****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Fountain pens with vacuum-filling mechanisms have traditionally been associated with quite a high cost of entry, with the quintessential modern vacuum-filling "grail pen" being the Pilot Custom 823 whose MSRP ranges from $235 on the "gray market" to $288 from reputable sellers in the U.S. For just over $6 apiece, this set of three pens offers the coveted vacuum-filling mechanism in an extremely budget-friendly package, and in three highly attractive colors. For comparison, the popular TWSBI Vac700 which these pens were ostensibly styled after retails for $65, and the PenBBS 456 is typically around $40. The closest competitor for most affordable vacuum-filler is probably the PenBBS 268, but even that costs about three times as much per pen and comes in only one color option (transparent with silver trim).Given the cost, I was really not expecting much from the build quality of the pen. And indeed, I noticed a few flaws with the finish - all three arrived with noticeable scuffs on the acrylic as well as the clip, but I believe this was just a byproduct of the manufacturing process. These can likely be buffed out with a finishing cloth if so desired.More importantly, to my surprise, the pen body has decent heft and feels quite solid and girthy in hand. The cap screws on securely and the clip seems functional, if not the most awe-inspiring. As for the filling mechanism, it seems to work although it does not take in as much ink on a single pump as compared to my PenBBS 456. However, this is acceptable to me given that the latter costs over six times as much - a single pump can still write many pages' worth, and a fuller fill can be achieved if desired by pumping a few extra times.As expected of Wing Sung, the business end of the pen writes smoothly and consistently right from the start. It is rumored that they manufacture their nibs using old Pilot equipment, and the quality has been consistently high in my experience. Many of my daily users have been Wing Sungs, including the 618 and 698, and this one is slated to join their ranks.Pros:- vacuum-filling mechanism with extremely high theoretical ink capacity- Pilot-compatible nib and feed (may be swapped with a Plumix nib if desired)- demonstrator style enables easy view of ink levelCons:- microscratches on body, cap, and clip- does not take up as much ink as expected on a single pumpOther comments:- I personally like the faceted end and cap, though some may prefer a more uniform rounded profile throughout- I do not like the way that the cap ring bulges outOverall, I'm really excited about this pen and I believe it will become a staple in my everyday rotation with its sturdy build, attractive color, large ink capacity and delightful nib. It feels at least as solid in hand and smooth a writer as the Wing Sung 698, at less than half the price. Another great addition to the Wing Sung lineup!
