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Does anybody know which kind of rollerball refills Baoer uses? I like how they write - but I don't want to buy a new rollerball every time it is empty. The long photo is a comparison of the Baoer refill with a Schmidt refill, same in one of the small photos. The corroded refill (maker unknown) looks similar but doesn't fit. Any idea? Thanks

I was surprised to find a "Hero 3035" pen with the shape of a "Baoer 3035". https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001036409271.html I am regularly searching for Baoer 3035 to find two missing colors (blue and a kind of brushed metal). The pens have meanwhile arrived and are all inked up to make sure they write. And: they are very good pens. The only "problem" for me is that the nib is not an EF nib. It took me months to find the red Baoer 3035. The two missing colors - if anybody sees them, please send me an alert.

Has anyone of you tried to remove the nib of a Baoer 3035 or of the Hero 3035 clone? I need a finer nib in these pens: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLBtVFADfew/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CKnAk0ZjY8c/

I use a Waterman Apostrophe rollerball with a Schneider Topball 850 eurosize refill. Sites like AliExpress offer quite a lot of refills that are sold as Jinhao, Baoer or Hero refills for what seems to be very low prices (even with shipping from China). Is it possible to use these refills in eurosize rollerball of a Waterman rollerball? Are refills from Jinhao, Hero or Baoer (in general) good value compared to eurosize refills from Schneider or Schmidt? What are your opinions about these Chinese refills?

I laughed today because I got some extra converters in the mail and they came in a jinhao box and I open up the box and get some baoer branded converters. I have ordered from this seller on aliexpress before and got a slightly different converter last time. I was wondering if anyone had any input on which chinese pen brand has the best converters. Should I stick to only using jinhao converters in jinhao pens, etc? The Jinhao converters hold the most ink but have no agitator (in pic related I added a small ball bearing to act as one) The baoer converter has an agitator (spring in one, small bead in another) but doesn't hold much ink and in some jinhao pens it doesn't fit as well in my experience. Funny enough one has no branding whatsoever, the baoer converter that has branding has the best twist action of the lot, the jinhao the worst. I've also bought baoer pens with unbranded jinhao style converters so it seems it is luck of the draw with what type you get.

In hopes of springing Spring . . . here is a PIF (with postage included) for a Baoer 516 with a custom-ground steel nib. It was originally described as a stub but this nib seems to be finer than that, and it delivers noticeable feedback. I believe that the body of this pen is black lacquer over brass, which makes it feel substantial. The nib and trim are silver-colored. The pen measures 5 1/2" with its snap-on cap, and 4 3/4" when it's uncapped. It comes with a Baoer (piston-style) converter. A few photos are included. I have used this Baoer for several months and it's a fun writer, but I need to make some room in my pen box for a few new experiments. So if this pen sounds like something you would like to try out, reply to this thread before the end of this month. I will collect the replies and draw one out of the hat (a handsome fedora) on February 28th and post the winner here. Good luck everyone! ~M

I’ve recently started down the path of trying out Chinese pens. They’re inexpensive and can be quite handsome as well. I bought my first one a few months ago with the sole purpose of taking it apart and tinkering with it Given their low price (2,50$), I purchased two Baoer 051 from two different sellers on ebay; one black and chrome, the other mainly chrome with black stripes. Interestingly, both pens came with different nibs and feeds. Appearance & Design This pen looks good. It bears the same design as a Monteverde Impressa. It doesn’t scream bling or cheap as some other Chinese pens do. This is a pen will look good in your shirt pocket or on your desk. It’s fairly elegant However, I’m not fond of the top of the cap. I find that it’s disproportionate to the rest of the pen, especially to the bottom end. The pen comes with a #5 nib. One of the two nibs is a bit shorter than the other and looks too small on a pen this size. The grip section is quite comfortable. It’s large enough to fit your gingers. It’s tapered at the end to prevent your fingers from touching the nib. Construction & Quality Paint is chipping from grip section from one of the two pens that I purchased … and only after 1 day. The clip is very springy and quite nice. It’s attached to the top using a screw. It is far nicer than what you typically find on Chinese pens in this price range. Nib & Performance As mentioned earlier, both pens had different nibs & feeds. The first had a very scratchy and dry nib with the imprint “Iridium point Germany” on it. I polished it using 12000 grit micromesh and it is now quite smooth. The second one had a shorter nib with “Baoer” on it. This nib was fairly smooth and wet out of the box enveloppe. Conclusion Assuming that you get one with a good nib and that paint doesn’t come of the grip section (or anywhere else for that matter), this is a really good bargain. This is a good looking pen. It is well made and a pleasure to write with. I purchased this pen because I wanted to tinker … mission accomplished! I even replaced the nib with a spare Edison!

