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A Review Of The Jinhao X750 Vertrag - With Pictures!


arandur

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/x750-2_zps4c5ba062.jpg

 

First Impressions (7)

The elegant simplicity of this pen is impressive, and the simple, black lines are very sleek. The slight taper at the end of the barrel is a bit odd/out of place, as is the silver accent ring at the end, whose raised surface appears to serve no purpose.

 

Appearance (8)

In this pen, just as they did in the Jinhao #159, Jinhao seems to be channeling their inner Montblanc, using silver clips, barrel rings, and section fittings to offset the shiny, black fields that are the surface of the pen. While not quite as giant as the #159, this x750 still looks big and is quite a long pen (as long as a Lamy Safari, almost exactly). The nib appearance must be mentioned - it looks positively massive. However, this mirrors my past experiences with Jinhao nibs (at least, in the case of the #159. The Century had a much smaller, two-tone nib).

Note: The wear on the grip section is from use, not the default look.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/x750-1_zpsc9dde216.jpg

 

Design/Size/Weight (7)

Being mostly made from some sort of plastic with metal accents and fittings, this pen has some significant heft to it. In addition, the grip follows the design of the body and is relatively big and thick. This is probably not a good pen for people with small hands, though I cannot personally speak to the truth of this statement.

The black engraving on the cap band is clear and flawlessly done, subtly complimenting the design of the pen, rather than distracting from the overall subdued design. The clip is designed to be hefty, and it could probably withstand being clipped to a pocket were it not so tight. This brings us to my least favorite aspect of the pen: how the cap is seated. First, the cap snaps onto the body in a manner that can only be described as difficult to cap. Once the cap has been applied, it holds to the body with a death grip, requiring significant force to remove it. While the concept, here, is admirable - to design the pen so as to prevent idle uncapping - this pen takes that too far, assuming that it was ever actually part of the design, intentionally. Cap woes do not end there. Another struggle would be reached by those who seek to post the cap. Posting is something that I, personally, do not do, preferring to hold the cap or set it near my writing surface. However, in my attempts to post the cap, I discovered three things. Remember the raised accent ring on the end of the barrel? First, I further confirmed that it serves no functional purpose, such as holding the cap in a posted position. Second, it appears that the only way to firmly post the cap is to jam it, as far down over the end of the barrel, as possible. Third, any other attempt to post the pen results in a loose cap that throws off the balance, in my opinion, while holding it.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/x750-3_zps9356028b.jpg

 

Nib (8)

The nib is huge - there is no other way to say it, yet its medium width is not much narrower than a European medium. In part on account of the feed design, this nib is a very wet writer, which can lead to some spread on various paper. Overall, the nib is quite smooth for not being high-priced.

 

Filling System (9)

This pen is a standard cartridge converter. Unlike some Jinhao pens, which come with very cheaply-made converters, this one’s converter is a very solid and non-flimsy plastic. The use of standard international cartridges (long or short) in this pen is a plus, in my book, versus the use of any proprietary cartridges. Overall, a well-designed and well-chosen option for the filling system is used. To access the cartridges or converter, the barrel is simply unscrewed from the section. Also, the barrel is long enough to store a second, short, standard international cartridge, if desired.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/x750-4_zpsc7a4a75c.jpg

 

Cost and Value (6)

It should be noted, for clarification, that this x750 is the original Jinhao version and not the modified and re-branded Bulow version, as sold by xFountainPens.com/Paramount Goods, LLC. While I do not feel that the approximately 15 USD for this pen is extravagant (the pen certainly has solid construction and decent quality to it), it may be about 50% more than the pen is actually worth.

 

Conclusion (8)

(7.5 actual score)

In closing, I can really only see two very broad situations under which the purchase of this pen would be a good idea. The first is, if you are wanting to try a pen by Jinhao. This and the Century (also by Jinhao) are good-looking pens that should provide a decent writing experience with little adjustment of the nibs. This leads into the second scenario, where you are looking for a fairly inexpensive pen. In this area, Jinhao certainly provides, while also making their pens very functional.

Despite the use of proprietary cartridges, I think I would recommend the Pilot Metropolitan over the Jinhao x750 for a classy-looking pen at approximately the same price point. The nib versatility of the Metropolitan wins over the cartridge and converter difference, and the Metropolitan carries slightly more consistent performance than this, the Jinhao x750.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/x750-5_zps86e8b80c.jpg

 

This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.

Built from Ink and Tea: A Blog about Lego, Fountain Pens, and...Tea!



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Where do you find that your fingers hold this pen? With the long nig, and short section, do you end up holding it on the ring cuff?

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Where do you find that your fingers hold this pen? With the long nig, and short section, do you end up holding it on the ring cuff?

Excellent question - I found that my fingers were, in part, holding the metal band between the nib and the grip.

Built from Ink and Tea: A Blog about Lego, Fountain Pens, and...Tea!



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Very nicely done. My experience exactly, with two exceptions.

1) The feed with a hole in the bottom works fine, but the other feed runs dry,

requiring occasional tweeking with a twist of the converter.

2) I don't post the cap of any pen. The x750 is good for lending because it

can't be harmed. It's a war club !

 

Thank you for an easily read narative. More to come, I hope.

Auf freiem Grund mit freiem Volke stehn.
Zum Augenblicke dürft ich sagen:
Verweile doch, du bist so schön !

