Does a Bigger Nib Make All the Difference? Reviewing the Jinhao x159
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- Brian compares the newer Jinhao x159 and its big #8 nib with its heavier predecessor. Which do you think is the best?
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LINKS TO PRODUCTS FEATURED:
Jinhao X159 Fountain Pen: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Jinhao 159 Fountain Pen: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:21 Comparing the Old vs New
2:03 #8 Sized Nib
5:18 Writing Sample
8:09 Conclusion
ABOUT GOULET PENS:
Brian & Rachel Goulet started The Goulet Pen Company in 2009 and you can see the evolution of our mom and pop into a full-blown company through this channel. We run a dedicated online store with fountain pens, ink, paper, and other fine writing accessories. Our goal with this channel is to provide fountain pen fans at all levels of experience with comprehensive product reviews, round ups, and how-to videos to answer all the fountain pen questions you may have. Shop at www.gouletpens.com.
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I was surprised just how much "better" this is than the 159. There's a lot of subjectivity involved, hence the quotes, but what I take away most from the new generation of Jinhaos is that the company is listening. Firstly they abandoned the ugly shield thing. Then they produced a second generation X159 with gold trim and fewer turns to uncap than the first X159. Doug Rathbun covered these differences in a review video. If someone like Jinhao is listening to user feedback, and actually taking action on what people say, this feels very healthy and encouraging for our hobby.
I recently bought the X159 and I quite like it. It's a good pen for regular office or school work and works well with the cheap paper offices and schools tend to use. For a $20-ish pen, I'm impressed.
I have two X159's and they are quite nice. They aren't made from exotic materials etc, but they perform very well and mine had really smooth nibs out of the box. I concur with your findings.
I've had the 159 for years and used it frequently, so when the X159 came out and I seen the #8 nib I got it right away. I use it as my office pen and find it great. For the price they get shockingly close to the feel of the MB 149, not saying it writes like it but just the look and weight is on point, I think the MB is around 32 grams. Can't recommend it enough.
This pen was a surprise to me - at that price, I bought a small handful of them in different colors, with the two nibs I could find (EF and F) and have fully enjoyed having them to play around with - especially when I don't feel comfortable carrying around a more expensive pen. Great writers, that I don't hesitate to recommend to others looking to get into the hobby.
Certainly I would recommend this pen to anyone who uses or is interested in using a fountain pen. It certainly worth getting, especially at this price point. I usually use an EF nib but this F nib is great.
I do wish there was an option for a piston filler. Then, it would make the pen even better. But the company has never made such a pen. A missed opportunity but the pen is wonderful, nonetheless.
I did the same thing :) I wonder if they will come out with an M nib.
it’s different colors???
@@simeonking2910 there is black and burgundy
@@simeonking2910 I have a navy blue one
the girth and weight of the old 159 encourages writing with a brush-stroke style.
i used it with a medium nib for signatures, form-filling and everyday notes and messages.
it lived in my jacket pocket, ready for everyday situations and cheap paper.
Jinhao was my first fountain pen. The stationary and book store in town carried them, and I picked one up just to play. This still holds a special place in my pen nerd heart
Jinhao hit the bullseye with this one.
For the price you're paying this is an outstanding pin. I've used the X159 now and jump right on it as soon as I could get it from you guys and I am not disappointed with the pen for what it is.I don't expect it to be a gold nib experience.
It's a pen you can buy use and not cry if you lose.
Always love your ability to be pretty bluntly honest about the items you sell, emphasizing both the highlights as well as the potential shortcomings (the Goulet Flex Nibs video is a perfect example). It's that transparency that will keep me as a loyal Goulet customer for years to come!
Also props for going this entire video without ever making mention of the ORIGINAL model this pen series is based on... :wink wink:
Thanks for the kind words! - Drew
I have both a metal 159 and a 450. Both were ink hoses, and being a lefty, made for some messy writing sessions. LOL. The 159 I have won't post...put it on the back and barely a tap knocks the cap off. My 450 posts fine.
I wound up swapping the original 450 nib for a Goulet #6 fine, and really like that pen. The 159 is probably my least favorite, and just sits on the desk.
Hello. I just wanted to mention that the shield on the Jinhao 159’s clip is the Jinhao Chariot logo.
