Why is it so short? An artists review of the Jinhao 82 mini

[@matthewgwinn6076]

Chinese pens typically use 3.4mm cartridges (Hongdian, Asvine, etc. )

[@stepheninks]

Ah, that is information I did not have. Thank you! I have pinned this comment in case it helps others.

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

​@@stepheninks Jinhao, new hero, 2.6mm

[@stepheninks]

@@Shanghai_Knife_Dude I’m gonna have to do a deep dive on this, because I’m already confused. Haha.

[@Shanghai_Knife_Dude]

@@stepheninksregarding cartridge size, Chinese maker: 2.6 & 3.4. Anglo maker: one size of 3.4, so called INTERNATIONAL. Japanese maker: What the hell……

[@mathilda6763]

took me half the video to notice you are left-handed. it was kinda relaxing to see someone write an draw the way it looks from my perspective. just ordered a pack of standard-sized jinhao 82s and now am watching videos of people reviewing jinhao pens so I can justify buying them even though I have a closet full of art supplies already.

[@stepheninks]

Glad to be your enabler! Anything for a fellow lefty!

[@kenwilliams2219]

Nice review! I got a 3 pack of these mini pens for Christmas. Was curious to see how they felt and wrote. I think they were 19 dollars for the pack. Got the extra fine nibs. I have been using the red one everyday since Christmas. Love the feel (must be posted) the colors and the flow of these little guys. Thanks for sharing and you are a great artist!

[@stepheninks]

Thank you! I I really do enjoy this pen as well!

[@ichirofakename]

1. Dissenting opinion here: I am charmed by the appearance of the Sailor Pro Gear Slim Mini, the original which this is a copy of. It's the least expensive model with a gold Sailor nib. Over the years I seem to have become a collector of sorts, with 5, in a full range of nib sizes. 2. Having spent some time working with Sennelier pastels, my fingers just aren't that scared of thin and short pens. Guess I'm lucky. 3. I'm happy with and recommend the Jinhao 82 with a fude nib. Get some.

[@stepheninks]

I did not realize that Sailor makes a Pro Gear Slim Mini. I don’t really follow their lineup very closely, because anything unique they make is like 400USD. This kind of intrigues me even more regarding the pen. As a lefty, pastels and charcoals are my kryptonite. I’m sure there are other left-handed people who can use them, but it’s just smudge city for me every time. Also, I have a fude nib, but I just got pronunciation-policed on how I pronounce Fude… so I will have to do some practice before I put out that video. Haha. Wish me luck!

[@ichirofakename]

@@stepheninks I recently bought another PGSM for $108 on ebay. The really pretty ones were $420; too rich for my blood. Look a while and you can find them with B nibs.

[@pattir6628]

I got one of these with an EF hooded nib, and I love it. It writes so well, and it's really pretty. It's become one of my favorite pens.

[@stepheninks]

I want to get a few more of these. there are a lot of fun colors and designs worth collecting

[@jacobling2119]

Also, the end finial is able to open only because in your particular example, they forgot to glue it. Its not supposed to be open. But, a lot of people do remove it and mix and match with other colours. Its definitely not intended as captured converter style filling mechanism.

[@stepheninks]

I kind of got that impression. Not really necessary to have a pen do that anyway. I recently looked at another pen that does the same thing, also probably not on purpose.

[@wanyman]

Cool drawing. I ordered one of these after watching this. So far my favorite short pen has been the Majohn Q1. Mostly because it's easy to hold with it being so fat. I've got arthritis so I'm always looking for fat pens.

[@stepheninks]

I’m curious about the Q1. Never thought about it being a better option for people with arthritis. Thanks for sharing!

[@monopolylife]

I own 4 of these Jinhao 82 pens and I think they are great!

[@stepheninks]

Yeah, the build quality is really on par with the Sailor equivalent. Actually much nicer than the Sailor budget model.

[@tbayless8324]

Just wanted to update you, I bought 3 of these, love everyone, I got 2 medium and a fude nib, that fude nib rocks that is going to show some shimmer off. I had to smooth one of the them but the other 2 was smooth out of the box. And these are small. Not as small as the Kaweco. These mini's are more comfortable to write with than the Kaweco. I will be putting the Kaweco in storage. Thanks for making a video of these.

[@stepheninks]

I also find this pen to be more comfortable than I thought it would be. It’s a hidden gem for sure.

[@tbayless8324]

@@stepheninks Yes it is, and they are so cheap and fun.😁

[@arcboy2011]

Seems to be a good looking little pen and it seems like a good writer as well. I might just try it just to try it. Can't wait for the fude nib reveal video.

[@stepheninks]

It will be soon! It has been too long since I’ve used a fude.

[@AndyHullMcPenguin]

They do the 82 mini in a couple of demonstrators too. Quite a cute and eye catching little pen..... They are reasonably priced, so I might try one.

