Who Does #8 Size Nibs Better? Hongidan N10 vs Jinhao 9019

I finally received my Hongdian N10 and I compare the #I8 size nib with the Jinhao 9019. I unbox it, talk about the parts and features of the pen, provide some size comparisons and measurements, and then do a writing sample. After the writing sample, I talk about what I like and what I don't like about the pen. Please feel free to use the chapters provided below to skip to various parts of the review.
If you like this video, don't forget to like and subscribe and hit that bell to be notified when I post new videos!
JOIN AS A MEMBER HERE TO GET ACCESS TO PERKS:
/ @inkquiringminds
GOLDSPOT PENS ONLINE AFFILIATE LINK (yes it works!):
goldspot.com?aff=8
Links:
Richard Binder Line Width Chart (pdf):
www.richardspens.com/pdf/strok...
Etsy Shop for "Ink Buddy" Items:
www.etsy.com/shop/AlliedArmor...
My favourite brick 'n mortar pen and stationery store; Reids!
reidstationers.com/
Listen to my music at SoundClick:
www.soundclick.com/artist/def...
My KZbin Community Tab:
/ douglasrathbun
Get 10% off your purchase from Appelboom by using the code FRIEND at checkout!
appelboom.com/
Get 10% off your purchase from Cult Pens: tinyurl.com/y6g8yqal
Subscribe for more fountain pen videos: tinyurl.com/rgfe4v3
Share this video with a friend:
• Who Does #8 Size Nibs ...
Watch next - • Penbbs 491 Fountain Pe...
Chapters:
00:00 - Start
00:12 - Introduction
01:01 - Unboxing
02:36 - Comparing #8 Nibs
06:26 - Parts and Features
11:16 - Size Comparisons
12:11 - Measurements
12:26 - Writing Sample
14:40 - Likes and Dislikes
Let’s connect:
Instagram - douglasrathbun
Threads - www.threads.net/@douglasrathbun
Email - [e-mail]
Concerto No. 3 in E major, Op. 8, RV 293, "Spring" by Antonio Vivaldi, in HD quality!
- Classical music piece performed by: John Harrison - Violin / Robert Turizziani - Conductor / Wichita State University Chamber Players
- Music licensed by: John Harrison
- Music license: CC BY-SA 1.0
CAUTION: The following video has an unusually high VHQ (video humor quotient). Viewers are advised to refrain from consuming carbonated beverages while watching. Any liquid spewing out of your nose is YOUR responsibility.

[@archivist17]

You're the first person I've seen address the question of what is the point of a bigger nib, rather than just accepting bigger==better.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have design ADHD. A crooked picture frame make me nauseous.

[@Sallysaurus]

I like the idea of cap clearance measurements in your reviews. But then again I'm one of the very few people that wants to know that stuff. Most people are not asking if there's enough space in the cap for a quad stacked architect lol

[@theprof_001]

Very informative! The reason for the use of a #8 nib was never clear until now. Great job Doug.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks 👍

[@crouserm]

Useful comparison. I haven't tried the Hongdian N10, and, agreeing with your thoughts on proportionality between nib and section, might wait for them to get it right. Love my x159 for writing with pigmented inks; and my W-S 630 14k is one of my choice correspondence pens. The Chinese are really stepping it up! Thanks as always for this fine review.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing! I agree about the WS630 14k - awesome pen!

[@deandesrosiers6857]

Another great review Doug. Funny, I expected you to gush more poetically about the softness of the nib and elevate this one over Jinhau. First time, in a long time, I have not been inspired to purchase a pen from one of your videos. The nib size and colour on the Hongdian gives it a clown shoe proportion to my eye and while the quality looks exceptional, I am going pass on this model. I have a number of x159s and one 9019 and a WS630 steel and while plastic, (or should I say precious plastic?) their clean lines, balanced proportions and simple design seem more pleasing to my 40,000 year old brain. But then again, I do like me a piston filler, I like fine machining, and the steam punk-esk circular ink window… must…resist…buying…this…pen…

[@InkquiringMinds]

The nib is nice, especially with the bounce and the titanium-like feedback. But, not on this pen.