Hello guys, Hope all of you are having a lovely day! I've been wanting to experience some Chinese pens and I really liked the design of these two pens. However, in regards of performance, which one would you recommend? If you have any other suggestions, I'd really appreciate your help! )

Hi, I've come across these two pens and was hoping someone could provide their comparative experience with both pens. I've gone over reviews of both and both seem fine. Which over the other should I get though? Or are they virtually identical? For personal criteria, I like the looks of both. They're cheap pens and they're not "flashy". They also seem to have just the right size. I've borrowed the Jinhaos of friends and while they write well (if a bid broad-ish) they are too large and heavy and I'm not much of a fan of their designs. I have a Baoer 801 (Vector copy) and I like it. Writes very well without needing to be tuned. One thing though is that the gold plating n the clip, etc. does wear off. I'm not sure if that is an effect of my use, since I don't put it in a pen sleeve just a pencil case with my other pens, but the barrel is still very nice it's just the gold finishings. The Baoer 388 has similar gold trim and there is a chance it is of the same less-than-stellar quality. The Kaigelu is silver so it should (maybe?) not have the same problem. The last consideration is the nib width. My Baoer 801 is, I think, a fine. It's about the width of my Safari Fine and my Metropolitan Medium. This is my ideal width. How would the nib from either compare? Lastly, I see that both of them are stocked by YC Pens on eBay (a seller that is recommended). He lists them on Best Offer. What is the Best Offer? EDIT: I just remembered that there is a Jinhao 601. A tiny bit more expensive. Is it better?

Well... Today, my aunt flew from Beijing to Australia and brought with her the largest expansion to my collection,ever. I had asked for a Kaigelu 316,Hero 616 and a presentation case. A rather modest request,but boy oh boy,did she give more than that... I will be reviewing all 30ish of the items she bought for me today, in reasonable detail. Hers is a list of all the items: 5 Hero 616s (Parker 51 replica) 2 Wing Sung 233s (Sheaffer Triumph replica) 1 Wing Sung 380 1 Baoer unidentified model (Sheaffer Legacy replica but WITH A HOODED NIB?!?) 1 Jinhao 599 Hooded nib variant (Lamy Safari replica but WITH A HOODED NIB?!?) 1 Kaigelu 316 (Parker Duofold replica) 1 Hero 329 1 Hero (or was it Wing Sung?) 806 1 Rosewood presentation case for 50 pens 4 unidentified brand unidentified model pen cases for 1 pen 1 Wancher unidentified model pen case for 4 pens 1 Wancher unidentified model pen case for 1 pen 2 bottles of Hero 200 Blue-Black And, 14 unidentified brand unidentified model pen sleeves for 1 pen. Phew... So,let the reviews begin. Let's start with the Kaigelu. First impressions: 9/10 The first thing I felt was quality. The presentation is outstanding for a Chinese pen. And the celluloid is beautiful. Very high quality. I will have a picture of all items below. Looks and quality: 8.5/10 The 316 lost marks here. The end plastic jewel is slightly asymmetrical,and misaligned. I guess for such a cheap pen,I'll let I go,but that is a bit of a disappointment. Apart from that,all good. Practicality: 7/10 The converter felt low quality and cheap,and the cap takes 2.5 turns. Average practicality for a Chinese pen. Writing: 5/10 This is where things got bad. I inked it up with the Hero 200 ink and started writing. It was scratch and dry,so I pushed the pen a big and applied some pressure. This made ink spew everywhere and it was just really really really bad. It was decent in terms of smoothness,but it has feedback. Not please tell feedback,the annoying kind. Value: 8/10 Get this: $25 for a celluloid pen. That's all I have to say. With some work on the nib,it might write well,too! Now onto the Hero 616. I'll be trying 2 out of my 5 and doing separate reviews to see how much they vary. First impression: 8.5/10 The pen was very light with the cap off. Literally as light as your average pencil. Yet it still felt of decent quality,so I'm impressed. Practicality: 2/10 Irremovable sueeze converter. Need I say more? WORK IN PROGRESS

