What is the PROPER way to hold a fountain pen?

[Scamp65]

Okay, this is probably going to sound really dumb, but I am wondering if there is a "proper" way to hold a fountain pen? I mean, a certain angle that you are supposed to put nib to paper? Is there just ONE WAY, or can you get other "effects" by holding it differently? I just bought my first fountain pen (as an adult......a Pelikan M400) and there seems to be one angle where the nib is smoother than if I move it slightly either way. I chose the EF 14K nib, because I had heard that Pelikan nibs tend to be wider and write wetter than some other pens. I would have probably bought a F nib, otherwise. This one tends to feel scratchy when I use it, unless I get the angle JUST RIGHT. My old cheap Sheaffer in high school was a F steel nib, but it wrote considerably smoother than this Pelikan. Is this something that will smooth out as I use it? I havn't used it very much yet (I need some decent paper that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and something to write about!) I'd really appreciate any answers you might have......Thanks, ~Les~

Edited December 3, 2007 by Scamp65

[errantmarginalia]

Okay, this is probably going to sound really dumb, but I am wondering if there is a "proper" way to hold a fountain pen? I mean, a certain angle that you are supposed to put nib to paper? Is there just ONE WAY, or can you get other "effects" by holding it differently? I just bought my first fountain pen (as an adult......a Pelikan M400) and there seems to be one angle where the nib is smoother than if I move it slightly either way. I chose the EF 14K nib, because I had heard that Pelikan nibs tend to be wider and write wetter than some other pens. I would have probably bought a F nib, otherwise. This one tends to feel scratchy when I use it, unless I get the angle JUST RIGHT. My old cheap Sheaffer in high school was a F steel nib, but it wrote considerably smoother than this Pelikan. Is this something that will smooth out as I use it? I havn't used it very much yet (I need some decent paper that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and something to write about!) I'd really appreciate any answers you might have......Thanks, ~Les~

 

Hi, Les. I always try to convince myself that one of the joys of using fountain pens is dealing with the idiosyncrasies of each pen, particularly where a nib's sweet spot is concerned. All other things being equal, an EF will have a smaller sweet spot than a broader nib and will therefore be more exacting as to the way in which it meets the paper. Now, nibmeisters like Richard Binder or John Mottishaw (to name only two) can do wonders with an EF nib, but the EF will still always have a smaller sweet spot than a broader nib, as there's less tipping material touching the paper.

To that, you also have to add variations with respect to how each person holds his/her pen: some hold the pen in such a way that an oblique nib makes sense for them.

On the whole, I would say that the right way to hold a pen is the way that gives YOU an enjoyable writing experience. If that turns out to be nearly impossible with the EF you have, then you might consider sending it off to have a nibmeister smooth it or switching to a F, which will have a larger sweet spot. Hope this helps. Best,

David

Edited December 3, 2007 by parrhesia

[blak000]

That angle you mention is what people like to call the "sweet spot"; it's the angle when the pen writes its smoothest. As far as I know, there is no specific method of writing with a fountain pen. In fact, the fountain pen will mold to your grip over time. The iridium will wear away to the angle that you write at.

 

Scamp, is your nib "scratchy" or is it just "toothy"? When a nib is scratchy, it's not properly aligned or smoothed. You can tell, because the pen will actually feel like it's scratching into the paper and ripping up fibers. If the nib is toothy, then it is smooth but feels a little nail-like when you write. The toothiness could be due to the small nib size of your pen. Larger nib sizes will naturally feel smoother and less toothy, because the iridium has a larger surface to write with.

 

Whether it's scratchy or simply too toothy for you, I recommend calling Chartpak (Pelikan repair) and telling them about your problem. People have said good things about their services, and I'm sure they'll be able to help you out. Who knows, they might even swap nib sizes for you for free (not sure on this, though). If they don't, you can always order a replacement nib from another store. Pelikan nibs are easily interchangeable; that's one thing that's so great about them.

 

Hope you're able to get your issues resolved. Let us know what you plan to do!

[blak000]

One more thing: are you putting a lot of pressure on the pen as you write? Fountain pens require no pressure, whatsoever... the weight of the pen should be sufficient enough to get the ink flowing. When I first started writing with FPs, a lot of the nibs felt toothy to me, because I would write like they were ballpoints. As I grew accustomed to them and wrote with a lighter hand, the nibs felt much smoother.