[@clc3897]

I got my Hongdian a few days ago and have not used another pen since. Let me preface this with the fact that I write at least ten journal pages per day and for me the most important thing is for my handwriting to remain consistent and beautiful on each page. The Hongdian inked with J.Herbin Emerald of Chivor is pleasant to write with than most pens I own and have in my collection and that includes the Jinhao you mentioned. If I had to buy the Hongdian again, I would do it in a heartbeat, whereas the Jinhao (after writing with it for quite a while) leaves room for debate. Even the nib proportions on the Hongdian are working for me since it reminds me of an old fashioned dip pen. I also should mention that the Hongdian will write on first contact even after leaving it uncapped for a few minutes. I bought mine off Amazon and the delivery was within a couple of weeks.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing, @clc3897!

[@bappadityadutta857]

I have recently purchased a Wingsung 630 #8 size steel nib . It writes extremely smooth with a distinct feedback that makes the writing experience very pleasurable. I have not tried the Jinhao 9019 Dadao yet.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Where and when did you get it? My suppliers says the feed has been redesigned for the #8 (ebonite) and the factory hasn't, as yet, delivered them.

[@nope8535]

The bounce of my #8 nib on my X159 is the big selling point to me. I can grind my own nibs so the easily gotten nib units has made it my second favorite pen. My favorite is the Noodler's Charlie pen.

[@avgjoeshow4208]

It’s always the pens that you’re most looking forward to that gets slowed down and take forever in the post isn’t it?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Murphy's Pen Law.

[@paulmchugh1430]

As Hong Dian (I don't know if it is one name or two names) has made great strides in their nib development this past year, I would also have to give the edge to their #8 nib. I do have the 9019 and have enjoyed it immensely, though. I did not realize the feed on the N10 was ebonite. Aesthetics would be correct that the nib size on the N10 appears to be out of proportion, almost like they made the pen to compete with the 9019 and for people that think the 9019 is too chunky. But for those people they would not like the MB 149 or the Wing Sung 630, either. That being said, I think the writing experience with the N10 is wonderful. I would have liked the pen on blue but I opted for the green version. If the blue becomes available again, I may but it anyway. Great review and comparison, Doug. Glad you finally got the N10.

[@InkquiringMinds]

That was my thinking too Paul! It looks like they slapped a #8 on an already existing #6 size nib designed pen.

[@paulmchugh1430]

@@InkquiringMinds i do not remember if you have the Hongdian D5. That is a large pen and it has a #6 nib. The #8 would have been the perfect size.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Yes. I reviewed a D5 and I penabled a young local pen fan with the pen. You're right. The big nib would look awesome!

[@christopher_lp]

Just got back into fountain pens. I'm glad I found this channel. I enjoy the humor, info and gitfiddle playing. Cheers!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Welcome aboard!

[@aag24]

Excellent sir. Doug - always asking the important questions and answering them in a delightful and drôle way!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Glad to help

[@davidnygard1817]

It is not the size of the nib -- it is the magic in it! I have a steel Mahjohn 630 and many Jinhao x159's and 9019's. The Jinhao is superior in my opinion but the body of the 630 is wonderful. I have seen the Hongdian N10's for a while but it really has not caught my fancy. Still, it is good to know that it has an ebonite feed and a decent nib. I plan to wait for other Hongdian's to come out with a #8 nib, preferably when there are a few nib size alternatives. Thanik you Doug!

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

Jinhao Heart Beat No.8 will be for you then.

[@davidnygard1817]

@@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke Two of them are in transit along with a Jinhao 9016. My heart is racing for my heartbeats to finally arrive.

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

@@davidnygard1817 My 9019 Hear Beat M floods the ink out like Yangtze River, but still within the limit of a functional pen.

