Geekhack Handwriting Thread and Fountain Pen Thread

[CPTBadAss]

Do any of you have tips on how to improve my handwriting? It is pretty atrocious and I would like to improve.

1) Find examples of handwriting you like. I grew up learning Palmer and then spent some time as a draftsman. I have decent cursive and ok print. There are many examples online and even practice sheets. Some places I've found writing samples from are the standard google search, blogs such as OatsDIY or GourmetPens, and forums such as Fountain Pen Network.
2) Practice
3) Practice
4) Practice

For myself, I practice my Palmer cursive handwriting almost nightly by writing out the NATO phonetic alphabet. I've slowly been stealing letters that I see from other people as you've seen in my previous post. My upper case H, I, K, and A have all been altered because I didn't like how they looked.



Oh and remember to practice .

[FrostyToast]

I do whatever the hell I want for capital letters.
A lot of them still look terrible though and plain.

Letters that need work: E, T, F, J, Z, X, C, G, H, K, M, N, P, R, U, V

Pretty much everything still needs work.  )

[demik]

Do any of you have tips on how to improve my handwriting? It is pretty atrocious and I would like to improve.

as much as tp annoys me, he had a real good post on here that got deleted for stupid reasons. but basically, get a ball point (i think that's what it was) and practice. no need to get a fountain pen if your writing is crappy to begin with. practice on cheap ball points then move up to "better" pens.

since i dont really need a pen for work, i hardly ever write. so sometimes i write out replies for threads on a piece of paper then just retype them. just to practice my writing.

[iri]

The Pelikan M200, why is it not considered amongst pen enthusiasts?

it is pretty much considered. a very good pen. just note that all german pens have relatively broad nibs, so if you want to buy a pelikan, aim yourself to an EF nib.

as much as tp annoys me, he had a real good post on here that got deleted for stupid reasons. but basically, get a ball point (i think that's what it was) and practice. no need to get a fountain pen if your writing is crappy to begin with. practice on cheap ball points then move up to "better" pens.

my advice is exactly the opposite.

1. get yourself a fountain pen. preferably the one with the triangular grip section, like lamy safari or omas 360.
2. practice the proper triangular grip. it's a very important foundation for a good handwriting.
3. practice the proper writing position for a fountain pen. remember that a fountain pen's angle is lower than a ballpoint's when writing and its nib must be in a certain position for the ink to flow well. also remember to never write with pressure with a fountain pen unless it has a flexible nib.
4. choose the preferred handwriting style and practice, practice, practice.

for a simple reference, see this.

[Binge]

The Pelikan M200, why is it not considered amongst pen enthusiasts?

it is pretty much considered. a very good pen. just note that all german pens have relatively broad nibs, so if you want to buy a pelikan, aim yourself to an EF nib.

as much as tp annoys me, he had a real good post on here that got deleted for stupid reasons. but basically, get a ball point (i think that's what it was) and practice. no need to get a fountain pen if your writing is crappy to begin with. practice on cheap ball points then move up to "better" pens.

my advice is exactly the opposite.

1. get yourself a fountain pen. preferably the one with the triangular grip section, like lamy safari or omas 360.
2. practice the proper triangular grip. it's a very important foundation for a good handwriting.
3. practice the proper writing position for a fountain pen. remember that a fountain pen's angle is lower than a ballpoint's when writing and its nib must be in a certain position for the ink to flow well. also remember to never write with pressure with a fountain pen unless it has a flexible nib.
4. choose the preferred handwriting style and practice, practice, practice.

for a simple reference, see this.

^ this.

My wife's grip will make you think twice about giving her a nice pen.  It's harmless but it looks awkward and gives her hand pain to write for long periods of time.  She learned on ballpoints and hard pencils.

[tp4tissue]

Triangle Grip is not essential..  In fact, you don't need to hold a pen in any particular way..


The only issue you need to watch out for is OVER-CONTROL..  which is what Binge seems to be describing in his Wife..

Over-Control.. is not allowing for any deviation from strict letter form by using a very tense hand..

^^^ this is not wrong, but it's not sustainable for long writing.. which isn't actually a problem in the modern day.. sign a check, what 3-10 times a week..


The important thing is to ONLY use the force necessary..  Much like in the speed compendium.

USE FORCE..  but do not HOLD... [the HOLDING is what causes all the tensing]

The difference here is that with handwriting, you don't need maximum force because that will not accelerate your writing vs typing..

[CPTBadAss]

Last night's handwriting practice with a new style F. Gotta work on it some more.

[Skuloth]

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Last night's handwriting practice with a new style F. Gotta work on it some more.

The cross bar in the middle makes it look like a T to me. Probably only because it extends on both sides.

