Hong Dian 517S Metal Fountain Pen Review

A classic design. Writes well. Looks good. Noodler's Lexington Gray ink on paper is great.

[bahaven]

I don't care what Youtube thinks, I ALWAYS watch ALL of your video! Thanks for the review, enjoy, Barb

[edwardstaats]

For the record, I watch your whole videos, without exception because you have good videos. Thank you

[frankvars]

Thanks Chris! A very interesting review enriched with well-organized comparisons and images. I have various Hong Dian models and all of them are valid especially in the need for a fine line.

[crouserm]

I love that you take Hong Dian so seriously. They are a worthy manufacturer of pens, where we'd be vexed to lose or damage the cheap ones, and prize the high end ones. This one sounds like a fine EDC. My 1843 Navigator is utterly reliable; utterly sleek and interesting. My 885 Mt Qomolangma is sublime.

[timshi]

Hi Chris, nice review as always. 517s is a relatively early model from Hongdian (earlier than H1, and larger #6 nib ones), I got mine from Amazon in early 2020. it's interesting that mine got plain finials on both top and bottom of the pen. The EF nib is like around Japanese Fine. it's about same stiffness as another hongdian #6 nib, softer than newer twotone #5 nib came with hongdian H3 (should be similar nib as your H1). Overall I found this is a good pen, nothing to wow about, nothing to complain about. Classic looking with good finish, super reliable workhorse. Purchased other two Hongdian (1845 and H3) because of 517s. It's good to witness a new pen brand quickly evolve.

[wendyholiday]

Loved the HongDian comparison. Thanks for the thorough review!

[davecharvella]

As always, a great detailed and informative review. And, I loving that Lexington Gray ink!

[josephaziz]

Wide tight fitting converter makes this pen better than 99% of pens out there at any price. All reviewers should discuss this front and center.

[robbinallan]

I was as pleased with your reaction to the ink as to the pen. Lexington Grey is one of my absolute favorite inks of all. I find it to be beautiful and really well behaved. Looks great in your new pen.

[ichirofakename]

I love Lexington Gray. Black can look too harsh to my eye, so I often prefer gray. Nice and shady, nice and waterproof.

[davidmcguigan]

Thanks, Chris! After your last vid, I wondered when we'd see you again. Nice job by Hongdian and the ink looks pretty cool, too.

[okazakibuddhist]

Looks like a decent pen. I had been about to order the Wing Sung 601a for use as a daily carry. I may have to get this one included in that order. Love the ink too!

[TheNightowl]

Like you, I expected the cap to be a pop-off cap, especially since the 517D IS a pop-off cap. It seems odd to me to have two models numbered basically the same and the same dimensions, where I thought the alphabetic identifier was just a finish denominator. Despite all that, I'm okay with it being a screw-off cap. I like everything about my 517S. I like the extra-fine line, I like the weight and I like the look.

Nice review. I am a big fan of almost all the Hongdian metal pens. I do not have any of their acrylic pens, but I'll probably eventually get around to one. My first Hongdian all-metal pen was the 516, and I immediately was impressed with their extra-fine nib. That has led to me purchasing a fairly large number of their all-metal pens including several of the different colors of the Forest series, as well as the 517 and the 525 models.

[paulherman]

I love Noodler's Lexington Gray. Mainly because of its remarkable resemblance to pencil (I have fooled several people with it. 😁) And it's better behaved than some of the Noodler's inks.

[davidanderson]

I am pretty new to the Hongdian brand. A few weeks ago Doug reviewed the Hongdian 1841 and I decided to buy one. I must say I am impressed. It is my first and, so far, only Hongdian pen that I own. I will certainly be looking at new models to add to my collection. The 517S under review here is a nice looking pen. Not sure if I want one but I do like metal pens so it might well grow on me. I see the 517S as an EDC pen that doesn't show off too much but just gets the job done. By the way, I like the Lexington Gray as well. I don't own any grey inks. Something new for me to explore. Thanks for the review, Chris.

[Guderina]

Thanks Chris for another great review!!!

[DealerBoy]

Just wanted to let you know that I watch your videos until the end.

[glenpolo]

chris, how about the section? since it's metal, does it feel slippery when writing with it? this design is exactly same with 517D, only the 517D is all black and rubberized (i think) which makes it easy to grip.

[crouserm]

Also, gray is amazing. I have J. Herbin Gris de houle, which flows without being too wet, photocopies well, shades superbly, and, who'd have thought?

[ferrypen]

I like a nice grey ink, Diamine Earl Grey is a really good grey ink as in Krishna Pencil. But I agree that the Lexington Grey is extremely nice, in fact probably my favorite grey ink.
I don't think this is a pen for me however nice an ink you use.