Another nice review, James. I also watch reviews of pens I have to confirm my impressions, either good or bad. When I haven’t liked a pen I watch reviews to see if I can do something to fix what I don’t like or, if more experienced people haven’t been able to fix that, just give up.
@@Cortesevasive whatever dude, just keep buying it then. I like fountain pens, but not to that extent. You have money, go for it. I have other things to take care of. To me, it's just pens, not crazy luxury things, so yeah. Edit: This also remind me of Apple users, paying so much for a product, just because they are "exclusive", and dissing china phones, just because they are cheap.
Can't wait to get my hands on that TWSBI Prussian Blue ! I've given up on cheap Chinese fountain pens, although I also love my Wing Sungs, especially 3013 (I also have all 5 colours)
I am so glad you finally got your copy of this pen. Been waiting for this review. You hit 3k subs in 11 months??? Don't blink, you will miss 5k. Ps. I reuse the disposable ink cartridges by refilling them with a small ink/printer syringe. That way I do not have to dip the pen in the ink, and when the ink gets low in the bottle, the syringe picks up to the last drop. You might consider that, or even make a video of it. If you don't have any syringes, they are cheap. Check it out. And thanks again for your efforts.
Yes, I do the same with cartridges, especially for pens with proprietary cartridges that I've not bought a converter for. My set of three syringes were cheaper than some converters.
I love your enthusiasm. You are aware that there are two companies called Wing Sung, right? I think the 3 digit models are from one and 4 digit numbers from the other.
Adding some thoughts a year after my previous comment. While I still really like this pen, over the last few days one of my several 698s developed a curious issue. The nib and feed fell out of the section and will now barely stay in place via friction fit. I did replace the nib a long time ago, swapping it for a Wing S medium, but wrote with the pen a lot since. This may be just a quirk with this one pen but I'm a little wary of inking it up again. Ideally if the feed were just a little tighter into the section, if the manufacturing tolerances were just a shade more precise, it'd be perfect. (I think it's an issue with the section as I swapped out the nib and feed from a donor pen & the issue remains.)
Nice to hear you praise that Chinese nib, James. When folk say, 'As a bonus, you can swap the nib out for a _German_ one!", I wonder why you'd need to in most recent Chinese pens as their points and feeds are hugely improved. If you want a fancy stub, a super-flexi or whatever, go for it. But am I exceptional in finding these models usually write nicely right out of the box and _stay_ reliable? If too wet or dry, a nib tweak can match ink flow level to your personal taste-I searched YT for _fountain pen wetness_ and easily learned how.
Unfortunately, the 3 digit Wing Sung company suffers from "Friday Afternoon models" where the quality control isn't as good. But if you get a good one, they are really good. I have have 5 different models, and it is my only demonstrator, a 698 that I dislike the nib but it may just find redemption after a polish. But my favourite is a 601a. It's a vacuum filler, looks just the business, and is a pleasure to write with daily.
I haven't done another video, but mine is still in good shape. Never dries out, no cracking. The only change I've made is a nib swap to another Wing Sung nib that I like a bit better. It has been a great pen.
@@JG3Reviews Thanks .. I ordered one after I watched your video. I've been enjoying wider nibs more recently, so if the ends up truly like an fine nib I may try to find a nib to swap. Pen should get here by the end of the week :)
My LAMY Safari just came today. It’s my 2nd fountain pen other than my TWSBI eco I got a few weeks ago. Now I know why the ECO is such a good pen because I’ve been looking for a good priced piston filler it’s really hard to find one at a good price lol. That being said I’ve had my eye on this 698 for some time now. I was actually going to get it for my first pen but couldn’t resist not pulling the trigger on the TWSBI
Well they write well i have 4 of them one just like yours , one transparent with white cap and turning knob , one in solid black with golden trims , and one fully ransparent with golden trims and 14 k gold nib .
I just bought the 14 k gold nib. How does yours run? Mine is a little draggy, and it is a fine, hoping it would not be, found out after I bought it, that is my fault. I am not a fine fan at all.
Hello. First I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your review. I do have one question; after 2 years what is your current impression of this Wing Sung pen?
One of the pens I've had my eye on. It's been on my "to get" list, so I'm glad to see your first impressions. On my fixed income, I kind of either can get several ultra cheap pens (an have) or one decent pen about once a month, so this one (FINALLY a medium one from Wing Sung!) will be happening soon. (The same income limits my ink purchase and selection to not usually more than one bottle a month, too. This ink you showed is in a colour that I've been thinking of getting, as well.) Thanks again!