[CPTBadAss]

Yeah it's definitely not ideal yet but we're working on it. It's supposed to be a simplified version of the really cool flourish-y F's I saw but I'm not sure I like it yet.

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Saw some upper case Fs on Instagram and I'm stealing them for myself. Trying out some new Fs here.

[GL1TCH3D]

Lots of discussions here!

I'm still fairly new to the pen world (although I've been in it for just a bit less than keyboards)

Got myself the Stormy Gray ink yesterday and it's fantastic in my newbie opinion.

Writing with the sailor 1911 custom ground and the stormy gray just feels wonderful. Now to practice my handwriting...

[clacktalk]

I started my plunge into the fp world with a starter Lamy Safari w/ fine point and cartridge converter. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING, but I'm stoked.

Took a night of contemplation for me to get here. I was researching my first BIFL mechanical pencil for about half the night, decided it was the rOtring Rapid Pro, took a nap to "sleep on it" (my gf's advice), woke up and decided I still wanted it, then realized I also want a nice, durable pen to accompany it. It was about 10x easier to figure out what pen I wanted to start off with and took about 20 minutes of research, versus the hours I spent reading up on mech pencilz

[demik]

i feel like im the only one that does not like the safari. so damn awkward to use.

[clacktalk]

i feel like im the only one that does not like the safari. so damn awkward to use.

is it bc it's made of abs and not pbt your favorite kind of plastic

[demik]

nah. i cant do tri grip. i dont find it comfortable at all.

[clacktalk]

nah. i cant fo tri grip. i dont find it comfortable at all.

i'll let u choose my next fountain pen if i ever decide to take that next step.

[Binge]

i feel like im the only one that does not like the safari. so damn awkward to use.

Oblique nibs on LAMY pens are the only reason I've ever wanted to use one (CPT).  Otherwise the section is not my cup of tea.  You aren't alone.

[exitfire401]

i feel like im the only one that does not like the safari. so damn awkward to use.

Oblique nibs on LAMY pens are the only reason I've ever wanted to use one (CPT).  Otherwise the section is not my cup of tea.  You aren't alone.

I only like the extra fine Lamy tips. Past that, I'll go with a vanishing point, or my impressa in a medium because I don't like anyone else's fine points.

[demik]

nah. i cant fo tri grip. i dont find it comfortable at all.

i'll let u choose my next fountain pen if i ever decide to take that next step.

huge fan of twsbi. steeper than safari, but worth the price imo

[CPTBadAss]

Love that Pelikan. Had it ground by Tim Girdler in Philly into a pillow italic Oblique Nib.



/insert goldmember gif

[Binge]

The most solid pen companies I can recommend people to start with...

• TWSBI
• Pelikan
• Pilot

No particular order.  Within those companies there is a pen(and nib) for every type of writer.

[FreeCopy]

The most solid pen companies I can recommend people to start with...

• TWSBI
• Pelikan
• Pilot

No particular order.  Within those companies there is a pen(and nib) for every type of writer.

I ordered a Pilot Metropolitan last night. Started with fine nib because majority of what I write with is .5 and .3
I'll see how I fare with my first pen.

[demik]

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Love that Pelikan. Had it ground by Tim Girdler in Philly into a pillow italic Oblique Nib.

Show Image

/insert goldmember gif

[Zeroblade]

My thoughts regarding the discussion on improving handwriting:

I think that getting a fountain pen will help motivate you to get better. The thought that my terrible hand didn't match the pretty pen was enough to make me want to improve it. It also makes things a lot less tiring.
Grip is not so important. I personally use the traditional triangle grip, but I have a friend who writes with a completely different grip and still comes up with stuff like this. You can see glances of her grip in the video as well.
What is more important is the writing technique: do not move your fingers and wrist. Simply hold the pen (without grasping it forcefully), and use your entire arm, from the shoulder down, to move the pen around. This is a LOT less tiring, and also allows you to do both fine motions and bold motions very easily. This is /the/ most important aspect for handwriting.
Of course, do hold a fountain pen at the proper angle, anywhere from 30 to 60 degrees. Not too high, not too low.



And of course, practice.

[sethk_]

My thoughts regarding the discussion on improving handwriting:

I think that getting a fountain pen will help motivate you to get better. The thought that my terrible hand didn't match the pretty pen was enough to make me want to improve it. It also makes things a lot less tiring.
Grip is not so important. I personally use the traditional triangle grip, but I have a friend who writes with a completely different grip and still comes up with stuff like this. You can see glances of her grip in the video as well.
What is more important is the writing technique: do not move your fingers and wrist. Simply hold the pen (without grasping it forcefully), and use your entire arm, from the shoulder down, to move the pen around. This is a LOT less tiring, and also allows you to do both fine motions and bold motions very easily. This is /the/ most important aspect for handwriting.
Of course, do hold a fountain pen at the proper angle, anywhere from 30 to 60 degrees. Not too high, not too low.

