Christmas has come and gone, which means it is time to review the pen-related gifts I received. I want to thank everyone kind enough to give me any gift, as I would not be able to keep this blog up and running without them.

A Chinese pen company, Jinhao manufactures many different models of affordable fountain pens. Among these is the 993 Shark Pen, a recent addition to the Jinhao collection. This instrument’s fun design and ridiculously affordable price make it a great everyday pen that one need not worry about losing.

The Shark pen is a sleek, lightweight plastic fountain pen. The screw-on cap features a low profile shark face and a small dorsal fin to keep the pen from rolling when placed on a surface. The body is a single plastic shell, the same color as the cap. Between these two pieces is the grip section, which is made of tinted, transparent plastic (on most color options). The grip section slopes slightly inwards towards the middle, with two inverted sections for the index and middle finger to rest in. This design allows for maximum comfort when writing. Underneath the cap is the hooded nib, the hood a matte-black plastic section that slopes down into the steel nib protruding from it. Because it is a hooded nib, it is quite small.

The inside of the pen is interesting. According to an outside source, this pen can, in fact, be turned into an eyedropper pen easily, which I intend to try in the next few days. From the factory, though, this pen comes with a converter. I was surprised to see this, as most pens within the price range of the Jinhao Shark Pen (around $4) will come with a single cartridge or be disposable.

Now for the packaging. I received a 12-pack of different colored shark pens, which came in a wide, cream-colored cardboard box with a shark and the Jinhao logo printed on the front. Inside of this box was another, almost exactly the same shape and size, but this time made of frosted plastic. The box contained twelve individual slots, each holding a single pen. Laid across the pens was a white foam board. The board was used to hold the pens in place as they traveled to my home. Overall, the packaging was what one should expect from a set of $4 fountain pens: It did its job, but was not much to present.

For its price, though, the shark pen performs quite well. The hooded nib writes smoothly enough and does not show even the faintest sign of skipping. As the nib is extra-fine, the lines that it puts down are thin and crisp. The nib is closer in flexibility to a nail than any other I have used as it is so small, but this reality is not necessarily a con. For those who like a stiffer nib, it is a great option. Additionally, the converter that comes with the pen holds a relatively large amount of ink.

My first impressions of the Jinhao 993 Shark Pen are, for the most part, very positive. It is a good writer, it is affordable, it looks fun, and it is very versatile. I give this pen four and a half stars, with a half-point missing simply because of the plastic (which tends to feel cheap in fountain pens.) For a $4 pen, though, it is one of the best I have used. I would recommend this pen to anyone looking to make their first eyedropper pen, as it is expendable at its low price, or to anyone looking for a fun, inexpensive starter pen. The Shark Pen is available here at Goulet Pens.

Signing Out,

Will

Pelikan is a company well known in the fountain pen world for manufacturing some of the nicest, most reliable pens available to purchase. Centered out of Germany, Pelikan makes many different types of writing instruments, from art pastels to fountain pens. The M400 is one of Pelikan’s higher end instruments, one that I was given the chance to purchase at a reduced price. I have only used it a few times as of now, so here are my first impressions.

First, for the appearance. The Pelikan M400 is a medium sized fountain pen with a cylindrical body. Above and below the body are two rings, one that separates the body from the grip section, and one that separates it from the knob of the piston filler. The cap is screw on, and posts easily over the piston to make up for the fact that the pen itself is on the shorter side. The M400 nib is a dual tone nib, with a brilliant gold towards the front of the nib and a chrome behind it. Engravings of the Pelikan symbol and some crisscrossing lines form a pattern on the nib. The pen is available in several different color options, including a gold striped body and white cap/grip section with gold trim, a green striped body with a black cap/grip section and gold trim, a blue striped body and black cap/grip section with gold trim, and a special edition tortoiseshell brown striped body with a black cap/grip section and gold trim, among some others. On the top of the cap is a gold circle engraved with the Pelikan symbol, a pelican feeding its young, and the clip of the pen is a forward facing pelican head.

Now for the technical aspects. First, the filling system. In case anyone isn’t familiar with the iconic piston filler, I’ll lay it out right here. A piston filling system is a filling system in a fountain pen that utilizes the entire body as a house for the ink. It functions manually, as the user twists the end knob to extend the piston into the body until it is fully extended, and then twists in in the other direction to pull ink into the pen. The M400 piston system works like a charm, and the end knob does not come unscrewed if you post the cap. (which I do.) Because the body is translucent, if you hold the pen up to a light you can see the ink inside of the body, a beautiful and interesting feature. Additionally, the rivets above the grip, which is rather small, do not interfere at all with the writing experience, which is a major plus.

Onto the performance. The M400’s nib is 14k gold, and at its price range you probably expect a smooth writing experience. Pelikan gold nibs are not just smooth, though. They’re butter. German nibs are known for their quality and smoothness, and Pelikan does not deviate from this reputation. The experience of writing with this pen is easily one of the smoothest that I have ever had. The medium nib is on the wetter side. As of  late December 2018, this pen has been sitting with ink in it for too long. After taking it out and trying it, there are no flow problems and no crusty ink. 

I recommend the Pelikan M400 to anyone who is willing to spend a significant amount of money on a fountain pen or to anyone looking for a Pelikan pen to start out with. Do not purchase this pen for its retail price, $400! You can purchase it for $280 on multiple websites and at pen shows, which is the same price of the upgraded M200. Click here for the M400 on Pen Chalet.

Signing Out,

Will