Thank you for taking the time to do the review. I just received mine today and it is my first penbbs pen. I have to say so far today I have been really impressed with it.
Chris--there are so many Penbbs models-I have the 323 and 309-that I rely on your reviews to help me decide which to consider. I just ordered the 456. Thanks for providing such useful information.
I like the look of it, but planning to get the 456. PMMA - I didn't know there was a specific formula for 'precious' resin. I thought it was just marketing for acrylic generally. I just got the Moonman M6 in red sandalwood. The nib is stiff and rough - some smoothing to do, but it is comfortable in the hand with good ink flow.
I have had the clip loosen and it is not easy to tighten it.. Had to unscrew the finial and remove the clip. Use the clip and push through the hole to remove the liner to gain access to "nut". Had to use a tiny tipped Flat screw driver to hold in place and reassemble the clip. Then put the Liner back in. Hope this helps anyone else that may have that happen.
Thank you Chris for the excellent review. It's nice to have a less expensive Vac filler model in the PenBBS line up , Pen BBS obviously know their market. I love the sword clip type and i wish they used it on all their models , including this one, as a sort of a company standard a bit like the Pelikan clips. I guess they don't because this would perhaps increase costs on the less expensive pens which already have a different clip.
Your reviews are really thorough and I much appreciate how informative they are. I like and support the idea that PenBBS seems committed to improving the quality and originality of Chinese manufactured pens.
Thanks, Chris. The comparison with the 456 is very informative. I haven’t received my 456 yet but from this I can tell that the 268 will be too small for me.
At 17:33 in the video, the video shows a reserve area and how to fill it by loosening the blind cap. I tried that with the PenBBS 268 I just received and that reserve area is not filling up for me. (using Diamine oxford blue)
Has pen stopped writing? How full was it when filled? With nib down, try unscrewing blind cap all the way & maybe pulling up a little. When pushing in blind cap, keep nib up to avoid any drips. Should not be an ink issue.
@@chrisrap52 Hi, Thank you for your reply. I see the reserve area is now filled. I may have been confused as that reserve area is either double walled or has a thicker wall. I just got the pen last night and have not written long enough with it to see if the ink continue flowing for a longer session. I am finding it to be on the dry side. On a Rhodia dot grid pad I find it seems to work if I press firmer than I normally would with a fountain pen. This is first PenBBS pen.
I just got mine in the mail today! Your video heavily influenced me to get it. Hehe! Was wondering if it really writes somewhat medium-fine? I find it thicker than my Lamy F and Sailor MF, but thinner than my TWSBI M
PenBBS sells a parts kit with lots of pieces, some look like piston & o-rings that could be used for 268 & 456. I'm not concerned about having to rebuild the pen filling mechanism. Will periodically, disassemble & silicone grease all the moving bits. That should insure a lifetime of use.
I'm not a paper person. I enjoy writing on it but not the science behind it. In some of my ink & notebook videos I discuss some paper. There are many types of paper & I have noticed variations on them. I use the same paper for review pen writing, Fabriano. It has some texture & works well with almost all ink.
I've found good fountain pen paper at Staples, super market or a drug store, 1.00 or less. I feel the paper to determine how much it is coated, the more coating less ink absorption. Many use Rhodia, Claire Fontaine or Tomoe River. These can be expensive but will handle ink well. For copy paper I look for 24lb or more weight, suitable for inkjet. Lots of choices, hope you find some that work for you.
Great review. I think I’m going to pass on this pen, because of the section diameter. I love my 456 and have had better luck with thicker sections. Thanks again.
Nice review. Thank you. Glad to see the TWSBI Vac mini in your comparison with the 268. Those two posted feel super close in the hand to me. Reflects well on the 268! BTW, Vac mini section does unscrew so not same one piece construction as 322. At least mine does ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Not thread on. I used mine to fill a 456 & was disappointed. Not much more than filling from a bottle. & I then had to clean out inkwell. I can get a 80% fill using a two step fill.
that is certainly not a good example of filling a pen, you disregard the micro damage the nib tip would get due to the downward force you excert on the plunger with the nib touching the base. what a way of not caring for a pen nib !
Thanks for your perspective. I've never thought about Micro damage. As a metallurgist, I don't know what it is. The pressure from filling is no greater than the pressure from writing.
Thank you for taking the time to do the review. I just received mine today and it is my first penbbs pen. I have to say so far today I have been really impressed with it.
Glad you like it, it's a very good pen at a great price.
Chris--there are so many Penbbs models-I have the 323 and 309-that I rely on your reviews to help me decide which to consider. I just ordered the 456. Thanks for providing such useful information.
I like the look of it, but planning to get the 456. PMMA - I didn't know there was a specific formula for 'precious' resin. I thought it was just marketing for acrylic generally.
I just got the Moonman M6 in red sandalwood. The nib is stiff and rough - some smoothing to do, but it is comfortable in the hand with good ink flow.
I've never heard of this brand, yet I am now considering getting this pen! Thank you for this very thorough review.
Thanks for this review!
I like smaller pens, so I’d actually love it if they made these, but with the quality and acrylic of the 456.
I totally agree!
Thanks for the very accurate review. I have been using one as a daily writer for a week and have been very happy with it.
I have had the clip loosen and it is not easy to tighten it.. Had to unscrew the finial and remove the clip. Use the clip and push through the hole to remove the liner to gain access to "nut". Had to use a tiny tipped Flat screw driver to hold in place and reassemble the clip. Then put the Liner back in. Hope this helps anyone else that may have that happen.
Thanks. So far my clip is tight.
Excellent informative video, as always. Thank you Chris.
Thank you Chris for the excellent review. It's nice to have a less expensive Vac filler model in the PenBBS line up , Pen BBS obviously know their market. I love the sword clip type and i wish they used it on all their models , including this one, as a sort of a company standard a bit like the Pelikan clips. I guess they don't because this would perhaps increase costs on the less expensive pens which already have a different clip.
Check out Camlin Elegante fountain pen, here in India it costs around 200 INR. Which is about 3 USD.
Your reviews are really thorough and I much appreciate how informative they are. I like and support the idea that PenBBS seems committed to improving the quality and originality of Chinese manufactured pens.
Thanks, appreciate the feedback.
Thanks, Chris. The comparison with the 456 is very informative. I haven’t received my 456 yet but from this I can tell that the 268 will be too small for me.
Thank you! And there's a new Vac-fill fountain pen, Wingsung 3013, less than $5 in China(25 yuan), with same parts to Wingsung 30xx and Pilot pens.
Ordered my 2013, should have in a few weeks. Look for my review soon.
@@chrisrap52 Looking forward for your great review!
This will be my next (backup) fountain pen for when I travel.
I can leave my precious brass pen at home...
Another pen I want, as always, great review and Thank you!
At 17:33 in the video, the video shows a reserve area and how to fill it by loosening the blind cap. I tried that with the PenBBS 268 I just received and that reserve area is not filling up for me. (using Diamine oxford blue)
Has pen stopped writing? How full was it when filled? With nib down, try unscrewing blind cap all the way & maybe pulling up a little. When pushing in blind cap, keep nib up to avoid any drips. Should not be an ink issue.
@@chrisrap52 Hi, Thank you for your reply. I see the reserve area is now filled. I may have been confused as that reserve area is either double walled or has a thicker wall. I just got the pen last night and have not written long enough with it to see if the ink continue flowing for a longer session. I am finding it to be on the dry side. On a Rhodia dot grid pad I find it seems to work if I press firmer than I normally would with a fountain pen. This is first PenBBS pen.
Some PenBBS nibs can be a little dry. Use a brass shim or similar things metal to open tines to increase flow.
@@chrisrap52 Thank you for the suggestion. I will order a brass shim.
Thank you for your nice review. Is the PenBBS 238 nib swappable with Jowo # 6? There was no detail about 268 swap nib in the Pen Forum article.
Sorry, there was an answer in FPN🙇♀️
What is the answer?
I've been trying some of the PenBBS inks and like a couple of them. I just wish they would have made this a snap cap pen.
Interesting, there is no snap cap PenBBS. Wonder why. Maybe these pen nerds believe a threaded cap is more secure.
Seems like the perfect pen for me! Wonder if I can get a Noodler's flex nib on it
It should fit.
