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A trio of Jinhao 20. Happy birthday to me 🥳 (media.piefed.social)

submitted 3 months ago by JayGray91@piefed.social to c/fountainpens@lemmy.world

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Ever since I knew about the Vanishing Point, I've always wanted to try one. But I don't want the hassle of buying an expensive pen and having to sell it if I don't like it.

So ever since Majohn made the A1 and A2, I always wanted to buy them to try click fountain pens. I can only guess and lay out many ~~excuses~~ reasons why I waited until Jinhao's second shot at click fountain pens to get one. But not only that I gambled with 3!

But so far I am pleased with all three. Read that jinhao's model might have more QC variable what with some that dry out in minutes. Going with fine is perfectly fine for me.

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[–] Lasherz12@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

My favorite EDC one handed pen is the Lamy Dialog (which took me a long time to get up the gumption to buy), but the VP variants are really awesome if you use them all day long. I worked at a bank for a while and would go through a fill a day with my pilot vp. Highly recommended for a unique and convenient experience.

As others have said, if you don't use them every day or other day you'll run into dry problems. Even Mondays after a weekend I'd usually have to fill that morning to avoid issues.

[–] JayGray91@piefed.social 1 points 3 months ago

Yes, I've gotten a dry start today on the 17th after not writing with them since the 15th. Guess I can start my journallimh on paper books early than my planned "New Year's resolution".

So far, I really like the style. Maybe someday I can buy a VP if money permits.

[–] mongooseofrevenge@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

I have one A2 and Two A1s. The A2 dries out quickly if not used frequently or with wet enough ink. The A2s are great though and I usually have one of the group always inked up since they are so convenient to write with.

I also have a VP with a medium nib. It's a bit broad for my everyday writing bit I ink it up anyway since it's so nice. I'd like to get a grind on it someday. I say that first, its a pilot nib. They are soft and as smooth as butter. And two, the action is smoother and the way the nib unit fits ends up seating a lot better. I also don't worry about dry out nearly as much. If you like these, you'll love a VP.

Clones can get a bad reputation but sometimes they hit the right mix of cheap, quality, and functionality: moonman A1/A2, jinhao 82, Junlai 630. They may not be what they imitate but for ~$20-40 they are still solid pens.

[–] JayGray91@piefed.social 2 points 3 months ago

I'm liking it so far. Yes, didn't write anything since the 15th to today on the 17th, I had a dryvstart with the black the most. Purple and orange is a bit dry to start but quickly writes well enough. I wouldn't blame the inks in this case as I knew them well and this must be the quality of $15 clone pens :P

[–] Sxan@piefed.zip 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I love VP pens; I guess it was inevitable they'd be cloned.

I haven't minded þe nibs on my (few) China-origin pens. Þey tend to not have as much flex as I like, but I wonder if þis too will change over time as quality continues to improve.

Your clones may be great pens, and if so, win! If you like writing wiþ þem it's obviously þe most important þing. However, testing a clone will tell you nearly noþing about what it's like to write wiþ or use an original. Most of an FP writing experience derives from þe nib and feed, neiþer of which be at all similar in þe clone to þe original.

I want to be clear: I'm not saying a clone will be worse; it's entirely possible for a clone to write better þan an original, especially factoring in personal taste. It just won't be anyþing like the same.

[–] JayGray91@piefed.social 1 points 3 months ago

You don't have to preach to me how it won't be the same. I've tried a Lamy 2000 and know there are clones of it, and I know it won't be the dame even without getting the clones.

But those are at least "normal pens".

VP is just different enough that I'd want to try a clone first. And besides, the patent for the mechanism has ended. The two Chinese branda that have the VP style, Majohn and Jinhao, at least waited for it to end and do their version.

I didn't decide to get them lightly. Even with cheap things I do research first because money is money no matter how cheap something is. The 20s getsvthe job done enough and sometimes exceed VP owners' expectations from what I gather from youtube and reddit.

Though honestly I don't have to justify anything but your tone made me defensive. And annoying to read :P