Wing Sung, Jinhao, Hero, Delike, Ling Mo and more are making Marx - but is it a Chinese Revolution?

I don't know about you, but I've been doing a little more than Peking into the recent batch of fountainpens coming out of China and, by and large there is Mao to like than I would have figured!

The Great Wall. From left: Wing Sung 618 (first 3 pens, mix between Parker 51 with Sailor Progear colouring), Jinhao 992 (green, Sailor progear clone), Delike New Moon (another Sailor clone, slim, and solid colour), Wing Sung 698 (Twsbi variation), 5 more Jinhao 992s in different colours, and a Ling Mo Lorelei (yes, the spirit that lured Sailors to their death!)

I know that imitation is meant to be the most sincere form of flattery but surely there has to come a point....! 

Yes, they're derivative; very derivative. These Chinese fountainpen offspring are clearly not the first borns of the Lamy, Parker, Montblanc, Sailor and even Twsbi that they seek to emulate;  nevertheless, they are generally inexpensive (I paid AU$1.25 for a Lamy Safari cloned Hero 359 in transparent green); and some offer interesting variations on the theme.

Wing Sung is one brand that appears to be playing with its designs and doing a good job with it. [For an incisive review of the Wing Sung brand evolution, go here: the new Wing Sung ]

I have recently acquired two Wing Sung models: the much lauded 698 and the 618 (also called TuSu). The 698 is essentially a (cheaper) copy of the TWSBI 580; and the 618 is the love-child of the Parker 51 (hooded nib, arrowed clip) and the Sailor sparklies. While the derivative theme remains however, the differences are interesting. 

Wing Sung 698, inked with Caran d'Ache Amazon

The Wing Sung 698 has a clever locking mechanism on the piston to stop accidental turns and inkplosions (especially when posted). Twsbi doesn't have this. The nib has a clear feed (which is nice), is more than adequate in its own right and is interchangeable with Pilot Kakuno and Metropolitan - making it quite versatile. The ink capacity, like the Twsbi, is significant, making it an excellent long-writing-stint pen and only AU$15. Do I prefer it to my TWSBI 580? No. As good as it is, the TWSBI feels more solid and has an intangible higher feel of quality to it (Which it should given that I could buy six 698s for the price of one TWSBI - which in itself is not expensive) . I'm not passing in my TWSBIs; but I am very happy with my 698, and it will remain in my rotation as a serious contender for my attention.

Wing Sung TuSu 618

The WIng Sung TuSu 618 is their latest offering. Another piston filling pen but this time with a hooded nib and gold arrow clip (a la Parker 51) with steel and 12k gold nibs (I only have the steel) and sporting a semi-transparent coloured body with little touches of glitter akin to Sailor offerings. There is also a non-glitter navy blue edition. These pens are attractive; but to my eyes appear a little gaudy and plasticky. They are also very, very light, which adds to the sense of "cheapness" to the pens. This said, the writing experience is excellent and the price low (same as the 698, but to me not up to the same standard). The factor that sets these pens aside as part of a serious and improving Chinese pen offering, is that Wing Sung are experimenting with differences that are drawing attention to their brand in its own right and gathering a following.

Pens like the Ling Mo Lorelei and Delike New Moon (pictured below) are also upping the feel of quality in Chinese pens and adding to the "legitimacy" of Chinese pen offerings against their more costly rivals and making Chinesse pens a genuine alternative to the "main-stream" international brands.

Chinese pens have always been cheaper, but now they are starting to rival for substance. It will take a long march indeed for these Chinese siblings to match the originals; so it's not so much a revolution as an evolution - and anything may happen along the way. 

Nevertheless, if the current progress of Chinese pens continues, the entire Quillosphere will benefit from the results.

PS. Don't forget that November 3rd is the date for the 2017 Fountain Pen Day! 

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