The Jinhao 599 – A Stylish Chinese Pen With Strangely Familiar Germanic Leanings…

[Helen350]

I now have a collection of the plastic pens too, and I agree: the plastic pens run wetter, and lay down a wider line. I do in some ways prefer the metal version nib, though his like my daily use pens to be that little bit finer. I haven't had to smooth any of my nibs - but one or two of them could probably do with a go on the micromesh.

 

It's worth noting these pens also come in a rollerball format (if that's your thing) - and there's a hooded nib option, which isn't the prettiest (too much black moulded plastic around the nib for me), but lays a beautifully smooth, fine line of ink.

No longer use rollerball or ballpoint, but I have seen the 599 rollerball on Ebay for those who enjoy them. I see that the 599 comes in a fine nib (hooded) and a medium nib. I am partial to medium nibs and 1.1 stubs. I can tolerate the nib on the 599-metal version, even though it lays a thinner line than I prefer. I will use several of them for giveaways when others ask me about my fountain pens. I guess the smoothing is a personal preference. I have not had to do any exceptional smoothing, just a quick run or two with the micromesh gives me the touch I like. I have to admit I thoroughly enjoy my 599s and use them for taking class notes and study notes. No problems with ink flow or start ups. Pulling out my pen case causes people to wonder "what are those?"

[Art]

I like the 599s. Have a few in different colors - all plastic models right now and all with medium nibs. They write nicely from the start and have required no adjustments. I plan to try the metal versions soon.

[Runnin_Ute]

I just got my first - as a gift. The nib has been "Tomahawked" and writes quite nicely. It is the smoke demo version. I was comparing it to my AL Star the other day. Noticed it is appreciably narrower. Not sure how it compares with a Safari as I don't have one.

 

I like the clip, but I wouldn't necessarily say I like it better than the Lamy clip. I noticed that it was reminiscent of that pen's clip without being a direct copy. It's been fun to play with.

[Jamerelbe]

Glad you're enjoying the pen - I don't have any Lamy AL Stars, but the 599 matches the dimensions of a Safari pretty closely. The clips on the Jinhao pens look a little more sturdy to me, less like a re-purposed paperclip, but the Safari clip is nonetheless perfectly functional. I quite like the look of the clips on both pens, truth be told, but am glad that Jinhao didn't slavishly copy Lamy - given the many similarities to the Safari, it's good that they have one or two points of departure in their design!

[PortiaDaCosta]

I hope this isn't too much OT, but I've found something very similar to the 599 and the Safari, from the UK. I received my first Jinhao 599 in the post yesterday, but I also got one of these:

 

http://www.royalpens.co.uk/delight-black-fountain-pen.html

 

Looks very much like the Lamy Safari, and almost identical to the 599. Perhaps a little slimmer and longer, but only a smidgen.

 

I'm looking forward to comparing the three pens.

 

Disclaimer: I purchased all three.

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks for the link - looks to me like a rebranded plastic Jinhao 599,albeit in different colour combinations. I wouldn't be surprised if this was, in fact, made for Royal Pens by the Jinhao factory. Would love to hear your impressions, once you have all 3 pens in hand!

[PortiaDaCosta]

Thanks for the link - looks to me like a rebranded plastic Jinhao 599,albeit in different colour combinations. I wouldn't be surprised if this was, in fact, made for Royal Pens by the Jinhao factory. Would love to hear your impressions, once you have all 3 pens in hand!

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. I thought the Royal was a bit slimmer, but setting them side by side now, they completely identical shapewise. Only the logo is different.

 

I wonder what their other pen is a rebadging of?

 

I'm chasing a deadline at the moment, but I'll try and do a proper comparison when I'm past that.

[alc3261]

 

I wonder what their other pen is a rebadging of?

I've ordered one to find out!!

[TSherbs]

I hope this isn't too much OT, but I've found something very similar to the 599 and the Safari, from the UK. I received my first Jinhao 599 in the post yesterday, but I also got one of these:

 

http://www.royalpens.co.uk/delight-black-fountain-pen.html

 

Looks very much like the Lamy Safari, and almost identical to the 599. Perhaps a little slimmer and longer, but only a smidgen.

 

I'm looking forward to comparing the three pens.

 

Disclaimer: I purchased all three.

whatever it is, it looks pretty good

[alc3261]

Royal Pens arrived - both are re-badged Jinhao 599s, the metal and the plastic ones.

