Jinhao 85 Fountain Pen Review + Comparison

A review of the Jinhao 85, and a comparison to the recently reviewed Parker 51 (reissue).
This pen is available here: ebay.us/4p5jLV
Ink used, Pelikan Royal Royal Blue 4001: amzn.to/3sHWw6W
Intro to pen & comparison: 0:10
Design & comparison: 3:30
Specifications: 5:59
Writing sample: 10:08
Pros & cons: 13:34
Comparison/summary:16:30
Quote of the Day: 17:52
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[@nighmeansnear]

Fun Fact: Jinhao named their pen the 85 because it's how many dollars you save by not going with the Parker.

[@Matto5433]

Pretty cool fact!

[@zhengyan8600]

LOL

[@travgusmc]

😂

[@kennethmcintosh7230]

I really appreciate JG reviews. They are informative, entertaining and--frankly--your inclinations happen to align with mine, so your reviews are especially helpful when I am considering whether or not I will be pleased with a fountain pen.

[@BigBeardedBubba]

Just got the same finish Jinhao 85 and I really like it...the EF is more of a fine...with Noodlers 54th Massachusetts ink in it it becomes more of a fine-medium and writes like butter! It’s a ridiculously attractive fun pen for $10

[@drnomad16]

A big pro is that the Jinhao provides a standard converter rather than making you pay for a proprietary one.

[@methamphetamememcmeth3422]

Parker doesn't make you pay for a proprietary one. It includes it with their pens.

[@JG3Reviews]

There's no converter included with the new Parker 51.

[@paulherman5822]

@@methamphetamememcmeth3422 Except for the steel nibbed Parker 51. No converter, just a single ink cartridge.

[@idipbananasintocoffee]

@@methamphetamememcmeth3422 not with this one they don't, sadly.

[@methamphetamememcmeth3422]

@@JG3Reviews That's sad. All of my Parkers came with 2 cartridges and a converter each.

[@somnathsikdar6657]

Thank you for the very balanced review!

[@fryersoncaptain]

I'm very much going to start describing this scenario as "the Costanza Principle" when I see it in other manufactured goods!

[@penspencilsplus]

Really appreciate your frank reviews. I have a number of Jinhao and while the nib quality can be a crapshoot, when you get a good one they're great to use. I have to stop myself from getting more!

[@omicron11]

Thanks for the review and honest opinion!

[@Kamdorian]

Great review, I like how you compare to the Parker. I feel Jinhao makes a lot of great pens that look like other more expensive pens. Also that pelikan royal blue ink looks excellent guess I have to go buy it now 😂

[@penmoel]

Another great review,when I heard the new version of the 51 was coming out I was really looking forward to purchasing it but the recent mediocre response has made me doubt my intentions. This review has just summed it up for me, buy the Jinhao 85. Looking at the video I think the 85 looks better, the metal thread on the body etc, James you've just helped me make my mind up and saved me some £ as well, to spend on other pens 😍 Diolch yn fawr. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@paulherman5822]

Thanks for the review! I have an 85, gotten because I think that I'll probably be ending up with a version of all the current Jinhao pens, and because their extra fine (something that I do need, once in a while) is better than many other ones, at least for me. Though I also have a Bobby nib on the way for it, just because I like those that much more. Didn't get it because of the similarities to the Parker; I like Jinhao. Unlike certain other companies, it's not as blatantly similar to the Parker 51 as some are to the Montblanc, for example, which I will take a chance of being ostracized by some and say I'm not thrilled with the Parker 51, new or old. Coming with a converter for less than 10% of the Parker, better fit for the nib and hood, some heft (not entirely necessary for me--I have several really light vintage pens--but nice.) There's enough difference between the two for me to like both, if Parker would toss in the converter for the steel nibbed ones, and tighten up the fit of the nib and hood. Not the price steering me away from the Parker. It's also that I can get a similar pen, with things I like more, for a fraction of the price. Isn't that I would never get a Parker, it's that I can get several vintage, gold nibbed pens for what Parker is asking for the steel nibbed version (including some Parker models.) Maybe if I can get a 2021 Parker 51 with a steel nib for what I can get an Esterbrook J, unrestored. 😁 They both might not have a way to get ink to the nib, then... 😂 Again, thanks for sharing this, and I hope you have a blessed week ahead!

