Kaigelu 356: Quick Review
Some of the photographs that illustrated this article were not preserved when the original site went offline.
A quick review of a modern, inexpensive Chinese pen. The conclusions may surprise you!
This is a very inexpensive Chinese fountain pen, styled to resemble a Parker Sonnet, although the pen is different enough not to be labeled a copy. I purchased the pen for a ridiculous price of well under 10 US Dollars, including shipping. The pen came without a box, in a velvety pen bag and it arrived in perfect condition.
My Kaigelu 356 is finished in brushed steel, a finish that reminds me of the cap of the aerometric Parker 51.
The cap and barrel show a nice, defect-free bright brushed finish; the clip is a stylized arrow in bright polished chrome, as is the cap band, on which the Brand name and model can be found.
At the top of the cap is a black plastic cabochon with an almost invisible kangaroo, the logo of the Kaigelu Brand. Kaigelu is the phonetic spelling of Kangaroo, Chinese style!
The 356 is equipped with a stainless steel M nib, tastefully decorated with the Brand logo.
The section is smooth plastic, with a decorative chrome ring at the nib end. The section threads are metal, the barrel threads are metal.
The pen comes equipped with a standard converter of good quality. The pen takes standard international size cartridges.
The Kaigelu 356. (Giovanni Abrate)
My impressions of the pen
Appearance
This is a well-made pen. I have been looking for flaws with a magnifying glass and can find none.
The quality of the pen would suggest a much higher price: had this pen been manufactured in Europe, my guess is that it would be priced not far from 100 $.
The balance is very good: I used the pen unposted and it was OK, posted it balances really well, for me, anyway. The cap posts securely, but without marring the surface of the barrel. There is a nylon insert that insures good contact with the barrel, without any harsh friction between cap and barrel. Another nice design touch!
Durability
The coupling of the barrel and section uses metal threads, the pen looks durable and well made. Even the converter seems more than adequate for a pen in this price range.
The cap, with its arrow clip and the black cabochon that carries the kangaroo logo. (Giovanni Abrate)
I hope the photographs convey the quality look of this inexpensive pen. I think this pen would be an ideal introduction to fountain pen writing for people who want to experience the feel of a good fountain pen.
Uncapped: the smooth black section and the steel M nib. (Giovanni Abrate)
How does it write?
I loaded the pen with Private Reserve Black Magic Blue ink. At first, the flow was inconsistent: the pen wrote well, but with a rather dry trace. I knew that I would have to give the feed a few hours to properly reach the correct level of imbibition of the feed surface. I left the pen overnight, after a very minor adjustment of the tines. The following day the pen started writing immediately, without hesitation. The ink flow is now perfect and the pen glides over the paper.
The nib is very smooth, with a tiny bit of feedback that helps control the movement of the nib on the paper.
I would rate the writing quality of this inexpensive pen as 8/10 — much better than many more expensive modern pens.
To conclude this quick review: I am very happy with this pen: good looks, nice build quality and it is a great writer! At the price at which they are sold, these pens are a steal. Use them as everyday writers or give them as gifts to newcomers interested in fountain pen, they will never go back!
© 2014 Giovanni Abrate — all rights reserved