The Jinhao 599 Fountain Pen Range

[Jamerelbe]

A few months ago now, I did a review of the black metal version of the Jinhao 599 - a pen which, for the price, was not only of surprisingly good quality but also a very comfortable writer. It was provided to me for free by Kevin of JustWrite pens (www.JustWrite.com.au), in return for a review. Two weeks ago, the plastic versions of the same pen became available from his store - and I was so excited at the look of them that I decided to order several (and yes, I paid full price for them!).

 

 

Look and feel:

Two weeks on, I have to say I LOVE these pens. The colours are vibrant, the plastic is cheap but I don't find it nasty (!); and I especially like the translucent colours (smoke-coloured, 'amber' and blue). I know this is a matter of personal preference, but I much prefer the clips on these pens to the Lamy Safari they emulate - that, and the fact that they'll take standard international cartridges, are two significant 'pluses' for these pens. [Add to that the fact that a cartridge converter comes standard - with a Lamy Safari, you're paying $5-10 extra).

 

The plastic pens are lighter than the metal pen - but I like both options. All the different varieties post securely - though the metal pen becomes more noticeably back-heavy when doing so.

 

The following is a 'sample' of the different varieties available - metal on top, then solid plastic, translucent plastic, and hooded nib varieties:

 

http://i.imgur.com/R6aUl1P.jpg

 

Nib Options:

As you'll see from the photo above (and below), the Jinhao pen comes with three different nib options. The metal variety comes with a flatter nib, and a proprietary feed that mimics the Safari (I think) - though it's fairly easy to remove from the grip section. On the JustWrite website there are pictures of plastic 599s with the same flat nib, but all of mine came with the curved nibs you see in the photos. Then there's the hooded nib - or as a fourth option (which I passed on), you can buy a 599 rollerball pen.

 

http://i.imgur.com/ixhb3pD.jpg

 

Aesthetically, I probably like the distinctive nib on the metal 599 best - maybe because it's the most similar to a Lamy nib? [No, as far as I can tell, they're not interchangeable with Lamy!]. I also like the fact that it lays down a fairly fine line.

 

The curved nibs look fairly similar to the #5 nibs you'll find on some other Jinhao pens - though as with the rest of the Jinhao range, I'm not convinced by the 18KGP markings! So far I've found all of these nibs to write very smoothly, and to lay a fine-to-medium line.

 

The hooded nib pen, to me, looks ugly - I'm not a fan of the black plastic casing that holds them into the grip section, and wonder if Jinhao would have been smarter to match the casing to the colour of the pen. The big advantage of these nibs, though, is the smooth fine line they produce (very much in my 'sweet spot'!), and the fact that hooded nibs TEND to be less prone to ink dry-out (though I've yet to confirm that).

 

For AU$6.99, these pens are a fantastic buy - yes, I know you can buy them cheaper online, but I prefer to support my 'local' online business! - and I really don't think you can go wrong. The one downside is the fact that there are no nib-size options - you get what you get with these pens. However...

 

Interchangeability

For me, this was the most exciting thing about the plastic pens: when I pulled the nib and feed out of one of them, I immediately noticed that the feed on the pen is identical (yes, IDENTICAL) to the feed in my Dilli pens from Fountain Pen Revolution:

 

http://i.imgur.com/8JhYY7Q.jpg

Dilli nib and feed on top; Jinhao nib and feed on bottom

 

Which means, in theory at least, that the nibs for these pens should be interchangeable - and that's great news, because Fountain Pen Revolution sell a range of inexpensive nibs (and I have plenty of spares) for US$3-7.

 

But are they interchangeable in practice? Umm... Well... Yes, and no. If you look at the above picture, you'll see that the wings on the FPR nib are a little wider - and that makes it a bit of a squeeze, trying to fit these nibs into the 599 housing. It's doable - and the one time I installed a flex nib it seemed to work really well! - but I've found the nibs won't push in as far as I'd like. The flow is fine, once you get it started, but the distance between the end of the feed and the end of the nib seems to increase the incidence of hard starts. In one pen, the nib sat 'proud' enough that it prevented the cap from sealing properly, too - maybe I could have rammed the nib in harder, but I didn't want to risk damaging the grip section (I know, I know, only $7 - but I'm a cheapskate!).

 

Even so, I thought it was worth reporting the above findings - I love the FPR nibs, but have not been overly thrilled with the Dilli pens (too hard to clean), and find that some of the other cheaper pens they sell are prone to dry-out. So here is another use for the nibs that came with my Dilli (and Serwex 101) pens. Also, I thought this might prompt others to have a go, with #5 nibs that YOU have laying around - and let me know if you find a better alternative.

[tendollarword]

Nice little write up. The nib interchangeability is interesting.

 

The Jinhao 599 I have wrote quite nicely, but it stopped working after a few weeks and I don't care for it enough to bother fixing it.

Edited October 3, 2014 by tendollarword

[GTVi]

Nice topic. Can you confirm if the black pen (the one with the Lamy Safari style Nib) is compatible with a real Lamy Safari nib?

 

I have recently bought a Lamy Safari look-a-like also, and I find the nib "squeaks" when I write. I don't know how to fix this.

[Beerman]

I have been using mine almost daily for the past month or so and I am very happy wth this pen.