Thank you Brian, your review helped me. Too bad the audio for this week's Pencast was a problem, I really do look forward to you and Drew. Do appreciate that you explained the reason.
I have five of these in EF and love them. The nib is my favorite part!
I just ordered one of these from AliExpress, so I’m looking forward to receiving it and trying it out.
Thanks for your take on this pen, Brian!
I adore this pen. I have wrist problems and it feels so good in my hand. I also love the nib. It's what made me realize that I prefer bigger nibs. lol
I think maybe just the extra distance from the paper reminds me to relax my hand. I'm not sure.
Having developed hand issues (constant pain), I have to say that I love these larger pens, thicker pens. They are not as colourful as some of my slimmer much loved pens but at least I can use the x159s and 159s and not have to ‘retire’ them like I did most of the pens I own.
Thank you for your videos, they are much appreciated!
? I have orange, brown, burgundy and green and blue in this pen. Plenty colorful!
@@sistergoldenhair0727 - I am glad you find them plenty colourful, it is important that we enjoy our writing utensils. :) That being said, we all have a unique set of tastes and opinions which is what makes everything interesting. You are entitled to your opinions and tastes as I am to mine and everyone is to theirs. I have gained so much knowledge about fountain pens and inks by asking questions, reading what interests, tastes and opinions other members of this great community have. In that spirit, what are your thoughts on the nib size difference between the x159 and the 159?
Some years ago I got the old 159 from Goulet specifically to test swapping out nibs ((the Goulet stub -- worked magnificently). I wouldn't dream of trying to swap out a #8 until there are other inexpensive #8s. Nor, with my x159, would I feel the need. It writes splendidly. Thanks for a fine, objective review, Brian!
Just ordered mine, I’ll keep you posted 😊😊
Amazing, Brian! Thanks!
Cheers from Brazil!
Thanks for discussing the x159. I bought a couple of the original 159's years ago and loved then EXCEPT for their nibs. I wound up replacing them with your Goulet nibs and they write like a dream. I couldn't believe I could get these cheap Jinhao pens to write like a much more expensive pen. Will stick with my 159's as part of my arsenal of pens because there are times a like writing with a heavier pen. But this looks like a good pen for those who like the original 159's but didn't like the weight. Thanks again Brian for discussing this.
This is the pen that penabled my partner, who is 6'7. Turns out "hey did you know there's a cheap nice looking pen that actually feels normal in your hand" was the magic key.
Have him check out the 9019
Bought two of them. Only inked one so far. Totally agree tines we’re tight and needed some work to get more ink flow. Now it’s a great very smooth pen. Can’t go wrong for the price.
I’ve been using this pen since September 2022 (Fine nib) and it performs. It’s smoother than my Pilot 92 with a MF. It’s bigger than I like, but floats across the paper with ease
I hadn’t seen you review any Chinese before. If you have great if you hadn’t I’m glad you’re coming around. Thank you.
I have both the 159 and the X159.The former is too heavy for me.I appreciate they made a version for us who like lighter (but not too light) pens.
Really interested in the X159! I remember my 159 being a bit too weighty for my taste but was a fun novelty and comfortable in the grip. Admittedly I'm now concerned about the #8 nib. Love the look of large nibs but at #8, it's going to be harder to find replacements since I'm a broad lover.
Really great overview!!! Thanks
Thanks for watching! - Drew
Nice review, started with FPs in February this year. I like fat cigar shaped pens (have a conklin all american which I cannot get the nib to stop skipping - the vendor has sent me a total of 3 - the nib is perfect, but I digress). Wanted something of the Conklin shape and saw the X159. I see they now come in and . Paid AUD$17 for the nib version and got an advertisement for the version for AUD$6.66 delivered, so impulse buy. neither have arrived as yet. I particularly like your take on the pen's writing ability (it's primary function) and for under $20 you get a lot of pen. I am trying to move completely into the FP world and, when these arrive, will have a few I can leave around so there is one available when needed. Again like your review and the many other videos you put out which makes me a significantly better educated and informed FP user.
Thanks for this, Brian: was curious how well this no.8 nib writes:)
I have four Jinhao X750s circa 2015 and I LOVE the weight of them. That is the one thing that has disappointed me with all the new pens I have purchased; they are too light.