[Jamerelbe]

Royal Pens arrived - both are re-badged Jinhao 599s, the metal and the plastic ones.

 

No surprises there - but thanks for confirming it! Are the nibs any different at all in their performance? If not, I guess you have to question whether the added expense is worth it for the 'Royal Pens' branding...

[PortiaDaCosta]

Quick first impressions.

 

The Royal is a bit temperamental. At first it seemed draggy as I was writing and with an uneven flow. I'd started it with a Cult Pens Deep Dark Blue cart, then washed it out and switched to Eclat de Saphire and it still seemed reluctant but marginally better. Then I tried a pinpoint of washing up liquid in the converter and got Eclat de Bloop. Washed it out again, and soaked overnight, and filled with Aurora Blue, and it's starting to behave a bit better. Still not fabulous, but not as annoying. Am hoping that a bit of use will 'settle' it and I'll start to like it.

 

On the other hand, the Jinhao - which looks exactly the same - is lovely. A dreamy writer from the off. Stuck in a Violet Pensee cart and barely had to wait for the ink to arrive, and it was writing really nicely and silkily, gliding over Rhodia and the no name paper in my journal. Nothing annoying at all!

[alc3261]

They are a bit hit or miss and do need the flushing out. Also a bit of nib smoothing might be good.

[PortiaDaCosta]

They are a bit hit or miss and do need the flushing out. Also a bit of nib smoothing might be good.

 

I haven't attempted nib smoothing yet, as I'm still a relative pen novice. I do have a tuning/cleaning kit coming in the post though. What's the very gentlest and least potentially damaging thing to try first? I do have a loupe and the tines look to be aligned okay on the Royal.

 

Having said that, though, I've been writing with it this afternoon, and it does seem to be improving with use. Almost nice now. It must like Aurora Blue.

[alc3261]

Try the smoothest grade of mylar paper first, I'd say.

[PortiaDaCosta]

Thanks! I'll give it a go when my kit arrives.

[meeksdoteric]

I have several Hero Summer Colors, Jinhao 599s, 599Cs and a large number of Lamy Safaris.

My verdict - the Hero Summer Color is a virtually exact replica of the Safari but only slightly lower in quality.

The Jinhao 599 Metal painted body pen is pretty good as a writer, the paint finish is much more prone to scratching than an Al-Star. The 599C is a translucent plastic pen (I got a pack of 3 in Blue, Smoke and Pale Orange) - when I tried to put the converter in the whole nib/feed/collar shot out of the top of the pen. It all seems a bit too loose. The other 2 pens seem OK.

Overall I find very little to choose between the Hero and Jinhao offerings (but the Jinhao clip is certainly an improvement!!)

Hi, I'm brand new to the forum. I've got a couple questions that I think you may be able to help me with.

 

1. I am having tremendous difficulty locating replacement nibs for the *older model* Jinhao 599. The one with the metal body and Safari-esque nib.

 

2. Would the Hero Summer Color nib possibly fit the Jinhao 599?

 

3. I think I may want to get a Hero Summer Color pen or two. The ones I've found for sale online come with cartridges, but is there a converter that is compatible?

 

Thanks

Eric

[alc3261]

Hi, I'm brand new to the forum. I've got a couple questions that I think you may be able to help me with.

 

1. I am having tremendous difficulty locating replacement nibs for the *older model* Jinhao 599. The one with the metal body and Safari-esque nib.

 

2. Would the Hero Summer Color nib possibly fit the Jinhao 599? Probably not.

 

3. I think I may want to get a Hero Summer Color pen or two. The ones I've found for sale online come with cartridges, but is there a converter that is compatible? Mine certainly came with a converter even if it wasn't shown in the photo.

 

Thanks

Eric

Hope this helps.

[isildur]

I realize this is an old post by now but may be some one can still answer my question. The Jinhao 599 that are on sale at ebay right-now show a somewhat different nib that the one shown in this post. Is there any difference in quality between these nibs? Thanks in Advance

[alc3261]

I realize this is an old post by now but may be some one can still answer my question. The Jinhao 599 that are on sale at ebay right-now show a somewhat different nib that the one shown in this post. Is there any difference in quality between these nibs? Thanks in Advance

It is different but I think it will still be OK.