Jinhao 80 Fountain Pen Talk

In this video, I give my thoughts about the Jinhao 80 Fountain Pen! This is an affordable ($8 or less) Chinese lookalike but not a duplicate of the Lamy 2000. My pen came with a very smooth Fine nib and there is a lot to love about the pen! A Lamy style nib, cartridge converter, smooth nib, under $8 price tag and stunning looks to start with. My nib will not yet come off ... several other reviewers have been able to get the nib off and replace it with a Lamy style nib which I hope to be able to do so that I can enjoy a Lamy Broad nib on mine. I'm just being cautious not to break my pen.
We look at comparison pens, writing samples, a few measurements and I talk about what I like and don't like about it. I wrote with DeAtramentis Alexander Hamilton for this review. I have to say, my Jinhao 80 is such a great little writer, I'm happy with it just as it is and will be really excited if I eventually do get one that I can put a Broad nib on but for now I'm certainly happy with the purchase!
I encourage you to watch chrisrap52s review -- he really has some interesting nib talk and I watched his video after I'd purchased my pen and written with it!
NOTE: I had a little bit of a microphone issue so you may need to use higher volume and/or captions if possible .... I do apologize for this ... most of the video is okay but just in a few spots the volume lowers.
Heldin Writes does a super comparison with the Jinhao 80 and the Lamy 2000:
• Jinhao 80 compared to ...
Chrisrap52's Jinhao 80 review:
• Jinhao 80s - review of...
Another really fun Jinhao 80 review:
• 2022 Jinhao 80 Fountai...
My Instagram: / snowball7470
My pen email: [e-mail]

[@ChrisSaenz13]

I would like to add as a general statement of how I feel about pen companies making similar pens: I am okay with it as long as no company tries to pass of their pen as a genuine/brand if it is not ... so for instance if a company unlawfully puts the name Lamy on something that is not truly a Lamy pen that's not okay obviously - that's criminal. It is easier for me to think of this in terms of other merchandise like jeans or hand bags. While I am okay with companies other than Levi's making 5 pocket jeans ... it's not okay if they try to pass them off as Levi's by using their name or brand tags ... but I'm okay with similar jeans with many of the same features (especially if they are good quality and cost less). Same with things like back packs and purses ... I'm just adamantly against mis-leading brand labeling. When I was younger we'd go to flea markets and see the fake Dooney and Burke leather purses ... that was illegal use of a known brand logo. Anyway. We are ALL entitled to our opinions and those will vary I just wanted to be up front that I'm okay with pens that look similar to other pens and have similar features. Just as long as these companies use their own names and branding in all marketing and on all products and listings.

[@andrewcamacho4092]

I agree, Chris. In this case the Jinhao has an advantage over the Lamy: it is easier to clean with its cartridge converter system.

[@paulherman5822]

I agree completely, Chris. Why I regularly compare the Montblanc Meistersück design as "body shape from Sheaffer's, piston designed by Pelikan." 😁 As long as it's not like the Parker clones that have virtually identical markings to the original, including claims that the steel nib was 14K. Show me any pens that haven't taken design cues from somebody else. It's been happening since the earliest fountain pens. Just don't claim to be something you're not. 😉

[@archivist17]

I absolutely agree, and I'm fed up of the pearl-clutching drama some pen guys (and it's almost always guys) like to go for when it's a Chinese brand, but don't go after Conklin or Sailor or Platinum or whoever when they've used design elements from other companies' pens.

[@paulherman5822]

@@archivist17 Conklin is ultimately Taiwanese. So I expect if there's a piston filler modern Conklin, same piston all Chinese and Chinese adjacent pens use. Wing Sung to TWSBI. And Navilhur (sp?) Same people who also shop at Walmart and pretend to be classy, and the same union guys who drove the "only the badge was truly made in the United States" Chrysler minivans with "Out of a job yet? Keep buying foreign" bumper stickers. Or Mexican made Ford pickups.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

@@paulherman5822 Hi Paul -- it truly is so confusing right!!!! Especially when we get into who made the components of cars, and appliances. :) There was a song back in my day: "are you hungry, eat your import" ... I used to get worried because I just couldn't afford US made products like clothing even ... yet the "foreign" cars seemed expensive but lasted longer with reliability and even my Dad was buying Datsun pickups. And I don't think he'd even buy a knife that wasn't made in the USA. I gave up trying to be correct and just made my own decisions.

