New Chinese Pens - 2023

[Dan Carmell]

17 hours ago, Ermennda said:

Really? I would have to cut it off.

You’re a race car driver or just don’t like traffic signals?

 

On a serious note, if those three ‘jewels’ are crappy looking, yes, it will spoil the pen. 

[lascosas]

The Majohn T6 in all colors/designs is available from Luster's Aliexpress store, $47.13 to the US. They also have the Hongdian D1 for $24.95.

 

I have no connection with that seller, but have bought many pens and had no problems.  They are slow in shipping, but items arrive relatively quickly once shipped.

 

Many sellers, including Luster, are participating in the $4 off on $35 total purchased, $10 off on $70 purchased that starts August 21.

[Waltz For Zizi]

Hongdian 1868 for 26$, similar to the 8041 but I think this one is new, no review on Youtube.

 

[Waltz For Zizi]

Hongdian 1862 for 15-16$ on Aliexpress. I find it interesting personally since I like plastic/resin pens.

[Dan Carmell]

The Hero 100 was the first Chinese pen to attract my attention, back in the 1990s. A few years ago, a brushed steel version was introduced at a slightly higher price point, which of course I bought. Now I’m seeing a new version of the 100, this time an all metal cap and barrel in polished steel and 3 colors (black, blue, and burgundy—the usual suspects). They are further distinguished from the original 100 by a gold plated barrel finial and a gold zagen on the hood/section. It’s also a screw cap and usually listed at $127 USD. 
 

FYI, if you cruise AliExpress, you’ve doubtless seen other 100s—there are 2 or 3 open nib and at least one other hooded nibbed pens given the 100 name and logo. Some have 10K or 12K nibs, probably none should share the name from a purist viewpoint. 

[Waltz For Zizi]

Jinhao 82 mini. It already has a dedicated post but I wanted to have it here too. The price is bigger than the normal one, about 4-5 times more or aprox. 16$. I'm gonna wait and see how it looks in the "real world".

[Merrick]

On 8/18/2023 at 8:27 PM, Dan Carmell said:

The Hero 100 was the first Chinese pen to attract my attention, back in the 1990s. A few years ago, a brushed steel version was introduced at a slightly higher price point, which of course I bought. Now I’m seeing a new version of the 100, this time an all metal cap and barrel in polished steel and 3 colors (black, blue, and burgundy—the usual suspects). They are further distinguished from the original 100 by a gold plated barrel finial and a gold zagen on the hood/section. It’s also a screw cap and usually listed at $127 USD. 
 

FYI, if you cruise AliExpress, you’ve doubtless seen other 100s—there are 2 or 3 open nib and at least one other hooded nibbed pens given the 100 name and logo. Some have 10K or 12K nibs, probably none should share the name from a purist viewpoint. 

That is a beautiful design and color scheme. Looks like a futuristic, reimagined Pilot E95S.

[Dan Carmell]

Just noticed a new color for the Wing Sung 629, a teal or grey-blue color. I first noticed on eBay because it was offered with the 14K heartbeat nibs. I think the heartbeat nibs labeled ‘JF’ are the long knife nibs, so it’s offered with F/M/B. I believe these would be #6 nibs to fit the 629. Price is USD $169.99
 

Offered in both the tapered (Sailor 1911L) and flat top (Sailor Pro Gear) versions, the notable difference is the three cap rings are linked, as with the Jun Lai (14K nib) version of the 630. The WS 630 has separated cap rings, as did the original 629s. 

 

It is also being offered with WS two-tone steel nibs, EF and F, for 29.99, roughly the same price as previous 629 models.

[Waltz For Zizi]

1 hour ago, Dan Carmell said:

Just noticed a new color for the Wing Sung 629, a teal or grey-blue color. I first noticed on eBay because it was offered with the 14K heartbeat nibs. I think the heartbeat nibs labeled ‘JF’ are the long knife nibs, so it’s offered with F/M/B. I believe these would be #6 nibs to fit the 629. Price is USD $169.99
 

Offered in both the tapered (Sailor 1911L) and flat top (Sailor Pro Gear) versions, the notable difference is the three cap rings are linked, as with the Jun Lai (14K nib) version of the 630. The WS 630 has separated cap rings, as did the original 629s. 

 

It is also being offered with WS two-tone steel nibs, EF and F, for 29.99, roughly the same price as previous 629 models.

130$ for a gold nib upgrade to me seems excessive. I know non Chinese brands offer about the same price increase, but they also have a slight better quality in their pens.

Not hating on the Chinese brands, last year 95% of all my pens were Chinese made, but I would not upgrade for such a big increase. I can buy a Pelikan m800 18kt gold nib unit for 130$ in my country.

