In this long-term update, I pull the Kaigelu 356 back out after four years in the collection and answer the real question: did this budget pen actually hold up, or was it just a “good for the money” moment? I go over why I like revisiting older pens (because first impressions don’t tell you what happens after months and years), and I also mention how my channel members help pick which older or vintage pens I revisit next. I break down the 356’s design and acrylic quality, then stack it up against other budget options (including Hongdian) so you can see where it still makes sense in 2026. The star of the show is the Kaigelu long knife/long blade nib—basically an architect-style nib that can give you real line variation if you hold it the way it wants to be held. I show a writing sample, do a speed writing test for smoothness, and talk about nib swapping since this is a #6-style situation. By the end, you’ll know whether the Kaigelu 356 is still a smart buy, or if it’s one of those pens that looks cool on day one but falls apart long-term.