Why not buy one decent pen “shell” and then just buy the plastic tube with the tip and the ink afterwards?
I know many companies use pens for marketing but still, they could apply this too and also stand up for the environment while still do marketing.
Don’t buy the 1$ ones for kids, and they don’t. For 4-5$ on AliExpress they don’t leak at all. I carried a few in my bag, and the worst that happened was that the nib got a bit dirty. If you need to be extra careful, get a one with a screwed cap.
Also, I’m pretty sure the converter makes it safer. When you draw in the ink, it creates a vacuum (pretty sure), and I’ve had ink literally defy gravity.
Not really if you’re not using the cheapest possible ink. Decent cheap ink through an extra fine nib dries in about the same time as a gel pen for me. As in, don’t try to smear it, and you won’t.
You can buy a converter if you still have any. Big companies make their own, Chinese have a standard most of them are using and coming with. A Parker converter literally cost me more than 2 Chinese pens though.
My current favourite is Jinhao x750. It’s less than 5$, metal body, refillable, doesn’t leak. I’ve replaced the nib on the one I’m using, but the default is still way ahead of a ballpoint. The plastic models cost even less, but don’t feel as nice IMO.