What Chinese Pens Are You Using Today?

[flugella]

I'm using my Kaigelu 356 for the first time and I LOVE IT!!

[richardandtracy]

Nice pen, isn't it?

 

Today's Chinese pen is my Kaigelu 316 Charcoal.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[flugella]

nice? Bloomin' gorgeous! Nice fine line too which I wasn't expecting, I was actually expecting a slightly more medium line from it but I count that as a bonus! Small handwriting means a fine nib suits me better! Inked it up with J. Herbin Cafe des Iles which is a new ink for me and the combination is one that will be repeated I think. Will be using it later on today to finish the letter I started last night. After that, I think I'll be trying the 316.

[J.R.]

Re., my post from Feb 6th - recent acquistion of the TWSBI mini. (Hey, it's Chinese too, just not a bargain). 5 days later, I canNOT cure this pen from being a hard-starter. Tried 3 different inks, so far. Flushing/cleaning/scrubbing hasn't helped. As far as I can tell, there's zero user-adjustments available. Does anyone have a trick to make this a reliable pen ? Once it starts, it flows "fairly" reliably, but NEVER starts without a little coaxing. Other than that, it's a perfect size/fit/style for me, but it's frustrating.

 

The shop where I got it, is 4 hours away, and I would really like to get this going without making that trip. Anybody have a smililar experience ? With a 10x loupe, I can see zero disfunction/misalignment with the tines - it just won't write without coaxing. And, occasionally (not often) it will dry up, from one line to the next.

 

I'd be willing to try any suggestions you can offer.

 

Thanks,

J.R.

[richardandtracy]

Things to check:

1. Is the slit an even width along/slightly narrows to the point? If not, close the gap.
2. Is the nib an even distance above the feed? If the point is further away than the base, it may need re-setting.
3. Does it skip at all? If so, then this may point to baby bottom syndrome & needing a little re-grind.
4. Have you taken the feed out to see if there is a blockage in the feed slit?

 

If none of those help, then I'm stumped and could only suggest a slower drying ink.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[J.R.]

Things to check:

1. Is the slit an even width along/slightly narrows to the point? If not, close the gap.
2. Is the nib an even distance above the feed? If the point is further away than the base, it may need re-setting.
3. Does it skip at all? If so, then this may point to baby bottom syndrome & needing a little re-grind.
4. Have you taken the feed out to see if there is a blockage in the feed slit?

 

If none of those help, then I'm stumped and could only suggest a slower drying ink.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

 

Thanks, Richard...

1. The slit "looks" perfect, to my non-nibmeister eye - just the slightest taper.

2. I can seen zero variation in the nib/feed alignment.

3. No skipping, ONCE it starts - but it occasionally requires a little work, just to get it started again, if I hesitate more than 10 seconds, between lines of text.

4. Lacking a lot of experience, I can't figure out how to get the feed/nib separated - it appears to be an non-user adjustable press fit, indside a plastic collar.

 

Current inks have been Diamine Imperial Blue, Diamine Saddle Brown, Diamine Merlot and Aurora Black (in my experience, it's a slow drying ink).

I'm stumped, and I like to think I'm a pretty good "tinker", I hate to do the "wrong" thing, and then have two problems to correct !

 

I thank you, for the suggestions, tho !

 

Take care,

J.R.

[jetskijetski]

I am using an absolutely beautiful JINHAO New Edition Century Celluloid. It's an incredible blue pearl. Really nice writer too. It's a little on the heavy side posted but not an issue for me as I rarely post. The nib is billed as a medium but closer, in my opinion, to a fine. Private Reserve Midnight Blues is the perfect color ink for this beauty! AND the pen and ink do coordinate with the shirt and tie I'm wearing today. Yes, I am totally OCD! The pen MUST coordinate with the shirt.

[WetWetWet]

The very unassuming Sonnet copy Baoer 388 fitted with a cartridge with no name ink (the ones you buy in bags of 50 cartridges). Lays down a thick and consistent line, never skips. An unproblematic pen, well worth the 5 GBPs I paid.

