This is a popular Chinese fountain pen that commonly sells for about $10. It combines classic looks and a reasonable price tag and has become a stable of the sub-$10 category, though it’s not generally considered in realm of the best Chinese fountain pens.
One of the main features of the Jinhao X450 is it’s triangular grip, which makes it a popular pen for people with sweaty hands.
The pen is a cartridge-converter that uses standard international cartridges. It has a steel nib that is plated to look like a bi-color gold nib.
The X450 is notable for its size and grip, but also large range of colors and patterns its sold in. In addition to a number of high glossy solid colors it is sold in marble patterns and other interesting options that differentiate it from pens that might otherwise be in the same price class, like the Pilot Metropolitan or Lamy Safari.
Jinhao X450 Review
This is a very heavy pen because the body is made of lacquer-coated brass. This adds a surprising amount of weight to it and makes it reminiscent of some of the faux-wood Yafa pens from 15 or so years ago.
The weight doesn’t necessarily translate into quality though and it’ll never be convincing that this is a great or expensive pen despite the specs matching that of something much more expensive. To this point, chips in the lacquer are not impossible, and not even uncommon so it’s best to treat the pen like it cost a fair bit more than it did.
The rounded-triangular is a love-it-or-hate-it design. Lamy pulls this off better with its Safari fountain pen’s triangular grip, but this is an interesting attempt nonetheless.
All told this is an OK fountain pen for the money but there are better options available unless — and this is big — you just love the grip.
Jinhao X450 Fountain Pen Information
| Street Price | Check Price |
| Manufacturer | Jinhao |
| Pen Type | Fountain Pen | Cartridge/Converter |
| Rating | |
| Barrel Color | Red, Black, White |
| Barrel Material | Metal |
| Body Diameter (mm) | 13.0 |
| Grip Color | Red, Black, White |
| Grip Material | Metal |
| Grip Diameter (mm) | 10.1 |
| Country of Origin | China |
| MSRP | $10 |
| Still Sold | Yes |
| Similar To | |
| Refills | |
| Capped? Retractable? | Capped - Snap On |
| Clip? | Metal |
| Length Capped / Retracted (cm) | 14.0 |
| Length Posted (cm) | 15.8 |
| Length Uncapped (cm) | 12.5 |
| Weight (g) | 41 |
| Nib Material | Steel |
| Nib Color | Bi-color |
| Nib Sizes | Medium |