[@countduckula9977]

Hi James, Great review/comparison! I like it when the inexpensive pen beats the expensive one; just goes to show you can never tell & very dangerous to assume.

[@bikkies]

I received a couple of Jinhao 85s a day or so ago. I bought them out of curiosity and to see if I might like the P51 new edition (huge fan of the originals). I liked the J85 so much I ordered 2 more before I'd even shown them any ink. I *really* like the feel in the hand and, aside from a slightly awkward step down, I think Jinhao nailed it with this one. A possible competitor to their own 51A even. The 51A is my favourite Jinhao model and possibly my favourite Chinese pen, period. I've now inked one of the 85s and my first impression is that the nib is ... okay. If I had the nib experience of my ridiculously excessive mountain of 51As (which are very consistent pen-to-pen) in the 85 then that'd be me done. However, not quite. As for whether I'll get the new P51, I'm afraid I've not seen enough to excite me for the price tag. I'm a big Parker fanboy with lots of brand loyalty, but I can't seem to persuade myself to get that one. At least not a new one.

[@brettsmith1655]

I haven't bought the new Parker 51, yet, but I do have a JinHao 85 (2 of them actually). I don't need to try the Parker 51 to know that I don't need it. The 85 is $8 of the best dollars that you can spend.

[@BC7Bill]

Great review James. I'll stick with my 51a pens. Doesn't seem like their are enough compelling reasons to buy this pen. Still, I did enjoy this review and comparison with the new Parker.

[@jpg5540]

Only con I can think of for the 85 is that the section is not same color as the barrel... still a better choice than the new 51

[@kinwei77]

Just received my 85 last night, was very satisfy the made, the nib write with some skipped, but seller does include two pcs spare nib in the package. I swap the better performance one into the pen, it write like a sailor now! Decent wet, no skipping, no dry out for few minutes idle.

[@idipbananasintocoffee]

Where did you buy yours?

[@gathercreatelivewithleslie8340]

Yes who did you buy from?

[@kinwei77]

Hi I bought from malaysia online platform called Shopee , this particular seller have their shop been banned as checked just now. However the price is little higher than eBay. Around 15usd.

[@zero2heroWOR]

I have seen Jinhao 85 on Shopee with an option of resin body, walnut and rosewood version aside from stainless steel barrels.

[@paulmchugh1430]

I just received my Jinhao 85 with a walnut barrel. I paired it with SBRE Brown ink. It is surprisingly smooth. I don't know if I would buy the Parker 51 due to the price difference and the performance of the Jinhao is very good.

[@felipegonzalez-vega4828]

Very interesting video, James. Sure. I'v also buy the Jinhao 85 (by 6€ just six!!!) with bent nib (like as italic) and write very very good, amazing: prize purchase! Thanks for your video

[@gloriagonzalez1390]

My husband had this pen in black. He used for months and loved it, however after several months the finish has rubbed off where it posts. He likes to write with it posted. He has gone back to the 51a, a clear winner.

[@manoloyloles]

I do not like hooded nibs a lot, but this combination gold-blue is an eye-catcher. I paid 5.74 euros... Some 6.5 dollars, a ridiculous price! And the pen looks gorgeous and performs greatly! Side to side, the 85 looks more elegant and better finished than the 51... Who would say that? A must.

[@CraftingVicky]

awesome review. New subscriber!

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks! Welcome to the channel!

[@JaredHayter]

I would have liked to see a direct comparison to the Jinhao 51a. Is the 85 a more premium experience?

[@JG3Reviews]

I may do a quick video this weekend comparing the two.

[@JaredHayter]

@@JG3Reviews That would be great. This is a nice review as always, with a nice little shoutout to chrisrap52.

