Pen Suggestion For Arthritis Issues

[nakiana]

The 1911 large/full-size works well for me.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Trying that forefinger up grip could save a lot of money. Only takes three minutes to learn....took me a week of switching back and forth before I stuck with it.

No more death grip, no more pain, no more hand fatigue.

[MuddyWaters]

Trying that forefinger up grip could save a lot of money. Only takes three minutes to learn....took me a week of switching back and forth before I stuck with it.

No more death grip, no more pain, no more hand fatigue.

Thanks to you Bobo I now use the finger up technique. Has improved things a lot but there are still pens better than others for this I find.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Safari, American P-75 with the triangle grip, are not good forefinger up pens.

I find a 800 not to be in it is too short........and posted too back heavy. Could be wrong with many large pens....

Works fine with a large, thin, posted Snorkel, but that is a very well balanced pen to start with.

 

My 1000 is just barely large enough, un-posted.

 

 

Posting standard or medium/large/long gives those pens enough length....posting gives them such great balance.

 

I don't have any step down pens, so don't know if it works with that.

Edited March 7, 2019 by Bo Bo Olson

[amk]

I have rheumatoid arthritis, currently being controlled with a fair amount of medication.

 

I've found things that help are

- light pens. Pelikan m200s and m400 series have become go-to pens, ditto Platinum 3776s.

- girthy pens, particularly at the section. Favourites: Edison Collier; several Bexleys; ASA and Ranga and Deccan pens from India: Lamy 2000, Laban Mento.

- relaxing the Grip Of Death and learning to write with more arm movement and less finger control. "No fingerwriting!" my calligraphy teacher says, and I do my best.

 

Pens that really don't help:

- Jinhao Pearl Windows, oh-my-god-it-weighs-a-ton

- Sheaffer Targa Slim, which cramps my hand within two minutes

- Sailor Chalana - no, just no.

 

I'd heartily recommend looking at Indian pens as a relatively inexpensive way of getting arthritis-friendly pens. Good luck with your treatment; my life has been transformed by my marvellous specialist, from sitting in a wheelchair to galloping camels across the desert and hiking the Caucasus.

[ENewton]

For me, the most comfortable pens to use are not necessarily the lightest ones, but pens long enough and balanced so the barrel of the pen can rest on the crook of my hand between the thumb and forefinger. One doesn't have to "grip" such a pen at all, the fingers gently steer the pen. To this end, I have had particularly good luck with Waterman pens of the 1980s and 90s, but my hands are unusually small, so those same pens might not work as well for others.

 

A pen too short or balanced too far forward to rest on the hand has to be much lighter.

 

Also, I would avoid the type of pen that invites using pressure to achieve stylistic effects. For me, this includes most fountain pens typically characterized as flexible. There are dip nibs that can be used for such effects without the deliberate application of pressure.

 

It sounds as if you, Original Poster, really need to try some pens to discover what is most comfortable in your hand. I was enamored of the idea of the Lamy 2000, which works beautifully for so many people, but when I borrowed one from a friend for a day, I discovered that the balance was not right for my hand.

[biancitwo]

The 1911 large/full-size works well for me.

The size is very good, but the plastic feels hard. So hard it's not comfortable. Shame, because the nib modified by Pendleton Brown is superb.

[biancitwo]

Trying that forefinger up grip could save a lot of money. Only takes three minutes to learn....took me a week of switching back and forth before I stuck with it.

No more death grip, no more pain, no more hand fatigue.

I keep trying your forefinger up method. It is very comfortable. Yet, despite the comfort, my finger pulls back within seconds like it has a mind of its own. I will keep trying.

[kmcmichael]

My authritus flashes up in the cold. Especially the index fingers. I have a MB 149, Laban Mento and several Jinhao 159s. The weight does not seem to bother mine so I often use the jinhao with a goulet nib and a roller ball, especially traveling.

[Bo Bo Olson]

The Knee Bend of the forefinger is a habit....and habits are hard to break.

 

Some book says to break a bad habit one needs a new habit.

 

Though I really think having that finger in a cast would be a bit too much....

 

What about a band-aid over a small fold of paper towel in the middle joint??? Would slow down the twitch habit of a finger's knee bending.

[sirgilbert357]

Thanks to you Bobo I now use the finger up technique. Has improved things a lot but there are still pens better than others for this I find.

Do you use arm writing or finger writing? If you haven't tried arm writing, that could help too. Although it can be frustrating...my arm writing takes a massive hit in the "legibility" department...lol.

[MuddyWaters]

The safari, with the forefinger resting on top of the section and not in one of the ridges is great, also makes the section width greater

[MuddyWaters]

I have rheumatoid arthritis, currently being controlled with a fair amount of medication.

 

I've found things that help are

- light pens. Pelikan m200s and m400 series have become go-to pens, ditto Platinum 3776s.

- girthy pens, particularly at the section. Favourites: Edison Collier; several Bexleys; ASA and Ranga and Deccan pens from India: Lamy 2000, Laban Mento.

- relaxing the Grip Of Death and learning to write with more arm movement and less finger control. "No fingerwriting!" my calligraphy teacher says, and I do my best.

 

Pens that really don't help:

- Jinhao Pearl Windows, oh-my-god-it-weighs-a-ton

- Sheaffer Targa Slim, which cramps my hand within two minutes

- Sailor Chalana - no, just no.

 

I'd heartily recommend looking at Indian pens as a relatively inexpensive way of getting arthritis-friendly pens. Good luck with your treatment; my life has been transformed by my marvellous specialist, from sitting in a wheelchair to galloping camels across the desert and hiking the Caucasus.

Those are excellent choices and thanks for your suggestions and experiences. I have found my Ranga pen section to taper too significantly. The best way the model 3 would be is upside down, with the taper sitting in the cradle of the hand crease, and the fingers holding on to a fat barrel.

[amk]

MuddyWaters, I think Ranga are open to suggestions for customising the section a little if you order directly.

[MuddyWaters]

MuddyWaters, I think Ranga are open to suggestions for customising the section a little if you order directly.

 

Yes, thank you. I just got a message from Mr. Kandan that they are willing to modify for a small fee.

[Erik Dalton]

On my bad days I switch to something of medium thickness, and well balanced with some weight. For me, the real light weight pens like a sailor slim pro gear, Pelikan M-400/200 seem to go where they want and can be difficult for me to control.

Some of my bad day pens are: Italix Parsons Essential with Edison #5 nib unit, Sailor 1911 large (Broad)

MB 146, Conklin Durafraph with #6 Jowo nib, Jinhao 159, and a Parker 51.

Nibs in fine and extra fine tend to show every twitch in your writing. I go to Medium to broad nibs on bad days.

 

I have to put aside the MB 149, king of Pen and Laban Mento they seem to be too fat, and become painful to grip after a bit.

Thats how I deal with it. Youll have to experiment for yourself. It all depends on what is most comfortable in your hand.

[bugsydog55]

I also have to battle with osteoarthritis in both hands and wrists. Gets complicated by the fact that I also have fibromyalgia. I have discovered that I can no longer deal with ballpoints for much more than a signature. Tis a very good thing that I rediscovered fountain pens several years ago. An affordable option may be with Kim ACR ebonite pens from Kiwi Pens in India. The pens are all ebonite in several very nice colors and sizes. They are all eyedroppers but have a highly finned feed that makes them less prone to burping. The point that may be of benefit here is that the pens come in a broader section that could fit better for people that have issues with their hands, like me. Check them out on Ebay. Prices are great and shipping is free and relatively quick.