Testing 11 Pens for Chinese Characters (Hanzi/汉字 writing samples)

My mission to find the perfect pen... BEGINS.
I tested 11 popular gel pens and rollerball pens from all the major pen manufacturers and provided writing samples with the most beautiful Chinese characters my subscribers voted for! Hopefully, this will help you decide which is the best pen for writing Chinese characters.
**Thank you to all my subscribers who helped me pick out which characters to write!
GIVEAWAY WINNERS!
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FrozenBird
A.k. a.k
Friedrich Wohler
STR Facts
fell in love
FEATURED GEL PENS (affiliate links)
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Uniball Signo 207: amzn.to/3lKJbdw
Pilot G2 gel pens: amzn.to/3zsvT9e
Sharpie S-Gel: amzn.to/3aEictN
Papermate Inkjoy: amzn.to/3DMKVcC
Pentel Energel: amzn.to/3vdtUFk
Bic Gelocity: amzn.to/3DO35dZ
Zebra G-301: amzn.to/3aEaccn
FEATURED ROLLERBALL PENS (affiliate links)
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Uniball Onyx: amzn.to/3mVChRZ
Pilot Precise V5 RT: amzn.to/2Xf24vI
Pilot Precise V7 RT: amzn.to/3vfuulL
Uniball Vision Elite: amzn.to/3BLzbX4
Sharpie Roller: amzn.to/3aH1gCU
Practice Grids (free download): www.purpleculture.net/chinese...
MUSIC
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Play Pals by Jonny Easton
Link: • Happy Background Music...
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#hanzi #hanja #kanji

Пікірлер: 118

  • @gordierye7590
    @gordierye75902 жыл бұрын

    Without a doubt you are the Mandarin guide on the Internet. Thanks for your consistently fine work.

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're too kind... I'm just a bloke on the internet who is also interested in Mandarin Chinese!

  • @kingisaac8932

    @kingisaac8932

    2 жыл бұрын

    I am

  • @LyxYun
    @LyxYun2 жыл бұрын

    Your character proportions all look so pretty and neat~

  • @haranodo
    @haranodo2 жыл бұрын

    ever since your last pen video my hanzi writing has heavily improved! i also have my first chinese exam next saturday, wish me luck!

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Good luck on your exam😇

  • @giorgospapoutsakis5271

    @giorgospapoutsakis5271

    9 ай бұрын

    How did it went?

  • @dottieshields5918
    @dottieshields5918 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this comprehensive review of pens. Very helpful.

  • @keilanluke
    @keilanluke2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video!! I've never written Chinese characters in my life, but I stumbled upon this vid, and now I'm interested :)

  • @jacktoddy9783
    @jacktoddy9783 Жыл бұрын

    A really useful video - thank you for making it.

  • @ImSedated
    @ImSedated2 жыл бұрын

    The Pilot G7 is what I use, purchased from Amazon in Oct. 2020 with Japan-made ink carts. As you mentioned, they write well and are inexpensive. Going to look into buying one of those Zebras because who doesn't love good writing pens? Thanks, nice video.

  • @ABChinese
    @ABChinese2 жыл бұрын

    Does the perfect gel pen exist? Let me know your recommendations!

  • @mayanlogos92
    @mayanlogos922 жыл бұрын

    Im curious: How do native Chinese kids learn to write in Chinese? From where they start? Like our process of learning -as Latin based writing- its much easier I can agree, no doubt.. I think they learn the strokes first* then the order and how to combine them to form different characters, right? I'm wondering how much it actually takes

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    Maybe I’m not the best person to ask that, since I grew up outside of China, but my parents taught my by just teaching basic strokes and then tracing them on a grid.

  • @ad_kk16

    @ad_kk16

    2 жыл бұрын

    Verbally hearing the word, then seeing it write down in Chinese character (with the proper strokes). I think that's the most easier way to learn without romanization. Same way with Korean and Japanese. You should drop the romanization all together.

  • @user-mt2xl1zj1p

    @user-mt2xl1zj1p

    2 жыл бұрын

    从"一去二三里"开始

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    蛮喜欢那首诗的😂英文有一首One little monkey went to the store我小时候也是特爱

  • @mayanlogos92

    @mayanlogos92

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Graecum Legitur I'm. Im glad it's in Spanish :) I can understand it :)

  • @stormsith5169
    @stormsith51692 жыл бұрын

    It's an excellent video and I'm ending up possibly buying some of these for my Mandarin and Wenzhounese Chinese courses. However, you forgot one pen, and that one pen is the matte black forest fountain pen with extra-fine nib, I really have to give a good thanks to this pen as its strokes are almost perfect on point for English and Chinese! Very good pen, a lot of other fountain pens are pretty good for usage too, however, they can be sloppy and you can get a lot of ink on your hand, however, if you treat a fountain pen finely, it will get better and less and less sloppy, hope you do a review on this pen as its a pretty good one, anyway I love the content you make, keep it up!

