Help Me Choose My Next Jinhao :)

[DeanKW]

Well... I ended up getting the customized and tuned version of the Jinhao 911 called the "Thyer" thanks to a tip on another thread here. It's a lovely pen with a very smooth nib writing a nice F (the seller says 0.45mm and that looks about right to my eye). Next chance I get I'll write a little review of it.

 

As for the other pens in the OP, I've got the 165 coming in the mail (I went for the matte black finish) and also one of these new ones I just came across, the Jinhao 992

 

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the Thyer, this is the first I've heard of it, though I now found it mentioned in the Chinese Pen of the Day thread.

 

I also have a 992 in the mail, both a clear and a blue one. The interesting thing is that it is not in their 2017 Catalog.

[truthpil]

My order fell through because they didn't have the finish I wanted and wanted me to pay more for another color. Ah the joys of taobao!

 

I look forward to your thoughts on the 992. It resembles a lot of Japanese pens that cost much more.

[DeanKW]

I didn't realize it was a screw cap when I bought it, this makes me even more excited. This is my first Jinhao screw cap, but not my first Chinese one. Does anyone know of any other Jinhao models with a screw cap?

 

I suspect it will take quite a bit longer to reach me than it would have you, but it's in the mail!

 

I obviously can't say this until I hold it, but the pictures make me think of the Pilot Custom Heritage 74. What pens did you think it resembled?

[oneill]

 

When it does come, it'd be great if you could do a short review of it. I'm sure a lot of people are interested!

I would say that it is very RUDE for one member to take so much space, but that is only my opinion.Trust me. oneill

[DeanKW]

I would say that it is very RUDE for one member to take so much space, but that is only my opinion.Trust me. oneill

 

Would you explain what you mean? I don't think I understand the joke.

[truthpil]

 

I obviously can't say this until I hold it, but the pictures make me think of the Pilot Custom Heritage 74. What pens did you think it resembled?

It made me think of the Pilot Custom line too, also a little like the Platinum 3776 Century and some Sailor pens.

 

The obvious design difference is that odd little bump on the back end of the barrel. I assume it's to help with posting, but looks a little funny.

[pomps]

I didn't realize it was a screw cap when I bought it, this makes me even more excited. This is my first Jinhao screw cap, but not my first Chinese one. Does anyone know of any other Jinhao models with a screw cap?

 

I suspect it will take quite a bit longer to reach me than it would have you, but it's in the mail!

 

I obviously can't say this until I hold it, but the pictures make me think of the Pilot Custom Heritage 74. What pens did you think it resembled?

The Jinhao 992 looks just like the Lorelei Lingmo, both borrowed the design of the Sailor Procolor.

[WJM]

Does anyone know of any other Jinhao models with a screw cap?

 

 

Jinhao 159, 886, "Century"

 

Also some of the "dragon" ones have screw caps. I have one which even posts by screwing it on the back of the barrel

[mke]

4 pens, that is just about 35 USD - why not buy all of them and try it out by yourself ?

That is my usual choice. While I appreciate and listen to recommendations, I still need to test by myself. The recommendations tell me what to check, so they are a great help.

And the advantage of Chinese pens is their price.

 

In the laboratory, I usually write with Baoers (3035, 508, 801) - the 801 e.g. is just short of 1 USD (LINK to Ebay) If it gets stained (I don't hope), I could just throw it away.

Otherwise I really like the Jinhao 599 with the 0.38 nib - the second nib in the double nib package.

 

There are so many interesting pens and so few time to use them.

[truthpil]

Well, I've spent the past several days with the Jinhao 165. I don't have time to write a review yet, but here are some initial impressions:

 

- Much thinner and lighter than the X450 and X750, although still made entirely of metal.

- Feels great in the hand when not posted, but uncomfortably unbalanced when posted.

- A lovely smooth nib that writes a juicy Western fine line.

 

And the bad point which is ruining this pen for me until I can find a solution:

 

- The converter fits too tightly so a vacuum is created, causing the pen to skip or completely stop writing after a few lines of writing.

 

[i graded a stack of student assignments with it and got quite frustrated having to stop and crank the converter to get ink flowing every few minutes. This is the same kind of problem many have written about with the Parson's Essential.]

[oneill]

Would you explain what you mean? I don't think I understand the joke.

I think that Truth Phil is over exposing himself to use over 20 pages to make his point.