Hey James, there’s a Chinese pen I’ve been considering that looks nice, but I can’t find a single review on it on TH-cam... it has a 14k nib and is called Hongdian 885 (I think - names can be hard to follow). Have you heard of it? Any thoughts or intention to review some time?
How does this compare with the wing sung 3008/3013? i bought the wing sung 3008 a few months ago and was honestly somewhat dissapointed. it felt cheap, the twist knob on the back was loose, and the nib was most certainly not the smoothest, even after tuning. Now i am looking at possibly either the 3013 or the 698. any input would be appreciated!
I noticed on the Etsy shop you listed that you purchased the 2019 version. Is there another version or update? I am seriously considering buying this and/or the 659. Also, is this smoother than the Twsbi? I saw your review for that one as well.
I would definitely choose this over the 659. I had to alter my initial recommendation of the 659. Mine cracked after a year. This pen, however, is still in great working order. I do prefer the Eco nib a bit, I like its slight feedback. But I enjoy both pens.
Wing sung 698 EF that I bought was very nice. But ink leaked so I had to return it. I wonder if there is any way to fix it. Other than that, the pen was very good for the price. I think it's better than my platinum 3776 except for leaks.
It's a "Pilot style" nib, and swappable with nibs from pens like the Kakuno & Prera. From what I've read it can accept a JOWO #5 as well, but I haven't tried it myself (and I'm a little skeptical? I'd stick to the Pilot and other Wing Sung replacements).
Well that's another ink I need to buy then. It's quite striking. As for the pen, I think you may get a lot of enjoyment from it as I do with mine. I find them to be super reliable and sturdy, reassuringly heavy without being over the top. JPL did a good comparison between this and the WS 3008; I think he was spot on. The stock nib on the 3008 is more fun than my stock 698 nib, but the 698 is the better daily driver. Drop a bomb on it and the bomb will end up more damaged than the pen* *Don't try this at home.
After having to spend for a year it’s great. It’s very wet in one of the smoothest pens I own. Only thing is it hard starts all the time if you don’t use a good amount of pressure. Are there any replacement nibs that you recommend that would fit well on this pen? Thanks in advance
I eventually replaced mine with another Wing Sung "Pilot Style" nib I took from another pen. It's an EF and very good. You can get replacement nibs on eBay from a few sellers.
Here's a Yosemite memory which if they aren't careful will be shared by others: while sitting at a picnic table with a friend and about to enjoy a well earned snack, I was jumped and dispossessed by one of their obstreperous jays. It's easy see why it's sacred land.
This is great pen, you can switch nib from a cheap plumix to get a great italic stub nib. You do have to be careful about posting, as you can unscrew the top quite easily.
Wing Sung brand belong to Hero and they licensed that name to quite a few companies . Wing Sung 3013 ( the hole 3xxx series it's made by Wing Sung Educational ) Wing Sung 698 ( and the 6xx series it's made by Green Stationery ) almost all pens made by Green are higher quality pens that writes well !
Thanks for sharing this! I've been happy with the Wing Sung pens I've gotten, but my only one in the 6xx series (a 6100) is nice enough that it's used probably the most of my pens. Your explanation explained that to me. Knew Wing Sung was part of the Hero pen conglomerate, and the nicest of this group, but I hadn't heard that there was different manufacturers for the same name, before.
@@paulherman5822 Well you must have wandered way are so many new Wing Sung fountain pens in so many styles different from each other and with so many differences in terms of quality ! The beast pens from Wing Sung are made by Green and in terms of quality it's on the same level with PenBBS , Moon Man . Well three are a few pens from Wing Sung - Green that are very well received in the fountain pen community : Wing Sung 618 , 601 , 613 (those are hooded nib fountain pens ) , Wing Sung 626 , 659 ( different type and size open nibs , cartridge/converter fountain pens) , Wing Sung 698 ( well you know that it's a piston filling fountain pen with a pilot type nib and feed ) , Wing Sung 699 ( that pen it comes with 2 variants of filling systems Vacumatic and piston filer ) , Wing Sung 601 A ( Vacuum filer fountain pen with a conical nib design ) , Also the Wing Sung 698 , 626 , 699 , 618 , 601 are made also in version with 14 k Gold nibs .
