My second Jinhao x159 writes somewhat better than the first one but could use an ink with less flow. Diamine Saddle Brown might be it’s next date if it doesn’t fill an Asvine C80 next.
New Faves for 2025
12/19/2025Time to assess recent additions and share the best of the lot with you.
For aesthetics, the Ferris Wheel Press Marquise is the clear winner. Note that it wrote very well with FWP ink so that duo is a winner.
Though I usually find metal pens to be too heavy, Asvine/Hongdian models won me over with their balance, length and nibs. The Carbon Fiber and the N2 are good enough to deserve regular use.
Nibs are somewhat unpredictable in the under $40 range though my Jinhao 82 pens have been reliable. Of the new nibs, two of the Asvine/Hongdian pens earned perfect scores.
The fine is a workhorse and the bent nib just plain fun but suitable for everyday writing as well. Smooth with a touch of feedback, both will get plenty of time in my rotation.
That brings us to ink and to be honest, I like some of my new ones but none are destined for my regular rotation. For that honor, an ink needs to have a unique color as well as outstanding properties and characteristics. It also has to make legible notes on mediocre looseleaf paper in my A5 notebook. Hongdian Sky Blue is at the top of the list performing well with the Hongdian 620 bent nib. It writes more like a broad nib that narrows to a fine than a fude that produces wide and varying lines like a brush.
So the overall winners came from Ferris Wheel Press and Asvine/Hongdian both of which were unexpected surprises.
As if you needed encouragement, these are the links at which my Asvine/Hongdian products were purchased:
Asvine/Hongdian Carbon Fiber Fine
What were your favorite acquisitions for 2025? Anything we should try in 2026?
Brown Ink and Pens
12/18/2025Looking for a brown pen and ink duo for my A5 journal. The Levenger True Writer has a B nib. The Baoer 8 Horses has a 1.1 mm. Which pen and ink would you choose?
A Conklin Duragraph Meets Diamine Ink
12/17/2025A Conklin Duragraph enjoys the company of Diamine Peach Haze. Even on copy paper they play well together.
Asvine/Hongdian Ink and Nibs
12/16/2025Asvine/Hongdian ink, Rhodia paper and a smudge. 🤷 The top three are Hongdian extra fine, fine and bent nibs. The bottom nib is a Jinhao 82 medium. The inks work best on good paper but can mildly feather, bleed or ghost on anything else. I like the Hongdian pens but will find inks that are better behaved in them for their next fills.
Cloisonné Birds Meet Fountain Pens
12/11/2025Those little cloisonné birds have returned to my desk following a long absence. Supervising a gathering of pens is a favorite activity for which they are perfectly suited.
Pilot Kaküno Smiley Nibs
12/08/2025
These Pilot Kaküno buddies have cute faces that amuse me when writing in my journal. It’s an inexpensive pen that is suitable for newbies and would make a good stocking stuffer. It comes with a cartridge but works with a Pilot converter, too.
The more recent model on the right is a clear demo that is filled with Diamine Eau de Nil. Purple ink is a good match as well. Pale inks are especially colorful in the demo. Pink might be suitable when my rotation switches to Spring mode. It isn’t even officially Winter and here I am thinking about warmer weather.
An Inkophile's Blog 
