Lamy Vs. Jinhao

[1930artdeco]

Well I know this has probably been covered a bit but I would like to through in my 2 cents worth of info. I purchased a Lamy Safari for my first fountain pen and then another member sent me a Jinhao to try and compare to. Well after writing more than I normally do at work I have reached a definitive conclusion. But here are my thoughts on these to pens.

 

Lamy: Jinhao:

Nib-Fine Extra fine-fine

Feel-Solid and well built Solid but feels a bit on the cheap side

Quality-Great Fine

Ease of writing-Great Fine

 

Both pens write very well but I have to give the edge to the Lamy. It just feels better in my hand and writes just a tad smoother. Neither pen skip unless running out of ink. So as far a beginners or everyday pen I would highly recommend both pens. And since the Jinhao was given to me I will pass it on to someone as a beginner pen if they would like it.

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WateryFlow]

Don't forget to mention that the Lamy costs 15 times more(i assume you're comparing with the 599). I would still sooner take the Jinhao over the Lamy any day

Edited February 2, 2015 by WateryFlow

[Asian8640]

@1930artdeco, What color safari did you pick up?. Are you using cartridge or converter to fill both pens?

@Wateryflow,I'm assuming you'd take the Jinhao because it accepts non-proprietary cartridges and converters?

Edited February 2, 2015 by Asian8640

[WateryFlow]

@Wateryflow,I'm assuming you'd take the Jinhao because it accepts non-proprietary cartridges and converters?

No, that's not important to me. I would choose the Jinhao because they write much better and don't have that infamous narrow Lamy sweet spot. The coating on my Lamy started flaking after only a few weeks, and their nibs(I have most of them) are pants.

Edited February 2, 2015 by WateryFlow

[Doug C]

Don't forget to mention that the Lamy costs 15 times more(i assume you're comparing with the 599). I would still sooner take the Jinhao over the Lamy any day

fuzzy math???

[pearlfection]

I would always choose every Lamy over a Jinhao. For me it is a question of aesthetics. I love the industrial design.

[Last Knight]

fuzzy math???

Most of the Lamy Safaris I've seen retail (online) for around 30USD.

 

Jinhao 599s are available via the bay of evil for about $2 and change USD.

 

The math is slightly fuzzy, especially since the Jinhaos at that price are usually being bought en masse (a set of 12, for example), but not as much as you're implying.

 

I really like the Jinhaos, especially since I tend to be very rough on personal possessions. The non-proprietary cartridge also makes them preferable to me. I have not, however, used a Lamy of any colour, and so can't say my preference is objective.

[WateryFlow]

fuzzy math???

 

 

Jinhao 599 = £0.99 inc shipping

 

Lamy Safari(cheapest) + converter = £12.48 + £3.95 = £16.43

 

Ok so I was slightly out -16 times more expensive

 

 

edit: fuzzy maths

Edited February 3, 2015 by WateryFlow

[mtmowl]

I bought about 60 of those Jinhao 599s to give to my students. I wanted to introduce them to the world of fountain pens.

 

What I found was that the quality was all over the map, from decent, and a bargain for the money, to unacceptably poor. A few were completely unusable. Some were bad writers, some had manufacturing flaws, and nib performance was widely variable. A couple of the converters they came with just fell apart. I tossed half a dozen pens in the trash. Still, for a $3 pen, they aren't bad, on average.

 

On the other hand, I have 5 Safaris and Al Stars, and they're all uniformly excellent for their price.

[atomix]

Wait, your 599 stays screwed together? Mine unravels in the hand and then quickly hits the wall right above the wastebasket.

 

Lamy without a doubt, although they do seem a bit pricey, the lifetime warranty is incredible.

[Doug C]

 

 

Jinhao 599 = £0.99 inc shipping

 

Lamy Safari(cheapest) + converter = £12.48 + £3.95 = £16.43

 

Ok so I was slightly out -16 times more expensive

 

 

edit: fuzzy maths

I stand corrected. I think I paid $5 for mine...

