Do you use a fountain pen?
Discussion
[quote=C&C]
Not sure Rob, I'll find out when it gets here (auction ended less than an hour ago) - may need a bit of adjusting or something... I understand that to remove the nib on a capillary filled 61, the capillary filler must be removed first (unscrewed), then the nib can be removed (which is a push fit). Do you know if this is the same for the aero/converter filler?
[/quote]
As with all 61s have a look for cracks in the section, if they are there and not disclosed by the seller, I would reject the pen.
I suspect that the hood has recently been off the pen and the nib has not been reset properly so I would try to unscrew the hood, it may come away easily, If not soak first to get rid of any old ink.
Don’t use a USC, you stand the risk of losing the arrow.
You may need to use a hairdryer heat to loosen the hood, some people shellac them in place. Look out for a small plastic seal during the disassembly, they are easy to lose but essential.
The nib and collector can be eased out. I think that nib may not be so good, looks like it could have been dropped and bent. If you have any burnishing tools then this will be a help, many get by with two round pencils, one to shape the nib and the other to iron it out. Hope I am wrong.
The removal of the hood on a 61 is not easy, they are fragile and were meant to go back to Parker for attention, it is easy to use too much force in trying to open the pen and wreck a pen. I know you have built some good skills otherwise I would be saying send it away for attention.
Not sure Rob, I'll find out when it gets here (auction ended less than an hour ago) - may need a bit of adjusting or something... I understand that to remove the nib on a capillary filled 61, the capillary filler must be removed first (unscrewed), then the nib can be removed (which is a push fit). Do you know if this is the same for the aero/converter filler?
[/quote]
As with all 61s have a look for cracks in the section, if they are there and not disclosed by the seller, I would reject the pen.
I suspect that the hood has recently been off the pen and the nib has not been reset properly so I would try to unscrew the hood, it may come away easily, If not soak first to get rid of any old ink.
Don’t use a USC, you stand the risk of losing the arrow.
You may need to use a hairdryer heat to loosen the hood, some people shellac them in place. Look out for a small plastic seal during the disassembly, they are easy to lose but essential.
The nib and collector can be eased out. I think that nib may not be so good, looks like it could have been dropped and bent. If you have any burnishing tools then this will be a help, many get by with two round pencils, one to shape the nib and the other to iron it out. Hope I am wrong.
The removal of the hood on a 61 is not easy, they are fragile and were meant to go back to Parker for attention, it is easy to use too much force in trying to open the pen and wreck a pen. I know you have built some good skills otherwise I would be saying send it away for attention.
Nice looking 61. Hopefully it will be ok. I read that as an alternative to the hairdryer you can put it in a plastic bag and immerse the bag in hot (but still bearable to the hand) water.
I have the task of making two usable pens out of this lot. One will be quite nice, the other will get all the rough parts!
DSC01226 by 1891CxelA, on Flickr
After I bought the tatty Waterman for parts from the Eastern Pen Show I spotted a few more parts including a box lever on an ebay listing titled "Parker Fountain Pen Spares".......no wonder I didn't find them before! I got them for £5.30 delivered. I could have saved myself buying the £15 pen at the show, but never mind. The auction also came with a Parker 17 lady with a broken nib and a crack on the hood and also a Parker Slimfold missing its nib and feed.
I have the task of making two usable pens out of this lot. One will be quite nice, the other will get all the rough parts!
DSC01226 by 1891CxelA, on FlickrAfter I bought the tatty Waterman for parts from the Eastern Pen Show I spotted a few more parts including a box lever on an ebay listing titled "Parker Fountain Pen Spares".......no wonder I didn't find them before! I got them for £5.30 delivered. I could have saved myself buying the £15 pen at the show, but never mind. The auction also came with a Parker 17 lady with a broken nib and a crack on the hood and also a Parker Slimfold missing its nib and feed.
AlexC1981 said:
Nice looking 61. Hopefully it will be ok. I read that as an alternative to the hairdryer you can put it in a plastic bag and immerse the bag in hot (but still bearable to the hand) water.
I have the task of making two usable pens out of this lot. One will be quite nice, the other will get all the rough parts!
