A long & entertaining & educational video. Fortunately, I have a few 355s. Amber & Galaxy among them. I find the two-tone PenBBS nibs to be drier & require some work to write well. Maybe the plating of two top layers changes the slit. Thanks for mentioning my videos. Thank you for your history of the syringe filler.
Thanks, Chris. All of my PenBBS fine (mini fude) nibs have started out on the dry side but have all been improved by using your sparkplug gapping tool treatment. I am expecting my first Wing Sung 626 in the next week so be prepared for some history on the Sheaffer Balance... and yes, I am using your videos on the 626 and the Balance as references! :)
what a nice subscriber, to send you a wonderful pen for your collection. I have not experienced that in my life, so it is nice to see others are receive generous gifts. Have a wonderful writing experience. Enjoyed the unwrapping!
Hey Doug, not that this matters all that much two years later, but in the future, if you ever have to bond acrylic again, what you want is 'weld on 3' and a syringe applicator. It welds the acrylic together, rather than gluing it. doesn't leave any glue in the joint, and thus wont dissolve over time, or frost/craze the acrylic. I do a bunch of non-pen acrylic manufacturing for work. Anyway, just a tip two years late. enjoying watching through your old videos. thanks very much.
Nice video. This is my travel pen for the reasons that you described. Because I use a lot of samples, I just fill mine by taking off the section and using a syringe to fill it.
I know right?? :) I'm just guessing of course, but I'm looking every day on Beini's PenBBS Etsy store for new stock because we are just at the cusp of the "lucrative gift-buying season". ;)
@@InkquiringMinds I managed to obtain a 355!... Sadly... it's not working well. I contacted Beini to see what can be done, but now I can't seem to unscrew the back end of the pen like you show at 19:24 :/ any tips?
@@idipbananasintocoffee First, find the flat spot on the threads, then put an elastic band or a piece of rubber matting over the threads and use a pair of pliers to grab the flat spot and grip it tight but not tight enough to damage the threads, then grip the barrel with another piece of rubber or elastic and turn the barrel while holding the threads from moving. You should be able to get it loose. It is very tight the first time but after you get it loose then it is easier subsequently. Hope it helps! Good luck. You say it isn't working well? What part isn't working well? You shouldn't even HAVE to take the back off as I've demonstrated here.
@@InkquiringMinds the thing is, the threads are already flattened because it was so tight... The rod is stuck in the piston, and I can't for the life of me get it to unstick. Edit to add: I just tried your tip and I couldn't get it to work... I messaged Beini, hoping for a resolution. I've always had great experience with Penbbs pens and this is devastating to me...
@@idipbananasintocoffee Okay. Let's be clear first. This is a NEW IMPROVED version of the 355 with the metal threads at the back? If so, and your rod is stuck in the piston, I think you might be turning it the wrong way. The IMPROVED version unscrews counterclockwise, you pull the rod out and then keep turning counterclockwise to thread the rod into the piston. Push the rod back in to move the piston up and down. Then draw the piston back by pulling the rod out, which seats the bayonette, then turn the rod clockwise to unscrew the rod from the piston and push the rod back. If your rod is stuck in the piston and won't turn, you're turning it the wrong way. If you are turning it clockwise and the piston is just spinning, you either have the OLD version or you haven't seated the piston's bayonette back into the slots that hold it from spinning.
Thanks, Cam. I've just spent a couple of hours writing back and forth between the 456 and the 355 and I'm thinking a "shootout" video between the two models might be in order. Looking at the pluses and minuses of both pens, they seem to come out equal and personal tastes might have to be the deciding factor.
@@TheMagicalSock I have a round medium in a nib charm. I've put it into a couple of pens - most recently into the Lingmo Lorelei 019. However, I really do prefer the mini-fude Fine that usually comes stock with PenBBS. The 355 is now second only to my 480.
Outstanding review, as usual! I love the engineering of the 355 and will be on the lookout for one. I have a couple of the TWSBI Go's that you mentioned. They do look like plastic toy pens. But, they have a pretty cool plunger fill, they hold a lot of ink, and I've been very impressed with how smooth the nibs write. The huge drawback for me is no clip. Anyway, loved the video and those little nuggets of knowledge you toss in, like what an adjustable wrench is called in Canada & England. :)
Doug thank you. I watched your review of the 500 a while back and ordered one immediately, because that fill mechanism & how it screws out from the end cap is freakin awesome! Hehe. But alas, it is still in China along with a few other orders.
