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Thanks Doug for another sincere review. My experience with WS601a was exactly the same, extremely feedbacky to the point of being scratchy. A bit of micromeshing solve the issue since replace the nib is a bit painful. Overall the pen is nice, so nice that I brought a flighter model of the exposed nib (including the grip section) and replaced the nib for a #5 1.1....it become a daily writer for me.
Thanks for sharing. I just this moment replaced the nib on the 601a Lake Blue with one that my wife had sprung in the 601a and I had replaced. I fixed sprung nib and took the pen apart. It is a bit of a challenge to get things lined up but now it is a beauty!
Hi Doug, I have owned this Wing Sung 601A, albeit with the plain cap, unlike yours; for about a couple of years and really enjoy using it. Straight out of the box, my nib only needed a touch of micromeshing and the pen sits very comfortable in my hand; making it one of my 3-pen everyday carry pouch. A bit of trivia here, the Chinese words on the nib is pronounced “yourng shern” and it means immortal life - quite out-there actually. Wing Sung is the anglicised form. Good video by the way. Cheers.
@@InkquiringMinds You are right in saying that. Just to split hairs, the anglicised name can vary somewhat depending on which part of China the name is being pronounced. It has parallel to the English language being spoken throughout the UK, with different accents but is understood by all. Similarly the name (pronounced in Chinese) in say, Beijing would sound slightly different to that in Shanghai and different again in Guangzhou(Canton). The same words spoken in Cantonese(a Chinese dialect) in Hong Kong sounds different yet again, but are all bound together by a common denominator - the written text. Keep the videos coming Doug.
a great review--liked and subscribed. i don't expect much of any pen in this price range and really don't spend more than about 30 $ for any pen. probably not anywhere near as experienced and not likely to become familiar with higher dollar models. i got a sailor ecoule the other day and find it pretty scratchy, but the script looks very nice and it's nice looking. for my limited writing of notes, i can't justify spending a lot of money and losing the pen at the grocery store.
For the money I do like the 601/a pens but like yourself I've had nib issues with wingsung/ moonman . But when the pens cost so little it's always a gamble . Often a few moments with a fine micro pad solves the issues .
I keep looking at these but the mixed reviews holds me back. It looks like a cool everyday pen. AliExpress is having their 11.11 sale and I'm going to see if there's anything I can't pass up. I was in indecision mode all summer. Good for the wallet, bad for my overthinking brain. If I get something I'll get it by February hopefully 😊 or a few weeks. It's a gamble!
I've had some fairly normal shipping from both eBay and Aliexpress lately. I just replaced the nib on my 601a with one from my wife's 601a which she had sprung and I got her a new one and installed it for her. But, I keep the sprung nib and today I fixed it and put it on my 601a and it is terrific. Still very stiff, but smooth and wet.
You may be surprised Doug, but even Sheaffer Vintage Triumph nibs can feel slightly rough at writing. As the number of Triumph nibs in my collection increases, I realized the F and EF nibs are the problematic ones, I experience it with the Imperial II and III, and stylist with mini-triumph nibs, and even with the imperial IV and VIII with inlaid nibs. So each time I get a vintage sheaffer with a F or EF nib, I start to make preparations for some nib smoothing. Of course, that doesn't rule out the fact that Wing Sung/Hero, Jinhao and Moonman are infamous for their lack of consistency in the QC of their products. Even some brands like Monteverde and Conklin (modern) has certainly bad reputation. Thank you for the video Doug. I would love to see a follow up when you get your pen writing better... or should I just say, "after the nibectomy"? 😂.
Yeah, I'm not surprised at all Jorge. The shape of the nib just makes the nib extra stiff. Some Sheaffer Triumphs were given the Sheaffer "upsweep" treatment or that upswept Waverly design of many Sheaffer nibs including my Targa. That adds some flexibility and mitigates some of the stiffness the tubular nib creates. I replaced the nib yesterday in a successful operation which included a spare WS nib that had been sprung. I'm thinking of repeating the process for the camera.
Professor Doug, It is certainly a slick looking pen in all aspects of the pen. Overall I have been lucky with my Chinese pens writing well. When presented with the option I always choose M. Like yourself I have always had a stache, since grade 8, the toughest 4 years of my life. It gets me almost 50 years of facial hair, now I sport an Einstein. Continue the good work sir, your humble servant.
The one thing with these pens is consistency. This is my second 601A. The first Wass scratchy. The second one was perfect. Same thing happened with the Hong Dian 1841. Thankfully they are not expensive. Caveat emptor.
