Jinhao 80 Fountain Pen Review and Comparison with the Lamy 2000 and Lamy Aion Fountain Pens

[@paulherman5822]

Been happy with the Jinhao pens I have. I don't have an 80 yet, but I have several with LAMY style nibs. Not sure if the nib is made by Jinhao. They're identical to those LAMY style nibs others from China use. I like Jinhao. I like Jinhao nibs. And I like the LAMY style ones I have used from China. So, like the plethora of Western pens that use only one of two nib sources, I can still enjoy the Jinhao 80 and relatives. Nice you were one of a few that don't scream "knockoff." There's only so many ways to make a pen, and plenty of companies have copied designs. From the early pens... How many European brands took their design part and parcel from the Parker 51? Every "cigar shape" pen was inspired, if not blatantly copied except the filling system from the Sheaffer's Balance through their designs from the 60s. From when these were still in copyright. Jinhao at least waited until the inspiration was more a public domain design. Can't say the same for several Italian and German brands, post WWII... Like I said, I LIKE Jinhao. They even seem to be listening to the consumer (improvements between the 159 and the X159, for example.) I regularly have a Jinhao in use. Thanks for the review! I have learned to trust you as one of the reviewers that are honest about Chinese pens. Might have to get an 80, now. 😉

[@archivist17]

Well said, Paul.

[@ginopagnani7286]

The Jinhao 80 is one of my new favorite work pens. I bought two and on one a swapped the nib with a Lamy cursive. It’s fantastic!

[@andrewdaydreamer5209]

I did the same. With a 1.1mm lamy stub

[@johnclark1371]

I really enjoy writing with the Jinhao 80. I’ve been using a blue Lamy cartridge with it. I think that the Kaco Edge is similar except for the clip,but the Edge nib has slightly less feedback and is nice and wet.The Kaco nib is excellent for the price. I know that the Edge had cracking problems, but I’ve had mine for a year with no issues at all. Both the 80 and the Edge are great low cost options. Thanks for another wonderful review. I appreciate the work that you put into this channel.

[@FountainPenJourney]

Thank you! 😊

[@paulmchugh1430]

I think for the price the Jinhao 80 is a fabulous pen. I like the nib that was supplied and that it will accept LAMY nibs is an advantage. I only wish it had a piston filler but I don't think Jinhao makes such a pen. The 2000 is a very good pen. I only wish I could get used to writing with the nib which I found to be somewhat problematic. Now, I had the 2000 20 years ago and I understand that the design of the nib has changed. But, the Jinhao 80 is a great alternative and I can spend my money on something else.

[@JohnBham]

Hi- I just received my Jinhao 80 EF (black/black) and loaded up the converter with Noodler's Brevity Blue-Black; and I believe I have found my new favorite pen. After a few seconds letting the ink settle in I was writing like mad and I am very impressed. I've been a dweller in the low-end pen dungeon, but for less than $9 this is every bit as good- or better- than my best Lamy Safari or Pilot Metro. I feel like this is- price aside- a significant step up for me. Thank you for your work doing the compare/contrast on the Jinhao 80.

[@FountainPenJourney]

Thanks for your comment John. Enjoy your Jinhao 80! I am very happy to see Jinhao are on top form again.

[@edwardstaats4935]

I am a big fan of Jinhao pens. I do not have this one but nay consider I have the x750, the x450 and the 159. The only one I had an issue with is the 35 but that still works for my purpose Keep up the wonderful videos

[@frankvars7925]

Hi Rob! Just in my previous comment I highlighted the emblematic creation of the Jinhao 80 compared to the Lamy 2000 when you gave us a fantastic and specific review! Very interesting! Thanks for everything Rob!

[@davidanderson3425]

Hi Rob. I bought the Jinhao 80 and have to say I'm highly impressed with it. So much so I've even written out my Christmas cards tonight with the 80. Mine writes reliably and I've had no need to make any adjustments to the nib. Another very good Lamy 2000 inspired pen is the Kaco Edge which I also like. By the way, you said the Lamy Aion had a medium nib. However, when you held the pen close to the camera I'm sure it had B on the nib.

[@FountainPenJourney]

Your eyes are better than mine David! I was convinced that it was a medium but you must be correct.

[@davidanderson3425]

@@FountainPenJourney freeze the video at 16:17

[@archivist17]

I ordered a black with silver clip, and got all black, too! 😄 At the same time I ordered a Lamy LH nib, which doubled the price of the pen tbh. The Jinhao F was okay, but I prefer a Medium, and the opportunity to explore a left handed option was a boon to me. Great pen, enhanced by the replacement nib. How I wish it was a piston, but I'm happy at the price.

[@themisterchristie]

I love my Jinhao 80s, excellent for such a cheap pen. While ink and paper have a big effect on the performance of the nib, I've noticed that there is inconsistency between nibs of the same weight, at least in the extra-fines I have. I have the blue with gold trim, red with gold trim, and an all black, the colours of the blue and red are better than most pictures show, the blue is more of a navy while the red is more of a burgundy. My blue one writes dry and dries out easily, the cap is loosest on it too. I've only used Diamine Registrars Blue-Black in it. I've used Rohrer-Klingner Scabiosa in both the black and red and the black writes dry with that ink, but the red writes wetter. I've done a minor modification to the black Jinhao 80, since I really didn't like the silver nib on an otherwise all black pen. So, I got a black Jinhao 35 to get the black nib and swapped the nibs between the pens. My reasoning was, get the black Jinhao nib cheaply. I figured, based on reviews of the silver version, that I wouldn't like the 35, however, the black isn't slippery like the silver. The Jinhao 35 is actually nice in the black, but the 80 is much nicer. A big plus for the Jinhao 80 over more expensive pens is, because they're cheap, if it should get lost or broken it will be easy to replace.

[@chemicalcowpoke307]

Great Review! It just goes to show how important the nib is in the writing experience. Jinhao 80 seems like a serviceable pen. The only issue might be the stability of the barrel resin over time, but for 8 £, it is a good value.

[@jamesmortland7784]

I had a Jinhao 80 and really liked it. It wrote well, nice and smooth. Unfortunately, after 45 days of use, the cap liner fell off rendering the cap useless. I was unable to reattach it; so the pen is unusable. I liked it so much I have a new one on order.

[@silverghost5752]

Is it possible to insert Lamy safari nibs into Jinhao 80? Do they fit?

[@FountainPenJourney]

They do

[@houghwhite411]

Swap the nib with Lamy one and you made yourself Lamy 20