Pen For Old, Shaky Hands

[Threadbear]

My nan's 78th birthday is coming up and I'd like to treat her to a nice fountain pen.

 

Her hands are pretty weak and she has Parkinson's disease. It's not as bad as it used to be before she started getting treatment (when she could barely hold a spoon) but her hands are a little shaky. Combined with the weakness of her hands she really can't get on with ballpoint pens. A few months ago I gave her a Pilot 78G and an eyedropper-converted Preppy that came with some Noodler's ink to try out. She was amazingly pleased with them, and whenever I go to visit she shows me her pages of handwriting practice. Though the lines are a bit wobbly, she now writes completely legibly again. She writes short cards and letters to members of the family, and has become quite the pen snob, refusing the proffered BIC when she has to sign forms for her doctor or carers.

 

I'd like to get her something a bit nicer to use, now that I know she's enjoying writing with fountain pens again (plus, for whatever reason, the Pilot suffered a catastrophic ink haemorrhage and had to be binned). I'd love to know whether anyone has any experience to share or advice about features that might make writing easier and more pleasant for someone with limitations like hers, especially the motor problems. I've found a few threads about pens for people with hand pain or arthritis, but I don't think those are problems in my nan's case.

 

For instance, would a heavier pen help in controlling the shakes and keeping the line straight, or just fatigue her hands faster? Should I be looking for a fat pen? Do people actually find those ergonomic grips on certain pens helpful? I don't have a huge amount to spend, so any pointers towards pens in the sub-£50 (~80 USD) range would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks a lot for any help you can offer!

[superfreeka]

I'm a physical therapist and I suggest a fat, heavy pen. Not so fat or so heavy that she finds it unwieldy, but fat enough that she can pick it up and grip it easily and (relatively) heavy enough to provide her with some feedback and resistance to the tremors. A large pen may also help with micrographia (small, cramped handwriting) which is common with Parkinson's, as well as any arthritis she undoubtedly has at her age. It's impossible to determine how rapidly her hands fatigue and the strength of her hand muscles over the web, so YMMV. I'm glad to hear the tremors are better.

Edited August 20, 2013 by superfreeka

[logantrky]

I would recommend a pen with a decent sized barrel (diameter) for your Nan's shaky hands. It would seem to me that it would be easier for her to hold the pen. She might enjoy either a TWSBI 580 or a Lamy Safari. Both can be had for $50 or less. The Lamy has a rubberized grip section that she might find more comfortable. The TWSBI has a larger diameter barrel which could be easier to hold as well.

 

I hope you find the right pen. I'm glad that FPs could help your Nan regain her writing pleasure. Let us know what you decide!

 

By the way,

[PAKMAN]

Seems like a Lamy Safari might do the trick

[Threadbear]

I'm a physical therapist and I suggest a fat, heavy pen. Not so fat or so heavy that she finds it unwieldy, but fat enough that she can pick it up and grip it easily and (relatively) heavy enough to provide her with some feedback and resistance to the tremors. A large pen may also help with micrographia (small, cramped handwriting) should she present with that, as well as any arthritis she undoubtedly has at her age. It's impossible to determine how rapidly her hands fatigue and the strength of her hand muscles over the web, so YMMV. I'm glad to hear the tremors are better.

Wow, thanks for the excellent pointers superfreeka. Great to hear from someone with a professional perspective. Though she hasn't mentioned it, now that I think about it it is pretty much inevitable she has some degree of arthritis being as old as she is. I'll definitely go have a closer read of threads dealing with that.

[AndrewC]

A Dani-Trio Cum Laude comes in two sizes- MB 146 ish and 149 ish. Good sized pens that write well, are gorgeous, and are within your budget. Not too heavy, not super light. As it turns out, there is at least one for sale on ebay from Kevin Cheng (a.k.a. winedoc or operadoc), who is one of the best to shop from. He also is a physician specializing in pain management. He might know something about your nan's needs, and might be able to adjust the nib to whatever flow would be best for you. He also might have a different size color of this pen. I say this because my mom(85) has issues with her hands and loved my pen. She has arthritis and some shakiness, and said if she had any interest in going back to fountain pens she would like the DT. BTW, no relation to the ebay sale or seller. Just a happy customer years ago.

