Jinhao 992 Informal Review

[Sailor Kenshin]

Is it possible the cracks occur from trying to turn this into an eyedropper?

[Miaxina]

I haven't noticed any cracks but then again I don't have a loupe, so I can't really tell... but it is a lovely writer, I use it the most

[truthpil]

Ok, so everyone who has a loupe and just got one of these pens....let's all look at the plug in the barrel with a loupe and see if there are any hairline cracks...ready...set...go!

[antichresis]

The pen is so good and cheap that my first reaction to all this news was that I didn't get enough spares. (I bought 20, kept 3)

[taike]

Had a look at mine just now and low-and-behold, a pretty healthy crack! If I hadn't have looked, I doubt I would have noticed.

 

http://i.imgur.com/sFyU8Pqh.jpg

 

I can't say I'm particularly bothered. It's still a nicely modern pen that feels great in the hand and writes comfortably.

[NinthSphere]

Is it possible the cracks occur from trying to turn this into an eyedropper?

 

Not even a little. Like TP said, it's from press fitting the plug in the barrel. I don't ed my pens & I haven't even inked my 992. I don't think it would have just cracked in anticipation of my possibly using it as an ed.

[truthpil]

Anyone with awesome Chinese skills want to try contacting Jinhao directly to inform them of the manufacturing error?

 

If not, I may try to use my kindergarten level Chinese to email them and see what happens. I like these little pens too much to let this slide.

[WJM]

I don't see any cracks on mine, but I just had it for about a week, so we'll see. An opaque black version.

 

This cracking problem would be unfortunate. I just ordered a clear one intending to eyedropper it.

 

Oh well, it was $2...

Edited May 19, 2017 by WJM

[NinthSphere]

This does make me wonder how the back end of a Procolor looks under magnification.

[grainweevil]

Don't need magnification to see the cracks in my 992 - one of them is 10mm long and I can feel it with my finger.

 

Perhaps I'm getting a little paranoid, but are these cracks developing in the cap as well?

 

[Sailor Kenshin]

Not even a little. Like TP said, it's from press fitting the plug in the barrel. I don't ed my pens & I haven't even inked my 992. I don't think it would have just cracked in anticipation of my possibly using it as an ed.

I wouldn't rule it out.

[MadTheNeko]

I informed my seller about this problem. he kindly asked if I accept free pens, on next shopping from him. I refused of course, it wasn't his bad, it's just about factory problem. Opaque ones have no problems, but demonstrator ones just trash.

[truthpil]

I informed my seller about this problem. he kindly asked if I accept free pens, on next shopping from him. I refused of course, it wasn't his bad, it's just about factory problem. Opaque ones have no problems, but demonstrator ones just trash.

 

I thought the same thing about the demonstrators being the problem, but after close examination of my opaque blue pen I saw some tiny cracks around the plug. They aren't nearly as bad as the cracks I'm seeing from the demonstrators on here, but they are visible without magnification and I can tell just now that they are getting longer.

If I can get the camera to focus right, I'll post a pick.

[taike]

I recognize that this may not be entirely appropriate in this thread, but when I got the 992, I also picked up a 绘境 026 (can't find an English name other than "Jellyfish series pen"). It's virtually identical in size to the 992 and writes a dream. No cracks that I can see, perhaps because the end and cap plugs are metal rather than plastic. I don't like the looks quite as much as the 992 but it's growing on me.

[Benpiggy]

My 6-pack fountain pen arrived yesterday, ordered 2 weeks ago. They are all demonstrators and no crack on quick look. Each cost < 2 dollars.

 

The tread has gotten so long so the OP started it.

 

I wonder would it fit a standard #5 nib?

 

Good day.

[truthpil]

I recognize that this may not be entirely appropriate in this thread, but when I got the 992, I also picked up a 绘境 026 (can't find an English name other than "Jellyfish series pen"). It's virtually identical in size to the 992 and writes a dream. No cracks that I can see, perhaps because the end and cap plugs are metal rather than plastic. I don't like the looks quite as much as the 992 but it's growing on me.

 

The jellyfish pen does look similar to the 992:

 

 

[taike]

Anyone with awesome Chinese skills want to try contacting Jinhao directly to inform them of the manufacturing error?

 

If not, I may try to use my kindergarten level Chinese to email them and see what happens. I like these little pens too much to let this slide.

Google translate works pretty well. But the important thing I figure is getting the message in front of the right person. It might be hit or miss whether things get past customer service and to the manufacturing side.

[taike]

 

The jellyfish pen does look similar to the 992:

 

 

 

That's the one. The transparent feed is cool.

[Flounder]

Is that barrel plug fused in, or just a press fit? I wouldn't mind ordering one and then filing the plug to exert less pressure on the barrel wall.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Well. Now I see a crack in my coffee demonstrator, but none on the blue one. There was never even a threat to turn these into eyedroppers, so I wonder if posting the cap (not a great fit anyway) could contribute.