Reviewing Jinhao 992 and Sailor 1911: Spending 10x More For A Fountain Pen. In This Case: Worth It?

Today I am reviewing my Jinhao 992 and my Sailor 1911 Fountain Pens and comparing them. I want to discuss if buying a more luxurious pen in this case is really worth your hard-earned money. The Jinhao which is very affordable while the Sailor 1911 is a more luxurious pen. While both pens have the same body design, they quality is different as well as the nibs: steel vs. gold. So what about the nib performances and the overall feeling? Let's find out. Included: A Writing Sample.

[@petercollins7730]

In the US, the price difference is vastly greater. The Jinhao costs about $2 from Amazon, in a 6 pack for $12. The Sailor is around $130 minimum, on sale. Entry-level Sailor pens, with steel nibs, start around $30.
Personally, I prefer the Jinhao to the Sailor. I prefer the way it writes, primarily its slightly wetter feel. Both are perfectly acceptable though.
The Sailor is a much better-made pen overall. The Jimhao is cheap plastic, and occasionally one will simply not work without fiddling. They also tend to just wear out, either beginning to leak slightly -oozing actually - or breaking, if you pocket carry. The Sailor is very precisely manufactured, and, except for the potential wear of any gold nib, should be a lifetime pen.
Given the choice, on a desert-island, you have only one pen scenario, I would choose the Jinhao. But that's just personal preference. Both write well and smoothly. If I took the Jinhao, I'd want a six-pack; I think 6 of the Jinhaos would last as long a one of the Sailors.

[@watchspirit]

$2 in the US, only? Oh my, that is really really a good offer. Price-wise, there is no chance for Sailor compared to the Jinhao. Overall, the Sailor pen feels better, I agree. Thanks for your comprehensive insight and experience!

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

Wow, i was shocked you mentioned Parker Mandarin, which was a very niche limited edition pen in 1995. Men, you are something!

[@watchspirit]

Thanks. I would like to have the Mandarin in my collection but a colleague of mine does own it. Maybe I can borrow it for a review. Would be something.

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

@@watchspirit there was a pen stand, a the shape of a mandarin lord or something, sold exclusively through some dealer together with Parker Mandarin in 1995. Such piece of history i bet few one ever could recall.

[@fletcherchambers7175]

I've had a lot of success with the Jinhao pens... They write well enough for me, and I can amass a variety of pens for a very reasonable amount of money. The 992 is an amazing bargain.

[@watchspirit]

Good to hear. It is my only Jinhao pen, so far. I am reluctant to buy any more. I don't want them to give me too much competition for my high-class fountain pens ;-) Thanks for commenting.

[@gallcomp]

Nice video, and just a litte FYI, the Jinhao 992 is based on the Sailor ProColor, not the 1911 line, and the price difference is not that extreme between the ProColor model and the 992.

[@watchspirit]

Thanks a lot for letting us know :)

[@user-ess01]

Jinhao 992 can be currently bought at about $3 while the Sailor ProColor costs around $60. So actually it is more than 10 times the price of 992

[@oscarcalva2189]

I like my Jinhaos, not love them tho, but c’mon, there’s no comp. The Jinhao nibs are just OK, when they write, because they have very doubtful quality control. A Sailor gold nib is just DELIGHTFUL, and attention to detail is just unmatched. Both pens write? Of course, but if you’re going to compare apples to oranges you might as well compare a ballpoint, it also writes.

[@watchspirit]

I appreciate your comment, thanks.