  • @leklin1478
    @leklin14782 жыл бұрын

    Could this count as penmanship? The neatness makes me feel overwhelmed!!! 好厉害

  • @pottah6910
    @pottah69102 жыл бұрын

    omg thank you so much for this video my handwriting is actually disgusting with a biro so I’ve been looking for new pens to practice with before my hsk 3 exam, this was really helpful

  • @vincere3236
    @vincere32362 жыл бұрын

    I'ma cry, that's gorgeous

  • @Carlos-qz7ul
    @Carlos-qz7ul Жыл бұрын

    Awesome study ! 👍

  • @mayanlogos92
    @mayanlogos922 жыл бұрын

    So much pen-science... Meanwhile, me not caring so much as long as the pen actually works for its basic job of writing, and sometimes which is more often than I'd myself like# but can't really help myself -doodeling, but ofc for langs like Chinese & Japanese it matters Amazing video, thank you very much 😊

  • @cedricmulia
    @cedricmulia2 жыл бұрын

    top quality review!

  • @kseniakonovalova6209
    @kseniakonovalova62092 жыл бұрын

    I'm not even learning Chinese and I'm watching this, this is so good! I love his Chinese handwriting!

  • @vithouthon7967
    @vithouthon7967 Жыл бұрын

    Wow your Chinese handwriting look like a real Chinese character in my book

  • @camilavargas3356
    @camilavargas33562 жыл бұрын

    Can you make a video trying the HSK 6? Would be nice to see your answers as native! Btw... Great video! 🥰🖊️

  • @tydalm.9665
    @tydalm.96652 жыл бұрын

    For pens I usually go for one the classic brands we have here in Germany Faber-Castell, Lamy, Schneider or Stabilo. They are usually good quality, while not being overly pricy (there are high end ones though). Don't know if you can get these in the US.

  • @lixjoonhoneymt7149

    @lixjoonhoneymt7149

    2 жыл бұрын

    those are possible to get in the US… idk about other students, but lots of art students get the faber-castells and stabilos

  • @wildboargaming1858

    @wildboargaming1858

    Жыл бұрын

    Lamy is the fountain pen brand i see most in stores in the US

  • @lamusiquefanatique
    @lamusiquefanatique2 жыл бұрын

    I like to practice writing with the Prismacolor Premier (art marker), using the chiseled side.

  • @ThomasBuratti
    @ThomasBuratti2 жыл бұрын

    I bought yesterday Pilot V7!!

  • @haskisas
    @haskisas2 жыл бұрын

    You write so neatly!! Could you please make a video about improving your handwriting? My characters usually end up looking way too "boxy":/

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    Eventually I will! I want to take more time to perfect my handwriting first though;)

  • @thegamerggx1151
    @thegamerggx1151Ай бұрын

    I'd like you to try the Reynolds Trimax, and write 私。(Watashi in Japanese)

  • @talideon
    @talideon Жыл бұрын

    All the more reason to compare fountain pens and inks!

  • @ParagonPKC
    @ParagonPKC2 жыл бұрын

    Watched this a month ago, getting of my lazy ass now to get some pens! I'm going to start with the classics, Mozi, Zhuangzi, Han Feizi, and I will practice with Lu Xun, my first read too :)

  • @yagzefedemirel3934
    @yagzefedemirel3934 Жыл бұрын

    You should try Serve X-Berry Gel 0.5

  • @user-im3rp9ux2l
    @user-im3rp9ux2l2 жыл бұрын

    My favorite character is 愛 (meaning love/traditional version). I love its composition and feel like its easy on the eyes. It's not the easiest character, but not the hardest either, which means it's never boring to write. However, I don't like the simplified version because the heart (心) was ripped out. How sad...

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    I will use it in a future video😉

  • @user-im3rp9ux2l

    @user-im3rp9ux2l

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ABChinese I don't remember if you've already used 愛 or not, but feel free! That would be really nice to see!

  • @fredwu7169

    @fredwu7169

    2 жыл бұрын

    But the Ai now got friendship~

  • @mayanlogos92

    @mayanlogos92

    2 жыл бұрын

    It looks like a nice funny face with hat and a beautiful smile and the eyes looking happy and the legs wide opened

  • @mayanlogos92

    @mayanlogos92

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@fredwu7169 friendzoned mb? 🤣

  • @lanvu5740
    @lanvu57402 жыл бұрын

    Yay! Traditional Chinese characters! I know I'm going to get flack from a lot of people but traditional Chinese characters look so much better!

  • @rebotante
    @rebotante Жыл бұрын

    Could you try a Pilot Frixion? please

  • @baconsoldier2147
    @baconsoldier21472 жыл бұрын

    很好用啊!