[@Chris-ux1ij]

The N10 came today. It was a bit leaking. I don't think the nib was screwed in properly. For my hand size I prefer more of a MB 146 size to a MB 149 size grip. The fact it has a Pilot 823 grip size in diameter but an enormous nib is just fantastic and the best feature of the pen. I don't like the surface finish at all as it makes it harder to control - a plastic grip would be better. The N10 nib is abs fantastic. It would be great if they also did an EF and M in that size some day!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TymberJ]

Great video, and definitely agree on the aesthetics. The N10 body looks great, and everything about the nib and feed sound great too... but I don't want the two together. I know Hongdian does mostly (only?) metal bodies, maybe a piston filler the right proportions for the #8 would just be too heavy? I'm hoping they expand the options in the future like Jinhao did, it does seem like there will be room for both.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Another viewer suggested the Hongdian D5 a more appropriate recipient of the #8.

[@TymberJ]

​@@InkquiringMinds Their track record gives me high confidence that if a second Hongdian gets the #8 nib, it's going to look great.

[@georgiypokhvalit5209]

Thank You for comparison, very interesting and calming:) Small correction: 09:23 Ruthenium is named in honour of Ruth or Kyivian Rus', which is mostly Ukraine and Belarus.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for the info! I went by the Wikipedia page.

[@catherinehubbard1167]

Just to nitpick: the ink capacity of the new screw-in converter introduced in the Jinhao 9019 is not 1 ml, it’s 1.6 ml or more. That makes the ink capacity bigger than in most piston fillers. Re the big nibs, I don’t mind the size of the #8 nib in the HongDian N10, am excited to see its bounce, and appreciate the ebonite feed. I don’t care for the moire pattern, the line down the cap and barrel, the slippery section, or the colors. I don’t know if the ink portholes are big enough to work. So I’m waiting to see what they do with that nib and feed next. I like my Jinhao 9019s and my x159 but don’t know that their #8 nib adds better functionality, though it looks nice.

[@BEYSeamaster1]

Besides Asvine P20 whose nib is soooooo smooth, Jinhao's nibs are second to none, especially the M ones of the X159. They put Omas, Aurora, MB, Pelikan, JoWo, Wing Sung, Hong Dian, and Bock nibs to shame. Great video as always. Thanks Doug.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you, @BEYSeamaster1!

[@BEYSeamaster1]

My pleasure.

[@larsgottlieb]

I received mine yesterday. It is really pretty, the nib is bouncy and wet, and it has a bit of that pencil feedback some people who are not me like. The section is really slick and my pen is not balanced great - it's backweighted a little. These two combined to make me have to grip that pen like I was hanging off a ledge on it, making my hand cramp up in less than half a page of a5. Took out my 9019 and rewrote the half page without issue - other than the feed sputtering and drying out on me. *sigh* I suspect my N7 and N8 pens will remain favourite Chinese pens for a while ..

[@davidbyers7246]

I was recently watching video from the Edison Pen company, and he was saying that he preferred having a slightly smaller sized body for #8 nibs than most pen manufacturers make as it shows off the nib more. So I suppose it comes down to what you prefer.

[@zoznammic]

I really enjoy my 9019 and also x159 even though I could probably use them a little more. Currently I am waiting for two new Jinhaos 9016. They should have #6 nibs and if they are just like the centennials, I am in for a treat.

[@manifunk1]

Great review, I love this nib I’m thinking of picking up an extra fine versions in the blue if it ever comes back in stock

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thank you so much, @manifunk1!

[@jeancarlostashima8629]

Beautiful

[@joeledman3853]

Hi Doug. I enjoy your videos. I was disappointed in my N10. I love the nib, but I found that the “lines” in the body do not line up and the ink window does not align with the clip when the pen is capped. I agree that the nib looks too large for the pen. So I took your advice. I filed down the “stop” on the feed of a Jinhao x159 and the successfully installed the Hong Dian nib on my x159. It writes wonderfully and I now have a pen that I can enjoy. Thanks for your advice! Joel

[@InkquiringMinds]

Thanks for sharing

[@sunnycharacter]

That N10 is pretty but I don’t like that line running down the side.

[@davidnavarrete6413]

Have you seen the Jinhao Dadao 9016, a smaller brother to the 9019. I think its worth taking a look.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have one on the way.

