The Reform Calligraph may not be much to look at, but it is hands down the best calligraphy fountain pen I have tried thus far. In terms of both nib quality and flow consistency, it outperforms the usual suspects currently on the market, including the Lamy Joy, the Rotring Art Pen and the Sheaffer Calligraphy Pen. Reform pens use a piston filling mechanism, which regulates flow better than converters and cartridges .
The 2.3mm italic nib looks like a shovel and has 2 breather holes. The line variation is more than sufficient for Blackletter. The ink window is helpful (unlike the much-too-narrow window on the Lamy Joy).
These pens were produced in the 1970's (the nib is marked "W. Germany") and the only way to purchase them now is new old stock or second hand. They simply do not make pens that function this well anymore in this price category, let alone piston fillers.I don't love the "narrow plastic barrel + faux gold trim" aesthetic of this pen, but the way it performs makes me forget all about this.