@@fountainpencollection I've just fairly recently gotten back into fountain pens, after over 30 years, so I'm just feeling my way around still. My prior experience was with lever fillers, so I have a lot of things to catch up on! 😁 I appreciate the education! (Most of the 6-series are on my current "to get" list. Like I said, I am very happy with the 6100 (a virtually identical one to the 666), and am looking for great recommendations. My only issue is my income. I'm on a disability income, so it's either several cheap pens or maybe just 1 or 2 more in the line of the 698's price, or I save up. Still looking for vintage pens like I used to have, but I am definitely interested in all fountain pens. Any "budget friendly" ones catch my attention. 😁
Another nice review, James. I also watch reviews of pens I have to confirm my impressions, either good or bad. When I haven’t liked a pen I watch reviews to see if I can do something to fix what I don’t like or, if more experienced people haven’t been able to fix that, just give up.
A very simple, effective locking mechanism to prevent unwanted pocket accidents. Hard to say no to a medium nib, demonstrator piston filler.
Great video. I may buy this pen and add it to my collection. I have the same ink and love it. Have a Happy Father's Day!!!
Thank you!
With the flourishing of the Chinese fountain pen industry, what a great time we live in.
Yeah but still why we should downgrade from Japanese master race pens
@@Cortesevasive Because not everyone can justify spending hundred of dollars for an overpriced pen dude? Yes they are good, but too expensive to me.
@@NamHoang-mh4ev yeah because japanese dont produce affordable fountain pens, its better to buy 20chinasungflu
@@Cortesevasive whatever dude, just keep buying it then. I like fountain pens, but not to that extent. You have money, go for it. I have other things to take care of. To me, it's just pens, not crazy luxury things, so yeah.
Edit: This also remind me of Apple users, paying so much for a product, just because they are "exclusive", and dissing china phones, just because they are cheap.
@@Cortesevasive the victims of capitalism buy expensive pens who's cost of production is not even 1/10th of its price.
My favorite pen. Period.
Can't wait to get my hands on that TWSBI Prussian Blue !
I've given up on cheap Chinese fountain pens, although I also love my Wing Sungs, especially 3013 (I also have all 5 colours)
Twsbi is taiwanese which belongs to china. Also all twisbi pens I had broke because they are cheap crap.
gave up twisb after the first purchase
That's the first TWSBI I purchased! love it.
The 3013 and the 698 are made by two different unrelated companies, both called Wing Sung.
That looks like some nice ink. Thank you for the review. Think I am going to get both this pen and ink.
That combo is very nice. The ink and the pen are a good match.
I am so glad you finally got your copy of this pen. Been waiting for this review. You hit 3k subs in 11 months??? Don't blink, you will miss 5k. Ps. I reuse the disposable ink cartridges by refilling them with a small ink/printer syringe. That way I do not have to dip the pen in the ink, and when the ink gets low in the bottle, the syringe picks up to the last drop. You might consider that, or even make a video of it. If you don't have any syringes, they are cheap. Check it out. And thanks again for your efforts.
Yes, I do the same with cartridges, especially for pens with proprietary cartridges that I've not bought a converter for. My set of three syringes were cheaper than some converters.
JG3 Reviews I bet some of your viewers like to see you refill a cartridge. if you already did that video I missed it and need to go back to see it.
I love your enthusiasm. You are aware that there are two companies called Wing Sung, right? I think the 3 digit models are from one and 4 digit numbers from the other.
AFAIK it's a brand owned by Hero and licensed to other manufacturers. Some are made by Jinhao, some are made by other manufacturers.
Adding some thoughts a year after my previous comment. While I still really like this pen, over the last few days one of my several 698s developed a curious issue. The nib and feed fell out of the section and will now barely stay in place via friction fit. I did replace the nib a long time ago, swapping it for a Wing S medium, but wrote with the pen a lot since. This may be just a quirk with this one pen but I'm a little wary of inking it up again. Ideally if the feed were just a little tighter into the section, if the manufacturing tolerances were just a shade more precise, it'd be perfect. (I think it's an issue with the section as I swapped out the nib and feed from a donor pen & the issue remains.)
Nice to hear you praise that Chinese nib, James. When folk say, 'As a bonus, you can swap the nib out for a _German_ one!", I wonder why you'd need to in most recent Chinese pens as their points and feeds are hugely improved. If you want a fancy stub, a super-flexi or whatever, go for it. But am I exceptional in finding these models usually write nicely right out of the box and _stay_ reliable? If too wet or dry, a nib tweak can match ink flow level to your personal taste-I searched YT for _fountain pen wetness_ and easily learned how.