[@stepheninks]

This pen would be really cool as a demonstrator.

[@AndyHullMcPenguin]

@@stepheninks Oddly the 'demonstrator' version I can find currently, have a clear cap, but not a clear body. I'm sure i saw ones with both previously. Browsing Ali Express is dangerous territory though. So many interesting pens, I'm having trouble resisting clicking the buy button.

[@stepheninks]

@@AndyHullMcPenguinthat plus you don’t always know what you’re getting with aliexpress!

[@claudea.thomas5381]

I just got mine jinhao 82 mini and I love it too

[@stepheninks]

Good to hear!

[@sathishrao7926]

I’ve two 82s, three 82 Minis and a Sailor Progear Slim Mini (which 82 Minis clone) with 14K nib. Sailor is certainly a better writer, but doesn’t demand a 10X price tag. I like the overall ‘form factor’ of these pocket pens (which I’ve in plenty) ! I loved your sketch !!

[@stepheninks]

Can’t argue with your math! Thanks for the kind words!

[@comfortableshoesstudio]

I picked up one of these and my end cap was glued on tightly, tightly enough I was able to eye dropper the pen. I got a fude nib. It is an excellent sketching pen for my small hands.

[@stepheninks]

Interesting. I wonder why my end cap was so loose? I’m not really into eyedropper fills, but I imagine the internal rubber o ring on this pen would really come in handy for that!

[@comfortableshoesstudio]

​@@stepheninksI do a lot of eye dropper fills so I don't have to fill as often. I've been really blowing through ink lately so it makes sense. it definitely feels like I'm living a bit dangerously since the glue and seal could potentially give up at any moment... This video convinced me to order the full sized version of this pen. AliExpress has all the color ways in full and pocket sized, I'm thinking of going super bright for the full sized. 😊

[@ArunMatthewAM13TOG]

Fantastic sketch! Reminds me of an Indian super-hero kind of series called "stone boy" from the 1990s. Or, its more of "The Thing" in old age attending school from The Fantastic Four! 😉

[@stepheninks]

I have never heard of that character! Was it in a comic book? I love comics, and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything from India. Would love if you have any recommendations!

[@jacobling2119]

Jinhao never uses Standard international in the first place. A lot of people get it confused so thats understandable. Jinhao typically uses the chinese 2.6mm or 3.4mm. standard international is 2.4mm.

[@stepheninks]

Again converter size eludes me. I have been thinking about doing a deep dive on converter sizing, and this might just push me over to actually do it.

[@adrianmuino3412]

After having the 82s, I ordered one 82 mini. The only thing I don't like is that the metal parts are golden instead of silver. Have you tried the Jinhao 100 Little Century?, IMO is a good small size and it is beatifuly done. Nice drawing!

[@stepheninks]

It’s surprising they don’t have a silver colorway. I mean, the Sailor Pens the design is based on totally do. Never heard anything from the Jinhao 100 little century. I’ll check it out!

[@adrianmuino3412]

Now I have it. For me it has the perfect balance, the nib is very good, and is short!

[@adrianmuino3412]

@@stepheninks I have it blue, it is beautiful. The nib is bigger than the one in the 82 (but smaller than the one in the Century 100) and writes nicely.

[@aikinel]

I have two of them with the Fine Nib... they are excellent, and the best, cost me $9

[@stepheninks]

It’s a really great pen!

[@jacobling2119]

Well, have you looked at the Sailor Pro Gear Slim Mini?

[@stepheninks]

I don’t have one of these pens, but I have heard from people who watch my videos and own both, and apparently they are the same size. I didn’t know Sailor made pens in this size when I made this video.

[@mikevandebunt811]

Should the drawing be called "School of Rock"? I can't decide. 😁

[@AndyHullMcPenguin]

Maybe we should see more of this guy, a whole series of "Stone Poses".... I'll get my coat. ;~)

[@Shiruvan]

I'm totally spoiled by the little molded posting claws inside the cap that make posting so effortless(like, just drop it on there, no need to jam it in and scratch things) on entry model gold nib pens by Sailor, Platinum and Pilot, so when I have Jinhao 82, its an absolute loss.

[@stepheninks]

I looked inside my Sailor PGS and I couldn’t find what you were talking about. Are the caps different?

[@Shiruvan]

@@stepheninks you can see them better in clear preppy, they have it too. in Sailor high end clear/demonstrator pens, the edges are quite polished the shapes are practically invisible(or if you post it when dirty or hard enough often, they usually become dull/scratch spots inside the clear bodied pen)

[@stepheninks]

@@Shiruvanthanks for clarifying. I totally see them on the preppy, but I didn’t see much when I looked at the PGS. Maybe because mine is a lower budget one? Or maybe I need to get a pen light and look closer.