DSC01226 by 1891CxelA, on Flickr
After I bought the tatty Waterman for parts from the Eastern Pen Show I spotted a few more parts including a box lever on an ebay listing titled "Parker Fountain Pen Spares".......no wonder I didn't find them before! I got them for £5.30 delivered. I could have saved myself buying the £15 pen at the show, but never mind. The auction also came with a Parker 17 lady with a broken nib and a crack on the hood and also a Parker Slimfold missing its nib and feed.
Havent heard of the bag idea, i have always liked the use of the hairdryer because I leave my thumb in the airstream when its too hot for my thumb its time to turn it down.I have the task of making two usable pens out of this lot. One will be quite nice, the other will get all the rough parts!
DSC01226 by 1891CxelA, on FlickrAfter I bought the tatty Waterman for parts from the Eastern Pen Show I spotted a few more parts including a box lever on an ebay listing titled "Parker Fountain Pen Spares".......no wonder I didn't find them before! I got them for £5.30 delivered. I could have saved myself buying the £15 pen at the show, but never mind. The auction also came with a Parker 17 lady with a broken nib and a crack on the hood and also a Parker Slimfold missing its nib and feed.
That collection of parts looked do-able. I am thinking that for the rough pen you could do whatever you wanted whether it was a rat rod type look or steam punk, you will have a near impossible shop making it look like new but very aged, bit like the kaweco pens earlier in the thread, may be possible.
The bag of parts sounds good, the Slimfold parts alone should make a useable pen, I have some feeds and nibs that may fit, you can try them for size if it helps.
Cool, I might give you a shout when I get round to that one thanks. I've fitted the loose box lever that came in the spares listing. I had to shave the end of the slot very slightly to get a good fit. One of the tabs was missing, so I used a tiny dab of glue to keep it in place. I've had to call a halt to proceedings because I can't get the good nib and feed out of the brown tinged section to fit in the better coloured section. I wish I hadn't bothered with that now as it's stuck half in and half out at the moment. Very a frustrating, I've had to stop before I end up breaking it.
Robbo 27 said:
Top one is a Parker 45, next is a Parker 75, and then a Parker 180.
Fantastic gift, and all look in superb condition, the 75 is a superbly made pen, very valuable and will be a pleasure to use.
The 180 is very unusual in that it can be used either way up, to give either a medium or a fine nib. This pen was not a commerical success, nothing wrong with it but by this time people were moving away from pens to ballpoints. As a consequence the 180 is now rare and sought after.
If you are going to put them to use I hope you will allow us to give you advice on putting them back into service, propably not much more than a longish soak in some cool water with a drop of detergent, the nibs and finish all look very good ideed.
The nibs on the 180 were probably more technical than the market wanted and must have been difficult to make, the two sides of the nib are shown below, I really wouldnt take this apart, too many bits to be lined up on reassembly.
If the pens need cleaning up I would use nothing more than a soft microfibre cloth. I wouldnt wash the caps just the nib sections although the nib unit on the 45 can be unscrewed to make cleaning very easy.
Let us know how you get on, we like stories like this!
Thank you Robbo and C & CFantastic gift, and all look in superb condition, the 75 is a superbly made pen, very valuable and will be a pleasure to use.
The 180 is very unusual in that it can be used either way up, to give either a medium or a fine nib. This pen was not a commerical success, nothing wrong with it but by this time people were moving away from pens to ballpoints. As a consequence the 180 is now rare and sought after.
If you are going to put them to use I hope you will allow us to give you advice on putting them back into service, propably not much more than a longish soak in some cool water with a drop of detergent, the nibs and finish all look very good ideed.
The nibs on the 180 were probably more technical than the market wanted and must have been difficult to make, the two sides of the nib are shown below, I really wouldnt take this apart, too many bits to be lined up on reassembly.
If the pens need cleaning up I would use nothing more than a soft microfibre cloth. I wouldnt wash the caps just the nib sections although the nib unit on the 45 can be unscrewed to make cleaning very easy.
Let us know how you get on, we like stories like this!
Edited by Robbo 27 on Saturday 20th May 10:08
My grand-daughter has so many pots of pencils etc. for Uni work and these were amongst them when we were sorting through them but she did not want them --and said bin them - hence I rescued them. Her late grandfather had passed them to her before he died.
The 180 nib really intrigued me and I like its slenderness. Looking forward to trying it.
The Goldrod is rather nice too,but not too sure I like that nib.
