2023 New Model Jinhao x350 vs x850 Fountain Pen Review

Рет қаралды 9,650

Күн бұрын

Join me as I review the new model Jinhao x350 and compare it to the x850. I unbox it, talk about the parts and features of the pen, provide some size comparisons and measurements, and then do a writing sample. After the writing sample, I talk about what I like and what I don't like about the pen. Please feel free to use the chapters provided below to skip to various parts of the review.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Start
00:12 - Introduction
00:33 - Parts and Features
04:44 - Size Comparisons
05:43 - Measurements
05:58 - Writing Sample
12:08 - Likes and Dislikes
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Пікірлер: 102

@jakesong266 4 күн бұрын

You pronounce the name of the ink perfectly. :-)

@peterhofmann8292 Жыл бұрын

Loved the quadruple review of the pens and inks. That blue looks lovely. Thanks for doing this.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@MrAndrew1953 Жыл бұрын

Doug we must respect each others preferences here as I like diverts with the little grippy bars. I look on them more as an effort by the manufacturer to make it easier to write with the pen. I have ordered an X350 with a fude nib- more power to those who stock fude,such a versatile nib.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Andrew!

@martinlebl631 Жыл бұрын

And that is why Jinhao makes both the x350 and the x850 to keep you both happy.

@MrAndrew1953 Жыл бұрын

@@martinlebl631 How very thoughtful of them. Will Jinhao lower their carbon footprint and decide to send their pens by balloon to Central delivery points in the US and other countries with Amazon. Amazon drones could then distribute them to their customers.

@nancymilawski1048 Жыл бұрын

@@MrAndrew1953 excellent idea

@shalomathome4189 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this review! I immediately ordered the 350 since I just received the 850.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@martinlebl631 Жыл бұрын

Fude style nibs are great when you want to show off some sheening ink. If you are writing larger than normal calligraphy on cards, or headings, and you can use them in the all the way down firehouse mode, and still use the high angle for some fine line highlights, cross lines, or parallel highlight lines, so a nib a keep on a few pens. Often I match speciality ink to speciality nib, as that is the best combo.

@theProf_01 Жыл бұрын

The 350 has a better appeal to me. I don’t like the grip on the 850, and it is heavier than the 350. Enjoyed the detailed comparison. Thanks!

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Good choice!

@kevinblack8365 9 ай бұрын

Just an update which you may find interesting (or not). After issues with AliExpress, I ordered the X350 through Ebay for $8 delivered. And, of course, they sent me the X850. I complained, wanted a refund no return etc etc, but they offered a half refund if I kept the pen. After my tooing and froing with AliExpress and for $4, it just wasn't worth the effort so I got an X850 for $4. And I have to say the pen is robust, elegant, writes well out of the box, is comfortable in the hand, the cutouts in the section don't bother me (as much as I'd though) and I've got change to go buy a X350 if I really want one.

@hokeatseng4094 Жыл бұрын

🤓🤓🤓✍️jinjian..... Is a nib and pen we have been waiting for....for 40 yrs🥸 ⭐🤠

@kurroth Жыл бұрын

Great review! I bought a Jinhao 80 and x159 maroon watching your videos and I love them! I love the 80 for its textured body and the x159 for its size and #8 nib.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

That is awesome!

@alohm Жыл бұрын

A very excellent sample of what the fude can do. I was not expecting such an insightful display. I suggest a video on the fude itself - the history alone is interesting - An Eastern gentleman was impressed with a western fountain pen, but wanted a brush style nib for their character writing, in the end I feel they have a hidden secret. Not only drawing, character writing, sumi-e painting, also journaling as you discovered the secret is reverse writing. I found very few videos in English on the Fude - might be a good idea for a video since it is popular in drawing as you mentioned, my I Ching and Carl Jung's journaling style that blends art and letters(William Blake as ie) is also popular... Not sure if it is just me and my own specific needs, but having tried the stubs and wider nibs - the fude's flexibility is astounding, as is it's being so overlooked in the west. Cheers. As always, wonderful and informative content.

