JINHAO 88 Series Metal Fountain Pen (Red, EF Nib 0.38mm)

This pen has exceeded my expectations in quality, performance, & attractiveness!

The all metal case has a nice heft, and the pen is great to write with.

Love everything about this pen. Stands out on it own. Very pretty to look at. Comfortable in the hand too!

This pen feels good in my hand – nice weight, good balance, and it posts well. When I first got it and tried to fill it with several inks that I have, I could not get it to write at all. I am a fan of Jinhao pens – have six in my collection – have never had a problem with any of them. This was a first. I was about ready to return it when I decided to fill it with Noodlers 54th Massachusetts—an ink that I could not use in any of my other pens (many brands) because it made them all write too wet for my taste. The Jinhao 88 started working nicely. It’s still a dry writer and every now and then needs to be dipped in water to increase ink flow but I like it because it allowed me to salvage 3 ounces of otherwise useless ink. Jinhao 35’s also like Noodlers.

Wouldn’t lay ink for the life of it. Did a cleaning and it still didn’t lay ink. After minor tweaking it would lay some ink. Then it went right back to not writing. My jinhao x750 I got at the same time is far superior. Still this desk decoration looks nice but fails at being a pen.

Reviewing a JinHao 88 fountain pen, blue exterior, black steel EF nib. Heavier weight (32 g) metal (brass?) pen, perfect proportions, feels great in the hand. No cartridge provided, but does come with a converter, most appreciated. Easy filled with Waterman Serenity Blue ink. Getting it started took a single shake (note: do so only in a controlled environment - it will spot!). Otherwise, writes beautifully - fluid, no skips, no noticeable scratch. I prefer the thin line of the EF nib - more precise but perhaps less character than a standard F nib. Comparing it to my other two fountain pens (Waterman Graduate Allure, Platinum Plaisir), it is the best of the three. Has the look and feel of the Waterman, but I prefer the 88’s EF nib. More serious in appearance than the Plaisir and writes even better, likely the result of the Waterman ink. A true Goldilocks pen - my new favorite.

Of all the fountain pens I've purchased (both cheap and expensive), this slim aluminum pen is my go-to. I use it exclusively. The ink flows without clogging and it doesn't skip. I'm glad I bought it.

Really much nicer than I was expecting. Feels substantial, well made. Good ink flow. Nice design. I got the black. Would love to order more but wish there were more color options.