I have an original 159 with a medium nib. It's fun for signatures and quick notes. It's been more reliable on post-it notes than nicer pens with finer nibs.
I love this pen! I’m waiting for new colors, hopefully, and I’ll pick up a few more. Not that I need them, just want them because I like a beefy pen.
I didnt care for the 159 and only bought one and rarely used it. I have four x159's and given a few as presents, i love these pens.
Thanks for the great information. I like this video. (and the pen)
Thanks for watching!
I just inked up my 2nd X159 and it's really nice (a pen friend sent it to me) ... my first one didn't go well ... nothing I tried would make it write wetter/smoother ... which surprised me because I normally can tune a nib very well.
So my black one is just a pen body with feed now in need of a #8 nib lol. But the new brown one is great and I can see what all the excitement is about! I'm a fan of the original 159 because I can use my Broad #6 nib in them ... yet still I like the lighter X159!!!
I feel like you could make a fountain pen themed shirt that says “Big Nib Energy” and it would be awesome fan merch 😂
Love this pen. The value for price is tough to beat. The nib is so good. Gravitas pens use this nib on some of their pens. I have it on a titanium pen from Gravitas.
They have came out with a lot more colours in silver and gold trim, will Goulet be carrying those options?
Mine used to be a bit on the dry side, but after very little nib tuning it writes smooth and wet. Just when I pick it up, it has a bit of a starting issue, the first stroke is always dry. But that's a problem the first Visconti Homo Sapiens also used to have and I use it with Pelikan Edelstein Topaz, which is a little dry anyway, so that's okay. A lot of pen for the price and the converter did not let me down so far.
I have experienced the same thing. It tends to need a little pressure at first to get it going. I'm going to open the tines a bit and see if that helps. Otherwise I like the look and feel of the pen, especially compared to the original 159.
I've had the exact same issues you mentioned, thought it was an issue with my technique.
I have two of these pens and one has that issue. It sometimes won't start on the downstroke. I tried opening the tines a bit, as Brian described, and used a brass sheet, but it still does it. The second one writes just fine, but isn't as "broad" as the one with issues.
I was surprised at your put down of the Jinhao converters/s because mine have stood the test of time much better than those proprietary ones by Sailor which literally fall apart with little to no provocation.
I love my X159. It wrote beautifully straight off with no fiddling needed (mine is the later X159 with the medium nib and fewer turns on the screw-on cap). This, along with the 9019 are my favourite pens at the moment, although the X850 is very close to them. I honestly cannot think of any cons to these pens.
Is the section as short as it looks compared to the previous model? Any problems with feeling the threads as you write?
Didn’t Edison come out with a pen with a number eight nib recently, too? I’d be interested in a side by side comparison of those (and I’d expect Edison’s to be a lot nicer)
They did! On their Collier Grande! - Drew
I wish it was available with a Medium (or even Broad) nib.
Same here. If they come out with wider nibs, I will be buying them.
Jinhao's x159 "F" nibs are pretty close to a somewhat slim western "Medium". I've got several and the feeds/nibs have nicely wet flow, the feed is customized for the bigger nib and sort of feels like it's got no problem letting through all the ink you need, and of course the #9 nib adds its own thing to that.
They are available with medium nibs now.
Have you guys tried Big Idea Design’s fountain EDC? What do you think of that fountain pen?
Not familiar with that one! - Drew
What fountain pen writes with thicker lines?
Brian, is that a bad batch of Noodler's Black? It looks gray
It comes with a nib unit which you can unscrew and clean the pen . The nib is friction fited in the unit . You can remove the nib . But the fins of the feed are so this that I would not recommend you to remove the feed.
Since you published this video, have you or your customers discovered any particularly interesting ways to make a fun frankenpen out of this yet?
Hey thanks but do you even sell a brand thats known to copy designs all over the place including sa8lor and lamy 2000 ?
I wish they had more nib point withs. As there is only EF and F and I am more a M or B writer.
Good morning. Nice.