The 45 I will have no problem with as I already have one of those.
I take it you mean just soak the nibs in cool water? I don't think I will be taking any of them to pieces.
I enjoy reading and seeing everyone new purchases but think I will stay with what I have 🙂
Edited by SPR2 on Saturday 20th May 22:54
Edited by SPR2 on Saturday 20th May 23:04
SPR2 said:
I take it you mean just soak the nibs in cool water? I don't think I will be taking any of them to pieces.
Yes, remove the cap, and the barrels and put to one side. Remove the cartridge or the converter, fill a large glass with cool water, put a drop of washing up liquid in the water and put the three nib sections and the converters into the water. Leave for a day or so. The tip of the Parker 45 can be unscrewed, very simply, to make cleaning easier.All the old ink deposits should then be dissolved.
Dry them off with a paper towel and you are good to go.
The Parker 45 and the 75 will be very nice to use, I hope that you wont have any issues with the 180, they can be difficult in terms of ink flow. When it comes to choosing an ink I would keep it very simple for that pen especially, standard Parker for example.
Let us know how you get on.
The amusing thing about Jinhao pens is that the 6-8 weeks delivery time means you've forgotten you'd ordered any more by the time it arrives 
A 992 showed up the other day in "transparent black". Feels very light when I've been using my X450 and X750 recently, nib claims to to be Fine but I'm sure it's closer to my other Medium Jinhao's than my Fine 599.
A 992 showed up the other day in "transparent black". Feels very light when I've been using my X450 and X750 recently, nib claims to to be Fine but I'm sure it's closer to my other Medium Jinhao's than my Fine 599.
ClockworkCupcake said:
I've just been googling to try to find some info on a Jinhao pen, and I came across a Reddit post where someone was asking if there was a complete list of Jinhao pens anywhere. This reply amused me:
"Even Jinhao doesn't have a list of all their products. Legend has it that the first man to collect all of Jinhao's pens can summon a dragon and bring on the 7-year apocalypse"
There do seem to be rather a lot don't they!
Incidentally, the reason for my search was to try to identify what model of Jinhao my ceramic body one is. It's definitely not an X450 or X750 as I have examples of those models and can compare them, and the clip and the barrel end cap are both different to those pens.
Edit: The only model description I have been able to find so far is "Chinoiserie Blue and White Vine Ceramic"
I visited their stand at the Canton Fair trade show a few weeks back and can confirm they have lots and lots and lots. Sure not all the models are available online here though."Even Jinhao doesn't have a list of all their products. Legend has it that the first man to collect all of Jinhao's pens can summon a dragon and bring on the 7-year apocalypse"
There do seem to be rather a lot don't they!
Incidentally, the reason for my search was to try to identify what model of Jinhao my ceramic body one is. It's definitely not an X450 or X750 as I have examples of those models and can compare them, and the clip and the barrel end cap are both different to those pens.
Edit: The only model description I have been able to find so far is "Chinoiserie Blue and White Vine Ceramic"
Edited by ClockworkCupcake on Saturday 20th May 10:43
ClockworkCupcake said:
I've just been googling to try to find some info on a Jinhao pen, and I came across a Reddit post where someone was asking if there was a complete list of Jinhao pens anywhere. This reply amused me:
"Even Jinhao doesn't have a list of all their products. Legend has it that the first man to collect all of Jinhao's pens can summon a dragon and bring on the 7-year apocalypse"
There do seem to be rather a lot don't they!
Incidentally, the reason for my search was to try to identify what model of Jinhao my ceramic body one is. It's definitely not an X450 or X750 as I have examples of those models and can compare them, and the clip and the barrel end cap are both different to those pens.
Edit: The only model description I have been able to find so far is "Chinoiserie Blue and White Vine Ceramic"
It does look nice, doesn't it?"Even Jinhao doesn't have a list of all their products. Legend has it that the first man to collect all of Jinhao's pens can summon a dragon and bring on the 7-year apocalypse"
There do seem to be rather a lot don't they!
Incidentally, the reason for my search was to try to identify what model of Jinhao my ceramic body one is. It's definitely not an X450 or X750 as I have examples of those models and can compare them, and the clip and the barrel end cap are both different to those pens.