[@paulstant9865]

🤗You've convinced me! I'm gonna try one! 😊❗

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Paul - I hope you like yours -- I really like them -- it gives me a whole new style nib holder for the Lamy nibs I love so much!!!!

[@5t4n5]

After enjoying your enthusiasm for these pens, Chris, i just had to buy one. £4.88 including post, packing and converter to UK. When the pen arrived i inked up the converter straight away and set to the notebook and it wrote delightfully, straight away, no problems at all. For £4.88 i am totally impressed with this pen and couldn't be happier. I can't buy a converter in the UK for £4.88 including postage, let alone a pen to go with it. I really like Jinhao. So thank you for your contagious enthusiasm, Chris. And keep well.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @5t4n5 oh this is awesome I love hearing stuff like this because these great surprise pens just are too good to keep to ourselves -- I have to spread the word!!!!!! Knowing even one other person now enjoys the pen is worth ALL the effort and then some of making a video!!!!! :)

[@sathishrao7926]

I’m not a fan of Lamy 2000’s minimalistic looks and this is one pen I’ve no interest in buying, I’m now convinced that I should buy its $5 lookalike - Your experience that it’s a smooth writer is quite encouraging!! I’ve a similarly priced Jinhao 35 (supposedly a lookalike of Lamy CP1) with possibly the same nib as 80 and I’m not disappointed with it !

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Sathish -- I was seeing the Jinhao 35 over on Doug's channel he got one with a cool calligraphy nib. So many options and temptations these days! LOL

[@stareenafraser]

Recently got this jinhao :) thanks so much for yiur review

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @stareenafraser you're very welcome! I love this pen model - especially with Lamy nibs replacing the Jinhao ones! (Since I like broader nibs).

[@melissamcintyre7661]

I always appreciate your reviews Chris! Thorough, honest, and down to earth 😊 Hope you have a blessed day and that all goes well at jury duty!

[@jls3220]

The Jinhao X159 is an extremely smooth pen. I purchased 4 and gifted one to my son. He loves it.

[@catcustomcrafts]

Your cat’s commentary is spot on and very insightful. Definitely convinced me to get an 80

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Alexandra - I hope you enjoy the Jinhao 80 as much as I do. :) I need to ink one today!!!!

[@gizmogeek23]

I hope others feel the same but cat meows just make me happy when I watch a video. My cat Dr. Flufferton is sleeping in my lap right now. I think there is a market for cat pen review shorts.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi gizmogeek23 -- what a wonderful handle!!! :) Oh I know it seems like so many of us fountain pen people are also cat people!!!! Coco has a very shrill cry/talk/voice -- he's got Siamese blood. :)

[@Heidejournal]

I just ordered the Jinhao 80 in the dark green finish and now I‘m really looking forward to testing it… thank you for the review ! 😊

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi sugarpop1968 --- oh I hope you like yours as much as I love mine!

[@naturevideos-js7iy]

Jinhao 80 is the best Jinhao out there. I've tried a lot of them and this one by far is my favorite.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

I have to say I agree ... maybe in my case the Jinhao 80 is tied with Jinhao X750 but I really love the 80! :)

[@impish22]

I love your reviews... thanks Chris

[@ChrisSaenz13]

You are very welcome! :)

[@kimberly3706s]

This would be a great pen to give as gifts - I’m specifically thinking of office coworkers, where we might need to get multiple gifts and want them to be same or similar items. Thanks for the review! ❣️

[@ChrisSaenz13]

I agree -- it's a pen that could actually launch someones fountain pen experience too!!! I'd probably test each pen just to be sure but so far they've been so good!

[@silverghost5752]

An excellent pen. Posts well and balanced. But the nib is a wee bit dry. Remedied the problem by swapping a spare Lamy nib. Now it writes and feels like an up-end pen.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Agree! I now have 5 of these and each one has a Lamy nib on it of various sizes .... they feel like luxury pens to me lol.