 

One thing I really like about this pen is that you can leave it uncapped for relative longer periods without starting issues and that makes it a great pen for students.

[Jamerelbe]

Nice topic. Can you confirm if the black pen (the one with the Lamy Safari style Nib) is compatible with a real Lamy Safari nib?

 

I have recently bought a Lamy Safari look-a-like also, and I find the nib "squeaks" when I write. I don't know how to fix this.

 

Thanks for the feedback - in answer to your question, I'm almost certain the answer is 'no'. I've heard that the Hero copy of the Safari can take Lamy nibs - but unfortunately, not the Jinhao 599. Will confirm that for sure, though, next time I'm able to pinch my son's Safari for a look...

[ScienceChick]

I bought a box of a dozen solid colors for my students and, of course, had to try one. I was shocked by how well it wrote. For all 12, after a flush, very smooth nibs, never a skip or hard start. My students love them and, at less than $2 each, I've been able to tell them to keep the pen if they want it. A great value, IMO.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Great round-up. Thanks!

 

I like 'em. Although the open-nibbed plastic version feels a little draggy. I haven't tried the metal because I'm steering clear of metal pens these days.

[Art]

Nice info. I have a few of these and use them regularly. They're very smooth and comfortable.

[Jamerelbe]

Yep, for the price I think they leave a lot of their competitors for dead. I'm also finding them much less prone to nib dry-out than other pens in this price range.

[69Boss302]

I'm anxiously waiting for the arrival of my 599 safari demonstrator. I keep looking at reviews and pics while I wait for mine. It's like I'm back in the 80's again and waiting for the Nintendo to come out.

[Jamerelbe]

I'm anxiously waiting for the arrival of my 599 safari demonstrator. I keep looking at reviews and pics while I wait for mine. It's like I'm back in the 80's again and waiting for the Nintendo to come out.

 

I can sympathise - sort of (I'm not a Nintendo fan!)... They're an attractive pen, and great value at the prices they're selling for. I ordered all three of the demonstrator colours my vendor had available - though I still haven't inked up the 'smoke' coloured (grey) one.

[69Boss302]

I've got an update on the tracking info, the pen is on the move. How exciting!

[PersianPenName]

Oh man, I just ordered a pair of these, and a pair of the Hero safari clones (to compare, of course!), and I am SO EXCITED to hear that these might be interchangeable with the Dilli nibs! That means I could get a flex nib for a safari-like! Oh my yes, I am going to have to play with these as soon as they come in.

[PDW]

Just inked my third hooded nib example, and they've al been amazingly smooth - the nicest XFs I've used - ever!

Edited January 29, 2015 by PDW

[Jamerelbe]

Just inked my third hooded nib example, and they've al been amazingly smooth - the nicest XFs I've used - ever!

 

Definitely great value for money - they're not as 'pretty' as the regular nibbed pens, but amazingly reliable. Glad you're enjoying them!

[inkstainedruth]

I was just gifted with a metal-bodied 599. I think the nib is a medium, because the number on the underside of the feed is a "5". For being a roughly $6 pen, it is a surprisingly nice writer, and I got used to the triangular section faster than I expected to (although I wouldn't call it "comfortable" to hold). I'm also having to get used to the weight, especially when posted: I normally post my pens (except for a very few that don't lend themselves to it, like my Rotring Artpen); I *have* used the 599 posted, but it is a little overbalanced and top-heavy when I do.

I was also getting a little bit of flow issue, and had to adjust the piston on the converter a couple of times (the ink in the pen at the moment is Sailor Jentle Tokiwa-Matsu).

Is it my best writer? No. But it's a good sturdy knock-around pen -- one that I wouldn't hesitate to loan to someone, because I wouldn't be panicking over what he/she would do to the nib (like on my expensive-isn pens).

Thanks for the review.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Purseonality]

I'm waiting on several of these from China (EBay for $1.39 each including shipping...how could I not?) I'm not thrilled with the hooded design but if they write as well as you say, I won't complain. However-is it possible to take apart a hooded nib?

[Jamerelbe]

@inkstaindruth, thanks for your feedback - and glad you're enjoying your pen! I agree, I think they're a bit heavy when posted - so I don't normally bother. With the light weight of the plastic versions, it's less of an issue though! I'd probably have classified my metal 599 nib (the flat-topped variety) as a fine rather than a medium - the plastic pens (with the more rounded nibs) are closer to a medium. Your mileage may vary, though - and it certainly can't compare to a Pilot F nib!

 

@Purseonality, I haven't tried to take the hooded nib apart, but am not sure you could do so without trashing (i.e. destroying) the plastic housing that holds it in place. But by all means, give it a go - the worst you can do is blow $1.39 of your hard-earned cash - and lest us know what you find out!

[basterma]

The nib that is closest to that of the Safari is actually a nib and feed that appears on Hero pens and Indian Flair pens. I am wondering if Jinhao uses different nib suppliers the way some Western companies use Schmidt or Bock nibs?

[mrcharlie]

I'm waiting on several of these from China (EBay for $1.39 each including shipping...how could I not?) I'm not thrilled with the hooded design but if they write as well as you say, I won't complain. However-is it possible to take apart a hooded nib?

 

Someone else reported trying to take one apart on one of these 599 item/topics, and found the "hood" to be glued to the section, and so not removable, and you can't get the nib/feed out without removing the hood.