So I am trying a fountain pen for the first time.

[EBE]

Being that I am one to like vintage stuff, I decided to try an inexpensive fountain pen so see if I thought I might like writing with one.

I ended up getting a cheapy Jinhao 159 along with some Private Reserve ink cartridges.

I work in banking so about the only thing that I use the pen for is signing documents-not checks, because I can't use enough pressure with it to go through the carbons.

I am also left handed, so I run the risk of smearing sometimes was well.

I seem to like it though and will probably advance to something a little nicer in the future!

Has anyone else had experience with the cheapy Jinhao??

EBE

 

[Slivovitz]

I have the same model; which I threw in as an impulse buy extra when ordering some other things. It turned out not to be bad at all, rather a smooth writer. I haven't inked it since that first time, mostly because I do have better pens, but also because it's a bit fatter than I like. Nothing wrong with it, though, although obviously I haven't used it enough to vouch for durability. If you were having a bad experience with yours, I'd say don't judge all fountain pens by it, as sometimes the cheap ones don't have as good quality control, and a bad one is more likely to slip through. If you like it, though, it's a good chance to take your time learning the quirks of fountain pens before you spend more on another one.

 

[Andy]

Picked up quite a few JinHao FPs when I first started, PIFed a few and still have a few in my collection.
Nibs are a little broad for my liking nowadays, but they are still a great, well priced pen.

 

[RLD]

I recently started writing with fountain pens and I am also a lefty. I just purchased a Jinhao X450 and I enjoy the way it writes. I agree the line is a little thick, but it writes smooth and starts the first time. The only issue I had, was when the converter was about 1/3 full, I had to twist the converter down a little to keep the flow going. I think these pens are well worth the small investment. With any AD, just a stepping stone to bigger and better purchases.

 

[midway]

I picked up a FP in the classifieds on a whim. It's been a few decades since I had written with one. Bottom line is it was a pleasure to write with one again, all though I did not particularly enjoy the specific pen. I soon picked up a Pelikan 205 and couldn't be happier.

 

[Eeyore]

I am also a left hander, and a long time fountain pen user. You might want to try the Parker IM for an inexpensive but well made pen. Basically it is the Vector nib with a better body.

 

[LouieGrandie]

Going through carbons is a constant problems with fountain pens. There is really no easy solution. I have found that my Pilot M90 works well at this but it is also a SOLID stainless steel nib. I was lucky and got one when it first came out for $165 from a local store. On E-Bay they are now going for $400-$500 as only a limited number were built.

 

[Snargle]

My vintage Sheaffers have nibs stiff enough to hammer through a 2 x 4. A couple of carbon copies shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Eeyore]

My Balance with a needle point nib eats carbon copies for breakfast as well lol

 

[Aristeros]

Just got a few ChinaCheapies myself, and I am a lefty. Curious to see how it goes!