Jinhao 82 EF Review

[PolarMoonman]

 

Pen: 82

Make: Jinhao 

Cost: $4

Nib: EF

 

 

Packaging & Accessories: (1/10)

I learned the importance of buying from reputable sellers with this pen. The pen came in a bubble mailer and was rolling around inside the mailer without any sleeve or other packaging. Upon disassembly I found ink in the feed and realized I had gotten a used pen. I was not happy to get a used pen when the listing said new. It did come with the standard Jinhao converter. 

 

Appearance & Design (7/10)

The pen is modeled after the Sailor Pro Gear which is a very classy pen and looks excellent in just about any color. There is also a mini version available. There any many colors available and even a demonstrator model. I really like the design and look of the pen. It doesn't look cheap and is well made. 

 

Construction & Quality (6/10)

The pen doesn't feel cheap. It feels like a much more expensive pen. The cap screws on and posts well.  The grip section is rather interesting. Inside the grip section there is a sleeve that screws into the grip section. The feed and nib slide into the sleeve. This is an interesting design aspect that makes the pen more complex. My only complaint is that the top part of the cap that screws on and holds the clip onto the cap came loose and unscrewed. I had to tighten it and have not had issues since.

 

Weight & Dimensions: (6/10)

The pen is light but doesn't feel cheap, the material feels solid and I've taken it apart and put it back together several times and it doesn't feel brittle or fragile. The pen is about 5 inches capped and 5.5 inches when posted. It does feel a tiny bit short for me but that is because I have large fingers. 

 

Nib & Performance: (6/10)

Mine came with an EF nib and it is your average, everyday Jinhao nib. Nothing worth noting. The pen does write smoothly and there are no problems with flow or leaking or creeping. 

 

 Filling System & Maintenance: 10/10)

The pen takes international cartridges and converters can't ask more than that from a standard Chinese pen. 

 

Cost & Value: (9/10)

Typically this pen can be gotten for $10, sometimes a little more. But this is worth every penny. It looks like a much nicer pen and the variety of colors and demonstrator options make this pen a very good buy. 

 

 

Conclusion: 45/70 - 64%) 

Great pen for the money. Aesthetically pleasing, good build quality. This pen is a lovely addition to any Chinese pen collection especially in the more interesting colors. The one I bought was black with silver trim and it looks very professional. But if I was to buy another I would probably buy a demonstrator or one of the brighter colors. Overall the pen is very good and the design is professional looking and classy. No complaints. 

 

[A Smug Dill]

16 minutes ago, ParkersandPilots said:

Upon disassembly I found ink in the feed and realized I had gotten a used pen. I was not happy to get a used pen when the listing said new.

 

Just about every cheap new Jinhao pen these days has remnants of blue ink in its feed from nib testing at the factory. HongDian, on the other hand, uses red ink.

 

I just cleaned six new Jinhao 82 Mini pens not 48 hours ago, and every single one had blue ink in the feed. As did the dozen or so Jinhao pens I received and cleaned in several weeks prior.

 

I received another three Jinhao 82 and five Jinhao 166 pens just last week, and I haven't even taken them out of their plastic sleeves yet. I'll gladly wager every single one of those will prove to have remnants of blue ink in its feed.

[ZeroDukE]

4 minutes ago, ParkersandPilots said:

Packaging & Accessories: (1/10)

I learned the importance of buying from reputable sellers with this pen. The pen came in a bubble mailer and was rolling around inside the mailer without any sleeve or other packaging. Upon disassembly I found ink in the feed and realized I had gotten a used pen. I was not happy to get a used pen when the listing said new. It did come with the standard Jinhao converter. 

 

I found that some good Chinese sellers test some new fountain pens before shipping them. All the fountain pens I received in that condition never had any problems when writing. Could it be a good attitude to achieve better quality? One thing is for sure: Chinese fountain pens are improving markedly.

[Lithium466]

All the Jinhao I received recently had some blue ink remnants in the feed. I assumed testing at the factory, just like Lamy does.

[PolarMoonman]

1 hour ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

Just about every cheap new Jinhao pen these days has remnants of blue ink in its feed from nib testing at the factory. HongDian, on the other hand, uses red ink.

 

I just cleaned six new Jinhao 82 Mini pens not 48 hours ago, and every single one had blue ink in the feed. As did the dozen or so Jinhao pens I received and cleaned in several weeks prior.

