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

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 have been using this pen for about a week and here is my review:Packaging & Accessories: 8/10The pen comes in an oval metal box. I have another Hongdian fountain pen and the packaging is the same. The pen came in a plastic bag for additional protection.Aesthetics & Quality (10/10)The M2 is a nice little pen. Aesthetically the lines are pleasant to the eye (I like squared lines to curvy ones) and it appears to be well put together. It comes with a clip that is very usable. It has a nice medallion with the Hongdian mark on top (it appears 3D) and Hongdian M2 stamped on the side of the cap. The concept is similar to the Kaweco Sport and other pocket pens: the cap is quite long and the pen itself quite short (see pictures): once the cap is posted the pen becomes full size. The materials used is probably alluminum well anodized. The pen comes with a converter, which is bigger than the one offered by Kaweco for the Sport and very to use. Similarly to the N11, the converter has a reinforced nipple and it can be disassembled for maintenance.The pen has an O-ring in the section to avoid accidentally unscrewing the body from the section and probably one more in the cap, as when the cap posts I can feel a nice positive engage from it: it won’t fall even if you violently shake the pen.Overall, very good quality.Nib and wiring quality: 9/10The nib looks like a number 5: I didn’t try to unscrew it, but I imagine you could. It is dark colored (ruthenium?) which matches the same color of the clip. It is very smooth with some nice feedback (not scratchy). I enjoy writing with it very much.Weight and Dimensions: 9/10The pen is pretty light as you would expect from a pocket pen. Being made of metal, it is heavier than a plastic Kaweco Sport, but definitely not that heavy and it feels pretty well in the hand. Closed it is about 4 inches long and capped it is about 5 inches: by no means a long pen but long enough to write comfortably.Cost & Value: 10/10The pen costs $19 on Amazon which is definitely not expensive and cheaper than a Kaweco Sport in metal. Considering that you get a nice pen, with a clip and a converted (the last two items are options for Kawecos and need to be purchased separately), this is a nice little package.Conclusion: (46/50 –92%)Hongdian did it again! This is another nice pen, especially if you are looking for an expensive pocket pen with substance (metal construction) and with the added bonus of a nice sized converter.

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.