[Threadbear]

Thanks for the advice guys! I hear safaris are very reliable so hopefully we could avoid more pen mishaps. Also I think she'd like some of the cute colours they come in.

[inotrym]

IMO the Safari is a little... meh... Don't get me wrong, it's a nice functional pen. But it's designed for kids. I can't imagine it at the hands of an older person. (Perhaps that's just me, but I like super modern teens and classical -if not a bit conservative- older people. I feel that this brings some balance in the world)

 

At her age your nan deserves something better than just a functional pen. A bit of luxury!

And what is better for a lady than gold? ROSEGOLD!!!!

Monteverde Invincia with Rosegold trim is placed at the upper side of your budget (~80$), but I feel it will look nice on her hands.

 

A Faber Castell would also be nice. The black Ambition is the only "higher" model within your budget. But your request for a thick pen will probably rule that out. (Take a look at the brand, if you have some time, though. You never know, you might find something nice and suitable for her)

 

 

 

Would you consider going vintage? I have no interest in vintage pens, so I can't really recommend a specific model, but people (especially older) tend to fancy things that remind them of their youth.

[lahlahlaw]

I would ad that you look at something sturdy, as she may drop it more often because of her condition. If its a delicate pen it may break easily. The aforementioned Safari is a good choice. Another good one is the TWSBI Micarta II, I saw one this weekend at a local shop and the material is unbreakable. The nibs are also easily replaceable should it become damaged.

[ac12]

I understand that the Safari is a light pen (plastic).

You might do better with the slightly heavier Al Star. Basically the Safari but made of aluminum.

 

But those Lamy pens also look "modern," she may want a more traditional look. You have to make that call.

 

Big and heavy are not my style, so I can't help you there.

[max dog]

A sheaffer Prelude might be a good choice. It has a very solid steel nib that I think is pretty tough, plus it is smooth and a reliable writer. The grip also has ridges for the fingers so it helps to orient the nib just right all the time. When my 9 year old nephew stayed with me for the summer a couple of years ago, he wanted to use one of my fountain pens, and the Prelude was ideal for it's rugged nib. I cringed at times as he would put undue pressure on the nib, but it survived my nephew who was used to using BICs and crayons.

 

They cost about $80 and come in a variety of finishes and look quite elegant for any occasion, business or casual, and the size is a nice medium size. The barrel is all brass, so a solid all around pen.

Edited August 20, 2013 by max dog

[Bo Bo Olson]

Fatigue...is a key.

 

Classic tripod with a death grip causes fatigue.

 

If you go to advanced search for the threads 'classic tripod' and 'death grip', you will also find 'forefinger up' method (a version of a tripod grip) of grasping a fountain pen in these threads...favored by some three or so of us.

It is three small changes to a classic tripod grip to a 'forefinger up'. I'd never go back to a classic tripod unless I was using my Safari, or my US P-75; with their triangle sections. .

 

It is an automatic light grip. I learned it in three minutes at age 62, after 55 years of the 'death grip'.

It is worth copying a few pictures and description of it so she can try it out.

Show it to her in your lap top, or bring her on board here on her own computer.

 

I find a Safari not perfectly balanced...a Lamy Joy for writing at home has better balance.

 

I don't know about heavy as a pen for her..I don't know anything about this.

 

A posted pen that sits in the pit of the web of her thumb would take a lot of stress away. A heavy pen does that easier than a lighter one. An a small thumb placement adaption of the 'forefinger up' method does this also.

 

If you were going to a heavy pen it would have to sit there. Perhaps a lighter capped pen could sit there too; making it less fatiguing. .

 

.

[xwingrox]

I think there are some Japanese pens that are specifically designed for older folks. I don't know the model numbers but I recall them being rather fat (think a regular spool of thread fat). I also remember they were mostly eyedropper pens. Sorry for the lack of specificity but I wanted to throw my 2cents into the mix. IMHO I'd go with a more ergonomic, specially designed pen over a less ergonomic more fancy pen because of the better writing experience

[RMN]

Have a look on Amazon.co. uk at the Waterman Expert. They have good prices these days. (at 65 GBP almost in your range)

 

The Waterman Expert has a good size and weight and the cartridges are easy found.

