HONG DIAN M2 Black Forest Mini Fountain Pen, Medium Soft Nib & Sleek Shape Aluminium Short Pocket Travel Pen (Midnight Blue)

One of this pen's standout features is its compact size, making it the perfect everyday carry. Despite its reduced dimensions, it feels reassuringly substantial in hand, thanks to its solid brass construction. Its pocket-friendly design ensures it fits comfortably in your pocket or bag without adding unnecessary bulk or weight. For those on the move, this pen is a reliable companion, ready to jot down thoughts or notes at a moment’s notice. I keep this pen in my Traveler's Notebook Passport size.The pen’s design is an ode to minimalism and durability. Not sure if this pen will develop a patina though, the brass seems to be coated or something. The threading mechanism is smooth and secure, ensuring the cap stays firmly in place whether the pen is in use or stored. The medium nib strikes the ideal balance between precision and versatility, appealing to both casual writers and enthusiasts alike.Performance-wise, this pen truly shines. The medium nib glides effortlessly across the page, offering a smooth, uninterrupted flow of ink. Whether you’re writing quick notes or composing longer pieces, the pen delivers a consistently enjoyable experience. Its balance, even with the cap posted, makes it comfortable for extended writing sessions.This pen is a triumph of thoughtful design and engineering. Perfect for those who value portability without compromising on style or writing quality, it’s a must-have for anyone seeking a reliable, beautiful, and functional addition to their everyday carry. With its timeless appeal and smooth writing experience, this pen effortlessly combines practicality with sophistication. Highly recommended!

My second M2, after the brass! First, they're both awesome. I'm a bit partial to the titanium, just because of the texture, and I'm partial to the color and the way the light glints off titanium. I believe it is much less slippery than the brass, and it feels great in the hand.I've seen a couple of reviews on YouTube say the posted titanium was longer and slightly more back-heavy than the brass. It's possible the difference others observed is variation in the manufacture of the pens, but I'm not getting that in my units.Posted, the lengths are identical to my eye, with basically the same balance. I find the weight of the titanium to be perfect. I like a feeling the weight of the pen in my hand a bit, and this strikes the balance between nimble and that "heavy quality" feeling.Capped, the titanium is about a 1 or 1.5 millimeters longer.As other reviews have stated, the titanium does not have the plastic inside of the cap for softer posting. I prefer that myself, but does clink a bit, and I can see a ring starting wear in to the barrel on the titanium where the cap grasps the barrel. Again, I kind of like the raw metal pen developing some character, so I don't mind.The one drawback of the lack of a plastic liner is that it's possible to wiggle the cap back and forth a touch while posted. It posts firmly, but, the idea that there's a bit of play to it kind of bothers me.I purchased with a medium nib, but quickly swapped out for an EF. The medium writes extremely broad on these pens, and EF is perfect for me.It flows well, and I have had no issues with dry-out using my favorite ink: Sailor Souboku.For utility, the clip on the pen is great! I understand they've made some improvements relative to the brass and AL versions, including a pin with a larger diameter. I will say, that little off-center spring in there feels like the weak point, and seems like it will fail eventually.Honestly, this is a legendary pen, though. It's a bit of a premium pen compared to the AL, or even brass version - but still at a price that I don't feel like I need to baby it.

I have several of these Hong Dian (or Hong Dian or Hongdian, I’ve seen all variations) M2 pocket pens. They are sleek and tough, comfortable in my hands (medium sized with long fingers), and are all great writers.. They can be written with without posting the long cap on the back, but they are made to be posted. Then they are the length of a standard fountain pen; the posting is easy and secure. They are made of metal, so the weight in the hand when posted is in the sweet zone for me.These pens are attractive too, especially this reddish orange one with gold-colored hardware. The clip is not only built in (unlike, for example, the Kaweco), it is actively springy, actually the most functionally useful clip I have on a fountain pen. The nib runs pretty true to stated size for Western pens. (Japanese pens are typically about a size smaller.) It has just a touch of bounce and is a very smooth, wet writer. I have examples of these Hong Dian #5 nibs in EF, F and M and all are great, smooth writers right out of the box. The provided cartridge converter is nicer than the one for Pilot pens, and again, I point out that some manufacturers like Kaweco require that it be purchased separately. It’s smaller than a standard converter but holds enough ink for my needs between refills.I carry my M2s, with different inks, in a holder now, attached by their springy clips, but in the past I have carried one loose in my trouser pocket with no leaks or other issues. There is good sealing of nib when closed, so they are always ready for drawing or writing without drying out between uses. If I’m panning to write for many pages, I will turn to a favorite large fountain pen, but for something rugged and portable, these are great. They are also inexpensive enough that if I lose one, I won’t be crushed.The only potential negatives I can see have not been issues for me: (1) someone with large hands might find the section a bit narrow, though it should be long enough, and (2) some may find the section to be a bit too slippery. I do wish they would equip this model with a slightly roughened section for a better grip, but I can deal with it as is.I do like this M2 pocket pen model better than the earlier M1, which is similar but smaller when posted and not as comfortable for me.

