There is no rhyme or reason to my collection. The majority are in precious metals, such as sterling silver or vermeille. I have several that are in resin that I like just as much. I tend to write with a medium nib but am partial to an oblique for that calligraphic effect.
As a purest, I prefer a piston filling mechanism. This provides a nice smooth mechanism in which to draw up the ink. For portability a filling system with a piston converter is ok. This way you can remove the fill system while flying so the pen doesn't explode with cabin pressure.
I cant think of a better way to express your feelings than taking the time to hand write a letter using a fountain pen and beautiful paper. It shows the recipient that they are worth the effort.
Fountain pens are work. They must be maintained. Like a car needing its oil change, so must a fountain pen require a weekly cleaning (for daily use) or every few months for minimum usage. If not cleaned periodically, the ink will harden around inside the nib and tynes resulting in no flow or improper flow. Cleaning your pen is very easy and involves removing the ink and flushing out the piston or converter with warm water. For serious cases, submerging the piston in a glass of warm water for several days will suffice.
Maintenance aside, fountain pens provide a lot of enjoyment and they are great to collect!
