Kicute Humble Pen In A Triple Gift Box

July 21, 2019

I bought this pen from an Aliexpress vendor and I really didn't expect to receive THIS. I mean, I thought I was purchasing an ordinary Chinese pen (these pens I love for their reliability, don't take me wrong, but I don't expect superb qualities: only the triad no ink drying out - decent writing - no spilling).

I was searching for a wooden pen which was a little special, and I found this. It was no special at all: a three-pen set (rollerball, ball pen and fountain pen) in wooden gift box. The look of the pens was quite plain, no "quality wood", cheap golden accents...But anyway...I liked the box, thought I could use it for other purposes, also thought it would be a good idea to have a ball pen at hand when someone asks you to lend them your fountain pen for a quick note!

So, I received the item. The look of it did honor the vendor's photos: nothing special. More like an old-times First Communion gift, prior to digital age, when kids weren't asking for last-generation cellphones and game consoles.

BUT here comes the good part! I eagerly uncapped the fountain pen...tried it on paper and... Whaaaaaat????? Is this really a Chinese cheap fountain pen???? I swear, it was the smoothest experience in years. And, of course, I must say I don't just own scratchy Chinese pens...I also have some good vintage Sheaffers and also some Chinese beauties that are not scratchy at all. I mean, I know what a smooth pen is. And I can say that this Kicute (brand appeared in description, not in main ad line) is only comparable to the best. Absolutely no scratchiness, the nib glides and you cannot hear the nib when you scribble!

More specific data:

Brand: Kicute. Model 982817 according to the description.

Comes in: a wooden gift box together with rollerball and ballpen, which also work well. Externally, roller and fountain pen are identical.

Materials:

.Polished/varnished (too much to my taste) red

wood. It feels like wood, but even it it isn't...I don't mind. This nib is a pleasure.

.Golden stailess steel for nib,clip and rings

.Nib section is plastic.

.Nib:5mm tip, definitely a medium. Inscription: Iridium Point Germany.

Measurements: 14.5cm long posted. (5.7")

Weight: 23g posted, 14g unposted. It's a very light pen.

Opens and closes with a click, no screwing. Posts, but not very securely or aesthetically.

Price: aprox. USD 14 for the whole set (Aliexpress prices vary depending on days, though not much)

Very SMOOTH writing but not WET. So there is a sort of "silent feedback" from it, which makes writing more secure.

For my particular way of writing and holding the pen, it is very comfortable. The section is short but this is not a problem for me. By the way, I am left-handed, but I hold the pen mostly right-handed style, not hooked or over the line. But of course as every left-handed I "push", rather than "pull" the nib.

Of course, there is also the possibility that I "won the lottery" with this purchase. Chinese manufacturers have no consistent quality checks, so maybe same model of pen will be a nail! But in principle, I don't think so. I bought same pen (others, not this) from Aliexpress several times (for replacing, for gift...) and it never happened they were radically different.

July 21, 2019

That's a standard pen sold for about $2 when made of bamboo

I honestly find them quite nice too.

August 16, 2019

That's a standard pen sold for about $2 when made of bamboo

I honestly find them quite nice too.

Forget about pen shows, the real deal is to go to paper world. I've been there a bit more than a couple of times, it's not a place for shopping, of course, although you may find ways to do so if you want to.

If you go down, which is shambles, where all the Asiatic makers lay (albeit you won't find any Japanese as they are all up, with the western ones), you'll be surprised as I was to find out how many down there are the ones making the stuff that's shown on the main floor..(multiplied by I don't know how many zeros)... I was a bit miffed, I can't lie......so probably even 2$ for that is a lot, making our friend splashing out on aliexpress. So maybe better to spend 14 rather than 140...