Jinhao 82 Fountain Pen Review
An Affordable Fountain Pen for Beginners
If you've been curious about fountain pens but aren't ready to spend a lot of money, the Jinhao 82 is one of the easiest recommendations I can make. It's one of those pens that just works and won't break the bank.
The Jinhao 82 is often compared to the Sailor Pro Gear Slim, and rightfully so. It mimics the styling, compact size, and wide variety of color combinations while costing only a fraction of the price. Depending on where you purchase it, the Jinhao 82 typically costs between $5 and $20 for a three pack. My first one cost just $1.31 after applying a coupon, which made it an easy way to experiment with fountain pens without much risk.
By comparison, a Sailor Pro Gear Slim can easily start around $250 and in 2026, Sailor increased their prices due to the increase in gold and came out with a Stainless Steel line which is still a pretty penny.
While the Jinhao 82 doesn't offer the same premium materials or nib quality, it gives you a chance to see whether this style of pen fits your writing preferences before making a larger investment or at least that is what i told myself .
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Design and Color Options
One of my favorite things about the Jinhao 82 is the seemingly endless number of color combinations available. Whether you're matching a favorite ink, building a coordinated collection, or simply choosing a color that makes you happy, there's probably a version for you. Both of my Jinhao 82’s where from the 2026 limited color edition.
The smaller size also makes it easy to carry in a pen case, journal pouch, or everyday bag. It's become one of my favorite take-anywhere pens because it's lightweight, durable, and inexpensive enough that I don't worry about carrying it around.
The pen includes a cartridge converter which is an incredible bonus in ink compacity!
Writing Experience and Nib Options
The Jinhao 82 uses a small stainless steel nib roughly equivalent to a #5 size. After spending a lot of time with my Esterbrook pens and their larger #6 nibs, the nib on the Jinhao feels tiny by comparison.
That said, size doesn't seem to affect performance. The nib writes smoothly and consistently. I currently use a Fine nib as my everyday writer, but I also purchased an Extra Fine and Medium nibs for nib flexibility.
A Great Pen for Shimmer and Pigment Inks
One reason I reach for the Jinhao 82 so often is that it has become my designated experiment pen.
The cap seals very well, helping prevent the pen from drying out between uses. Because replacement nibs and even entire pens are inexpensive, I feel comfortable filling it with shimmer inks, pigment inks, and other specialty inks that I might hesitate to use in a more expensive pen like my Esterbrooks. If you're curious about my experience with Esterbrook pens, I wrote more about it in “Is the Esterbrook Estie or Niblet Worth It?”
The nib units are also easy to swap, which makes testing different nib sizes and ink combinations simple. If something clogs, I'm not stressed about cleaning it or replacing a part. I just rinse it out and keep on moving.
Who is the Jinhao 82 Is For?
Overall, the Jinhao 82 delivers incredible value for the money. It's fun, reliable, available in countless color combinations, and offers an easy entry point into the fountain pen hobby.
Whether you're buying your first fountain pen, looking for an inexpensive everyday carry, or searching for a pen dedicated to shimmer and pigment inks, the Jinhao 82 is hard to beat for the price. So have a go at it, find your perfect color way and enjoy your fountain pen journey!
