HongDian Stainless Steel Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib with Converter and Metal Pen Box

It's a very nice pen. I get a lot of compliments on it. It writes smoother and takes ink up better in the refillable cartridge than my Lamy Safari using Lamy ink. It has nice heft to it and feel like a quality product. The top that screws into the cap that secures the clip to the cap has loosened some after a couple years, but it's nothing a little loctite couldn't fix. You just have to re-tighten it from time to time if you keep the pen in a sleeve that stresses the clip somewhat. I would definitely buy this again.

Very nice. Smooth writing, the point glides smoothly over the paper.

The media could not be loaded. Updated review one week later-I rerecorded the video for this review because it turns out once I read online instructions on care for fountain pens I discovered that even a brand new pen might need to be thoroughly cleaned because debris from manufacturing could still be blocking the nib. Once I had the cleaned it and then reseated the ink firmly, it's worked like a champ.Old review:I am sure it depends on quality control as to whether you get a good nib or not. In this case I did not. The ink is not reflowing and shaking it does not start the flow. I need to wet the nib to get anywhere and I'm not enjoying that.ProsIt comes with a very Slimline case, that doesn't take up much space in purse or pocket.It has a pretty stately, attractive look.The cap fits securely on the back so that you can know where the cap is while using it. You can unscrew the body and easily see how much ink you have in before setting off for the day.ConsMy nib is allowing the ink to dry out after a few hours rest. So each day I have to reset the ink (and if I don't have a water source that's with my tongue - yuck!).I personally don't care for screw-on caps. They slow me down too much. I like a sealed cap that makes a nice sucking sound as I pull it off!

I've tried writing with this and the flow is good and the extra fine sized nib is good. It is also less likely to bleed or feather if you happen to be writing on some plain old crummy paper, also because of the nib size. The finish doesn't peel, And the parts on mine all screwed on without any problems. I don't object to not getting any cartridges and getting a convertor instead as it described in the ad. The cartridges for all pens are both expensive and you go through them like candy if you write very much with your pen, so using the convertor and bottled ink is better. This convertor is nice also because it is the twist style which I think is easier to use than others I've seen. The review videos other folks have made don't like the little spring in the convertor. Word is they might get stuck and make cleaning out the pen for another color of ink a pain. I haven't run into those problems with the convertor yet with either the sticking or the cleaning. But if I do, it is evidently easy enough to remove the spring and still use the convertor without any trouble. I have black ink in this pen right now and have some blue coming, so I can test the cleaning process soon. Overall, it seems a very good pen for the money and makes me wonder why I would need a $10,000 pen at all. I've had a couple of Cross pens that wouldn't get the same review. As I hinted in the headline, one of them had a black finish that peeled and forced me to turn it into a brass pen that tarnishes with use and periodically has to have brass cleaner put on it. I also eventually polished the brass to a shine with a buffer wheel too. The other Cross pen I have came out of the box with a nib that leaked ink into the cap and the plastic bottom or body of the pen would periodically get popped off its threads cockeyed on the nib when you stick the pen in your pocket. With a convertor in the pen, the body of the pen can knock the convertor out and create an ink spill when you have this problem with the threads. My suggestion is try this one out instead. There is something to be said for a brushed metal body on a fountain pen and the extra fine nib that came on the one I ordered here. Also the threads on this one are working better.

This is a nice little pen with a great nib. Cap screws on and the nib writes like glass. It is a much nicer nib than you'd expect at this price point. Well done,Hongdian.

Worked great with the refillable plunger, but within a couple months using disposable cartridges the entire nib assembly came loose and leaks, making it unusable. Sad to see it go to the trash can.

I’ve tried about 30 Hongdian pens in at least 15 styles, and they can be hit or miss. But this one is perfect in every way! Maybe I got lucky, but I’ve ordered multiple Hongdians of a certain style trying to get a good nib and gave up after 2-3 samples. Also check out the 1843 Navigator, another 9.9 pen with an excellent F point.