Well, ummm... I own several baoer fountain pens, each one ships with identical screw converters...that work pretty decently. BUT: if I detach them and try to shove a international/standard/peilikan type cartridge, it simply doesn't fit. If I do it by brute force, it results in most of times, a cracked cartridge and ink everywhere....or in the worst case a disassembled/pushed forward nib/feeder. It's not just a single model/single package baoer pen, but 4models from different sellers and shapes. Plz explain me: am I forced to use that default bad-looking, cheap converter?

I've got this little pen for 8€ shipment included from a buyer that says is a Baoer model 688. I've also found a review for what looks like the same pen with Baoer 516 engraved on the cap (mine has no egraving). The reviewer says that this could be a replica of a Dupont model but I didn't manage to find any Dupont that looks like this pen. I was wondering if there's anybody with more info on this pen, willing to share and shade some light on the model number dilemma?

My two work horses in the office. Coffee time discovery. You can screw the feed assembly of a Baoer 508 into the barrel of a Baoer 3035. You can cap it using the 3035 cap too but there is no click closure. Unfortunately that's all, the opposite procedure doesn't work at all.

HisNibs.com update -- New Jinhao Dreadnaught & Duke Harlequin colors Greetings all, http://www.hisnibs.com/HisNibsOlympicInspired_small.jpg Watching the Olympics has inspired me to work out again! Click the link below if you'd like to see my latest Facebook Live video -- mistakes and all. Dreadnaught & Pen World video The next batch of pens from China -- and a few domestic ones as well -- have been restocked. As in the past, there are too many models coming in to point them out individually, so again I'm linking them on the homepage http://www.hisnibs.com/ near the top, with a 'back in stock! ' label. There are still more coming, which will be mentioned in the next newsletter. I'll list a few of the many models that have returned, in this newsletter, but again -- just going to the homepage http://www.hisnibs.com/ is the easiest way to see what's available -- and I'll be updating you with more in short order. As this newsletter goes out to a mailing list of thousands of customers, please understand if there's a delay in answering your email queries or orders after one of these is sent. We will respond in order received and as soon as possible! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~in this issue * Jinhao Dreadnaught new colors * New Duke Harlequin Colors * New Python pen cases * Jinhao Wooden Chariot restocked * Duke Ruby * Baoer Over-the-Top2 * Bookworm Yellow Filigree (western or Chinese nib) * Jinhao Pagoda * 'His Nibs' page on Facebook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jinhao Dreadnaught new colors http://www.hisnibs.com/JinhaoDreadnaught7GroupCapped2_small.jpg "The pen arrived yesterday. It looks great, a bit heavy though. And it writes magnificent, the point really slides over the paper. I also have the original mb149 meisterstück, but i would not know which one of them writes the better. Thanks for the very correct handling and shipping. Kind regards," J. V., Belgium "The Dreadnaught FP arrived today . . . it's perfect! The wide girth, nice center of gravity (even when posted), and smooth-writing medium-to-broad (always my preference!) nib makes it my favorite writing instrument. It's every bit as good-if not even better-as you-know-who. . . I might have to purchase another color to have two in my collection. Definitely a superior pen!" C. H., Twinsburg, OH "Hi Norman, I received my Jinhao Dreadnaught and Silver Chain Dragon fountain pens. I prepped them and inked them up with Diamine Oxblood ink. Wow! What a wonderfully smooth writing experience with each of them! I write with the pen unposted. Along with the smooth writing, I truly enjoy the weight and balance of each pen in my writing hand, but especially that of the Dreadnaught. Thank you for not only providing such a pleasant writing experience, but also for the care that you give to each and every nib, and the special personal touch that you added to my order. This was my first purchase from you, and am looking forward to my next one." T. L., Jamaica, NY More photos here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/dreadnaught.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New Duke Harlequin Colors http://www.hisnibs.com/DukeHarlequinGroupRandom_small.jpg See more here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/duke_116.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New Python pen cases http://www.hisnibs.com/PythonGrayPenCaseClosed_small.jpghttp://www.hisnibs.com/PythonBrownPenCaseClosed_small.jpg Read more here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/pen_storage.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jinhao Wooden Chariot restocked http://www.hisnibs.com/JinhaoWoodenChariotCapPen2_small1.jpg See more photos here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/wooden_chariot.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Duke Ruby http://www.hisnibs.com/DukeRubyCapNib_small1.jpg More here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/ruby.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Baoer Over-the-Top2 http://www.hisnibs.com/BaoerOverTheTopPairCapPen_small.jpg See more here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/over-the-top2.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bookworm Yellow Filigree (western or Chinese nib) http://www.hisnibs.com/BookWormYellowFilligreePenCap_small.jpg See more here... - http://www.hisnibs.com/yellow_filigree.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jinhao Pagoda http://www.hisnibs.com/JinhaoPagodaPairRandom3_small.jpg See more... - http://www.hisnibs.com/pagoda.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 'His Nibs' page on Facebook Join us for daily news updates from around the world about fountain pens, ink, handwriting and more! Click here to visit our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HisNibs1/ -- Regards, Norman Haase www.hisnibs.com www.facebook.com/hisnibs1