@johnsomers8269 Жыл бұрын

Looks like Jinhao is taking over the pen world! I do like my 80.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@zathrasnotzathras9435 Жыл бұрын

I don’t know why, but when you said that ink was magenta, I half expected you to post a picture of Magenta from Rocky Horror

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

LOL I've conditioned you!

@zathrasnotzathras9435 Жыл бұрын

@@InkquiringMinds you have indeed

@animula6908 Жыл бұрын

@joefaracevideos Жыл бұрын

Doug, thanks for this review.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@unknowncrash1 Жыл бұрын

I own them both and find the ergonomics (aside the weight) for the x350 to be not as comfortable as the x850. Other than the weight, the x850 imo, feels and writes better. Maybe I'm more biased towards the more shapely x850 🤔.

@kevinblack8365 10 ай бұрын

Nice review. The indentations on the X850 section stopped me buying that model. I have an X350 on the way and have the Wine/gold X159 which writes wonderfully well. It is probably 1-2mm too fat at the section for me, but I can live with that. Jinhao punch above their weight that's for sure. Paid AUD$150 for a Conklin All America. nib no issues writing, BUT been through three (3) nibs from Conklin and still minor, random skipping (a lot of random skipping on the first two). For a FP newbie this is not the experience you want. After spending $15 on the X159 and $10 on the X350, why would I even think bout spending over $100 for a steel nibbed pen that is also made in China. I know there are other Chinese manufacturers, but I'm happy to stick with Jinhao, based on my experience and reviews, I don't need to roll the dice on other brands (I will look at the HD N23 since you mentioned it though).

@InkquiringMinds 10 ай бұрын

Jinhao make the All American for Conklin. Funny huh?

@kevinblack8365 10 ай бұрын

@@InkquiringMinds So I paid $150 of my money for a $10 Chinese pen? Well I'm glad Im now in the Jinhao camp and am considering other Chinese pens direct from them cutting out out the middle man (who is making a lot of money it seems).

@TheDjubre Жыл бұрын

X350 looking really good, maybe next buy. Thanks for review Doug.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

You bet

@mikafoxx2717 9 ай бұрын

All these new jinhao pens seem to be getting a lot of attention, like the 80, 82, x159, 9056, x350 and x850, which I have many of, but few talk about the baoer 388/jinhao 75. It's not a new design but the weight to size and feel is lovely. I've a baoer 388 that was in daily use for 6 or more years and it's still going strong despite all the gold plating having worn off. Easy snap cap, medium stiff nib, brass barrel. Been a true workhorse for me.

@InkquiringMinds 9 ай бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oc5_gJt92Zu4nnk.html

@amyr.862 Жыл бұрын

You didn't space those model numbers out enough in the script and I got mixed up. All I know is there's a pen called X-something-50 and it's okay 🤣 Well, two pens that look very similar. My 450 comes in handy as a nutcracker and you can never have too many of those. Might need to get one of these for emergencies!

@shius2 Жыл бұрын

진청호님 잉크 좋아보이네요. 한국이름이 나와서 깜짝 놀랬어요. Thanks for rewiew Doug!

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

밝고 화사한 블루에요!

@MathewTitus Жыл бұрын

I recently dropped my first Jin Hao x159 from a height of less than 2 feet off the ground and was shocked to see the finial and clip come apart like a grenade. I never would have imagined that the plastic used for these pens would be THAT brittle. But apparently - it is. Also, I suspect the feed has some polysterene in it - rather than being made of polypropylene - as I think I may have accidentally dissolved it in an aromatic ink. Stuff I could never anticipate before-hand from watching anything online. Just thought it would be useful information for folks who want cheap Jin Hao pens. There is always a trade-off. Still worth it for the price though.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Mathew, for the excellent information!

@edanthony6 Жыл бұрын

Right after I read your comment, I broke off another finial from a Jinhao x159. That makes it four of them! They may have all been the first model, the one that uncapped with so many turns. The first two broke off when I used a sleeve that attached magnetically to my journal. I loved the pen, so I got more of them. The third was in a shirt pocket when it broke off. I broke the fourth while I was removing it from a pen case. At least I didn't lose the finial or the clip, this time. I still love the pen, and I hope to have better luck with the later model. I will order it again if Jinhao makes a Medium or Broad nib for it. I wonder if anyone else has this trouble with the Jh x159 and if there is any remedy other then to stop buying the pen.