  • @MAjaLeahHB
    @MAjaLeahHB2 жыл бұрын

    me (worse writing than a 3 year old kindergartener): ahh yes just the video i need

  • @tompov227
    @tompov2276 күн бұрын

    I am a huge energel fan and I really also like the Signo DX for fine point writing and I actually really like the Vision Elite Micro. But What do you have against PaperMate 🧐

  • @93lozfan
    @93lozfan Жыл бұрын

    Generally speaking I like how sharpie pens write, then again I'm mostly writing in English. For most calligraphy I'll go for pilot although they have a problem of leaking ink onto your hand if they get too hot. I don't like zebra in general even their pencils are scratchy.

  • @zack2804
    @zack2804 Жыл бұрын

    What's your opinion on the Zebra Sarasa clip 1mm?

  • @BusasGaming
    @BusasGaming2 жыл бұрын

    I have been having the same problem you are having with my Pilot G-2s. They have been skipping and inconsistent lately.

  • @ldegraaf
    @ldegraaf2 жыл бұрын

    You can buy metal bodies for the Pentel EnerGel pens. If you are going to use that pen and plan on getting refills this is the only way to go because once you open the plastic EnerGel body a few times it won't stay closed without some tape. The EnerGel pens are my favorite for writing in English but I think I'm going to switch to something else for Chinese.

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    One of these days I'll buy a nice metal pen I can keep a long time, but I'm already spending so much money on pens 😂🥵

  • @ldegraaf

    @ldegraaf

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ABChinese The good thing about the Pentel EnerGel metal pens is they are only $5-$7 depending on where you buy them.

  • @mayanlogos92

    @mayanlogos92

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ABChinese hey, what's the cheapest kind of pen with what you could write Chinese in US? sorry mb it was mentioned and I missed it

  • @KB1.1
    @KB1.12 жыл бұрын

    Hi. Can you show us how to use fountain pens for hanzi writing? Thank you very much.

  • @kokolexx
    @kokolexx2 жыл бұрын

    You should try Zebra Sarasa

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    On it…

  • @kingisaac8932
    @kingisaac89322 жыл бұрын

    I’m learning mandarin and I like it

  • @gstfrr2
    @gstfrr22 ай бұрын

    Test fountain pens too

  • @ritanassif918
    @ritanassif9182 жыл бұрын

    2 dollars haha not in France ... Thanks for the video!

  • @TwoPyramid
    @TwoPyramid2 жыл бұрын

    Sakura Pigma Micron PN Pen - Blue

  • @strfacts3022
    @strfacts30222 жыл бұрын

    0:49 Thanks for picking up my Comment!!!

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    You won the giveaway! 😜 Contact me on instagram and we’ll get you set up

  • @strfacts3022

    @strfacts3022

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ABChinese REALLY??? THANK YOU SO MUCH

  • @jacobling2119
    @jacobling21192 жыл бұрын

    Where's the fountain pen?

  • @Phoca_Vitulina
    @Phoca_Vitulina2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the review! Which one would you recommend for left-handed people that still makes the characters look nice? I'm always worried about ink smudging on my hand haha

  • @anniezhang347

    @anniezhang347

    2 жыл бұрын

    the pendel energel dries really fast

  • @MondayMorningMist

    @MondayMorningMist

    2 жыл бұрын

    I concur with Annie Zhang that the Pentel Energel is a great option for lefties, though if you want some other fast drying pen options that weren't included on this list, there is also the Zebra Sarasa Dry and the Zebra Sarasa Mark On (not the standard Zebra Sarasa pens though, those tend to smudge more, so I'd only go for the Dry and Mark On lines).

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    I've also heard that the Energel dries fast, but I don't know why mine doesn't😂 I just did a quick test and the Pilot Precise V5, Zebra G-301 and Sharpie S-Gel smudged the least...

  • @Phoca_Vitulina

    @Phoca_Vitulina

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks everyone for the info/suggestions! :)

  • @graelien
    @graelien4 ай бұрын

    is pilot precise and pilot hi-tecpoint the same?

  • @Quinnie789
    @Quinnie789 Жыл бұрын

    Personally I can't write with anything that feels even remotely fluid. I use pens that are as scratchy as possible! I like the control it gives me, and the feedback helps me remember characters better.

  • @JWHmightylighthelper1777
    @JWHmightylighthelper17772 жыл бұрын

    I Have this all pen

  • @ellysu2948
    @ellysu29482 жыл бұрын

    how is this all combine together how much money are they

  • @grammar_antifa
    @grammar_antifa2 жыл бұрын

    What're your thoughts on brush pens? They're what I originally picked up to practice hanzi.