 

I received another three Jinhao 82 and five Jinhao 166 pens just last week, and I haven't even taken them out of their plastic sleeves yet. I'll gladly wager every single one of those will prove to have remnants of blue ink in its feed.

 

Thank you, I did not know that! I assumed they wouldn't test them due the volume of pens produced but if they are taking the time to do that it is amazing and it's a sign of care of quality which I love

 

[AceNinja]

I spotted something which i think it's incorrect.  It's not to lambast your post ya, just trying to point it out.

 

12 hours ago, ParkersandPilots said:

Packaging & Accessories: (1/10)

Upon disassembly I found ink in the feed and realized I had gotten a used pen.

Is it blue ink left you found?  Most people nowadays received Jinhao pens (not only the 82) with blue ink left in feed.  So we think they're actually testing the nibs, which is a good qc process, just like LAMY.

 

12 hours ago, ParkersandPilots said:

Appearance & Design (7/10)

The pen is modeled after the Sailor Pro Gear

I think the size is more closely resemble the Sailor Pro Gear Slim model.

 

12 hours ago, ParkersandPilots said:

Construction & Quality (6/10)

Inside the grip section there is a sleeve that screws into the grip section. The feed and nib slide into the sleeve. This is an interesting design aspect that makes the pen more complex. 

What you describing here I believe is what commonly referred as the nib housing unit?  I think all / most fountain pen with Jowo/Bock type uses nib housing unit such as this.  

 

12 hours ago, ParkersandPilots said:

 Filling System & Maintenance: 10/10)

The pen takes international cartridges and converters can't ask more than that from a standard Chinese pen. 

Jinhao normally takes the 2.6mm bore size cartridge, commonly found across most chinese pen brands.  Its similar, but not the same as International cartridge which is 2.4mm bore size.  Yes you may be able to jam a 2.4mm cartridge into the 2.6mm feed post, but for some poorly made cartridge, the cartridge may crack and causes leakage, which happens to me.

[Andy1883]

Thank you for the review.  I've been using three 82s for several weeks now to take study notes on a cheap A4 pad and, for the price, I'm struggling to fault them.  The 82 is a smart little pen that is easy to fill and, for me, writes well.  I don't expect it to last a lifetime, but I'd definitely buy more.

[Helen350]

6 hours ago, Andy1883 said:

Thank you for the review.  I've been using three 82s for several weeks now to take study notes on a cheap A4 pad and, for the price, I'm struggling to fault them.  The 82 is a smart little pen that is easy to fill and, for me, writes well.  I don't expect it to last a lifetime, but I'd definitely buy more.

Have 2 of them currently inked to use on the job.  For the cost I find no fault.  Nibs are smooth and nice fit in my hand capped.   I recently purchased the demo/yellow cap.  If anyone walks away with one of them, I will not have to shed any tears😢.  I will add to make sure the end piece on the cap and barrel are screwed down securely from time to time; for the cap end piece on the brown 82 came loose and I found it in the bottom of my purse (thank heaven).  Was able to easily screw it back on.  

 

 

[SLinkster]

3 hours ago, Helen350 said:

will add to make sure the end piece on the cap and barrel are screwed down securely from time to time; for the cap end piece on the brown 82 came loose and I found it in the bottom of my purse (thank heaven).  Was able to easily screw it back on.  

I'm sure I'll be flamed for suggesting this, much less for admitting to using  it: blue Loctite can be your friend here. I use it on cheap modern pens with trim parts that like to work loose. Just a dab'll do ya, and it's pretty easy to clean off later. Elmer's washable School Glue is a good option for demonstrators. 

[A Smug Dill]

10 hours ago, Helen350 said:

I will add to make sure the end piece on the cap and barrel are screwed down securely from time to time;

 

Yep, the cap finial has fallen off one of mine (not to be found again).

 

The plastic barrel finial on the same pen has developed two long splits on opposite sides, too. Oh well, nothing to cry about at the price.

[ZeroDukE]

Another way to secure that piece would be to put the thin Teflon film that plumbers use on the threads.

[Cuppatea]

On 10/8/2023 at 9:02 PM, AceNinja said:

 

Jinhao normally takes the 2.6mm bore size cartridge, commonly found across most chinese pen brands.  Its similar, but not the same as International cartridge which is 2.4mm bore size.  Yes you may be able to jam a 2.4mm cartridge into the 2.6mm feed post, but for some poorly made cartridge, the cartridge may crack and causes leakage, which happens to me.

Thank you for pointing this out! This happened with 2 International cartridges in my 82s. I will use only the converters now.