Admok J800 maki-e

[Dan Carmell]

Like a few others here, I’ve bought a couple of J800s and admired the quality of this ‘homage’ pen. When I saw several versions of this pen at my favorite AliExpress seller, I hesitated (double the regular price & would it be as nice as it looks?) and then grabbed one as I saw the tiny inventory disappearing—all gone in 48 hours. It arrived today and it’s very well done, as far as I can feel and see. The ‘gold dust’ sprinkling is uniform and the denser areas form a spiral of sorts around cap and barrel, while the little orbs of mother-of-pearl are well distributed across both. 
 

I think it’s reasonable to question the technique used to create this effect and others who know lacquer and maki-e techniques may want to weigh in. But it is quite lovely and if I put it among my several other maki-e or raden pens, it wouldn’t stand out as inferior or obviously different—I’ll try taking a photo to demonstrate after I finish this post and feed the dogs 😃 

 

Ive included some photos of the pen and a video of it in my hand, still grubby from the garden when it arrived. It is sold out at the manufacturer and on AliExpress, but you might be able to find it if you’re in China. They are scheduling another maki-e J800 for autumn. On a side note, AliExpress sellers have recently dropped their price for the regular J800, from around $52 USD to as low as $47, a bit higher than comparable self-fillers from Hongdian or Asvine, and I hope others will voice an opinion about whether that premium is worth it. 
 

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0b1HBRyTZwraQNGspx7R6cKRw

[smitbret]

I have had mine for about a month and I have been nothing but impressed.  My first m800 had a Schmidt nib but I was a little late to the party on this one and had to take a Bock nib.  However, the Bock nib on this pen was fantastic.

 

The work on the body is great and the pen is gorgeous.  I was impressed enough that I felt emboldened to purchase another $100 Chinese pen, the Benovel with the mother of Pearl inlays and a #6 Schmidt nib. It is nice but not as impressive as the Admok.

 

[Dan Carmell]

It’s funny because most of the Admoks I’ve bought have had the Schmidt and the Bock has been unavailable so I’ve got X Schmidt 800s and one Bock 800. I prefer the Bock not for the Bock nib itself but because I have interesting Bock-compatible nib units, not so with the Schmidts. 
 

I noticed that the layering of the lacquer and maki-e is thick enough it makes posting the pen impractical. Not a big deal, posting, but that thickness reinforces the idea that it isn’t a slap-dash silkscreening. Amazing for the price. 
 

I’ve seen several attractive Benovel pens including that MOP pen. I hesitated because it’s so hit-and-mid trying a new brand without handling the pen or really getting a good look at it via a YouTube review or the like. 

[antoniosz]

I am glad you are happy with this, Dan. And those of you that want a Bock nib, just make sure that you understand that it does not matter if the product on Aliexpess or elsewhere says that the pen is coming with a Bock nib. Changes are that it will come with a Schmidt nib. Plus dealing with return is on Aliexpess is usually nearly impossible.