Jinhao 85 Wood Barrel Fountain Pen review

[@idipbananasintocoffee]

Thanks for the eview, Chris. This pen seems like a better deal than the re-release of the Parker 51!

[@JoelTurrell]

Thank you for this rather exhaustive treatment of the P51 and Chinese alternatives. I hadn't realized how many Jinhao alone had done.

[@OdE-ObjectosdeEscrita]

There are a lot of Chinese alternatives. But not all of those shown are Jinhao...

[@bikkies]

Once again, a great review. Thank you. I have several of these though not in the wood barrel configuration. I finally bit the bullet and bought the entry level 2021 P51 so I've been putting a bit more time into my J85s for comparative purposes. I found one had a slightly wobbly pocket clip with some lateral travel. Not a big issue but the kind of thing that could worsen over time. I hadn't noticed the screw in the cap until you showed yours. It tightened up easily and instantly solved the clip instability problem. Surprising how much difference these little touches make and is a testament to your attention to detail, helping the pen community out as always.

[@chrisrap52]

Always glad to share & help. Wish you continued pen enjoyment.

[@bikkies]

@@chrisrap52 Many thanks, and you. I could spend a lifetime exploring pen and ink combinations yet I'm sure I'd barely be scratching the surface, so there's still a few things out there to keep us all occupied for a while to come!

[@davidmcguigan5497]

Thanks for sharing the 51s from 46, 48, 49, hike! The clip on the 48 with "Parker" and the blue jewel looks sharp in that old school way. Appreciated your brief digression on pricing of Chines pens, i.e., low, mid, high, and an amusing image in my head, "Excuse me, could you repeat that, slowly? I'm taking my notes in Spencerian cursive."

[@chrisrap52]

Thanks for watching. Appreciate your comments. 😅

[@ferrypen4952]

A nice looking pen and an excellent video to whet my appetite, now I can't wait for mine to arrive! I've ordered the steel barrel as I liked the contrast between the silver body and the black section.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for this Chris! I think you are overly generous about the Jinhao 85. Jinhao already knows how to make a good Parker 51 knock off in the 51a. So the only reason I can see that they would make this bone headed design is they are following the design they are making for Parker; the new Parker 51 which is selling for an insane price.

[@chrisrap52]

IMHO this is a much better pen than the 51A. Has that quality feel that the 51A doesn't. I love the 51A, is a great low cost pen. Not matte gold finish on any cap. The nib on the 85 is wetter & smoother than any 51A I have, Bobby nib is the exception but not a Jinhao nib. I do not consider the 51A a Parker 51 knockoff. Not even close. Just has a slip cap & a hooded nib.

[@davidanderson3425]

Thanks for the review, Chris. My Jinhao 85 arrived a few days ago. I chose the gold cap and blue barrel. It looks very pretty, in my opinion. I haven't inked it up yet but judging by your writing sample it should be good. I agree with you about the Hero 565. I have a couple of those and the extra girth gives the pen a comfortable feel. It also writes extremely well. I am not a huge fan of hooded nibs and, for that reason, I doubt if I'll buy the new Parker 51. What I don't understand is how did Jinhao manage to come up with the 85 so quickly when the genuine 'new' 51 was only released by Parker in Feb '21.

[@chrisrap52]

Maybe Parker worked with Jinhao on the "new" 51. Many explanations, which one is accurate? Thanks for watching.

[@paulherman5822]

I have an 85, with a Bobby nib coming for it. I like the Jinhao extra fine better than the other ones I've used from China (only truly liked it in my Eversharp Skyline, except for the Jinhaos), and the Bobby nib should make it just that much nicer for me. I agree that the Parker 51 really doesn't do anything for me. But, I do have the occasional need to use an extra fine, and so I have a few. (The Skyline isn't used for this. It's nicer than that. 😁) Thanks for sharing this!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Due to the recent saturation of my channel with pens from the maker of the original pen, I've had questions if I'll be reviewing the pen this one looks like. I can't justify the price from what I've seen. But this one looks like an interesting alternative to do instead. Since I'm not a big fan of the true original, I can't talk myself into paying the cost for its modern incarnation. Fun to see all the alternatives to the original. It really was a classic design, despite my personal feelings on it. And what do you mean people don't do Spencerian writing when taking notes????? OK...just kidding. Edited to add: Sorry: when I wrote this comment, I thought you were trying to be ambiguous about what the original pen was. Apparently not. I didn't mean to be so mysterious!

