Gui Guan 515

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A few weeks back an FPNer approaches me to write some reviews of interesting CHinese pens and all I have to do is be honest. No problem. I get to keep the pens no strings attached as long as I write about them. Very cool.

 

So I get this little bitty package in the mail today, and my first thought, before I even open it, was "Wow this is small!" And it is small too. It's short and skinny. But as far as small pens go, from my experience with them, this one feels pretty good. And if you like small pens, you might really like it because of the bulge between the section and barrel.

 

It's really kind of heavy for it's small size. Solid brass, I'm guessing. Gotta say I've never been a fan of brass pens. They're just too heavy for their size in my opinion. But I have used a few bigger brass pens, and that felt more natural, probably because of the larger grip section. I don't have to hold on to those the same way as these tiny suckers. But the bulge helps with that factor. I just wish it was thicker and the bulge even a bit bigger. I'd like that a whole lot more.

 

I'm also just not a fan of metal pens. I like celluloid, ebonite, and plastic. These things are usually just too slippery to hold on to and use for any period of time. I gotta be honest, I'm not liking holding on to this thing right now. Well, not RIGHT NOW, I'm typing what I wrote, but it's such chicken scratch I won't waste my time scanning it. It's just too small for me.

 

So when I tried to post it it wouldn't go on. It just slipped on and fell off. Well that stinks! Well, yeah, but that's not it. You gotta push it on there till it clicks. It's like that pair of jeans you had when you were 6 that had the snap instead of a button and you STILL needed help to get your britches fastened up. Ugh... But it does post securely. Depending on how you hold it, it can make or break the pen. I thought it threw the balance off.

 

The cap is nice looking though. I really like the brushed finish. It sort of has a golden silvery color to it. Contrasts very well with the rest of the pen. And that's gotta be the nicest thing about the looks of it is the finish. The color on this thing is gorgeous. It's saving grace if I'm honest. It changes colors depending on the light you're in. At least it does to my eye. I see dark purples and blues, browns and black.

 

Bad thing is, the cap spins when it's capped. Depending on how OCD or ADD you are, this could be really bad, or lots of fun to play with and spin in between notes. I was watching Pawn Stars earlier just a spinnin away. Thing is, the other pen (I have 2) doesn't do that. It caps very well and has NO play. I tried both caps on the one pen and they both spin on it. So it's not the cap, it's the pen. I wouldn't even begin to understand that, but it hasn't dried out, so the inner cap seals well.

 

THe filling system is the typical Chinese press bar that you're better off taking off and just squeezing the sac. Doing that I go from about 5 drops to maybe 15-20 or so.

 

The nib is sweet. Very smooth and rigid, so perfect for quick notes in my opinion. Nice and wet, maybe a 6/10.

 

All in all, a decent pen, but I wouldn't choose to get one for myself. I'd say it's worth what Speerbob is charging for it though. $15. THe finish is quality in my opinion, and it writes superbly. If you like small pens, or need a small pen for your checkbook or purse, then why not. If you happen to get one with a small section resulting in a spinning cap, take advantage of it and play with it like you would if you had a cheap clicky ball point pen. It just sort of satisfies the fidget in me.

 

It is very small though, and I'd never have it in my rotation, but it would make a great introduction to fountain pens for somebody. I'll end up giving them to one of my kids at school. I've already given out four of my pens and plan to keep on doing so (just the cheap ones, mind you).

 

Here are some pics!

 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5260208238_d2433a5149_b.jpg

 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5259600637_dea7d50fd8_b.jpg

 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5260208540_8b2b03db69_b.jpg

[mompus]

A few weeks back an FPNer approaches me to write some reviews of interesting CHinese pens and all I have to do is be honest. No problem. I get to keep the pens no strings attached as long as I write about them. Very cool.

 

So I get this little bitty package in the mail today, and my first thought, before I even open it, was "Wow this is small!" And it is small too. It's short and skinny. But as far as small pens go, from my experience with them, this one feels pretty good. And if you like small pens, you might really like it because of the bulge between the section and barrel.

 

It's really kind of heavy for it's small size. Solid brass, I'm guessing. Gotta say I've never been a fan of brass pens. They're just too heavy for their size in my opinion. But I have used a few bigger brass pens, and that felt more natural, probably because of the larger grip section. I don't have to hold on to those the same way as these tiny suckers. But the bulge helps with that factor. I just wish it was thicker and the bulge even a bit bigger. I'd like that a whole lot more.