[Dan Carmell]

46 minutes ago, Waltz For Zizi said:

130$ for a gold nib upgrade to me seems excessive. I know non Chinese brands offer about the same price increase, but they also have a slight better quality in their pens.

Not hating on the Chinese brands, last year 95% of all my pens were Chinese made, but I would not upgrade for such a big increase. I can buy a Pelikan m800 18kt gold nib unit for 130$ in my country.

I agree, although if the nibs are long knife #6 14K, the cost not completely outrageous. 
 

I purchased a WS 699 with a #6 14K nib for $78 during a recent AliExpress sale. Now that’s more like it!
 

This thread you started is great, no longer have to rely on just J120 (who always has the news of the neatest new pens) reporting early on pens, but a whole group of eyes watching the market, which I really appreciate. 

Edited August 26, 2023 by Dan Carmell
Added info, corrected typo

[Waltz For Zizi]

3 hours ago, Dan Carmell said:

I agree, although if the nibs are long knife #6 14K, the cost not completely outrageous. 
 

I purchased a WS 699 with a #6 14K nib for $78 during a recent AliExpress sale. Now that’s more like it!
 

This thread you started is great, no longer have to rely on just J120 (who always has the news of the neatest new pens) reporting early on pens, but a whole group of eyes watching the market, which I really appreciate. 

Thanks! I just recently (last half a year) bought my first Chinese pen, a Jinhao 992 (after 10 years since I got into fountain pens) that wrote amazing, and was so impressed with that little bugger. Now I have over 30 different colors in the Jinhao 82 and I have 6 more in the mail. That's probably my favourite Chinese pen I bought, and I have a majohn C1, penbbs 208, 491. But I like the 82 because it's so easy to grind their nibs, almost half of them are fine architects now, which I adore.

 

Anyway, a new addition I saw was the Hongdian N9 in steel nib for 44$ instead of the 120$ for the gold nib one I already posted.

 

 

[Waltz For Zizi]

Hongdian 920S for 12-13$ on Aliexpress.

[Waltz For Zizi]

Kaigelu 316 mini for 22-32$ depending on the color. Is this new? The only Youtube review is from 2 weeks ago.

[AceNinja]

this post is getting more and more dangerous for me to visit.  So much beautiful chinese pens..

If all the pens are high end montblanc or pelikan or namiki, I will look through the pictures, appreciate the beauty of the pens, and move on, because there's no realistic way to afford them.

 

but these, these chinese pens are affordable, within reach, and there's so many, and hence more dangerous temptation.

[Dan Carmell]

On 8/26/2023 at 4:42 PM, Waltz For Zizi said:

Kaigelu 316 mini for 22-32$ depending on the color. Is this new? The only Youtube review is from 2 weeks ago.

I did see this over the weekend at almost the same price. I’m interested in the derivation of the engraving on cap ring. It looks like a minimalist version of the 316-A’s engraving! I didn’t like the original 316 double ring look; the 316-A was original, like this on the mini, and apparently Asian in influence (?), not yet another Greek key engraving. 

[Waltz For Zizi]

48 minutes ago, Dan Carmell said:

I did see this over the weekend at almost the same price. I’m interested in the derivation of the engraving on cap ring. It looks like a minimalist version of the 316-A’s engraving! I didn’t like the original 316 double ring look; the 316-A was original, like this on the mini, and apparently Asian in influence (?), not yet another Greek key engraving. 

I like this cap ring a lot more too, and the fact that the all orange one doesn't have a metal ring close to the nib. It also looks a lot more like a Parker Demi Duofold, than the Jinhao 100 mini which is like a Parker duofold international, instead of a real mini. This goes on my to buy list, but unfortunately it's so long now.😭

[Waltz For Zizi]

Mini Wancher Pen on Aliexpress

 

[Waltz For Zizi]

A pilot looking pen for 25-26$ on aliexpress. No brand name, title is "JD Metal Big Fountain Pen with a Converter M Nib 0.7mm Ink Writing Gift Pen for Office School Supply Stationery"

[Dan Carmell]

4 hours ago, Waltz For Zizi said:

A pilot looking pen for 25-26$ on aliexpress. No brand name, title is "JD Metal Big Fountain Pen with a Converter M Nib 0.7mm Ink Writing Gift Pen for Office School Supply Stationery"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could this be an upscale version of the plastic WS 670, produced for a third party? Aside from the clip, cap finial, and nib, very similar. 

[Mamaknitty]

Hi all

 

I have a question: I have a Jinhao 159x and I hate the nib. I tried to pull out the nib but I fear it doesn't come out and if I pull too hard I might break something. Anyone know if this kind of Jinhao has replaceable nibs?