@@paulmchugh1430 I just replaced the nib with one that my wife had sprung in her burgundy 601a. I fixed the nib and replaced the one on my Lake Blue and it works beautifully.
That is certainly an option. I hadn't thought of doing that with the 601A. I have changed other pens' nibs. I didn't think I could do the same with this pen.
Thanks for this. It's always disappointing when something doesn't match your expectations, no matter how cheap it is. Despite these disappointments, Chinese pens have given me the confidence to try new things without risking a lot of money, such as my first stub nib, the first pen I eye-droppered, my first hooded nib, and so on.
My experience is the same. The vast majority of my pen collection comprises cheap Chinese ones, but I've used these to gain enough experience to be dangerous, and they have not stopped me from buying the real deal. I have several mainstream brand pens which, to me, are premium. If I hadn't started with the cheap pens and clones, I would never have graduated to the mainstream ones. They do have a place and, provided I set my expectations realistically, nowadays they rarely disappoint me.
I got one last winter, with an exposed "regular" nib. A lovely, reliable writer -- once I figured out that the end "barrel" on the piston had fallen off. That's the great thing about inexpensive pens. We are willing to take them apart to see what the problem is. A note of thanks back then to Chris R for the demonstration. The tool I used to extract the stuck barrel section was a Goulet Pens lolly. ;)
Thanks, Doug! Sorry you got a dud because that's a great pen, IMHO. Any luck with micromesh; it can be a bit difficult with very fine nibs. Overall, my luck with pens from China has been fine, but I always hope for the best and prepare for...short of the best.
Maybe after the first of the year... I'm trying to not get anything beyond the bottle of ink I got to send to a friend, and then there's the vintage pen I hope to get in December. I keep seeing great reviews for virtually all the 601 line, yet am still balking, mainly because I regularly have other things that get in the way. Hopefully maybe January... Like other ones from Wing Sung, looks like the 601A can be hit or miss.
I find the nibs on the 601 line very stiff and boring. But I've replaced them with mini-fude nibs and the pens are fabulous. There's not much you can do with these tubular nibs. They look great but are far from a Sheaffer Triumph waverly upturned gold nib.
@@InkquiringMinds From what I've read, they're old stock, a the Wing Sung from then were 3xxx of today, at best. I have one, and though a regular nib, it's not that good.
I have a couple of these and they write in two very different ways. Neither is ultra feedbacky but neither pen is exactly smooth on the page. As an aside, referencing the point on the Jinhao 85 versus 2021 P51, did you know there is now also a Jinhao 86? This mimics the steel nibbed 2021 P51 (or maybe the P51 mimics the 86). Apart from being a couple of mm longer & requiring more turns to uncap, I really can't tell the difference unless I read the cap band imprint. The 86 has a plastic rather than brass barrel, comes in more colours, and it posts far more confidently. I actually really like the 86 for all these reasons and would recommend trying one out. I don't know if you can remove the hood on the 86 but I suspect not.
25:58 I thought so too but my first ever, and brand new, Montblanc wouldn't write. It was returned to the retailer for a full refund. I replaced it with a black Waterman Carene. Less money but at least it writes. In fact, the Carene is better made and writes beautifully. I have looked at the Wing Sung 601A many times but have hesitated about buying one. My favourite Chinese pen at the moment is that lovely Hongdian 1841 that you reviewed recently. I got one in the same colour and it's surprisingly good.
My very best writer (don't have Pelikans or Mont Blancs or Carenes) is a Hongdian 885 Mt Qomolangma with a 14k nib. Better than my Visconti and Waterman 18ks. No warranty, so, whew!
Wow I love the look of these, and wonder how well one could mitigate the issue with some micro mesh. I’ve got stiff sheaffer triumphs (waverly) and imperials (rounded) that are all joys to write with. I wonder if wing sung has more issues mimicking the sheaffer nibs, since they were not given the blueprints to the sheaffer pens in the same manor as the parkers? (as far as I know)
These tubular nibs were made by Wing Sung back in 2002. They are all very stiff. I replaced the one in this pen with one that I had pulled from Winn's 601a as she had sprung it. I fixed the nib and replaced it in my WS601a and it works very well now.