I decided to give this pen a try despite not being familiar with the manufacturer, Hongdian, because it was listed as a pocket pen with a soft nib, and the price was right. I found mixed joy and disappointment in what I received.Pros:+ This is a compact pen that posts nicely, comfortable both when pocketed and when in use. Its aluminum cap and barrel feel sturdy.+ The matte finish is attractive.+ At $20 with converter included, the pen is good value.+ The pen takes international standard (short or long) cartridges, which makes it easy to refill whether you prefer cartridges or bottle ink.Cons:- This was advertised as a soft-nib pen, but it most certainly is not. "Soft" in terms of fountain pen nibs refers to a nib that flexes during use to provide variation in the width of the line put to paper and how fast ink flows onto the paper...but does so less than a "flex" nib. This is a very rigid steel nib (albeit a fairly smooth one).- This pen seems to come from China, so I assumed that listed nib sizes were Asian sizes similar to Namiki/Pilot, or Jinhao. What I received was more of a Western medium, similar to a Pelikan or Lamy nib.- The converter is very flimsy, and attaches a bit loosely. I expect to have to replace it before long.Overall... I like the pen. At just about $20, it compares reasonably well to my much more expensive Kaweco AL Sport. However, I found the description rather misleading. It should *not* be listed as a soft nib, and it should be specified that the nib sizing is Western.

I really like this pen - the color, the weight, the feel. But I did have to replace the nib with a Picasso Medium nib I had in my stash because the OEM nib *squeaked* really bad! I tried tuning it a bit with some micro-mesh and Mylar paper, but it still squeaked, so I just switched it out. Now it writes very well, though I may at some point replace the nib with a Bock or JoWo.If you want a less expensive alternative to one of the small Kaweco fountain pens, this is a good option. The pen seems well-made, solid, and is a really good size -- somewhat better than the Kaweco Liliput, since this one is slightly longer when posted; about the same size as the Kaweco Sport, as can be seen in the photo.Photo reference --Top: Kaweco Ice Sport - PinkMiddle: Hogdian M2 Black Forest Mini - Army GreenBottom: Kaweco Liliput Fireblue.UPDATE: I bought the Midnight Blue version of this pen and it wrote BEAUTIFULLY right out of the box! No skipping, no scratchiness, no squeakiness, just smooth writing that's better than some of my $100+ pens. Really really nice pen!

I love writing and fountain pens. I have a decent collection. Some quite expensive. And, I've learned $$ aren't always the measure of a good writer in a pen. I've taken to these Hong Dian fountain pens. Especially the "soft" version of their nibs. This pen is a "soft" Medium and again, doesn't disappoint. It writes wet and full. I can use it with drier inks and it will put decent ink to paper. With wet inks it is a dream and glides effortlessly with full, dark linework that doesn't feather on good paper.While these "soft" nibs are not the same as a "flex" nib (they don't really "flex" to offer line variation that way). These soft nibs have a nice spring and give to them that makes them a pleasure to write with, with good ink flow, and a forgiving feel that makes them easier to control for me, especially for longer writing sessions. Some reviews note issues with these pens. For me, this hasn't been the case - there's been a lot of value for the money. I now have 5 of the Hong Dian pens and none of them have had any issues. The brass version of this M2 gives the Kaweco Sport Brass (which I also have) a serious run for its money, especially with the "soft" nib. Even their normal "classic" nibs that are stiffer (the way a stock jowo or schmidt nib is) flow ink beautifully and write very well. I have several of those nibs as well in EF, F, M, Fude, and Blade. They all write wet and work as they should. I just don't have anything but good to say about these pens so far, especially for the money. Honestly, with Amazon's policy, if I did happen to get something that didn't meet the performance of the others I had, I'd just exchange it for one that does. These less expensive pens find their way into rotation with my expensive pens. I enjoy writing and creating with them all.