 

D.ick

[mjarman]

I'd also support the idea of a light but larger diameter pen; can I also suggest a medium to broad, slightly wet nib so that the shakiness of the handwriting is not accentauted on the page? Good for her to stick to the handwriting practice- I'm sure that that is therapy in itself

[whitedot]

Hey Threadbear,

 

The Lamys are light.

 

The Danitrio is fat, hefty and durable. It fits the bill, and I believe Byrant has them on sale right now. The Sheaffer Intrigue and Legacy would be suitable too. They should fall within your budget, if you keep an eye on ebay.

 

If you are looking for some vintage flair, the Indian ripple ebonite FPs would probably be ideal. They are oversized but not overweight. For the best of both worlds, get one from Teri at Peyton Street Pens (no aff.). They come in several models. She has some fitted with high quality, modern nibs.

 

When I sold Wanchers, several buyers reverted with the same feedback, that they were easy for arthritic hands to grip. So, I would suggest you look for something with similar dimensions. The TWSBI, Faber-Castell and any standard sized FP would be too small. (I am not selling them anymore.)

Edited August 20, 2013 by whitedot

[Blazing]

Faber Castell Loom. Not so heavy that it'll fatigue her hands, but not so light that she'll lose balance.

[Sasha Royale]

Superfreeka mirrors my point of view. I have shared my fountain pen collection with a number of seniors, who are neighbors

to my mother. Weaker and less-steady hands seem to favor fatter pens. (sometimes, even heavier pens) In Mom's circles,

78 years is a "youngster".

 

I like the LAMY Safari for its size and smooth function. My doctor uses one. However, the Safari "insists" on a certain

writing grip, with its three-sided section. The Sheaffer Nononscense is similarly large, but fully symmetrical. The Jinhao

159 is even larger and heavier. It , too, has an easy ink flow. A TWSBI 540 would be at the top end of your budget, but

a discount might be found, given it is the outgoing model.

 

In lieu of multiple pens, perhaps try using a variety of wooden "dowel" rods for size selection.

 

I hope she finds a well-suited pen, and will write with joy.

[Threadbear]

Thanks for all the input. I think she might prefer the more fancy-looking pens, because she does enjoy showing off the ones she has to visitors.

The danitrio looks very pretty, and I was already wondering whether one of the Indian ebonites might be good. My favourite everyday pen is one from Peyton Street with a Symphony nib, and she has admired it in the past. Clearly a flex nib would not be ideal, but one of the steel ones could be good. Their girth and feel in the hand are nice, and maybe using one as an eyedropper would bring the weight up by a useful amount. I also think an eyedropper would be good since she's not confident using bottled ink, so I fill her pens for her when I visit. An eyedropper could go longer between fills, and there is no mechanism she could accidentally activate and spill ink.

The only issue with buying from Peyton Street is that I've been stung by HM Customs & Excise on everything I've ever ordered from the US. I have a brother in CA who could bring it over at Christmas, but that is well past her birthday.

Does anyone have experience with Fountain Pen Revolution's premium M nibs? I've got an ebonite Guider from them with a flex nib, which I'm very happy with, but I don't know about their stiff nibs. Other than that, do Indian ebonites (including vintage) ever come up on eBay like the Chinese pens do?

Finally, for a heavy, brass-bodied pen, might one of the Italix pens suit? It helps that they are UK-based.

 

Anyway, I've got a hero 100 flighter and a hero 1000 winging their way to me at the moment. If they feel substantial and write well, one of them could be good. She really likes the parker 51 I got my brother, since her father had one when she was young.

[Threadbear]

Ooh, the dowel rods are a good idea, Sasha Royale! Though it might give the game away a little. Maybe I could give her a range of my pens to try, but be a bit subtle about it so it isn't obvious what I'm doing.