Oaso K018

[J120]

Oaso's newest retractable is mashup of both the K019 and  K016, with a new clip. 

 

This K018 gets the K019 body but the K016 size of 5.6 inches versus the larger K109 size of 6 inches. 

 

There is also new clip design though it draws inspiration from the Uni series. The pen is going for 2.32 on Taobao.  

 

I will update when the pens arrive.  

 

[Dan Carmell]

So now Oaso has moved to the internal hatch? The animation showed how it works very neatly, but I’m not sure I like the idea of robots writing!
 

Does that mean Oaso has decided the membrane is inferior to the hatch?

 

I had the A016, A019, and Dianshi out for a writing session last night, they all wrote at the first stroke. The A016 has been inked since last August or thereabouts. The A019 is the most comfortable for me, partly because it is fatter but the grip is better as well. 

[J120]

@Dan Carmell

It still looks like the internal membrane from the original K016 but when they arrive I will open one up with pictures to be sure. I will also check the Taobao reviews to see if anyone sees any inner changes. There really shouldn't be; the 016 and 019 both are perfect sealing pens. 

 

 

[Dan Carmell]

3 minutes ago, J120 said:

@Dan Carmell

It still looks like the internal membrane from the original K016 but when they arrive I will open one up with pictures to be sure. I will also check the Taobao reviews to see if anyone sees any inner changes. There really shouldn't be; the 016 and 019 both are perfect sealing pens. 

 

 

I misinterpreted the animation apparently! Yes, it’s a very effective seal. 

[J120]

@Dan Carmell

 

Indeed. Just realized the clip is "inspired by the Uni gel pens"

[Dan Carmell]

5 hours ago, J120 said:

@Dan Carmell

 

Indeed. Just realized the clip is "inspired by the Uni gel pens"

I think that’s called going for the cross-over market! That’s more or less the demographic you’ve mentioned for these pens, I think. 

[AceNinja]

On 4/13/2024 at 6:06 PM, J120 said:

The part where the pen swim through under the sea as a submarine... it is epic..!😂

 

 

On 4/13/2024 at 6:06 PM, J120 said:

 

 

I take that the way it seals is the same as how Ensso Bolt seals?  (or should I say, this is where Ensso Bolt gets the idea from?)

 

 

[J120]

@AceNinja This is where Ensso got the idea. This is the third generation of this sealing mechanism from Oaso. You can find the original post a year ago for the K016. I doubt there will be an equal amount of outrage for Ensso but I digress.  

[Mech-for-i]

am still waiting for a style less kid / school styled , am thinking also there are multiple ways to yet improve on the concept and mechanism .. was mentioning this years ago already the old school hooded nib , for it's petite dimension is simply prime for such application

 

 

[J120]

@Mech-for-i I agree they need to upgrade to a metal for the work pen crowd. The all black is the best work pen for the traditionalist,  though I color code everything and tend not to care if I have to pull out a blue or red in any of the Oaso models. 

 

For another $5-15 they could make these in metal. Majohn (Hero) have done it with the A1 so I am hoping Oaso gets the message. Dianshi could do the same but it remains to be seen if the will. 

 

The Ensso copies their sealing mechanism and if done right, it is clear it can be done,  though that was never in doubt. What is Ensso is charging is laughable knowing the source of the mechanism and its cost.

[Dan Carmell]

4 hours ago, J120 said:

@Mech-for-i I agree they need to upgrade to a metal for the work pen crowd. The all black is the best work pen for the traditionalist,  though I color code everything and tend not to care if I have to pull out a blue or red in any of the Oaso models. 

 

For another $5-15 they could make these in metal. Majohn (Hero) have done it with the A1 so I am hoping Oaso gets the message. Dianshi could do the same but it remains to be seen if the will. 

 

The Ensso copies their sealing mechanism and if done right, it is clear it can be done,  though that was never in doubt. What is Ensso is charging is laughable knowing the source of the mechanism and its cost.

$84 with a retail price of $140 OMG!

 

That’s just crazy. I did buy a bolt action Chinese retractable, no cap, no seal but the action is neat, so I like the concept but $84… 

 

I bought the black versions of both Oaso and the Dianshi, of course, and I’d love a metal one—dark color, bolt action but a fatter design, maybe not a simple tube. Majohn could make a great one for under $20, I’m sure. 
 

More will be revealed, but I’m betting on China, not Kickstarter!

[AceNinja]

On 4/15/2024 at 6:07 PM, J120 said:

What is Ensso is charging is laughable knowing the source of the mechanism and its cost.

Ensso claims (based on what I watched on figboot's review) that the Ensso Bolt's steel nib is made in Japan. 

 

I've my doubt on that.  I've never seen any modern 'hooded' nib from japan, and looking at the close-up photos of the nib, it seems no different from the usual "18.5mm" nib commonly found on chinese pen such as Jinhao 51A.  I doubt that a Japanese nib manufacturer will make investments in machinery to make such nib just for Ensso.

[J120]

39 minutes ago, AceNinja said:

Ensso claims (based on what I watched on figboot's review) that the Ensso Bolt's steel nib is made in Japan. 

 

I've my doubt on that.  I've never seen any modern 'hooded' nib from japan, and looking at the close-up photos of the nib, it seems no different from the usual "18.5mm" nib commonly found on chinese pen such as Jinhao 51A.  I doubt that a Japanese nib manufacturer will make investments in machinery to make such nib just for Ensso.

@AceNinja You can never tell. Where something is made and assembled may not be the same and once you get into the manufacturing/wholesale/retail jargon it is an endless rabbit hole of uncertainty. 

 

With this particular sealing mechanism, Oaso did it first. Unlike Kaweco,  they do not think they invented the faceted pen or piston filler so there is no drama if someone is inspired. What is funny is the moral magicians cannot recognize the irony of the Chinese manufacturers starting to have their products copied by a western manufacturer but receive none of the righteous indignation. The Schon Monoc looks like all the tubular nibs out of China before it but it is innovation in the eye of the beholder.  Food for thought.