 

Waiting with excitement for a kaigelu 316 to arrive for the princely sum of 14 GBPs (P&P included).

 

I use Quink, Waterman, Lamy and Diamine inks - with what would you fill your 316?

 

Best Regards

[51ISH]

I couldn't resist....

 

Jinhao Century in blue on order....

 

Now the wait....

[jetskijetski]

The very unassuming Sonnet copy Baoer 388 fitted with a cartridge with no name ink (the ones you buy in bags of 50 cartridges). Lays down a thick and consistent line, never skips. An unproblematic pen, well worth the 5 GBPs I paid.

 

Waiting with excitement for a kaigelu 316 to arrive for the princely sum of 14 GBPs (P&P included).

 

I use Quink, Waterman, Lamy and Diamine inks - with what would you fill your 316?

 

Best Regards

 

You will love the 316. Which color did you get? Mine is the Amber/Gray and I use Private Reserve Chocolat in it.

[jetskijetski]

I couldn't resist....

 

Jinhao Century in blue on order....

 

Now the wait....

 

 

Ah yes, the wait... It's worth it. The color is so vivid, you will wonder if it takes batteries! But it doesn't!

[WetWetWet]

The very unassuming Sonnet copy Baoer 388 fitted with a cartridge with no name ink (the ones you buy in bags of 50 cartridges). Lays down a thick and consistent line, never skips. An unproblematic pen, well worth the 5 GBPs I paid.

 

Waiting with excitement for a kaigelu 316 to arrive for the princely sum of 14 GBPs (P&P included).

 

I use Quink, Waterman, Lamy and Diamine inks - with what would you fill your 316?

 

Best Regards

 

You will love the 316. Which color did you get? Mine is the Amber/Gray and I use Private Reserve Chocolat in it.

 

 

I ordered an amber too It was the most lush looking of them all. I'm sure I'll love it - in fact I already do (although it'll probably arrive in a months time). I think I'll fill mine with Watermans Havana.

[richardandtracy]

I use Parker Quink Black in my Charcoal 316 (mostly), but I always test new pens with 50% diluted Pelikan 4001 Turquoise - as it's an ink I've been using regularly since 1992 and know how it should feel in the pen.

 

My amber/grey 316 has been out of use for a while because I prefer the charcoal. Not that the amber/grey is not nice, just that the pearlescence in the charcoal is more obvious and looks even more luxurious than in the amber/grey. I think, though, if my amber/grey looked like the one advertising the YCPENS's K316's, then I'd use it instead.

 

Has anyone tried the black Jinhao Century Mk2 advertised by YCPENS? If you have, could you let us know how dense the colour depth is on the material - basically can you see the c/c through it and is there any pearlesence in the material?

 

 

Today's pen is my Charcoal K316 and it is holding its own against a new Onoto Magna Classic (RRP more than 10x that of the Kaigelu). Both are amazing pens.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[JemC]

3. No skipping, ONCE it starts - but it occasionally requires a little work, just to get it started again, if I hesitate more than 10 seconds, between lines of text.

4. Lacking a lot of experience, I can't figure out how to get the feed/nib separated - it appears to be an non-user adjustable press fit, indside a plastic collar.

 

Current inks have been Diamine Imperial Blue, Diamine Saddle Brown, Diamine Merlot and Aurora Black (in my experience, it's a slow drying ink).

I'm stumped, and I like to think I'm a pretty good "tinker", I hate to do the "wrong" thing, and then have two problems to correct !

The TWSBI Mini, AFAIK, does have a tighter collar around the nib & feed, and is not supposed to be separable by the user like the 540

 

I feel like Baby's Bottom is the likely culprit, but you could always run some water & dish soap through repeatedly and just hope there was machining oil in the nib unit.

 

--

 

Today I've been using the Baoer 100. It's a really solid pen with a great look. The default nib was too wide and wet (basically Western F) for why I bought it, so I sharpened it to a real dagger. Running it with Noodler's Kiowa Pecan (one of my favorite inks) and having a great time. I wish the cap posted a little deeper (and snugger), but it's sufficient unposted.