@@jeffroberts532 I have a TWSBI which I haven't inked up yet. As much as I want to support Taiwanese companies, TWSBI pens look cheap. I own a PenBBS 500 and love both the design and the feel of the nib on paper. PenBBS have the prettier pens - by far! I'm slowly building a collection of the various models.
Inga Koehler I agree that PenBBS has better looking pens, overall, than TWSBI. I have quite a few models from both manufacturers. I like the turned acrylics of PenBBS over the injection molding of TWSBI. However, I think the TWSBI'S are just as well made. One huge advantage with TWSBI right now is that when you order one you can expect to receive it! Not so with PenBBS, at least not within 3.5 months and counting. Funny how the payment went through immediately though. Sorry for the mini rant. :)
@@jeffroberts532 That is changing rapidly right now Jeff. And might just change back again any time, who knows? But my Penbbs 487 came in just over two weeks. Not bad considering. But if people want Penbbs, Goldspot carries them at a bit of a markup plus shipping - but they are quicker.
thanks doug a very well engineered pen and video and an interesting history , in the uk we do use the term adjustable[not spanner]tho the elders amongst us call them a monkey wrench and a spark plug gapping tool is called a feeler gauge
Hey, Paul. So I guess the "spanner" is what we would call a "box wrench" (a fixed size wrench)? I always thought a monkey wrench was the big square pipe wrench like this: www.snopes.com/tachyon/2015/12/wrench.jpg?resize=865,452
So, in theory, if one didn't want to mess around with the "official" filling system, one could just take the section off of the barrel and eyedropper it, correct? I'm looking at a possibly buying an opaque 355 as my first ever Penbbs fountain pen, as it is the only one in the shop that has the colour I want. I'm worried I'll end up breaking something without having the visual feedback.
Yes. I have a 355 in Galaxy which is opaque. If you are unfamiliar or not practiced at using this system, a more transparent finish is recommended. I can deal with my Galaxy because I've grown accustomed to how it works. But yes, you can take the section off and eyedropper the 355.
A Crescent wrench is properly,more accurately called an adjustable wrench because you can adjust the size. There are much smaller 'adjustable wrenches' more suitable for working on pens. I would describe the Penbbs filling systems as the 'heeby jeeby' system because watching you play around with them gives me the heeby jeebies. Try a TWSBI 700R with a TWSBI filler bottle..TWSBI 700Rs and Minos have that same open blind cap set up which has to be open to allow ink fl.
A long & entertaining & educational video. Fortunately, I have a few 355s. Amber & Galaxy among them. I find the two-tone PenBBS nibs to be drier & require some work to write well. Maybe the plating of two top layers changes the slit. Thanks for mentioning my videos. Thank you for your history of the syringe filler.
Thanks, Chris. All of my PenBBS fine (mini fude) nibs have started out on the dry side but have all been improved by using your sparkplug gapping tool treatment. I am expecting my first Wing Sung 626 in the next week so be prepared for some history on the Sheaffer Balance... and yes, I am using your videos on the 626 and the Balance as references! :)
Amazing review once more, the magnitude of knowledge and the way that get passed onto the viewer is unbelievable.
Thank you kindly!
I hadn't heard of PenBBS until I watched your channel Doug. They certainly are beautiful pens. Thanks for your meticulous and very engaging review 👍🏾
My pleasure!
what a nice subscriber, to send you a wonderful pen for your collection. I have not experienced that in my life, so it is nice to see others are receive generous gifts. Have a wonderful writing experience. Enjoyed the unwrapping!
It really is, Sandra. I couldn't believe it. And he wouldn't even let me pay for shipping!
Hey Doug, not that this matters all that much two years later, but in the future, if you ever have to bond acrylic again, what you want is 'weld on 3' and a syringe applicator. It welds the acrylic together, rather than gluing it. doesn't leave any glue in the joint, and thus wont dissolve over time, or frost/craze the acrylic. I do a bunch of non-pen acrylic manufacturing for work. Anyway, just a tip two years late. enjoying watching through your old videos. thanks very much.
