Promotions aren't based on ability as it is. In every environment that might qualify as a medium-sized business or larger that I've seen (I grant you that it's somewhat limited), cronyism and/or seniority rule the day.

I know, I know, anecdote is hardly the plural of data and all that, but when that's all you're seeing, it sort of becomes easy to draw those conclusions anyway.

Warning: not an engineer, please read comment accordingly.

I have to agree on the Sakura. I've used a Micron, and the non-technical Gelly Roll, and they've both been wonderful: the ink has been smooth, with never a blob, smear, or dry spot, and the pen itself writes quite smoothly.

I'll also put in a recommendation for the Zebra Sarasa Clip. I use the 0.4 mm tip, and it can feel a little bit scratchy, but I naturally write quite small, so the precision of the fine tip works well for me. The ink is very consistent, with no blobbing whatsoever. Once in a great while I do hit a dry spot, though. It's also light and comfortable in my hand.

I don't know that you can actually get that model of Zebra here in the States, but I use JetPens. They have a good selection of different writing tools (mostly from Japan), and they're very speedy: I've yet to place an order using regular mail that has taken more than 3 business days to get to me.

...ugh, now I feel like a salesman. Which is slightly mitigated by the fact that I'm being a pen salesman.