Jinhao 85 - A better modern Parker 51 (for only $10)? - Fountain Pen Review

Hope you enjoyed this review! I am a big fan of this pen - I just wish it wrote better! Maybe I'll be able to fix it. I'd love to, because everything else about this pen is great! What do you think about this pen? Oh, and I forgot to mention it, but this pen is only available in one nib size, EF.
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[@cbooth2004]

Nice review! I have subscribed. I have both pens and--sadly!--the Jinhao 85 writes better than the 2021 Parker "51". Cosmetically, the Parker is much superior. I got the burgundy, steel-nibbed version, in Fine, and it stutters, skips, and dries out quickly (preventing which is the point, apart from the aesthetics, of the hooded nib). The ink flow is poorer than any Wing Sung 601 or 618 that I have or the Jinhao 85 or the Jinhao 51a, or the Hero 565, etc., etc. My Jotter (a Medium) writes better than my 2021 Parker 51; fewer skips and doesn't dry as quickly or dry out. By the way, my Wing Sung 601 pens are the best fountain pens I've had in terms of not drying out when not used. They are amazing. Good writers and faithful. It is disgraceful that inexpensive Chinese knock-offs/copies/clones/whatever of the classic Parker 51 are better and more dependable writers than [Newell Rubbermaid] Parker's own "reboot." As for cosmetics, I really do love the burgundy color of the new "51" section and barrel. That they did nicely.

[@aidanbernal]

Thanks! It's a shame your 51 doesn't write well. They do look nice on their own. I agree that the Wing Sung 601 is really the best option!

[@loveisall5520]

This amazingly cheap pen is a beautiful writer; I own 3 of them. Back in the eighties I had a restored Parker '51' and traded it away. This pen is more comfortable for me,

[@thebohemian.]

A good review. I used to work for Parker/Waterman some 25 years ago, many asked back then for new 51’s. I see Woody Guthrie on your wall.

[@aidanbernal]

Oh really? That's awesome!!! What did you do for them, if you don't mind me asking? And yep, that is Woody Guthrie :)

[@thebohemian.]

@@aidanbernal I was an area sales manager for SW and W. London.

[@Tennishead21]

Another really good review, Aidan. It is a shame that the nib cannot be accessed as it would not be a major problem to make the pen write a bit wetter and to tune it. I agree with you that it is a much better modern version of the modern 51 from Parker, which is a disaster and a grave disappointment. Quite a shame that Parker cannot be bothered any more to even look at the kinds of pens that made it once a genuinely great maker of pens. Unfortunately, the Parker people thought it was a good idea to change everything that made the 51 unique and special and replace them with more standard fittings, followed by attaching the cheapest and most ill-fitting nib possible to the pen. It is a company that has been in decline for many years and it is a company that believes its own antiquated hype. A legend in its own mind.

[@aidanbernal]

Thank you! Yes, I agree - it's obvious they tried to cash in, because they put a plastic sleeve on a $20 pen and charged $80 for it. A shame, but at least there are other brands still doing it better. My favorite 51-like pen is the Wing Sung 601, which I will hopefully do a review of soon. :)

[@wwbdwwbd]

Sadly, I don't think Parker believes in its own hype, because it's clearly not even aware of its own history. Understandable, it's after all a French entity now. The legendary Parker of yore is now but a lore, only very tenuously connected to its modern incarnation by the trademark and logo.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I have a Jinhao 85. I can't talk myself into a modern Parker 51. I haven't written with this pen yet, so fun to see your thoughts. Interestingly, the Parker 61 included a little arrow inlay near the nib so that misalignment of the hooded nib would be less of a problem.

[@aidanbernal]

same here, I just can't bring myself to get a modern 51. I'm content with this! I hope you enjoy your 85 too. And yeah, I do like the 61 design, it's a pretty cool solution even tho it is admittedly less sleek, haha.

[@gristlevonraben]

Thank you for your honesty. By the way, I've seen reviewers have flow issues with actual parker pens too, so there's that.

[@aidanbernal]

Of course! And that's good info to have. Unfortunate, yes, but I think it makes it all the more worth it to try out the 85!

[@frankbruno7122]

Well done Aidan.. I recently was gifted with two real 51's a 1947, and a 50's. They needed some work, but on my own I made theme lovely. Not a fan of the newbies.. uh oh.. looks like a dorm room; you at school? Frank from Boulder, Colorado

[@aidanbernal]

Thanks!! Awesome to hear about the recent pickups, and the fact that you restored them! Restorations are really fun to do, I've tried some on my own (but not vacumatics). The 51 is one of the few famous vintage models I do not have, and one of these days I'll get around to it. And yep, currently in college studying civil engineering, so it's dorm living for me haha!

[@316miracle]

i totally agree with your opinion about jinhao 85.

[@darkchocolate4643]

Nice review, Aidan, I like your style. A word to the wise: don't try to heat up the section thinking that the glue will soften so you can access the feed or the collector. Head on over to Douglas Rathbun's channel if you want to find out why. :) I ordered two of these 85s and am patiently awaiting their arrival. Let's see if they write any better than your pen. *fingers crossed*

[@aidanbernal]

Thank you!! And yeah haha, I will avoid trying to open it up, ahaha. I hope the 85s that you get perform well!

[@wwbdwwbd]

Is this recorded in your dorm room? Just curious, because you look very young and the room has a certain 'collegiate' feel.

[@aidanbernal]

yeah, it is hahaha

[@wwbdwwbd]

@@aidanbernal It's good to see young people take up fountain pens. I wish I had started as early as you; I could have had many more years of enjoying this wonderful hobby.

[@manoloyloles]

Good review. I puchased this pen and am amazed at its look and performance for 8 euros. BTW... Bernal... Do you have Spanish ancestors?

[@aidanbernal]

Awesome, I'm glad you like it! And yes, I do! :)

[@manoloyloles]

@@aidanbernal I see that I paid 5.4 eruso, not 8 LOL. What area in Spain, if I can ask and you know? :-)

[@aidanbernal]

@@manoloyloles oh wow awesome! And unfortunately I do not know, I wish I did. My family immigrated to california when it was still a part of mexico, and there are no records before that sadly!

[@marianowak83]

I've got Jinhao 85 back gold version, very nice pen.

[@andersenchang9524]

I have the same pen but doesnt seem to have the problem you mentioned

[@KGatLC]

Well done.

[@mauriciolacruz]

Chinese? No, thanks! 👎🏻