After reading a few negative reviews, I was apprehensive in ordering.

Honestly I am glad I did. I looked into how to use a fountain pen correctly, then I followed the directions that came with it and it writes beautifully. No leaking, no over-saturation, no skipping.

Maybe I just got lucky, but this pen is very nice. I haven't owned a fountain pen in decades to be fair, so I am no expert.

No complains with this Wordsworth and Black in chrome and black.

Update - 11-1-20: Two items to update:
1. Replacement pen arrived yesterday evening. Used it with the converter this morning and my Waterman Serenity Blue Ink and it writes beautifully. As well as the last pen wrote before continuously running out of ink. All other positive comments from my original post apply - wonderful pen in the hand, and on paper.
2. Customer Service at Waterman& Black - excellent customer service. THe problem with the 2-day initial reply process is that Waterman & Black Customer Service is in China. TIme difference applies. They read my issue and immediately told me that they were sorry this happened, had a couple of hints on cleaning the pen to clear any blockage (which shouldn't be an issue with a brand new pen), AND informed me they were sending a replacement pen with their apologies. I informed them that I had already returned the faulty pen and had another one coming to me via Amazon. Amazon - one day replacement - THANK YOU. As far as Waterman & Black, I provided my input as to what I believed the problem MIGHT have been - a blocked ink flow tube from material associated with the plastic cartridge that I used first with the first pen. As I said here, I used the replacement pen first off with the converter and my ink bottle and it performs flawlessly. The cartridges they use are thick at the end that goes into the pen barrel toward the head. I don't know the design/style of their piercing/cutting mechanism, but I believe there is a chance a piece of the cartridge blocked the ink channel that prevented flow of ink by gravity, as I could get it to flow only by screwing down the converter barrel plunger every half a page.

In any event - we'll see what Waterman & Black say about that. But in the end, I have a functioning pen with the converter. IF Waterman & Black send me another pen as they said they will, I will use a cartridge after verifying proper operation with the converter, to see if the pen experiences an ink flow failure again. I'll stay in touch about the level of customer service to follow up with investigating possible issues with their pens/cartridges.

I've used fountain pens a lot throughout my life. I find using them to be artistic and enjoy the feel of good ink flowing on to paper with a quality pen. I purchased this particular pen based on reviews and the color/nib color based on personal preference.

My nitial impression of the quality, heft, feel, and balance of this pen in my hand was 'outstanding.' I ordered the additional package of cartridges, and a bottle of Waterman 'Serenity Blue' ink to round out my purchase and happily loaded a blue ink cartridge to see how well it performed.

WIth ANY new fountain pen, you have to prime it to begin writing because there's no ink in the nib to pull ink from the chamber/cartridge downward. I shook the pen down to force ink toward the nib to begin writing - nothing. I shook harder, now over paper towels because of the expected large drops to fly out - nothing. I shook it downward vigorously - nothing. I removed the barrel and SQUEEZED the cartridge to force ink into the nib. The cartridge is much more sturdy that the old cartridges I've used in the past - nothing.

I removed the cartridge and checked to ensure it had been pierced - it had and I could squeeze ink out of it. I discarded the cartridge and inserted the converter into the pen head to use the bottled ink from Waterman. I used the converter and pulled a full cartridge worth of ink into the pen from the nib in the ink bottle.

I began to write. AHA!!! I was rewarded with a beautiful line of ink and I the pen felt like it was gliding over my paper - laying down a beautiful line of ink, and my handwriting felt like it was being rewarded for my efforts to make nice loops, gentle curls, and exact punctuation. I was happy now ..... for about one-half of one page. The ink began to flow slower, until finally it stopped altogether. I had to unscrew the barrel from the head and using the converter screw-plunger apply pressure to the ink inside the converter to push ink into the nib once again.

I began writing again and was rewarded once again with a beautiful writing experience ... for one-half of one page. Same story - same result - same corrective measure ......... I wrote to the company in the hopes of some 'insider' information about possible causes of this problem. No answer for two days - in the middle of the week.

It's a fountain pen, not a new tech piece of complex industrial electronic or mechanical equipment designed to make my life better. It's a fountain pen, and it simply doesn't work. I purposefully avoided fountain pens that were relatively inexpensive because I thought "If I pay a little more, I'll get a little more." Apparently that idea is incorrect in today's world. I cannot afford a Mont Blanc. I used to use the old standard fountain pens that had the cartridges you used in the caligraphy sets made by the same company ... never had a problem with those pens, but thought they were 'baseline' pens and perhaps I could get a better writiing experience with a pen from a manufacturer that seemed to be a 'cut above.' It seems this company has a fancy website and great product photography and marketing - but nothing more.

The pen doesn't work, and they won't respond to an outreach for assistance. I'm returning the pen, and will seek another that simply works for now. Once again, in today's age, I must lower my expectations of the products that are available. WHY can't I find a quality product? I don't mind paying extra for QUALITY, but that term seems to mean little anymore.

This is a great fountain pen. I used it regularly for several years. I only stopped because it was stolen. I reached out to the company about purchasing a replacement and they sent me a BRAND NEW replacement for FREE within 2 days of me reaching out to them. Great service.

I am a writer. 70 years old. I wrote for a living to support myself all my life. I love Moleskin notebooks that Hemmingway used and fountain pens.
Writers were lucky to have jobs writing 45 years. Let alone own a Mont Blanc

This pen is a dream. Smooth and silky on paper. Doesn't leak on your hands. Cartridges last
I am buying my second pen bc it is so good
D.L.Craven

Wordsworth and Black make excellent fountain pens and they have equally excellent customer service. The pens write smooth, consistently, and beautifully. I bought an incorrect sized extra nib (my fault), and after asking customer service for assistance, they resolved my issue within one email. Good people and good products. I will be buying more fountain pens and nibs from them. Highly recommended.