Does anyone use a writing slope? I've heard they are ergonomic, which presumably means they are good for you ha ha. I was thinking of getting one but I suspect it would just get in the way as my desk has limited space. Maybe a blotter mat would be better... or use nothing at all (it seems fine so far)

I would like to hear if anyone uses a writing slope and if they are any good.

After having used several writing slopes for the past few years, I find them almost indispensable for comfortable writing. Writing on an angle suits me much better than writing on a horizontal surface: the angled surface "fits" the natural angle of elbow and forearm well and raises the writing paper to a level that truly allows one to see exactly what one is writing. Although I still do write on horizontal surfaces on many occasions, I never do so by preference. I wouldn't be without a writing slope, but that's only one point of view.

I've used one for about a month, maybe more.

No matter how short of space I am I'll never
go without one (willingly) again.

It makes a tremendous difference both in the
quality of my penmanship, such as it is,
and my comfort level when writing.

I use mine for correspondence and for business paperwork
whenever possible.

When you speak about a writing slope exactly how is this done, a simple board or a wedge shaped box? Could anybody post pictures and relative sizes?
All of this sounds very interesting and I could use anything that would help my penmanship. Thanks.

Mine has been around awhile - picked it
up in an antique shop.

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The back support is about 5 1/2" tall, the front one is about an inch.

The writing surface is about 10.5" x 20".

My only complaint with mine is the little edge/rest that keeps the paper
and/or pen from sliding off is a bit sharp on my arm after I've written
for a while.

Ah, writing slopes. I dearly love them. As soon as I discovered they existed, I had to have one.

Angled writing has always been better for me, both in writing and in the reading! The angle is easier on the hand and the neck, both.

I recently had a simple writing slope custom made for me by azWoodman.com. It was very inexpensive in the poplar (I did my own finishing). I also had them make a special book box (quite a bit more expensive) to hold a collection of Mark Twain parafernalia, including a rare book, as a doctoral gift for a friend. It has a built in book rest/reading stand, and a portable writing surface (ie, a leather-covered flat surface). However, in tweaking the design for a box for myself for holding writing supplies, I've added the inclusion of an adjustable angle for the flat writing surface. If it works out ok, I'll have another made for the Twain box, too.

Here are some links to those items: writing slopes by azWoodman.com, Twain Collection box.

I use my old double elephant drawing board on a slight angle, it has all the space you need without the restriction of smaller writing slopes

Not sure what kids in school use these days but all our desks were sloped

Is there a recommended angle and dimension? I do some simple amateur wood working and this sounds like a nice simple project.

Exactly what I was thinking when I requested pictures.

Can more or less make it any dimensions you wish. The outside dimensions of my closed box are approximately 12-1/4 inches long, by 9-1/2 inches wide, by 5-3/4 inches deep/high. The inkwell is actually a holder for a 3-oz bottle of Noodler's ink. In addition to the link at azWoodman I posted above, do a search on the 'net for "writing slope" and you'll end up seeing a bunch of old antiques that are just beautiful, mostly in the UK and Europe, and with very high prices. Ebay will show up with a few, mostly in the UK and Europe, and limited shipping to the US - and shipping costs could be as much as or more than the slope itself! Further, you won't find many really nice, ready-to-go slopes on Ebay. Most will require a lot of restoration and/or refinishing.

There are a couple of keys that make a box writing slope not so simple. First, the lid is angle cut so that the back down side is even in the middle of the box, and the front up side of the lid is about 1 inch total. This way, it can open to an even-sloped writing surface. The panels inside that pull up are not attached to the box with hardware, but actually uses the applied writing surface (leather, felt, velvet, etc.) as their hinges. They fold up to the middle. There is an additional fold in the very center between the panels where the box folds closed. There is a slight gap in the back when closed, allowance for the folded writing surface inside. The hinges for the box itself to open need to be side hinges, not hinges on the center back of the box. When opened, the back edges of the box come together and your writing surface will lay over them. The edges of the panels may need to be beveled slightly, in order to lift up and down without friction against the outside edges. You'll have to add rails inside or some other support for the panels inside the compartments. And turn buttons to keep the panels in place when you close the box.

There is a how-to book available on Amazon that has a writing slope in it. If I can find the right one, I'll post a link to it. It is, I think, a bit more rustic than my modern slope (which I finished to look old and well used, heh). Edit again: here is the link to that how-to book, and the slope is called a Cottage Writing Box. The book is called Boxes and Chests. And here is another link to the same book that actually shows some of the plans of the box itself: Cottage Writing Box
. They do leave out some details, and it is copyrighted material. I think its a safe bet that buying the book, as inexpensive as it is, would be a good investment even for a rustic box.

Now, as for just a simple, angled writing surface... two pieces of sturdy hardwood attached to each other to create that angle according to the height you prefer, and then covered with the writing surface of your choice, would probably be just fine.

When I ordered my writing slope, it was all learn-as-you-go, as all we had to go on were pictures of antiques I'd found on the 'net. It was a lot of trial and error, but it paved the way for more beautiful slopes to come along. Mine is very simple, yet it was quite a project originally. The dimensions finally decided upon allowed for 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper to fit in the bottom compartment of the slope. There was a slight modification needed, though, so I don't store 8-1/2 x 11 paper in the box, but I do have writing pads and envelopes stored.

Because personal preference as to writing angle would differ from person to person, someone considering making their own - or ordering a custom made slope - would benefit from some simple experimentation. Take a suitably sized sheet of 1/2" plywood, plexiglass or other simple material sturdy enough not to bow or flex and prop it at different angles on thin books (or stacks of paper) to try for awhile. Easiest of all might be an inexpensive clipboard.

I would think that the height of the front of the slope might be worth paying attention to as well, as you'd want it tall enough to not create an awkward angle for your arm between slope and tabletop. At least an inch or more seems to be standard.

I've been playing with the dimensions of a writing slope for myself, including doodles and sketches for an adjustable surface for a stand-up desk I'm designing. Right now I'm leaning more towards a simple portable slope rather than a box or desktop.

Yes a sheet of ply / contiboard / mdf would work well but you need to have a smooth surface or a backing sheet on it otherwise the grain comes through when you write

Just put this on a table top & prop till you get the best angle for you

I got a portable drawing/parallel edge board, and use that to write on. It works VERY well, and the design allows me to change the angle without a lot of trouble.

I use a thick book (2 to 5 inches) and a fiberboard clipboard. It's a little small but works well and cost $2.50, not counting the book.

Randal

I use a mundane office supply store 24" by 18" cork bulletin board (TimePosters brand with wood frame) propped up by a couple of binders. Yes, it's ergonomic - not only for writing, but for reading too. You can sit more upright for both reading and writing. I like the cork because it offers enough friction to keep paper and pens from sliding down. When I want my flat desk back, I stash the board between desk and wall, and the binders go back on the bookshelf.