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This is a review and comparison of competing brands of essentially the same fountain pen -- the Platinum Curidas and the Lanbitou 3088. After Platinum began selling its relatively recent Curidas model in 5 transparent colors, the Chinese pen maker, Lanbitou, came out with it's version of the Curidas, which Lanbitou designated the "3088." In virtually all respects, except the badging, the two brands offer identical pens. The biggest difference is the retail pricing; the Curidas sports an SRP of $90, but the 3088 can be purchased within a range, in USD, of around $9 and a bit more. The question is whether the Curidas is 10-times better than the 3088. It is not. In fact, in my estimation, the two pens are so comparable in appearance, build quality, and performance that the 3088 is the much better value. However, the 3088's resale value, if you try to sell one, will be much less than that of the Curidas, primarily because the Curidas is a Platinum product. I recently purchased all 12 color options of the 3088, but will compare its transparent teal version with the transparent teal version of the Curidas. Notwithstanding the color variation in the first two photos, in fact the color of each pen is virtually the same, and I would describe it as a greenish-blue or teal. Held to the light, it appears that the Curidas' color is a bit more saturated than that of the 3088. The third photo of the middle-inside of each pen is provided to show one (surprising?) difference between the pens. Notice that the Curidas has a plastic sleeve over its converter, while the less-expensive 3088 has a metal (brass? copper?) sleeve in the same location. Perhaps the metal on the 3088 accounts for the 1 g weight difference. Other than that difference, the pens work exactly the same inside in terms of filling by converter. Here are some objective comparisons: Weight empty: Curidas 24 g ; 3088 25 g. Weight after filling, expelling air and filling twice: Curidas 28 g ; 3088 26 g ; did the 3088's converter not work as well as the Curidas'? Length: exactly the same -- approximately 5 7/8 inches. (Sorry to mix metric and English systems) After filling each pen, each with a fine nib, each wrote immediately. The Curidas writes a bit wetter-thicker than the 3088. There is no question in my mind that the Curidas' fine stainless steel nib has more give (albeit limited) and feels better than that of the 3088, the nib of which is extremely firm and perhaps nail-like. When clicking the button to hide the nib, the Curidas manifested some hesitation (even after I removed and returned its spring), but did close, whereas the 3088 clicked closed immediately. If price is no object, I prefer the Curidas for its slightly more saturated color, its better-feeling nib, and its higher market value. However, for those not concerned with market value and slight color saturation difference, the 3088 is a superior value by far. As I mentioned earlier, I purchased one of each of the 12 colors of the 3088. In addition to the four transparent colors (whereas the Curidas offers five transparent colors, also including a true blue), the 3088 offers 8 solid colors (not offered at all in the Curidas line). The Curidas transparent colors offered are: clear, grey, red, teal, and blue. The 3088 transparent colors offered are: clear, grey, red, and teal (why not blue?). The 3088 solid colors offered are: black, grey, white, blue, red, pink, cocoa, and light green. I purchased my twelve 3088s on Ebay from a seller who shipped for free. When I checked today on Ebay about pricing, it appeared that the price of the 3088s increased, but that impression may have been mistaken. I noticed that just about every Ebay seller of the 3088s from China "advertised" a lower price than actually is charged when one "selects" the color and nib (either EF or F), which is disturbing; one cannot actually find the pen with the advertised price. On the other hand, the real price was so inexpensive for what I got that I didn't quibble.

​Sorry i mistakenly called it WingSung, so many new pens came out lately and they are so similar. anyway, it may look like TWSBI ECO but its not in the same league at all Great for rough use , not for showing off. ​

I have just loaded a sample of this ink into a Lanbitou 3059. The Lanbitou does have a 0.38mm nib, but does that really make a colour difference? The ink looks blue in the pen but dries much more towards teal than review samples suggest. I immediately suspected the Rhodia paper, so tried white vellum and Tomoe River (the thin stuff). Has anybody else encountered this? I wondered if the Lanbitou was writing drier than previously thought. Has anybody else come across this colour difference? I can't see how it would turn back to blue if I used a wetter pen, like one of my Indian eyedroppers. I will come back to you with images.

and if you do not need the piston filler's capacity ... Lanbitou 8049 just come on the market recently , got half a dozen of them, could be had with EF, F or M nib ( thank you Lanbitou, now let's have B pls ) and in 12 different color finishes. After using it for a fill I must say I am impressed, the M nib on this one is smooth with a bit of tooth / feedback but more forgiving on all those office papers. The totally metal construction ( Aluminum lacquered over ) is quite roust but not quite so as brushed steel. The rounded off square form factor actually feel good in the hand, if you check the section carefully you can see that its indexed with a very slightly raised flat portion on the top where the other 3 sides are all slightly tapered without any. Its got the black feed and that's fine with me and work well with the smoked grey section. C/C filler, clip is usable and wide and very well indexed too. I try swapping sections and caps between them and they all fit so good job done on the Mfr's part. 12.2mm ( flat side to flat side ) barrel 9.2mm minimal at the section tip 131.5mm uncpped 140.5mm capped While the grip is also rounded off square in cross section it feel just like any other typical round section in use ; the pen could post but then it does not post securely , well its secure but the cap wobbles and its way too long for me . Of all the 12 finishes, four are pearlescent, four are clear coat lacquered, and four are vinyl matt paint finished the latter matt ones I've found easily scratched ( already got battle scar on my red one ). These are cheap fun pen to have wit a decent style and thank you; not another Demo and not another teen hot neon color. I think I am going to go buy a dozen and hand them out as gifts when I see someone interested in using fountain pen ( seems I am seeing more such lately, just give a Wing Sung 618 to a young store sales lady at the stationary store I frequent )

I recently bought a couple of Lanbitou 3029s having read somewhere that the nibs could be swapped out for Lamy Z50 nibs. I wanted to use a piston-filler with a couple of broader nibs. I'm no nib expert – this is my first nib project – but today I had a go. I slipped out the Lanbitou nib, which was easily accomplished, and slipped on a Lamy Z50 B nib. It slipped on easily enough, but wobbled when it was in place. It seemed a little too wide to fit, though I couldn't see any real difference between the two nibs. I tried bending in the wings a little with my fingers. No result. I then used a pair of pliers and promptly ruined the nib, which bent along the centre line – the line between the tines – and had to throw it away. Before I ruin any more nibs, can anyone advise me on how best to deal with this situation?

I have a Lanbitou 3059, which I believe to be a clone of a TWSBI Eco, but I am not sure how close a copy it is. Anyway I want to remove the piston assembly to give the thing a really good wash out as I have been using it with Diamine Registrar's Ink, which is an iron-gall formulation I believe. Anyway, there's some ink between the two seals of the piston. It needs a thorough clean with warm soapy water before I contemplate using anything else in the pen. The Lanbitou 3059 really is a 'nothing' pen to me. It does have a really fine nib, which is it's saving grace. The huge ink capacity isn't that meaningful unless you have found an ink colour you like enough to buy a good sized bottle.