I've purchased a number of Jinhao pens (and a few Baoers) in recent months via eBay. I like the way they write (with one or two exceptions) but they seem to dry out very quickly. (My Parker 51, TWSBI Mini, and Pilot Varsities can go a long time without use and start right up. I haven't even found how long is too long!) Generally, re: my Jinhao's and Baoers: If not used for a day or two, they'll start hard.If not used for 2 or 3 days, they'll need priming (twisting the convertor or running the nib under water)They seem to do a little better when stored horizontally rather than vertically.No, it's not an issue of the ink "sticking" to the rear of the converter because I've gotten into the habit of shaking them downward before use.I don't think it's a broken inner lid--they still have a satisfying snap when opening and closing. I also opened one to verify and the inner cap was fine. So, is this merely the reality of cheap pens not sealing particularly well? I've seen some folks talking about the converters being (partly?) to blame. Can y'all advise and help me improve this issue? Thanks! Dylan Postscript: I'm using Jinhao x450s, x750s, 159, and Baoer 801, 508.

I have owned this pen for a few months now, and noticed that it’s a little under-represented in terms of reviews – so thought I would do something to help rectify that situation. This is a pretty classy looking pen – deliberately styled to resemble the Montblanc Starwalker range, but at a significantly lower price point! Please be aware that the ranking I give the pen is relative. This is an inexpensive pen, made in China – I doubt it would stack up this well if it was sitting next to the German-made pen that ‘inspired’ its design and manufacture! ______________________________________________________________________ Appearance & Design (8/10) – A Classy looking pen The Baoer 79 would probably have to be classed as a ‘mid-size’ pen – not too large but not too small – mostly black with a chrome clip and trimmings. The cap, barrel and gunmetal coloured grip section all appear to be made of brass, though the cap is topped off with a glass ‘ball’ and the base of the pen body (below the threads) also appears to be made of plastic. I like the look of the clip, the bottom of which slightly overhangs the cap of the pen – which means it doesn’t stand upright so well, but it appears to be hinged (and sprung) at the top, which is pretty classy for a pen in this price range. As mentioned above, the pen mimics the style (though not the build quality) of the Montblanc Starwalker range. I’m not a particular fan of the glass ‘finial’, but otherwise I quite like the look of the pen! http://i.imgur.com/3mXmspj.jpg http://i.imgur.com/W2LBkto.jpg Construction & Quality (7.5/10) – Well built, but potentially fragile. The pen appears to be made primarily of brass – it feels sturdy in the hand, with a good amount of weight to it. There’s quite a noticeable step up between the grip section and the body of the pen – just below the threads for the cap – and I find myself naturally wanting to hold the pen precisely at that transition point. I don’t find that uncomfortable, at least for short writing spells – but the threads and/or the step may dig in a little during extended writing sessions. I love the way the cap can be threaded onto the back of the pen – it writes well enough unposted, but when posted the length of the pen is comfortable rather than excessive, and the pen remains nicely balanced. One quibble, though: the inner lining of the cap is plastic, all the way from the base of the cap to the inner rim – which means that the metal threads on the grip section screw in to grooves on the plastic. There may be no problem with this at all – but I’m a little concerned that over time the plastic lining will wear away. http://i.imgur.com/YkiI5mS.jpg Weight & Dimensions (8/10) - Long, slender, and lightweight Being made mostly of brass (I think), the pen has a comfortable heft in the hand, weighing in at 28g (17g without the cap). It writes well unposted (128mm) or posted (152mm) – when capped the pen is 141mm from end to end. The gun-metal coloured grip section of the 79 is slightly flared at both ends – but roughly 9mm in diameter. This steps up to the cap threads (around 10mm), while the pen barrel is about 11mm in diameter. As mentioned above, I find myself naturally gravitating towards the ‘step-up’ between pen and barrel – there’s a definite sharp transition, but (perhaps because my fingertips sit on the cap threads) I don’t find it bites into the fingers at all. Nib & Performance (7/10) – A delightfully smooth writing experience – but watch out! The nib on this pen is simple, stylish, a shiny monochrome metallic colour – which is a pleasant change from the two-tone appearance of many Baoer nibs. It’s probably best classed as medium thickness, though it tends to err on the side of “fine-medium”. http://i.imgur.com/r1r5l3b.jpg http://i.imgur.com/hR5whJk.jpg The nib on this pen is smooth as butter – an absolute pleasure to write with, as it glides across the page. One caveat, though – on the basis of which I couldn’t give the nib a higher rating: I saw a Youtube clip that described this nib as being capable of significant line variation, and it’s certainly possible to spread the tines with moderate pressure. BUT… the metal the nib is made from is fairly soft and malleable, and I’ve found that if I’m not careful the tines spread somewhat too far and don’t spring back! Thankfully, it’s not too hard to turn the nib over, and press the tines back into place- but do that too often and I fear the metal will become fatigued over time. I’ve taken one point off the score for that reason –but honestly, as long as you don’t press down too hard, the softness of the nib is probably as much an asset as it is a potential problem. http://i.imgur.com/klVjS1E.jpg Filling System & Maintenance (8/10) – Standard International Cartridge Converter – all plastic I’m quite content to use pens that come with a cartridge converter – they’re easy to clean and I get to change out the inks more often. This pen comes with a cheap Jinhao cartridge converter, all plastic, which does its job admirably – but it can be swapped out for standard international cartridges if you prefer, or your favourite converter from another pen. Cost & Value (9/10) – A great price for a really decent pen Here is where the Baoer 79 really comes into its own: as a cheaper pen (<US$10 on eBay, I believe – though I paid AU$12.80 from an Australian-based online retailer, www.justwrite.com.au). Conclusion (Final score: 7.917) – A Solid All-Around Performer This really is a classy looking pen – especially If you’re a fan of the Montblanc pen it’s designed to emulate (copy? rip off??). The main drawback, for mine, is the glass ‘bubble’ – I’ve heard at least one story of the glass shattering when the pen was dropped. The main appeal is the thread on the rear of the pen, which enables the pen to be securely posted. Given the price, I don’t think you can go too far wrong with this pen – especially for the smooth writing experience!

I just typed a lot of stuff about this pen and my browser lost it. :-/ On to the important stuff. I'll come back to write more about it (again) when I have some more time. http://i.imgur.com/MZLVlTE.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/e03zupP.jpg

The subject is the question. How is Baoer pronounced? I can see pronouncing it several different ways, but it's not from an English language manufacturer, so it may have a pronunciation that's totally different from anything I could guess. Anybody know? It could be spelled Luxury Yacht but pronounced throat-warbler-mangrove. Reference link.

