How to hold your pen

[kdquenzer]

I am a new fountain pen user and decided to try to improve my handwriting. I purchased the book "Teach Yourself Better Handwriting" by Rosemay Sassoon and in one of the chapters she seems to recommend an alternative method of holding the pen. It shows how you can put it between the 1st and 2nd fingers.

 

Has anyone tried this and if so, how do you like it?

[KnightofNi13]

Do you mean making a triangle with your 1st and 2nd fingers on top and the side of your middle finger on the bottom? That's how I was taught to write, and from what I understand, is the "proper" way to hold a fountain pen because of the range of mobility. What way were you speaking of?

[gross]

This, if I am understanding correctly, places the pen between the index finger and the second finger with the thumb supporting the pen from below. Is this correct?

 

It is something that was occasionally used in elementary school as an alternative means of holding a pencil or ballpoint. It was done to avoid making the near permanent callous on the second finger that results from years of holding a pencil or ballpoint in the manner considered to be "correct". I do not know if it was successful in preventing this callous. It was done mainly by girls. I saw it used on occasion in my class, but never saw that it either improved or harmed the student's penmanship. When teaching on the college level, I noticed a student now and again who wrote in such manner. Therefore, I would surmise that some students persisted in this manner because they found it satisfactory.

 

I've never personally seen it done with a fountain pen, but don't know of any reason that it couldn't be done or shouldn't be done with a fountain pen.

 

I hope this is helpful.

[kdquenzer]

This, if I am understanding correctly, places the pen between the index finger and the second finger with the thumb supporting the pen from below. Is this correct?

 

It is something that was occasionally used in elementary school as an alternative means of holding a pencil or ballpoint. It was done to avoid making the near permanent callous on the second finger that results from years of holding a pencil or ballpoint in the manner considered to be "correct". I do not know if it was successful in preventing this callous. It was done mainly by girls. I saw it used on occasion in my class, but never saw that it either improved or harmed the student's penmanship. When teaching on the college level, I noticed a student now and again who wrote in such manner. Therefore, I would surmise that some students persisted in this manner because they found it satisfactory.

 

I've never personally seen it done with a fountain pen, but don't know of any reason that it couldn't be done or shouldn't be done with a fountain pen.

 

I hope this is helpful.

 

Yes, you are correct in the method she recommends. It is to prevent your hand from tiring and seems to be more for ball points, roller balls, and felt-tipped pens. I may just stick with the standard grip.

[sallywally]

I've noticed that practically everyone under a certain age (maybe 20 or 25?) holds their thumb on the outside/on top of their index and even middle fingers, which puts the pen in kind of a hole made by the curling of those two fingers into the palm. Have you noticed this? It's not clear to me what is going on with the pen beneath all these digits! :hmm1:

[Martini25]

This, if I am understanding correctly, places the pen between the index finger and the second finger with the thumb supporting the pen from below. Is this correct?

 

It is something that was occasionally used in elementary school as an alternative means of holding a pencil or ballpoint. It was done to avoid making the near permanent callous on the second finger that results from years of holding a pencil or ballpoint in the manner considered to be "correct". I do not know if it was successful in preventing this callous. It was done mainly by girls. I saw it used on occasion in my class, but never saw that it either improved or harmed the student's penmanship. When teaching on the college level, I noticed a student now and again who wrote in such manner. Therefore, I would surmise that some students persisted in this manner because they found it satisfactory.

 

I've never personally seen it done with a fountain pen, but don't know of any reason that it couldn't be done or shouldn't be done with a fountain pen.

 

I hope this is helpful.

 

This is how I began to write in my science class during 6th grade. I noticed I was holding the pencil in a "weird" way and have not gone back. Although with Fountain Pens, this has changed. I still hold my other pens and pencils this way but I hold Fountain Pens in the "standard" way, since most of the fountain pens I have are not slim enough to fit between my index and middle finger.

 

The only reason I held my pencils/pens between my index and middle finger was because it gave me more control over my writing utensil and helped my wrist by keeping it straight instead of an angle as I do with the "standard" method of holding. To each their own right?

[FooWriter]

I've always gripped my writing implements with the tips of my thumb, forefinger and middle finger in a sort of triangle. The standard grip with the thumb and forefinger and the pen resting on top of the middle finger always felt awkward and not very secure, to me.

 

The nuns were not the slightest bit pleased with my innovation.

[Batalina]

i hold my pen like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4275580138_0506d2c81a.jpg

and i've got a huge writer's callus, which i've had since first grade or so. even though i'm nerdily proud of it, sometimes it hurts me, so i think i'll try the alternate ways of holding that are mentioned here! thanks!

[buffalowings]

that's how I grip NOW, BEFORE, well, just imagine your thumb a inch or two higher up on the barrel of the pen

[FooWriter]

that's how I grip NOW, BEFORE, well, just imagine your thumb a inch or two higher up on the barrel of the pen

Double jointed much?

Edited January 15, 2010 by FooWriter

[Trenchermann]

I realize this post is several years later than the question. The pen gripped between the second and third finger is a modified tripod grasp, and it is often suggested by Occupational Therapists as a comfortable and efficient way to hold your pen. I developed a tremor following brain surgery, and an OT suggested this grip (also sometimes called a scribe's grip). Although there was a learning curve, it ultimately helped improve my handwriting and also decreased the pain in my finger joints from gripping the pen too tightly.

[benrobert]

Watching a calligrapher do his work might seem easy, but you probably know how hard it can be once you are the one doing it. It takes a lot of practice to master this art of beautiful writing, which means you’ll have to sit for long periods.