Heavier vs. lighter, which is preferable

[memphislawyer]

I am deciding between two SKywalkers, the Doue' and the Rubber/Platinum. The Doue' feels light and is not as thick around as a Van Gogh Maxi, and of course, the rubber/platinum one is a heavier pen, more like a Visconti Opera Club. So, a quick jot is not going to make much of a difference, but say you were writing for an hour. Which one is likely to be more pleasureable and not give any handcramping?

 

I am looking at rollerballs but I guess this would be applicable to Fountain pens as well?

[Richard]

Vintage pens are, as a rule, much lighter than their modern counterparts. It's not that they couldn't be heavier -- anyone can fashion a brass insert and drop it down a pen's barrel. But vintage pens were made for extended use, not for merely dashing off a quick signature now and then.

 

The heavier a pen, the more effort is required to hold and manipulate it, especially if the user is a "finger writer," forming characters by wiggling the fingers (small muscles in the fingers, little energy reserve), instead of a "shoulder writer," who forms characters by moving the entire forearm and hand as a unit (propelled by large muscles in the shoulder, lots of energy reserve). If you write frequently for long periods, a light pen is clearly superior and, handled properly, will alleviate or eliminate entirely the problems of cramp and fatigue. If you use your pen only briefly and infrequently, then a heavier pen will feel more "substantial" (whatever that means). Maybe it's an "I got my money's worth" thing -- more weight means you get more for your money...

 

My favorite pen is a Parker "51". This pen weighs 10.5 grams without its cap, which is the way I use it, or 18 grams with its cap. A Conway Stewart Nelson, by contrast, weighs 49.8 grams with its cap. The Nelson is a very good pen, well made, a good writer, and beautiful to contemplate, but it's entirely too heavy for me to carry comfortably.

[zquilts]

I can't add more than what the 'guru', Richard, said. It seems to me that this is a really personal choice. I thought I would like thin, light pens with point nibs - but I have found that I prefer a medium barrel pen, not ultra light and generally with more of a medium-fine nib (which seems to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer). It's really a pleasurable journey; discovering what pen really works the best for you! Looking forward to your review!

[Shelley]

Richard has hit the nail on the head, of course there is width to discuss as well...but really it depends on your own fingers, often the best way to avoid, or minimise, strain is what I used to do in my law exams and take two different pens of different weight/size and change between them often, for me this meant my muscles were getting variation which seemed to minimise strain, whereas if i used the same pen for the whole exam then my hand would cramp a bit...of course that was before I discovered fountain pens.

[Robert Hughes]

I used to be involved in high-end audio electronics. One of the unadvertised "feel" characteristics of such gear was that it was heavier than consumer-level gear, somehow implying military-duty construction. One at least one occasion I opened up one of these expensive boxes to find lead weights bolted to the frame. So much for quality in construction.

[Titivillus]

...If you write frequently for long periods, a light pen is clearly superior and, handled properly, will alleviate or eliminate entirely the problems of cramp and fatigue. If you use your pen only briefly and infrequently, then a heavier pen will feel more "substantial" (whatever that means).

 

I'd say that is a personal opinion wrapped up in some reasoning I write for long periods of time and don't have hand cramps while using heavier pens.

 

It is personal opinion and what you prefer- don't let anyone sway you- get what you like and enjoy it. Life is too short to buy someone elses favorite pen :roflmho: :roflmho:

 

[blak000]

I enjoy using light pens like the Parker "51", but I feel more comfortable using writers with a little bit more heft. The Pelikan M800 (without the cap) is ideal for me. It has a good amount of weight, without being cumbersome.

[lapis]

I agree with Richard (as usual). But I myself prefer a heavy pen. I use my hand(s) to play the piano, organ, harpsichord and believe me, I use my whole hand(s).

I too have a 51 but as re weight I still prefer my M215 and Sahara. Maybe an M900 might fill the bill even better, but I'm not sure because I haven't bought it yet.

 

Mike

[simonrob]

I am deciding between two SKywalkers, the Doue' and the Rubber/Platinum. The Doue' feels light and is not as thick around as a Van Gogh Maxi, and of course, the rubber/platinum one is a heavier pen, more like a Visconti Opera Club. So, a quick jot is not going to make much of a difference, but say you were writing for an hour. Which one is likely to be more pleasureable and not give any handcramping?

 

I am looking at rollerballs but I guess this would be applicable to Fountain pens as well?

 

In my experience, which I doubt is that atypical, lighter is better. You may also find that beyond a certain point (which will depend on the size of your hand, how you hold a pen, etc.) it makes a difference how thick the pen is; I find thin, heavy pens unpleasant to hold.

 

Simon

[stevlight]

I mostly draw with my fountain pens--probably more shoulder movements like Richard said--and I prefer heavier pens. The pelikan M805 or Polar lights is the perfect weight. Oh and always posted! It is all a personal experience--You have to try a few pens to see which works for you.

[memphislawyer]

I am a hand writer. I was writing real small today and my Van Gogh Maxi just felt wierd. I got me a Starwalker Doue' today so I think it is not quite as wide as the Maxi but is about that weight. I might also get the Starwalker Platinum/Rubber and write a bunch with each and keep the better of the two

[memphislawyer]

Ok, any thoughts of which of these two for an all around pen, take to court, bank deposits, or say 1 hour notetaking in depositions? I will be getting a roller ball.

 

 

 

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x184/memphislawyer/dd.jpg

 

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x184/memphislawyer/rubber.jpg

[rogerb]

Not having the fine control of calligraphers such as caliken, I find that a pen with a bit of 'inertia' is easier for me to control.

another factor touched-upon is thickness...I find thin pens (like most cheap BPs) very tiring for extended use in my slightly arthritic fingers.

My CS Wellington is about right for me...guess who recommended it for my use?

[Ondina]

I think is a personal liking matter. Even depending on the circumstances. For correspondence and daily use I rather have very substantial pens, while in my University years lighter, mid weight pens were favored. I can't get to enjoy really light ones. Something cultural, probably. If you have the chance of trying them before deciding, you'll be certain on your choice.

[memphislawyer]

I think is a personal liking matter. Even depending on the circumstances. For correspondence and daily use I rather have very substantial pens, while in my University years lighter, mid weight pens were favored. I can't get to enjoy really light ones. Something cultural, probably. If you have the chance of trying them before deciding, you'll be certain on your choice.

 

 

Just talking aesthetics now, since I have narrowed it to these two.

[Ondina]

Aesthetically.....they are not fountain pens. As said before, whatever you like best. Both look modern. I tend to avoid metallic grips, they are slippery and can't get adjusted to them.

[memphislawyer]

Aesthetically.....they are not fountain pens. As said before, whatever you like best. Both look modern. I tend to avoid metallic grips, they are slippery and can't get adjusted to them.

 

 

Well, touche'. I have a Cartier stainless ballpoint and have the same problem. I tried each of the pens above locally and the Rubber one is heavier. It also looks busier and geometric, but has that tactile sensation visually and feel-wise. The upper pen has the black body which has ribs horitzontally, is less busy (and perhaps deemed more formal for a court setting) and is lighter.

 

Just wondering what grabs you when you look at it, 1 or 2?

[Ondina]

From a pure aesthetic criteria, number 1.