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  1. Hi! So I have some gradual experience with fountain pens from the last time I wrote on this website. My favorite fountain pens that I have found to be a very smooth writing experience for me are the Pilot pens. I especially love the Prera and I hope that Pilot makes more of the solid-color body ones cause they are my favorite. Anyway, those pens are the ones that really work with me. I tend to use a medium nib on the Pilot fountain pens. Now I know a Japanese medium=western fine. However, I find that Western fine can be too scratchy and that Western mediums can be too broad. I want to find a fountain pen that has the same line consistency as the Pilot mediums found in the Preras, Cavaliers, and the Metropolitans that I use. Even my one Kaweco Sport that is medium is an ideal line for me. So I've been looking at Watermans because I just got a rollerball from them and absolutely loved it, but I wanted to try out their fountain pens since I heard that they are of good quality. However, I'm driving myself mad about the nib and which one I should get. Maybe I'm just overthinking things, but I don't want to get a medium with it being broad and me smearing it because I drag my pen across the paper. However, on the other hand, I don't want to get a fine in case it's too scratchy and the line isn't what I want. Please help me!!! I want to be part of the Waterman gang Also, was wondering if the Waterman, specifically the Havana Brown is fast drying or if Waterman inks are fast-drying inks in general. The Pilot inks are wonderful for me, for it never smears even if I brush my hand over it. However, Kawecos aren't really fast-drying inks which I am very surprised about. I thought they were, so I'm wondering if Waterman is fast-drying. I hope it is in my favor! thanks again for the help! looking forward to your responses!
  2. I’m here to discuss what I have found to be the most efficient ways of producing beautiful handwriting as a left-handed person. I have tried and am familiar with numerous writing positions known to lefties including underwriting, side writing and overwriting (hooking). What I present to you is not the sole way of going about lefty calligraphy, it is simply what has worked best for me and some of the most capable left-handed calligraphers. If you find another method that works well for you, if you’re getting positive results, great! Do that if it works. I hope this will be of help to some of my fellow lefties. Let’s make one thing clear: lefties are just as able as right-handed people to produce beautiful writing. If the proper positions are used, any type of calligraphy is possible. If one searches thoroughly enough, one can actually find a decent amount of information regarding left-handed calligraphy and left-handed writing in general. Unfortunately, little of this information is standardized (especially on online forums), and a good portion of it is misleading. I’ll start with something that causes perhaps the most confusion: scrips that require a broad nib like gothic, uncial, etc. In this case, I turn the paper 90 degrees clockwise and write vertically toward myself. The advantage of this is twofold; I never have to worry about smearing ink, and I can use a standard-cut broad nib (straight across, not an oblique) to achieve the proper angles desired. This puts me at exactly the same angle as a right-handed calligrapher. The only thing you might have to get used to is seeing the letters vertically. Tip: While practicing, turn your reference script (if you’re using one) 90 degrees as well so as to familiarise yourself with what the alphabet looks like at this angle. It’s very possible to use a left oblique nib. In this case, one should angle the paper clockwise at around 45 degrees. The paper should be positioned slightly to one’s left. This produces the proper angle. I prefer to write vertically at 90 degrees because it seems like the angle is more stable and it allows me to use a standard broad nib (not a right cut oblique, however). I highly recommend watching this video concerning the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrCFFt9uac0 Let’s talk about pointed pen calligraphy. There are two very effective methods: using a straight holder and writing under the writing line (this naturally achieves the correct line thickness), or using a right oblique nib holder and angling the paper clockwise somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees, the latter of which one is essentially writing vertically under the line as in the previous section on broad nibs. I go back and forth between the two methods. I think both are completely acceptable and efficient for pointed pen work. I will say, however, that making flourishes seems to be easier using an oblique holder. Here’s a demonstration by the wonderful left-handed penman John DeCollibus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOjh0SkwyCM As for standard cursive writing, I tend to angle the paper clockwise and write under the line. This works very well if you’re a