Jinhao 500 Executive

June 8, 2010

Introduction

This was one of my very first pen purchases so I thought it would be the perfect candidate for my first pen review. The JinHao fountain pens are manufactured in Shanghai, China since 1988. I bought this one from the JoJo Pen Shop on the Bay. The photos are my first one's of any fountain pen so I hope I did ok - not fantastic I know but I did get them loaded

Appearance and Design

This is a medium weighted and full sized fountain pen. I find it well balanced when I write with it unposted. The pen cap rattles a little both when posted and when in place over the nib but it is still completely secure after being clipped into place - so far This could be part of the "you get what you pay for" perhaps. Lucky for me however, I write with all of my pens unposted.

Weight and Dimensions

Pen Length - Capped - 136mm - Uncapped - 124mm - Posted - 163mm

Pen Weight - Capped - 36g - Uncapped - 23g

This nib photo is from the JoJo Pen Company listing from where I purchased my pen.

Nib and Performance

I was lucky enough IMHO to get a broad nib with this pen with a great deal of patience. It is an 18K gold plated steel nib. Generally the Chinese broad nib is about the equivalent to a Western medium nib in most cases. There is no line variation at all nor any shading. It has a tiny bit of feedback just to let you enjoy the feel of it but is still quite smooth to write with. It isn't toothy at all and not quite like butter.If it hasn't been used for a week or so it takes a dab of moisture to the nib and it solves this problem very well.

Filling System and Maintenance

The filling system is unsurprisingly a cartridge / converter one. The pen suits international sized cartridge and the converter is supplied with the pen. Nothing to really make mention of as it does the job.

Cost and Value

The pen cost $10 USD delivered to Australia. I consider this to be a great buy and I'm very happy with the pen You may notice however, in the photos of the pen some rubbing marks of the black grip section - the shiny black coating is rubbing off with wear.

Conclusion

I am a user of fountain pens and not a collector. As such I really enjoy writing with this pen. This is a lovely "no frills" pen that looks good at the start and writes well as a workhorse. If anything the wear marks make the grip great as opposed to a little slippery before.