[@Toga_SV]

I like the Jinhao #8 a lot, but I slightly prefer the Wing Sung's. Even though it's steel, it has a bounce to it similar to some gold nibs, and that pushes it ahead a little for me. I'll need to get a hold of the N10 once I'm out of no-buy January.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I've not tried the Wing Sung steel so it is interesting to hear the steel version has some bounce similar to the HD and Jinhao.

[@March22012]

Ooh, I love that moire effect!

[@gregcooper8466]

Hi Doug, I agree with your assessment of the need for a #6 size nib on the N10. Did you try to put a #6 on it? It would be interesting to see if that would work. The nib would clear in the cap.

[@InkquiringMinds]

A #6 would not fit the collar or the section.

[@Plhmel561]

The N10, the 9019 and the 630 are all great pens. I agree that the N10' number 8 nib looks awkward on that relatively narrow pen body.

[@ShawneeUnion]

Can you do a video on your favorite budget #6 nibs? I’m really hoping to find an affordable pen that will work with Jowo nibs.

[@RichardSmith-uw6st]

I wonder what would change in the esthetic of the pen if the nib was sized equal to the Jinhao. Being the hongdian was both longer and wider at the shoulder. I'm currently enjoying the n12 after seeing your review on it recently. Keep up the wonderful reviews.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Good question!

[@Bazerkly]

The Hongidan N10 is ugly... I have not tried the Hongidan N10 but I own a Jinhao 9019 and in my humble opinion it's the best Jinhao made. 🤓

[@sunnycharacter]

Here’s a poser for you! I finally inked up both of my 9019s the other day. A Fine and a Medium. Proceeded to test them out and write with them. Fine seemed surprisingly more medium and the Medium nib was thin and scratchy. Unusual behavior for my beloved Jinhaos. But I mushed on. Could the markings on the Fine and Medium nibs have been mismarked in production? Is it a cruel coincidence? Well, I did a little adjusting on the medium nib and although it’s not skipping and writes well, it is a finer line than the fine! Lol This medium nib on the 9019 is finer than the #8 on my x159. I’d say definitely a batch anomaly.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I think it has to do with the lower quality control and mass production of parts by Jinhao.

[@sunnycharacter]

@@InkquiringMinds Probably the best explanation.

[@coreyjs55]

Have you seen the 9019 with the steel 'heartbeat' nib Doug? its a similar pattern to the one on the gold nib Wingsung 630. I think it looks nicer than the standard two-tone jinhao #8 nibs.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I have!

[@robbinallan3767]

Hi Doug. Loved this review since I'm not on the #8 nib or bust train. I was surprised by your mention of the Parker Duofold. Somehow, to me the first look at this Hongdian made me think Nahvalur Nautilus. Any thoughts?

[@InkquiringMinds]

The only similarity to the Nautilus is the two round ink windows and even those are very different on the Nautilus.

[@wittwittwer1043]

I have some Chinese pens with "porthole" ink windows, and I find them virtually useless, even when you hold the pen up to the sun.

[@medcha2022]

What is your budget friendly best fountain pen?

[@InkquiringMinds]

The Jinhao 9019

[@ichirofakename]

Mr. Contrarian here: all this interest in #8 nibs has put me on a quest for SMALL nibs, anything smaller than #5. When drawing fine details I think it is EASIER to see what you are doing with a smaller nib, though perhaps I am insane.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I agree 100%, @ichirofakename! (you are insane)

[@johnrdoe108]

Great to see this kind of comparison, thanks, by the by where can i get the golden snake pen holder.

[@InkquiringMinds]

www.coppertistwu.com/

[@hankcrankington7382]

Never seen or heard of this pen before your review popped up in my feed, now I’m waiting for mine to arrive. Hongdian has to be my fav pen company at the moment, all their pens I bought wrote first time with no issues unlike some other more famous, and substantially more expensive, brands (I’m looking at you mount-blank). Doug, aside from the proportions of the barrel and section vs the nib how did you find it for writing for longer periods vs the sample you did for the video - comfortable to use? With the bounce it reminds me of the nib on the D5 pens, they have a bit of ‘bounce’ like the nib on the MB 1912, although the D5 nibs did seem to be thinner than usual when compared to other Hongdian nibs I have, so I guess that lack of material gives them the bounce.