[WetWetWet]

I use Parker Quink Black in my Charcoal 316 (mostly), but I always test new pens with 50% diluted Pelikan 4001 Turquoise - as it's an ink I've been using regularly since 1992 and know how it should feel in the pen.

 

My amber/grey 316 has been out of use for a while because I prefer the charcoal. Not that the amber/grey is not nice, just that the pearlescence in the charcoal is more obvious and looks even more luxurious than in the amber/grey. I think, though, if my amber/grey looked like the one advertising the YCPENS's K316's, then I'd use it instead.

 

Has anyone tried the black Jinhao Century Mk2 advertised by YCPENS? If you have, could you let us know how dense the colour depth is on the material - basically can you see the c/c through it and is there any pearlesence in the material?

 

 

Today's pen is my Charcoal K316 and it is holding its own against a new Onoto Magna Classic (RRP more than 10x that of the Kaigelu). Both are amazing pens.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

 

The charcoal variety looks smarter and more refined. It's just that I covet and will probably (at some stage) buy a Duofold Chequered Amber; I see the purchase of the K 316 as a sort of try-out.

 

Thanks Richard for your well made, useful and very enjoyable reviews, outlining the differences between the original and the "homage".

 

The Century Mk2 isn't on display at YCPENS's ebay.co.uk shop (jewelrymathematics), I'm afraid (at least not for me).

 

What other Chinese higher end pens are there that aren't painted/laquered brass?

 

I was tempted to buy a Picasso 908:

 

http://http//i.ebayimg.com/t/Picasso-908-Century-Pioneer-Fountain-Pen-With-Box-/00/s/MzU0WDQ5Ng==/$%28KGrHqV,!iUE+Qn0NpCQBP6Hcrchog~~60_12.JPG

[WetWetWet]

I use Parker Quink Black in my Charcoal 316 (mostly), but I always test new pens with 50% diluted Pelikan 4001 Turquoise - as it's an ink I've been using regularly since 1992 and know how it should feel in the pen.

 

My amber/grey 316 has been out of use for a while because I prefer the charcoal. Not that the amber/grey is not nice, just that the pearlescence in the charcoal is more obvious and looks even more luxurious than in the amber/grey. I think, though, if my amber/grey looked like the one advertising the YCPENS's K316's, then I'd use it instead.

 

Has anyone tried the black Jinhao Century Mk2 advertised by YCPENS? If you have, could you let us know how dense the colour depth is on the material - basically can you see the c/c through it and is there any pearlesence in the material?

 

 

Today's pen is my Charcoal K316 and it is holding its own against a new Onoto Magna Classic (RRP more than 10x that of the Kaigelu). Both are amazing pens.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

 

The charcoal variety looks smarter and more refined. It's just that I covet and will probably (at some stage) buy a Duofold Chequered Amber; I see the purchase of the K 316 as a sort of try-out.

 

Thanks Richard for your well made, useful and very enjoyable reviews, outlining the differences between the original and the "homage".

 

The Century Mk2 isn't on display at YCPENS's ebay.co.uk shop (jewelrymathematics), I'm afraid (at least not for me).

 

What other Chinese higher end pens are there that aren't painted/laquered brass?

 

I was tempted to buy a Picasso Century 908, until I found out it was painted

 

Regards,

[richardandtracy]

He calls it the Jinhao Century. Two are the Mk2 (black & blue), the red and white/black stripe are the Mk1's. ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jinhao-Century-Acrylic-Fountain-Pen-/330864564288?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d09109840 )

 

Glad you like the reviews, they're fun to do and it's nice to show others that there are some reasonably priced nice pens out there!

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[richardandtracy]

I think the Picasso 915 has a self coloured plastic barrel - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Picasso-915-Celluloid-Fountain-Pen-Without-Box-/330865941357?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d09259b6d Not cheap, but it looks to be a nice pen. The cap must be painted though, as YCPens quotes it as 'Bronze' (brass?).

 

Regards

 

Richard.

[Penne Stilografiche]

jinhao x750.

[flugella]

Still on the Kaigelu 356 and still loving it - I think it may be in my top 5 pens now!