Hello, everyone. I'm Marcus. I am new to FPN. I have enjoyed fine writing instruments since I was in college - I'm not in my mid-thirties. I'm not an expert by any means. I'm not even a collector. I just enjoy handwriting. I have a little bit of graphomania. I really enjoy writing with fountain pens. My current inventory include Waterman Carene, Parker Sonnet, Pilot Kakuno and Hero 007. My ink of choice right now is Pilot. I am not particular about paper as long as it doesn't bleed. I don't mind writing on regular printer paper, as long as I have something behind it for the bleeding. I prefer Asian fine nibs or Western extra fine nibs. I look forward to meeting you all in the forums and learning from everyone.

Does anyone know if the nib in a Baoer 388 is a number 5? Almost seems like it, because I would like to replace it with a much finer point.

First Impressions (8)For a dollar forty, I wasn’t expecting much, but this pen proved to be a great value for the price. It is a true fine nib, and I have not had any problems with it thusfar. Appearance (9)The design of this pen is a gold gridded body with a black cap, black section, and a steel hooded nib. The pen feels less wide in person than it appears in the photos. Construction (8)This pen has seemingly very good build quality for a Chinese pen. It is made of metal and is a little heavy, I don’t have an exact weight but it feels like it is about the same weight as my Jinhao x450. Nib (5)The nib on this pen is a fine hooded steel nib. It has no flex, and is a little bit scratchy, but it is still usable, and I was able to make it a little bit smoother after a bit of tweaking. (Brown paper bag). Although this is not very descriptive, this nib did not seem very wet or very dry, and is in the middle. If I had to pick one side I would say that it is just a little bit wet. Filling System (4)This pen takes standard international cartridges or a converter. It ships with a screw converter. I am not sure whether it is my pen or my converter, but I can never fill the converter more than about 2/3 full, which makes it a lot less practical as it needs to be filled much more often. I will update this once I get a chance to see whether it is the pen or just the converter. Cost and Value (10)This pen is about as good of a deal as you can get, I got mine for 1.40 USD shipped from EBay. The buy it now price is around $7, but you can easily get it for cheaper in in auction with patience. Conclusion (7)All in all, this is a great pen for the price. The nib is a little scratchy, but it is not that bad. The design is excellent and the build quality is great for a pen of its price. For $1.40, it is all you could want and more. Pictures Below (Sorry for small size) http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODU1WDEwMDA=/z/DPwAAOSw0vBUc1DN/$_14.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzQ0WDEwMDA=/z/aEwAAOSw2XFUc1DK/$_14.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAwMFgxMDAw/z/3asAAOSwj0NUc1DT/$_14.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTE3WDEwMDA=/z/xCwAAOSwAL9Uc1DQ/$_14.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAwMFgxMDAw/z/3hIAAOSwj0NUc1DW/$_14.JPG

Hand on heart I was not sure about the Baoer 574 from the start. I’ve always felt that the gloss black plastic end piece on the cap just made the pen ungainly, less pleasing to the eye than many fountain pens on the market. That aside this is a really good pen. http://fountain-pens.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/B574BKL1-300x200.jpg Missus the plastic end piece the high chrome finished cap extrudes an air of class. The cartouche is a nice touch allowing personalisation on the pen. Coming in at 31 grams (with cap) the pen actually feels heavier than it is. The cap is the slip on variety with a nice satisfying ‘Click’ when located. Is at this point we find the 574 biggest problem, if you like your pens posted forget it!… You can not post this pen not matter how hard you push home the cap it just slides back off. For me this isn’t a big problem, the pen is a good length, un-posted, so fits easily into my hand and liking a lighter pen, negates any weight issue. http://fountain-pens.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/B574BKSML-300x200.jpg An attractive looking pen, once you get past the plastic end piece, with a black steel body with a chrome finished grip section which is a little small at 14mm. International standard converter or cartridge and a far better that average steel medium nib all adds up to an around well made pen. http://fountain-pens.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/B574BKL2-300x200.jpg The performance of the Baoer 574 was way above what I expected. A nice smooth flow perhaps a little wetter than I would like, a touch of feedback but by no means scratchy in any way. The surprise for me was just how much line variation was gained from a steel nib. For the price this is a very, very good pen….Just a pity about that plastic end piece. http://fountain-pens.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/b574-225x300.png Weight 31 grams capped, length 138mm capped, & 115mm uncapped. http://www.fountain-pens.co.uk/ http://www.fountain-pens.co.uk/baoer/ http://www.fountain-pens.co.uk/produces/Baoer_574_black.html

