One wonders when you might expand your PenBBS models. To compare sections, some metal models (323, 355, 380), 471, 469, etc would provide a wider range of sections. I got a 456 Hidden Path, Black Tortoise & Waves - white cap（Dopamine pattern RM nib #1). Need to keep expanding my collection of PenBBS nibs. I also have some transparent barrel 456s that are a nice change to the same color. Wish you happy holidays & a wondrous new year.
Thanks, Chris. The same to you and yours. My first 456 was a clear glass. I broke it and had Beini replace the barrel for me. I'm not that fond of metal sections even when they are textured like on the Moonman T1. I'm glad you got a Dopamine. I'll be interested to see that review as it is a very interesting variation and a unique nib.
Hi Douglas, lovely comparison between these two beautiful pens. Oh, talking about dropping a pen, I dropped my Jinhao 200 outside on concrete, and it didn't get any damage, I was surprised.....and happy :)
@@InkquiringMinds I have yet to buy the 100 but I think I may need to get the ice/sky blue and maybe a green....I only have one green pen. It was my birthday on the 15 and my parents bought me a Pineider Avatar in glorious green :)
@@InkquiringMinds Hi Doug, its so lovely in the green, I am thinking of inking it up with Robert Oster Green Green as I got a bottle earlier this year. :)
I love the Take-Sumi ink, but don't hear/see it mentioned often - thank you for demonstrating it here. I have a PBBS 309 and 456, as well as an MM-M800 on order - thanks to your reviews, perhaps I'll try it in one of those.
I am NOT a black ink fan. But there are two blackish inks that I really love. The Take Sumi is like black silk - so smooth and wet. And it isn't jet black; it is like a charcoal grey/black. The other ink is J. Herbin Stormy Grey which is like Take Sumi with gold shimmer.
@@InkquiringMinds I once attended a presentation by a prominent Japanese calligrapher, @Sisyu8, who introduced her audience to....Japanese calligraphy, including how sumi ink is made. In short order, I tried Take-Sumi ("bamboo charcoal") and have been hooked since. It even seems to have some consistency of sumi/charcoal in both feel and appearance.
Great video Doug so glad i have a 456 Niangao coming.Sure you didn't have 2 takes on that section swap😉.Will have to keep my eyes open for a 355,i like the amber is a cat but they are like hens teeth(scarce).I wait with anticipation your best pen video.
Hi Doug, I really like the new intro. Beautiful picking right there. On to pens....I really like the 355's overall design aesthetic better than the 456. The 355 resembles a Pelikan Souveran quite a bit. Two Sundays ago when PenBBS Christmas happened, in addition to the 456 Blue Galaxy, I totally fell in love with the Purple Cloud color, but I would only allow myself one. So, the Blue Galaxy won no question. Well now, after seeing the 355 I think Purple Cloud would look fabulous in that model, and don't you know the store has one! It says old version. I'm not sure if that is a good or a bad thing? Lovely collection of 456s and 355s. Super fun! Lots of options to write with that is for sure! Thank you! Please stay safe and healthy! ✨ ❄️ ⛄️ 🎄 🤶🏻 🎅🏻 🎁 ✨
Watch my video on the 355 old version. It works okay if you are vigilant about not over tightening the rod into the piston. th-cam.com/video/9tM-9iiaF-o/w-d-xo.html
Slapshot! Oh, kudos to you, sir, a classic! 456 is so much fun to write with. I've got dark paint, a nice finish with lots of clear area to see the ink. Sorry to hear that you had one break from a little fall onto carpet, ugh, that's not good. Hope I can avoid similar.
It was an easy fix. I wrote to Beini on Etsy and she sold me a new barrel for it for $8 and included it with another pen order I made so I had free shipping.
Nice review! I have to admit that I really really really really ...really really...really (repeat to fade) want a 456 Galaxy. But the Niangao finish is very stylish and eye-catching.
I’ve seen the Niangao finish on Etsy, but I’ve skipped it over while looking for pens in Galaxy. I’ll have to order one of these (after my two other orders arrive).
I was pleasantly shocked by the appearance of Niangao. And Galaxy! I wonder if it's a sign. The Cordierite and Verdure finishes are nice too, one wispy blue smoke and the other cloudy spring green. Can't get them all so I have to choose one quick. I'll probably get decision paralysis and miss the lot. Argh.
Ok, there goes some more money down the rabbit hole. So, sometime in january I'll have my triple sets of a 456 and a 355 in Niangao, Galaxy and Autumn. I prefer the Autumn finish over the Amber version as Amber is a bit too translucent for my taste. I'm still hoping for a 308 and a 456 in Sunset...
Does Bienni from PenBBS always drop new colors and models in Sundays per your comment 3 yrs ago? Is there a specific time this is done? Thks as always for your guidance!
