How is the quality of Chinese fountain-pen brands like Jinhao and Baoer to be assessed compared with established makers like Pelikan, Montblanc or Parker?

Collectors report that Chinese pens at prices between 1.63 and about 5 euros seem surprisingly substantial, are well-finished and deliver an appealing script; the nibs, however, tend to be somewhat stiffer. They are mostly obtained directly from China via eBay dealers, often even shipping-cost free. The Taiwanese TWSBI Diamond also counts as a well-finished alternative with detail solutions that more expensive makers do not offer. For price-conscious beginners or for experimenting these brands are rated as attractive.