Figured what better way to get into fountain pens than to start inexpensive, fortunately had a couple friends who were able to get me some recommendations on favorable ones. Most were about 10USD or less, the most expensive 'single' pen was the Uranus KSF-301 w/ Box for about 17USD. My favorite of the pack is the Jinhao X750 with the Goulet Extra Fine nib, followed by the Jinhao X450 which I replaced with a Goulet 1.5mm Stub Nib (I put the 2-tone Jinhao M nib from the X450 onto my Nemosine Singularity). On the thin side it's a toss up between the Kaigelu 363 and Jinhao 611. The Hero 616 is probably the least favorite of all the Chinese ones I've tried. Baoer 507 "8 Horse" (one of a three pack I got, I kept the silverish one) http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/intro/baoer_507_8horse.jpg Jinhao 611 in blue, aside from the Hero 616 I have, probably the finest on the nib size I have. http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/intro/Jinhao_611.jpg A Kaigelu 363 and Haushilai 2111, bought them as a pair, I like the Kaigelu better of the two. http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/intro/kaigelu_363_huashilai_2111.jpg A Duke Uranus KSF-301 (~ Medium Partially Hooded Nib) http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/intro/uranus_301_full.jpg Jinhao X450 in "Distressed Black" http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/intro/x450_closenib.jpg Jinhao X750 "Shimmering Sands" with a Goulet 2-tone Extra Fine Nib. Currently my favorite of the chinese pens. http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/intro/x750_ef.jpg Most of them side by side (the non-Chinese ones shown being the Sheaffer Snorkel, Nemosine Singularity, and the unbranded green one in the front) http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/intro/chinese_colection.jpg

It’s been a while since the last time I put up a pen review, but I’m hoping to publish a couple tonight – another two Chinese pens that fit into the ‘classic’ black-and-gold slot that seems to be so common. Both pens were provided to me free, in return for an impartial review, by Kevin at JustWrite Pens (www.JustWrite.com.au). According to the JustWrite website, the Classic 717 is manufactured by Shanghai BAOER Stationery – which is a little odd, given the striking resemblance of this pen to two of the better-known offerings by rival company, Jinhao. It’s an attractive pen in its own right, though. ______________________________________________________________________ Appearance & Design –Jinhao x750 styling, with x450 trim The first thing you’ll notice, if you place the Classic 717 side-by-side with its ‘cousins’, is how closely it resembles the x750, at least in terms of its overall shape. A sleek, cigar-shaped pen, with a large branded band at the junction between cap and barrel. http://i.imgur.com/m1CAX3r.jpg From top to bottom: Jinhao x750, Classic 717, Jinhao x450 The main difference, until you uncap the pen (more on this later!) is the colour of the trim. Here the Classic 717 more closely resembles the x450 – mostly gold-coloured, although in a nice touch the clip is a gold-chrome duotone. http://i.imgur.com/ffBVoUw.jpg Construction & Quality – A well-made pen As with the Jinhao pens, it’s hard to fault the construction of the pen. I know Jinhao has some quality control issues, but the basic design of the pens are pretty good, and they feel substantial in the hand. The same is true for the Classic 717 – the body and cap are made of metal (brass?), and covered in a black lacquer that seems fairly scratch resistant; while the grip section and feed and cartridge converter are reasonably sturdy plastic. http://i.imgur.com/CGJRWYJ.jpg Weight & Dimensions – Weighty – but a good size The Classic 717 weighs about 40g with inked-up cartridge converter – or 25g uncapped. So it’s not a lightweight pen, but I didn’t find it too heavy to write with. Capped, the pen is about 141mm long, or 124 uncapped. It’s not really designed to post, and would be over 160mm if you tried to do so. The diameter of the pen barrel along most of its length is around 13.5mm, while the grip section tapers from 11mm at its widest to around 10mm near the nib. For me, anything under 10mm is getting a little slender , so this pen was a good ‘fit’ for me. The grip section is a little more tapered than for the Jinhao x750, and the plastic has a shinier finish. Nib & Performance – A fairly wet, broad pen When you uncap the pen, you find the most obvious difference between this pen and the Jinhaos: the nib is somewhat smaller, maybe a #5 (?) compared to the Jinhao #6’s. It’s also gold-plated around the edges, but chrome-plated in the centre, with fairly simple scrolling, a single Chinese character and the word ‘Classic’ inscribed towards the centre. I like the #6 nibs in the Jinhao pens (and the fact that you can easily buy replacements!), but I didn’t feel that the smaller nib was out of proportion for the pen. Perhaps it helps that the grip section is that little bit more tapered than on the x750. http://i.imgur.com/gRxWJjl.jpg Comparison: Jinhao x450 (top) vs Classic 717 nib (bottom) The performance of the nib was not exactly stellar straight out of the box (well, plastic sleeve) – I had some hard starts, and the flow was a little inconsistent. This was easily fixed, though, by giving the nib a good rinse, and flossing the tines with brass sheets for good measure. The nib lays a fairly broad line – broader than the Jinhao pens I’ve been constantly referencing – though I’d probably still call it a ‘broad medium’ rather than a ‘broad’. My handwriting is fairly small, so I tend to prefer finer nibs – but if you find the Jinhao nibs a little too narrow for your taste, this might be a good alternative to try out. http://i.imgur.com/gYmd4rg.jpg http://i.imgur.com/VHi9SCb.jpg http://i.imgur.com/mqQ6vdY.jpg Filling System & Maintenance– Non-Standard Cartridges Converter The pen comes supplied with a cartridge converter, and I confess I didn’t notice this at first that its aperture is non-standard – but when I tried to swap in a standard international converter, I discovered it wouldn’t fit! I don’t know why Baoer would do this, but it appears that this pen is designed to take Parker-style cartridges. No big deal, I guess, especially if you only intend to use the supplied converter – but for me it’s always a bit of a disadvantage when a Chinese pen requires the use of proprietary cartridges. Cost & Value/Conclusion – A pretty good pen, for a reasonable price The Classic 717 is a solid pen, that writes well and lays down a nice broad line of ink. It’ll suit those who like a more substantial pen, and like to lay lots of ink on the page. You’ll pay a little more for it, though – at least on the JustWrite website – it’s AU$22.95 compared with AU$11.90 or AU$13.90 for the comparable Jinhao pens.