Edited December 3, 2007 by blak000

[Ghost Plane]

Some of us hold our fingers way higher on the pen too. It gives me more of a brush like stroke [of course I use a B nib, which some heretics claims is much like a paint brush anyway] and lets the pen simply float over the paper.

 

The key is to PLAY with it and see what works for you and your writing style. You're already finding one angle works for you. There IS no correct way, so long as you're comfortable and ink flows where you want it to.

[FrankB]

Back in 1958 when I was taught to use a dip fountain pen in school, we went through the "proper" penmanship drill ad nauseum. Feet flat on the floor, back straight, pen held at a 70-degree angle, or whatever, you get the pciture. Outside of the classroom, it was always getting comfortable and holding the pen whatever way allowed the sweet spot to do its work.

 

I write with a number of different nib sizes - F, M, B, BB, italic, stub - and each has its sweet spot and a particular way I need to hold it. I allow the pen to tell me what it needs and I hold it accordingly. If there is a "proper" way to hold a FP, I don't know about it, nor do I much care.

 

A side note: I have understood that some of the current production Pel EF nibs tend to be scratchy. You might be advised to send your EF to a nib meister for smoothing. Also, don't forget that your Pelikan allows for interchanging nibs. You can buy a F nib and give it a try. The lesser expensive steel M-200 nibs will fit your M-400. Using different size nibs is part of the fun of owning a Pel.

[Keng]

I agree with the others that the right way to hold a pen is what is most comfortable and natural for you. Could it be that an oblique nib is more suitable for the way you hold your pen?

 

Mike

[wspohn]

Back in 1958 when I was taught to use a dip fountain pen in school, we went through the "proper" penmanship drill ad nauseum. Feet flat on the floor, back straight, pen held at a 70-degree angle, or whatever, you get the pciture. Outside of the classroom, it was always getting comfortable and holding the pen whatever way allowed the sweet spot to do its work.

 

I have always wondered what it is that results in many young people holding a pen like it is a sharp stick that might get away from them. I have seen lots of sales clerks with the pen wrapped up in a tightened fist, which not only gives a lousy angle were they ever to try a FP, but would also (I should think) be most fatiguing.

 

Is this a result of no training in penmanship in school today?

[rikki]

I find that between 30º and 45º is generally where a pen's "smooth" spot is. (And if you ever want to learn a "flexy" script, you really need to use that low angle.)

Higher angles require more muscle work, and exert more pressure on the nib—this is not good! Writing with an FP should require very little effort, so try your best just to loosen up and get comfortable. No making fists!

 

I speak as a right-hander. If you're a lefty, you should probably discard bits and pieces of this advice. Not the "loosen up and get comfortable" bit though.

 

As an aside, I will reiterate what Frank said. Richard Binder and Dillo (those are both FPN usernames, and Richard has a website) have both stated that current Pelikan factory EF nibs do not meet their quality standards. While some FPNers have reported okay EF nibs from Pelikan, I've seen more who were dissatisfied while browsing the forums. You may want to go ahead and call Chartpak.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I'm slowly battering together a site of my own, and I've got a sort of distillation of writing tips from this forum and other sources here. Somewhere I specifically recommend looking at is Paperpenalia, which has some useful lessons regarding pen-weilding. Always keeping in mind, tho', that different people have different mechanics, and anything you read should be viewed as tips rather than rules.

[donwinn]

Okay, this is probably going to sound really dumb, but I am wondering if there is a "proper" way to hold a fountain pen? I mean, a certain angle that you are supposed to put nib to paper? Is there just ONE WAY, or can you get other "effects" by holding it differently? I just bought my first fountain pen (as an adult......a Pelikan M400) and there seems to be one angle where the nib is smoother than if I move it slightly either way. I chose the EF 14K nib, because I had heard that Pelikan nibs tend to be wider and write wetter than some other pens. I would have probably bought a F nib, otherwise. This one tends to feel scratchy when I use it, unless I get the angle JUST RIGHT. My old cheap Sheaffer in high school was a F steel nib, but it wrote considerably smoother than this Pelikan. Is this something that will smooth out as I use it? I havn't used it very much yet (I need some decent paper that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and something to write about!) I'd really appreciate any answers you might have......Thanks, ~Les~

 

Could be a bad nib. Richard Binder, a nibmeister of good repute, tests and adjusts all nibs prior to selling, unless specifically asked not to do so. I have a Pelikan M200, onto which I installed a Binder F nib. It is a little wider than I prefer, but still fairly fine, nicely wet, and as smooth as butter on glass. Richard does not sell Pelkian EF nibs stock, because they do not meet his standards for consistency and flow. You might like one of his F nibs, or if it is too wide, he will sell an EF, but it is a specialty nib, as he starts with a larger nib and reduces it down to EF size, therefore it costs more. If you go to www.richardspens.com (not affiliated, unfortunately for me) you can see all the info on it.

