Hero Wing Sung 659 Questions - Baoer & Hero Suggestions, Too!

[Nosferatualso]

Well, I put in an offer and the steel demo with EF and F nibs are on the way. Will be interesting to compare it to the 78G.

[Nosferatualso]

Well, I put in an offer and the steel demo with EF and F nibs are on the way. Will be interesting to compare it to the 78G.

I will be very interested to know what cartridges it uses

[GeneralSynopsis]

I will be very interested to know what cartridges it uses

The width of the converter's open end looks similar to Pilot cartridges, so I would think Pilot cartridges will fit.

 

As I said in an earlier post, these look as though they have been made using the same tools as the 78g. The only differences I can see are:

 

1. An extra yellow metal ring between section and barrel,

 

2. Poorer finishing of the injection points and the release line around the cap rim.

 

3. A twist converter rather than the squeeze converter of the 78g

 

4. Supplied with both <F> and <EF> nibs/sections, only one of the sections colour matched with the cap and barrel, the other transparent. <B> and <BB> would have been interesting options.

 

The converter is not International or Parker compatible and to my eye looks to be probably compatible with Pilot cartridges (though I gave not verified this).

 

The nibs and feeds appear compatible, I have swapped nibs between a 659 and a Plumix and they appear to fit each perfectly (the Plumix had a stubbed medium from a 78g not its own nib). Also the <F> nib with the 659 seems to write as nicely as the <F> on my 78g, I have not tested the <EF>.

 

Barrels, caps and sections are interchangeable between the 659 and 78g.

Edited January 24, 2016 by GeneralSynopsis

[GeneralSynopsis]

The width of the converter's open end looks similar to Pilot cartridges, so I would think Pilot cartridges will fit.

 

Just tried a Con-20 in a 659 section, and failed as it would have required me forcing it, with excessive force, as the top of the section is a bit too tight to get it fully in.

Edited January 24, 2016 by GeneralSynopsis

[Nosferatualso]

Thank you for sharing this. I have ordered a demonstrator model

[sandy101]

I had a splurge last year and spent £20 on four Chinese Fountain Pens.

 

I was quite impressed with what I got. Although the convertors seemed to be not quite as well fitting as I would like, they all take international standard cartridges.

 

The Kagileu 316 had the best nib of the bunch. It glides quite well over the page.

 

The Baoer 388 reminded my of my Parker Sonnet, but the nib is more of a "fine" than the medium. It gives a bit of feedback as a result. It's not unpleasantly scratchy, but if you want a "smooth" ride, then this is not it.

 

I also got a Hero 382, which writes OK, but is prone to ink leaking through the nib. It's not particularly portable, so I use it as a desk pen.

 

If you are looking for something different, the Pilot 78G broad is worth getting hold of if you can find it. It is a stub nib, which gives you some line variation, which means you can do some lovely calligraphy with it. Being an all plastic affair, it is a light pen.

Edited January 24, 2016 by sandy101

[AndWhoDisguisedAs]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. It's tremendously helpful. So let me pose the question: What's your favorite Chinese fountain and why? I'm looking for a smooth nib and even flow. My favorite writers these days are fine nibs - but if a medium writes like a fine, that's um fine. I learn so much from your expertise and sincerely appreciate it. Oh, one more thing. I picked up a Jin Hao 159 and would like to replace the Medium nib it came with. Any suggestions?

[AndWhoDisguisedAs]

I had a splurge last year and spent £20 on four Chinese Fountain Pens.

 

I was quite impressed with what I got. Although the convertors seemed to be not quite as well fitting as I would like, they all take international standard cartridges.

 

The Kagileu 316 had the best nib of the bunch. It glides quite well over the page.

 

The Baoer 388 reminded my of my Parker Sonnet, but the nib is more of a "fine" than the medium. It gives a bit of feedback as a result. It's not unpleasantly scratchy, but if you want a "smooth" ride, then this is not it.

 

I also got a Hero 382, which writes OK, but is prone to ink leaking through the nib. It's not particularly portable, so I use it as a desk pen.

