Has anybody got this Chinese Duofold replica?

[GeorgeSK]

I came across this open, which looks like a Duofold replica or copy on Ebay. The price is very tempting, around $13.

 

Has anybody got this pen? Can you share your experiences with this pen? Is it worth it?

Edited August 31, 2009 by GeorgeSK

[dogpoet]

It looks like a Huashilai. No idea what model it is, though.

[LouisA]

Is it worth it? It's $13.00! At worst you are out what about $20 with shipping. I have a number of Chinese pens that write better than a lot of my expensive pens.

Edited August 31, 2009 by LouisA

[I am not a number]

See what the pen is called on the website and then have a look in our review section to see if it is featured.

 

And welcome to the FPN!

[GeorgeSK]

See what the pen is called on the website and then have a look in our review section to see if it is featured.

 

And welcome to the FPN!

 

Thanks for the nice welcome.

 

Unfortunately, it is listed only as B31 CELLULOID 18KGP IRIDIUM MEDIUM FOUNTAIN PEN. But thanks for the advice anyway.

Edited August 31, 2009 by GeorgeSK

[OldGriz]

Check out isellpens.com He might be selling the same pen so you will know what it is...

Also you might actually do better from him by the time you add in shipping from overseas.... and he stands by his products...

[two2tone]

Looks like a Kaigelu to me.

 

Twotone

 

http://isellpens.com/kaigelu.html

 

 

[GeorgeSK]

Looks like a Kaigelu to me.

 

Twotone

 

http://isellpens.com/kaigelu.html

 

I checked the pen with another Chinese pen seller and found one picture witch included the logo. I don't think it s a Keigelu, as it has a Kangaroo logo and this is different. Also, the Keigelu has a screw cap, as the original Duofold, but this hasn't.

Edited August 31, 2009 by GeorgeSK

[Jimmy James]

The Kaigelus do not have a screw cap -- they have a screw in converter.

 

I agree that's no Kaigelu I have seen before. I'd personally suggest going with a surer thing and buying a Kaigelu 322 for less than $20 from Todd.

[FrankB]

Welcome aboard!

 

The pen is only $13 (USD?). Why not give it a try?

[jleeper]

I can't quite explain why, but this pen doesn't quite look like the Kaigelu to me. Close, but I don't think it's the same pen that isellpens has. (I've been drooling for one of the Kaigelu. I've been spending too much on FP's, but I'll have one soon) And it's not just the black cap that's making me think its not the same pen. The quality of the celluloid does not look the same at least in these pictures.

 

comeon1788 has a system for the ID's used. 'B' is typically used for Lanbo. The system isn't absolute, but if I thought this was a Kaigelu, I'd have one on the way by now.

 

Todd does say the Kaigulu's have a 'twist type' cap and the picture of the White Viened Kaigelu 316 seems to show some treading for the cap.

Edited August 31, 2009 by jleeper

[Jimmy James]

So they do. I'm far more familiar with the very similar 322, which does not have a screw on cap.

[rwilsonedn]

Looks awfully, but not exactly, like a Bookworm, for instance http://cgi.ebay.com/BOOKWORM-702-BLUE-MARB...id=p3286.c0.m14

If that's what it is, I believe there have been some pretty positive comments and reviews here.

ron

[parilla]

I have one! It is about the same diameter as a Duofold Centennial, slightly longer when capped, although the pen without barrell is slightly shorter. It has a pull off type cap and posts ok. As far as writing goes, it writes out of the box as well as two of my Duofolds did and much better than my third. It is a very heavy pen...it feels considerably heavier than my Centennials. The barrell is fairly transparent. Is it as good as the real thing? Well, I find the cap a little difficult to pull off (not TOO bad), I dont like the barrell transparency very much...BUT it writes beautifully, just as well as the Duofold, and it looks very attractive. Of course, if you are a Duofold fan you cant help looking at the differences between the pens, and that isnt really fair. If you are looking for a big, heavy bold pen that writes perfectly, why not go for it? By the way, I cant find any brand identification on mine.

[Jimmy James]

Looks awfully, but not exactly, like a Bookworm, for instance http://cgi.ebay.com/BOOKWORM-702-BLUE-MARB...id=p3286.c0.m14

If that's what it is, I believe there have been some pretty positive comments and reviews here.

ron

My guess is that a lot of these non-Hero non-Duke models (possibly including Bookworm and Kaigelu) may be produced in the same factory. Some Bookworms and Kaigelu models are based on a plastic body with a metal (brass?) interior to add weight.

 

If that's the case, it's not a huge shock that a model with a very Kaigelu-like cap and a Bookworm like barrel might surface.

[steveh6883]

Hi

 

I'm watching one that has the exact same pictures on eBay UK & they are calling it a 'NOBLEST ORANGE MARBLY GOLDED WHORL M NIB FOUNTAIN PEN'

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

I have a couple of other non-Hero/non-Duke Chinese pens & they all write beautifully, can be considered by some to be a bit heavy, but I think the wieght adds to the feel of the pen, BUT fit & finish on a couple I have had have been dubious to say the least - one I actually had to superglue the end cap & lid cap back in they were so loose, but once that was done (10secs) I was a very happy chappie with them

[yellowecho]

This pen is a "Classic" (that is the brand name, not a comment on its appearance). I have one, but have not inked it as yet. I have another Classic that is quite nice. I am guessing (but it is only a guess), that it is a sub brand of Jinhao, or Bookworm. Bookworm have a similar even cheaper pen with identical orange/black marbled translucent plastic, but with a fine hooded nib. The bookworm is also available in black/white "cracked ice", translucent blue marbled, and a new white/yellow/black marbled.

[txinsk]

The symbol on the top of the cap is the same as the one on the nib of my Huashilai. Definitely not the same pen, but I can say that I am very happy with my Huashilai.

 

Rick

[Rabidferret]

I can't quite explain why, but this pen doesn't quite look like the Kaigelu to me. Close, but I don't think it's the same pen that isellpens has. (I've been drooling for one of the Kaigelu. I've been spending too much on FP's, but I'll have one soon) And it's not just the black cap that's making me think its not the same pen. The quality of the celluloid does not look the same at least in these pictures.

 

comeon1788 has a system for the ID's used. 'B' is typically used for Lanbo. The system isn't absolute, but if I thought this was a Kaigelu, I'd have one on the way by now.

 

Todd does say the Kaigulu's have a 'twist type' cap and the picture of the White Viened Kaigelu 316 seems to show some treading for the cap.

 

I'll second the recommendation for Kaigelu. I recently purchased a 221 from Todd at isellpens.com for use as a notebook pen. The nib is incredibly smooth for a pen > $20 and the feed is surprisingly well-behaved. I left it and a Picasso for about a week without use (misplaced my planner, actually). The Kaigleu started right up while the Picasso needed a bit of cajoling. The only issue is the pen is so small it gets uncomfortable sometimes - it's even smaller than I had expected (just over 4.5" capped, 5.5" posted, around 0.25"). I've been resisting buying one of the larger Kaigleus on Isellpens.com as I'm putting money away for a Pelikan, but hopefully they'll have the same quality as my little 221. Todd at Isellpens.com has a model that is close to the Duofold in appearance, as that seems to be your object.

 

No affiliation with isellpens.com by the way - satisfied customer.

 

- Jon

[dogpoet]

The symbol on the top of the cap is the same as the one on the nib of my Huashilai. Definitely not the same pen, but I can say that I am very happy with my Huashilai.

 

Rick

You're right: both of my Huashilais have the same symbol on the nib.