[@chrisrap52]

I would not have reviewed this 85 except that there was so much attention. I totally agree the "new" 51 is not interesting to me. Probably many buying it do not & will not own a vintage 51 or this Jinhao 85. Parker will make some money & hopefully many love it. Pen merchandising matches on.

[@dilipsamarasinghe778]

I have bought several Chinese lookalikes of the Parker 51. Your artivle on the different options was interesting. Thank you.

[@chrisrap52]

Great to hear! Enjoy all your pens.

[@neofliermike]

Thanks for the suggestion on the 565... also, 54th Mass... I may go for that too!

[@robertreid7221]

I also bought the wood version Chris as I didn't like the paler shades of red and blue and I have too many black pens already. As soon as I saw the wood version I thought "thats the one for me" ! It was ordered early for my birthday so I have to wait until mid April to write with it !😢 Cheers, Bob.

[@chrisrap52]

You'll enjoy it when it finally arrives. Stay safe & healthy.

[@luisguillermoperezmejia7907]

Hola Chrispa52. Es curioso como la 54 Massachussets se ve azul/grisoso en su video. Yo compré un frasco y la verdad hubiera querido que me diera justo ese tono, que es el mismo que vi en la evaluación que le hace a la tinta INKGUY (Adam). La que me llegó a mi es mas un TEAL/GRAY, también muy bonita, pero es mas verde que azul. Ahora estoy viendo este video porque quisiera elegir entre dos opciones de plumas: la Jinhao 51 o la jinhao 85. ¿Cual me recomendarías?

[@chrisrap52]

Hola Luis. El color de la tinta de Noodler puede variar de un lote a otro. Dos bolígrafos diferentes, cada uno con muchas versiones. El 85 es un bolígrafo de gama más alta que el 51a. Podría obtener 3 51 por el precio de 85. Ambos escriben bien, se sienten bien en la mano. 85 pesos un poco más. Yo compraría el que te gusta con el plumín que quieras.

[@luisguillermoperezmejia7907]

@@chrisrap52 gracias por la respuesta. Comprare el 85

[@stevehuffman7453]

Have you tried the Jinhao wood 51A with number 5 nib? Another excellent pen, IMHO.

[@chrisrap52]

Yes I have, yes it is.

[@ianallen2]

Oh wow. The prices have dropped dramatically. January, it cost $9, October, I bought one for $1 from Ali Express.

[@hrnekbezucha]

I would definitely get it is it was a click cap. It would be nice if Jinhao didn't follow the Parker template to the point. Jinhao does have a good track record with the screws in the cap. I have a few pens like this and none have rusted. Also, the Jinhao 911 is hooded nib but is noticeably thinner than most of the others. Buyers beware. Thank you for the review.

[@chrisrap52]

Why do you think Jinhao followed Parker? Maybe Parker followed Jinhao. 991 hooded nib works fine. Have you seen the architect 991 nib Arlo ground for me? kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYStZJaBhKl-fq8

[@hrnekbezucha]

@@chrisrap52 yes, it's a nice grind!

[@yominrak7975]

Unfortunately the hooded nib douse my interest of this pen. One of the enjoyable aesthetic is the nib.

[@wyatt1019]

How does this write compared to the Jinhao 51a? I have a 51a that i purchased for about 2 dollars and it writes pretty good, but i feel the cap could be designed better, as i far prefer the clip on pens such as the x450 or the hongdian black forest pen. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[@chrisrap52]

The 85 feels more substantial. Clip is sturdy. Writes slightly wetter than my 51As. Is it worth 5x the cost? Only you can decide that. Is it a very good $10 pen, yes.

[@mlkrborn]

Thnx

[@chrisrap52]

You're welcome.

[@josepmariaaguascaribot9239]

Which is the wood barrel that you feel best in the hand to write ?

[@chrisrap52]

The section, which is plastic on all my wood barrel pens, is what I feel when I write. My best wood pen - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGmUlX9qaaZ6i6c

[@tee_m]

Did you notice Parker just re-released the 51? How Jinhao does it almost as good for 100th of the cost is still beyond me.

[@chrisrap52]

I mention that in the video description. I have no plans to buy the "new" 51. Can't say which is better or a better value. Thanks for watching.

