Pen Stops Writing

May 16, 2012

Hello to everyone,

I recently bought a Jinhao 811 fountain pen for 11$ through ebay. This is the first fountain pen I ever got and because I am experiencing problems with it,I would like to ask all of you if there is any solution to my problems.

http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx301/epochmaking/epoch11916/DSC_0050.jpg

I would like to clarify that the pen is new and I have used a syringe to transfer the ink from 4 Jinhao ink cartridges to a shot glass and then from the glass into the pen converter using the following technique.

http://www.levimage.com/image/HelpfulHints/FtnFill/FillingConverter.gif

Well now let's come straight to the point. From the first moment when I bought the pen, I cleaned the converter using warm water with a drop of washing up liquid. After I cleaned it, I filled it with ink using the technique shown in the second link I posted here. After I dropped a drop of ink from the pen back to the glass, the pen was writing perfectly. I wrote a couple of lines just to see how it feels and then I left it in it's box in horizontal stance. After 5-6 hours I tried to see again if it is writing and I had to move it a couple of times on the paper to start writing perfectly again. Then I slept and used it again the other day (around 20 hours later). Unfortunately the pen did not write. I moved it on the paper a couple of times but it didn't help. Then I wet I dampen the nib with one drop of water and it started working fine again. After that I left the pen in its box (with the lid on of course) for 2 days and then tried to use it again but it still didn't work and I had to dampen it again.

I would like to ask you guys if this is normal. I mean I can make the pen work if I put a drop of water on its nib but I can't be doing that every single time that I want to use it ! Do you think this is normal for a Jinhao pen and a fountain pen in general? Do you think it is matter of bad ink quality that dries in the nib? (I ordered a Parker Quink Fountain Pen Bottled Ink now from ebay and I am expecting it to arrive to me this week). Is it just bad pen construction? Is that a usual thing with pens of that quality? I would like to know if this is normal for a pen coz what I would expect from a pen is to leave it on my desk for a week without using it (Even in upside down vertical position) and still be able to write when I need it after some days of not using it.

One more thing I would like to ask you is the following. I am thinking to buy a Duke pen now. It says that the nib is constructed in Germany and I thought that it may be a better quality pen which would keep me away from all these trouble. Do you think duke pens are better quality than Jinhao pens? This is the one I was thinking to buy:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116-Duke-high-grade-black-Medium-nib-fountain-pen-new-Original-box-new-/310390018301?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PensPencils_WritingEquipment_SM&hash=item4844afd0fd

Please let me know what you think about that Duke 163 pen and all Duke pens in general, as well as your thoughts on the problem I am facing :-(

Regards,

Ioannis

May 16, 2012

Hello,

I am a newbie and started with some Jinhaos too. I have 2 x450s and 1 x750; all with M nibs. All seem to start immediately, except with Chesterfield ink. And all seem to have the same issue, write well for awhile, then start to skip/dry out.

Giving the pen a shake or two helps. Also, make sure to try to get all the air bubbles out of the converter. Plus, I flushed with water with drop of detergent, then the ammonia soln. from Goulet's. I can write about a page before they start to skip, so I think it must be a feed problem?

Also, I have been mostly using De Atramentis inks; don't know whether they are dry??? I think I will try some Diamine inks and see if a wetter ink works better.

Good luck....

May 16, 2012

It sounds like the ink is drying in the honey-combed shaped "collector" under the nib. All fountain pens will dry out eventually; the better pens take longer. It is probably not a matter of the ink, and Quink is reliable. (It is one of the old-reliable, sober, middle-of-the-road inks)

I expect that more expensive pens should take longer between "drinks of water". A "screw-on" cap usually does better...I have a Pelikan 150 that sat for about a year and still wrote.

Jinhao pens are not bad, and have been improving. (I have a 159 on my desk right now...writes smoothly, but I don't trust it if left alone for a week.)