 

If you are looking for something different, the Pilot 78G broad is worth getting hold of if you can find it. It is a stub nib, which gives you some line variation, which means you can do some lovely calligraphy with it. Being an all plastic affair, it is a light pen.

 

Do you know how does the Kaglieu 316 compares with the Kaglieu 356? And what size nib is your 316? Thank you.

[hbdk]

The 356 (as well as the Baoer 388) uses a no. 5 nib - you can replace the original nib with e.g. a Knox or Jovo nib with the line width of your choice.

 

I believe the 316 uses a no. 6 nib (looks like it) but I haven't tried to use another nib on that one.

[Nosferatualso]

I love the Jinhao 159. I have a Nemosine 0.6 italic #6 nib in it

[GeneralSynopsis]

 

Do you know how does the Kaglieu 316 compares with the Kaglieu 356? And what size nib is your 316? Thank you.

The 356 uses a #5 and the 316 a #6 nib. I can't say anything about their line width out of the box, other than they are not extra fines (maybe fine medium?), as all of mine are reground to stubs. They now give a ~0.2 x 0.6 mm line width (thin by thick) and are some of the nicest stubs I have.

Edited January 26, 2016 by GeneralSynopsis

[OCArt]

I have changed nibs on two K316 pens and both times I found a #5 nib fit perfectly. I tried a #6 and it was too tight a fit without some work. Perhaps there are slightly differently versions around.

[AndyKeir]

 

I'm watching several 388's on eBay. I'm generally finding I like Fine nibs, especially from foreign manufacturers. What are you using?

 

Sorry for the slow response ... I've been away and had no Internet.

My 388 came with the standard nib which doesn't have any markings other than the word BAOER.

The nib writes a fairly fine line ... I would estimate equivalent to a regular fine nib. It's decently smooth.

[captain_snorkel]

Mine arrived today. I fitted the EF nib and inked it up with Doimine Sargasso Sea.

 

It might be my favourite writer. Its very fine, controlled and just perfectly toothy so you have just the right feedback.

[Flounder]

My steel &chrome trim demonstrator arrived today. First impressions:

 

• The main difference seems to be the cartridge nipple, which lacks the usual Pilot cartridge piercer. An empty Pilot cart will fit, but there is no piercing part to open a fresh cartridge. The cartridge nipple is formed from the section, rather than relying on the feed's friction fit to stay in place as per some other chinese cheap clones.
• I tried a 78G squeeze converter, and the opening was too narrow, similar to GeneralSynopsis' general synopsys.
• Dry writing with both the fine and extra fine nibs feels smooth.
• The Fine section is actually marked with an F, the extra fine is unmarked.
• The cap screws on to the 78G well, the barrel slightly balkily as it abutts the section, as it is threaded all the way to its mouth, whereas the 78G's leaves a space after the threads.

[Ink Stained Wretch]

 

I can recommend the Baoer 388. It's an inexpensive Chinese pen in a very Parker Sonnet-ish sort of a way if you get my meaning ...

I have one and I'm very happy with it.

 

I'm testing a Baoer 388 right now. It writes decently, although it's got a line that is more fine than I prefer. But it writes, all right. It's apparently made of brass covered in plastic and will probably withstand some punishment in a bag or some similar environment. It wouldn't be one of my really well liked fountain pens, but I could use it without a problem.

[truthpil]

Could someone with a 78g and the 659 do a writing sample and comparison of the nibs?

I'd love to have a demonstrator that looks like the 78g, but the nibs on the 78g's are really smooth, better the Metropolitan I have.

[Flounder]

I recently ordered a cheap light tent, as I've a backlog of fp stuff I'd like to get through and the winter light conditions make all my photos even worse. If it improves things, I'll prioritise the 659 review.

[truthpil]

Thanks, that would be excellent!!

[truthpil]

I'm specifically trying to decide on a cheap pen to dedicate to Noodler's Baystate Blue.

Right now the decision is between the Wing Sung 659 and a Pilot Kakuno with F nib. If the 659 nibs are comparable to the 78g, the 659 would have the advantages of a demonstrator and having an EF nib to prevent some of BSB's feathering on cheap paper.