Edit: The only model description I have been able to find so far is "Chinoiserie Blue and White Vine Ceramic"
Edited by ClockworkCupcake on Saturday 20th May 10:43
If you want to buy one:-
http://tinyurl.com/mtw8bl4
The Mad Monk said:
Thats around £1.50 delivered, amazing.RizzoTheRat said:
The amusing thing about Jinhao pens is that the 6-8 weeks delivery time means you've forgotten you'd ordered any more by the time it arrives
A 992 showed up the other day in "transparent black".
LOL yes. I think I ordered mine at the same time and they only turned up yesterday. I ordered solid black and transparent brown. A 992 showed up the other day in "transparent black".
The black looks so boring that I doubt I will even open it and it will go in the drawer next to the unopened X750 also in black (I have two other X750s that are far more interesting). I'll probably give them away at some stage.
I've inked up the brown with Waterman brown ink.
As you say, it is much much lighter than the X450 and X750, due in no small part to its all plastic construction. It writes well enough, and is nice enough, but feels much of a muchness compared to my other Jinhao pens.
Unlike the X450 and X750, it is a screw cap. The converter is Jinhao's standard screw-type plunger affair.
If it were my first Jinhao pen then I'd probably be very pleased with it, but as it stands it's just more of the same to me.
Edit: I'm probably damning it with faint praise here. It's a simple yet classy design and it's actually a very nice little pen. And now I have had a look at the black one, it does look rather nice. Maybe I will use it after all.
Edited by ClockworkCupcake on Sunday 21st May 09:54
Yes, it does somewhat, Robbo.
I'm really starting to come round to the 992 now - it looks very minimalistic and classy, especially in black, apart from the wide metal band on the cap which just feels very clumsy and gauche.
It writes really well though and has a nice feel to it. I think I'm actually starting to prefer it to the bigger heavier X450 and X750.
I don't tend to post my pens, but the shortness of the 992 is right on the limit - any shorter and I'd probably need to post it.
Edit: This little pen is rapidly winning me over to the point that it could well be my favourite model in the Jinhao range so far, a place previously held by the X750.
I'm really starting to come round to the 992 now - it looks very minimalistic and classy, especially in black, apart from the wide metal band on the cap which just feels very clumsy and gauche.
It writes really well though and has a nice feel to it. I think I'm actually starting to prefer it to the bigger heavier X450 and X750.
I don't tend to post my pens, but the shortness of the 992 is right on the limit - any shorter and I'd probably need to post it.
Edit: This little pen is rapidly winning me over to the point that it could well be my favourite model in the Jinhao range so far, a place previously held by the X750.
Edited by ClockworkCupcake on Sunday 21st May 10:50
Well that escalated quickly
ClockworkCupcake said:
it feels much of a muchness compared to my other Jinhao pens.
ClockworkCupcake said:
Edit: I'm probably damning it with faint praise here. It's a simple yet classy design and it's actually a very nice little pen.
Edited by ClockworkCupcake on Sunday 21st May 09:54
ClockworkCupcake said:
I'm really starting to come round to the 992 now - it looks very minimalistic and classy, especially in black, apart from the wide metal band on the cap which just feels very clumsy and gauche.
ClockworkCupcake said:
Edit: This little pen is rapidly winning me over to the point that it could well be my favourite model in the Jinhao range so far, a place previously held by the X750.
Edited by ClockworkCupcake on Sunday 21st May 10:50
I'm on eBay at the moment, and my search term is currently "jinhao fountain pen -X450 -X750 -992 -ceramic -126 -301 -250 -599 -159"
I quite like the look of the 886 and have just accidentally bought one for the grand price of £1.54
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hot-JINHAO-886-Black-Med...
I quite like the look of the 886 and have just accidentally bought one for the grand price of £1.54
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hot-JINHAO-886-Black-Med...
I am assuming that one day these low prices will just stop.
The 886 has an attractive and distinctive cap, good choice. There are reports of it being a hard starter, so perhaps a good wash through with soapy water when it arrives. No idea why that should be a problem to this pen, no different feed or nib as compared to any other Jinhao.
The 886 has an attractive and distinctive cap, good choice. There are reports of it being a hard starter, so perhaps a good wash through with soapy water when it arrives. No idea why that should be a problem to this pen, no different feed or nib as compared to any other Jinhao.
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