The cool thing is that Penbbs sold me a new barrel for my 456 for $8!
Fantastic guide, I couldn't get how to fill properly without this, I recommend a lot of trial without ink first
Thanks, nuchtchas! It does take a bit of practice at first. Once you have the feel for how to engage that piston without getting it stuck, it is easy.
Nice video. This is my travel pen for the reasons that you described. Because I use a lot of samples, I just fill mine by taking off the section and using a syringe to fill it.
Thanks, Trace. I use a syringe with my converters and eyedroppers but my 456 and 355 are just too much fun to ink up using their filling systems. :)
Here I am, binging Doug's channel, again.
Thank you, Dean!
What a lovely viewer! Also, what a lovely and informative video! I can't seem to find 355s anywhere - I hope Penbbs restocks soon.
I know right?? :) I'm just guessing of course, but I'm looking every day on Beini's PenBBS Etsy store for new stock because we are just at the cusp of the "lucrative gift-buying season". ;)
@@InkquiringMinds I managed to obtain a 355!... Sadly... it's not working well. I contacted Beini to see what can be done, but now I can't seem to unscrew the back end of the pen like you show at 19:24 :/ any tips?
@@idipbananasintocoffee First, find the flat spot on the threads, then put an elastic band or a piece of rubber matting over the threads and use a pair of pliers to grab the flat spot and grip it tight but not tight enough to damage the threads, then grip the barrel with another piece of rubber or elastic and turn the barrel while holding the threads from moving. You should be able to get it loose. It is very tight the first time but after you get it loose then it is easier subsequently. Hope it helps! Good luck. You say it isn't working well? What part isn't working well? You shouldn't even HAVE to take the back off as I've demonstrated here.
@@InkquiringMinds the thing is, the threads are already flattened because it was so tight... The rod is stuck in the piston, and I can't for the life of me get it to unstick. Edit to add: I just tried your tip and I couldn't get it to work... I messaged Beini, hoping for a resolution. I've always had great experience with Penbbs pens and this is devastating to me...
@@idipbananasintocoffee Okay. Let's be clear first. This is a NEW IMPROVED version of the 355 with the metal threads at the back? If so, and your rod is stuck in the piston, I think you might be turning it the wrong way. The IMPROVED version unscrews counterclockwise, you pull the rod out and then keep turning counterclockwise to thread the rod into the piston. Push the rod back in to move the piston up and down. Then draw the piston back by pulling the rod out, which seats the bayonette, then turn the rod clockwise to unscrew the rod from the piston and push the rod back. If your rod is stuck in the piston and won't turn, you're turning it the wrong way. If you are turning it clockwise and the piston is just spinning, you either have the OLD version or you haven't seated the piston's bayonette back into the slots that hold it from spinning.
Great video, tons of detail on an awesome pen.
Thanks so much! It is an awesome pen!
Great video, Doug! Really enjoyed it. The 355 is one of my personal favorites. ;]
Thanks, Cam. I've just spent a couple of hours writing back and forth between the 456 and the 355 and I'm thinking a "shootout" video between the two models might be in order. Looking at the pluses and minuses of both pens, they seem to come out equal and personal tastes might have to be the deciding factor.
Douglas Rathbun the PenBBS round medium nib is by far my favorite. I can’t recall if you have one. They can be made extremely wet and broad.
@@TheMagicalSock I have a round medium in a nib charm. I've put it into a couple of pens - most recently into the Lingmo Lorelei 019. However, I really do prefer the mini-fude Fine that usually comes stock with PenBBS. The 355 is now second only to my 480.
Outstanding review, as usual! I love the engineering of the 355 and will be on the lookout for one. I have a couple of the TWSBI Go's that you mentioned. They do look like plastic toy pens. But, they have a pretty cool plunger fill, they hold a lot of ink, and I've been very impressed with how smooth the nibs write. The huge drawback for me is no clip. Anyway, loved the video and those little nuggets of knowledge you toss in, like what an adjustable wrench is called in Canada & England. :)
You'll want to look at the Penbbs 500 then. It takes the TWSBI Go spring idea to a whole new level in an excellent pen.
Doug thank you. I watched your review of the 500 a while back and ordered one immediately, because that fill mechanism & how it screws out from the end cap is freakin awesome! Hehe. But alas, it is still in China along with a few other orders.
