Sorry to chime in unannounced but I doubt they do have special finishes. If you think about it, they often say '18KG' or similar on them, even if they're not gold (coloured). Odds are they're all stamped as such from the factory regardless of colour etc.Interesting. I'm not sure if the nibs have any special finishes like irridium, but I think they're plain steel. My own experience is that, like yours, they can write a little rough, but after about 3 or 4 converter fills-worth of writing they settle down, presumably from any snaggy bits wearing off.
They're terrific value at a couple of pounds or so, whatever the nib. At least on mine the nibs are marked "Jinhao" rather than putting on a German nib's name, for example. When one considers that a low-end plastic gel rollerball pen costs, in the UK, something around £5 and up, a Jinhao fountain pen, made of enamelled metal, with converter, at the same price or less, can't be beaten.Sorry to chime in unannounced but I doubt they do have special finishes. If you think about it, they often say '18KG' or similar on them, even if they're not gold (coloured). Odds are they're all stamped as such from the factory regardless of colour etc.
I'm tempted to buy one, however... this thread confirms my understanding that they're good pens for the money.
I'll have to get one, at less than a fiver it would be daft not to! I would doubt, at that price, that they'd be rhodium/ruthenium plated. Unfortunately, the price of Rh and Ru is going to keep going up, or so I reckon, due to it's involvement in industrial (as well as research) catalysts*. That being said, all of the platinum group metals are expensive...They're terrific value at a couple of pounds or so, whatever the nib. At least on mine the nibs are marked "Jinhao" rather than putting on a German nib's name, for example. When one considers that a low-end plastic gel rollerball pen costs, in the UK, something around £5 and up, a Jinhao fountain pen, made of enamelled metal, with converter, at the same price or less, can't be beaten.
I'm a little old-fashioned and not too "with it" when I mentioned iridium as a finish; it used to be a selling point with some fountain pens when I first had one (about 1957). Nowadays, the plated finishes are in rhodium and/or ruthenium (both of the platinum group), along with gold, and the former are silver in colour; and thus not too easily verified. That quality nibs are actually plated with such metals is to a large degree taken on trust.
I occasionally wonder if, one day, someone in China will take the "18KGP" literally, and knock out a batch of real gold nibs on pens costing under a fiver. Somehow I doubt it.
I expect there is quite a lot of gold and these other metals in products that are now waste. As I understand, a lot of that goes to India and some to Africa, but there doesn't seem to be a notable recycling market in China; at least that I've heard of.I'll have to get one, at less than a fiver it would be daft not to! I would doubt, at that price, that they'd be rhodium/ruthenium plated. Unfortunately, the price of Rh and Ru is going to keep going up, or so I reckon, due to it's involvement in industrial (as well as research) catalysts*. That being said, all of the platinum group metals are expensive...
I doubt it as well, unless they start doing mass gold mining in China... AFAIK that's limited almost solely to Africa these days. Could be wrong there, though!
*Get investing in gold/silver/heavy metal stock and you could be laughing down the line.
If someone can get recycling started up in China they'd be sitting on a fair stack of cash, as long as it was done right. The issue with that would be to change habits. Behaviours can be changed temporarily but if habits aren't, you're going nowhere.I expect there is quite a lot of gold and these other metals in products that are now waste. As I understand, a lot of that goes to India and some to Africa, but there doesn't seem to be a notable recycling market in China; at least that I've heard of.
I've got an X750 in silver and black checkerboard finish, and I see that model is currently available from a UK supplier, with 100% feedback on eBay, for £4.99 including delivery. I carry a fountain pen with me at all times, but occasionally, in circumstances where a decent pen might get lost, or, indeed, when someone else might use it (shock, horror!), a Jinhao is my preference as I won't have kittens if any harm came to it.
I think the 599 EF nib is indeed EF. I've got a plastic Lamy, which is OK, but I'm no big fan of the triangular section, as it seems to orient my writing wrongly. I think the Mk.I 599 might have appealed, with its metal body and cap, but I believe it's no longer available. There are plenty of bright colours available, which, for a cheap carry-around pen, is very useful. I often temporarily mislay my better, tastefully subfusc pens, but something garishly eye-catching doesn't get to hide up for long.If someone can get recycling started up in China they'd be sitting on a fair stack of cash, as long as it was done right. The issue with that would be to change habits. Behaviours can be changed temporarily but if habits aren't, you're going nowhere.
Good to know - I've seen the checkerboard one before and in fairness I quite like the look of it. I'm tempted (currently) by the 599 (I think) which is the Lami Safari copy. I'm set for 'Professional' looking pens with my Parker IM (med) and Faber Castell Loom (purple lid, EF Bock #5 nib - I dropped it once and buggered the lovely FC EF nibThe Bock is good, though!). I almost solely use the FC Loom, and it's almost solely kept in my office.
Would like an Eastern EF nib such as on the 599 in a fun colour with a fun coloured ink to take out and about. My handwriting is small/fine so I'd need a fine at the minimum...
I expect there is quite a lot of gold and these other metals in products that are now waste. As I understand, a lot of that goes to India and some to Africa, but there doesn't seem to be a notable recycling market in China; at least that I've heard of.
I've got an X750 in silver and black checkerboard finish, and I see that model is currently available from a UK supplier, with 100% feedback on eBay, for £4.99 including delivery. I carry a fountain pen with me at all times, but occasionally, in circumstances where a decent pen might get lost, or, indeed, when someone else might use it (shock, horror!), a Jinhao is my preference as I won't have kittens if any harm came to it.
Sound advice. Years ago, my secretary, apparently wearing boxing gloves, totalled a favourite gold-nibbed Pelikan by scrawling a message on my desk pad. She didn't replace it, but I did in time replace her (nicely, by promoting her to another department).Shock horror indeed. Why do people use other peoples fountain pens.
Im not naturally selfish but my manager used one of my watermans once when i foolishly left it on my desk at work.
He destroyed the nib, on asking what happened he said he used too much pressurre.
Fair play though he replaced it like for like!
(Having had mild kittens when i showed him the cost!)
Note to self, always pick your pen (s) up....
Lovely pens. I haven't bought a new one for years, and mine is a Souveran 400 series from the early 1980's, with a 14k nib (replaced at my expense).Ouch....
Never had a pelikan, what are they like?
My perchant is for watermans, although i have a nice visconti which i think is a beauty.
I only have one, a blue rembrandt. I think its beautiful and has a magentic top that takes the pen.
The nib is smooth as any other good one that i've had and its my go to pen......
Shop around. I believe mine came from the writing desk at £99. Other sites have them for up to £130.00.
If you get one, enjoy!!
Sbrebrown's on youtube will give you more information.
Regards
Mark
I only have one, a blue rembrandt. I think its beautiful and has a magentic top that takes the pen.
The nib is smooth as any other good one that i've had and its my go to pen......
Shop around. I believe mine came from the writing desk at £99. Other sites have them for up to £130.00.
If you get one, enjoy!!
Sbrebrown's on youtube will give you more information.
Regards
Mark
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