Doug: Watch your reviews as each is aired, and find the information therein are invaluable. Recently, I watched the Wing Sung 601A broadcast and had to seek your advice. Much like the Jinhao 51A and other hooded nib pens, my experience with the EF and F nibs has been less than outstanding. They are very scratchy, need to be precisely positioned to put down ink, and are different from pen to pen. I watched as you replaced a hooded nib and felt compelled to disregard my fear of destroying the entire pen and try some surgery myself. Are there M size hooded nibs? If so, which brand(s) would you recommend? It looks like one need only disassemble the section from the barrel, twist off the hood and slide a new nib in, but I'm the kind of DIY person who could foul up a one-man Saint Patrick's Day Parade ...and hesitate. If you have an opportunity, please respond. I'm getting better with nib replacement of PENBBS, Hong Dian, and Majohn (Avsine) models, but the slender hooded nibs still cause me fright. Thanks in advance, and please be aware that your insight, humor, and integrity bring joy to the cooling flats of Iowa. Have a great day.
Hey James. Thanks so much! The addition of a Bobby bent nib, or "mini-fude" nib to a WS601 or a Jinhao 51a improves those pens immensely! It is an easy swap even if you can't get the hood off, you can pull the old nib from the front and slide the new one in. Here is the source of Bobby's bent nibs for the hooded pens tinyurl.com/23f8fjku To see how I replaced the nib, watch my video review of the WS601 Flighter here th-cam.com/video/Xb6Dp4ESlxo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_7zMTAFHNLan6zch&t=691and start at 11:31.
How do you change a tubular nib, I got a dud this week. Maybe I'll ground it to a small stub. Also, I am looking at a 601a standard nib version in the clear demonstrator.
The teal /triumph gold nib/plunger 601A is fine- the wavy cap is not as it makes me feel sea sick. I’m sensitive about these things. Just so you know, Waterman make ballpoint for the Carene.
There are four other gold cap patterns; stripes (makes you feel like you're in prison), grid (makes you feel like a chess piece), twill (makes you feel like your life is in an eternal spiral), and diamond (makes you feel rich). Your choice. As to the Waterman Carene ballpoint, it is a ballpoint, who cares?
@@InkquiringMinds I was blown away by your revelation we began growing moustaches at the same age -3yrs . However I had to draw the line at shaving 🪒 off my beard. I liked a black 601A with windows 🪟 and a tubular nib. I recently received a Click bamboo fountain pen from Indian- they have a very unique and thorough way of packing pens in plastic boxes, bubble wrap and newspaper.
Doug - I must say your sense of humor, references to old Americana, are a joy to behold in every video update, in addition to invaluable pen technology tidbits that most of us would not get anywhere else. But if I may make a humble request, kindly don't recommend people like Bobby Pen on Etsy or eBay. I ordered my second set of pens from him, and the most expensive pen was left out. I am still dealing with Etsy on whether he should be allowed to sell on Etsy going forward (I am going to escalate as high as I need to go) but his response was wholly unprofessional when a case was opened, laying bare the perils of dealing with unknown sellers from China, who care little about their reputation on selling platforms. This was my second order from him, and presumably, my last. Not going to order a third time. You all have been warned.
I'm sorry to hear of your problem. I have not had issues with Bobby on Etsy, eBay or Aliexpress. He has responded personally and quickly to any questions I have had. I can only speak to my own experience and yours is the only time I've heard of issues with his stores. This does not invalidate your experience of course. I don't blame you a bit for ceasing to deal with him.
I got one on the way... another 1-2 weeks of waiting. Now I am curious how bad the nib will be and if I can make something out of it (as in fixing it.). I thought these nibs unscrew... are they glued in place? Why are they so hard to remove?
They are screw-on and they are glued. It isn't an epoxy glue and once you break the seal, they come off normally. I replaced the nib yesterday and the pen write great. I'm thinking of redoing the operation for the camera.
Is that wrench to remove the pump available? I would love to have this to maintain my 601A (red with the ink window). It is a wonderful pen. So smooth writing experience.
Excellent choices as far as color and nib. We have different tastes in cap designs and trim colors. Too bad we don't live closer to each other. I'd be on the phone and tell you "I'll get one in lake blue with a tubular nib, and let you have it in trade for that one, and you can keep your cap!" Unfortunately, with the holidays upon us almost, and the time it would take to mail one to me from China, and then me to mail it to you, and you to mail the trade back to me, we would be celebrating the holidays for 2022 before it got worked out. *sigh* Keep us posted on what you decide to do with this pen and whether or not you get the nib replaced successfully.