@MathewTitus Жыл бұрын

@@edanthony6 Sorry to hear that but yes, I have heard of others having the same experience (with the 3 turn model) - I suspect that the clip acts like a spring and puts pressure on the finial - which then "explodes" with enough stress or shock. I don't think there is much to be done about it at this point since this is most likely a manufacturing error. For the time being though - I am going to stop buying plastic pens from Jin Hao. I still like the brass models through.

@edanthony6 Жыл бұрын

@@MathewTitus @Mathew Titus I love lots of the Jinhao models. The 159 is a favorite, even though it is heavy and the paint chips off of the metal barrel and cap. The 9056 is lighter and just as chunky and I like it, though I couldn't remove a Fine nib from it, so as to swap nibs, and had to order it with a Medium nib for swapping. I like the x450, but I don't like the divot grip, and prefer the x750 grip. The divot grip on the x850 is less irksome. I have high hopes for the x350. I'm a fan of the 100. Its smaller sibling, the Mini, is less chunky than I prefer. I like the wooden 9035 a bit less than the chunkier 9056, too.

@MathewTitus Жыл бұрын

@@edanthony6 Yeah - I'll probably be getting an x350 next. All the reviews I've seen of it seem positive. I've also destroyed an x750 nib unit - as I mentioned above - by using aromatic inks. I had no idea Jin Hao used a mixed plastic feed - that welded to the outer part of the nib unit - making the nib impossible to remove. ( Well without burning it - which is how I finally got my nib out!) :D

@SidBonkers51 Жыл бұрын

I saw these two pens a couple of weeks ago and ordered the X850 along with a couple of other Baoer pens but it seems I ordered the wrong one, still never mind as when it arrives Ill be ordering some more anyway, I have a problem with cheap Chinese pens!

@jaimejaime1178 Жыл бұрын

Jim from Madrid (Spain) again. Very good review on these Jinhaos... I bought 4 x750's in a pack as well as 5 FUDE nibs. I use them for writing and sketching (all #6 nibs) and I was very surprised on their great performance... I have become a fan... I will check out these new Jinhao pens. They look pretty good! Thanks again for your reviews and for all your help in the past with me. I truly appreciate it!!! Cheers from Madrid!!!

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Jaime jaime!

@manoloyloles Жыл бұрын

Anyone else compares the 350 to the Platinum #3776? It looks similar to me... 🙂 I have noted that it is as long as the Chartres Bleu I have, but the Japanese pen is plastic, and this one is metal; heavy metal 😛

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

They don't compare on almost every level.

@keithwhitney7491 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the fude demo. I have never held one. After watching your demo of cursive with fude (95% of my pen use), I may never order one! :)

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Keith!

@archivist17 Жыл бұрын

Interesting comparison. My X750 is excellent (I had another, but gave it away to a neophyte as a good looking, reliable, option). I'm waiting for a chrome version myself, though what I'd really want to see is Jinhao getting away from just more cartridge converters into pistons etc.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

I don't think I've ever seen a Jinhao with a piston.

@archivist17 Жыл бұрын

@@InkquiringMinds Nor me. But I can dream.... Alternatively, I could buy HongDian 🇨🇳

@neilpiper9889 5 ай бұрын

I just bought an X350 from AliExpress with the normal medium nib. It has now become my favourite daily carry. It will also write a fine line in reverse for margin notes. I love that it's metal and it is a screw cap. I have never got on with fude nibs. I believe fude means brush in Japanese

@InkquiringMinds 5 ай бұрын

It does!

@stefanwood2182 Жыл бұрын

Ordered both in black. Like the x159, the 80 and the 82, Jinhao really seems to have focused on design details, taking what they have done and tweaking and making them, frankly, better pens. The 80 is a hit not just for the looks but the weight and form factor, same with the x159. The 82, while material wise is probably the cheapest of the bunch, has a size, weight and form that just feels good in the hand. I still chuck their nibs out, swapping them with my nibs of choice (medium, architect, stub). But all of them look and feel good, and most importantly, make you want to write. A solid mass market pen company. Now, if they do a piston filler, and redesign their centennials.....

