High-end Chinese FPs?

[PaulK]

I was doing some auction-site trolling and came across several Chinese pens with fairly high $ opening bids (a few $150 to $200 opening bids). All had karat-gold nibs and nice looking enamel-work. Even a few "carved" pieces as well. Anyone on here own one and can comment on the quality, writing ability, longevity, etc.? Thanks in advance.

 

Paul

[kissing]

It depends a lot on the brand. There are several chinese brands which are known to have beautifully writing, high quality pens, such as Hero, Duke, Fulliwen, Haolilai. The ones for sale at isellpens.com can be generally trusted.

 

I'd be a bit skeptical and cautious about chinese brands which are not listed on that site

[mmoncur]

Duke has some of the highest-priced Chinese pens I've seen. I don't have any personal experience with them but they're generally well-regarded.

 

I do have some of the higher-end Hero and Wing Sung pens ($30-50, not $150) and they're very well made and all great writers, right in line with my $100+ non-Chinese pens (Pelikan, Aurora, Pilot).

 

I haven't seen a Chinese pen I'd personally pay $150 for yet, but Hero and Duke are probably worth the price if you like their style. (Do check isellpens.com, hisnibs.com, and cutepens.com, though - they might have a lower price than what you're seeing.)

[D.R.Mabuse]

I have a number of Dukes, and they generally perform nicely.

[PaulK]

The pens I stumbled across were Picasso, Shanghai 2000X special editions, Two Dragons Playing, etc. There was even one Krone-like pen with a $450 (as I recall) starting bid. Although less in price, there's even several Maki-e pens (didn't see any with karat-gold nibs). The lesser-priced Hero's have received some good reviews (cost-to-functionality). Wonder if these higher-priced models will be of the quality to be around for several years of use (plating, enamels, ornamentation, etc.)?

 

Thanks again for the replies!

 

Paul

[jd50ae]

This is my "Luxury" Duke "TWO DRAGONS PLAYING PEARL", #489 of 2000. It came in a presentation box that was as nicely done as the pen. It was a beautiful and fitting resting place for the pen. I at one time had two of these but sadly one went via a big wind, as did both boxes.

The pen is a joy to use and like I said, it is very well made. Pewter and rubies and sapphires, sounds like the pen is too flashy. But the pewter tones make it a very nice looking pen, silver or gold would have made it gaudy.

It is meant as a desk pen and to be used sans cap, it would be too heavy otherwise. But, uncapped it has a very nice heft and it fits my paw very nicely, though smaller hands may still find it a bit heavy for prolonged use.

The 18K nib, like the pen is made in Germany. It is very smooth and has some flex.

You will see one or two pop up on eBay now and then for far less then I paid for my first one, there is one now I am going to get. :ph34r:

[rhk745]

China fountain pen is okay. I also bid some pen from ebay seller.

 

You can also try to buy www.waimar.com. This site also a lot of Chinese fountain pen

 

 

Jojo :bunny1:

[Rique]

The 18K nib, like the pen is made in Germany.

A Chinese pen that´s made in Germany? What do you mean?

[jd50ae]

A lot of high end Chinese pens are made in Germany. (ah, I think)

Edited February 4, 2007 by jd50ae

[helius]

I think it's more accurate to say that "a lot of Chinese pens have 'Germany' stamped on their nibs..."

 

Which to me may mean anything from "manufactured in Germany" to "designed in Germany" and all the way to "someone who visited Germany once also visited the factory that produced this nib."

 

[jd50ae]

I think it's more accurate to say that "a lot of Chinese pens have 'Germany' stamped on their nibs..." 

 

Which to me may mean anything from "manufactured in Germany" to "designed in Germany" and all the way to "someone who visited Germany once also visited the factory that produced this nib."

 

   

I don't know about that. I just did a little search and came up with "DUKE, Gmbh, DUKE GERMANY". Now I admit I do not know what that means. So, I will go with your explanation.

Edited February 4, 2007 by jd50ae

[jd50ae]

I think it's more accurate to say that "a lot of Chinese pens have 'Germany' stamped on their nibs..." 

