Podcast Episode: Jinhao Fountain Pen Reviews

Pip: The Fabulous Scientist is where you go when you need someone to tell you, with complete sincerity, that an eight-dollar pen should probably be illegal.

Mara: fabulousgrass has been putting two Jinhao fountain pens through their paces, and the results are worth your attention. Today we're looking at what these budget giants actually deliver — build, nib, balance, and whether the price makes any of it feel like a trick.

Pip: Let's start with the impressions.

Jinhao X169 and Jinhao 82: Budget Pens Worth Taking Seriously

Mara: The question here is whether Jinhao's newest oversized entry actually improves on what already worked, or just adds weight for the sake of it. The X169 arrived in June 2026, and the comparison to its predecessor is unavoidable.

Pip: The post frames it directly: "I would describe the X169 as an upgraded and more substantial version of the X159. It retains the imposing, cigar-shaped silhouette and oversized number eight nib that made the X159 such a popular budget giant, but Jinhao made one very significant change: the X169 has a solid metal body."

Mara: And at roughly 45 grams, that change is felt immediately. The solid metal construction shifts the character of the pen entirely — it is no longer a lightweight daily carry but something you hold with intention.

Pip: The nib is where things get genuinely interesting. The post calls it "wonderfully wet, with a generous flow that makes writing feel effortless" — and flags that the Fine nib writes closer to an international medium. If you want a dry, precise line, look elsewhere.

Mara: Balance matters too. Unposted, the X169 works well. Posted, the cap weight shifts everything backward and the experience becomes awkward. That is a real ergonomic consideration for anyone who defaults to posting their caps.

Pip: Then there is the price. Eight dollars. For a solid-metal oversized pen with a large-capacity screw-in converter and a finish that reads as considerably more expensive than it is. Jinhao continues to make this very difficult to argue with.

Mara: The Jinhao 82 2026 Limited Edition sits at the other end of the size and weight spectrum. At five dollars, the translucent pink resin body with rose gold trimmings and a custom scarf engraving on the nib is described as "thoughtful and well-executed." It posts comfortably, writes immediately out of the box, and is explicitly recommended as a gift for someone new to fountain pens.

Pip: Two pens, opposite ergonomic philosophies, both under ten dollars. The real absurdity is that the harder question is which one to buy first.

Mara: The nib character tells you. Wet and heavy, reach for the X169. Light and balanced, the 82 is ready to go.

Mara: What stays with me is how consistently the writing experience justifies the price — not despite it, but almost in spite of how low it is.

Pip: Next time, we will see what else from The Fabulous Scientist earns that kind of unreasonable enthusiasm.