Jinhao 699 Informal Review

November 8, 2017

I was surprised to find no review of this pen at FPN though it has been on eBay for years -- certainly before the much better known 599 Safari clone. I did find a number of passing references, mostly quite positive. They run about $5 US on eBay.

The pen itself is a cross between a Safari clone and a more conventional fountain pen. Safari touches include flats on two sides of the barrel, with the brand name on one, and flats on the section, though those are less pronounced than on the Safari. I find the 699 feels fine in my hand, while the Safari and its clones are not comfortable. On the more traditional side we get an enameled metal cap and barrel (but light at 21g inked), and a more or less normal size clip and traditional open nib. The clip, though, is unusual in being slightly wider than usual and having seven rectangular cut-outs making it look like a ladder. The nib and section look to me to be the same as in the 599, though I am no expert on such things and did not extract them for detailed analysis. Like the 599, but unlike the Safari and its other clones, it takes standard international cartridges. Like all of the above it comes in many different colors, and if you buy one of each the price gets down to about $3.

The first (pink) 699 I bought some years ago was an OK writer -- nothing special but good enough that I kept it. Looks also were nothing special, though it was not something I would be ashamed to be seen with in public, as are many Chinese or Italian pens. Recently I was looking for more green pens to match my green inks and purchased another 699. The new one wrote much better, which prompted me to reexamine the old one. A minor alignment of the tines soon had that one writing very well, too.

The Jinhao 599 and 992 are cheaper, but they also have had issues with cracking and breaking of their plastic caps and barrels. This might be a good alternative if you like how those pens write but would like something sturdier. (My older pink one now has a paint chip about the same area as a 1mm circle, but this does not affect its functioning.) Another choice is the Jinhao 991 that has not had durability issues so far. The 699 is also an option for those who find the sharp edges on the Safari section uncomfortable. I would say it looks classier and more professional than those other Jinhaos but YMMV.

Right now you can find loads of pictures on eBay much better than I could produce. I note there is also a hooded nib version about which I know nothing. If you can't find pictures on eBay it means the pen is no longer available so it's a moot point anyway;-)

October 15, 2018

Since this was written a year ago people have been reporting cracks in the plastic of the 991 and one of my 599s broke making the 699 a more attractive choice if you seek a more durable pen with similar nib. There is also the cheaper 886 in the same nib, also made of metal.