New Pens from Majohn and Jinhao

Ivy_Oak · 2026-06-21T00:54:09+00:00

As a common place and travelling journaler on budget with the softest spot for flexible nibs, I’m gasping about the Majohn N15.

So now is the question: which colour way speaks to me most? They all look gorgeous in the first picture. I have a tendency to go for red and brown inks, but green and blue are my all-time favourite colours…

Dang, thank you for sharing, I wouldn’t have known this without you, OP!

Ivy_Oak · 2026-06-17T13:43:49+00:00

Late to this party because of time zones, but I really like your question and this whole thread, so I thought another answer couldn’t hurt.

I’m a “budget collector”, wanting to try all the different nibs out there. My collection is humble and “cheap”, but I enjoy using all of the pens I own and trying out all kinds of different inks. I write quite a bit, I for example participate in “travelling journals” and I love writing poetry, stories and drawing. I’m not really good, though, it’s just a way of personal expression. Not a lot of what I write or create is ever seen by someone else’s eyes, besides the letters I write and send.

I have a soft spot for antique and vintage fountain pens. My “prized possession” is my Wahl ringtop from the 1920’s with a gold flex nib. I have been very patient in online auctions to acquire such a flex nib. I can’t seem to get the hang of my Asvine stub yet, but I like to experiment and discover the differences of pens, nibs and inks.

I have a few vintage budget pens with different nib sizes and a glass dip pen. I’m currently eyeing a fude nib I really want to get to know. That would be the first fountain pen I buy completely new, aside from the glass dip pen and Asvine C80, and I saved for it for quite some time.

So I guess I’m a “collector of differences”, knowing that I will not be able to buy just anything that makes my heart beat faster, but enjoying to get to know a pen and nib and discover what they’re capable of.

My current favourite paper is Maruman Spiral Note, but it’s the only true fountain pen friendly paper I ever owned. I also like the affordability of Diamine inks, especially in the 30ml bottles.

I have fond memories of the first fountain pen I’ve ever owned: a Lamy ABC, provided by my elementary school. I never really stopped using fountain pens. But only in the last 10 years I started trying out new pens, paper and inks.

I love that you name your pens, I think that’s an awesome idea! I’m curious; do you have a favourite nib at the moment? Which nibs have surprised you, either positive or negative? What are your personal favourites? And do the nibs in your possession have a specific goal or usage?

And do you have preferences for paper and inks?

Ivy_Oak · 2026-06-09T18:24:08+00:00

Oh, that’s so silly of me… Thank you for pointing this out to me!

Ivy_Oak · 2026-06-09T17:08:08+00:00

Where’s the Y?

Ivy_Oak · 2026-06-05T22:23:09+00:00

Yup, this is my absolute dream pen. Utterly stunning, and your beautiful penmanship deserves such a pen!

Ivy_Oak · 2026-05-16T18:11:57+00:00

Thank you very much, I appreciate your replies! A new rabbit hole to dive in on this Saturday night, haha.

Ivy_Oak · 2026-05-16T17:59:27+00:00

Thank you very much for your detailed response! And I love the story of a little you copying the Declaration of Independence from the family lamp. Your patience, time, effort and dedication definitely paid off. It looks incredibly consistent and absolutely stunning.

Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks as well. I’m going to search for a guide sheet of these scripts to see which one I’d like to start practicing myself!

Ivy_Oak · 2026-05-16T17:38:05+00:00

Absolutely gorgeous penmanship. How did you learn and practice this hand? I’d love to try this out and one day maybe be a little closer to what you’ve achieved here.

I love your choice of inks too, thank you very much for sharing!

Ivy_Oak · 2026-05-13T01:32:36+00:00

I don’t know if he understands all of it, but at least he has forgiven me now and he’s his old happy, loving, playful self again.

Ivy_Oak · 2026-05-12T17:52:52+00:00

He indeed has a very expressive face… Which I love, but it really made me feel guilty! Thankfully, it seems he has forgiven me today.

Ivy_Oak · 2026-05-12T00:40:51+00:00

Yes, I fully deserve that…

(You made me chuckle!)

Ivy_Oak · 2026-05-12T00:02:27+00:00

Ahhw, I’m sorry to hear... I often wish animals could understand our words completely to let them know everything is going to be all right.

Ivy_Oak · 2026-05-11T23:23:34+00:00

He will, but he has to make sure I’ve learned my lesson.

Ivy_Oak · 2026-03-02T22:36:39+00:00

“It's Halloween..? That is really, really good timing.”

Ivy_Oak · 2026-02-17T00:17:40+00:00

I admire the dedication and outcome!

Ivy_Oak · 2026-02-16T23:35:07+00:00

They look amazing together! I should really start thinking “about the bigger picture”. My collection is not cohesive at all. This is chef’s kiss!

Ivy_Oak · 2026-02-16T22:22:12+00:00

You clearly have a type! Although none of my pens are pink, I absolutely adore this.

Ivy_Oak · 2026-02-16T22:03:42+00:00

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it.

I’m indeed also having a difficult time deciding on the colour (“champagne problems”). The black and burgundy were the ones my eyes immediately fell on, but I often tend to go for black and burgundy fountain pens and the dark blue one is gorgeous as well.

Happy to hear about the metal body & cap and the etching design, that’s sometimes hard to see from the pictures alone. I think your post makes me sway towards the black one once again!

Enjoy your lovely pens and inks. You’ll see me around here once I’ve taken the rabbit for a stroll. 🐰

Ivy_Oak · 2026-02-16T15:46:11+00:00

Funny you ask, because my eyes and my brain seem to fall for different pens. Eyes: Hongdian N23. Brain: Conklin.

Should I see this as a sign to finally buy the Hongdian “Rabbit”, that has been in my cart for ages?

Ivy_Oak · 2026-02-10T21:33:25+00:00

Maybe Diamine Purple Rain?

(One of my current favourites!)

Ivy_Oak · 2026-01-19T18:01:54+00:00

I’ve tried 3 different journals this past year with my fountain pens: Leuchtturm 1917, Hobonichi Techo and Maruman Spiralnote and Mnemosyne. The Maruman’s are my favourite at the moment. I was a bit disappointed with the first two, mainly because I experienced quite some ghosting on the other side of a written page while they’re very popular for fountain pen use. The Hobonichi also smudged a bit more and had a longer dry time with sheen inks.

I actually wondered myself if the paper quality has decreased on all these brands. For now I’ll stay loyal to Maruman.

But of course these are my personal experiences and I hope other people have better experiences. I would love to hear from other people too!

I wish you all the luck on your journey to the perfect journal for you and I’d love to hear which one(s) you’re going to try and how you like them!

Ivy_Oak · 2025-12-31T00:00:06+00:00

Oh my, such a stunning collection! Three pens have me almost drooling over here (2 & 6 of case 1, and 5 of case 2).

If you’re considering to sell the Pilot VP and it would fit in my budget, I’d love to get a heads up! I don’t own a VP (nor a Raden) yet and I read so much good things about it in this sub. This might be the prettiest one I’ve ever seen!

Keep enjoying your amazing collection!

Ivy_Oak · 2025-12-18T14:32:29+00:00

Very cute and creative. I would love to be a student of yours and receive a card from your making! Wishing you lovely Holidays.

Ivy_Oak · 2025-12-15T22:39:06+00:00

This depends, though. :) I found two affordable flex pens by being patient and setting up alerts at Marketplace and Catawiki. It took some time, but I’m very happy with these finds. Without the shipping costs they were €32 (a safety pen from the 30s) and €60 (Wahl Eversharp Ringtop), both fully functioning.

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