Delicate Nibs And Left-Handers

[gweimer1]

Here's a question, maybe observation, that I thought I would pose. One of my challenges in trying to get a nib set right is the fact that I'm left-handed. I'm careful not to bias my tuning, but I have found something along the way.

 

If I run into a nice, delicate nib, I can find a little grab in the nib at some angles. Specifically, as a leftie, I am frequently "pushing" the nib across the page, rather than dragging it with my hand as I write. Has anyone noticed this? I have a couple of older pens with what I call fine, brittle nibs. They write beautifully, until I start pushing, and the nibs just want to hang on to the paper without budging.

[Doug C]

I have exactly the same issue, and, although I am an underwriter, I will still have problems with flex nibs. I am not a big fan of the flex nibs on my Nakayas for this reason.

[RudyR]

I have tried flexy dip pens and have found that the only solution for me is to turn the page 90 deg. to the right and essentially write down. Otherwise, as you have probably found, the tines will snag and pop and either spray ink or bend the nib.

[Algester]

to me if I observe my stuff right you can "broaden" the writing surface of the nib for this I would use something like a right foot oblique and then go into the under writing position hence I never use my only vintage flex pen for normal writing (where in I take the side hand and over writing angles) but for the more delicate nibs like say a Brause Rose well I havent gotten to work around that except to find a smoother paper which is actually harder than it sounds something like the Rhodia is a myth in my area, or find a lesser delicate nib

[Icywolfe]

I heard the Pilot WA nib was meant for left handed people.

 

I wonder if you use a thick Broad nib would it still snag?

[pajaro]

Having written left handed for fifty-six years, I can say it has occured to me that I am pushing the nib across the page as I write, over, under or side writing. I have learned to use a very light touch to avoid what you might call stiction or vibrations in delicate nibs. I have flexy nibs that I don't flex. They make wonderful fines and extra fines. There a couple of italics that I am careful to use a light touch with also. I just guide the pen across the paper and let the pen apply pressure with its own weight. Let the pen glide across the page. If I applied pressure on some of these nibs they would be ruined. Some are a bit weak, feeling thin.

[Water Ouzel]

I heard the Pilot WA nib was meant for left handed people.

Lefty, underwriter, with a Pilot Custom 743 WA. Nice pen/nib, but not specifically designed for left-handed writers. It's quite a wet writer, M shading towards B (for me), and smooth enough.

 

The initial point of the upturned tip on a dip pen nib was for smoother writing, reducing the catching on the paper that a lot of nibs would do, especially after some wear.

 

I've got some other pens with upturned-tip nibs, particularly some Sheaffer Triumph and conical-nib pens, all of which are notably smooth for me. Even if a tipped nib doesn't get as much/any benefit to its writing qualities as a dip pen nib, I like mine quite well.

 

But none of them are noticeably better for me than other good pens that I use.