[@InkquiringMinds]

The thickness of the steel and the shape of the nib have a lot to do with how much bounce.

[@edanthony6]

Minor picky detail: For a comparison between two items, I would say "which is BETTER," rather than "best." Maybe I'm just being an old fogey-duddy and language has evolved beyond my awareness. I have yet to get my Hongdian N10, but I doubt that I will be irked by aesthetic details. I'm looking forward to it. I would love a bigger nib. I'd really like broader nibs and hope they will be forthcoming like they were on the Jinhao, at least to Medium. The nibs on the Majohn "A"s, the retractable semi-hooded pens, could please me by issuing broader nibs, too. At least a Medium. My Wing Sung 630 uses a steel nib, and I have not yet bitten the bullet to get a gold nib. Garry, the Australian reviewer, likes the steel nib well enough and doesn't justify the expense of going for the Gold.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I'm all for correct declensions, but "which is better" isn't as punchy a title for a KZbin video meant to attract click-throughs. If you like a bouncy nib, the WS630 14k is really nice.

[@edanthony6]

Thanks for understanding my grammar peeve. I concur that the lack of grammar makes for a punchier title, and, in your review itself, I'm pleased that you say "better." I'm all for bouncy in a nib. I have a Namiki/Pilot Falcon (SB) that I love, and have wondered if a higher-end Pilot Custom pen with a Falcon nib would be good for me, as I prefer a larger sized pen. Another nib I love for its bounce is the one on the Pilot Custom 67, a design almost identical to the Custom 74, with a nib that has a touch more bounce. I love it in a broad nib, though I'd love the pen to be bigger, and a bigger nib would be nice, too. The Wing Sung 630 #8 steel nib in (M) has a pretty broad and juicy nib, the way I like it, and I love the size of the pen. Another nib of bounce that I love is on a Pilot Elite 18k (M) from an eBay auction. It's just a bit softer than the buttery nib on my Pilot e95S (M), and the same delightful fit in my hand, even though it is slender. Mine says H776, which was the Bicentennial month of my nation and the month in which I was hired for a job that I kept for the next 40 years, so sentiment is involved in my love of this pen. I would love to find the pen in a (B) nib, but I wonder if it was ever manufactured that way.

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@edanthony6 Ed: I would think that would be a rare pen if it existed at all!

[@user-lw8ku1cr9e]

I recently took the piston apart for lubrication, and I'm not sure I was able to reassemble it correctly. Could you please tell me how many rotations the piston of your N10 makes?

[@InkquiringMinds]

About 2.5 turns.

[@judyjacobs5827]

I recently got a Monteverde Laguna, and it has a big nib. Clip and body are reminiscent of bamboo, clear cap and barrel with monochrome outlined blobs, rather than the reverse. Is there a chance you'll do a review of this pen any time soon? Also, I now own a modern Estie bundle, and no, I didn't purchase it. It was a gift, my only Christmas gift, from our good friend Doodle Bud (thanks, Doodle Bud!), which also has a big nib.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Not unless 365 Stationery gifts it to m!

[@judyjacobs5827]

@@InkquiringMinds My partially-typed reply disappeared somewhere. I've had difficulty with 365 Stationery, and don't plan to do business with them again. The Laguna came from Goldspot, and they give several different discounts, usually 10%.

[@escapingdeception5799]

My N12 posts deeply and securely wonder why yours doesn’t

[@InkquiringMinds]

No idea!

[@seanferguson4772]

Could you notch the nib to fit the other housing, instead of grinding the feed?

[@InkquiringMinds]

Certainly.

[@BigHenFor]

The Hongdian, whilst of excellent quality, just doesn't look good to my taste with that No. 8 nib. In fact, it's aesthetics do look off, but I like curves and sleek lines. And not posting means a No from me.

[@MateuMatheu]

Besides FPTherapy, who has the blue? I'm searching it like a desperado.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I’ve not seen it in stock for a while.

