Wing Sung 698 Piston-Filler

[Tasmith]

!!!!!

But I thought this time I would have a nice piston-filler with no major issues at a great price. : (( Damn it.

 

Never had the inner cap come out on either of my 698s. Purchased them about six months ago and use both daily.

[woleizihan]

I think they made some modifications to the pen and add the choice of a medium nib. Not sure about what's actually done and I still have no problem with my old ones so probably I'll never figure out.

[Honeybadgers]

I have a Wing Sung 698 that has terrible inkflow.

 

I tried fixing the nib and even replacing it with a Pilot nib.

 

The feed looked poor with an inconsistent channel so I replaced it with a Pilot Feed.

 

I flushed out the pen several times.

 

Has anyone else had this happen to them with a 698? I honestly haven't gotten the best inkflow out of 698's for some reason.

 

Sometimes feeds are not cut all that well and a flushing doesn't dislodge particles.

 

I've had a few old wing sung 590's that refused to flow correctly until I took a double edge razor blade (not a box cutter, a REAL safety razor blade) and ran the blunt edge along the feed channel. Sometimes they're not molded 100% correctly and a little channeling fixes it right up.

[dcwaites]

 

Sometimes feeds are not cut all that well and a flushing doesn't dislodge particles.

 

I've had a few old wing sung 590's that refused to flow correctly until I took a double edge razor blade (not a box cutter, a REAL safety razor blade) and ran the blunt edge along the feed channel. Sometimes they're not molded 100% correctly and a little channeling fixes it right up.

 

I use a set of cheapy feeler gauges for the same function. But without the sharp edges...

[BillPorter]

I have a couple of these, a demonstrator and a white one. Both with gold trim. I have had them for 7-8 months and haven't noticed any problems with either of them. A couple of months ago I was losing interest in the pen hobby and decided to sell off most of my pens. I sold some "nicer" pens such as a Visconti and some Watermans. It may be worth noting that I sold two TWSBI Eco pens but kept my two Wing Sung 698 pens.

 

I have enjoyed reading through this thread and now find myself considering buying one or two more 698s.

 

Excuse me if a link for this review was posted earlier in this thread, but I did not notice it if it was. I liked this review, especially when it showed how to disassemble and re-assemble the pen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3ygf2rsNN8 In this review, reverse writing with the 698 fine nib (not the extra-fine) was pretty smooth. When I tried reverse writing with my demo 698 it was quite scratchy but a couple of minutes with 12000 micro-mesh and it was definitely smooth enough for pleasant writing.

Edited December 31, 2017 by BillPorter

[kulms]

Wow! what a nice pen, i should probably get one for school since they are so cheap

[Honeybadgers]

 

I use a set of cheapy feeler gauges for the same function. But without the sharp edges...

 

Works just as good. I just mention the razor blade because feeler gauges are less common.

[sciumbasci]

Fingers crossed for a 2018 postable version!

[RoyalBlueNotebooks]

Fingers crossed for a 2018 postable version!

Something like the TWSBI mini. Or the Kaweco Sport but as piston-filler.

[Honeybadgers]

I just ordered one of the 14k nib versions, $45. I figured that as much as I use my 698 and just how right it feels in my hand, I could justify it.

 

I too would love a postable version and broad/italic nib offerings (I know pilot italics fit, I'd like a broad or double broad though, but I did order a couple of the medium nibs since they're selling those on their own now)

[dcwaites]

Yes, I have just ordered a pair of Mediums and a pair of Fines. I figure I can use them in my 698, 695 or Caliarts Ego. If I could find a pair of Broads without having to buy a pair of new Pilot 78Gs to go with them, I would, and make myself a nice fine stub nib.

[RoyalBlueNotebooks]

Yes, I have just ordered a pair of Mediums and a pair of Fines. I figure I can use them in my 698, 695 or Caliarts Ego. If I could find a pair of Broads without having to buy a pair of new Pilot 78Gs to go with them, I would, and make myself a nice fine stub nib.

Since the 78Gs cost around 17-18€ each, I figured I'd try a Pilot Pluminix nib for my 698. The Pluminix are 7€, so it's a safer investment.

[DavionWest]

I just ordered one of the 14k nib versions, $45. I figured that as much as I use my 698 and just how right it feels in my hand, I could justify it.

 

I too would love a postable version and broad/italic nib offerings (I know pilot italics fit, I'd like a broad or double broad though, but I did order a couple of the medium nibs since they're selling those on their own now)

 

Could you tell me how the 14k one works when you get it, I'm thinking about buying one.?