 

Barring that, you could contact Chartpak and swap the nib for another EF, with a better than even chance of getting another bad one, or for a Fine, and figuring out if it is fine enough for you.

 

Donnie

[marsos52]

hi les we both started with fountain pens about the same time i just got a pelican m22 with a fine nib and i have a bexley with a med nib i am learning to kinda write all over again and everyday i try to hold to pens a bit different and see what is most comfortable and what make the pen write its best so far i not say one way is better than another but i find you can kinda adjust the way the pens writes and feels by changing the angle if the pen

 

i try not to think about it much i just want to write naturally with them and know what i can do with the pen and the differences with both instruments

 

i think that is part of the enjoyment and intrique of this amazing way of writing totally personal

[FrankB]

wspohn wrote:

 

"I have always wondered what it is that results in many young people holding a pen like it is a sharp stick that might get away from them. I have seen lots of sales clerks with the pen wrapped up in a tightened fist, which not only gives a lousy angle were they ever to try a FP, but would also (I should think) be most fatiguing.

 

Is this a result of no training in penmanship in school today?"

 

Yes, I think you are right.

 

I guess my comment regarding not caring about properly holding a pen was flippant. I am in a way glad for the classroom training I got. At least I learned to relax and let the pen do most of the work. I have seen the death grip you refer to, and it has to be awfully uncomfortable. But then again, when people use most ball points they have to work to get the pen to work, which is the main thing I dislike about BP's.

[Shangas]

I hold my fountain pens & dip-pens:

 

- Nib-down.

- 'sunny-side up'

- Sweet-spot on the paper and properly angled to write smoothly.

- At about 45 degrees.

[penartist]

This is a whole different subject when you're a lefty. I have had to hold fountain pens at all kinds of crazy angles depending on the nib, ink, paper and writing surface. I was probably hard on the nibs from time to time.

 

[Fox in the Stars]

I have a really idiosyncratic pen hold, pic attached---stubbornly resisted all training out of it when I was a child. It gives me a pretty high angle, but I haven't noticed problems with any of my pens... (I might play with lowering the angle by backing off my grip. My Dad has this weird way of holding the barrel between his index and middle fingers...)

[Garageboy]

Low angle writer here. I hold the pen by the section and lean all of it against the web of my hand. (I've destroyed many rollerball refills this way)

[marsos52]

This is a whole different subject when you're a lefty. I have had to hold fountain pens at all kinds of crazy angles depending on the nib, ink, paper and writing surface. I was probably hard on the nibs from time to time.

 

hi am a lefty also i am an underwriter and i hold the paper kinda sideways i do this naturally but the result is my penmanship like right handed thankfully i can use right handed nibs no problem

 

are u a underwriter also

[PAKMAN]

After a while I got tired of nibs that didn't feel just right to me and got some smoothing sticks. They look like a big emery board with three grades of grit on them. I give a new pen nib a few days of writing to see how it feels to me and then if it is too scratchy or toothy I go to work on it. First you have to determine if the tines are perfectly aligned. 10x loupe and good light will tell this pretty fast. A dead giveaway is when you write for a few minutes with a pen and start to see ink colored goop showing up on top of the tipping area of the nib. The nib is actually scraping away paper fibers. If miss aligned, I adjust the low tine by using my fingernail under it and lifting gently and then check again with the loupe. Many times this is all a pen needs. If still scratchy then I starting writing loops and figure eights on the roughest part of the smoothing stick, then switch to the next grit and then to the really fine. A good measure is if it is catching on the fine then it still needs the rougher grit. Be careful to just do a little at a time use the natural slant you use on the pen, also the pen should be inked to lubricate the process. If you go too overboard your EF will become a Fine. Good luck!

 

PS: some folks write on a penny or brown paper sack to do some minor smoothing of a nib.

Edited December 4, 2007 by pakmanpony

[gregoron]

In addition to the good recommendations above (i.e. angled writing, no weight on the pen, etc.), I read somewhere that it helps to write with your shoulders and elbows together and not with your wrist. The wrist is not supposed to rest on the desk. You write with your paper angled to your hand orientation and then move it up as you finish each line....sort of like the return on typewriters.