Left Handed Over Writing?

[soulsynapse]

Is there a script or style of calligraphy that is conductive to this? Or am I doomed to learn to underwrite?

[Peppers]

You can be a left handed overwriter with nice cursive, just practice. I am a lefty and have no problems, you don't have to force yourself into weird things.

[soulsynapse]

You can be a left handed overwriter with nice cursive, just practice. I am a lefty and have no problems, you don't have to force yourself into weird things.

 

Isn't the problem with having to push the pen across the paper instead of normal pulling like a right handed underwriter would?

 

Thanks for givin me hope!

[cattar]

If you write with pressure, you'll want to unlearn that. A fountain pen will glide across the page without pressure and leave a line of ink. Don't press the pen, guide it, then it won't dig into the paper.

I'm a lefty push writer and I use Japanese fine nibs and flexy fine nibs and stub nibs for cursive, italic and printing. I like the springiness of the flexy nibs. I also write with fountain pens on cheap paper and some art papers.

Art supply stores often have Platinum preppies or Sheaffer calligraphy sets.
Office supply stores often have Pilot varsity or plumix (an italic nib).
Get a few cheap pens and write.

[Peppers]

 

Isn't the problem with having to push the pen across the paper instead of normal pulling like a right handed underwriter would?

 

Thanks for givin me hope!

 

Yes, lefties push and that is the problem. However, the pushing is only a problem with Soft, Semi-Flex, or Flex nibs, otherwise you will be ok. That is why you will heard or read in many places that lefties can't take full benefit of those nibs (the line variation), because you need to flex it on the down stroke (pull) to separate the tines.

 

You don't have to change your overwrite position, but you can improve your handwriting instead, in your current position. Also as you are an overwriter, if you grab a stub or italic nib, it will be exactly the same as a right handed writer, a perfect replica. I used to write with italic nibs until I got into gold nibs, where I changed to fine westerns.

 

Like Cattar said, with fountain pens, you don't have to apply any pressure at all, the own weight of the pen is enough to make it work flawlessly. The problem with lefties and pushing the pen is that they bury the nib, they apply pressure, and because of the pushing, it acts as an anchor and the pen stops. People that face those problems have no idea of the proper use of a fountain pen.

 

If you are starting into fountain pens, I recommend you to start cheap and explore how it feels with your writing. My suggestion to you would be to get a Lamy Safari with a F nib. From there, you can purchase separate nibs, like 1.1mm Italic, M, or EF, at the fraction of the pen's cost and only swap them. Once you experienced that, you will have a feel for what exactly your handwriting requires and go for gold nibs on any brand you like.

 

Hope this helps!

[sidthecat]

I'm a lifelong user of The Devil's Hand and if I have a problem, it's the opposite of what you describe. After decades in animation I write with such a light hand that I can't always express the potential of my pens. This has led to some very expensive purchases and a growing reputation for madness among the pen-repair community.