[@themisterchristie]

Like you, I'm more comfortable with the cheaper pens than the expensive ones. Not as worried about damaging or losing. I love my Jinhao 80s, I have 3. My first one was the Black with a Black clip. I was a little disappointed that it had a silver nib, just looked out of place on the all black pen. As a solution I bought the cheaper all black Jinhao 35 for the nib and put the black nib on my 80. After a short time of using the 80 and falling in love, I bought a red with gold trim and a blue with gold trim. The blue needed a tiny bit of nib "tuning" to improve flow. Otherwise excellent pen and all 3 of the 80s are my main choices. All three are extra fine nibs, the red and black (even with the original silver nib) are nice and smooth, the blue isn't as smooth, but still great. The quality of the Jinhao 80 means you really can't go wrong at the price. For taking the nib off, mine was on pretty tight as well, careful prying at the base of the nib with a plastic pry tool for cell phone disassembly, or even more careful use of a eyeglasses screwdriver, will get the nib to move.

[@archivist17]

That's exactly how I removed the nib from mine. Just a slight movement and it was easy to remove. I replaced my nib with a Lamy Left Handed nib, which cost as much as the pen 😆, but the flow on it is perfect.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi themisterchristie9077 --- I am really excited that I now have 3 of these Jinhao 80s with my choice of Lamy nibs one them!!! The little jewelry screwdriver idea was mentioned by Neil Piper too and I ran with that ... it worked one one of mine and the other two required duct tape and tissue. LOL These pens just make me want to stay at my desk and write!!!! :)

[@themisterchristie]

@@ChrisSaenz13 my 3 are daily writers for me, some of the best I have. Probably buy a Lamy nib or two, but honestly, the Jinhao nibs have been nice.

[@Ali-in8xi]

I agree with your assessment Chris and would recommend this pen to others. Received mine a week and a half ago and have written with it everyday since. Writes wonderfully! Writes immediately after uncapping. Never a hard start. Never a skip. I fill one with Diamine Oxford Blue (my favorite ink/ink color). Purchased several pens, all with fine nibs: Navy, Wine Red, Bright Red, and Avocado with gold clips. Also purchased a Grey with silver clip and a Black with a black clip. Of them all, I really love the Avocado colored one and fill it with Monteverde Olivine. For those that find the fine nib size too fine and prefer a wider line, more absorbent paper would do the trick as it would produce spread. The manufacturer did a good job with this pen.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

They are great right! I ordered 2 more and I have my eye on a few more colors once the channel money gets here. Now I figured out how to get the nibs off easily (pen friend Neil suggested a small jewelers screwdriver to lever the nib off and it worked easily and stress free) so now I can use Broad, stub, calligraphy, Medium, etc any Lamy style nib ...!!!!! I'm so glad they did such a great job with this pen and that it's cartridge converter and Lamy style nib!!!! :) So many colors too!!!!!! :)

[@neilpiper9889]

It's actually more like a Lamy Studio. I love my 2 Jinhao 80s. One in Avacado Green with gold trim with a fine nib, and one in black and chrome on which I have put a Lamy 1.1 nib. The clip is hinged. Best pens that I use all the time and so good and inexpensive. I love cartridge converter pens. I use Lamy Turquoise cartridges in my black one. I levered my nibs off with a small jewellers screwdriver.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Neil -- I have looked at the Lamy Studio's many times (online) and thought about purchasing one but have yet to do so. They look beautiful. :) Thank you for the tip about the jeweler's screwdriver -- I have one of those in my crafting stuff. :)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Neil --- I hope you see this comment .... I just found my little tiny eyeglass screwdriver and I easily levered the nib off my Jinhao 80 and replaced it with a black Lamy Broad nib ... oh my gosh I am so grateful to you for this suggestion!!!! This pen is now even better which is hard to imagine!!!!! But it is!!!! I value having this tip in my toolbox too because it's going to come up at least 2 more times lol. I have ordered 2 more of these pens. Now I want to outfit one with the Lamy cursive nib! It's nice to have confidence in how I'll safely remove the nibs!!!! :) You made my day!!!! Thanks!!!!!

[@neilpiper9889]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I'm so pleased that you managed to do that. I have a stall at an indoor market here in Stroud UK demonstrating fountain pens. My main focus is on Jinhao for the last few years.

[@archivist17]

@@neilpiper9889 Hey Neil, I don't live anywhere near Stroud, but occasionally pass through there. I'd like to pop in and say hi some time.