I can only get chrome tubular nibs for this pen which would throw the colour scheme off. I have one two-tone that is sprung, but I might try to fix it.
You've got the bling version with jewel finials on the cap and body. I got the single jewel finial, silver chromed vertically marked cap, with a windowless black body and plain steel nib. After a nib polish with micromesh that resolved some roughness, I love this pen. It's my favourite to use because of the filling system, its looks, and the posting. It's comfortable to use. As for quality control and consistency, Wing Sung has had poor nibs that often need tuning and refining. One came so damaged I had to file it into a stub nib! As for changing the nib, it may be easier than you think. I found that out on another Wing Sung tubular nibbed pen - the 235 model - that leaked from the top of the nib. This one just twists off the plastic feed on a thread and is easy to change. A careful smear of silicone grease on those threads, and screwing down the nib fixed that problem, and now it works like a charm. It took me five minutes to fix that, and I'm a greenhorn. You'll do way better.
@@InkquiringMinds Perhaps first an overnight soak in some pen cleaning solution - DIY or Purchased to clear any ink residue under the face of the nib and loosen up any ink/oil/substance X in the nib threads like ammonia mix or dish soap mix could work well? Then have at it? I'm interested because I have a Jinhao Centennial that has never written properly, despite being washed out several times with dish soap. (I've only ever filled it with Waterman and Koh-i-noor Document Ink, which are both well-behaved inks, and I beginning to suspect it might be the feed.)
@@BigHenFor Thanks for this. Those are good solutions for getting a feed working. Also, I hear White Lightning works miracles on improving ink flow. But, in this case, the feed is fine now that I've replaced the nib. It could be that the nib was misaligned on the feed, but the new nib works well.
@@mariatriesart8389 You can't make a fine nib a medium. You can make a medium a fine. You can go smaller by removing material but you can't make the tipping material larger.
Not true about penbbs answering your question. I posted a question on their Etsy shop, and never got an answer. They don't ship to us, I wanted one of their calligraphy nibs...
They have suspended shipping to various countries based on the shipping issues at the time. The US was precluded from shipping for a few months but is now available again. Write to Beini again or send her a note through Instagram. She usually responds.
I think a lot of your issues are ink-pen mismatch. That Topaz is among the driest blue inks I own as I recall things. I would suggest trying the pen with a known wet ink.
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After viewing this video, I am intersted to buy one of these. Very good video! And as I can see this pen is now available in medium
Thanks Doug for another sincere review. My experience with WS601a was exactly the same, extremely feedbacky to the point of being scratchy. A bit of micromeshing solve the issue since replace the nib is a bit painful. Overall the pen is nice, so nice that I brought a flighter model of the exposed nib (including the grip section) and replaced the nib for a #5 1.1....it become a daily writer for me.
Thanks for sharing. I just this moment replaced the nib on the 601a Lake Blue with one that my wife had sprung in the 601a and I had replaced. I fixed sprung nib and took the pen apart. It is a bit of a challenge to get things lined up but now it is a beauty!
Check your nuts! 😂😂😂😂 I can always count on you for a laugh, and hey! I went to a theatre high school too! 😁
Thanks Ginger! Not high school, college and university. And I was a professor of theatre design for 30+ years.
Thank you for spreading awareness.
My pleasure. Thank you, Santa Uxia!
Good on you for the Movember effort. Very commendable (and that 'tache looks great)
BTW, those photos of 'Young Doug' are obvious fakes - where are the hat and shades?
LOL
Thank you kindly
A welcomed and pleasant surprise! I love my 601 and have been on the fence on this one ... still on the fence!
Hi Doug, I have owned this Wing Sung 601A, albeit with the plain cap, unlike yours; for about a couple of years and really enjoy using it. Straight out of the box, my nib only needed a touch of micromeshing and the pen sits very comfortable in my hand; making it one of my 3-pen everyday carry pouch. A bit of trivia here, the Chinese words on the nib is pronounced “yourng shern” and it means immortal life - quite out-there actually. Wing Sung is the anglicised form. Good video by the way. Cheers.
Wing Sung seems to be changing their anglicized name to "Yong Shen".
@@InkquiringMinds You are right in saying that. Just to split hairs, the anglicised name can vary somewhat depending on which part of China the name is being pronounced. It has parallel to the English language being spoken throughout the UK, with different accents but is understood by all. Similarly the name (pronounced in Chinese) in say, Beijing would sound slightly different to that in Shanghai and different again in Guangzhou(Canton). The same words spoken in Cantonese(a Chinese dialect) in Hong Kong sounds different yet again, but are all bound together by a common denominator - the written text. Keep the videos coming Doug.
