Here are a few affordable pens:

- Lamy Safari/Vista

- Kaweco Sport

- Pilot Metropolitan

- Parker Vector

- Tesco's if you can find them; $0.5 but write fairly well

The interesting part about fountain pens is customization: you can choose between different nib widths, type of paper and quality of ink. After some time you will notice significant difference if you go back to ballpoint/gel pens.

If you're interested, check out Fountain Pen Network:

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/

I'd recommend a Noodler's Ahab ($23.66 on Amazon). What makes it fun is that the nib is flexible, allowing broader or thinner strokes depending on pressure. Plus, its a pen built to be hacked. After a while you can cut the feeding unit to your liking, making ink flow more or less.

I got into re-learning to write a bit over a year ago. I was a clumsy left hander with great keyboard skills but terrible handwriting. Take a look at IAMPETH, they have tons of material on vintage writing styles. I even followed Spencerian methods from the the nineteenth century.

Pilot Varsity. They're disposable, come in packs of 3 on up, and are about $3 each.

They also have some of the best nibs for the price point (so good there's a number of people who have developed and published hacks on how to refill them).

http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Varsity-Disposable-Fountain-Medi...

/r/fountainpens[1] have a lot of useful info on choosing a good pen and getting started.

[1]: http://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens