Anyone Completely Change Their Handwriting Style After Taking Up Fountain Pens?

[Flatland2D]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and fountain pens. I got interested a few months ago when I decided to buy my Lamy Vista which I've enjoyed very much. I've enjoyed nice pens since I was in middle school (I'm 26 now). I went through all of high school using the same Cross ball point pen. I've always had an interest in handwriting as well, but never made attempts to work on my own.

 

It wasn't until I got into fountain pens that I started thinking about changing my handwriting style. My current handwriting is small and relatively neat, except for went I'm not in good posture or writing too quickly. I'm a left handed over-writer, and I hold the pen at about 60 degrees straight away from me so my letters are formed from above. I also do not slant the paper. I'm an engineer as well, so you probably get the idea.

 

I'm thinking about changing to a cursive or italic-cursive style of writing. I guess I want my handwriting to look "prettier", while still retaining a masculine feel. I also feel like I'm not totally benefiting from what a fountain pen adds to writing (flair?) with my small print handwriting.

 

So I was wondering if anyone else has completely changed their handwriting (ie. more than just cleaning up and being neater) after taking up fountain pens as a hobby. I've been searching the internet and this forum for some good examples of how I'd like to write. I don't know exactly what I want yet, but I'll know it when I see it. Any comments would be appreciated.

[Flatland2D]

For reference, I've attached a picture of my handwriting. What do you guys think?

 

[Richard]

I've changed my handwriting twice. In the 1980s, it had grown so bad that even I couldn't read it. I spent a year retraining myself, using a completely different style so that I'd have to concentrate on making the letterforms until they became second nature. The style I chose was rather squat and upright, and somewhat angular:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/ref/nib_beyond/fere_libenter.gif

 

Over the past year or two, I've changed again, to a smoother cursive style with some flair:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/pens/merlin/flex_cheap.png

 

This style is still evolving, as anyone who's received a "fourscore" note with a returned pen will attest.

[Flatland2D]

Thanks for the reply. I very much like your new style of writing.

 

I've been looking at more examples and really like the handwriting on the official Declaration of Independence (not in Thomas Jefferson's handwriting). That's about the style that I'm looking for, except with maybe a tad less flourishes.

 

Plus, there's something cool and patriotic about using this style of writing.

 

There is a bit of line variation in this handwriting and I was wondering if this could be done with an italic nib, or does it have to be a flex nib?

 

Here is a link to what I'm looking at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Us_declaration_independence.jpg

 

Make sure you click on it to make it bigger and view it full size.

[Flatland2D]

Here's my first practice in trying out copying the Declaration of Independence. I'm just tracing over the letters for now trying to get a feel for the muscle movements. Eventually I will try it without tracing. I know it's going to be a lot of practice. So far I like it, but it definitely lacks the consistency of the original hand to really look nice in my eyes.

 

What's the best way to start practicing anyway?

 

I turned up the contrast and cropped and printed the page to get the letters sized the way I wanted them. The picture below is the width of a normal 8.5x11" page.

 

 

Edit: Also wanted to add that I'm not a fan of the tall S's, so I used normal S's when encountered.

Edited June 16, 2010 by Flatland2D

[jbb]

My handwriting changed considerably when I discovered flex and dip pens. Fountain pens had already improved my handwriting but the allure of adding flourishes has made a huge difference in how I write.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4707607878_51d1e041a4_b.jpg

 

Dip pen in FPN Marketplace

Edited June 16, 2010 by jbb

[Maria]

Flatland2D,

 

I have had a fairly neat handwriting and printing most of my life. I do acknowledge that it has changed several times and it depended if I was attempting to press into six layers of carbon paper or, writing for myself. I had a job where all reports except the signature had to be printed. I incorporated Old English and Italics into the work place.

 

Upon retirement, I picked up a fountain pen and had to learn writing all over again, after twenty years in printing everything neatly as a typewriter. I began to investigate my neighborhood Civil War history and got a poor copy of the Muster Rolls of the batallion of Marines who marched with General McDowell to the First Battle of Bull Run. I then got busy and got a crow quill and bottle combo from Speedball and went to work. Joined FPN where I heard all the wonderful things about Richard's (Richard Binder)ability to create flex nibs and very, very fine points. :clap1:

 

I am far from being the quality of Caliken and/or a professional calligrapher but, I can assure you my handwriting has improved and has been more pleasant for folks to read due to the flex nibs and a bit of flourish. :ltcapd:

 

You are correct, in saying that when writing with a fountain pen and or a dip pen, you have to slow down. Slowing down is a good thing.

 

If anybody can problem solve your pen/nib issues -- it is Richard Binder.

 

I should mention that the dip nib, has more ability to flex as they aren't hobbled/hindered by an ink feed. However, there is 'flex' in some fine vintage fountain pens like the Waterman #12, 52's -- Richard at his site has vintage pens for sale. And, if you are in want of a more modern fountain pen -- I highly recommend Richard Binder's site --having purchased six brand new fountain pens from him; eight regrinding nibs and adjustments and six repaired vintage fountain pens later ---I'm extremely pleased with all things.

 

Richard also carries broad edge nibs or "Italic" nibs as well. Italic nibs don't require flexiblity. This is just a matter of turning the edge as to create the shade and thin. My first choice if I go Italic is the "Vanishing Point" by Pilot with a customized nib by Richard. It behaves like a ball point in retracting and exposing the nib. The rest is all fountain pen. Or, just having a 'fountain pen' - I go with the "Vanishing Point." However, I'm stuck on 'flex' nibs and carry Namaki's "Falcon" (Superior Flex - fine point) that is truthfully superior flex and very fine point after Richard works on them.

 

Respectfully,

Maria