Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Let's get it immediately out of the way that this is not a $500 pen from Mont Blanc or Waterman. What is IS, however, is what can be described as only a truly beautiful fountain pen for $25, and it looks more like it cost $100. I was surprised just how attractive the acrylic layering process used to cover the pen's shaft is just so shiny and deep in its visual effect. The pen's metallic pieces look good, too, with a deeply shiny gold plate, and although feel light when removed from the pen, look just fantastic when the pen is completely assembled. Weight balance, too, is good, since you pull the top part of the pen off and then attach it to the other end of the pen while writing. The pen has a quality feel about it, too, with a reassuringly firm click upon opening and closing. You can choose to use ink cartridges, but if you prefer, an ink refill converter is provided so that you can draw ink up from an inkwell, rather than replace a cartridge. While this is not as convenient, it has one tremendous advantage: you can purchase the highest quality ink you want, and use it with the pen, rather than be "stuck" with whatever ink has been pre-loaded into a prefilled ink cartridge. The pen comes in a standard velcro slip bag (nothing fancy here, but that's not why you buy this pen, anyway) to protect it during shipment and when not in use, and in its own way, this is more functional than those very nice and fancy gift boxes that more expensive pens come in but are essentially unused after initial purchase. Really, when one gets right down to it, it's a steal for this price. Look carefully, though, as some of them are also offered with a nice box, which is perfect for gifting. Highly recommended.