I haven't used a fountain pen for a long time, though there are about six in the house. I learned to write what in those days we called 'joined up writing' with a dip pen and an inkwell. (This was in the 50s.) In the 60s, we weren't allowed ball points but had to use a fountain pen until I was in the sixth form when this got relaxed a bit, particularly for note taking.

I can't draft things in any detail on the computer - I have to have something in long hand to start

I can write quite prettily with a ball point, though an italic tip is my pen of choice for 'posh'...