I Write Much Better With Pencils

[beak]

Hello everyone,

I'm brand new to this site and have joined because I've just taken up the fountain pen again after decades of non-use. I have found an extraordinary thing about doing so; I can't write neatly with it at all! I have quite a nice hand when using a pencil, and I like the effect and it is very legible, but the pen work looks cramped and horrid - it's a scrawl. The new pen that I bought is a Pelikan M805 and it's lovely, but I'm finding it such a devil to control. Are there any basic things that you pennies all know and can pass on to get me writing neatly with my new pen? Thanks to all who respond.

[ralfstc]

Hi,

 

The first thing is the size of the nib. If you liek the way your hand looks in pencil, then writing from a broad nibbed fountain pen will look odd to you at first. Then there's a couple of other things:

 

1. Check the orientation of the nib as your right. A few degrees either way will make a difference. You'll get used to this again quite quickly as you find your own most comfortable orientation.

 

2. The 805 os a heavish pen with a lot of the weight at the back. I find it much better without the cap on the back (posted) so try it with and without. The advantage of the weight distribution of the Pel is that you can easily get a light touch on the nib, which I prefer. Try treating it as a pencil and not a ballpoint, any FP should wirte under its own weight so you don't need to push.

 

Just a couple of quick thoughts, hope they're helpful. I'm sure some wiser heads will be along in the near future to amplify and clarify!

 

Stick with, it's just a bit different but very satisfying!

 

Good luck!

 

R.

[rollerboy]

Pencils tend to require pressure to write with and hence fairly high friction. Any other "writing instrument technology" (fountain pen, liquid ink rollerball, gel, or quality ballpoint) will require less pressure, hence less friction, and will feel out-of-control in comparison to a pencil.

 

Advice? Suck it up and get used to it I don't think there's much else you can do. Resist the urge to press to create friction. Write lightly. Slow down a little and concentrate on character formation quality and a uniform, consistent speed throughout formation of each character.

 

Another thing you could do is find a *worse* pen in terms of providing friction/feedback. Use that for a bit and then come back to your new Pelikan. The Pel would then be a relief. The worst out-of-control pen I've ever used was a 1.0mm Uniball Jetstream ballpoint.

[beak]

Thanks for the tips and I shall try all of the things that you two mentioned. I am beginning to learn about 'feedback'; had seen it mentioned before but didn't know what it meant in this context. Yes, I do have a broad nib, and though clearly of very high quality, there are minor skipping 'issues'; I can never seem to get a clean up-sweep to start the letter 's' for instance. Have tried soaking the nib in weak soapy water to get rid of any remaining oil, but no improvement. Even the best pens may require some 'writing in' I understand, so may just have to wait for that little problem to go away by itself (?). I am determined to tame this monster and all your experienced thoughts are welcome!

[Wolverine1]

Beak, first, !!!!

 

Try emptying out the ink from your pen, and then flush out the pen thoroughly with a weak solution of water and dish washing liquid ( like Dawn , for example). Then, flush out the pen again with clean water a few times. Sometimes, new pens need a bit more cleaning than just cleaning the nib.

Hope this helps.

 

Also, please post a question in FPN's Pelikan sub-forum- the Pelikan experts there could give you the best advice

[PAKMAN]

Good day and Welcome to FPN!

[RayMan]

I've found that I write better with nibs that provide more feedback, i.e., more friction. I don't like glassy smooth nibs, because I feel I don't have as much control when using them. This might be the same reason your handwriting looks better when using a pencil.