May 16, 2012

"Colors"

Thanks for your message. I've put the pen upside down so I can try to use it tomorrow and see it it can write after that ultimate test :-)

I realized that shaking the pen before I remove the lid helps a little bit. However I am not very happy with Jinhao so far. It does not write very smoothly and I have to press it more than I would like on the paper so I can get the result I want :-(

What is your opinion about Duke pens and especially that one? Have you ever tried any Duke pen?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116-Duke-high-grade-black-Medium-nib-fountain-pen-new-Original-box-new-/310390018301?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PensPencils_WritingEquipment_SM&hash=item4844afd0fd

"Welch" I was shocked from the fact that your pen is still working after a year ! This is exactly what I want to find. A pen which will write no mater how long it has been left unused. I mean, if I have to put a drop of water on the nib of my pen every time I want to use it and have all that ink on my hands, I could use a simple bic pen which costs 20 cents and it works fine even after 3 years left unused !

Have you ever tried a Jinhao (Or a Duke pen which I am willing to buy soon) pen?

May 16, 2012

Platinum Plaisirs are relatively inexpensive and boast the ability to start right up after a year capped. In the more expensive range, Platinum has been adding their spring-loaded inner cap from the plaisir to other models, such as the 3776 Century, and claiming the same performance.

Steve

May 16, 2012

Platinum Plaisirs are relatively inexpensive and boast the ability to start right up after a year capped. In the more expensive range, Platinum has been adding their spring-loaded inner cap from the plaisir to other models, such as the 3776 Century, and claiming the same performance.

Thanks very much for that Steve. Platinum pens look very nice but they are extremely expensive for me. Can you suggest a few brands who produce pens which cost around 10 and 30 usd and worth the money?

I used 2 pens to write something in order to show you that after one hour in upside down position the Jinhao pen is writing but it stops for half - 2 letters sometimes.

Regards

Edited May 16, 2012 by Sarbinis

May 16, 2012

"Colors"
Thanks for your message. I've put the pen upside down so I can try to use it tomorrow and see it it can write after that ultimate test :-)
I realized that shaking the pen before I remove the lid helps a little bit. However I am not very happy with Jinhao so far. It does not write very smoothly and I have to press it more than I would like on the paper so I can get the result I want :-(
What is your opinion about Duke pens and especially that one? Have you ever tried any Duke pen?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116-Duke-high-grade-black-Medium-nib-fountain-pen-new-Original-box-new-/310390018301?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PensPencils_WritingEquipment_SM&hash=item4844afd0fd

"Welch" I was shocked from the fact that your pen is still working after a year ! This is exactly what I want to find. A pen which will write no mater how long it has been left unused. I mean, if I have to put a drop of water on the nib of my pen every time I want to use it and have all that ink on my hands, I could use a simple bic pen which costs 20 cents and it works fine even after 3 years left unused !
Have you ever tried a Jinhao (Or a Duke pen which I am willing to buy soon) pen?

Haven't tried any Dukes yet, although was looking on ebay today at some models. When the Jinhaos are writing, I love them, nice and smooth....they just don't consistently stay smooth. My next plan is to obtain a brass shim, which I have seen mentioned on this forum, and pass it between the tines.

May 16, 2012

You will be disappointed with most (I will never say ALL) of the pens within your price range. I have yet to see a Chinese eBay pen under $30 that does not have drying issues (that is, before I tweak the feed ). My advice for most people is that eBay pens are great for those who like to mess around with the innards of a pen as well as those who want a sample of writing. Once in a blue moon, you may get a great writer that does not "dry out", but I have yet to see that.

A fountain pen is not comparable to that of a Bic ballpoint. Sure, both will write (so will a piece of charcoal), but you spend the extra money for the writing experience.

My advice to you here is to learn to love your Jinhao. You will find certain limitations, but if you overcome them and appreciate this hobby/lifestyle/addiction, you may see better reason on a more expensive pen.

Hope this helps!

May 16, 2012

I'll add that a Pelikan 150 is still available in Europe, I think. Harder to find in the US than when I bought mine. They were about $50 (that's USD), and it's about the least expensive Pelikan piston-filler. As a general statement (yes, foolish to make general statements) all Pelikan piston-fillers are pretty good. The nibs unscrew, so you can buy a second or third nib for a Pelikan and it's like having extra pens.

Pelikan nibs can often be swapped between Pelikan pens...check that the nib fits under the cap.

