Lanxivi Yongsheng 3011 Demonstrator Clear Classical Fountain Pen Fine Nib Arrow Clip, Piston Filling System, Gold Trim, Set of 4 Pieces in transparent Color

At just over $3 a pen, these are functional pens that handily exceeded my expectations at this price point. Looks like some folks got lemons or older (or just different) versions.Fit and finish was better than I expected for three bucks. They are obviously rough TWSBI eco knockoffs. The plastic body and internals definitely feel less substantial and in build and material choice compared to the name brand, and the overall qc is not on the same level as the TWSBI... but they're also roughly ten times cheaper and you get what you pay for.I cleaned these before I used them (ran water through them, nothing more) and added some silicone grease to the piston to minimize the chances of piston leaks. Others have mentioned these cannot be disassembled for cleaning. The set I received can be, the top silver ring unscrews--see pics.The nib and feed look very similar to Pilot's Metropolitan setup, and I must admit I adore the clear feed material choice. Makes inks really pop. Seem to be somewhat wet writers, though I had to make a couple minor nib adjustments (if the two halves of the tip are not aligned, its pretty simple to lightly flex the lower one up--gently, of course--until they match).Writing pics: the one with three reddish sentences are, top to bottom, Metropolitan fine tip, these pens, and a pilot medium.The four multicolored sentences are the four pens I recieved in this order. Not a super fair comparison as the inks were different, but it should give a pretty good idea or consistency.Pic with two pens (pink end and other with red cap end) is one of these pens next to a TWSBI Eco.I didn't find it terribly easy to post the cap (place on and off the rear of the pen), and it seemed a bit unstable, but whatever. I actually prefer using them without for balance.I have no idea how long they'll last, but at this price point it hardly matters.So far they're consistent writers, and no leaks. I don't know if I'm going to trust them yet in the pocket of a good piece of clothing, but they're nice beaters for around the house, and so far an excellent value for the spend.

I have used fountain pens my whole life, for both writing and drawing. The slight drag created by the friction of the pen nib on the paper gives me the control I want. Ballpoint pens are slippery by comparison.The Wing Sung 3008 Piston is a great pen, But it needs to be said, this is a fountain pen, not a ballpoint pen. You must never pull off the cover. That creates a vacuum that will suck the ink out and give the impression the pen leaks. Always unscrew the cover.The price is a true bargain for this quality fountain pen. I have paid many times more for less. The filling mechanism works easily, and eliminates pesky cartridges. My Win Sung 3008 can cover a whole page with a continuous line without skipping or blotting. It has a good feel, and is balanced well.For anyone not used to a fountain pen you need to know that a certain amount of care and maintenance is needed that is unnecessary with a ballpoint pen. First, you are dealing with liquid ink, so caution is required. Never fill your pen over a surface you haven't covered. Better still, a sink is a good place, then you can easily wipe up any drops or spillage. Secondly, you need to wipe the pen tip carefully after filling.And flush out the cartridge between fillings. Fill it up several time with water until the chamber is clear, then fill it with ink. It is natural for ink to dry on the pen tip slightly. Flushing it between fillings clears that up. If you do not use your pen for some time, it may dry out enough to cause it to skip or even clog. Flush out the old ink and refill it. It is also a good idea to flush a new pen before filling it. Flushing keeps a pen working smoothly.Every pen will leave tiny drops in the cover. Most pens do not have a transparent cover, so you cannot see them. They may leave a residue on the pen that stains your fingers. The cover is easily cleaned with a a twisted tissue.Once you start using your pen in public, it is surprising how many people comment about it. Having a good fountain pen is a joy. The sheer weight of it inspires confidence. The nib will slowly wear into he perfect angle for your writing style. It's like a violin, it gets better the more you use it.I have tried many brands of fountain pens. The Wing Sung 3008 is a true gem.