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Majohn A1 vs Jinhao 10 (2026): Which Retractable Pen Should You Buy?
Buy the Jinhao 10 if you are testing the idea of a click fountain pen. Buy the Majohn A1 if you already know that one-hand operation matters and are willing to spend about $15 more for the more established option. Both are metal retractable pens, and neither is automatically the better writer simply because it costs more.
Majohn A1 vs Jinhao 10 at a Glance
| Pen | Typical US price | Body | Filling | Best reason to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Majohn A1 | $35–37 | Metal | Cartridge or converter | The safer choice if you already know you want a retractable pen and can justify paying more for the more established model range. |
| Jinhao 10 | $18–22 | Metal | Converter included in most bundles | The lower-cost way to find out whether a click fountain pen actually fits your routine. |
Majohn A1
Typical price: $35–37
Jinhao 10
Typical price: $18–22
What the Extra Money for the A1 Actually Buys
The A1 sits around $35–37, compared with $18–22 for the Jinhao 10. That difference is easiest to defend when the pen will be used every day: the A1 is the older, more established budget retractable, with a broader model ecosystem and generally more attention paid to exterior fit and finish. Those are construction and ownership differences, not proof that every A1 nib will be smoother than every Jinhao nib.
If you are still unsure whether the clip position, metal weight, or click mechanism will suit you, the Jinhao 10 answers that question for less money. Spending more before you know you like the format does not solve the format's basic compromises.
Why Retractable Pens Make Sense for Short Notes
The advantage is not writing quality. It is removing the cap step. In a meeting, at a reception desk, or while moving between tasks, one press exposes the nib and another closes it. That matters when notes last ten seconds and happen repeatedly.
For a long study session, the mechanism matters less. Both pens have metal bodies, and the clip sits near the grip because it must retract with the nib. Some hands barely notice it; others never find a comfortable rotation. A lighter capped pen can be easier over several pages.
The Seal Is the Main Reliability Question
A retractable fountain pen closes an internal door around the nib instead of covering it with a conventional cap. If that door does not seal tightly, or if the pen sits with a dry ink for several days, the first stroke may be faint or absent. This can happen to either model; the click mechanism does not eliminate fountain-pen maintenance.
- Use a conventional, easy-cleaning fountain pen ink for the first fill.
- Retract the nib whenever you pause.
- If the pen will sit unused, empty and flush it instead of leaving ink to dry near the seal.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose Jinhao 10 to test the workflow
It gives you the metal body, retractable nib, and converter setup at the lowest cost of the two. If you stop using the click mechanism after a week, you learned that without spending A1 money.
Choose Majohn A1 when the format is already proven
The extra cost makes more sense for frequent short-note use, especially if model choice and exterior finishing matter to you. Buy it for those reasons, not because a higher price guarantees a better nib.
Choose a capped pen if you write infrequently
A Pilot Kakuno or another well-sealed starter pen is less convenient for ten-second notes, but usually a simpler choice when the pen spends days in a drawer.
FAQ
Is the Majohn A1 twice as good as the Jinhao 10?
No. Its typical price is nearly twice as high, but the extra money mainly buys a more established retractable model and a step up in fit and finish. It does not guarantee a smoother nib.
Which one is better as a first fountain pen?
Choose Jinhao 10 only if the click mechanism is the reason you want a fountain pen. A capped Pilot Kakuno is simpler for buyers who care more about predictable starts than one-hand operation.
Can either pen use bottled ink?
Yes. Both support a converter. Check the exact bundle before ordering because included accessories can vary by listing.
Will a retractable fountain pen dry out?
The internal door slows evaporation, but it is not the same as a tightly sealed screw cap. Either pen can hard-start after sitting, especially with a dry ink or an imperfect seal.
For more detail, read the individual Majohn A1 review and Jinhao 10 review. If you are still choosing a brand rather than a mechanism, start with our Chinese fountain pen brand guide.