piston filler, have performed exceptionally well.

The last Wing Sung pens I reviewed were the Wing Sung 618 and the 698, both piston fillers that have proven to be quite durable, despite their all-plastic construction and low price point. I still use them regularly, and my two 618 pens in particular are regularly inked. Enter the Wing Sung 601, which is a bit of a throwback to the late 2000s when Chinese pen companies flooded eBay with extremely inexpensive Parker 51 clones (more on that below), only this pen is of much better quality and uses a pump-filling “vacumatic” filling system.

Yes, you heard that right! You can now purchase a vintage-style “vacumatic” fountain pen for less than $20. And it’s far from a terrible pen. The Wing Sung 601 uses the same stainless steel hooded nib that you find on the 618. Because vacumatic/pump-filler fountain pens use the pen’s barrel as an ink reservoir (like an eyedropper), I actually find that the 601 writes a smoother, wetter line than the 618, even if the nib is still technically a fine/extra fine in width.

The downsides to vacumatic-style fountain pens are (1) they’re a pain to clean, and (2) the rubber sac/diaphragm attached to the pump will eventually wear out, probably every 2 years or so depending on how frequently you use the pen and your choice of inks. With my vacumatics (either true vintage pens or vintage-inspired modern pens), I choose one or two inks - typically a black, blue, or blue-black - to use in the pen, and stick with those colors so that I don’t have to worry about cleaning the pen to a pristine state. With respect to repairs, many people will likely choose to use a $20 pen until it breaks and then toss it in the garbage. However, I think that the Wing Sung 601 presents a low-risk opportunity to learn vacumatic repair/sac-replacement, and some eBay sellers are even offering replacement filling mechanisms.

A note on Chinese companies’ fixation with the Parker 51: Hero and Wing Sung have been producing pens “inspired by” the Parker 51 since at least the 1960s, with varying degrees of quality. It doesn’t take a vintage expert to recognize that these are NOT real Parker 51 pens, in that they don’t say “Parker” anywhere on them, though they do sport an “arrow clip.” I won’t engage in an extended discussion of the history between Parker and Hero/Wing Sung, because that’s been done elsewhere, but the conventionally accepted story is that the Chinese government nationalized a Parker factory in Shanghai at some point in the mid-20th century, and Hero (which I believe owned/owns Wing Sung) has been churning out Parker 51 clones ever since. You can read more about the current status of the Wing Sung brand, and a bit more history, at Frank’s comprehensive Chinese Fountain Pen blog, Frank Underwater.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

While a $15-20 Wing Sung pen is never going to replace an authentic vintage Parker 51 in either beauty or quality, the 601 is an inexpensive, low-risk introduction to this style of pen, particularly the vacumatic-style filling system. If you are on the fence as to whether or not you want to spend $100+ on a properly restored Parker 51, give one of these Wing Sung pens a try to see if you enjoy the shape and style. It’s a close-enough approximation, and even if you decide you don’t want to take the plunge, you have a competent everyday writer that didn’t cost a lot of money.

Wing Sung pens, including the Wing Sung 601 pens pictured here, are widely available on either eBay or Amazon. On eBay, I’ve purchased pens from Seller art-pen-book-dy, and also from Amazon, where pens are generally come with free Prime Shipping. One other thing to note is that some eBay sellers are offering replacement filling systems for as little as $2.99. This is doubly interesting to me because not only is it a cheap and easy fix for a broken Wing Sung 601, but it raises the question of whether this mechanism could be used to fix a broken Parker 51 Vacumatic, since original mechanisms are no longer in production.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I purchased the pens featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use.

Pen Review: PenBBS 469 Double-Nibbed Fountain Pen

June 16, 2019

Alright, here’s the last PenBBS review for a while, or at least until I place another order for more of these excellent, reasonably priced workhorses. Up today is the PenBBS 469 “double-sided” or “double-ended” (i.e., two-nibbed) fountain pen. Pens with two nibs have gotten a lot of attention from time to time over the years. The first time I recall seeing one was when my friend Thomas commissioned a custom double-ended Edison Pearl from Brian Gray of Edison Pen Company. Other custom pen makers have produced their own versions, but custom pens are expensive and run in the hundreds of dollars. Until now, I have not seen a double-ended pen at the sub $50 price point, which is where this one sits.

Two nibs, two reservoirs. It’s almost as though two pocket eyedroppers are fused together.

The key selling point of a double-ended pen is to allow you to have two nibs: one with a broad tip for general writing or highlighting, and another fine tip for annotations and notetaking. The two nibs on the PenBBS 469 don’t really deviate from the norm, but the fine nib on this pen does have the same slightly upturned tipping that you find on other PenBBS pens, while the broad nib has a more traditional round shape. In my recent reviews of the PenBBS 456 (vacuum-filler) and the PenBBS 355 (syringe-filler “bulkfiller”), I remarked on how much I enjoy the upturned nib, which makes for a smooth writing experience with some line variation.

When you uncap one end for writing, the PenBBS 456 is a very well-balanced pen.

So how the heck do you fill a double reservoir pen? Obviously, it would be extremely difficult (but maybe not impossible?) to use two converters without making the pen unwieldy and huge. Therefore, most are eyedroppers, like this one, which actually comes supplied with a glass dropper in the box. No silicone grease is necessary, because the sections are fitted with o-rings I’ve had zero leakage, despite the pens jostling around in my work bag all week, and have experienced only a minimal amount of ink burping into the cap, even with one of the nibs needing to be inverted at all times.

The broad tip is rounder than your typical PenBBS nib.

Each of the two reservoirs holds a fair bit of ink. I’ve been using this pen for the better part of two weeks, and there’s still plenty of ink left. If you’re someone who needs (or simply likes) to switch colors for annotation or notetaking purposes, the PenBBS 469 could easily be your one-pen workhorse.

The slightly upturned fine tip on the PenBBS 469.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I have yet to be disappointed by a PenBBS pen, and I’ve frankly been stunned at the level of quality they manage to produce at their current price point. The PenBBS 469 is no exception, offering a unique writing experience for less than $50, where you otherwise would have to pay $200+ for a custom pen. I just want them to make more of their pens available in this red material.

PLEASE make a Model 456 in this material!

The two primary ways to purchase PenBBS pens are via the PenBBS Etsy Store, which usually snags you the best price, or via eBay, where certain sellers may have more variety. (As I’ve noted before, for some reason PenBBS carries less diverse stock in their own store, probably to focus on limited or special edition materials while pushing most of their standard stock to their retailers.) Here, the PenBBS 469 costs $29.99 in the Etsy store, while the transparent/red-webbed pen featured in this review runs just under $40 from most eBay Sellers, and can include an optional rollerball attachment if you don’t want to use two fountain pen nibs. I’ve not tested out the rollerball, but Susan over at the Pen Addict has had a positive experience. Check out her review here.