[@archivist17]

The 80 is a 2000 pn the outside and a Studio inside. I prefer vacuum & piston fillers, but I'm happy to make the compromise in this case. Jinhao converters seem really well made. The reason I don't have a Studio is that I can't stand the awful clip. This solves my problem 😀

[@MissMarilynDarling]

oh the cry at the beginning breaks my heart

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Marilyn -- Coco is so vocal ... he's part Siamese so he sounds so loud so often. Even when everything is fine ... which it was but he sure knows how to cry/scream and get my attention. :)

[@hiltonprice2625]

I have a Jinhao 80 and it writes great. I also have two Jinhao x159’s and they both write amazing. I think you were unlucky but that can happen. Even expensive pens are not always consistent.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

I think you're right! And I'm going to get back to the nib work on that X159 ... no reason I can't get it into a good tuned nib ... I've just had too many distractions of late. :)

[@brokenblackbird]

I got 3 Jinhao 80, a red in a F, and an olive green and dark green in an EF. So far the red one with the gold trim writes very nicely with Diamine Majestic Blue. I am also uncomfortable about taking my fountain pens out of the house. But with the gradual return to the office I would actually take the Jinhao 80 to the office, but I will get a hard pencil case to put it in. So I don't lose it, it is not damaged, and no one steals it. I am still waiting for delivery from AliExpress on a black Jinhao X159. Keep well.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @brokenblackbird ah that is a good idea -- a pen case and I too would worry about losing track of pens at the office. :) But the Jinhao 80s and X159s at least are not too expensive!!!

[@bahaven1896]

I have one too. Just LOVE it. I have a few other ones that I'll play nib-swap with. I was very surprised at how well mine wrote!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

They are terrific right! I keep hoping my first impressions will hold forever ... I think it will because of the fact that I can put Lamy standard nibs on them. They are writing so great for me. :) I went back to Amazon and got a grey one with a gift card I received. Goodness they are addictive. :)

[@HaberfieldchiropracticAu]

Great review. I fully get your statement of not being comfortable wulith expensive pen use outdoors you can lose them...areal heartache. Now the pen community uses the term everyday writer edw which you use at home. The pen you take to work throw in your bag and misplace for a few days is your edc everyday carry. The jinhao is making some real beauts. This one is fantastic. The 82 isnt bad either. Refards to coco

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @HaberfieldchiropracticAu -- oh yes the Jinhao 82 has become one of my favorites too I swap out the nibs in them and have a lot of fun with them not worried about possibly losing those. :)

[@MsElany]

I just ordered the bright green. Now over $10. Thanks for the review. Although I watched the review by Chris R it wasn't on my radar. Thanks for the review and of course I'll try to pull the nib ;)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Duct tape and a Kleenex worked on one of mine .... (as shown by Inkquiring Minds channel) the whole feed came out then I did it again and got the nib off. One I had to use a tiny jewelry screwdriver to get the nib started sliding off. They are on very tight!!! But it's worth the hassle!!! Now I have a B, Cursive Lamy + 1.1 stub on my 3. ✒😎

[@cathiescott7382]

I have one headed my way! Thanks for the review

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Cathie - I hope you like yours!

[@tiantuatara]

I want to love my Lamy 2000 but I definitely have to hold it just right. It lays down a great juicy line but I have to fiddle with my grip. My Jinhao 80 writes like a champ and I'm not complaining about a fine nib for once.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Terrie -- These Jinhao 80s just crossed over into top pen status right now because pen friend Neil gave me the idea to use the tiny jewelers screwdriver to lever the nib off and I did it and replaced it with a Broad Lamy nib and oh wow am I ever in pen Heaven right now!!!!! :) I don't need my Lamy 2000 anymore lol. :) And the Fine nib that came on it I tucked carefully away because it's a great smooth nib too. :)

[@tiantuatara]

@@ChrisSaenz13 You change your nibs way more than I do, so it isn't a big deal for me to not get a nib out as long as I like the way it writes. I'm very happy with my Jinhao 80 so no nib swapping for me.

[@johntaylor2054]

Hi. My Jinhao 80 is a great smooth writer and the ink dries very quickly. I really love this Green pen, a broad nib would be awesome.🤗 Cheers from Australia.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi John - it's so nice that the nibs that come on them are being reported generally as smooth -- mine was on the first one and of course I was so excited to get Broad nibs on mine I haven't tested each one. LOL

[@asland408]

Love this pen too.❤

[@ChrisSaenz13]

They are quite a lot of pen - I really like them a lot and they earned spots in my pen case!!!!!

