What Chinese Pens Are You Using Today?

[Kugelschreiber]

Is anyone (Richard?) familiar with the Kaigelu 358?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230901037565?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I was thinking of getting a higher end Kaigelu and like the looks of the 358 more than the 316.

 

Baoer 100 today.

[alc3261]

Is anyone (Richard?) familiar with the Kaigelu 358?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230901037565?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I was thinking of getting a higher end Kaigelu and like the looks of the 358 more than the 316.

 

Baoer 100 today.

 

I've got a Kaigelu 358 as well as a 316, personally I prefer the 316 but they are very similar.

[Kugelschreiber]

Is anyone (Richard?) familiar with the Kaigelu 358?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230901037565?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I was thinking of getting a higher end Kaigelu and like the looks of the 358 more than the 316.

 

Baoer 100 today.

 

I've got a Kaigelu 358 as well as a 316, personally I prefer the 316 but they are very similar.

 

 

Thanks. Are there specific things you like better about the 316? Or is it just the overall look?

[alc3261]

Is anyone (Richard?) familiar with the Kaigelu 358?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230901037565?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I was thinking of getting a higher end Kaigelu and like the looks of the 358 more than the 316.

 

Baoer 100 today.

 

I've got a Kaigelu 358 as well as a 316, personally I prefer the 316 but they are very similar.

 

 

Thanks. Are there specific things you like better about the 316? Or is it just the overall look?

 

I prefer the pattern to the block colour I think.

[Kugelschreiber]

Is anyone (Richard?) familiar with the Kaigelu 358?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230901037565?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

I was thinking of getting a higher end Kaigelu and like the looks of the 358 more than the 316.

 

Baoer 100 today.

 

I've got a Kaigelu 358 as well as a 316, personally I prefer the 316 but they are very similar.

 

 

Thanks. Are there specific things you like better about the 316? Or is it just the overall look?

 

I prefer the pattern to the block colour I think.

 

 

Fair enough. What attracted me to the 358 is that band on the cap; it is a unique-ish detail. But the 316 is the cheaper pen, so I may give it some more thought. Thanks again.

Edited January 6, 2013 by Kugelschreiber

[richardandtracy]

It looks as if the 316 & 358 nibs are the same. I suspect that the barrel & cap are metal on the 358. I've not got one, or tried one either. The RRP is 458 RMB, compared to the 201RMB for the 316. So, Kaigelu think it's a more expensive & valuable pen. I must admit I'm not keen on its looks.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[jacquesdubois]

After reading most of this fascinating thread, I must say I'm happiest with my Kaigelu 316 and the Baoer 388. Along with the Parkers I normally use, 51s, Sonnets and a Duofold, they are the pens I have been happiest with, and feel safe about taking with me out into the world. I've tried Jinhao 450s and 750s, and haven't liked them. Heros are very unpredicable- I've had one out of five I've tried to use and fix actually work. An Indian friend actually thought that my 51 was a Hero!

 

I am curious about the Jinhua J707. Where might this pen be purchased? I would like some for an art project/show I'm doing later on this year. So, where can I find them? If I can't, I'll probably get a box of 616s or 612s and ink them up for art...

[flugella]

I've just taken delivery of a Kaigelu 316 and 356. The big decision... which to use first??!!!

[richardandtracy]

Both. At the same time.

 

I'd be tempted to use the K356 first and then use the K316 later. In exactly the same way as I used a Sonnet first then the Duofold.

 

 

Today's pen is a Huashilai 2210, which is hopefully the last time I'll use it. Just got it with me today for a few photos for the uncomplimentary review I'm going to put up.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[J.R.]

For some unknown reason, I had laid aside my little Guanleming Demonstrator, rebuilt into an eyedropper. Just found it, after about 3 weeks, and loaded it with some of my homemade ink. I remembered it had a small sweet spot - but didn't remember it being THIS small ! It writes well, if the operator does his part, tho'.

 

Even with about 5ml of ink loaded (SWAG), it's still a light, comfortable pen. And attractive, to my eye.