[pearlfection]

In Germany you get a Safari with Converter for 18€.

A Jinhao for 5 - 15€.

And a TWSBI for 50€.

A Pelikan M2xx for 100€.

 

Prices are so different.

[martinbir]

 

 

Jinhao 599 = £0.99 inc shipping

 

Lamy Safari(cheapest) + converter = £12.48 + £3.95 = £16.43

 

Ok so I was slightly out -16 times more expensive

 

 

edit: fuzzy maths

 

I checked that link. How can you post an empty envelope from Hong Kong to UK for 99p!? Let alone put a pen in it and make a profit!

 

Incredible

 

and yes, here in Blighty, in recognition of the many branches of mathematical study, we abbreviate to "maths". It can sometimes be fun on FPN deciding whether something is a typo or a word from that very similar language, United States American.

[sansa]

Interesting comparison. Don't know if it's fair because of the miniscule sample size. I've heard stories about bad QC from both companies. In the end if I had to choose I'd go with Lamy since firstly the cap posts, and secondly despite being happy with several fps from Jinhao, I'm wary of the presence of heavy metals in their brass.

 

 

 

I checked that link. How can you post an empty envelope from Hong Kong to UK for 99p!? Let alone put a pen in it and make a profit!

 

The economies of scale. As for the near-zero shipping costs, I've always wondered that myself. But I suppose unused space on a cargo plane is wasted space; as long as customers are willing to wait for that space to free up, then the Chinese postal service can capitalise on it. Postal rates are kept artificially low. The inflow of foreign currency, enabled by cheap shipping for individuals, must greatly exceed the government subsidies keeping China Post afloat.

 

That is my guess.

[Last Knight]

Cap posts just fine on my Jinhaos of the 599 class. Pretty sure they're designed for that; they certainly post better than any of my other pens, with the possible exception of those that screw in place (and since this is a pull cap, it's much better for taking notes with).

[sansa]

That's strange, I could swear I watched a review that said they didn't.

[Ste_S]

No, that's not important to me. I would choose the Jinhao because they write much better and don't have that infamous narrow Lamy sweet spot. The coating on my Lamy started flaking after only a few weeks, and their nibs(I have most of them) are pants.

 

Have you just had back luck with your Lamy's ? I'd send those back and get replacements. None of my Lamy's have a sweet spot (F, 2xM, 1.1i) and are all excellent. None of the coating of my pens (Safari, Vista, 2x Al-Star) has started flaking off either

[Last Knight]

That's strange, I could swear I watched a review that said they didn't.

You have been misinformed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/LastKnight/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150203_071927_458_zpsgavk53nq.jpg

[Uncial]

I have the metal 599, but it's a very thin metal and is very well balanced; just right for my tastes. I've actually grown to really love it. I miss being able to switch out the nibs to a stub, but I still have my Lamy for that. The 599 I have is in brushed black and has gold on the inside. It's really nice, but the real surprise was that as a writer it massively outperforms the Lamy. The nib is so smooth that it sings across the paper; lovely, lovely pen to write with and at a fraction of the cost of a Lamy. Also posts securely and I actually prefer the design over the Lamy (bear in mind, I find the Lamy to be an ugly pen). I'm sure the finish won't stand the test of time, but for now I will enjoy it.

[WateryFlow]

 

Have you just had back luck with your Lamy's ? I'd send those back and get replacements. None of my Lamy's have a sweet spot (F, 2xM, 1.1i) and are all excellent. None of the coating of my pens (Safari, Vista, 2x Al-Star) has started flaking off either

There's no point sending them back because it's going to flake off again (you only have to google about it to know it's a common problem with the studio).

All Lamy nibs above medium have a babys bottom and you need to press on them otherwise they write much finer than they are. The F and the M have no difference whatsoever and where the narrow sweet spot is especially felt, and the EF is the most painfully uncomfortable and scratchy nib to write with.

 

I will never buy another Lamy product again.

Edited February 3, 2015 by WateryFlow