My red and gold Jinhao fountain pen that Odysseus got me for our anniversary completely rocks. Their medium nib seems to be more of a fine nib (which gets me curious about what their "diamond fine" nib is like). The entire pen, except for the refillable cartridge and the back part of the nib where the ink channels down the the point, is metal. The pen is startlingly weighty. Not flimsy at all.
I've also discovered that I like the refillable cartridge quite a lot. I got some green ink for this particular pen--just because. I inspected the nib (no detritus left from manufacture or from shipping), and immediately filled the cartridge...and it was actually a little easier than puncturing a disposable cartridge with the back end of the nib, and not much messier. Along with that, a package of cartridges for the Parker pens I have (Parker Vector, which is okay, but not spectacular, despite the one I bought in grad school in '03 still working like a champ) costs around $5, and I can't find them locally. They hold maybe a mL of ink, and last about a week of heavy use (and yes, they do get heavy use--I hate ball-points and roller ball pens). They come in blue or black, so not a lot of choice. A 50 mL bottle of ink also costs around $5...and come in about thirty different colors of India ink at Hobby Lobby. Yes, I'll have to refill the cartridge a bit more often, but...I think it's well worth the trouble, and easily worth it financially.
I have learned something interesting, using this pen: heavier pens make for less pain in the bad joint at the base of my index finger. Yes, it makes the rest of my hand more tired and faster, but something about the balance and weight makes it easier to control, and I end up not using that specific joint as much as I do when I'm using my plastic fountain pen.
I really, really love this pen. I don't think I will ever buy a plastic pen again. Especially not since the Jinhao pens are so relatively inexpensive.
There was a time when a fine pen was something everyone relished. The best were made of exotic wood or stone, but whatever the material, the balance, the perfect size of the point and comfort while writing were demanded.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling your gift was chosen after careful thought. It's one that's not only useful, it lasts forever and the simple task of writing a note will bring back happy memories.
We always have trouble buying gifts for one another. There's not a whole lot we want. I actually found this, looking for something else, and pointed it out to him. He's now decided that fountain pens are a go-to gift (and I've agreed it's a good one).
DeleteBut yes--this pen is likely to last my lifetime, and be passed down to my children.
For years I kept my accounts and journals with a fountain pen. Far more elegant than computer print outs. Haven't even seen a fountain pen now in a long time.
ReplyDeleteI've used fountain pens for almost everything for about ten years, now. I like the way they write a lot better than I like anything else. I got into it from calligraphy (still have a Sheaffer calligraphy pen that I use every so often), and got used to a big pen with a metal nib that unscrewed and took liquid ink cartridges.
DeleteIf you want a new fountain pen, Jinhao makes several that are really practical, elegant, good quality, and under ten dollars.
VERY nice! Enjoy it! And I think O likes you... :-)
ReplyDeleteWe've been together for sixteen years, and married for ten. I like him, too.
DeleteWhich model is it? Methinks I need another fountain pen. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's the one in the picture...which is a link to the Amazon page. And take a look through their Jinhao pens--there is a set you can order, four for something around $23:
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/Jinhao-Fountain-colors-types-Nibs/dp/B00D6CJFBE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405345923&sr=8-2&keywords=jinhao+fountain+pen
Thanks. For some reason, neither the picture nor the link show up in my browser. Maybe my adblock settings are a bit too aggressive.
DeleteThis is the one I got as a gift:
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CC6ZBL8/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1