[@lju5001]

Hi Chris. Goulet sells a thing called a “Goulet Grip” that I’ve used on stubborn nibs, but it’s always a touchy situation. I’m always afraid I’ll break pieces of the feed off! Good luck. Sounds like a great pen for the price…

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi lju5001 I have a Goulet grip around here somewhere but I just never was as successful with that as I often am with the lobster bands. But I'm going to look for it because that was early in my Fountain Pen Hobby "career" lol. :)

[@Ali-in8xi]

My opinion has changed. I jumped all over it because of its look. Got myself five in different colors. I've been using them all consistently since November 2022. There is definitely a tactile feeling while writing. While it writes nicely for my taste (I only use Rhodia and Maruman Mnemosyne; the smoother the paper, the better performance), it does have this one irritating flaw... it tends to lose its ink if it's not stored nib upright. I also recently noticed that with one of them, it burped out extra ink from the underside of the feed, the end closest to the rim of the grip section. Nice looking pen? Yes. Reliable writer? I'd have to say no. So happy I didn't spend a lot getting them all. Would love to hear the experience others have had after using this pen for some time.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Oh wow I have not had mine lose the ink .... it's something I will watch for carefully ... eeeks. I tend to keep mine upright anyway because I keep them in cases in a basket or in my cat pen holder that stands upright. I'm glad you mentioned this caution because I'd hate to stain a pen case.

[@zeus52452]

Interesting, I'm just now seeing this review 6 months after you published it. I did watch a number of other reviews of the pen, and they spurred me in to saying what the heck, so I bought the same two pack of the 80's. I agree, they are a good writing pen, but maybe not quite as good as some others. I haven't had mine long so I've not done any nib changes as such. I am thinking of getting the Lamy black colored nib and swapping it on to the 80 with the black clip. Then it would be an all black pen.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Jim - oh wow the all black with the black nib will be stunning!!! I really like these as an alternative to the Safari ... the grip section is comfortable for me and I find that the ink flow is fantastic. :)

[@zeus52452]

@@ChrisSaenz13 As a follow up, I finally got the Lamy Black nib and had an easy time swapping it with the one the pen came with (the original nib is in the little container on the left side). I think the Lamy nib made the pen a wetter writer. A picture says a lot, and here is one! drive.google.com/file/d/1DZJ96Kc_A7Fxw0NA7Jo1HW26j33Vrf1q/view?usp=sharing

[@destinedthunder]

I am enabled! I am getting it now! ❤

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Charmi - I hope you enjoy it -- people have told me it is like a cross between a Lamy Studio and a Lamy 2000. I like how they take the standard Lamy nibs!!!!! :)

[@nitina8564]

I can completely understand and relate to the temptation part. I have it all the time and i end up getting them too.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

LOL I'm at 3 right now .... of the Jinhao 80s but I keep realizing that's less than $ than one Eco and it has some really cool perks ... the filling system, the nib swap even though challenging and the cool material/texture.

[@nitina8564]

@@ChrisSaenz13 just go for it, LOL. Makes me feel better and makes me feel i am not alone in this.😃

[@ichirofakename]

I had a similarly positive experience with a different Chinese knock-off, the Moonman A1, which is similar to the Pilot Vanishing Point. I didn't have a use case strong enough to justify the cost of the Pilot, and I don't buy many gold nibs, so I was never going to buy one. But I was happy to spring for the much cheaper Moonman in particular because they had a version with NO CLIP, which is a HUGE upgrade in my opinion. Thing works fine, and who knows, maybe some day I'l figure out a use for it.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ichiro -- I was looking at those A1's ... I'm a person who totally refused to get a Curidas because if it writes anything like the other Platinum pens I've used I will pass plus it has a complicated take down. But I might go for the A1 ... it's not the high price tag ... but I'm still on the fence about it. :)

[@paulherman5822]