We're kicking off the New Year at JustWrite with a renewed commitment to provide the largest possible range of affordable fountain pens in Australia. We intend to make it possible for anyone, regardless of means, to be able to put together a diverse and eclectic Fountain Pen Collection at a modest and affordable cost. We're starting with our most popular fountain pens, the Baoer and Jinhao range and we have recently finalised new supply arrangements that have allowed us to significantly reduce our prices. Baoer 388 Series - 2014 pricing from $11.90 http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=131_138 Jinhao X750 Series - 2014 pricing from $11.90http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=131_192 Jinhao X450 Series - 2014 pricing from $11.90http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=131_141 Baoer 507 (8 Horses) Series - 2014 pricing $14.50http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=131_146 During 2014 we'll also be introducing a new range of companion ballpoint pens to our most popular Jinhao and Baoer fountain pens. These ballpoints all take standard Parker style refills. Our first ballpoints are companions for the popular Black and Stainless Steel Baoer 388 fountain pens. We'll be selling these as sets and individually. You can see the new 388 range and prices here:http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=131_138 http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/slider/jinhao-fountain-pens-x750.pnghttp://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/slider/baoer-388-fountain-pen-ballpoint-pen-set-black2.png http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/slider/baoer-388-fountain-pen-ballpoint-pen-set-ss.png http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/products/fountain-pen-baoer-507-silver.jpg http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/products/fountain-pen-baoer-507-bronze_5.jpg http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/products/fountain-pen-baoer-507-copper_2.jpg http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/products/fountain-pen-baoer-388-black-satin-gold_4.jpg http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/products/fountain-pen-baoer388-ss-go_3.jpg http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/products/fountain-pen-baoer-388-black-satin-gold_5.jpg http://justwrite.com.au/justwrite8/images/products/ballpoint-pen-baoer-388-black-gold_6.jpg