Some pens get kinda beat up in the service of their writers. This Diplomat Attaché is structurally sound but has a pretty scratched up cap, as you see in the photo. The gold plating also is coming off the steel nib. Click the headline for photos. Otherwise, this is a normal fountain pen. It comes with a standard international converter and can use like cartridges. On like most fountain pens, this one requires a little pressure to write a smooth medium line. If you are a heavy-handed writer, this is likely better for you. 13.8cm capped.