[Beechwood]

I think that Truth Phil is over exposing himself to use over 20 pages to make his point.

 

 

I am not sure that this matters in the whole scheme of things, what is written is of interest to at least one person and is within the scope and purpose of the FPN forum.

[oneill]

Jinhaos are good, but a Baoer 388 is probably even better. Less boring at least(nib included). Very comfortable, much like any pen that mimics the parker sonnet. + I can practically guarantee that it will write straight away.

 

Never had or heard of the leakage issue with either company. But messing with the nib-feed assembly can lead to leaks because of the low quality of the plastics used in making the pens. So don`t do it if you care for them.

 

From the above, i`d probaly go with the Jinhao 601, i like the screw-in cap and grippy-looking section. I`d definitely like to read a review of it. As a side note, in my experience the common Jinhao nib which gets fitted on most of their models is stiffer than the nib on the Baoer 388, which has a ever so slightly springy nib, which is good for comfort during writing and should also prolong the useful life of the nib- less chance of getting the tines misaligned.

 

Just my impression.

You may or may not be aware that Jinhao and Baoer are made by the same company in China,It is called

the Shanghi Qiangu Stationery company.I know because I used to edit their pages for quite a few years FOR FREE which they really appreciated.Trust Me. Oneill

[oneill]

Jinhaos are good, but a Baoer 388 is probably even better. Less boring at least(nib included). Very comfortable, much like any pen that mimics the parker sonnet. + I can practically guarantee that it will write straight away.

 

Never had or heard of the leakage issue with either company. But messing with the nib-feed assembly can lead to leaks because of the low quality of the plastics used in making the pens. So don`t do it if you care for them.

 

From the above, i`d probaly go with the Jinhao 601, i like the screw-in cap and grippy-looking section. I`d definitely like to read a review of it. As a side note, in my experience the common Jinhao nib which gets fitted on most of their models is stiffer than the nib on the Baoer 388, which has a ever so slightly springy nib, which is good for comfort during writing and should also prolong the useful life of the nib- less chance of getting the tines misaligned.

 

Just my impression.

You may or may not be aware that Jinhao and Baoer are made by the same company in China,It is called

the Shanghi Qiangu Stationery company.I know because I used to edit their pages for quite a few years FOR FREE which they really appreciated.Trust Me. Oneill

[oneill]

Jinhao and Baoer are made from solid Tube Brass and in most cases the nibs are the smoothest nibs that you will get for the price that you will pay for it,they do sometimes have a problem with the convertor which when being made some of the machine oil used in the making is not washed off, why because of cost of course Jinhao assume that YOU will rinse your pen out before you use it and I don't blame them they are attempting to save you money!!! I have a very large collection of their pens which used to have traditional Chinese names of historical places,Archaic Saints,The Great Wall, The Long March, Dragon Clip, if a pen you have is not flowing as it should then I suggest that you give it a thorough flush out and then rinse with clean water to see if that makes a difference,send me a message if that does not work. These days if you contact Goulet Nibs he will sell you a Flexy Nib and he also has an instruction video which shows you how to fit the nib which will turn the pen into a FLEXY writer.Trust Me, Oneill

Edited April 9, 2018 by oneill

[truthpil]

You may or may not be aware that Jinhao and Baoer are made by the same company in China,It is called

the Shanghi Qiangu Stationery company.I know because I used to edit their pages for quite a few years FOR FREE which they really appreciated.Trust Me. Oneill

That's interesting. Is Bulow also part of the same company? I have an X750 that is identical to the Jinhao in everything except the name. Even the design on the cap band is identical.

[k3eax]

The Bulow brand-name was applied to pens made by Jinhao to be sold by a company known as XFountian Pens located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. That company now trades under the name Birmingham Pens.

[truthpil]

The Bulow brand-name was applied to pens made by Jinhao to be sold by a company known as XFountian Pens located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. That company now trades under the name Birmingham Pens.

Thanks for the information! That also explains why the pen came free with a purchase from Birmingham Pens.

[alanlight]

One Jinhao that gets surprisingly little attention is the 156.

A video review can be found here:

 

[truthpil]

One Jinhao that gets surprisingly little attention is the 156.

 

A video review can be found here:

 

 

Thanks for that. It's a nice looking pen! It seems to have the same Fine nib as the 992 and 991.