Danny,
When one looks at a fountain pen, what does one look for?
Is it:
Built material?
Ink type?
............
How do you gauge a good pen?
Hi Peter,
At the risk of oversimplifying the whole selection process, the following would be the likely criteria for me:
I use my pens to write so what's most important to me are the nib quality and the ink capacity. Generally the Japanese brands such as Pilot, Sailor and Platinum/Nakaya tend to have very good nibs. Amongst the non Japanese brands I find Lamy, Pelikan, Visconti and Stipula to have reliable and good quality nibs.
As ink capacity is also important for me I like to go for Piston fill pens whenever possible. As an alternative cartridge converters are also fine.
Last but not least you have to like the look and feel of the pen. I particularly like the Japanese Urushi lacquered pens and Celluloid pens.
I guess when it comes to the crunch, the purchase decision for a fine fountain pen is very much an emotional thing. Buy the one that appeals to you the most.