Unfortunately, the 3 digit Wing Sung company suffers from "Friday Afternoon models" where the quality control isn't as good. But if you get a good one, they are really good. I have have 5 different models, and it is my only demonstrator, a 698 that I dislike the nib but it may just find redemption after a polish. But my favourite is a 601a. It's a vacuum filler, looks just the business, and is a pleasure to write with daily.
I'm on a quest to find the perfect green ink, and that Yosemite Green is definitely high on my list! Thanks for the great review!
please have a look on the Alt-Goldgrun from Rohrer and Klingner and tell me if you like it like i do
Tried the Dark-green from Pelikan, i like it a lot.
Hi .. was there ever a follow up? I'm getting one with a which I hope writes a bit more like a Enjoy your reviews.
I haven't done another video, but mine is still in good shape. Never dries out, no cracking. The only change I've made is a nib swap to another Wing Sung nib that I like a bit better. It has been a great pen.
@@JG3Reviews Thanks .. I ordered one after I watched your video. I've been enjoying wider nibs more recently, so if the ends up truly like an fine nib I may try to find a nib to swap. Pen should get here by the end of the week :)
Hi enjoyed your review. I have three 698's all with fine nib and I love them. Do you have a video on how to lube the piston?
I don't, but I believe Chrisrap52 has a complete take down of the 698 on his channel.
My LAMY Safari just came today. It’s my 2nd fountain pen other than my TWSBI eco I got a few weeks ago. Now I know why the ECO is such a good pen because I’ve been looking for a good priced piston filler it’s really hard to find one at a good price lol. That being said I’ve had my eye on this 698 for some time now. I was actually going to get it for my first pen but couldn’t resist not pulling the trigger on the TWSBI
Well they write well i have 4 of them one just like yours , one transparent with white cap and turning knob , one in solid black with golden trims , and one fully ransparent with golden trims and 14 k gold nib .
I just bought the 14 k gold nib. How does yours run? Mine is a little draggy, and it is a fine, hoping it would not be, found out after I bought it, that is my fault. I am not a fine fan at all.
Nice review, that green is named very well.
Hello. First I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your review. I do have one question; after 2 years what is your current impression of this Wing Sung pen?
It has been a reliable pen. No cracking on mine, never fails to write well. I keep it inked with Monteverde Ruby Red.
Can you fill it with an eyedropper as well? What i mean is if the barrel comes off. Thank you.
One of the pens I've had my eye on. It's been on my "to get" list, so I'm glad to see your first impressions. On my fixed income, I kind of either can get several ultra cheap pens (an have) or one decent pen about once a month, so this one (FINALLY a medium one from Wing Sung!) will be happening soon. (The same income limits my ink purchase and selection to not usually more than one bottle a month, too. This ink you showed is in a colour that I've been thinking of getting, as well.) Thanks again!
Better to save up what you gonna do with 20 disposable pens afterwards
Hey James, there’s a Chinese pen I’ve been considering that looks nice, but I can’t find a single review on it on TH-cam... it has a 14k nib and is called Hongdian 885 (I think - names can be hard to follow). Have you heard of it? Any thoughts or intention to review some time?
I'm not familiar with it either.
How does this compare with the wing sung 3008/3013? i bought the wing sung 3008 a few months ago and was honestly somewhat dissapointed. it felt cheap, the twist knob on the back was loose, and the nib was most certainly not the smoothest, even after tuning. Now i am looking at possibly either the 3013 or the 698. any input would be appreciated!
The 698 is considered by most to the be the best of the three. Better build. I like this medium, but like their fine a bit more.
I noticed on the Etsy shop you listed that you purchased the 2019 version. Is there another version or update? I am seriously considering buying this and/or the 659. Also, is this smoother than the Twsbi? I saw your review for that one as well.
I would definitely choose this over the 659. I had to alter my initial recommendation of the 659. Mine cracked after a year. This pen, however, is still in great working order. I do prefer the Eco nib a bit, I like its slight feedback. But I enjoy both pens.
Wing sung 698 EF that I bought was very nice.
But ink leaked so I had to return it.
I wonder if there is any way to fix it.
Other than that, the pen was very good for the price.
I think it's better than my platinum 3776 except for leaks.