[MichaelHall]

 

Anyone noticed gold plating wearing off the nib on their 698?

Today while cleaning the pen I noticed that there is a quite noticeable plating loss along the slit and the tipping.

I know such things are to be expected with the gold(-ish) plated steel nibs over time, but this was, I think, second or third time this pen was ever filled.

 

Yes, most of the gold finish of my 698's steel nib has worn off above the breather hole (only remaining at the lower outer edge), and there is also a loss of gold at the base of the nib almost up to the bottom of the "F" for fine, about 3mm. After initially using Diamine Vivaldi and Eclipse, I switched to KWZ IG Gummiberry and that's when I noticed the start of a loss of gold, which progressed. The pen is 3 months old, and the IG ink was first put in 6 weeks ago. Compared to Diamine inks, this iron gall ink works better, more lubricating, less subject to drying out, so I really have nothing but good things to say about it, except... it ate my gold plating. Before you say it can't eat gold, remember the guy who had the bad batch of some iron gall ink (not KWZ) that ate holes through nibs, including gold nibs. Also, note that I disassemble and soak my 698 in water every two weeks.

 

I also have this IG ink in a Jinhao 159. There is no sign of wear on its "18KGP" two tone nib. Of course, with the whole pen costing just $4 shipped, the nib is probably not gold plated.

[MichaelHall]

I finally took a picture...

 

 

Left: 698 F nib after KWZ IG ink for a couple months

Right: 698 EF nib, never used

 

I think highly of KWZ IG ink. The nib doesn't look that bad. It's a two tone nib now, LOL.

[Honeybadgers]

 

Could you tell me how the 14k one works when you get it, I'm thinking about buying one.?

 

It's great.

 

I've been using a plumix stub in a 698 for about a year straight now, for doing the headers on my planner. It's never put a foot wrong and hasn't even stained from any ink I've put in it.

 

It's truly a damned fine pen. I just wish it had a postable version.

 

IG inks are not safe for steel nibs or demonstrators (the light will discolor the ink in a demo pen anyways), no matter what they say. I use Diamine Registrars IG continuously in my 3776 UEF year round alongside the 698 stub and it has pretty much ruined the interior of the converter. It still works, but is becoming heavily discolored. It even tarnishes the gold nib pretty impressively and requires a gentle polishing every 3 months or so. I only use IG inks in converter fed pens with gold nibs that I don't value too greatly, and that can be disassembled for thorough cleaning

Edited May 15, 2019 by Honeybadgers

[MichaelHall]

I recently got a 14k nib 698 as a gift. There's an easy way to convey the experience: the 14k is very similar to the 698 EF. Both write very fine without pressure. They feel the same - pencil-like feedback - and much to my surprise the line variation on the EF is equally impressive as on the 14k, which is a compliment to the EF, not a negative for the 14k. Mind you, I've used the EF for only a few minutes. It is presumably one of the "newer, softer" nibs. I don't enjoy the EF as much as the F or M, but I appreciate the 14k because compared to the EF it puts down a wetter/darker and finer line with no pressure.

 

Don't expect very thick lines out of the 14k. It's not a flex nib. It goes from almost EEF to somewhere between a F and M.

If you read reviews of the 14k, you will see that roughly half say it's smooth with good line variation and half say it's scratchy and stiff. After receiving and using mine, I don't think this is due to variation in the nibs. I think half the people write with a light touch normally - and thus the nib feels smooth and has good line variation - and the other half write with pressure normally - and thus it feels scratchy and has very little line variation.

[Honeybadgers]

the 14k is very much not like that in mine. Mine's easily as soft as a pilot custom 74 SF, and the line is definitely closer to a 698 F instead of an EF.

 

Here's a video link of the nib from the 698 in a faber castell loom. It's very smooth and you can see there's actually quite a lot of line variation to be had in normal writing pressures.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJOrsQcygco

[welch]

I just received a black Wing Sung 698. Looks elegant. Cap wiggles a little when I post it. That's OK.

 

Cannot get the piston to move. Has anyone else seen this? Any fix, other than soaking it piston-knob down?

[Cyclohexene]

I just received a black Wing Sung 698. Looks elegant. Cap wiggles a little when I post it. That's OK.

 

Cannot get the piston to move. Has anyone else seen this? Any fix, other than soaking it piston-knob down?

Pull the knob out slightly to disengage the piston lock, then it is free to rotate.