TLDR: Okay pen for the price, certainly better value than other popular alternatives. Would suggest the brass one over the aluminum. Feels nicer, less slippery, can patina nicely with the coating removed. Ended up with a defective nib on the aluminum version.Warning: this is a ridiculously long and detailed review dedicated to those who obsessively research their purchases before buying (like me).So, I wasn’t super impressed with this model, although I really wanted to be. The body was a large drawback for me. Like many have noted, the anodized aluminum makes the pen really slippery and difficult to grip comfortably. I have relatively small hands and tend to gravitate towards smaller grip diameters, but I didn’t really like the experience of this pen. The body material is also kind of loud when capping/uncapping—it makes a scratching sound which isn’t necessarily bothersome, just a little awkward when using in a quiet space like a classroom. I also wished that the blue was more toned as it is in the photos. I would call it more of a sky blue than midnight, but I like the overall aesthetics in general. The grip section tends to come loose when you uncap the pen. The included o-ring on the grip threads doesn’t feel very substantial, and it unscrews easily which is annoying to have to adjust before writing. I appreciated the spring clip, but wish that the tension was slightly more secure.Now, the nib was unfortunately my biggest issue with this. I think I probably received a dud, considering how many reviews praise the nib feel, but mine was scratchy out of the box. I checked the tine alignment under a loupe and didn’t see any problems there, but I did see that the rounded bottom of the nib was machined unevenly. This is a complicated fix and shouldn’t really be an issue for a brand new item.I bought the brass version in <F> and would recommend that model over the aluminum. The body weight feels great and balanced, and the o-ring does a slightly better job. I didn’t have a problem with the nib on that one. I ended up removing the coating so that it could patina naturally, and I’m more than satisfied with it in terms of value. Both of these pens are legitimate competitors to other popular pocket pens, and you get a lot for your money with them, especially considering other brands require you to purchase a clip and converter separately.Pictured is a writing sample with both M2 pens and a Kaweco Liliput for comparison. First is on a Rhodia dot pad, which I find makes my inks and pens come out a little dry. I also included a writing sample on Lochby 52gsm TR paper.

After my extra fine point nib m2 I had to try the long knife point. The nib is good and writes well!! The grip and feel of it's coating is what keeps me coming back with its compacted size. I've yet to try the piston cartridge but I do use the ink cartridges with no leakage. Depending on your paper and writing style some ink drying time may vary. These are a great gist for the price too! I had given one to my sister and she's a office stationary freak so she was surprised how well made and enjoyable this pen is!!

Świetne pióro

Premetto che sono un collezionista di stilografiche ed ho alcuni bei pezzi nella mia collezione; credo di saper distinguere una buona penna stilografica da una schifezza. Ciò detto ho visto questo prodotto che mi ha incuriosito per le dimensioni e la possibilità di scegliere la larghezza del pennino, inoltre mi piaceval'idea di poter prendere una stilografica da portarmi fuori dall'ufficio senza l'incubo di poterla perdere; sulla base del prezzo ho subito pensato che probabilmente stavo buttando via 20 euro.... Invece devo dire che non è niente male! La scrittura è fluida e pulita senza sbavature o riduzioni di flusso; il corpo è leggero ma con il cappuccio infilato, la penna risulta ben bilanciata. La clip è forte e non fa sfuggire la penna dal taschino della giacca. La verniciatura sembra ben fatta e ne verificherò la durata con il tempo. L'impugnatura (Section) è avvitata al corpo (Barrel) ed è presente una guarnizione costituita da un o-ring in gomma. Il tappo (Final) è anch'esso avvitato al corpo e la filettatura sembra ben fatta e senza imprecisioni.Preciso subito che a tenerla in mano non si ha alcuna sensazione nè di valore nè di particolare solidità, ma, ripeto, scrive molto bene e fa egregiamente il suo lavoro. Il Converter in dotazione è buono e (almeno per ora) ha una buona tenuta di sottovuoto aspirando correttamente l'inchiostro senza perdite. Il disegno è molto bello e la sua dimensione ridotta (chiusa 10,4 cm, aperta senza cappuccio 10 cm, aperat con cappuccio infilato nel corpo 13,4 cm) ne fa un oggettino interessante da portare con se. Se la dovessi perdere sono 20 euro buttati ma sicuramente ne comprerei un'altra.

Bought this pen as it looked good and had some good reviews. Didn’t have much expectations but was trying.This pen is small pocket pen somewhat similar to Kaweco Al Sport. Dimensions are slightly different. I can use the pen unposted easily whereas Kawecos are a bit difficult. Look wise it’s well polished and solid. It comes with a converter which is a big plus (unlike kawecos). Writing wise the nib is butter smooth. Too smooth for my style of writing (luckily no baby bottom issues which I feared)All in all good pen for the price. It’s way cheaper than Kaweco and hope it lasts like my Kawecos did (years and even decades for some)Kaweco still wins but at a different price point altogether

Pluma Hong Dian M2 titanio y latón. Excelente calidad en estas pequeñas plumas de bolsillo. La escritura es muy suave, fluida y la construcción de lo mejor. El único pero es que la pluma de latón llegó con tinta seca y me costó mucho limpiarla.

Stylo de poche/voyage, de belle facture.