frequent user of fountain pens as you won’t have to worry about which ink to use, nib size, flex, etc. With this position, any combination of nib, paper and ink work well. You might have noticed that all of the positions that I’ve discussed are “underwriting” positions. That’s what I use and what I esteem to be the most effective technique for lefties; however, this doesn’t make other forms of lefty writing like side writing or hooking incorrect. Unfortunately, in many calligraphy books the sections dedicated to lefties are often short and lacking in detail. There are very few books dedicated solely to the left-hander. Nevertheless, here are a few helpful resources on left-handed writing and calligraphy: Left-handed calligraphy by Vance Studley. The Calligrapher’s Bible: 100 Complete Alphabets and How to Draw Them by David Harris. The Italic Way to Beautiful Handwriting: Cursive and Calligraphic by Fred Eager Calligraphy 101 by Jeaneen Gauthier https://www.iampeth.com/lessons/left-handed https://www.nibs.com/content/left-handed-writers This has been a quite lengthy post, but I hope that you got something out of it. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. For calligraphy and art related things, find me on Instagram @trsmith_art Best, Trenton Smith
  3. I am not a lefty but have a friend who is, and is intrigued, I'm not sure if by fountain pens or just worried about my sanity with (only) 25 inks and pens. I have read and watched videos about lefties and writing, pushing vs pulling, my sincere commiserations, I didn't know it could be such an ordeal. I have some specific questions, in particular for lefty overwriters: What is your favorite pen (fountain or other)? Why? I've read about the advantages of quicker drying inks; do you prefer rollerballs? Gel pens? Are there more comfortable pens for lefty overwriters? What aspects to look for? Cushioned sections? More expensive pens seem to be fountain pen variants: do these make sense ergonomically for lefties? For instance a Pelikan Souverain or Parker Sonnet rollerball. Any lefties using Sheaffer Triumhps or Pilots with WA nibs ("upturned"or "Waverly type" nibs)? Do these work for you? Strictly stick to quickly drying paper? No Clairefontaine for you? Is it worth the hassle? Just get a cheap gel pen and forget about it? Any other aspects I should look into? I am doing this as if it were an analysis of consumer experiences, following specific goals (design, comfort, practicality, statement pen). Budget is $100 USD. Thanks!
  4. If So Which Nib Size Should I Get? My Action Is Like A Cross Between A Hook And A Sidewriter. Do you suggest the preppy or should I go with a Parker??
  5. I'm a newbie, and a lefty, and I'm thinking I'd like to play with an inexpensive (non-stub) broad nib pen to see if I like it (and how much I'll smear ink all over the place). Because I'm a lefty I think a Safari is off the table because the barrel design seems to be aimed more at training proper handling/angle with the right hand. What are my other choices? The least expensive options I've come across so far are the Kaweco Classic/Ice/Skyline Sport, in the low $20s, or New Old Stock of the Pilot 78G. Does anyone have a preference to recommend? Anything else to consider in that price range or lower?
  6. Alright, I've got a search challenge related to several practical limitations. I'm a hook handed lefty that has been using ef to med nib fountain pens for everything, but I've recently run into a problem where I can't find notebooks that fit my needs. The following preferences for the notebook are in order of relative necessity. The notebook has to be bound, glued, or otherwise spiral free (because spirals are murder). It has to be either grid or dot graph. Preferably 3 mm-4 mm I'm not opposed to it being a nonstandard graph such as isometric graph, because, why not. I have to be able to fit a regular set of lectures in it. e.g. it needs to hold approx 100 pages of notes and have fp friendly paper. I want it to be somewhere between B5 and A5 although a little bigger or smaller isn't a deal breaker. I prefer it to be a simple cover... nothing too fancy: simple softback or hardback are fine.I usually can find something that meets 2 of these specifications at once, but rarely can I find something that meets 3-4 of them, and I have yet to have found something that meets all 5. I would be deeply impressed if someone found something that met all of these things. May your bandwidth be wide, Alexander O.
  7. I really do like sheen, I think that it and shading are the two most beautiful properties you can have in an ink, but after some research, it looks like the best way to get sheen is to use an ink resistant paper. Now, that wouldn't be a problem, but I'm left-handed! What kind of papers should I use to get sheen while not letting my hand blot the ink everywhere and ending up with a blue/purple/red left hand? If it helps, when I write, the pen will usually be about 3-4 cm away from my hand, long fingers (this might help with allowing a little more dry time). Thanks!
  8. Rodney126

