Kaigelu 316

[WJM]

The feed is not the problem. Standard cartridges/converters frequently suffer from air bubbles

It was the feed after all. I changed the feed to one I took from Jinhao X450. It's identical in shape and size to the Kaigelu feed and it's a significant improvement.

 

Unfortunately while I was changing the feeds I also accidentally pulled the whole friction fit nib housing out of the section. I had to shellac it in to make it sit in place.

[Frank66]

Same experience with me too, Kaigelu nib unit is relatively easy to come off the section. And also, to the best of my recollection, the Jinhao x450/x750 feed will fit the kaigelu 316 pen, I remember I tried it once in the past and it worked for me too.

 

Glad to hear everything worked out for you. Enjoy your pen.

[Karmachanic]

Unfortunately while I was changing the feeds I also accidentally pulled the whole friction fit nib housing out of the section. I had to shellac it in to make it sit in place.

 

Lucky you! I'm having to resort to heroic measures to get mine out

[truthpil]

Gosh, it seems like these pens are really projects.

I understand that they are probably the least expensive pens with these beautiful acrylic designs, but I'd rather pay more to get a similar design in a pen that works well out of the box.

[WJM]

Well, one of them was. I've never had any serious issues with the other two, except the bad balancing.

[Bluey]

It was the feed after all. I changed the feed to one I took from Jinhao X450. It's identical in shape and size to the Kaigelu feed and it's a significant improvement.

 

Unfortunately while I was changing the feeds I also accidentally pulled the whole friction fit nib housing out of the section. I had to shellac it in to make it sit in place.

But when you change the feed you will also include changing/emptying etc the cartridge/converter, which would have also temporarily eliminated the air bubble.

The problem will likely return.

Edited March 9, 2018 by Bluey

[WJM]

I've always used the same cartridges in my other two Kaigelus and never had this kind of problem before (nor in any other standard c/c pen really). Also before changing the feed I also tried to change cartridges and converters as well and there was no difference.

[WJM]

My black Kaigelu 316 developed some weird scratches on the section, revealing metal under the black paint. Interestingly those scratches aren't random, they look like marks of threads inside the cap.

Edited June 14, 2018 by WJM

[WJM]

I do not know if that helps, but I have replaced the nib unit in 2 of my Kaigelu 316s with:

- a Bock 250 unit in steel, also available in gold and palladium (ranging from EF, F, M , B, XB, 1.1, 1.5 and 1.9mm italics)

- a semi-flex titanium Bock 250 unit.

These Bock nib units fit precisely in the Kaigelu 316 pen sections and the modifications are very easy to carry through and not that expensive.

The pen is thus transformed into a very high-relaible writing instrument. For me it was totally worth it.

 

I recently tried that and installed a Bock nib unit in one of my Kaigelus. Here's the result. I had some starting problem with this nib but after just a small adjustment it became really great. Very wet, too.

 

Edited December 3, 2018 by WJM

[Frank66]

 

I recently tried that and installed a Bock nib unit in one of my Kaigelus. Here's the result. I had some starting problem with this nib but after just a small adjustment it became really great. Very wet, too.

 

 

 

Hi WJM, thanks for posting your experience with your Kaigelu 316 modified with the Bock replacement nib. Your pen looks awesome, I hope you like how it writes. I just love mine, it is just a reliable pen comparable only to much more expensive pens Here are a few pics below: