I collect fountain pens and pencils, and I taught myself an Italic calligraphic style of writing several decades ago, which I have never regretted. I believe that the brand and make of writing instrument best for you will depend entirely on your reasons for buying it. I warn you that I am a collector and tend to buy pens and pencils costing at least $100 apiece (current U. S. list prices), and usually at least triple that.
Several people have commented on the non-utility and beauty of fountain pens. Undoubtedly the most lavishly beautiful but non-functional fountain pens made today are the collectors' editions by Montblanc, ranging in price upwards from $500 or so, at discount, in the United States. I own several collectors' editions by Montblanc, and they are a joy to see and handle. However, I would not advise actually writing with a Montblanc, since every single Montblanc that I own leaks, from their bottom-of-the-line fat cigars (I own two) to my collectors' edition Hemingway (a gorgeous ink sieve.) Carrying a filled Montblanc fountain pen is a great way to ruin your clothes. The Montblanc rollers, ballpoints, and pencils that I own never worked well for me in daily use either, since they also tended to be fragile and difficult to buy supplies for. Montblancs are more "collectable" than the other brands I will mention, so it is easier to re-sell them, I have been told. Montblanc is a foolish choice for a calligrapher, a P. T. Barnum high-price-tag brand, in my opinion.
The most beautiful fountain pens made--that actually work--are Pelikans. I own a couple of very expensive Pelikans ($1000 range at discount in the U. S.), and these collectors' pens also are completely functional and virtually leakproof. However, I do not recommend Pelikan's ballpoints, rollerballs, or pencils, since mine have proven to be fragile. Also, I have sometimes had some trouble in obtaining refills in the U. S.
My favorite brand of working writing instruments is Parker. Parker fountain pens are beautiful, not overly ornate. Every single one I own works flawlessly. Parkers' rollerballs are the best I have ever used. I am not a big ballpoint user, but the ballpoints I own by Parker also serve when needed. I also use and love their high-end automatic pencils.
My current favorite writing instrument is a Faber Castell automatic pencil that cost me $100, full list U. S. price. Other brands of fountain pen that I have enjoyed actually carrying and writing with are Conklin, Delta, and Aurora--all good functional, real, working fountain pens.