[@martinlebl631]

@@chrisrap52 Which is better is hard question. Better value likely speaks for it self. Whether each one is worth it is also different question. In any case for 51 clones slip off cap would be better in my opinion. Speaking of clones the Hero 100 with gold nib is relatively cheap, and the new metal Hero 100 has a convertor, not sack, and gold nib, and still well under hundred dollars. So also an option, and still cheaper than the Parker reissue without gold nib.

[@chrisrap52]

I have 2 metal Hero 100s with gold nibs. One my viewers said was fake, paid under $20 USD. The other a seller sent me said it was genuine, they sold for $45 USD. I have not had the energy to review. I enjoy the 601s I have, they are easy to buy, write very well & no fakes so far.

[@martinlebl631]

@@chrisrap52 The existence of fakes of cheap Chinese pens still melts my brain, but if a $4 to $5 shippex Jinhao x450 can have a fake, then certainly pens that are in the dozens of dollars will. But it still seems crazy that it is so. Out of the five x450 I bought, for me and others, I suspect one of them was a fake, as it didn't write well, and the quality of finish just wasn't up to the snuff if the others. After five years in my shirt pocket the x450 showed marked wear and tear, with the lacquer peeling, and a lot of the gold plating wearing away, but it still writes well, even if it is no longer in the daily rotation. The Visconti Opera that bumped against it, and other pens daily for fifteen years us much better condition with just some slight wearing through of the gold plating, especially on the big metal barrel finial. That one will likely stay in rotation forever as it is my go to pen for black ink, with Heart of Darkness taking that spot of honor; replacing original Noodler's Black about five years back. Just got the General of the Armies, and it looks great flowing from the double broad nib in my Diplomat Aero.

[@chrisrap52]

In my career, I had an opportunity to do a fair amount of global business. Nothing surprises me. Hard currency rules, especially USD. Moving money is the best way to make money. Every country has it own unique value system. Inventory is a liability. I cannot account for buying a pen for $1.00 USD delivered to me making any economic sense. And it writes well. Will not be a pen I pass down but for $1, I don't expect that. If you have pen inventory and can get USD for that, do it. In the end, I try to enjoy the pens I am fortunate to have. I am not not will be in the pen business. I make videos & share my experiences and have conversations with people like you. In my later years, that makes me smile.

[@merlinuwe1]

Congratulations - 10000!

[@chrisrap52]

Thank you!

[@frankvars7925]

A beautiful 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 for everything Chris!

[@chrisrap52]

Interesting! Cannot be verified but your logic is a possibility. They couldn't use 51 again. Thanks for watching.

[@grabkor]

I'm also not a pen designer but for me threading the cap in this one is pointless (I've chosen the black/gold version).

[@chrisrap52]

Let's us know how you like it.

[@grabkor]

@@chrisrap52 Well this is a third full fill in two weeks now. To be short: I've tuned the nib - it was to smooth (yup! no mistake) on Oxford Optic Paper and I've make it to be a wetter writer. I don't like that they try so hard to mimic new Parker because looking at this pen it's a very reliable and well build Jinhao - a good everyday pen. And the price is a steal!

[@chrisrap52]

Some think Parker is selling their version of the Jinhao 85. To me it's a pen. Do I like it or not is the question. Was it a good buy? How did you make yours it wetter?

[@grabkor]

@@chrisrap52 Yes, it's a pen - more "that's nice!" kind of pen rather than "wow! awesome! blow my mind" pen ;) Was it a good buy? Mine is still with me, inked with black edc ink, so yes - I like it, it is a good choice when You're searching for a nice looking 10-15$ pen. How helped my 85 to be a wetter writer? I've have no special tools for that. I'm only tuning some new nibs for my kind of writing style (or for my wife's - she's holding her pens vertically like a ballpoint so tuning that is sometimes quite a challenge). So I've grabed my 85 with the index finger on the nib and the end of the section and i've put some vertical line strokes on paper, gently, with no hurry but with consistent push on the paper (about 7-8 times). BTW - if I don't want to tune a nib for my wife I just look eBay for a vintage Aurora or I'm going for a walk to the local store for new cheap Platinum Preppy or Prefounte. Yeah, I know - I'm a lazy guy ;P

[@chrisrap52]

Thanks, I've heard from a few who do that. Hopefully your wife appreciates your efforts. Be safe & healthy.