    Nibs For Leftys?

    Are there nibs for those that are left handed? If so, what are they? Thanks, Rodney
  9. Hello! I recently became interested in fountain pens and I'm considering purchasing one! I would most likely buy the Lamy Safari based on the high recommendation of them to new users, I also really like the design of them as well. However, I am unsure on which nib size to get with the Safari. I am a left-handed (I read that the left-handed Lamy nib doesn't really make a difference, but I might as well mention it) high school student. This means I would most likely be using cheap paper, like the Norcom 1 Subject Notebook (College Ruled), and blank copy paper as well. I am not sure whether to get the Safari with the F or M nib. Will the nib size affect the amount of bleed-through/feathering in the cheap paper? Which nib size do you recommend for my type of use? Also, if anyone uses rollerball pens (it's a fountain pen forum, I know haha), do you know the size of the F or M Lamy nibs compared to, say, an Energel .7mm refill? Like, what's the mm of a F or M Lamy nib? Thank you!
  10. InkedGeek

    Another Newbie...

    ...from the pacific northwest. Figured I should join, since I keep running across the forum in researching what to start with/comparing inks, etc. And I'm so new that I don't, as of yet, have a fountain pen, although I've wanted one for a while. Looks like I'll have to order one online--other than Cross, the only FP I've seen locally that's not for calligraphy is a Sheaffer VFM. I'm planning to get a Pilot Metropolitan (plus the con-50 converter) and a Platinum Preppy (only an extra few $, might as well, right?), and some ink samples. Maybe more than I 'need' to start--the metro does come with a converter, after all, and since the ink syringe I have has been missing for a while, I'll need one of those--but I do expect to like fountain pens in general, due to preferring pens with more liquidy ink and pens that don't need as much pressure. One of my hands should like writing with the pens, I figure, right? Via some searching, it looks like using the same pen(s) with both hands shouldn't be a problem? I'll mostly be writing with my left hand, I figure (as I'd like to go back to writing fiction for 'fun'...and actually writing, rather than typing, which isn't the same), but I'll probably still use my right hand for quick notes if it's something I won't need to read months in the future. Suffice it to say I was forced to write right-handed in school, and that didn't go over well for the long term. Writing now results in pain with my right hand, especially if I go slow enough to get it legible. I'm an underwriter when writing left-handed, so sounds like I shouldn't need to make too many considerations (ie, don't really need fast-drying ink), although I'd like my left-handed writing to look 'nicer' at some point. It's legible, but it's not 'smooth' (and however much or little writing I do, it doesn't seem to change much...), and I'm not sure if that's me or some other factor(s). Should I ask in the handwriting sub-forum, or wait? I'd show writing samples to see if I could get ideas on what to do (just practice/slow down, start over, get better paper, try different sized nib, etc.), but, again, don't yet have a fountain pen yet, and at least with my left hand, the pen I use *does* seem to change my handwriting a little, so I suppose I should wait on that? Anyway, just saying hello from a likely future lurker. I usually don't post much in forums because of not getting thoughts/questions across well, but never know!
  11. Hello everybody, I am right handed and have recently started getting into fountain pens. As with all things, my 7 year old son wants to participate. Unfortunately he is a lefty and it has been difficult to teach him how to print let alone cursive and fountain pens. Any advice you could lend to help me teach him as a lefty and any suggestions for a cheap starter fountain pen for a lefty would be greatly appreciated.
  12. intentionalist