[@kattz753]

Ok, I feel better now. I left a message under the Amazon Basics pen review. I was comparing the Amazon pen to my Wordsworth & Black and trying to explain why I ithought both were Baoers. After I posted, thought, this guy is going to think I'm nuts. Blame it on pandemic boredom. I do think that Jinhao makes pens for a lot of other people. I found another couple of brands that they make as well. Jinhao has an official store on Ali Express. You Ping (mostly Jinhaos, some Baoers) and Chouxiongluwei (Baoer) are Jinhao owned brands. Chouxiongluwei sounds like a prescription drug. Ask your doctor if Chouxiongluwei is right for you! if you blow up the pictures, you can see Jinhao and Baoer nibs on the off-brand pens. I have no doubt that someone is making the Parker 51A in China. It's a fairly cheap pen so it likely wouldn't be profitable to make it anywhere else.

[@JG3Reviews]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Amazon pen and/or the Wordsworth & Black pens are Baoers. There is something familiar, yet not just relabeled about them. Ha! Chouxiongluwei does sound like a prescription med.

[@darkchocolate4643]

I'm not a big fan of hooded nibs, but that Jinhao is really pretty. I like the gold-colored cap/cobalt barrel combo a lot. So I may just have to get one. Especially for 9 bucks. BTW, has anyone ever told you you sound a lot like Jeff Goldblum? :)

[@JG3Reviews]

No, but I got Martin Short once. Ha!

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

The Jinhao 51a comes in a non-hooded nib version, just like the Parker V-S, which was a non hooded version of the P. 51

[@frankvars7925]

A comparative analysis, very interesting. I have a personal theory about the name given to this new Jinhao model. This is the Chinese response to the re-launch on the market of the new Parker 51 which takes place after 80 years. So taking the first digit of each of these two numbers, 8 and 5, we have: Jinhao 85, the clone of the new Parker 51. Thanks James!

[@cbooth2004]

Coincidentally, I used the same ink in my Jinhao 85. 🙂

[@steventrosiek2623]

Thanks for a great video, as always. Please tell me what is a Bobby nib? Must be a contemporary nomenclature of some sort. Thank you.

[@JG3Reviews]

It is a special nib (more commonly called a mini fude nib) that is made for Chinese writing, but offers other writers nice line variation. It’s a slightly upturned nib. Bobby is a fountain pen seller on eBay and a few other sights that offers his own version that is great in pens like the 51a. I’ve got a video on the Bobby nib here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/onzYqnacaaugibM

[@steventrosiek2623]

Thanks so much

[@aladdinkayqubad1645]

Thank you, Sir!

[@edisontrent5244]

In profile the nib looks more like the current Aurora Duocart for the Parker.

[@codywilson113117]

You heard it here first Jinhao > Parker. Thanks for another great review!

[@Deliriouswayfarer]

From where I can purchase parker 51

[@MechFrankaTLieu]

The 85 is more a up market of their 51A, while style vise they go back all the way to the original 51, both of them are far from that, superficially they can be homage to the original 51 , but once get past the skin ( literally ) then one know its not really so. I am sure I will get flamed for this but the Parker 51 2020 is no more than a reskinned IM / Vector. The 85 do had the tubular hooded nib but the feed and buffer is quite a difference vs the original.

[@JG3Reviews]

I don't think you'll get flamed much, lots of the feedback on the Parker 51 review agrees with your take.

[@luisguillermoperezmejia7907]

Excelente video. Saludos cordiales desde Medellín, Colombia. Estoy super antojado de comprar una nueva pluma y estoy enredado en decidirme entre una Jinhao 601 vacumatic o esta Jinhao 85. Agradecería su comentario.

[@deanandreoli1975]

awesome review.

[@travgusmc]

Cantstandzya! Haha love the George reference.

[@JG3Reviews]

😆

[@stephenchung]

Can the converter be removed?

[@JG3Reviews]

Yes it can. It’s compatible with both converters and cartridges.

[@stephenchung]

@@JG3Reviews thanks.. it’s kinda snug compare to my other Japanese pen..

