Any particular chinese pens to recommend as a good starter?
Definitely - you can't go wrong with the
- Jinhao x750 (ballpoint)
- Jinhao 601 (ballpoint)
Get one, or the other,
or both.
They are both that good.
The 601 is a tiny bit shorter and a bit slimmer than the x750. The x750 is what I'd call a full size pen (think over-ear headphones), whereas the 601 is like an on-ear headphone. In contrast, a Parker or Cross pen are about half the diameter of the 601. The 601 is about the size and thickness of a Sharpie marker. The x750 is 1/2" longer and about 1/8" thicker the the 601.
Don't get me wrong, the stock Jinhao ink cartridges that come with them are fine. Try the pen first and make sure you like the thickness, balance, weight, etc. Then when the stock refill is out of ink, switch to a better quality refill. You can match the refill up at any Staples/Office Max/Office Depot, of if you know which refill will fit just order them on Amazon or ebay. I like Parker, Fisher Space Pen, and Schmidt Easy Flow 9000 (gel ink) refills.
You may have to tweak a pen to get the aftermarket refill to fit. I think on one of mine I pulled off a plastic plug from the back of the used up genuine refill, and used it as a "spacer" to get the new better quality refill to fit. I'd have to check. But again, the OEM Jinhao refills will get the job done, and you can buy them in bulk for really cheap (I wanna say qty 5 or 10 for like a buck each).
As far as the styles of each of the ones I listed, they come in dozens of colors and finishes. My favorite are the stainless (called silver) finish on the x750, and on the 601 my favorite is the "Pure Silver" color (the same one I posted in the 1st photo). It's high polished/chrome brass, and it has a fine etching in it that makes it look like a multi-$100 pen.
In over 2 years the finish on both the 601 and x750 have never discolored, flaked off, peeled, etc. They look as great now as the day I bought them, and I use them both a lot.
The photos I posted really don't do the justice. Seriously, you will be shocked when you get them and are like "I paid HOW MUCH for these pens?" haha
I buy them from ebay. Just search for "Jinhao 601 -fountain" and "Jinhao x750 -fountain" and you will find them. The "-fountain" is to make sure you exclude the fountain pen versions of the same pens.
There are other Chinese brands that I've tried, but for the same price the Jinhaos are made twice as good in regards to quality and look considerably more expensive than the other competitor's Chi-Pens.
The other nice thing about these beefier pens is they are easier and more comfortable to write with. I'm not elderly nor do I have arthritis, but imagine writing with a Sharpie marker all day vs writing with a slim #2 pencil. The Sharpie just fits the hand better, and there's less cramping/fatigue.
The x750 also has an ergonomic shaped "finger grip" section where you hold it. The 601 is knurled aluminum, but it's still very grippy and comfortable to use.
If you're interested, I'd be happy to take better photos of each (cap on and off, measurements of each, etc).