Wooh another wonderful review and looks like the 629 will be very interesting , can't wait to see it.
Fingers crossed!
a great review--liked and subscribed. i don't expect much of any pen in this price range and really don't spend more than about 30 $ for any pen. probably not anywhere near as experienced and not likely to become familiar with higher dollar models. i got a sailor ecoule the other day and find it pretty scratchy, but the script looks very nice and it's nice looking. for my limited writing of notes, i can't justify spending a lot of money and losing the pen at the grocery store.
Thank you, gregory!
There's also 601/601a 925 silver cap version with 14k nib （hooded or open nib）I have 3 of them ,it looks pretty well.
I've seen those.
You don’t mention it but mine came with some type of metal tool in the bag with the piston removal tool. Any ideas what it’s for?
I'd have to see a photo of it to know.
For the money I do like the 601/a pens but like yourself I've had nib issues with wingsung/ moonman . But when the pens cost so little it's always a gamble . Often a few moments with a fine micro pad solves the issues .
I did the mesh on this one. Actually, I filmed it, but it made the video too long. It didn't help. Too thin, too stiff.
I keep looking at these but the mixed reviews holds me back. It looks like a cool everyday pen. AliExpress is having their 11.11 sale and I'm going to see if there's anything I can't pass up. I was in indecision mode all summer. Good for the wallet, bad for my overthinking brain. If I get something I'll get it by February hopefully 😊 or a few weeks. It's a gamble!
I've had some fairly normal shipping from both eBay and Aliexpress lately. I just replaced the nib on my 601a with one from my wife's 601a which she had sprung and I got her a new one and installed it for her. But, I keep the sprung nib and today I fixed it and put it on my 601a and it is terrific. Still very stiff, but smooth and wet.
You may be surprised Doug, but even Sheaffer Vintage Triumph nibs can feel slightly rough at writing. As the number of Triumph nibs in my collection increases, I realized the F and EF nibs are the problematic ones, I experience it with the Imperial II and III, and stylist with mini-triumph nibs, and even with the imperial IV and VIII with inlaid nibs. So each time I get a vintage sheaffer with a F or EF nib, I start to make preparations for some nib smoothing. Of course, that doesn't rule out the fact that Wing Sung/Hero, Jinhao and Moonman are infamous for their lack of consistency in the QC of their products. Even some brands like Monteverde and Conklin (modern) has certainly bad reputation.
Thank you for the video Doug. I would love to see a follow up when you get your pen writing better... or should I just say, "after the nibectomy"? 😂.
Yeah, I'm not surprised at all Jorge. The shape of the nib just makes the nib extra stiff. Some Sheaffer Triumphs were given the Sheaffer "upsweep" treatment or that upswept Waverly design of many Sheaffer nibs including my Targa. That adds some flexibility and mitigates some of the stiffness the tubular nib creates. I replaced the nib yesterday in a successful operation which included a spare WS nib that had been sprung. I'm thinking of repeating the process for the camera.
The moustache is looking amazing Sir!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Aladdin Kayqubad 1!
Professor Doug, It is certainly a slick looking pen in all aspects of the pen. Overall I have been lucky with my Chinese pens writing well. When presented with the option I always choose M. Like yourself I have always had a stache, since grade 8, the toughest 4 years of my life. It gets me almost 50 years of facial hair, now I sport an Einstein. Continue the good work sir, your humble servant.
Thank you, Coach!
Looking forward to your 629 review!
Coming soon!
The mash up of a Parker 51 with the Sheaffer Triumph style nib is a wonderful "collaboration".
It can be!
The one thing with these pens is consistency. This is my second 601A. The first Wass scratchy. The second one was perfect. Same thing happened with the Hong Dian 1841. Thankfully they are not expensive. Caveat emptor.
@@paulmchugh1430 I just replaced the nib with one that my wife had sprung in her burgundy 601a. I fixed the nib and replaced the one on my Lake Blue and it works beautifully.
That is certainly an option. I hadn't thought of doing that with the 601A. I have changed other pens' nibs. I didn't think I could do the same with this pen.
Thanks for this. It's always disappointing when something doesn't match your expectations, no matter how cheap it is. Despite these disappointments, Chinese pens have given me the confidence to try new things without risking a lot of money, such as my first stub nib, the first pen I eye-droppered, my first hooded nib, and so on.
