Hongdian Forest Series Ice Flowers Review: A Specialty Nib Fountain Pen Under $20

Introduction

Hongdian has built a reputation for delivering surprisingly capable fountain pens at modest prices, and the Forest Series Ice Flowers continues that pattern. Retailing at $17.99, these slim, textured pens arrive with two standout features that are hard to find in this bracket: an unusual ice-flower surface finish and, on one model, a specialty long knife point nib.

This review covers both variants, the pink Ice Flowers and the golden Ice Flowers, along with build quality, filling options, measurements context, and writing samples from both nibs.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The pen arrives in a small metal box, which feels like a nice touch at this price. Inside, the pen itself is ready to go with a converter included.

Two colorways make up the latest additions to the Forest series. The pink Ice Flowers leans toward the lavender side of pink, while the golden Ice Flowers is a vibrant, appropriately golden tone. Both share the same distinctive texture that, as the name implies, genuinely resembles ice, and that pattern even extends across the top and side of the clip. It gives the pen a look that stands out well beyond what the price might suggest.

Design and Finishes

This is a rather thin pen, and that is worth knowing up front if you prefer chunkier writers. The cap end features a circular pattern with a slightly raised, stepped-down profile that appears to come from fine grooves. The barrel is straight, and the Hongdian-printed band transitions very smoothly into the posting end, which finishes with a slight rounding.

The cap snaps off rather than threading on. Underneath sits a small number four nib that is basically size appropriate for a pen this slim, with a plastic feed and an imprint featuring a rocket and planet motif.

The section is thin with a slight flare at the tip, angling up gently before a medium step into the barrel. The pen is plenty long enough to use unposted, and the extra texture on the barrel provides a genuinely useful gripping surface, even if you hold the pen a bit further back. The transition does not get in the way, and with no threads to worry about thanks to the snap cap, grip comfort is solid.

Practical Details: Filling and Posting

This is a cartridge converter pen. It accepts standard international cartridges, and a converter is provided in the box, so you can start with bottled ink right away.

Posting is where things get awkward. Although the pen is designed to post, the cap takes real force to push on and even more to remove. The added coating appears to be the culprit; without it, the fit would likely be fine. In practice, treat this as a pen to use unposted, which is no hardship given how long it is.

At $17.99, the value proposition is clear: an interesting-looking pen, a specialty nib option, and a converter, all in one box.

Writing Performance

The pink Ice Flowers came fitted with the long knife point nib, a specialty grind that behaves much like an architect nib. That means narrow downstrokes and wider side strokes, roughly a medium going up and down and a broad going side to side. There is not a lot of line variation, but the effect is distinctive, and it is a favorite grind for many enthusiasts.

Ink flow sits on the lower side of medium. Reverse writing is not what this nib is meant for and comes out a little spotty, but in fast writing the feed keeps up very well. Paired with a purplish-pink ink to match the finish, it made for a satisfying writing sample.

The golden Ice Flowers carries a standard medium nib, and it also kept up well during fast writing. With a golden ink to match the barrel, it produced a clean, consistent line that suits everyday writing.

Size and Comparisons

The Ice Flowers is slimmer than many popular entry-level pens, and next to a range of common writers it sits firmly on the thin side. Compared with other Hongdian models, including the A9 and the more elaborate metal-worked D5, it is a lighter, more delicate offering. Beside pens like the Pilot Metropolitan and the TWSBI Eco, expect a noticeably narrower profile in the hand. If thin pens bother you, handle that consideration before ordering; if you like slim writers, this is right in your wheelhouse.

Should You Buy the Ice Flowers?

For anyone exploring pens under $50, or under $20 for that matter, this is an easy recommendation to consider. The long knife point nib alone is a rare find at this price; specialty grinds usually cost considerably more. The texture and looks are genuinely appealing, the filling options are flexible, and performance is decent across both nibs.

The main trade-offs are the thin barrel and the cap that effectively does not post. Neither is a dealbreaker, and neither hides the fact that this pen offers a lot for the money.

The pink variant is the one to pick if the specialty nib appeals to you, since that is where the long knife point grind lives. Its lavender-leaning pink finish is arguably the prettier of the two as well.

The golden Ice Flowers suits writers who want a conventional medium nib in a striking finish, pairing well with gold-toned inks for a coordinated look.

Conclusion

At $17.99, the Hongdian Forest Series Ice Flowers delivers sharp looks, a genuinely interesting texture, reliable everyday performance, and, in one variant, a specialty nib that is hard to find anywhere near this price. It is not a perfect pen: it is thin, and the cap resists posting. But for under $20, there is a lot on offer here, and it is a worthwhile addition to any budget pen rotation.