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

I'd love to see an x159 with a piston.

@stefanwood2182 Жыл бұрын

@@InkquiringMinds hell yes.

@stefanwood2182 Жыл бұрын

Received both pens today. Yeah, the x350 is the better of the two pens, not just because of the relative lightness compared the the x850, but also that ribbed section on the x850 is just.... not that helpful in my gripping the pen. Having a no 6 nib on the x350 is a big plus. The looks on both are much better than the older models - they have nailed the classic business pen look, minimal and elegant. The x350 is a real winner!

@trafalgarla Жыл бұрын

The x350 and x850 are both really good designs. I'd like to see them both with a matte black finish. I've also seen hongdian has a new year of the rabbit N23 model which looks nice. And hero has an improved 616 called the 616s with a piston converter and bent hooded nib option.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

My HD N23 should be here any day now.

@paulmchugh1430 Жыл бұрын

Great review of the X350 and the Fude nib. I think I will pass on the nib. Interesting but not for regular use. For drawing though it may be a great one to use. As for the pen, it is consistent with other pens made by Jinhao. I appreciate the consistent quality (although Doodlebud may disagree with the Jinhao 35) and the inexpensive price. I do like there are no divots on the X350. I don't need a guide for my fingers, though a slightly grooved grip encircling the section may be something worth considering. Considering the pen is made of brass, the weight is nice and worth getting. Thanks again, Doug. Love the quote, too.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

I was not impressed with my Jinhao 35 either.

@ryokan9120 Жыл бұрын

Hi, thanks for the video. I really like the look of that Fude nib, but do you know if there is a way to fix the skipping in the cursive writing?

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Go slower and watch your pen angle. It is made for Kanji characters not cursive.

@ryokan9120 Жыл бұрын

@@InkquiringMinds Thanks for the information! If it's made for Kanji characters, it does make me wonder why so many westerners buy these nibs. Perhaps for drawing? But then aren't art brushes better for that purpose. Please excuse my ignorance on such matters.

@nancymilawski1048 Жыл бұрын

@@ryokan9120 there is an art form called "pen and ink" drawing (as opposed to for example, pencil drawing). Artists are always experimenting with different tools and media. Many artists do a pen and ink drawing on location and go back to the studio to do a larger painting. Pencil drawing are easy to smugde but pen and ink is reasonably more permanent and portable too.

@madpuppy2900 6 ай бұрын

The screw cap sure last longer and make the user fell "luxury". However it isn't better than X450 and x750 practically. Jinhao used cheap plastic liner inside their snap cap, they are easy to loose but also easy to fix, also you can download 3d print of it in internet. Screw cap when loosen will not easy to fix if not impossible.

@TheNightowl001 Жыл бұрын

As with the X850, I'll probably add this to my somewhat large (and increasing!) Jinhao collection just to have it in the collection, but will probably wait until I can get it in black with silver(-colored) trim. Although any of the X-series pens will never be daily writers for me after I've run through at least one fill of ink, I just NEED to have them in my collection! (Please help! I can't stop buying pens, now!) Frankly, if I can find the X159 in that gorgeous deep red color with silver trim and an EF nib, I'll have to get that, too! I already have the black one with silver trim. The past few days I've been journaling with (one of!) my new Jinhao 80 pens with the 03 nib, and I really, REALLY like this nib! I wish Jinhao would offer a nib that fine on all their models!

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, TheNightowl001!

@stevehuffman7453 8 ай бұрын

x850 has a #6 mib? x350 and x850 are both lacquered brass? I thought that like the new x159 they have an acrylic barrel and cap. So basically, the x350 and x850 are screw cap versions of the x450 and x750? I like screw-on caps, but I don't believe I am going to "upgrade" to the X-350 and retire my X-450's any time soon. Don't have any X-750's. I wanted to 2 tone nibs and gold trim the X-450's have.

@InkquiringMinds 8 ай бұрын

Yes!