@@chrisrap52 awesome, thanks for introducing me to these awesome pens these past few years!
How do you change the nib on a 268 ? You just pull it out ? Like on the Jinhaos?
@@korax67 Yes, all PenBBS nibs pull out. See 12:41 of video. May take some effort to pull out.
@@chrisrap52 thank you very much !
As always, a very good review. As I see it worths buying. Are you going to do a review about the Bobby's Wing Sung Vacuum?
When I get one. Ordered last week.
Thanks! I'm surprised at the reserve system.
I just got mine in the mail today! Your video heavily influenced me to get it. Hehe! Was wondering if it really writes somewhat medium-fine? I find it thicker than my Lamy F and Sailor MF, but thinner than my TWSBI M
One could say FM, fine-medium.
Hey chris. Will this pen take a #6 Jowo nib?
Yes, plenty of room in the cap.
@@chrisrap52 Thank you very much. I like EF nib, F nibs re too wide for my small note book. Glad I can put in my own nib in
Thanks for the review Chris! Did you also order the Wing Sung 3013? That vacuum filler seems to be under 10 dollars, which is truly amazing
Yes, 3013 is on its way to me.
I'm looking foward to this review! I expect the build quality will be less.
I tried not to have expectations. Many times I am surprised.
In terms of built quality, which one do you prefer, this one or wing sung 698?
Build about the same. I prefer the size & feel of the 698, I have a few EDCs. The 268 is uninked.
@@chrisrap52 Many thanks
Thank you, Chris. The reserve is good.
Hi, chris! Thanks for the review! Do you think the filling mechanism is the sturdy? Thanks! 😁
Yes, as sturdy as sturdy can be. Should last a long time under normal use.
@@chrisrap52 Do they sell replacement parts for the pen's refilling mechanism?
PenBBS sells a parts kit with lots of pieces, some look like piston & o-rings that could be used for 268 & 456. I'm not concerned about having to rebuild the pen filling mechanism. Will periodically, disassemble & silicone grease all the moving bits. That should insure a lifetime of use.
Do you think you could do a video about paper for newbies. I want to know all the fountain pen friendly paper out there for a good deal
I'm not a paper person. I enjoy writing on it but not the science behind it. In some of my ink & notebook videos I discuss some paper. There are many types of paper & I have noticed variations on them. I use the same paper for review pen writing, Fabriano. It has some texture & works well with almost all ink.
chrisrap52 yeah cause I only have regular printer and notebook paper and I noticed it feathers a lot and wanted to know what’s a good paper to get
I've found good fountain pen paper at Staples, super market or a drug store, 1.00 or less. I feel the paper to determine how much it is coated, the more coating less ink absorption. Many use Rhodia, Claire Fontaine or Tomoe River. These can be expensive but will handle ink well. For copy paper I look for 24lb or more weight, suitable for inkjet. Lots of choices, hope you find some that work for you.
chrisrap52 do you think Walgreens would have something? There’s one about three blocks away from my house
Yes.
Can't wait to receive mine.
Great review. I think I’m going to pass on this pen, because of the section diameter. I love my 456 and have had better luck with thicker sections. Thanks again.
Agreed. 456 is near perfect.
Nice review. Thank you. Glad to see the TWSBI Vac mini in your comparison with the 268. Those two posted feel super close in the hand to me. Reflects well on the 268! BTW, Vac mini section does unscrew so not same one piece construction as 322. At least mine does ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Yes, I learned that after I inked it up. 😞
This looks better than the 456 IMO
Doesn't feel better in my hand. I like the larger heavier 456 more.
Love the cat sticker!
Do you know if the PenBBS 268 or 456 will thread into the TWSBI Vac20a inkwell?
Not thread on. I used mine to fill a 456 & was disappointed. Not much more than filling from a bottle. & I then had to clean out inkwell. I can get a 80% fill using a two step fill.
that is certainly not a good example of filling a pen, you disregard the micro damage the nib tip would get due to the downward force you excert on the plunger with the nib touching the base. what a way of not caring for a pen nib !
Thanks for your perspective. I've never thought about Micro damage. As a metallurgist, I don't know what it is. The pressure from filling is no greater than the pressure from writing.