Calligraphy Fountain Pen Dollar (Qalam) - (Navy Blue)

This is a perfectly functional pen. The built-in concealed piston filling is a bonus, the pen writes smoothly enough and could be used for everyday carry or school. The "Calligraphy" nib does provide a little line variation. Mine has a peculiar left-hand slant to the chisel tip, not sure if this is deliberate or not. However no problem in action. This is not a Montblanc but for the price, outstanding value.

Writes beautifully, but ink will not flow unless you are sitting upright, ie the pen is in a roughly vertical orientation, nib down. Also, be aware that this a fountain pen and does not take cartridges. Fantastic value for money.

Dollar is a German-Pakistani brand manufacturing inexpensive starter fountain pens constructed from plastics and therefore a competitor for Lamy's Safari and similar models. However, whereas the Safari is designed as a cartridge pen with the option to add a filler adapter, Dollar uses piston fillers; there isn't an option to use cartridges. In theory, the piston systems will have a larger reservoir than is possible with a cartridge or adapter and the product description uses that as a feature. Without ink, the pen weighs a paltry 10g, about the lightest yet encountered.There is a screw-down end-cap which is removed to expose the piston's rather large and easily gripped operating knob. On this, the piston is screw-operated (push-pull on certain other models) and it is possible to see it in action via the small see-through window which may represent about a third of its total capacity. That window also allows an indication when a refill is about due and also the colour of the ink loaded. The standard nib is iridium-tipped and quite smooth. On that, it is described as 'Fine', writes more as a Medium and is quite wet, probably helping justify its large reservoir. However, this is the italic version with a 1.1mm wide nib and initially marketed within and designed expressly for the Middle-East and specifically those areas that use Arabic, Hebrew, Iranian and several other non-latin scripts. Part of the pen's labelling is in Arabic.The pen has just enough length to be used uncapped whether held somewhere on its section or as far back as the reservoir window. Post the cap and other options are then available. The nib is surprisingly smooth, typical for others that are German-made and about equal to if not slightly better than the similar Lamy nib and a very welcome surprise although reviews seen elsewhere had also commented similarly.The Dollar 717i is mid-range among Dollar's products but still bargain-priced, slightly better built than the lesser models from the brand and with several variations in colour and function. The pen is designed to be recycled at the end of its useful life. It does not feel as if it will take much misuse but it said to be more rugged than it may appear.The standard-nibbed pens could make an ideal first fountain pen for an older child or teen and will actually cost rather more than this if you can find one, the italic version for someone perhaps learning to write any of the Middle-eastern languages or anyone who likes the idea of an italic-nibbed pen in their line-up. The pens can help encourage a better style of handwriting than a cheap ballpoint or gelpen can ever allow. The standard version may be a good stand-by pen, its large ink reservoir being an advantage; the italic version could also be an excellent signature pen as it will introduce considerable character.

Nice nib, the pen does leak a little but it does write well.

Nicely made, with smooth run on the paper, concealed pump and window to the ink reservoir. However it is more suitable for writing Arabic as the nib tip requires a certain angle. Rather than relying on the two week return, I run it on a sharpening stone until the tip slant become suitable to comfortable writing of cursive Latin.

Like the new way to fill the pen,nice broad nib and unbeatable price.good product

I did consider buying a music writing pen for £145, then the price went up for some reason to £165, Then I saw the Dollar pen for £1.20. On impulse I bought it. It is a fantastic pen, music writing, fantastic!! Smooth action, lovely to handle, whats not to like.

The Good:The buil-in "pump" to draw up the ink & see the amount left is very convenient and well built.The Bad:The nib smudges and is not as smooth as I expected.