[@neilpiper9889]

Jinhao strikes again

[@jefflewis1338]

Hello from Jeff in UK. How is the word shatoyansee spelt ? It isn't in my dictionary nor can I find on Google using different spellings. The only people who use the word are pen reviewers and I want to know exactly what it means. Thank you.

[@JG3Reviews]

I had to look that up when getting into new pen materials myself! It's spelled chatoyancy, and I think it's mainly a gemological term.

[@jefflewis1338]

Gee thanks for the superfast reply

[@JG3Reviews]

Caught me at the right time!

[@Johan-vk5yd]

The word seems to derive from the french word ”chatoyant” =glimmering like a cat’s eye (present participle). I guess the gem stone folks like to grade every property of a stone, and that might be the reason it was transformed into an adjective in the translation process, thus making it possible to bend into comparatives. I didn’t find the word chatoyance in French. And I don’t, presently, have any french gemologist friends to scrutinize my theory.

[@jefflewis1338]

@@Johan-vk5yd Gee thanks for the extra information, Gemporia/Gems TV often tries to show it, buy I cannot really see it.

[@keithwhitney7491]

Great review! You know, as a business professor, I do not have any bias against Chinese businesses unless they are owned by the Communist government. In most so-called “communist” counties, small to large businesses are now privately held. Often, in China and, at times, Russia, really large businesses are “owned” now by party members, who do not mind becoming millionaires or billionaires. However, having toured China and viewing a lot of smaller businesses, many of these companies are just competing in China and worldwide to make enough money to live, hopefully comfortably. Artisans and tradesmen there take pride in what they do and try to create a sustainable business. I oppose the exportation of all drug manufacturing to China for national security reasons (as it is, if we were ever in a major conflict, we could not even get medicines for our troops). I also think it unwise for Apple to manufacture everything in one country, especially one hostile to US interests. BUT I DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR PURCHASING FOUNTAIN PENS FROM CHINA ANY MORE THAN TOSE I PURCHASE FROM GERMANY OR ITALY OR TAIWAN. As a Christian, I want the people of Russia, China, Mexico, Italy, and all other countries to be able to work for a living wage and prosper.

[@JG3Reviews]

That's much the way I see it, and like you, traveling and meeting many of those people definitely shapes my view. We too often see others as what their governments are, not who they are as our neighbors.

[@bikkies]

Hi James, my two jinhao 86 arrived today. Apart from the cap still requiring several turns, as with the 85, the 86 looks very similar to the 2021 entry-level P51. Interestingly the cap threading now mimics the P51 (metal threads in the cap mate with plastic threads on the barrel, behind a very similar metal band) aside from actual thread pitch, rather than being the opposite as in the 85. The 86 dry weight is almost identical to the basic 51, the capped length of the 86 is marginally longer than the P51, it posts more confidently than the 85, and the posted length compares almost identically to the P51. Curiously, the feathers on the 86 arrow cap are quite different from the P51, being stamped out from the underside and with a raised profile. I actually quite like that design. I hadn't noticed until just now, but the same raised feathers are found on the 85, but I guess the bling all over the rest of the 85's fluted cap makes this less conspicuous. If you've not yet received your 86 then hopefully you'll find this information interesting.

[@bikkies]

Poor form to reply to one's own comment, but hey. There have recently been several new colours released for the 86 and of course I now have them all. Even a light coffee brown one, which I didn't think I'd like, has actually already grown on me. Definitely worth checking out this new model if you haven't already.

[@marioferu290365]

Beautiful Chinese pen. It is a shame that it is screw type. I have one vacumatic Hero that is snap type but a little scratchy.

[@dashsunil]

No live wallpaper! 🤔

[@JG3Reviews]

It'll be back. 🙂

[@urmenyi]

Both are total fake and fail when I compare them to my vintage Parker 51 I still use since 1958.

[@rennedelorean3341]

These are phony fakes, how can they get away with using another well known pen company's signature symbols - what's next Montblanc's white crest?!?

[@artemsmirnov7067]

the writing with 85 is really sh1t though. One of the worst experiences I've had

[@danielgoncalves2928]

Why?

[@artemsmirnov7067]

@@danielgoncalves2928 it stopped writing on like the third day...