They still sell this and I can’t find if it is a size 5 or 6 nib? I have the 3008s and love them but thought I would move up if it is a 5ish type nib.
It's a "Pilot style" nib, and swappable with nibs from pens like the Kakuno & Prera. From what I've read it can accept a JOWO #5 as well, but I haven't tried it myself (and I'm a little skeptical? I'd stick to the Pilot and other Wing Sung replacements).
Well that's another ink I need to buy then. It's quite striking. As for the pen, I think you may get a lot of enjoyment from it as I do with mine. I find them to be super reliable and sturdy, reassuringly heavy without being over the top. JPL did a good comparison between this and the WS 3008; I think he was spot on. The stock nib on the 3008 is more fun than my stock 698 nib, but the 698 is the better daily driver. Drop a bomb on it and the bomb will end up more damaged than the pen*
*Don't try this at home.
After having to spend for a year it’s great. It’s very wet in one of the smoothest pens I own. Only thing is it hard starts all the time if you don’t use a good amount of pressure. Are there any replacement nibs that you recommend that would fit well on this pen? Thanks in advance
I eventually replaced mine with another Wing Sung "Pilot Style" nib I took from another pen. It's an EF and very good. You can get replacement nibs on eBay from a few sellers.
Thank you very much for the video. where did you buy the pen?
I bought mine from Bobby on Etsy.
www.etsy.com/listing/636199748/2019-model-wing-sung-698-transparent
Here's a Yosemite memory which if they aren't careful will be shared by others: while sitting at a picnic table with a friend and about to enjoy a well earned snack, I was jumped and dispossessed by one of their obstreperous jays. It's easy see why it's sacred land.
This is great pen, you can switch nib from a cheap plumix to get a great italic stub nib. You do have to be careful about posting, as you can unscrew the top quite easily.
Why this has packaging similar to Pilot Kakuno...
Do you have any interest in brush pens?
I haven't had much experience myself, but our daughter got a Pilot Petit brush pen for Christmas and really likes writing with it.
Why buy from etsy vs alibaba?
My bank won't do Ali.
Wing Sung brand belong to Hero and they licensed that name to quite a few companies .
Wing Sung 3013 ( the hole 3xxx series it's made by Wing Sung Educational ) Wing Sung 698 ( and the 6xx series it's made by Green Stationery ) almost all pens made by Green are higher quality pens that writes well !
Thanks for sharing this! I've been happy with the Wing Sung pens I've gotten, but my only one in the 6xx series (a 6100) is nice enough that it's used probably the most of my pens. Your explanation explained that to me.
Knew Wing Sung was part of the Hero pen conglomerate, and the nicest of this group, but I hadn't heard that there was different manufacturers for the same name, before.
@@paulherman5822 Well you must have wandered way are so many new Wing Sung fountain pens in so many styles different from each other and with so many differences in terms of quality !
The beast pens from Wing Sung are made by Green and in terms of quality it's on the same level with PenBBS , Moon Man .
Well three are a few pens from Wing Sung - Green that are very well received in the fountain pen community : Wing Sung 618 , 601 , 613 (those are hooded nib fountain pens ) , Wing Sung 626 , 659 ( different type and size open nibs , cartridge/converter fountain pens) , Wing Sung 698 ( well you know that it's a piston filling fountain pen with a pilot type nib and feed ) , Wing Sung 699 ( that pen it comes with 2 variants of filling systems Vacumatic and piston filer ) , Wing Sung 601 A ( Vacuum filer fountain pen with a conical nib design ) , Also the Wing Sung 698 , 626 , 699 , 618 , 601 are made also in version with 14 k Gold nibs .
@@fountainpencollection I've just fairly recently gotten back into fountain pens, after over 30 years, so I'm just feeling my way around still. My prior experience was with lever fillers, so I have a lot of things to catch up on! 😁 I appreciate the education! (Most of the 6-series are on my current "to get" list. Like I said, I am very happy with the 6100 (a virtually identical one to the 666), and am looking for great recommendations. My only issue is my income. I'm on a disability income, so it's either several cheap pens or maybe just 1 or 2 more in the line of the 698's price, or I save up. Still looking for vintage pens like I used to have, but I am definitely interested in all fountain pens. Any "budget friendly" ones catch my attention. 😁
TWSBI better than chinese knock offs. change my mind
TWSBI pens crack when you look at them too sternly.
@@darkchocolate4643 And some chinese pens crack even when don't look at them ... 😛