Duke 600 \ Jade Girl \ Chaste Lady

July 21, 2014

Hello!

So, I'm looking for an EF pen, and after digging a hole in my ebay, I found this one (that I liked more than any other pen I've found so far). Sadly, there are no reviews I could find of the pen, and I don't like buying a pen that wasn't reviewed (this is going to be my main pen, I wouldn't like it to be (bleep) up).

So, I'd like to ask, does anybody here own the pen? Or have ever used it?

If so, what are your opinions?

This is the page on ebay for the pen

If you look up Duke 600 or Duke Chaste Lady it'll give you mostly ballpoint pens, M nibs, some pens that claim to be F or EF but aren't hooded, and fude pens. You won't find this particular pen with those searches. You'll also see many other colours, but there are only purple and black pens with this particular nib.

Thank you for your time!

-Winter Skylar V.

July 21, 2014

Skylar,

On FPN we have a slight problem with the Chinese pens. There are literally thousands of different models, and not many are reviewed by FPN members due to the fact that relatively few are sold outside China. We rely on members risking their cash and taking the time to write a review of the pens. Unfortunately many Chinese manufacturers change their models so fast we just can't keep up.

As a result we tend to rely more than we should on the brand name.

Duke, Kaigelu, Crocodile and Picasso tend to have better reputations than others, and you are most likely to get a good pen from these manufacturers. However not all of the pens will be perfect and may well need some work.

Hero is also a good maker, but seems to be faked a lot, so its reputation could well have taken a hit due to the number of fakes that are not always identified as such.

Slightly less good but pretty reliable are Jinhao/Baoer (same company).

With most others it's pot luck whether you get a good pen.

So, even though there is no review of the Duke, you have a better than average chance of getting a good pen, because it's a 'Duke'.

If you do get one, please could you post a review, so the next person looking for the pen will find it?

Looks like an interesting shape, though.

Regards,

Richard.

July 21, 2014

Skylar,

On FPN we have a slight problem with the Chinese pens. There are literally thousands of different models, and not many are reviewed by FPN members due to the fact that relatively few are sold outside China. We rely on members risking their cash and taking the time to write a review of the pens. Unfortunately many Chinese manufacturers change their models so fast we just can't keep up.

As a result we tend to rely more than we should on the brand name.
Duke, Kaigelu, Crocodile and Picasso tend to have better reputations than others, and you are most likely to get a good pen from these manufacturers. However not all of the pens will be perfect and may well need some work.

Hero is also a good maker, but seems to be faked a lot, so its reputation could well have taken a hit due to the number of fakes that are not always identified as such.

Slightly less good but pretty reliable are Jinhao/Baoer (same company).

With most others it's pot luck whether you get a good pen.

So, even though there is no review of the Duke, you have a better than average chance of getting a good pen, because it's a 'Duke'.
If you do get one, please could you post a review, so the next person looking for the pen will find it?

Looks like an interesting shape, though.

Regards,

Richard.

I see. I heard Duke and Kaigelu are two of the most advocated chinese companies both on FPN and in some other places. I think I'll take my risk with this one, but note that my review will only be noobish, as my knowledge of fountain pens equates to my knowledge of saxophones! (I can play one, but I know very little about the operation, unlike I know of flutes and pianos! ha!)

Thank you for your answer