    Lefty Problems

    Hello, all! This is my first post; please direct me to a relevant thread if this topic has been covered already. So, I'm a lefty. I'm coming back to my fountain pen (Waterman Expert 2, fine nib) after two years of absence. I have two issues: first, the Waterman "intense black" is anything but--more of a light grey. Second, I'm left handed, which, apparently, is something of a disadvantage, especially when using a fine nib (or at least that's my experience). So I'm wondering if anyone can recommend some good tips for lefties, or at least a true-black ink that's known to be friendly with the Waterman Expert 2. Thanks in advance--I look forward to learning a lot from all of you here in the FPN.
  13. Hi, all. I'm new here. For decades, I've drawn cartoons with various technical pens. Koh-i-Noors, Rotrings, etc. My favorite of all was a Rotring Rapidograph-- a model that is no longer being manufactured. I've been testing different pens, hoping to fall in love with a new pen. I like a fine or extra fine line, and the ink needs to be ABSOLUTELY WATERPROOF. (Apologies for the shout.) I put a wash over the line, either an ink wash or a watercolor wash and freak if the ink bleeds. The complication is that I'm a lefty. I push the nib; I don't pull it across the page. If anyone has any suggestions about a good fountain pen for lefties, and a really serious black waterproof ink, I'd be "all ears." Many many thanks.
  14. Hello everyone. I'm obviously new to the forum and pretty new to fountain pens. Being left handed, I've had many disappointing attempts including smudge filled writing, scratchy nibs and almost rip through paper, etc. I've recently acquired an inexpensive FP (Zebra v301) that I can actually write with and am excited to start diving deeper into what is available out there for someone like me. I look forward to learning from all of you and your experiences. Cheers, Carlos
  15. I just got my first fountain pen (Visionnaire Noir [yes, I am aware of the controversy]) which I wanted because I had taken to hand writing letters. Having the pen, I want to tackle my handwriting. My current is an abysmal print (chicken scratch), and I would like to develop a respectable cursive. I currently I do not even know how to produce all of the cursive capitals. My goal from this endeavor is to be able to pick up "any old pen" (ballpoint, gel, standard-nib fountain) and be able to write a nice cursive for "everyday" writing. I intend all my practicing to be with a fountain pen. I just do not want spend a lot of time learning to write nicely but require a special pen (flex nib, oblique holder, etc.) to be able to do it. I considered just acquiring some primary school cursive guide sheets and figuring it out; however, I am thinking that formal resources on how to write and try to learn a 'proper' method would give give better results. I know it will be slower and more work; though, as I understand it, side-writing is the worst configuration for left-handed FP so the effort is likely worthwhile. I am willing to put in the effort of relearning how to hold a pen so long as the method had clear instructions how to do it. I would even be willing to change writing hands if that is strongly recommended. Switching hands would not be high on my priorities (I like being recognized as a lefty), but I am ambidextrous so switching to right-handed writing would not be too great of sin. I write exclusively with my left because a primary school teacher needed me to not switch hands to be able to teach me how to hold my pencil properly [with a little grip thingy added to the pencil]. Before I properly did research, I picked up Platt Rogers Spencer's Spencerian Penmanship (Theory Book & Copybooks) thinking I would just work through that. I now realize that would best be done with a flex nib but I would prefer not to buy a new pen right now to get a flex nib. If it is a a strong recommendation I would. (I figure Spencerian would still look nice written without a flex nib once learned.) Ideally I would be looking for a recommended resource that I could work through. I spent a good portion of the day looking through posts and linked resources, but there end up being a lot of options. A common message was "do what works for you" and there are "ways to make it work." If I am going to try to learn a new writing form I would prefer proven guidance on something that works; or at least a good list of pros and cons so I can make an informed decision. Much of what I was finding just recognizes "different" options with the choice having been natural then adapted to work. The Spencerian book has instructions on how to orient the paper, and hold the pen, but only for right-handed use. I am looking for any advice or wisdom the community has. Your input will be greatly appreciated. ___ What I currently have for this undertaking: Visionnaire Noir Pen, Medium Round Standard NibVisionnaire Noir Black Ink (not especially saturated, seems to dry fairly quickly) Mohawk Strathmore Writing 24lb, Wove, Natural White Paper Spencerian Penmanship (Theory Book plus five copybooks) by Platt Rogers Spencer





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