Brian was so right.

I have a 540...somewhere. The cap completely separated from the metal clip. Yep, I got a brand new cap in a week. Customer service was great.

The pen now sits, empty, tossed in a drawer. The most positive thing I can say about it...it came in a really nice box?

The Reform 1745 looks a LOT like the Pelikan 200 line.

rearviewmirror said:

The Reform 1745 looks a LOT like the Pelikan 200 line.

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Looks like a skinny Pelikan 120 to me.

Doug, you seem a well informed chap - what's your take on the Reform ? Is there better German budget?

Nightshade18 said:

Doug, you seem a well informed chap - what's your take on the Reform ? Is there better German budget?

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Well ...

brianw said:

... the kaweco sport I had just bought from Swisher Pens for 5 bucks.

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I wish we could group buy those Kaweco 5 dollar pens.

Doc4 said:

Well ...

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Doc, is that really fair? It seems highly unlikely that anyone would be able to find a $5 Kaweco any more.

They're two very different pens as well. Reforms are only available vintage, whereas Kaweco pens are still being made (although vintage models can be found).

Looking on ebay, it seems the price of a vintage Reform is similar the price of a new Kaweco. Granted, you're at the mercy of an ebay seller's honesty .

I think an interesting, and potentially informative exercise would be a detailed look at the "affordable" available German options. Lamy, Kaweco, and Reform are the ones that immediately come to mind.

Perhaps this is a topic for another thread though, so as not to derail the OT.

nemo said:

Looks like a skinny Pelikan 120 to me.

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+1. It is a low-budget version of a 120 made for small hands. A school pen, primarily, with school-quality nib.

Nightshade18 said:

Doug, you seem a well informed chap - what's your take on the Reform ? Is there better German budget?

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I'd get a Pelikano Junior as a budget pen. Very nice nib. Takes a converter. Very inexpensive, so when the plastic cracks you can get another.

newbilong said:

I'd get a Pelikano Junior as a budget pen. Very nice nib. Takes a converter. Very inexpensive, so when the plastic cracks you can get another.

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but the Reform is the same price and is a piston filler.

jzuzphreek said:

but the Reform is the same price and is a piston filler.

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Sure, if you want a piston filler regardless of the nib quality, your choice is made for you.

I've got 3 spare NOS Reforms that I will PIF to people who are curious about them. Can i do that here or should i start a new thread?

newbilong said:

Sure, if you want a piston filler regardless of the nib quality, your choice is made for you.

I've got 3 spare NOS Reforms that I will PIF to people who are curious about them. Can i do that here or should i start a new thread?

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That's very generous... but I just bought 2.

Doc4 said:

Well ...

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I thought Brian said that....

Just thought it was worth asking the question as there's a few options.
You never know what secrets are up Doug's sleeves....

Nightshade18 said:

Doug, you seem a well informed chap - what's your take on the Reform ? Is there better German budget?

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Probably not, but a used M200 fits my bill. But since you ask:
Not everyone gets along nicely with the old-fashioned feel of the steel Reform nib and the pen is rather dainty.

The Kaweco is really short when capped (posted is OK) and it doesn't come with a clip (accomodation clips available). Great pen for the price.

The latest Pelikano Jr is aimed at a younger market and is styled accordingly. Smooth and bombproof nibs.

Rockminer said:

I wish we could group buy those Kaweco 5 dollar pens.

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Me too, at that price put me down for 10!