(As mentioned above, "under $30" Chinese pens might be smooth, but they usually lack some quality. I've been pleased with the Jinhao X750 and the 159, but they aren't as good as my little 60-year old Pelikan 120 with the modern Pelikan 150 nib.)

May 16, 2012

I'd suggest you go to the top of your price range and buy a reliable pen. Two $11 pens almost equals a Lamy Safari. And there are decent entry-level pens from Sheaffer and Waterman. Probably also from Parker. I know Sailor and Pilot make good entry level pens as well.

Or, if you want to go really cheap, Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pens work fine. And Platinum Preppy plastic fountain pens. The Preppies are very cheap, and don't have the greatest nib, but in my experience they always start up reliably even after being left for days.

Is there any way you can find something at a local stationary or art store?

May 16, 2012

Savingbirds thank you for your response very much. It is helpful. I would like to ask you when you say "more expensive" how expensive do you mean? How expensive do you think a pen should be in order to work fine even if left unused for a long time? By the way I have opened a new thread where I ask people to give me advices on which pen to buy. Please do give me your suggestion even if the pen is more expensive that I am asking. However I won't buy a 120 dollars pen so don't go that far :-P

This is the thread: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/221544-pen-recommendation-please-help/

Welch this looks like a really nice pen actually ! Do you know if it comes in back - silver color? Have you tried Pelikan pens? Are they good quality pens in general like Parker for example? Which country are they manufactured at? Please also go to my new thread and help me find the pen I like even if it's a bit more expensive.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/221544-pen-recommendation-please-help/

Thank you so much

Laura N unfortunately I have to buy it from ebay so if you can find anything interesting over there please send me a link to show me.

Regards

May 17, 2012

How about a Sheaffer Imperial 330 (new old stock)? They are on eBay for around $40 US. Peyton Street Pens (I have no affiliation with this company) has a website and sells them a bit cheaper. I really like the inlaid nib design.

Like others have mentioned, Lamy Safaris are around your price point.

Go check out Jetpens as well. They sell mainly entry level fountain pens.

Good luck.

May 17, 2012

Okay, since I am here let me take a stab in answering the post. Firstly, I do own both Jinhaos and Dukes and to be honest, I just briefly went through the Jinhao catalogue for 2012 and did not see the 811. Good Chinese pens under USD$30 there are quite a few actually, I will say the best quality so far is from Duke with Kaigelu coming in second. (I have yet to try out Haolilai and will do so when I get back to Singaore)

The Duke prices are really start at 39 RMB (USD$6) and moves upwards of a few hundred RMB. (I have seen pens which are more than a few hundred USD, all of them have 14K Nibs or better) The exchange rate is about USD$1 is about RMB 6.3

Kaigelu starts at about 10 RMB (Less than USD$2) to about a hundred or so for their gold pen models. My stance with Jinhao is the more ornate the pen, the more issues that will be found. The better ones seem to have less of the Chinese motifs and more traditional ones.

I can't remember what was the recommended retail for the Duke 116 and have no time to goto the shops to check. (Can do on Saturday)

The best value I feel, though slightly thinner pens will be the Duke 209 (RRP 39 RMB) or the Kaigelu 356 (RRP 57 RMB). But the Kaigelu can be gotten much cheaper. These are nice entry level pens which are good daily writers. The Kaigelu 316 is higher recommended at RRP 201 RMB and get without the box for a cheaper price.

With Jinhao and Baoer, you often get a mix bag of wonderful pens and pens which will be wonderful after a tweak.

May 17, 2012

I had a similar problem with a Wing Sung 500 - once it was writing it was ok, but if left for more than a couple of hours - or especially overnight - it would take a while to get going. The first five minutes of use each day would be spent just trying to get some ink out of it. And when writing, if I paused for more than 30 seconds to think, it would not want to write again. In the end, I pushed a thin sheet of plastic (acetate sheet used for overhead projector slides) up between the nib an the feed to try opening up the gap slightly and I have never had a problem since. Writes immediately I put pen to paper, even if left for a few days between uses.

It might not help with your pen, but probably will do no harm to give it a go.