Looking For Pen For Someone With Arthritis

[flyingfox]

How about Online Switch Plus?

 

It is a nice, light pen (plastic, but doesn’t look cheap- looks metallic) with ergonomic grip that is comfortable to hold for a long time. They take long international cartridge, or you can get a converter. For only $20.-, it won’t be breaking your bank either...

[MuddyWaters]

I had similar experience as you do shopping for a fountain pen for an elderly with less than able grip. My advice is to look for a fat pen with light weight, and you want to have a decently fat section also as likely this is where the finger tips rest and you want a buffer end ( that is the end that the nib are had a bulged out / decurve to the taper ) so it would provide a guard against the finger / grip slipping towards the nib further than needed. A pen with the balance somewhat towards the center / back can help depending on hand size. Basically you are looking for a pen that can have its center of gravity almost perfectly rest on the grip ( the part between the thumb and the index finger ).

 

This is probably an off beat one but I figure you might take a look at the PenBBS 323 ; it got a contoured body that pretty much direct the grip without needing to actually place a GRIP

 

https://youtu.be/pAvqTDuzSlY

I was looking at these + their current the penbbs 308, but they are smaller than they look in those pictures which is why I held off getting one. The shape looks great though.

[IndigoBOB]

I have a bit of arthritis and have been searching for the best pens for it. Mine isn't as bad . What I've found to work best are Ebonite pens with thicker grips.

 

The Ebonite provides extra grip, much more than other pen materials. The only other material to come close to ebonite is Lamy's Makrolon on the Lamy 2000, and it's still not as easy to grip.

 

Ebonite's also quite light in weight.

 

I have an ASA Maya 3-in-1 on the way, which uses a Jowo setup you'll find in Edison Pens and Franklin-Christoph pens. I've heard the ASA Daily 3-in-1 is good for arthritis as well with an even thicker grip.

 

I wish Franklin-Christoph made Ebonite pens, but I just ordered something very similar: The Conklin Classic Ebonite pen from Goulet Pens.

 

Everybody loves the ASA Nauka, which comes in Ebonite and a 3-in-1 option for a Jowo setup. That's been the most recommended/suggested pen I've seen lately.

 

Ranga pens are also something to consider since they are well crafted and use Jowo setups. You'd just want to make sure you get one that isn't difficult to unscrew/screw the cap.

Edited January 20, 2018 by IndigoBOB

[nakiana]

The thickness and shape of the pens are important to consider, but don't overlook the section. I have pens that have a relatively ample body, but a too small section. If the section is not comfortable, the rest of the pen doesn't matter, at least when it comes to coping with arthritis.

[dapprman]

I can't remember if the OP said the arthritis sufferer already had a pen they liked, but which they could no lognre hold. If so then try wrapping textured plasters (band aid) around the grip in short strips to see what width they feel comfortable with - will give you an idea of the sort of pen to go for, also it might mean they can use their original pen.

[sidthecat]

I had a bout of Trigger Finger last year, and I found that those silicone sleeves you can put on pencils were useful on my fountain pens as well. I’d slit them lengthwise and wrap them around the barrel. If you already have a few pens it’s a way to keep them in use.

You might also want to look at some of the alternative grips: I had an art teacher who’d been born without thumbs: she held her pencils between her first two fingers and drew with no trouble at all.

[Donald2]

I tape my fountain pen to my hand and fingers to help me with arthritis and it works.

[DrDebG]

I have osteoarthritis in both of my hands, with thick, occluded joints in all of my fingers. Neither of my forefingers close all the way either.

 

I have found that I can only use fountain pens because I do not have to put any pressure on the nib. So, encouraging your grandmother to use a fountain pen is a good thing.

 

My husband has a Platinum 3776, and it is too slim for me. I too prefer a wider, light weight pen.

 

One of my favorite pens is the Delta Horsepower. It is no longer made, so you might have to go search a bit for it. But you can find them for right around $100. It is a very ergonomic design and features either a steel nib or a fusion nib, both which are nicely wet. I have other Deltas as well which I like, but they are more “pricey”.

 

Another option is to talk with the folks at Franklin Christoph. They make pens and fit nibs according to your preference. I purchased a beautiful FC Panther with a 14K Masuyama nib and it is my very favorite pen. BUT, it cost over $300. They do, however, have a number of other pens which might work well fitted with a very nice steel nib that would cost far less.

 

Lamy Safaris are another modest priced pen (less than $30) that might work. They are a little thicker than the average pen and they are very reliable. I would recommend a fine or medium nib - extra fine is way too scratchy.

[wastelanded]

I would second (third? fourth?) the idea of an Indian ebonite pen that's made to take JoWo or Schmidt nib units. Lightweight, nice girth, good writers, classy looking, and within your budget. My black Ranga with an architect-ground JoWo is a pen I turn to more often than not these days, with my arthritis flaring up.

 

Also, matte-finished ebonite would help of grip is an issue.

[sidthecat]

I have a friend who has bad arthritis in her hands but draws all the time and is never without a sketchbook. A couple of years ago I gave her a Waterman 52 1/2 V with a factory stub nib: she was simply getting more out of that nib than I could, arthritis or no.