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Thread: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    I should have mentioned the WS 601. If find mine is sometimes very smooth and sometimes not on the same paper. I only use Waterman inks. Of course a light touch is always a good idea I remind myself when evaluating a nib.

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    I have shortlisted these: Jinhao 911 (metal body version), WS 618, WS 3008/3009, WS 601.

    Walmart has the JH 911 for $6.22 and free shiping here. Not too much money to risk it :-).

    WS 618 from here.

    WS 601 (available here and reasonable shipping time) looks quite interesting (along with the filling mechanism). But I couldn't find too many reviews on Amazon for it.

    The other option would be to go std/un-hooded nibs and Pilot Metropolitan (but that ring delineating the grip from the barrel makes me nervous). Or Platinum Plaisir (not sure how durable though?)

    Shape-wise: Something with a uniform body would be ideal - no rings, threads, or sudden reduction in girth, between the grip and barrel. Hero 616 / 329 is obsessive (simplistic design, and 329 has only a very thin silvery ring, and not protruding to the fingers).

    What other FP online stores exist besides hisnibs.com, which are able to do a quality check + nib "meistering"?

    Still afraid of not getting burned with the Chinese models, and I'm not crafty with doing nib adjustments myself.

    Thanks again for the ideas.
    Last edited by smihaila; February 3rd, 2021 at 01:02 AM.

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    Senior Member christof's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Why don't you just buy a nice Parker 45 with semi-hooded nib instead of these chinese pens? It's a classic!



    EDIT: I just read the entire thread. The Parker 45 was recommended several times. please excuse the repetition. But if you're interested, drop me a PM.
    Last edited by christof; February 3rd, 2021 at 03:52 AM.

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Quote Originally Posted by carlos.q View Post
    About a year ago I bought two Jinhao 911 pens with extra fine 0.38mm nibs for about $5.00. These pens resemble a Parker 51 flighter but use a converter. The nib in one of the pens was ok, the other was very smooth.
    I like the idea of a 51 copy with a converter. Never tried one but it looks good.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by carlos.q View Post
    About a year ago I bought two Jinhao 911 pens with extra fine 0.38mm nibs for about $5.00. These pens resemble a Parker 51 flighter but use a converter. The nib in one of the pens was ok, the other was very smooth.
    I like the idea of a 51 copy with a converter. Never tried one but it looks good.
    I have a Hero 616 with converter. Pastel colors. It's okay, but I prefer the originals with their squeeze fillers.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Quote Originally Posted by christof View Post
    Why don't you just buy a nice Parker 45 with semi-hooded nib instead of these chinese pens? It's a classic!
    I would, but the general consensus was that, considering the price point, it would be a hit-and-miss: no certainty on the nib quality & overall state of the pen (via e-bay).
    Also, does the Parker 45 get a consistent filling mechanism, i.e. a twist converter?

    Thank you.

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    usually, the Parker 45 comes with a squeeze converter

    ...as already said, let me know if you're interested and we will find a deal.

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    I'd think you could find a Parker 21 for 20, probably even an unused one. For a bit more you could find a Parker 21 Super.

    There is the 45 as mentioned with a semi hooded nib, easily found for 20.

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    smihaila (February 4th, 2021)

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Parker's current twist converter and cartridges fit the Parker 45.

    You can replace the old squeeze convertors with the current range of Parker convertors, or cartridge.

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    smihaila (February 4th, 2021)

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Quote Originally Posted by Farmboy View Post
    I'd think you could find a Parker 21 for 20, probably even an unused one.
    Yes, Parker 21 are cool pens!

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Status update, 10 days later: I've tried my luck with the Jinhao 911, for $6.22, and which just arrived today. Absolutely no careful packaging - just a little plastic pouch from USPS, no harder protection inside, no invoice. And pen was placed just inside another tiny plastic transparent bag without any "original" paper rectangular box or something. The cap wasn't even firmly closed on it but just hanging there. It actually got shipped from China via another intermediary shipping company named KWT.

    The pen, including the cap, weighs half of the $10 Hero 3019 that I had before (and which is a bad writer)

    But boy ... the Jinhao writes so smoothly, like on butter. Not scratchy at all, not skippy, no hard starts, and it picks up even after you let it sit unused (and capped) for several hours. It writes so easily, fluidly and without any effort at all, thus bringing back my pleasure of writing.

    The nib is advertised as EF, 0.38 mm, but it writes about as thick as the previous "Hero" (which was sold as F).

    A well-made $6.22 investment. Now I've got lucky with the nib / quality control lottery, and I am extremely happy!

    Thank you all for all the great advice and suggestions!
    Last edited by smihaila; February 13th, 2021 at 05:48 PM.

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    carlos.q (February 13th, 2021), Jon Szanto (February 13th, 2021), Sailor Kenshin (February 13th, 2021)

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    We all like happy endings...

  17. #33
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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Happy endings are usually much more expensive...

    (I’m talking about Parker 51s... dunno what you’re thinking about...)


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    (Parker - very probably 45 - would've been next on my list, had the Chinese route disappointed again. It's good to be aware of it anyway, as a viable option, just in case.)

  19. #35
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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    I just happened across THIS, and thought of this thread.

    Zebra V-301 Fountain pen. Looks hooded to me, the medium is probably closer to fine, and it's $5 or so. Maybe worth a try...
    "A truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Quote Originally Posted by dneal View Post
    I just happened across THIS, and thought of this thread.

    Zebra V-301 Fountain pen. Looks hooded to me, the medium is probably closer to fine, and it's $5 or so. Maybe worth a try...
    Oh noooooo.... That is the only pen I have thrown in the garbage! It is a worthless piece of junk that has a wick instead of a feeder.

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    dneal (February 20th, 2021)

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    Default Re: Looking for smooth-writing F or EF hooded pens under $20

    Quote Originally Posted by carlos.q View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by dneal View Post
    I just happened across THIS, and thought of this thread.

    Zebra V-301 Fountain pen. Looks hooded to me, the medium is probably closer to fine, and it's $5 or so. Maybe worth a try...
    Oh noooooo.... That is the only pen I have thrown in the garbage! It is a worthless piece of junk that has a wick instead of a feeder.
    I know. They take forever to saturate, but once they do, they write. And write.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    dneal (February 20th, 2021)

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