LAMY style nibs are just a thing with several Chinese brands. Wing Sung, Lanbitou, Yiren, and as evidenced by the 80 and a few more, Jinhao. Probably Hero as well, as they seem to be the parent umbrella company for those not Jinhao. Even the Jinhao ones might have nibs from the same Chinese source, as they're all pretty decent writers. Maybe a rainbow fine from a Safari copy Yiren, if you want a slightly different look. 😁 Great price, Chris! I understand not wanting to take more expensive pens to certain places. Why I have and use Chinese pens. Won't be as gutted if i break or lose, say, my Parker 51 Vacumatic or first series Wahl-Eversharp Skyline. And some inks just need the writing experience of a drier Asian type of nib. (Only way I can use Noodler's Bad Blue Heron for the things I wouldn't want altered, as the paper used for things like that is generally pretty awful. Lots of bleedthrough, spread and feathering without a fairly dry pen.)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Paul -- I have one of those beautiful rainbow fine nibs from a Yiren that pen friend Miss Marilyn Darling sent me! That is a pretty little nib! :)

[@davidscott8457]

Interesting review Chris. I'd always been put off the Lamy 2000 by the price tag and metal section (every pen I've had with a metal section I've ended up selling), but this seems a reasonable compromise. And I have a 1.9mm stub looking for a new home (couldn't resist buying it alongwith the 1.5mm). Thank you 🙂

[@davidscott8457]

So my Jinhao 80 arrived next day. I opted for the grey with metal trim and it looks really good. It's a lightweight comfortable pen. To be honest I was planning to try to pull out the nib straightaway without even trying the pen, but after your experience I gave it a write and it turns out to be a surprisingly smooth Fine nib. I do quite like it so will defer causing the pen any damage for now!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi David! Cool -- I'm so glad you got your pen and like it even with the F nib. That's what I found too and I carefully set aside my F nib that came on my first one so I can use it later or on another one in the future!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Cool I'm so glad ... I was nervous about making the video because it wasn't easy on two of them ... so I wondered if I was actually qualified to do a "how to" lol. But in the end I decided I had success so I must have some tips at least. :)

[@davidscott8457]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I'm so enjoying the Jinhao 80 Fine nib that I decided to keep it and buy a second pen to swap out. Surprisingly, the second Fine nib was just as good as the first but it had to go. It came out with just a little help from my Goulet Grip, and now writes amazingly well with a Lamy 1.1mm stub. What great pens, thank you Chris :-)

[@andrewcamacho4092]

Nice pen! I recently purchased a Jinhao x159 and a Jinhao 100 Koi. I must have been lucky as both pens are smooth and have good ink flow. The x159 has a slightly more generous flow and appears to write with a broader line than the 100. But I love them both. My x750 and x 450 also have excellent nibs. I hope some nib maker will come out with replacement #8 nibs.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Andrew -- oh I love my Jinhao 100 Koi!!! My X159 I'll be okay with as soon as I get the nib up to par. I think the nib is okay but the tines are too close together. :) That would be awesome if a nib maker would produce some good #8 broad and stub nibs + medium. It would boost the versatility so much on the X159s. :)

[@davidscott8457]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Bock has replacement nibs size 8 but they are only in gold and titanium thus super expensive. :-(

[@melindabooth9806]

I decided to try one in the fine. But I fully intend to change the nib to the Lamy brand. I love my 2000, but I’m open to giving the Jinhao a try. I don’t take expensive pens out of the house either. Good luck with jury duty.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Melinda!!! I didn't even get a chance to use a pen over at jury duty since the cases resolved/settled without us and we were released after just an hour of being on standby!!! :) Out of 200 summoned only 17 of us appeared. I just can't figure that one out.

[@melindabooth9806]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Wow! That’s pretty bold not appearing when you’re called. The same thing happened to me when I had to report for jury duty, all the cases settled so nothing was required of me. I was disappointed in a way, but also relieved I didn’t have to be a juror on a case that may have been upsetting to hear.