Show Image

And of course, practice.

I practiced writing the Nato alphabet about 6 times, 3 in pen and 3 in lead pencil just so I can adjust to the difference in smoothness, and I noticed that loosening my grip doesn't make any difference in my writing, so now I don't have to death grip, and it looks better than before, but after I work on my print, then will I start on my cursive and what-not, as my cursive looks like spaghetti-o's and spaghetti noodles' love child.

[terrpn]

My thoughts regarding the discussion on improving handwriting:

I think that getting a fountain pen will help motivate you to get better. The thought that my terrible hand didn't match the pretty pen was enough to make me want to improve it. It also makes things a lot less tiring.
Grip is not so important. I personally use the traditional triangle grip, but I have a friend who writes with a completely different grip and still comes up with stuff like this. You can see glances of her grip in the video as well.
What is more important is the writing technique: do not move your fingers and wrist. Simply hold the pen (without grasping it forcefully), and use your entire arm, from the shoulder down, to move the pen around. This is a LOT less tiring, and also allows you to do both fine motions and bold motions very easily. This is /the/ most important aspect for handwriting.
Of course, do hold a fountain pen at the proper angle, anywhere from 30 to 60 degrees. Not too high, not too low.

Show Image

And of course, practice.

i enjoy reading your posts zeroblade, very informative and great handwriting by the way :thumb:

i am a little older than most here, but have been collecting fountain pens since i was a kid :eek:

most of mine are vintage, however CptBadAss and Binge have got me hooked on a few modern pens that i really enjoy.

i don't cursive........i only print unfortunately :-\

i used to work with architects, architectural drawings and have never got away from printing for some reason............

[terrpn]

From the Philly Show

Thank you CptBadAss and Binge

Oh yea...........written with a Duofold International Broad Oblique Italic

[Binge]

From the Philly Show

Thank you CptBadAss and Binge

Oh yea...........written with a Duofold International Broad Oblique Italic

That print is to die for   Love the line width and shape of the letters.  Oh yeah color is neat too

[brimborion]

I got way too into pens last year. My favorites are probably my Edisons, but I like lots of them in different price ranges, vintage and new.

[Binge]

I got way too into pens last year. My favorites are probably my Edisons, but I like lots of them in different price ranges, vintage and new.

That's awesome.  I wanted to meet the Edison Pen Co. at Philly, but I think life intervened and they were unable to go

[jdcarpe]

http://imgur.com/gallery/2zMBx

[CPTBadAss]

http://imgur.com/gallery/2zMBx

I gotta make that jump. Brb, practicing handwriting again lol.

I got way too into pens last year. My favorites are probably my Edisons, but I like lots of them in different price ranges, vintage and new.

Oooo another Edison fan . I'm currently trying to figure out how I can afford one of their Menlos. Would you be willing to share some pictures?

[Binge]

Hi _______.

Thanks for your interest.

There is a possibility of a plunger filler in the future, but I can tell you for sure not this year.

Let me know how else I can help.

Best regards,

Brian Gray
Edison Pen Co, LLC

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

[brimborion]

http://imgur.com/gallery/2zMBx

I gotta make that jump. Brb, practicing handwriting again lol.

I got way too into pens last year. My favorites are probably my Edisons, but I like lots of them in different price ranges, vintage and new.

Oooo another Edison fan . I'm currently trying to figure out how I can afford one of their Menlos. Would you be willing to share some pictures?

I don't have any Menlos, but here is a Collier and a Hudson.

[terrpn]

http://imgur.com/gallery/2zMBx

I gotta make that jump. Brb, practicing handwriting again lol.

I got way too into pens last year. My favorites are probably my Edisons, but I like lots of them in different price ranges, vintage and new.

Oooo another Edison fan . I'm currently trying to figure out how I can afford one of their Menlos. Would you be willing to share some pictures?

I don't have any Menlos, but here is a Collier and a Hudson.

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ]

ooohhhhh that tortoise

[FrostyToast]

I wonder if I should get a Japanese extra fine or an extra extra fine if the Japanese even grind those.
My pen is too inky to use on tests or the cheap paper I use for note taking.

[Binge]

I wonder if I should get a Japanese extra fine or an extra extra fine if the Japanese even grind those.
My pen is too inky to use on tests or the cheap paper I use for note taking.

if you work with #5-#6 nibs get a twsbi xf nib and some noodler's x-feather

[FrostyToast]

I wonder if I should get a Japanese extra fine or an extra extra fine if the Japanese even grind those.
My pen is too inky to use on tests or the cheap paper I use for note taking.

if you work with #5-#6 nibs get a twsbi xf nib and some noodler's x-feather

#5 or #6 you say? Hmmmm maybe that's an excuse for me to get that sexy, sexy Edison Majestic Pine.

