I recently got my first FP: a Pilot Metropolitan with a medium nib (plain black) and I'm starting to plan the next step. My criteria is as follows: 1) Affordable. I'd be comfortable in the $5-$35 range. 2) Quick drying. I'm a leftie so pens on the dry writer side is preffered. 3) Aesthetics. I'm not particularly a fan of the more modern designs such as the Lami Safari. 4) Nib size. I'm currently using a Pilot Medium, but I've heard from multiple people that a Pilot Medium is close to a Western Fine. So either fine or medium nib is good. 5) Feathering. As a student, I frequently write on cheap, absorbent paper so feathering makes my handwriting illegible. I'm not necessarily confining myself to Pilot but other Pilot suggestions are more than welcome.