[@ilikepens]

I just got my n10 today. I’m looking forward to playing with it. I hope I don’t play with it so much that I go blind. 😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL

[@laertica]

Dough, would you please comment on the relative springiness between the two nibs? Thanks

[@InkquiringMinds]

The Hongdian is a slight bit more springy than the Jinhao.

[@user-lw8ku1cr9e]

Hello, I have a couple of questions for you about this pen. Do you have a squeaking sound when the clip tip rubs against the cap? Are the lines on the body and on the cap lined up when the cap is tightened tight or not tight?

[@InkquiringMinds]

There should be no sound when recapping the pen. If the nib squeaks against the cap, the nib isn't seated properly and you could damage the nib. Push the nib further into the feed/collar. Or the collar isn't screwed down all the way.

[@user-lw8ku1cr9e]

@@InkquiringMinds not the nib, the clip

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@user-lw8ku1cr9eNot at all.

[@kevinblack8365]

The Jinhao X159 and 9019 #8 nibs look like they were designed to fit the pens (or vice versa). The Hongdian looks like a bit of a Franken job, it would be more aesthetically appealing with a #6 nib IMHO. And, as I continue to listen, you make the identical points - so yes, it's a NO to the Hongdian.

[@InkquiringMinds]

I agree 100%, @kevinblack8365!

[@user-lw8ku1cr9e]

Just received my N10. And I don't agree with you. Nib number 8 goes to this large and heavy aluminum pen

[@konradyearwood5845]

Halifax Canada and Calgary Canada are almost different countries!

[@InkquiringMinds]

Just by language alone!

[@twain888]

The BIG question is ... can a #8 nib fit into a PenBBS 308?!!!

[@InkquiringMinds]

A big NO!

[@twain888]

@@InkquiringMinds --- 🤣🤣! I'd be there for slimline pocket pen with #8 flex nib. Now, THAT would be a Frankenpen.

[@user-hb1fn8xv8j]

Hello! Jinhao 9019 & wing sung 630 nibs are interchangeable?

[@InkquiringMinds]

No they aren’t.

[@user-hb1fn8xv8j]

@@InkquiringMinds Have you tried?

[@InkquiringMinds]

@@user-hb1fn8xv8j You are talking about the #8 Wing Sung 630 and the #8 Jinhao 9019 steel nibs? You could force them I suppose, but they are different lengths, widths, and shapes. So no, I haven't tried.

[@user-hb1fn8xv8j]

@@InkquiringMinds yes. I've seen people put the monblank 149 nib in jinhao 9019 and even though it is longer than a standard jinhao #8 nib, but when installed is well. 🧐🧐🧐sorry for my English.

[@Oneirophrenian]

Is it possible to use these nibs in a asvine v126?

[@InkquiringMinds]

No. The nib collar isn’t big enough.

[@Oneirophrenian]

@@InkquiringMinds oh no! I have mine, in frosted black and I'm in love with the pen, but it feels a bit iffy the nib, so I have in mind trying other nibs. Maybe some penbbs can fit the v126?

[@baroquer]

HD = better looking JH = better writing

[@MrAndrew1953]

How do you avoid the You Tube guillotine ? Seems when they decide your time is up that’s it.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Ummm.... wha???

[@taklebury]

"don't want to rile up any snowflakes" 😂

[@InkquiringMinds]

LOL

[@manoloyloles]

Thanks for the video. Now I know that I will not purchase this Hongdian N10 pen! 🙂

[@InkquiringMinds]

My pleasure 😊

[@Lowkster]

Mail business 😂

[@arnar8238]

Hongdian #8 nibs, as well as Wingsung, stick out of the pen way too much. The pen then becomes too short. Their pens should be 1,5 to 2cm longer in the back to make them comfortable. Jinhao is better even though the pen should still be longer in the back by about 1cm.

[@sushanart]

I'm just a FP newbie but the nib looked very strange on the pen and I didn't like the pattern on the barrel. I definitely prefer the 9019 and it's on my wishlist and will stay there. 😇🩵🙏🙌

[@DanCarmell]

The blue appears to be the best color (I got green). I don’t mind any particular part of the pen but all together, it’s a visual disappointment. Here’s hoping it writes better than it looks once I ink it!