I picked up one of these of eBay last week. It is red and has a fine nib. I got one because this was the first real fountain pen that owned. Well I forgot how they wrote that is certain. It reminds me of a Pilot Varsity but maybe a little less scratchy. It does not compare to my Cross or Sheaffer's but it is a nice pen for less than $10. Overall it is a nice pen, but it will probably be a loaner.

I would try smoothing the nib as per the Old Griz brown paper bag trick and see if it makes a difference.

ie, get some stiff brown paper and write a series of lines and figures 8s, can make the pen character a lot smoother with not too much effort.

Jim