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    I’ve only tried one model so far, but I liked using pens better🤷

  • @pocchakotea
    @pocchakotea2 жыл бұрын

    I feel so happy and lucky that I won the ga :)

  • @lazarblazar265
    @lazarblazar265 Жыл бұрын

    Anyone tried uniball eye rollerballs? How is the result for micro and fine?

  • @danisarteaga6475
    @danisarteaga6475 Жыл бұрын

    Haa! Fengchan

  • @rayelgatubelo
    @rayelgatubelo2 жыл бұрын

    I think the Japanese-made Pilot pens may have better ink for Chinese characters because the Japanese also write Chinese characters. It may just be market demand.

  • @jamar344
    @jamar3442 жыл бұрын

    I'm left handed so when I write with pins with very runny ink it smudges and gets all over my hand😆

  • @raregfx
    @raregfx Жыл бұрын

    Precise V7 RT is no longer available.

  • @kingisaac8932
    @kingisaac89322 жыл бұрын

    My fav is 艾萨克 because it’s my name in Mandarin Chinese

  • @TheGhostPlanet
    @TheGhostPlanet Жыл бұрын

    How long would you say it would take to learn and write the first 100 Characters?

  • @spyofborg

    @spyofborg

    9 ай бұрын

    not long, there are very easy characters, 一 二 三 四 五 六 七 八 九 十 口 百 上 下 白 but, you do have to learn the correct order of writing your strokes, but 100 can be done within a month tbh.

  • @Ennnn.jenn.
    @Ennnn.jenn. Жыл бұрын

    我想写哪种能写想书法的

  • @cmaven4762
    @cmaven47622 ай бұрын

    Pilot pens are the best.

  • @ppoortatopoteto4569
    @ppoortatopoteto45692 жыл бұрын

    I actually love to write fan ti rather than jian ti

  • @peterwang5272
    @peterwang52729 ай бұрын

    我草 这字写的是真好看

  • @danisarteaga6475
    @danisarteaga6475 Жыл бұрын

    Piaoliang ❤😊

  • @mikkins85710
    @mikkins857102 жыл бұрын

    I don't really see much difference in the results from any of these pens, so which one is the cheapest and lasts longer ?

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    I would get the Bic Gelocity or Sharpie S-Gel. They're slightly cheaper but good gel pens!

  • @duodecasylabus2503
    @duodecasylabus25032 жыл бұрын

    Have you ever tried using a fountain pen? My mother says that in her time China made the best fountain Pens in the market. Add on top of that the natural tendency of fountainpens to flex would make them ideal for writing chinese characters

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    I will soon!

  • @JayceeR
    @JayceeR Жыл бұрын

    bro you mentioned that these pen cost like 1$ that's like 55 for me but when I checked for the Pilot V pens, it cost like over 3,500.. that's like 63 times as much LoL

  • @JanPBtest
    @JanPBtest Жыл бұрын

    Hi-Tec-C ? 0.4 pt

  • @a.ka.k7238
    @a.ka.k72382 жыл бұрын

    Hey I've just won!! Where should I contact you to redeem my gift😁

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    Instagram @_abchinese

  • @pinkgoldpeach51
    @pinkgoldpeach51 Жыл бұрын

    Can't I just write Chinese with a standard mechanical pencil or pen?

  • @taniadisuria3653

    @taniadisuria3653

    7 ай бұрын

    yes you can. but the result will be somewhat better if we use gel-pen. it will looks more similar like written with brush.

  • @johnsonloh9601
    @johnsonloh9601 Жыл бұрын

    Why trad?

  • @ellysu2948
    @ellysu29482 жыл бұрын

  • @hazen3che801
    @hazen3che8012 жыл бұрын

    Or; Try the difficult Chinese characters

  • @hazen3che801

    @hazen3che801

    7 ай бұрын

    I time trav’lled my’elf.

  • @MaddoxMadness
    @MaddoxMadness2 жыл бұрын

    I got a question for you, What is your Chinese name? Another one, Can you help me with my Chinese name? I chose one but I have to get the opinion of a real Chinese speaker. My Chinese name is 武恒屹 so what you think? Is it good or not?

  • @ellysu2948
    @ellysu29482 жыл бұрын

  • @edwardlim4553
    @edwardlim4553 Жыл бұрын

    '水'字变冰.水↣永。水 变尿。水变 泉 。水变泳

  • @Team-TAIWAN2024
    @Team-TAIWAN20242 жыл бұрын

    你看得懂繁體字嗎

  • @ABChinese

    @ABChinese

    2 жыл бұрын

    基本的看得懂😂,不过还有很多进步的余地

  • @Team-TAIWAN2024

    @Team-TAIWAN2024

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ABChinese 你可以推薦他們如果想學中文的話去華人網站多看看

  • @redtequila
    @redtequila Жыл бұрын

    School pen