 

Which to me may mean anything from "manufactured in Germany" to "designed in Germany" and all the way to "someone who visited Germany once also visited the factory that produced this nib."

 

   

I don't know about that. I just did a little search and came up with "DUKE, Gmbh, DUKE GERMANY". Now I admit I do not know what that means. So, I will go with your explanation.

 

To make things worse,

 

Barrel: Argentine alloy

 

Bottom Cap: Italian celluloid

Edited February 4, 2007 by jd50ae

[auscan]

Ive noticed alot of 'High end' fountain pens on ebay that have a big diffrence in prices from seller to seller. Ive seen many $30 - $60 (market prices) pens that sellers are trying to sell for $90 - $300. I love some of the high end chinese pens out there, but I would do some reseach on prices before buying.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

The Dukes are not made in Germany. The parts are actually fairy standard for pen parts made in China. They are fairly good. BTW, I have a bunch I'm dying to get rid of in the Marketplace. (You can see that I am now getting desperate)

 

Dillon

[FrankB]

I have had very mixed luck with Chinese pens. I have one that refuses to write, one fell apart in my hand as I was cleaning it, and one has a converter that broke and I have not yet replaced it (the pen will also not take any known cartridge). So far, my Duke has been the best performer. It has been solid, reliable and fun.

 

I have scanned flea bay and found some really dubious offerings. I have had to ask myself what a high end Chinese pen really is. I think I am going to remain conservative like kissing and stay with pens offered on sites I know and trust. "Isellpens" and "The Pear Tree Pen Company" are the two I stay with. (Usual disclaimers). I also look forward to more pen reviews and general conversation about Chinese pens here on FPN.

[kissing]

I thought Duke itself was owned by a German company, but they have all the factories in China (like a lot of Western markets these days )

 

Nevertheless, I just received some Dukes (Crane, Filigree Ruby), and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM. Considering the prices I bought them for, they sometimes gives me dangerous heretic thoughts..."why do we even bother with all these high-priced Western brands like Waterman and Parker, when you can get a beautiful Chinese pen at fraction of the price "

 

I know I don't really mean that, but it's so tempting to think that. If Dukes were for sale at local Brick Mortar stores, I would imagine they'd be priced quite high (at least that's how much I think they ought to be worth)

[coolpenz]

So far, my most expensive Chinese poen is a duke I spent $35 on, and it rites like a champ. The other big surprise was the Hero 329... I had gotten 10 of 'em at a yard sale haul and inked one to try it; it wrote so well I kept 3! I also have about a dozen others and have had no problems at all; I don't think any cost over $15.

 

AS far as the nibs go, many are in fact marked Germany. Whether they truly are or not is anyone's guess, but I do have to say that if they're not, the Chinese manufacturers have done an amazing job of copying them. I know lots of folks look down on "Iridium Nib Germany," but I have to say I've found a number of them to be excellent smooth writers...

[russ77]

I heard about quality and pretty nice writing experience of Chinese pens (and use one myself now when I need to wright in extra fine - QIBAO 638), but most of them look so flashy. Do you know any brands/pens made in Chine with Fine Nib with crew on caps that look less flashy than traditional Chinese parade.

Thanks!

[txinsk]

I heard about quality and pretty nice writing experience of Chinese pens (and use one myself now when I need to wright in extra fine - QIBAO 638), but most of them look so flashy. Do you know any brands/pens made in Chine with Fine Nib with crew on caps that look less flashy than traditional Chinese parade.

Thanks!

 

I got my Kaigelu 316 from isellpens.com (no affliation, other than customer). It writes beautifully, it is a gorgeous gray/black with depth to the marbling and writes smoothly. That would be my suggestion.

 

Rick

[Beautifile]

Does anyone know where I can buy a Qibao metal fountain pen (Extra fine or Fine nib)? I just lost my favorite pen (my Qibao) & I'd really like to get a replacement. Although the thing I liked most (besides the writing) was the fact that the exterior was textured so it didn't slip out of your hands easily. Not like that's a huge problem for me, but, you know, one likes what one likes. Any help you can offer is appreciated. Thanks in advance.