How in the world

[jttheclockman]

How in the world do they do it???

Advanced Fountain Pen JINHAO 1200 Silver Golden Dragon Clip Medium 18 KGP | eBay

I have this pen and have to say the quality and fit is excellent. Snap top cap. How it wears is still a mystery but have seen alot worse. That company makes some real nice pens too. Just do not know how they can sell pens for what they do. Labor, parts, machining, and shipping.

 

[liljohn1368]

Looks to me like they would have more then in supplies.....

 

[firewhatfire]

I don't know but for $5 a nib and clip I will buy a few and see

 

[Charlie_W]

So just what would you receive for your less than 6 bucks....a pen? A clip and Nib?...just a Nib?.....little lacking in the details as I read it.

 

[magpens]

What does the "18 KGP" mean in the ad title ?

Oh .... it just dawned .... 18 karat gold plating, probably !!!

 

[rudya7]

Look on the bright side, the real wood pen from the same supplier bumps the price all the way up to 6 bucks ! There is hope yet for wood-turning

Noble JINHAO 8802 Brown Wood M Fountain Pen with Black Cap | eBay

 

[firewhatfire]

I ordered 1 of those and 3 of a stainless steel one. for $11 I am willing to gamble on it.

 

[jttheclockman]

So just what would you receive for your less than 6 bucks....a pen? A clip and Nib?...just a Nib?.....little lacking in the details as I read it.

You get the pen as seen. As I said I have one of these and the pen is actually very good quality. Shipping alone would be that price. That company is actually a reputable company that I know of. Their whole line of pens is not bad. Buy it for the parts and make it into something else. Really makes you think though.

 

[Edgar]

Thanks for starting this thread, John.

I just ordered one of these for $3.85 - it'll be interesting to see if I can repurpose that nice looking blank.

JINHAO 8802 Chinaware Fountain Painting Pen 18KGP Medium Plum Blossom Bird | eBay

 

[jttheclockman]

Thanks for starting this thread, John.

I just ordered one of these for $3.85 - it'll be interesting to see if I can repurpose that nice looking blank.

JINHAO 8802 Chinaware Fountain Painting Pen 18KGP Medium Plum Blossom Bird | eBay

I think when you get the pen you are not going to want to take it apart. the components look nice also. Now of course delivery will take some time.

 

[robutacion]

I have asked that exact question many times as I have also brought to IAP pens on sale at eBay that I find very puzzling as how they do it.

You are correct, the quality on most of these pens is quite good and you don't feel to pull them apart and the same question about re-using some of these pens components to created your own pens, I'm not sure if that would be a feasible option with the enormous amounts of new pen kits on the market with much better prices than what they were, some years back, competition and design aspects have boasted the pen industry significantly, in my opinion.

If I was making pens for a living, I would probably consider the re-use of some of the eBay pens to create my own, or maybe not...!

Cheers
George

 

[Fireengines]

Take a look at the choices offered on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...eld-keywords=jinhao+pen&rh=i:aps,k:jinhao+pen

 

[jttheclockman]

Just do not know how they do it. I have this one also. Bought them together. Really nice looking pen. Even if you do all these pens in tremendous volume the cost can not be matched.


https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41FZJCnweOL.jpg

 

[BRobbins629]

Low cost manufacturing is something the Chinese are very good at doing. Their labor costs are typically less than $1 per hour with no benefits; their shops are small and crowded with few amenities; the equipment typically not high tech for these items. If you were to weigh the pen, it is probably less than 1/4 pound. The raw materials used such as steel and plastic are less than $1/pound. Gold plating is very thin. When I was working, we bought many items from China considerably more complex than a pen for a few dollars per item. My guess is that their costs are $2 or less including labor and materials. Add in economy shipping and they still make a nice profit.

 

[jttheclockman]

Low cost manufacturing is something the Chinese are very good at doing. Their labor costs are typically less than $1 per hour with no benefits; their shops are small and crowded with few amenities; the equipment typically not high tech for these items. If you were to weigh the pen, it is probably less than 1/4 pound. The raw materials used such as steel and plastic are less than $1/pound. Gold plating is very thin. When I was working, we bought many items from China considerably more complex than a pen for a few dollars per item. My guess is that their costs are $2 or less including labor and materials. Add in economy shipping and they still make a nice profit.

Bruce, not sure about the light weight stuff. The pens I have are equivalent to a full size majestic. The fit and finish are spot on. No way for me to tell about plating but as I said not a bad pen at all and if sold next to one of our so called premium pens and no words spoken it would be hard to tell at least from this novice turner.

 

[dogcatcher]

Out of curiosity I bought several of the pens, and from different sources. They are as good as they look, some actually better.

 

[plantman]

What does the "18 KGP" mean in the ad title ?

Oh .... it just dawned .... 18 karat gold plating, probably !!!

Correct !! Jim S

 

[plantman]

John: I had Jinhoa custom make two pens for our 50th wedding anniversary. Among other things I ordered were 6 of these $5.00 pens that I was going to use the nibs for kit-less projects. All pens I ordered, regardless of price, $2500-$5 were of the highest quality and craftsmanship!! I still have the 6 $5.00 pens, and haven't had the heart to take them apart because they look and write so well. The more expensive pens are the crowning jewels of my collection . And, yes, It's hard to believe that such quality and craftsmanship can come at such a low price. It's also hard to believe the no cost shipping and 10 day delivery. Custom made pens took 3 months, but was well worth the wait. Jim S

 

[Fireengines]

Do these pens take regular rollerball pen refills?

 

[Fireengines]

Here is a great article on this subject:

How does China make such cheap fountain pens?

 

[jttheclockman]

Here is a great article on this subject:

How does China make such cheap fountain pens?

This is a great article and it is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to differences between China and the USA and other countries. Just one small item and multiply that by 10000's and you have the answer. We can never compete with this but it does explain the how. Thanks for posting. Interesting read.