 

I'm also just not a fan of metal pens. I like celluloid, ebonite, and plastic. These things are usually just too slippery to hold on to and use for any period of time. I gotta be honest, I'm not liking holding on to this thing right now. Well, not RIGHT NOW, I'm typing what I wrote, but it's such chicken scratch I won't waste my time scanning it. It's just too small for me.

 

So when I tried to post it it wouldn't go on. It just slipped on and fell off. Well that stinks! Well, yeah, but that's not it. You gotta push it on there till it clicks. It's like that pair of jeans you had when you were 6 that had the snap instead of a button and you STILL needed help to get your britches fastened up. Ugh... But it does post securely. Depending on how you hold it, it can make or break the pen. I thought it threw the balance off.

 

The cap is nice looking though. I really like the brushed finish. It sort of has a golden silvery color to it. Contrasts very well with the rest of the pen. And that's gotta be the nicest thing about the looks of it is the finish. The color on this thing is gorgeous. It's saving grace if I'm honest. It changes colors depending on the light you're in. At least it does to my eye. I see dark purples and blues, browns and black.

 

Bad thing is, the cap spins when it's capped. Depending on how OCD or ADD you are, this could be really bad, or lots of fun to play with and spin in between notes. I was watching Pawn Stars earlier just a spinnin away. Thing is, the other pen (I have 2) doesn't do that. It caps very well and has NO play. I tried both caps on the one pen and they both spin on it. So it's not the cap, it's the pen. I wouldn't even begin to understand that, but it hasn't dried out, so the inner cap seals well.

 

THe filling system is the typical Chinese press bar that you're better off taking off and just squeezing the sac. Doing that I go from about 5 drops to maybe 15-20 or so.

 

The nib is sweet. Very smooth and rigid, so perfect for quick notes in my opinion. Nice and wet, maybe a 6/10.

 

All in all, a decent pen, but I wouldn't choose to get one for myself. I'd say it's worth what Speerbob is charging for it though. $15. THe finish is quality in my opinion, and it writes superbly. If you like small pens, or need a small pen for your checkbook or purse, then why not. If you happen to get one with a small section resulting in a spinning cap, take advantage of it and play with it like you would if you had a cheap clicky ball point pen. It just sort of satisfies the fidget in me.

 

It is very small though, and I'd never have it in my rotation, but it would make a great introduction to fountain pens for somebody. I'll end up giving them to one of my kids at school. I've already given out four of my pens and plan to keep on doing so (just the cheap ones, mind you).

 

Here are some pics!

 

<a href=" title="gg1 by watch_art2010, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5260208238_d2433a5149_b.jpg" width="900" height="1000" alt="gg1" /></a>

 

<a href=" title="gg2 by watch_art2010, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5259600637_dea7d50fd8_b.jpg" width="742" height="917" alt="gg2" /></a>

 

<a href=" title="gg3 by watch_art2010, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5260208540_8b2b03db69_b.jpg" width="590" height="1024" alt="gg3" /></a>

 

 

Great review; thorough and candid. Thanks for looking the pens over.

 

I just happened to glance at the date you joined FPN.... Happy Anniversary!

 

mompus

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Thanks!

 

And whoops, not my anniversary yet. Gotta wait until February.

 

Think there's anything I missed in the review?

 

And how do you pronounce it?

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WOW! Brought these to school today, gave one away early and she LOVES it! I told her she has to write notes for me telling me what she thinks of the size, weight, and way it writes. Several other girls have been buggin the mess out of me to give it to one of them, but I'm waiting. I'd rather give it out when they're not expecting it.

[mompus]

Thanks!

 

And whoops, not my anniversary yet. Gotta wait until February.

 

Think there's anything I missed in the review?

 

And how do you pronounce it?

 

 

Yeah, I noticed that I'd jumped the gun on the date; I guess I'm a man ahead of the times. I probably should have warned you that, because the cap is a bit 'bulbous, the barrel needs to be centered to post comfortably. Pronounce 'gui' to rhyme with away, and 'guan' to rhyme with..... mastodon(!?)

Merry Christmas, and Thanks Again!

mompus

[mompus]

Thanks!

 

And whoops, not my anniversary yet. Gotta wait until February.

 

Think there's anything I missed in the review?

 

And how do you pronounce it?

 

 

Uh oh, now I'm a week late... Anyhow, happy 1st anniversary!

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Thanks!

[mompus]

Thanks!

[/quote

 

I just noticed; Today makes 3 years for me. (It is still 2/22 in the States, right?). No gifts please, just send money.

Best

mompus

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no money for me. just pens. either to review or fix.