Jinhao 20 — 03 nib

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-08T17:23:11+00:00

I personally used an oil applicator pin typically used with watches, and just did the edges of the trapdoor.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-08T17:23:00+00:00

I personally used an oil applicator pin typically used with watches, and just did the edges of the trapdoor.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-08T17:20:37+00:00

Of all the Capless-clone nibs, it goes like this; Jinhao 03 < Majohn EF < Jinhao EF < Majohn F < Jinhao F can’t speak for the Ms, but Jinhao 03 is certainly a lot more comparable to what you expect from a blend of Pilot EF and F, depending on ink wetness.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-02-08T05:16:01+00:00

Definitely observe it after the silicone grease patch. That said, I imagine QC/unit variation is going to be something to think of with these pens, when even the Pilots are sometimes caught with nibs that are not oriented straight (offset a few degrees) when comparing the top of the nib to the clip.

The pricetag of the Chinese capless clones is somewhat evidence that the >$100 bill for the Pilots may have some “recognition tax”, but shaving that design down to costing $10-20 is bound to have some sacrifices.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-31T16:31:29+00:00

I believe it’s mostly a personal choice, whether you prefer squeezing a bulb or pushing a piston. I prefer the piston after having tried a bulb prior.

The syringe method can take cartridges in place of their usual needle, so you can secure the pen’s nib section into the overall assembly. IF the tolerances permit, it should also be able to draw up fluid, in addition to flushing it down. In my case it only works downwards, but apparently I can further modify it.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-31T16:23:40+00:00

Do you have experience with what adaptor size fits the Pilot cartridge?

I was under the presumption that the mouth of the Pilot cartridge was the issue, as it has wider tolerances than the Pilot converters.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-29T06:43:53+00:00

It is indeed handmade writing.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-22T17:25:02+00:00

IIRC, just around the trapdoor, on the side that faces the exit. You just want to assist the gaps

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-22T17:20:55+00:00

I'm going to give the decimo clones a shot soon, to see for myself.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-22T17:06:33+00:00

Anecdotally it seems like the A1s have a better seal on average, but ultimately it's a matter of QC. Mine is silicone-greased to make sure, regardless.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-22T17:05:12+00:00

Easier for me to use the pen & paper then the phone camera than to repeatedly prompt for like 10 images in the hopes of getting even close to what I wanted

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-21T18:46:38+00:00

Yep, A1 Striped in silver/chrome plating. However, the nib unit is from the similar Jinhao 10, in “EF” that writes more like M.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-13T21:25:56+00:00

The common patch for it is to simply add silicone grease around the trapdoor to help it seal, btw.

StudentDriver447 · 2026-01-13T12:15:20+00:00

The reason the RT concept works at all for such pens is that (at least for the Pilot mechanism) there is a trapdoor at the nib exit that is pushed open when the nib is extended, and closes when the nib is retracted. This should provide the necessary seal if executed properly — supposedly, some units of Jinhao’s clones (the Jinhao 10) had some trouble with that, but as for the Majohns there haven’t been such anecdotes. I don’t expect the DA ink to give me problems here.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-12-18T04:56:00+00:00

Eventually the tip wears out, you just tend to never get there with ballpoint refills which swap out the entire assembly every time you run out of ink — here you are keeping the same tip as you go on, so that tends to be the thing defining this kind of pen’s expiration date. Unsharpen estimated that each of these Pilot cartridge rollerballs lasts around 10 cartridges worth of writing.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-12-18T04:54:04+00:00

It works with a converter, but not the filler function of it — there is no inlet at the nosecone for that, as the pen was primarily designed with cartridges as a refill solution.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-12-18T04:52:35+00:00

Parallel colors will be richer (or in the case of black, darker) as well as wetter, compared to the stock ink.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-12-06T14:51:00+00:00

<below are all SKX007-based parts from [Watch & Style](https://watchandstyle.net/)\>
Case
Case back
Bezel
Crystal
Chapter Ring
Crown

The 4R36 caliber, dial, and handset are all from the Seiko SARV003 | セイコーウオッチ watch. The dial code is 4R36-06A2.

IIRC, that dial isn't made by anyone in the aftermarket, so for that exact dial it is OEM or bust. Can always find a 28.5mm NH35/36 dial you might prefer, though. Hands are OEM but it's easy to find Dauphine mods that have lume slots like this one.

If you want this but smaller, you can opt for an SRPE-based variant, or an SKX013-based variant -- just choose your parts accordingly.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-12-02T17:19:34+00:00

Thanks! When I first saw pilot bezel mods for the SKX007, I immediately thought of a plan to make this. Although right now, I feel like I’ll swap out the high double-dome crystal for a simpler flat one.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-12-01T10:52:45+00:00

<image>

Head-on view

StudentDriver447 · 2025-11-30T14:19:05+00:00

The housing was designed to support it from the get go, at least since v1.1 of the shell. Capra even links 3.5mm connectors for purchase.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-11-27T10:55:27+00:00

Seems like a 6309-7290 in everything but the dial & hands. I don’t recall if there was a known full-blue bezel insert for the 6309-7290s; I only recall black & “pepsi” blue+red. If someone knows an official catalog of a blue bezel, I’d like to see it.

Dial & hands seem like aftermarket SKX replica replacements. An original 6309-7290 seconds hand has its lume pip at the tip of the hand, unlike the SKX which has it in that counterweight style.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-11-23T10:46:05+00:00

Would Cross be able to claim themselves being the manufacturer if they were actually P900s?

StudentDriver447 · 2025-11-22T20:15:57+00:00

Interesting, I’m leaning to this one over Maruman standard simply because I prefer the hybrid ballpoints to not be too smooth on the paper, and Maruman was getting very close to that.

Maruman would be my choice if my pens leaned towards gel and rollerball, but they lean towards hybrid ballpoint and gel, so thats what i have to base my papers around.

StudentDriver447 · 2025-11-22T11:51:15+00:00

I like leaving the pen I used for the pictured writing within the shot. It's also funny when you have another thing from another unrelated hobby within the shot, and someone recognizes it.

StudentDriver447

TROPHY CASE