My experience is the same. The vast majority of my pen collection comprises cheap Chinese ones, but I've used these to gain enough experience to be dangerous, and they have not stopped me from buying the real deal. I have several mainstream brand pens which, to me, are premium. If I hadn't started with the cheap pens and clones, I would never have graduated to the mainstream ones. They do have a place and, provided I set my expectations realistically, nowadays they rarely disappoint me.
Love the new look! It's fresh. What does your wife think? Love the Flighter with ss section.
She thinks it make me look younger. But that's just because she hasn't seen my face in years.
@@InkquiringMinds HAHA
I got one last winter, with an exposed "regular" nib. A lovely, reliable writer -- once I figured out that the end "barrel" on the piston had fallen off. That's the great thing about inexpensive pens. We are willing to take them apart to see what the problem is. A note of thanks back then to Chris R for the demonstration. The tool I used to extract the stuck barrel section was a Goulet Pens lolly. ;)
Who knew the "lolly" was useful? LOL
Thanks, Doug! Sorry you got a dud because that's a great pen, IMHO. Any luck with micromesh; it can be a bit difficult with very fine nibs. Overall, my luck with pens from China has been fine, but I always hope for the best and prepare for...short of the best.
Thanks 👍 I've replaced the nib and it is a good writer now.
Great looking pen. I've got my eyeball on a black one with the two toned nib.👁🖋
I bought one in Medium nib which is super smooth
Awesome!
Maybe after the first of the year... I'm trying to not get anything beyond the bottle of ink I got to send to a friend, and then there's the vintage pen I hope to get in December. I keep seeing great reviews for virtually all the 601 line, yet am still balking, mainly because I regularly have other things that get in the way. Hopefully maybe January...
Like other ones from Wing Sung, looks like the 601A can be hit or miss.
I find the nibs on the 601 line very stiff and boring. But I've replaced them with mini-fude nibs and the pens are fabulous. There's not much you can do with these tubular nibs. They look great but are far from a Sheaffer Triumph waverly upturned gold nib.
@@InkquiringMinds From what I've read, they're old stock, a the Wing Sung from then were 3xxx of today, at best. I have one, and though a regular nib, it's not that good.
I have a couple of these and they write in two very different ways. Neither is ultra feedbacky but neither pen is exactly smooth on the page. As an aside, referencing the point on the Jinhao 85 versus 2021 P51, did you know there is now also a Jinhao 86? This mimics the steel nibbed 2021 P51 (or maybe the P51 mimics the 86). Apart from being a couple of mm longer & requiring more turns to uncap, I really can't tell the difference unless I read the cap band imprint. The 86 has a plastic rather than brass barrel, comes in more colours, and it posts far more confidently. I actually really like the 86 for all these reasons and would recommend trying one out. I don't know if you can remove the hood on the 86 but I suspect not.
Looking forward to your blue dew review, Wondering if it's similar to a pen I have that takes zebra g nibs
I've already reviewed the Blue Dew. This is a flex pen from Aaron Pens that I will compare with the Blue Dew and the Lorelei.
@@InkquiringMindsgreat, will have to back to the blue dew review then
25:58 I thought so too but my first ever, and brand new, Montblanc wouldn't write. It was returned to the retailer for a full refund. I replaced it with a black Waterman Carene. Less money but at least it writes. In fact, the Carene is better made and writes beautifully.
I have looked at the Wing Sung 601A many times but have hesitated about buying one. My favourite Chinese pen at the moment is that lovely Hongdian 1841 that you reviewed recently. I got one in the same colour and it's surprisingly good.
That 1841 will probably make my best of 2021 list.
My very best writer (don't have Pelikans or Mont Blancs or Carenes) is a Hongdian 885 Mt Qomolangma with a 14k nib. Better than my Visconti and Waterman 18ks. No warranty, so, whew!
Wow I love the look of these, and wonder how well one could mitigate the issue with some micro mesh. I’ve got stiff sheaffer triumphs (waverly) and imperials (rounded) that are all joys to write with. I wonder if wing sung has more issues mimicking the sheaffer nibs, since they were not given the blueprints to the sheaffer pens in the same manor as the parkers? (as far as I know)
These tubular nibs were made by Wing Sung back in 2002. They are all very stiff. I replaced the one in this pen with one that I had pulled from Winn's 601a as she had sprung it. I fixed the nib and replaced it in my WS601a and it works very well now.