[@Shiruvan]

@@stepheninks you just need to see that the inside of the cap has flat surfaces, they are the posting 'claws', its very hard to see in non demonstrator/clear colors, and Sailors have the least conspicuous of those edges, certainly you can't make it like its so obvious like cheap preppies, it can be said thats part of value of the Sailor's price(even though they also exist on premium steel nibs like Profit Casual or Procolor 500 and steel shikiori)

[@irmabecx4758]

It's so short because it's a copy of the Sailor Pro Gear Slim Mini. I don't mind a short pen; I had a Sailor Sapporo Slim for years as my main pen both for writing and drawing and never posted it. A really short pen like this you just hold it differently; between your thumb, index, and middle fingers like you would a piece of chalk or crayon. No reason to try an make a tiny pen work the exact same as a full size one; let it do the things it can do instead, see what happens.

[@stepheninks]

That an interesting perspective. I’ve tried to use a Kaweco sport like a sort of ink-based golf pencil (if that makes sense). It works okay, but only for a short period of time. My hand eventually starts cramping. Maybe that’s just me though.

[@claudea.thomas5381]

I wonder can you eyedropped it

[@stepheninks]

I think you can if the escape doesn’t come off like mine does. A couple of people have mentioned that theirs don’t, despite what I show in this video. I’m not a big fan of eyedroppering anyway, so it worked out for me.

[@nikossiotas]

Why an artist will choose a short pen? Artists use long items. Your paintbrush ain't short, why should your pen be? That short pen is made to be carried around in your jeans pocket.

[@stepheninks]

I’m an artist. I like short things sometimes. Just sayin’ there are no set rules for what is/isn’t a tool for art!

[@mathilda6763]

sometimes having a short pen in your pocket or bag is nice to have as an artist when you want to do a few life sketches while you wait for the bus or a quick doodle while your food is being prepared, it's nice to have something cheap that works in reach so you can keep drawing and it's good when it's relatively easily replaceable if you lose it.

[@EPeltzer]

I like your art and your subject matter. However. Between all the trouble you have with focusing, and pushing the pens out of the frame, and often not really knowing what you want to say, I have to say watching your videos is a little bit frustrating. One thing that would help you is to learn the trick of putting your outstretched hand behind the pen so that the camera has your large hand as a target for focusing. A lot of KZbinrs have learned this trick.

[@stepheninks]

Hello, Thank you first of all for your nuanced and well-thought out response. It’s hard to write a criticism in a productive way, so I really appreciate that (I also take un-constructive criticism, but I prefer the other kind). Since you took the time to write out your response, I’ll do the same. Hope you don’t mind a long reply. First of all, on the subject of my pens being out of frame, the room that I film in is also a guest bedroom, and having cleared my filming gear out of there before a family visit, and when I put everything back, I think I put the camera back in a different place, and, well, muscle memory took over. Next time, I think a second take would be better. I like to embrace my mistakes, but I hadn’t thought about it being frustrating from a viewer perspective. I, of course, watch all my videos as I edit them, but I suppose it’s different when it’s someone else’s content. I appreciate your feedback on this. As for the focus thing, I think it’s just a holdover from when I used to film on my IPhone, which had a much more shallow depth of field, so that shot made more sense. Now that I have a nicer camera, I think there’s just a lot of user error going into those shots, and I have also been thinking that I shouldn’t be doing that any more (I mostly do it for the thumbnail, to be honest). I’m thinking about just taking a picture to use as my thumbnail going forward. Again, I never thought about the idea that this could be annoying for viewers. I know about the hand trick, but I just don’t like the composition of a shot like that. Like, who wants to look at my wierd, spindly hands along with the pen? Again, I thank you for the feedback. It helped me make a decision there. As for not knowing what I’m trying to say… that’s a bit harder. Some people have commented about the rambling nature of my videos, and I can’t deny, there are a lot of more polished channels out there, and I’m often jealous of their content. However, I’m a guy with a full time job, and a full time family. I am 100% committed to my job, which helps me provide for my family (another 100% commitment). On a good day, I am about 60-70% committed to this channel. Give what I get out of it (creative outlet, a small sense of community, and an even smaller amount of money) I think that’s fair. Strange as it may seem, the amount and quality of my output is just about the limit of what I can handle and still maintain my employment and family commitments. I could script everything, rehearse, and read from a prompter, but that would take so much extra effort that it would push me out of the creative space. I just wouldn’t have enough time to get it done. I understand that this may mean that some will avoid my content, and go with some more polished channels, and that is okay. I like those channels too. I hope that shows how much comments like this are helpful to me, and how much thought I have given to what you have said here. Thank you for taking the time to leave your comment.

[@JorgeAlbertoMussuto]

I have this fountain pen, and I really like it. 🖋

[@stepheninks]

I like it too.