Dollar 717i (not the demonstrator)

[ZeissIkon]

Yes, I know, the demonstrator has already been reviewed, but opinions differ from one user to the next...

 

First Impressions (8)

A smaller, lighter pen than I’m used to, about the size of the old Shaeffer cartridge pens of the 1970s (before the No Nonsense), but lighter due to the plastic cap. I love the color (Smoky Gray), and though Dollar obviously didn’t spend anything extra, the pen appears well made and there are no defects visible.

 

Appearance (8)

I like a simple, solid color pen, and gray is just about my favorite color; the Smoky Gray of this Dollar pen is beautiful to my eye. Quite definitely not black, but still on the dark side. There’s a “plastic” look to the pen, but in this price range, that’s expected, and the molded parts are cleanly made and well assembled.

 

Design/Size/Weight (8)

A simple design, with a blind cap shape reminiscent of the old “cigar” pens and a flat-top cap; will fit nicely in even a smallish pocket. A little bit short for my hand uncapped, but very comfortable posted, and the plastic cap doesn’t add too much weight for comfort; in fact, this pen is lighter posted than my Yafa uncapped. Screw-on cap; we’ll see how well it stays on the pen over time but it appears to seal nicely and doesn’t require a lot of torque to feel secure.

 

I also really love the ink window; I’ll be able to tell when I’m running low, which isn’t the case with most cartridge pens unless I take the barrel off (and even then, only if the cartridge is made of translucent material). I also get instant feedback on the filling process, which did a lot to help my confidence inking a piston filler for the first time.

 

Nib (7)

Comes only in Fine, and I prefer medium, but this nib is very smooth for a fine (Norman at HisNibs checks and adjusts every nib he sells), potentially augmented by the top quality ink I bought with the pen. I’ll have to write more to be sure, but I’m not actually sure this is any finer than the Medium on my Yafa, which appears to use the same nib and feed; in any case, it’s certainly *not* scratchy or dry, which are the qualities that usually make a fine undesirable to me.

 

Filling System (9)

Pen filled quickly and easily; a double cycle of the piston (recommended method from HisNibs, to ensure a complete fill) took only about fifteen seconds plus time to wipe the nib and section -- I could easily do this in a minute including time to set the bottle out, open it, and close and put away afterward. My first time with a piston filler, it was smooth, easy, and fascinating to watch the ink bubble up through the ink window in the barrel -- I’m hooked...

 

Cost and Value (8)

Nothing fancy about this pen, but for the price, which included HisNibs standard nib check and adjustment, it’s quite a good value. There’s undeniably some value added in buying pens from a pen enthusiast who understands how they’re supposed to write.

 

Conclusion (8)

Overall, it’s a nice pen for the price; it’s about as inexpensive as a self-filler gets (for new, I’ve seen NOS pens for a few dollars less since ordering), but appears well put together and a nice, proven design.

 

 

[bwnewton]

I agree with your review. I have one which I purchased from HisNibs.com as well.

 

Mine is a demonstrator & I'm very pleased with it. I use mine for underlining and writing margin notes in books, articles, etc. PR Copper Burst works very, very well in it. PR American Blue skipped some & Noodler's Polar Brown does even more. After trying some suggestions to get the NPB going, I think I'll try to thin it out with a bit of distilled water.

[ThaIwan]

I'm currently in Saudi Arabia. Tonight I was on a stroll to get some supplies and in a mini market ran by an Indian or Pakistani.....I found Dollar 717i Demonstrator fountain pens! What a find. I bought 3 of them, but I might buy the rest out this week as well. Too bad I haven't got some inkbottle with me. I don't believe the shop had bottles of ink.

[MSA]

I guess I am the lucky one. Last month a friend of mine who works in an airline, was visiting Karachi, Pakistan for a few days. He got two Dollars one blue and one gray for me. Both are perfect - did not require any adjustment. The shop he bought it from sold them for less than a US dollar.

[Aysedasi]

Italic nibbed 717i here -

 

Italic Dollar 717

Edited June 18, 2009 by Aysedasi

[His Nibs]

Italic nibbed 717i here -

 

Italic Dollar 717

 

I've had that model, with the Arabic script on the side, in hand. It's not an italic or stub, but rather an oblique nib.

[agchristie]

i missed out when these were sold as demos here. Does anyone know where i could get one of these as a demonstrator with cheap shipping to europe?

[ZeissIkon]

HisNibs.com has the demonstrators, or did last time I looked. I'm sure he can ship to Europe, but shipping cost might equal the value of the pen...

[mattabrams2001]

I dig the 771i

[mattabrams2001]

Smeden also sells them

[Genova Blues]

I recently bought a dark grey Dollar 717i from an italian seller on Ebay; it arrived a couple of days after I paid for it ... a kind of magic for the Italian Post.

 

My first impression was positive, the pen is light but with a sturdy feel, the plastics give a sense of rigidity.

 

I cleaned it with some warm water and liquid dishwashing soap and I started to appriciate the precise and easy operation of the filling system.

 

After a good rinse I inked it with my reliable, good old Rohrer und Klingner Verdigris, that I liked to pair with the pen's body color; I was a bit wary about the first writing test, because looking at the nib I had the impression tines were too tight ... and because I am not being very lucky with my recent pen purchases.

 

And instead I was *very* pleased by the way this pen writes: wet, smooth, prompt, in a couple of words, a true pleasure to write with, one of my best acquisitions - if not *the* best - in the last six months, the best 5 euros I recently spent.

 

But looking at the nib, it reminded me something ... well, yes, the Serwex 162! They are very similar as shown in the picture here below:

 

Dollar717i+Serwex162-1 di S.R.GE, su Flickr

 

But quality of construction and finishing are not comparable, the Dollar 717i wins hands down ... it is enough to look at pen model engraved on the barrel.

 

The nibs are virtually identical:

 

Dollar717i+Serwex162-2 di S.R.GE, su Flickr

 

But the writing experience in my case at least is *very* different; I own several Serwex 162 and I was never convinced by their performances, while my first Dollar works like a charm.

 

Now I am waiting for a demonstrator of the same type: if it works like this sample, I will dare to try also Dollar inks, perhaps they might also prove to e a pleasant surprise ...

 

Sergio

Edited April 29, 2014 by ser.rep