Doug: Watch your reviews as each is aired, and find the information therein are invaluable. Recently, I watched the Wing Sung 601A broadcast and had to seek your advice. Much like the Jinhao 51A and other hooded nib pens, my experience with the EF and F nibs has been less than outstanding. They are very scratchy, need to be precisely positioned to put down ink, and are different from pen to pen. I watched as you replaced a hooded nib and felt compelled to disregard my fear of destroying the entire pen and try some surgery myself. Are there M size hooded nibs? If so, which brand(s) would you recommend? It looks like one need only disassemble the section from the barrel, twist off the hood and slide a new nib in, but I'm the kind of DIY person who could foul up a one-man Saint Patrick's Day Parade ...and hesitate. If you have an opportunity, please respond. I'm getting better with nib replacement of PENBBS, Hong Dian, and Majohn (Avsine) models, but the slender hooded nibs still cause me fright. Thanks in advance, and please be aware that your insight, humor, and integrity bring joy to the cooling flats of Iowa. Have a great day.
Hey James. Thanks so much! The addition of a Bobby bent nib, or "mini-fude" nib to a WS601 or a Jinhao 51a improves those pens immensely! It is an easy swap even if you can't get the hood off, you can pull the old nib from the front and slide the new one in. Here is the source of Bobby's bent nibs for the hooded pens tinyurl.com/23f8fjku To see how I replaced the nib, watch my video review of the WS601 Flighter here th-cam.com/video/Xb6Dp4ESlxo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_7zMTAFHNLan6zch&t=691and start at 11:31.
How do you change a tubular nib, I got a dud this week. Maybe I'll ground it to a small stub. Also, I am looking at a 601a standard nib version in the clear demonstrator.
I'm going to do a replace and repair a tubular nib video next Wednesday.
The teal /triumph gold nib/plunger 601A is fine- the wavy cap is not as it makes me feel sea sick. I’m sensitive about these things.
Just so you know, Waterman make ballpoint for the Carene.
There are four other gold cap patterns; stripes (makes you feel like you're in prison), grid (makes you feel like a chess piece), twill (makes you feel like your life is in an eternal spiral), and diamond (makes you feel rich). Your choice. As to the Waterman Carene ballpoint, it is a ballpoint, who cares?
@@InkquiringMinds I was blown away by your revelation we began growing moustaches at the same age -3yrs . However I had to draw the line at shaving 🪒 off my beard. I liked a black 601A with windows 🪟 and a tubular nib. I recently received a Click bamboo fountain pen from Indian- they have a very unique and thorough way of packing pens in plastic boxes, bubble wrap and newspaper.
Good reviews
Glad you like them!
I thought you were going to say you were donating your beard to locks of love there for a second. Their loss
I found a demonstrator wingsung 601a
Doug - I must say your sense of humor, references to old Americana, are a joy to behold in every video update, in addition to invaluable pen technology tidbits that most of us would not get anywhere else. But if I may make a humble request, kindly don't recommend people like Bobby Pen on Etsy or eBay. I ordered my second set of pens from him, and the most expensive pen was left out. I am still dealing with Etsy on whether he should be allowed to sell on Etsy going forward (I am going to escalate as high as I need to go) but his response was wholly unprofessional when a case was opened, laying bare the perils of dealing with unknown sellers from China, who care little about their reputation on selling platforms. This was my second order from him, and presumably, my last. Not going to order a third time. You all have been warned.
I'm sorry to hear of your problem. I have not had issues with Bobby on Etsy, eBay or Aliexpress. He has responded personally and quickly to any questions I have had. I can only speak to my own experience and yours is the only time I've heard of issues with his stores. This does not invalidate your experience of course. I don't blame you a bit for ceasing to deal with him.
I got one on the way... another 1-2 weeks of waiting. Now I am curious how bad the nib will be and if I can make something out of it (as in fixing it.).
I thought these nibs unscrew... are they glued in place? Why are they so hard to remove?
They are screw-on and they are glued. It isn't an epoxy glue and once you break the seal, they come off normally. I replaced the nib yesterday and the pen write great. I'm thinking of redoing the operation for the camera.
@@InkquiringMinds If you get to do a quick video - thank you! :)
Is it Shellac by any chance? A little bit of heat usually takes care of it.
@@mrN3w7 No. It is almost like teflon tape. It pulls off very easily once the seal is broken.