About the 456 frenzy ... I picked up 5 on the dec 6 release and they delivered today; 10 days to Chicago! Cordiérite, Frostfire, Galaxy, Black Tortoise and Tuzi... Tuzi is a stunning resin, I’d rate it even atop Galaxy and Amber. Frostfire and Black Tortoise beautiful too. Cordiérite is meh... Niango came up the day after, I passed; trying to avoid 456 overload 😉
If you don't mind me asking, is there a particular merchant that you prefer to shop with? I always have to settle for some finish I don't really care for just to try the filling systems/nibs.
I always deal with the official Penbbs shop on Etsy. If you miss the good resins because they sell out, you might have to look at dealers on eBay which inflate the prices. One of the best shops on eBay that has a great selection of Penbbs is chacewang
Probably not going to be getting a reply on this but how much do those limited run pens cost usually? I'm thinking of getting the light blue with gold 456 called winter night. Or maybe I should wait for the next sudden appearance of a limited version....
So Doug, if there’s one Penbbs piston filler fountain pen you would recommend above all other penbbs piston jobs, prithee can you reveal what that would be. My penbbs 323 is in need of company.
Hey Andrew. Well, Penbbs only have ONE piston filler and that is the 309 and I'm not thrilled with that model at all. The piston sticks constantly. I will be reviewing a new version of the Wing Sung 699 that is a piston filler in a couple of weeks. I just took it out of the box this minute. So, we'll see how good it is.
I’ve never really noticed someone “press the nib down 7 times” like that to willingly splay the tines to make it wetter. I’m not sure I’d feel safe doing so, but i might have to try it when I get this, or another, penbbs pen.
One more question and forgive me if you’ve addressed this before - I’m just getting into your videos: have you tried the rounded nibs from penbbs? They have ref, rm and standard upturned fine (like these niangaos I believe). I’ve heard the rounded ones are generally smoother, so I figured maybe you’d enjoy those nibs more, but maybe not.
@@passthebutter3 I have a couple of RM (round medium) and a REF (round extra fine). I prefer the standard mini-fude fine nib as they write a thicker line than usual fine nibs - closer to medium - and they have a lot of character.
Oh, that cheeky grin, Sir Doug...."I already have it"......Reminds me of PeeWee Herman in Peewee's Big Adventure when he is talking to Francis......."You don't wan't it because you already have it"
@@InkquiringMinds Hahahaha...that was a good one!! The 355 just makes me smile inside and out. I'm really praying that they bring back a line of them. I have a set of money put aside to buy them up on etsy if they ever do.
Stunning finish, no argument on that one. Finishes are getting very flash aren’t they? I wouldn’t like to be a cat 🐈 or 🐕 in China as they’re listed as consumable domestic items. Ugh.
Professor Doug, Slapshot and Ghost Busters wow what a beginning. The crushed, layered look of the acrylic is stunning. Well done as always sir.
Thanks, Coach!
One wonders when you might expand your PenBBS models. To compare sections, some metal models (323, 355, 380), 471, 469, etc would provide a wider range of sections. I got a 456 Hidden Path, Black Tortoise & Waves - white cap（Dopamine pattern RM nib #1). Need to keep expanding my collection of PenBBS nibs. I also have some transparent barrel 456s that are a nice change to the same color. Wish you happy holidays & a wondrous new year.
Thanks, Chris. The same to you and yours. My first 456 was a clear glass. I broke it and had Beini replace the barrel for me. I'm not that fond of metal sections even when they are textured like on the Moonman T1. I'm glad you got a Dopamine. I'll be interested to see that review as it is a very interesting variation and a unique nib.
Always a pleasure to hear from you. I prefer the 355 finish.
Thanks, Ichiro!
Hi Douglas, lovely comparison between these two beautiful pens. Oh, talking about dropping a pen, I dropped my Jinhao 200 outside on concrete, and it didn't get any damage, I was surprised.....and happy :)
Many Jinhaos you can drive over with a car and they are fine.
@@InkquiringMinds I have yet to buy the 100 but I think I may need to get the ice/sky blue and maybe a green....I only have one green pen. It was my birthday on the 15 and my parents bought me a Pineider Avatar in glorious green :)
@@misswoodhouse5720 Now THAT is a beautiful pen!
@@InkquiringMinds My mum bought it from Appelboom so I got waffles yay :)
@@InkquiringMinds Hi Doug, its so lovely in the green, I am thinking of inking it up with Robert Oster Green Green as I got a bottle earlier this year. :)
I love the Take-Sumi ink, but don't hear/see it mentioned often - thank you for demonstrating it here. I have a PBBS 309 and 456, as well as an MM-M800 on order - thanks to your reviews, perhaps I'll try it in one of those.