[@archivist17]

Have you seen Chris Rap's Moonman/Majohn Ti500 review? Much closer to the Lamy 2000 (piston filler, semi-hooded nib), but in Titanium!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @archivist17 -- YES I saw that ... it's such a beautiful pen I even went and looked them up as to where to purchase ... but I let my heels cool off and then the next day I realized it has a piston filling mechanism and I'm so so happy with a converter ... also I don't know if the semi hooded nibs could be swapped ... likely not by me ... but the pen is a beauty and so very tempting none the less. There are times when I can't watch Chris because my wallet just can't handle it lol. :)

[@MrAndrew1953]

They’re okay but not a patch on a Macralon 2000. I got a red and a green as Lamy don’t make them. I need a red for correction. I couldn’t move the nibs which is disappointing.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @MrAndrew1953 I think you saw my other video as I scrolled thru and started with older comments but I didn't give up and now I've pulled 3 of these nibs off 3 Jinhao 80s and it's working out great. Duct tape + jewelry screwdriver was utilized. :)

[@MariaRosseau]

I really loved hearing from Coco in this video. 🤣🤣 Your videos are always so wonderful and I appreciate them so much.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Maria! I do think I'm really swayed largely by budget and by being able to have a lot of pens in many colors if I go the more affordable routes. My collection would be very small if it was just the really expensive pens. Of course some pens I have there are people who would consider them over their price range. I'm so darn grateful that there are pens for all the price ranges that deliver great writing experiences!!!! :) Thank you for being here!!!!!

[@MariaRosseau]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I find it pretty great that I can use and love a TWSBI Go today just as much as I loved a more expensive pen the day before. And gosh I STILL love the Jinhao Shark pen that I got for less than a couple bucks! :D

[@bhoola123]

Has anyone gotten the Jinhao 82? Supposed to be like the sailor ProgGear Slim. It looks like it comes in pretty pastel colors!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

I have not seen one in person yet but they look pretty I checked them on ebay.

[@manuelsalazar3938]

Wow, watchings this one year later 😅 To be honest, this is the only Jinhao I don't really like, I got an 80 like six full months before getting my Lamy 2k and didn't like it, the plastic trying to mimic makrolon looks bad and cheap (and I always correct people saying this type of pens are cheap, for me they're affordable which is a much different concept). Funniest thing is that I don't think the 2k is that special either, probably it's due to the medium nib I bought, but I got it because it was almost half the price due to a sprung up nib that I corrected in no time. Probably when I take it to the nibmeister to turn it into a true EF I'll like it more. As for the Jinhao, not even the EF Wing Sung nibs that I favor did the trick, it doesn't inspire me to use it... I think cats are experts in fountain pens, but this time I disagree with your cat not liking EFs 😂

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Manuel - over the long term I ended up liking the Jinhao 82s better they seem a bit more sealed and ink doesn't darken with those as much. :) I still like the Jinhao 80s but I put small amounts of ink to use up faster and they are still very comfortable for me to write with.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

everytime I do a review I get one comment that I should compare it to a pilot metropolitan and a lamy safari. I have to delete the comment cause it wasnt kind but I thought I would perhaps ask for next time to be presented with more pens that you perhaps a big one and perhaps a smaller one :) Of course I show all my pens practically cause maybe somebody doesnt have anything near that anyway Great review keep up the good work and Thank you for showing this I was thinking thoughts about getting a lamy studio but I might get this instead :)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Marilyn -- I'm still hoping I can get the nib off so I can use a broad Lamy nib ... a viewer suggested a jewelers screwdriver to lever it off and I'm gonna try that carefully!!!! :) I think you'd like the grip on this only thing is whether or not you'd have a flex nib option? :) Yes, I didn't use many comparisons this time. Nothing I have really is in the same category with the Jinhao 80 or Lamy 2000 looks wise.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I do like my flex nibs but there are times where I just want an easy pen to clean and not have to worry about breaking it

[@josephaziz785]

Nib looks like a Platinum Preppy knock off which is fine because of Platinum's proprietary cartridges which are a pain. I look to more feedback now, with finer nibs, so I can write faster and neater--I need more feedback or even scratchiness. Wing Sung 618 is about right as well as Sikib. See movie 'The Beautiful Troublemaker' and you'll never want a super smooth pen again. Unfortunately my entire pen collection is smooth, broad, and wet which was a mistake--these are showpiece doodling pens, not for writing letters quickly and neatly.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Joseph -- this is so interesting that you mentioned feedback. I may finally "get it" a little bit better because of one of the school pens I'm trying out ... the nib is smooth on the Online Air - Soft Turquoise - it's a fine nib and has some feedback but the writing experience is out of this world and defies everything I thought I knew about what I need in a nib to write nicely and quickly. I've not seen the movie The Beautiful Troublemaker but you have me curious! Can any of your nibs be swapped out on those pens with broad nibs? It might be well worth the money to go to a nib you like better in some of them.