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Very nicely done. My experience exactly, with two exceptions.

1) The feed with a hole in the bottom works fine, but the other feed runs dry,

requiring occasional tweeking with a twist of the converter.

2) I don't post the cap of any pen. The x750 is good for lending because it

can't be harmed. It's a war club !

 

Thank you for an easily read narative. More to come, I hope.

It truly is a very solid, hefty pen! Absolutely more to come.

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I have two of these - both really nice writers. One of them is a fairly wide medium, the other actually behaves like a medium stub. For the money their writing performance is pretty hard to fault and outshines several more expensive members of my collection.

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Excellent question - I found that my fingers were, in part, holding the metal band between the nib and the grip.

Was this awkward or comfortable and natural?

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Excellent question - I found that my fingers were, in part, holding the metal band between the nib and the grip.

Was this awkward or comfortable and natural?

Because the grip was entirely cylindrical, as was that ring, I found it comfortable. It certainly was not awkward, as it might have been, had I been using a pen like a Lamy Safari with the triangular grip that near-on forces you to hold it on the grip itself. Likewise with the grip on the Jinhao/Bülow x450, where part of the grip is a set triangular, textured area. If that pen is not held on that area, there is some discomfort. An important extra point here is just how short the grip section on the x750 is, as compared to the Safari or the x450. I will take a picture today or tomorrow, when I have all three pens in the same place, and post it here for comparison.

(Inside Information: I will be reviewing the x450, soon!)

Edited by arandur

Built from Ink and Tea: A Blog about Lego, Fountain Pens, and...Tea!



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Thanks for a nice review and sharing! I have a X750 myself and is quite satisfied. As opposed to your pen mine does note require excessive force to uncap. I haven't tried posting it; I generally prefer not to, unless the pen is a little too small for my hands (#9 gloves).Due to its size I dont have to. Mine is in ebony; while by some considered a strange pen color I find it classy looking and quite conservatitve, the exception beeing the black writing on the cap band. My only hesitation is that is seems to dry out a little quick, but I have only used it with Diamine cartridges and will not judge it based on that. My experience with the mentioned one is rather limited. I keep it at work and due to a busy travel schedule there can be several weeks between each use. I had to pull it apart the other week for total cleaning, and is came apart quite easy. Nib is friction fit (very smooth by the way) end came off easily; feed is similar (look identical) to the one on my Monteverde invincia and is probably standard.

 

Overall I like it and is satisfied; not exceptionally but good enough. At appx $10 the cost/value is good.

 

Just my 2 cent.

Favorite of the day: Nakaya Naka-ai Heki tame.
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Excellent question - I found that my fingers were, in part, holding the metal band between the nib and the grip.

Was this awkward or comfortable and natural?

Because the grip was entirely cylindrical, as was that ring, I found it comfortable. It certainly was not awkward, as it might have been, had I been using a pen like a Lamy Safari with the triangular grip that near-on forces you to hold it on the grip itself. Likewise with the grip on the Jinhao/Bülow x450, where part of the grip is a set triangular, textured area. If that pen is not held on that area, there is some discomfort. An important extra point here is just how short the grip section on the x750 is, as compared to the Safari or the x450. I will take a picture today or tomorrow, when I have all three pens in the same place, and post it here for comparison.

(Inside Information: I will be reviewing the x450, soon!)

Here is the promised picture. From left to right: Jinhao x750, Bülow x450, Lamy Safari.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/morvaltur/Fountain%20Pens/photo_zps66941cdc.jpg

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Here is the promised picture. From left to right: Jinhao x750, Bülow x450, Lamy Safari.

 

Awesome, and thank you for your thorough reply. Very helpful!

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Here is the promised picture. From left to right: Jinhao x750, Bülow x450, Lamy Safari.

 

Awesome, and thank you for your thorough reply. Very helpful!

Not at all a problem! I enjoy doing comparisons like these.

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srebrown, on youtube, had startup problems with both these jinhao's (450, 750), to the point that I was discouraged. Have you had any similar problems with startup or ink flow? Hard starts are too annoying, and for me I would rather pay more than suffer having to retrace letters to get things going. But I also don't have much money to spend on expensive pens. And I like variety, so that my daily carry can have a good bit of variety day to day, week to week....

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srebrown, on youtube, had startup problems with both these jinhao's (450, 750), to the point that I was discouraged. Have you had any similar problems with startup or ink flow? Hard starts are too annoying, and for me I would rather pay more than suffer having to retrace letters to get things going. But I also don't have much money to spend on expensive pens. And I like variety, so that my daily carry can have a good bit of variety day to day, week to week....

With the Jinhao x750, I had no starting issues. I also have a Jinhao #159, which has never had starting issues, either (though it is a very wet writer). Of two Jinhao Century pens that I gave, as gifts, one of them has starting issues with ink drying in the nib, and the other has no problems.

When I did a brief test of my Bülow x450, it acted okay with fine startup and minimal skipping. However, inspecting the nib, I found that the feed did not properly conform to it, and I plan to re-form the feed. That being said, I also got my x450, used, from someone else, so I do not know, if the flaw was originally there.

For a very consistent pen at this price, I have to recommend the Pilot Metropolitan over the x450 or x750. I have had zero problems with my Metropolitan, and I carry it daily.

Edited by arandur

Built from Ink and Tea: A Blog about Lego, Fountain Pens, and...Tea!



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