I like Bob's format, so I'm shamelessly copying it.
With it's inexpensive price point in mind, let's focus on what a great pen this is!
Color: Green barrel, black cap, black end cap. Blue Tinted ink window, hidden when capped.
Body Material Plastic?
Grip Material same as body of pen. No stepdown.
Internal Parts All Metal Parts Are Bright Aluminum
Filling Scheme Piston Filler
Nib - Two-toned Steel, Iridium tipped nib. Springy
Furniture "Gold" clip and cap band.
Diameter Body 9.87 mm
Diameter Cap and Clip 10.1 mm
Diameter Grip 9.87 mm
Body Length 12 cm (nib to end; uncapped)
Cap Length 6 cm
Capped Length - 12.9 cm
Nib Length - 18 mm
Body and Cap Weight 10.6 gm
Ink Capacity Unable to measure.
Significantly more than a cartridge.Here's a picture comparing the Reform to the F&C 2013 Essential (Model 27), Parker 21, and an Ahab. So I like green pens.
This pen is LIGHT! Your grandmother won't put her back out with this one.
The nib on this pen ranks among the best I've experienced. It writes very smoothly, has quite a bit of spring - enough to allow some line variation with strong down strokes. It's not temperamental. The best part is that it's removable, à la the Pelikan or Esterbrook nibs!! More on that later.
I LOVE this pen! It has an almost permanent place in my pocket. It's a breeze to fill, and just as easy to clean out. Since the nib removes, flushing takes seconds. Knowing how much ink is left, with a glance at the window is comforting. One of the pens I received needed the nib tines adjusted a bit, but that was no issue. I hope to order many more of these for the purpose of giving them to friends as a sure-fire enable. In meetings with the executives in my company, I see almost everyone with a Bird Splat roller ball in their pockets. They almost hardly ever use them to take notes. I feel rightly smug when I take out my $4 German school pen and scribble out the wishes of my overlords.
Reform 1745
The Pen
This pen is what most would consider a "beater." Personally, I think every partaker of penly pleasures should have at least one or a dozen beaters. No shirt pocket? No problem, its small size and inexpensive price point alleviate one's fears when it's realized the pen was placed in the same pocket as the keys and roofing tacks. As such, there's no reason to spend time discussing the "packaging" or "presentation". When it arrives, it'll probably come from Europe in a small padded envelope, with a couple twin brothers if you're lucky.With it's inexpensive price point in mind, let's focus on what a great pen this is!
Specs
Color: Green barrel, black cap, black end cap. Blue Tinted ink window, hidden when capped.
Body Material Plastic?
Grip Material same as body of pen. No stepdown.
Internal Parts All Metal Parts Are Bright Aluminum
Filling Scheme Piston Filler
Nib - Two-toned Steel, Iridium tipped nib. Springy
Furniture "Gold" clip and cap band.
Diameter Body 9.87 mm
Diameter Cap and Clip 10.1 mm
Diameter Grip 9.87 mm
Body Length 12 cm (nib to end; uncapped)
Cap Length 6 cm
Capped Length - 12.9 cm
Nib Length - 18 mm
Body and Cap Weight 10.6 gm
Ink Capacity Unable to measure.
Significantly more than a cartridge.Here's a picture comparing the Reform to the F&C 2013 Essential (Model 27), Parker 21, and an Ahab. So I like green pens.
Fit and Finish
It's a beater. It'll probably be in nice shape when you buy one with the sticker still affixed. The black cap and end cap will show scratches rather easily. The body still seems to be in nice shape given the abuse it has received.This pen is LIGHT! Your grandmother won't put her back out with this one.
The Nib
The nib on this pen ranks among the best I've experienced. It writes very smoothly, has quite a bit of spring - enough to allow some line variation with strong down strokes. It's not temperamental. The best part is that it's removable, à la the Pelikan or Esterbrook nibs!! More on that later.
Hand Feel
This is an easy pen to hold for someone with small to medium sized hands. It's very light, and that may cause some people angst. I love it. My hand never gets tired when writing. The grip doesn't step down, which is nice. Writing posted or on posted is essentially no different, unless you like to grip a little higher up the barrel.Ink Capacity
Typical of piston fillers. A fill will typically last me a few weeks of regular note taking in meetings. Less if the meetings are boring and I doodle a lot. I suck at doodling, though.Price Point/Purchase Options
This is a great pen for anyone looking for a beater. It will stand up well to abuse. Yet it's also a great pen for anyone looking for a terrific writer at a VERY low cost! Ebay is typically full of deals. Usually they can be found in sets of 2 or more. I paid $8 for 2 pens and $5 shipping from Germany. And I received the pens in about a week.Summary
I LOVE this pen! It has an almost permanent place in my pocket. It's a breeze to fill, and just as easy to clean out. Since the nib removes, flushing takes seconds. Knowing how much ink is left, with a glance at the window is comforting. One of the pens I received needed the nib tines adjusted a bit, but that was no issue. I hope to order many more of these for the purpose of giving them to friends as a sure-fire enable. In meetings with the executives in my company, I see almost everyone with a Bird Splat roller ball in their pockets. They almost hardly ever use them to take notes. I feel rightly smug when I take out my $4 German school pen and scribble out the wishes of my overlords.
Bottom Line
I will absolutely buy again. I will buy several and pay them forward.
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