[CPTBadAss]

I don't have any Menlos, but here is a Collier and a Hudson.

(Attachment Link)

That transluscent material is lovely.  Which pen is that?


I both love and hate the upper case G. I feel like if its on point and right, it looks so good. And when I **** it up, it looks disgusting. Was playing around with it tonight. Please excuse the railroading.

[FrostyToast]

I don't have any Menlos, but here is a Collier and a Hudson.

(Attachment Link)

That transluscent material is lovely.  Which pen is that?


I both love and hate the upper case G. I feel like if its on point and right, it looks so good. And when I **** it up, it looks disgusting. Was playing around with it tonight. Please excuse the railroading.

I usually like to use a printed G when I have to.
However, if someone asks me to make a cursive G I will and it usually turns out alright.

[terrpn]

I wonder if I should get a Japanese extra fine or an extra extra fine if the Japanese even grind those.
My pen is too inky to use on tests or the cheap paper I use for note taking.

i just ordered a Platinum 3776 with UEF nib............

will shoot a writing sample to the thread as soon as i get it

[FrostyToast]

I wonder if I should get a Japanese extra fine or an extra extra fine if the Japanese even grind those.
My pen is too inky to use on tests or the cheap paper I use for note taking.

i just ordered a Platinum 3776 with UEF nib............

will shoot a writing sample to the thread as soon as i get ir

A Japanese Ultra Extra Fine??!?
Ok I HAVE to see this!

[FrostyToast]

Also, I need a real flex pen instead of the E95S that I have....
I wrecked the thing so freaking much that the nib popped off on two occasions.
Still fully functional, but that can't be good.

[terrpn]

I wonder if I should get a Japanese extra fine or an extra extra fine if the Japanese even grind those.
My pen is too inky to use on tests or the cheap paper I use for note taking.

i just ordered a Platinum 3776 with UEF nib............

will shoot a writing sample to the thread as soon as i get ir

A Japanese Ultra Extra Fine??!?
Ok I HAVE to see this!

Show Image

its probably a hair

[Binge]

I don't have any Menlos, but here is a Collier and a Hudson.

(Attachment Link)

That transluscent material is lovely.  Which pen is that?


I both love and hate the upper case G. I feel like if its on point and right, it looks so good. And when I **** it up, it looks disgusting. Was playing around with it tonight. Please excuse the railroading.

Show Image

For u bro,

[CPTBadAss]

Ultra extra fine? I got a writing sample right here.



Broad or bust!

For u bro,

Show Image

They're so consistent! I really need to do G drills....

[FreeCopy]

I don't have any Menlos, but here is a Collier and a Hudson.

(Attachment Link)

That transluscent material is lovely.  Which pen is that?


I both love and hate the upper case G. I feel like if its on point and right, it looks so good. And when I **** it up, it looks disgusting. Was playing around with it tonight. Please excuse the railroading.

Show Image

For u bro,

Show Image

This is the type of G I like writing.

Today I found two packs of paper, Southworth four star. One pack is 20lb correspondence and the other is 9lb fine business. I've had them forever and I guess they would be good to use with a fountain pen. I'll have to give them each a try. I imagine they're going to be better than standard noteboook or printer paper, which is my only other options.

[CPTBadAss]

I imagine they're going to be better than standard noteboook or printer paper, which is my only other options.

At work we have this 75 lb HP copier/printer paper that is pretty good with fountain pens. 90 lb HP is good too. You don't need to go crazy with Rhodia or Field Notes like I do. In fact, I've got some 90 lb HP and Rhodia paper that I can send you if you would like. PM me if you're interested.

[FreeCopy]

I imagine they're going to be better than standard noteboook or printer paper, which is my only other options.

At work we have this 75 lb HP copier/printer paper that is pretty good with fountain pens. 90 lb HP is good too. You don't need to go crazy with Rhodia or Field Notes like I do. In fact, I've got some 90 lb HP and Rhodia paper that I can send you if you would like. PM me if you're interested.

Sounds like I need to put some time into paper knowledge. The correspondence pack I have has the texture of construction paper but is thin like standard printer paper. The business paper feels thin like tracing paper but has a texture like it got wet. I guess that's what it means by cockle finish. Also says onionskin on it. Seems this is actually typewriter paper. Which is cool because I have one to use this with, haha.

Thanks! I'll shoot you a PM.

[FrostyToast]

[terrpn]

Ultra extra fine? I got a writing sample right here.

Show Image

Broad or bust!

For u bro,

Show Image

They're so consistent! I really need to do G drills....

you a'int right )