I am NOT a black ink fan. But there are two blackish inks that I really love. The Take Sumi is like black silk - so smooth and wet. And it isn't jet black; it is like a charcoal grey/black. The other ink is J. Herbin Stormy Grey which is like Take Sumi with gold shimmer.
@@InkquiringMinds I once attended a presentation by a prominent Japanese calligrapher, @Sisyu8, who introduced her audience to....Japanese calligraphy, including how sumi ink is made. In short order, I tried Take-Sumi ("bamboo charcoal") and have been hooked since. It even seems to have some consistency of sumi/charcoal in both feel and appearance.
Great video Doug so glad i have a 456 Niangao coming.Sure you didn't have 2 takes on that section swap😉.Will have to keep my eyes open for a 355,i like the amber is a cat but they are like hens teeth(scarce).I wait with anticipation your best pen video.
Thanks 👍 I do lots of takes when I screw up but on that one, that was live on camera!
Stunning finish. Myself I went for a little different one ; MOON RIVER greener... Thanks for the review.
Good choice! Moonriver is a great cracked ice green.
Hi Doug, I really like the new intro. Beautiful picking right there. On to pens....I really like the 355's overall design aesthetic better than the 456. The 355 resembles a Pelikan Souveran quite a bit. Two Sundays ago when PenBBS Christmas happened, in addition to the 456 Blue Galaxy, I totally fell in love with the Purple Cloud color, but I would only allow myself one. So, the Blue Galaxy won no question. Well now, after seeing the 355 I think Purple Cloud would look fabulous in that model, and don't you know the store has one! It says old version. I'm not sure if that is a good or a bad thing? Lovely collection of 456s and 355s. Super fun! Lots of options to write with that is for sure! Thank you! Please stay safe and healthy! ✨ ❄️ ⛄️ 🎄 🤶🏻 🎅🏻 🎁 ✨
Watch my video on the 355 old version. It works okay if you are vigilant about not over tightening the rod into the piston. th-cam.com/video/9tM-9iiaF-o/w-d-xo.html
Gotcha! Thank you I will go check it out.
I had forgotten. Yes, now I remember.
Slapshot! Oh, kudos to you, sir, a classic! 456 is so much fun to write with. I've got dark paint, a nice finish with lots of
clear area to see the ink. Sorry to hear that you had one break from a little fall onto carpet, ugh, that's not good. Hope
I can avoid similar.
It was an easy fix. I wrote to Beini on Etsy and she sold me a new barrel for it for $8 and included it with another pen order I made so I had free shipping.
Nice review! I have to admit that I really really really really ...really really...really (repeat to fade) want a 456 Galaxy. But the Niangao finish is very stylish and eye-catching.
I'm hoping to get my Galaxy 456 before Christmas!
I’ve seen the Niangao finish on Etsy, but I’ve skipped it over while looking for pens in Galaxy. I’ll have to order one of these (after my two other orders arrive).
Don't wait too long, they go fast.
I was pleasantly shocked by the appearance of Niangao. And Galaxy! I wonder if it's a sign. The Cordierite and Verdure finishes are nice too, one wispy blue smoke and the other cloudy spring green. Can't get them all so I have to choose one quick. I'll probably get decision paralysis and miss the lot. Argh.
You snooze, you lose!
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah...the gift thing is wrapped up. Time to treat myself. Either the pen or a case of ink vials ☺️
@@InkquiringMinds Oh, there's an old posting nib pen on the 'Bay....and it's gold. Good for my cheap paper havin' self.
Hi Doug pls can you review the ebonite version of Wancai?
I don't have ANY version of the Wancai. So, I will look out for the ebonite version.
Ok, there goes some more money down the rabbit hole. So, sometime in january I'll have my triple sets of a 456 and a 355 in Niangao, Galaxy and Autumn. I prefer the Autumn finish over the Amber version as Amber is a bit too translucent for my taste. I'm still hoping for a 308 and a 456 in Sunset...
That's a nice collection Stephan! When I get my 456 Galaxy in a week or two, I''ll have pairs of 355/456 in Galaxy, Amber, and Niangao.
Very nice resin,my cant wait for my 480 in same to arrive I ordered it 01/12 tracking shows it's on a flight today.Do you have any in Autumn
I don't have any autumn in Penbbs although I had an "autumn" Jinhao 51A
@@InkquiringMinds will look forward to your best of 2020 thank you again.
Does Bienni from PenBBS always drop new colors and models in Sundays per your comment 3 yrs ago? Is there a specific time this is done? Thks as always for your guidance!
Not anymore. Things have changed a bit since the pandemic.
About the 456 frenzy ... I picked up 5 on the dec 6 release and they delivered today; 10 days to Chicago!
