Today pens

Despite the perceived heightened prices in the modern niche, good quality steel and gold pens are available inexpensively today, particularly in Europe and China[citation needed], and there are even some "disposable" fountain pens available. There are many fountain pen users around the world, even today. The main reasons people seek fountain pens in recent times are for effortless writing and comfort (some sufferers of arthritis are unable to use ballpoint pens, but can use fountain pens), expressive penmanship and calligraphy, longevity (fountain pens are known to last several lifetimes, whereas most ballpoints and all of their refills are disposable), professional art/design, their wider range of available ink colours, recreational collecting (history and heritage), and academic benefits.[8] Many users also mention that fountain pens retain a sense of timeless elegance, personalization and sentimentality[9] that computers and ballpoint pens seem to lack,[10] and often state that once they start using fountain pens, ballpoints become awkward to use due to the extra motor effort needed and lack of expressiveness.
Cheap, disposable fountain pens for casual use are also available, e.g. the Pilot Varsity.