I have used my Road Morph at home a couple of times when I was too lazy to look for my floor pump... I think that should tell you something about whether it is a good pump.
Frankly, I have a Zefal pump that came on a bike I bought used, and if I didn't know they were quality pumps, I would not be impressed with the initial impression of it's construction either...
I do agree there is a classic look to the traditional frame pump, but if you go that direction, I would practice at home, because I remember in my younger years ruining a couple of stems on my inner tubes with Zefal type pumps from not holding them steady enough while inflating my tires.
Nothing quite like tearing the stem off a tube you just patched to get you in the mood to take it all apart again to put in your spare tube... Of course, I have always been a klutz anyway.