I give it points for being inexpensive and having a nice, smooth nib (mine does, at least; I've read reviews on fountainpennetwork.com from owners whose nibs were scratchy). I bought mine sometime in the 90s, when they were still made in the U.K.--the reviewer who said they're made in the U.S.A. must be misreading something. As far as I know, Parker isn't making any pens in the U.S. anymore. They moved production overseas eons ago--the U.K. and France. I'm not. sure where they're making these pens now, but I doubt it's the U.S. Mine has always had a problem with intermittent skipping, so I stopped using it not long after I got it, especially once I found the Sheaffer cartridge pen I'd replaced with this Parker. The Sheaffer's never given me any trouble, even though I paid about the same price for the two of them at the time--about $$$. I recently posted my problem with this pen to a fountain pen board and it was suggested that I pull the nib and feed and give the feed a good scrubbing, then floss between the tines of the nib with a thin sheet of brass. I intend to do just that when I get a chance, and see if I can make this pen work. As I said, the nib is VERY smooth. It's pleasant to write with, when it's not skipping. To the reviewer whose Reflex wore out after just over a year of use--there's a reason more expensive fountain pens are more expensive. The tipping shouldn't wear down that quickly. There are pens from the early 20th century that are still in use. People are using their 50s vintage Parker 51s and Sheaffer Snorkels and Esterbrook Js on a daily basis and the nibs aren't even close to wearing out. This is not to say that inexpensive fountain pens will all wear out like the Reflex does (and this isn't the first time I've read about that happening--shame on Parker for using such soft tipping material. There are inexpensive *** and *** and *** and *** fountain pens that can be used on a daily basis and not need replacing so soon. For that reason, as well as the skipping and the chance of getting a scratchy nib, I couldn't recommend this pen.