Cordiérite, Frostfire, Galaxy, Black Tortoise and Tuzi...
Tuzi is a stunning resin, I’d rate it even atop Galaxy and Amber.
Frostfire and Black Tortoise beautiful too. Cordiérite is meh...
Niango came up the day after, I passed; trying to avoid 456 overload 😉
If you don't mind me asking, is there a particular merchant that you prefer to shop with? I always have to settle for some finish I don't really care for just to try the filling systems/nibs.
I always deal with the official Penbbs shop on Etsy. If you miss the good resins because they sell out, you might have to look at dealers on eBay which inflate the prices. One of the best shops on eBay that has a great selection of Penbbs is chacewang
@@robbinallan3767 PenBBS official store on Etsy is first choice. Esybuy on Etsy is also a good place for Chinese pens, they do carry some PenBBS too.
Probably not going to be getting a reply on this but how much do those limited run pens cost usually?
I'm thinking of getting the light blue with gold 456 called winter night. Or maybe I should wait for the next sudden appearance of a limited version....
They tend to be in the $35-$40 range.
I love that finish. Now I'm going to look through my old Jinhao pens and try to tell myself how content I am with what I have😘🤑😂
There's a whole bunch of NEW Jinhao models out now too. I'll have a couple of them in my hands in a week or so.
Beautiful finish but I think I prefer the 1st batch finish it just pops more for me but that could be just be the way the camera shows the colours
I totally agree! It is much warmer.
So Doug, if there’s one Penbbs piston filler fountain pen you would recommend above all other penbbs piston jobs, prithee can you reveal what that would be. My penbbs 323 is in need of company.
Hey Andrew. Well, Penbbs only have ONE piston filler and that is the 309 and I'm not thrilled with that model at all. The piston sticks constantly. I will be reviewing a new version of the Wing Sung 699 that is a piston filler in a couple of weeks. I just took it out of the box this minute. So, we'll see how good it is.
Mr. Indi, Its a pretty good looking pen .
Thank you, K!
Tuzi the cat actually belongs to another stationery retailer in China so you don't see Tuzi with Beini.
That’s odd because I’ve bought Tuzi on the PenBBS Etsy site before.
@@InkquiringMinds yea, I meant it as the reason you don't see the Cat itself with Beini, not that she won't sell the pen named for Tuzi.
@@zchen358 LOL! That’s funny! Thanks. It is nice to know that Tuzi the Cat is out there!
Can't have enough cats. I prefer the 355 section.
Thanks, Wendy!
I’ve never really noticed someone “press the nib down 7 times” like that to willingly splay the tines to make it wetter. I’m not sure I’d feel safe doing so, but i might have to try it when I get this, or another, penbbs pen.
Some "nibmeisters" push the tines on to the top of their thumb nails, but it basically does the same thing.
One more question and forgive me if you’ve addressed this before - I’m just getting into your videos: have you tried the rounded nibs from penbbs?
They have ref, rm and standard upturned fine (like these niangaos I believe). I’ve heard the rounded ones are generally smoother, so I figured maybe you’d enjoy those nibs more, but maybe not.
@@passthebutter3 I have a couple of RM (round medium) and a REF (round extra fine). I prefer the standard mini-fude fine nib as they write a thicker line than usual fine nibs - closer to medium - and they have a lot of character.
Oh, that cheeky grin, Sir Doug...."I already have it"......Reminds me of PeeWee Herman in Peewee's Big Adventure when he is talking to Francis......."You don't wan't it because you already have it"
Tricky maneuver switching those sections.... 😉🖋
Of course, if I had an on-camera messy accident, it would boost ratings!
I've never been compared to PeeWee Herman before! LOL
fyi - 456 in Niangao is available again!
I've got one! :)
@@InkquiringMinds now me too - hopefully others too before they vanish!!!
355! 355! 355! 355! 355! 355!
~nudges Detman's record player~
@@InkquiringMinds Hahahaha...that was a good one!! The 355 just makes me smile inside and out. I'm really praying that they bring back a line of them. I have a set of money put aside to buy them up on etsy if they ever do.
Is this “Niangao” “年糕” that I understand? How's it taste?😂
😂😂😂
Yup, it's 年糕. We should send Doug some 紅豆年糕 for CNY with cooking instructions. 😉
@@yuklimka7251 hahaha，agree.
I actually discuss rice cake in the video!
@@InkquiringMinds Yeah，I saw it😂.
Stunning finish, no argument on that one. Finishes are getting very flash aren’t they? I wouldn’t like to be a cat 🐈 or 🐕 in China as they’re listed as consumable domestic items. Ugh.
I thought dogs were, but I also though cats were considered good luck. Hence, the waving cat lucky charm.