Now, I am not sure whether they still make students write with a fountain pen but when I got out of HS in 1992 basically everybody (say 90%) was still using one. When I learned how to write starting say 1978 or so a fountain pen was the only thing we were allowed to have. It was Geha or Pelikan back then. Lamy Safari came later only. My teachers always complained about my handwriting. It was quite horrible. The funny thing is that it has only gotten a little bit better since then (and I still write slowly) but now everybody compliments me on it. I write fully cursive letters that are all connected just the way we were shown. Somehow I was always too lazy to figure out or develop my own handwriting; it was just a tool to fulfill a job.

Yes, losing the MB would suck big time. That's why I hardly take mine out anymore although I have taken even the Solitaire with me to HS frequently. I am quite sure the nibs are exchangeable but I like the big nib on the big pen. It is just the 'write' thing for a signature or a Thank You note.

The Duofold is a pen I have always wanted. Sometime in the 90 they had an orange Mandarin edition. I didn't buy it back then and now it's twice the price if you can find it. Darn it.