Grass Padrique | The Fabulous Scientist
The market for pocket fountain pens is often dominated by familiar names and higher price tags. It is therefore pleasantly surprising to encounter a model that costs less than five US dollars, yet performs well enough to merit serious consideration. The Jinhao 82 Mini is one such pen.
Compact, visually appealing, and generally reliable, it presents itself as an accessible entry point into pocket-sized fountain pens without feeling disposable.
Design and Build
The 82 Mini is genuinely compact when capped, making it well suited for pockets, small pouches, or everyday carry. Posted, it reaches a comfortable writing length. Even unposted, it remains usable, particularly for those with smaller hands.
One of its more thoughtful design elements is the smooth transition from barrel to section. There is no pronounced step that interferes with grip, which contributes to a comfortable writing experience during longer sessions.
Aesthetically, the pen exceeds expectations for its price category. The resin body is available in numerous colorways, some featuring chatoyant or marbled finishes. My own pink and white variant has a subtle depth that catches light attractively. The two-tone nib further enhances the overall presentation, lending the pen a more premium appearance than its cost would suggest.
The abundance of color options makes selecting only one somewhat difficult. Restraint, in this case, may require deliberate effort. I lost in this department by buying all three instead of just one as initially planned.
Nib Performance
The nibs are offered in regular fine and medium sizes, as well as pointed and fude variants. My experience has primarily been with the fine and medium nibs.
The medium nib (~0.7 mm) performed admirably straight out of the box. It was smooth, consistent, and required no adjustment. For users uncertain about sizing, the medium nib is arguably the safer and more universally satisfying choice.
The fine nib (~0.5 mm) also wrote well immediately upon inking and demonstrated minimal bleed on ordinary copy paper, a welcome characteristic for those who do not yet use fountain pen–friendly notebooks. However, it displayed noticeable scratchiness when paired with drier inks, particularly shading and shimmer formulations. With wetter inks, the writing experience improved significantly.
Currently, my pens are inked with Kaweco Royal Blue, Kaweco Summer Purple, and Lamy Black, all of which perform reliably in this model.
It is worth noting that these are firm steel nibs. They offer little to no line variation and are not intended for flex writing. Reverse writing is possible and produces a finer line, which can be useful for occasional precision work.
As with many pens in this price range, reports of inconsistent nib quality are common. While my examples performed well out of the box, variability remains a consideration.
Filling System and Practicality
The inclusion of a short standard converter is a practical advantage. It allows for immediate use with bottled ink without the need to source compatible accessories separately. For beginners, this removes a small but meaningful barrier to entry.
The sealing mechanism has also proven reliable. Even after being left unused for several weeks, none of my Jinhao pens (I have several models) have exhibited hard starts or drying issues. For an inexpensive pen, this level of performance is commendable. I’ve only observed the same feature in my Platinum fountain pens.
One less successful feature is the clip. It is notably stiff and functions more effectively as a roll stopper than as a true pocket clip. While not a deal-breaker, it does limit practical clipping options.
Comparisons and Positioning
When considering other compact fountain pens such as the Kaweco Sport or the Hongdian M2, the price difference becomes apparent. Those models offer refined finishing and brand recognition, but at a significantly higher cost.
The Jinhao 82 Mini does not attempt to rival them in prestige. Instead, it provides a remarkably competent writing experience at a fraction of the price. In practical terms, it delivers a substantial portion of the pocket pen experience with minimal financial commitment.
Conclusion
For under five dollars, the Jinhao 82 Mini offers an appealing combination of portability, aesthetic variety, included converter, reliable sealing, and generally good out-of-the-box performance. The medium nib stands out for smoothness, while the fine nib is particularly suitable for standard office paper, provided it is paired with a sufficiently wet ink.
It is not a pen for those seeking flex or dramatic line variation, nor is it immune to the quality control concerns sometimes associated with budget brands. Nevertheless, within its price bracket, it represents excellent value.
For newcomers to fountain pens or for enthusiasts seeking an inexpensive, attractive pocket companion, the Jinhao 82 Mini is easy to recommend. It demonstrates that affordability and enjoyment need not be mutually exclusive.
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