 

Take care, everyone

J.R.

[qwertzu]

Since my preference is for light-weight, normal to slender pens which write a dry, thin line, I have been very pleased with my Chinese pens. As a caveat, I did get to look at mine at a B&M store, which weeded out the obvious duds. They were all bought at normal stationary stores near a university campus in China about 10 years ago costing less than an Euro each. None of the brands meant anything to me. If quality has improved, these are sure to be fantastic.

 

On an aside, I did get a fragrant ink, which, due to its intensity, I don't use often. This is available on line, and still has a strong fragrance 10 years later!

 

Fragrant Ink

[qwertzu]

And even then, one bottle of ink did cost as much as several pens.

[richardandtracy]

Thanks for the ink link, I'd never noticed ahai selling that before.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[Kugelschreiber]

It looks as if the 316 & 358 nibs are the same. I suspect that the barrel & cap are metal on the 358. I've not got one, or tried one either. The RRP is 458 RMB, compared to the 201RMB for the 316. So, Kaigelu think it's a more expensive & valuable pen. I must admit I'm not keen on its looks.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

 

 

Thank you for the reply. I think the 358 does have a love it or hate it sort of look. That band on the cap really sticks out. It seems to have a little more gold on it; perhaps that explains the higher price.

[Stu L]

I just ordered a Hero 616 on the strength of some of the earlier posts in this thread. Obviously this doesn't count as 'used' today, but I'll report back once it arrives

I'm rather excited as it'll be my first Chinese pen and first pen without a cartridge.

[P.A.R.]

Today: the two Parker Duofold replicas I was excited to get my hands on after reading richardandtracy's reviews of them.

 

Blue Jinhao Century II with Diamine China Blue (the ink matches the pen's deep sky blue tones perfectly, and is aptly named for the origin of the pen as well.)

 

Kaigelu 316 in amber with Noodler's Walnut. Took a few minute of nib tweaking to get it flowing properly but based on the few minutes I've spent writing with it it seems to be a great pen. I was a bit worried about the chrome on the two tone nib clashing with the rest of the trim and pen, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that some of the black sections blend into a shimmery charcoal color, which pairs well with the small amount of chrome on the nib.

[richardandtracy]

Ahh, you've got the charcoal K316. That's the one I have in my rotation. I have an Amber/Grey, and even though it's flashier, the charcoal is such a beautiful material that I don't use the amber/grey.

 

I have the Mk2 Century with me today. When flushing out the old ink, I managed to drop the cap into the sink and the cap lip broke on the edge of a bowl in the sink. I was so disappointed, but the edges sanded back nicely & polished up well with micromesh so it's usable again. Next time I put my 3 jaw chuck on the lathe I'll machine the lip back so the gouge has completely gone.

I shall use this as an excuse to get another some time soon. And a black one from YC Gao. While I'm at it, I suspect I'll be getting two more K316's too (so I can have a pristine pair and use the other pair). However my pocket money will only stretch so far, and I have a rather expensive grail pen on order, so I'll have to wait a while.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[P.A.R.]

Ahh, you've got the charcoal K316. That's the one I have in my rotation. I have an Amber/Grey, and even though it's flashier, the charcoal is such a beautiful material that I don't use the amber/grey.

...

Actually it is the Amber/Gray - I just described the gray as a charcoal gray . I might consider getting a "Charcoal" 316 once the semester (and therefore my on campus job) starts rolling again.

 

This was an interesting pen I saw while browsing pens for a friend that asked me for recommendations.

Edited January 8, 2013 by P.A.R.

[lovemy51]

very interesting "LE" or "SE" Jinhao, PAR!

 

edited: just realized the specs are way off. he calls it a RB, screw cap, white section... etc. i'm afraid to click to buy...

Edited January 9, 2013 by lovemy51

[richardandtracy]

I saw that one too. I think there are versions with black background paint too.

 

Today's pen is the Charcoal K316. Couldn't resist after talking about it yesterday.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.