@KL005 Жыл бұрын

BOOM

@basilisakritidis4883 7 ай бұрын

Great video as always Doug!I have a weird question to ask you though...Can the section portion of the x350 screw in the x850's body?I love my x850 but the section feels a bit off to me so i wonder if i could use the x350 one.Have a beautiful day!

@InkquiringMinds 7 ай бұрын

I had the same idea but, no.

@basilisakritidis4883 7 ай бұрын

@@InkquiringMinds I am so thankful that you took the time to test this and answer my question so fast!Thank you!

@joeynuggetz Жыл бұрын

so how wet is the non fude nib on those pens? By the way your affiliate link to goldspot is incomplete and doesn't include the ?aff=8 bit in the address. Might want to paste the link again in the description so the entire link works or else people using that link will just wind up on goldspots page without any link back to you.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

The Goldspot link works even though it looks like it doesn't. If you click on that link and then make a purchase, it knows you came from my link. Thanks!

@markmolnar4319 9 ай бұрын

Can you please tell if the nib can be swapped out just as in the case of the x450? I know the nib of the x350 is part of a screw-in-screw-out unit but if it also friction fit also, then I can swap out the nib and replace it with a Kaigelu long blade nib. Can this be done? I will have the kaigelu nibs shortly and want to buy a pen body for it. - Thank you for your reply.

@InkquiringMinds 9 ай бұрын

Yes indeed! It is one of my favorite upgrades. The Kaigelu architect nibs are great.

@KendallW Жыл бұрын

Super fun nib. Would be great for drawing definitely, though it would drive me crazy for everyday writing. Great that it comes with #6 size, and available in a ! Also, like that it doesn't have the divots like the x850 and x450. Glad I'm not the only one confused by the numbering for the various models.

@catdwl Жыл бұрын

3:25 "GP" Means gold plated.

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

Yes. I know.

@alohm Жыл бұрын

tl;dr: 500, the difference is 500. *This was my wife's joke, thought it worth the share. I am very interested in the Fude nib ;) I was going to make a joke about 'you had me at Fude" but thought better of it, one punny joke is enough, leave some room for all the Puns in the video, no sense risking the balance of the universe... Ni!

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

LOL

@oscarmedina1597 Жыл бұрын

I scoured the comments for this entry. The difference is actually x500; you can’t ignore the variable.

@alohm Жыл бұрын

@@oscarmedina1597 We can drop the formalities amongst each other, we know.

@oscarmedina1597 Жыл бұрын

@@alohm, oh absolutely; I’m just being pedantic to accentuate the humor.

@alohm Жыл бұрын

@@oscarmedina1597 So was I lol ;)

@MissMarilynDarling Жыл бұрын

so the 850 was an improvement on the 450 and the 350 was an improvement on the 750 ... ... how does that guy say it ... " I'm confused "

@InkquiringMinds Жыл бұрын

I give up on Chinese numbering except when it is take-out.

@nancymilawski1048 Жыл бұрын

Or maybe they mean nothing to Jinhao too.

@Frank7G Жыл бұрын

My X850 was a bust it was missing an o-ring and the threads to keep the body closed for me, I'm just going to stay away from Jinhao waste of money. I would just spend a little more money on something way better.

@sunnycharacter Жыл бұрын

I’ve never received a faulty Jinhao, but I can imagine there are some jacked up pens can slip through inspection. That can happen with any brand, but maybe less with pricier ones.

@Frank7G Жыл бұрын

@sunnycharacter it writes well but the fit & finish just turns me away from the brand.

@sunnycharacter Жыл бұрын

@@Frank7G I understand. I’m a beginner fountain pen collector/user. I actually started with glass dip pens. I guess I’m fairly easy to please and I can’t justify spending undress or thousands of dollars on a pen when I have so many other art supplies to buy. But you know for folks with the money and the drive to collect those pricey pieces, I say go for it!

@Frank7G Жыл бұрын

@sunnycharacter I'm a beginner as well. The 1st fountain pen that I bought was a Lamy Safari from Amazon & it's way better than the Jinhao. A week later I picked up a Twisbi Go & Monteverde Monza 3 pack for $45

@sunnycharacter Жыл бұрын

@@Frank7G Nice! I have a Go in my cart!