[@josephaziz785]

@@ChrisSaenz13 'The Beautiful Troublemaker' is on Tubi. You'll begin to appreciate scratchy nibs after watching it.

[@josephaziz785]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Use black and dark blue high viscosity inks. Lighter colored inks leak because they have thin viscosity of water and many nibs are not seated tight enough in section to prevent leakage.

[@davecharvella4854]

👏👏👍👍

[@edwardstaats4935]

Darn them for making all those petty colors. Do not give up on removing and replacing the nib with a Lamy broad Happy Thanksgiving

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Edward -- Happy Thanksgiving!!! Success has happened now with 3 of these and I did another video to talk about it!!!

[@edwardstaats4935]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I saw, well done

[@rachelwilliams4477]

That’s not a Lamy 2000?! I thought you posted the wrong thumbnail

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Rachel Williams -- they are distinguishable by the tiny Lamy lettering stamped on the side of the clip and the weight of the Lamy 2000 is heavier ... my husband (a pen muggle) was able to tell me which was the expensive pen. Inside the pen of course is a different style nib and filling mechanism. :) But yes, just lying on the desk it's quite jolting the similarity!

[@SusieDiamond221]

It looks like a Lamy 2000!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Susie -- from the outside it surely does look alike!!!!

[@ossilong]

what a blatant copy of lamys products.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ossilong -- I'm okay with it just as long as they don't try to market, label or brand it with Lamy's name etc. or make an exact clone/replica ... which this one is not ... but I understand my opinion is just one way of looking at it. :)

[@jamesaritchie1]

I don't buy pens from China regardless of what they are or what they look like, but it does bother me when companies in China copy other pens. This is especially true when they immediately copy a new mechanism, such as the spring in the TWSBI go and the Swipe converter. Two companies in China almost instantly copies this. Hard work, ingenuity, and tens of thousands of dollars, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars, goes into developing something new, and then a Chinese company just copies it. It's wrong. Even this, and other pens, stole the Lamy nib so people would buy a cheap pen and then put a real Lamy nib on it. This hurts honest, innovative companies everywhere, and the workers who support their families by being honest and innovative. I have a lot of reason for not buying pens, or anything else if I can help it, from China, ranging from ongoing genocide, to innumerable and barbaric human rights violations, to being the most dangerous country out there, including Russia. But the way the pen businesses, and other businesses are run has always bothered me. I just don't need cheap plastic pens enough to buy them from China. We each have to make our own decisions, answer to our own conscience, but mine won't let me give money to a country like China. There are too many other countries that sell low cost pens that are much better quality for me to buy from China. Of course, if China gets its way and manages to take over Taiwan, we may well lose TWSBI pens, which is one of my favorite brands. It might still exist under Chinese rule, but if so it's pretty much guaranteed than quality will go way down, and the famous TWSBI innovation will vanish, and be replace by making copies of pens created elsewhere.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi James -- you've given me a lot to think about here! I have a loved one who won't buy anything "made in China" and I've never been able to know the reasons. I look around my house and look at labels and so many things and electronics that we have are made in China I feel as if I'm not quite sure my household would run if I removed everything made there which is rather frightening given the current world situation. Interesting too is the fact I won't personally order directly FROM China anymore this started for me during the Pandemic ... but yet I still order from companies who vend the Chinese pens here like Amazon and other pen companies. I guess "style" influences me ... if there is a pen I love the looks of like the Jinhao 100 which is a lookalike to a very expensive (Platinum I think) pen I just won't spend that much for ... ! But I can't think of very good justifications except for being on a budget and knowing that so many of the brands I love I can't actually afford. So I'm happy when I find something similar that is pretty (to me) and functions well. It's always good to rearrange my minds and make room for ideas that I may not immediately jive with so I thank you for taking the time to write out your reasons ... not many people will engage in actual civilized "why" dialog and it's cool when we can even if we start on different sides of the fence. I'd hate to lose TWSBI or Opus 88 or any of my other favorite brands like Lamy ..... and I do like the idea of workers being paid what they are worth ... very seldom in my work life did I ever feel I was paid well ... my highest paid work was active duty enlisted military service. So, it could be that economics have blind-sighted me to some things. :)