@@InkquiringMinds Interesting... thank you for that info!
Is that wrench to remove the pump available? I would love to have this to maintain my 601A (red with the ink window). It is a wonderful pen. So smooth writing experience.
Yes, it is. www.ebay.ca/itm/232997682972?hash=item363fbe7f1c:g:va8AAOSwCgVb4-po
Thank you
I was going to buy a second Carene for my Anniversary gift, My husband gave me money, and I'd like to know how do you spell Applebaum?
www.appelboom.com That should work! Good luck!
Excellent choices as far as color and nib. We have different tastes in cap designs and trim colors. Too bad we don't live closer to each other. I'd be on the phone and tell you "I'll get one in lake blue with a tubular nib, and let you have it in trade for that one, and you can keep your cap!"
Unfortunately, with the holidays upon us almost, and the time it would take to mail one to me from China, and then me to mail it to you, and you to mail the trade back to me, we would be celebrating the holidays for 2022 before it got worked out. *sigh* Keep us posted on what you decide to do with this pen and whether or not you get the nib replaced successfully.
I can only get chrome tubular nibs for this pen which would throw the colour scheme off. I have one two-tone that is sprung, but I might try to fix it.
Thanks for the review. Like the pen but the nib are much to fine for me. So i'll pass. For fountain pen day i bought a Ensso Italia in Titanium ...
Wow! Nice treat! Now what will you get for Christmas?
@@InkquiringMinds hummm Maybe a Waterman Carene...it's been on my list for so long
You've got the bling version with jewel finials on the cap and body. I got the single jewel finial, silver chromed vertically marked cap, with a windowless black body and plain steel nib. After a nib polish with micromesh that resolved some roughness, I love this pen. It's my favourite to use because of the filling system, its looks, and the posting. It's comfortable to use. As for quality control and consistency, Wing Sung has had poor nibs that often need tuning and refining. One came so damaged I had to file it into a stub nib! As for changing the nib, it may be easier than you think. I found that out on another Wing Sung tubular nibbed pen - the 235 model - that leaked from the top of the nib. This one just twists off the plastic feed on a thread and is easy to change. A careful smear of silicone grease on those threads, and screwing down the nib fixed that problem, and now it works like a charm. It took me five minutes to fix that, and I'm a greenhorn. You'll do way better.
Yes. I've done the nib removal and swap twice on a 601a. Getting it off to start is the biggest hurdle. Some feel like they are glued in place.
@@InkquiringMinds I have two of them. A navy blue and a burgundy with the gold wave cap. jewel and all. How do I make it a Medium nib?
@@InkquiringMinds Perhaps first an overnight soak in some pen cleaning solution - DIY or Purchased to clear any ink residue under the face of the nib and loosen up any ink/oil/substance X in the nib threads like ammonia mix or dish soap mix could work well? Then have at it? I'm interested because I have a Jinhao Centennial that has never written properly, despite being washed out several times with dish soap. (I've only ever filled it with Waterman and Koh-i-noor Document Ink, which are both well-behaved inks, and I beginning to suspect it might be the feed.)
@@BigHenFor Thanks for this. Those are good solutions for getting a feed working. Also, I hear White Lightning works miracles on improving ink flow. But, in this case, the feed is fine now that I've replaced the nib. It could be that the nib was misaligned on the feed, but the new nib works well.
@@mariatriesart8389 You can't make a fine nib a medium. You can make a medium a fine. You can go smaller by removing material but you can't make the tipping material larger.
I have a 618 in demon I dont like it too many fins to clean
Not true about penbbs answering your question. I posted a question on their Etsy shop, and never got an answer. They don't ship to us, I wanted one of their calligraphy nibs...
They have suspended shipping to various countries based on the shipping issues at the time. The US was precluded from shipping for a few months but is now available again. Write to Beini again or send her a note through Instagram. She usually responds.
I think a lot of your issues are ink-pen mismatch. That Topaz is among the driest blue inks I own as I recall things. I would suggest trying the pen with a known wet ink.
No. It is the nib. I've just replaced it and it is wonderful!
😃
A shame that the pen is not a lovely 'write'. Like so many things, looks good, does not perform well. I think I would avoid the Wing Sung
Beautiful and sleek and with a lovely nib. 😇🩵🙏🙌
Many thanks!
With only the moustache and the hat, you look like a Sheriff.. 👍👍🇪🇸🇪🇸
Sheriff Sheaffer!
@@InkquiringMinds 😄😄