@@jeffroberts532 I have a TWSBI which I haven't inked up yet. As much as I want to support Taiwanese companies, TWSBI pens look cheap. I own a PenBBS 500 and love both the design and the feel of the nib on paper. PenBBS have the prettier pens - by far! I'm slowly building a collection of the various models.
Inga Koehler I agree that PenBBS has better looking pens, overall, than TWSBI. I have quite a few models from both manufacturers. I like the turned acrylics of PenBBS over the injection molding of TWSBI. However, I think the TWSBI'S are just as well made. One huge advantage with TWSBI right now is that when you order one you can expect to receive it! Not so with PenBBS, at least not within 3.5 months and counting. Funny how the payment went through immediately though. Sorry for the mini rant. :)
@@jeffroberts532 That is changing rapidly right now Jeff. And might just change back again any time, who knows? But my Penbbs 487 came in just over two weeks. Not bad considering. But if people want Penbbs, Goldspot carries them at a bit of a markup plus shipping - but they are quicker.
I have this in both Galaxy and Amber and they are indeed beautiful pens.
I'm so envious A Joshi! I love my 308 Amber and 480 Galaxy. To get either a 456 or a 355 in either of these finishes would be awesome!
I'm envious! Enjoy your pens!
@@idipbananasintocoffee Stay tuned! I'm expecting a couple of interesting pens in the next week or so.
@@InkquiringMinds Well, count me in as a new subscriber!
@@idipbananasintocoffee Thank you so much Nya!
thanks doug a very well engineered pen and video and an interesting history , in the uk we do use the term adjustable[not spanner]tho the elders amongst us call them a monkey wrench and a spark plug gapping tool is called a feeler gauge
Hey, Paul. So I guess the "spanner" is what we would call a "box wrench" (a fixed size wrench)? I always thought a monkey wrench was the big square pipe wrench like this:
www.snopes.com/tachyon/2015/12/wrench.jpg?resize=865,452
Now to decide whether to pick up a 355 in Cloud...or wait til later this year to see if a clear-glass or dark-paint 355 is released on Etsy...
You'll see both soon I suspect. They do runs of different models and have just done a bunch of 456s in both finishes.
Pulled the trigger on the Cloud version from the ETSY store. =]
Now the wait...heh.
Nice pen and nice color also ,thank you
Thanks, Luc. I'm very lucky to have this pen gifted to me!
So, in theory, if one didn't want to mess around with the "official" filling system, one could just take the section off of the barrel and eyedropper it, correct? I'm looking at a possibly buying an opaque 355 as my first ever Penbbs fountain pen, as it is the only one in the shop that has the colour I want. I'm worried I'll end up breaking something without having the visual feedback.
Yes. I have a 355 in Galaxy which is opaque. If you are unfamiliar or not practiced at using this system, a more transparent finish is recommended. I can deal with my Galaxy because I've grown accustomed to how it works. But yes, you can take the section off and eyedropper the 355.
Picked myself up a 355 in Amber is a Cat on Taobao, it'll be a beauty!
Thank you, Harry! I saw them on TBFocus but I'm not fond of all the upcharges on TaoBao.
Douglas Rathbun Yes it’s annoying, particularly having to commit to buying the item before you get a figure for shipping. Great choice though!
A Crescent wrench is properly,more accurately called an adjustable wrench because you can adjust the size. There are much smaller 'adjustable wrenches' more suitable for working on pens. I would describe the Penbbs filling systems as the 'heeby jeeby' system because watching you play around with them gives me the heeby jeebies. Try a TWSBI 700R with a TWSBI filler bottle..TWSBI 700Rs and Minos have that same open blind cap set up which has to be open to allow ink fl.
I have held off getting a TWSBI so far because I'm not fond of paying $100+ for injection molded plastic.
Douglas Rathbun Two I can highly recommend are the TWSBI VAC 700R and the Mini Vac together with the refill inkwell. Very durable, reliable pens.
How come your OCD allowed you to leave that bubble in the ink ? 😅
The Lowkster LOL! Without the air the ink won't flow - symbiosis! 😊
Looks more trouble than it's worth. Great video, tho. Thanks, Doug 🎸🖋
No problem 👍