Fountain Pen: Jinhao 100 Wireframe

VISUAL

'Skeleton' fountain pens have a metal lattice framing structure overlaid clear or colored resin. This particular pen has a fairly tight repeating oval pattern in matte black over a clear barrel. The pattern repeats over both the barrel and the cap, with solid matte black finials.

The section and nib are also matte black, but the cap threads are clear acrylic. It's an interesting choice!

TACTILE

The metal lattice is surprisingly well made. The metal is smooth to the touch and doesn't catch on my fingers at all - a surprising rarity in skeleton pens! The matte finish feels very durable and so far has seemed pretty scratch resistant.

This is a surprisingly heavy pen given how much metal is 'missing.'

PRACTICAL

Jinhao is a known 'cheap' Chinese brand that seems to have been stepping up its game over the past few years. This is a very decent pen! The nib is smooth and very wet, and I enjoy writing with it.

While there are plastic threads and the body itself is plastic, unfortunately the section is metal where it joins with the body. This means that the pen cannot be eyedroppered, as tempting as it is. It's nice to see the converter for easy ink level checking, but I wish this pen would have the option for a full ink fill. It would look amazing!

The flat top pen shape is a very tried-and-true shape. I appreciate the fact that the end of the body is shaped to allow posting; this pen does post firmly and easily, but unfortunately the cap is so heavy and the pen is so long that it turns into a backweighted baton when posted. I'm such a habitual poster that I still find myself doing so, but it's a bit much even for me!

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STATISTICAL

Pen Measurements:

Weight: 46.4 g

Weight of Cap: 16.7 g

Length Capped: 104mm

Length Uncapped: 127.5mm

Length Posted: 174mm

Nib: 6mm 'Medium' Steel

Body Style: Flat Top

Fill Method: Converter

Fill Volume: 0.8ml

Comparison Pens: Pilot Metropolitan and LAMY Safari

My Fountain Pen Database

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OVERALL

Pros:

• Really unique visual

• Fun way to see ink

• Durable matte texture

Cons:

• Can't eyedropper, which would have been amazing

This pen is a great value for the cost. I paid roughly $20 for this pen, and I find that more than reasonable. The metal skeleton makes this pen stand out from other versions of the Jinhao 100.

DISCLAIMER: Pens and inks purchased by myself. Photos and opinions are my own.