Guang Ming 812 Review

[richardandtracy]

This review is of a Guang Ming 812.

 

The pen was obtained as a freebie from 'CameraNation' after I bought a couple of pens from him. The pen was supplied in a roll of foam and a small plastic sheath.

 

First Impressions

The pen is two tone painted with gold coloured highlights, and there are lots of Chinese characters printed on the surface in white. The overall look is quite smart in a blingy way. The cap is removed with a sharp tug to reveal a black section with a Sheaffer Triumph style nib in a gold finish. The barrel unscrews to reveal a moderately robust squeeze filler. The overall inpression is of lightweight construction from poor quality materials. It's the sort of pen you'd expect from a cheap Christmas cracker.

 

Size

The pen size is:-

1. 130mm capped.

114mm uncapped.

147mm posted.

12mm barrel diameter.

Weight 15g

 

Construction

The cap is an aluminium tube, completely unfinished on the inside - as a result white powdery corrosion is already visible. The section is probably polythene, while the barrel is injection moulded polystyrene moulded around another aluminium tube and several aluminium decorative rings.

 

Price 5/5

Nothing.

 

Looks 4/5

I have to confess I don't like the looks of the pen, even though it is quite smart. The two tone plus highlights is too busy for me, but it may appeal to some. The slightly wider top to the cap is reminiscent of 1920's pens, but the overall colour and shape don't do it for me.

 

Durability 1/5

Various bits of the pen unscrew from one another and there is a loose ring between the section & barrel which will get lost easily. The aluminium cap has no stiffener at the cap lip, and it won't be long before the cap bends here. I suspect the gold colour is from yellow laquer, and this will come off soon. The painted writing is barely more durable than chalkmarks. The sac protector is quite well made and sturdy.

 

Writing 1/5

Just plain awful. The nib is scratchy, unresponsive and plain horrible. It lays a moderately wet medium-fine line, and is the only pen I've come across that can make Black Parker Quink feather.

 

Value for money 0/5

It's worth what I paid for it. Nothing.

 

Overall

Don't touch this pen with a barge pole, it's a waste of money if you have to pay for it. If you get it for free, give it to someone who prefers ball points - that way it won't get used and you won't get cursed at.

My youngest daughter, however, loves it. I don't quite know what to think of that.

 

 

Regards

 

Richard.

Edited January 7, 2009 by richardandtracy

[hcsk8ter]

That bad, huh? At least it didnt cost you much...NOTHING! :roflmho:

Edited January 10, 2009 by hcsk8ter

[Renzhe]

Oh come on. I've gotten better freebies (a Hero and a Reform), but not from him.

[eauxconcrete]

I normally don't get pens as freebies when I buy in quantity from sellers. Once I got a gigantic (150 bags) case of jasmine tea stored in a black walnut box.

[lovemy51]

i like the look of the cap, section and nib... too bad its performance is bad.

[JonB55198]

This review was fun to read! Awesome job. i love reviewing terrible pens too.

[raging.dragon]

I normally don't get pens as freebies when I buy in quantity from sellers. Once I got a gigantic (150 bags) case of jasmine tea stored in a black walnut box.

 

And each of those tea bags delivers more value than the Guang Ming 812! And a nice black walnut box would make me happy.