Are you intrigued by the classic elegance of artistic, well engineered fountain pens that can seduce, as well as intimidate you at the same time? Like forbidden fruit, has the thought of owning a fountain pen left you feeling like you were out of your league? Captivated by the art of writing, the type of pencil or pen you use makes a tremendous impact on your penmanship. For over one thousand years, the writing instrument that dominated the longest in history was the quill pen. Estimated introduction around 700 A.D., the quill pen was made from a bird feather. These pens usually lasted for only a week before it was necessary to replace them. The design and development of the fountain pen came after years of using quill pens. The fountain pen evolved through various inventions to improve the mechanics of its writing composition.

Before purchasing a new fountain pen, unless you are a collector, here are some quick tips to consider:

1. Size - Pick up a pen, hold it in your hand to check for comfort and an easy grip. If your hand is petite you want to select a pen with a small barrel.

2. Weight - If a pen feels heavy when you initially pick it up and feel it, you may want to consider if this will be the most practical decision for you if you are planning to write for an extended period of time. The extra weight could cause strain and fatigue on your wrist and hand.

3. Nib - This is the point of the pen that does the actual writing. Depending on preference, there are nibs for different writing styles and strokes. An oblique nib provides a thicker line on the downward stroke and are also good for left-handed writers. An italic or stub nib gives a slanted stroke and are generally used for calligraphy writing. Your writing tends to be slower with the italic nib.

4. Ink Capacity - Some pens have a built-in piston allowing it to hold more ink than the pens using a cartridge or converter. Cartridges are wonderful for mobility but may be proned to having flow problems (skipping or not always starting when it comes in contact with paper).

5. Price - Although there are many fountain pens in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and colors to fit your personality, a pen doesn't have to be expensive to be of good quality and to write well. Find a price that you are comfortable with and compare pens in that price range.

The progression of writing apparatuses has taken a profound leap of success since the quill pen. The renaissance of fountain pens became lucratively victorious when its negative issues went through a major overhaul from being considered a "leaky mess" to capturing the interest and attention of the elite. If you are passionate about the art of handwriting (cursive and printing) you will develop a deep appreciation for writing instruments and understand the incredible feat of the fountain pen.

A well crafted fountain pen is like fine aged wine, haute couture fashion, or an ounce of precious parfum. It's amazing to find that there are worldwide pen enthusiasts who appreciate the architectural composition of this amazing writing instrument. If you decide to test drive and purchase a fountain pen, be sure to consider its size, weight, nib, ink capacity and price, tailored to fit your specific needs. Ultimately, the true value lies in what appeals to and satisfies the pen owner.