Such a bargain, yay Jinhao. I bought one out of idle curiousity about the bigger nib - would it write any differently? In a word, no. It writes just fine, like my #6, #5, and #2 nibs. As far as I could tell, size has no effect on nib performance. If anybody has had a different experience, it would be interesting to hear about it. Were I a banker, I would use this pen instead of a MB 149, saving $950.
I still watched your videos even if I'm doing my homework lol
It is a good looking nib. It fits the pen proportionally, and it writes as well as any Jinhao nib does. What more can you ask for the price.
I changed my 159 nib from medium to fine as the medium was too thick & ink gusher.
I have bad experience changing fine Chinese pen nibs to medium - Wing Sung 3013 being the most notorious.
As for this one - x159 is a good writer as is so: "if it ain't broke - don't fix it" is my x159 moto
_THANK YOU..._ 🙏 😔 🙏
I think they did more than change the nib. This writes better than all my other JinHao®s. I haven't figured it out. Secondly don't "smaller" nibs have to be stiffer? This nib seems to be smoother and less bouncy. The angle of the point seems different. The metal of the nib is different than all my other nibs. Well, the pen totally surprised me, I'll take a deeper look.
Thank you for making me realize why the regular 159 seems "off balance", to me. The metal pieces "concentrate" the weight, especially when posted.
It really depends. The LAMY 2000 nib is super tiny, but surprisingly bouncy! - Drew
@@Gouletpens Drew, saw your video, next. I think I'll try one. I have an older LAMY.
Brian! I have heard that there is hope for more nib sizes. Have you heard any rumblings about a Medium or larger nib option coming?
What ho !, Brian. ( Heavy pens ? You must work out more. ;) ) But you’re right, the new pen with its whopping nib and lighter feel is an all round improvement. 😅 Nice review
The nib is worth more than $15, by itself - and you get a convertor. It’s also a fun nib to practice tuning and grinding with.
The X159 is much more fragile than the earlier 159. While cleaning an X159, I accidentally dropped the barrel on a tile floor. I was shocked when I saw that a large section of the threads had completely broken off. It hadn't occurred to me that the material used was that brittle.
Are there replacement nibs for 8 size nibs?
Not that I know of - not yet, anyway! - Drew
Why does the new nib looks suspicious similar tol Kanwrite 35mm nib
Will you be selling a two-tone Goulet branded nib for this pen ?
I want to love my Jinhao x159s, and I don’t. I own three of them and find the nibs to be of inconsistent quality. One worked well out of the box, one worked less well but well enough, and one required tuning.
I think this is the case with any _cheaper_ pen. They do not have the personnel to put that _final touch_ on their pens.
I got this pen on a whim, cos i fell in love with the maroon one with gold trim. My blue and gold trim is on its way. And i have small hands, as in, a kaweco sport looks normal in my hands. But i have to admit i love the weight and size of this jinhao when writing, super comfortable. The pen and #8 nib looks ridiculously huge in my hands but i can live with that.
The nib housing on my X159 Coffee unscrews from the section. However, I couldn’t get the nib and feed out of the housing without applying more pressure than I felt comfortable using. And mine (a fine) writes like a dream, after I spread the tines slightly.
Anyone else realize the bottom of the pen unscrews?
Oh how I wish we could get these in other grinds. I'd love to see a B or stub.... Heck even a medium just to give what's going on to the paper some soul.
I have one X159 and that's probably enough. Not a fan of the nib, my X450 are broader and much smoother.
It seems to be a nice copy of the Montblanc 149. And therefore, I will not purchase it. I have a difficult time purchasing pens that are meant to deceive, which I believe this is. But the review was very good, as always, Brian.
I don’t mind the price increase. It’s an big improvement and honestly, $15 is cheap
I own an Opus Koloro, nib size 5, and it writes wonderfully ; it is by far much better than more expensive pens with bigger nibs.
I have an average nib. I am told I am fine.
I mean, it may be a #8 in feed diameter, but the length of the nib sticking out of the grip is hardly any greater than your average #6 nib. A Bock #8, Pelikan M1000 or Pilot #30 nib is nearly half a centimeter longer, so that impacts the springiness much more.
Nib is good but plastic is flimsy...the cap finial broke with minimum tension....it's. Okay pen
It is cheaper than a steel nib from Germany. Think of it as a free pen with your cheap number 8 nib.