My First Fountain Pen

[phattonez]

Hi everyone,

My girlfriend recently got me a fountain pen for our 3 year anniversary. I said that I wanted a nice pen, and she asked me what a fountain pen was, and based on the few things I had read online I told her it was the "best of the best." So now I have a fountain pen and reading up on handwriting, penmanship, proper grip, etc., and I have learned that I don't know how to write properly. I had a horrible grip which included using my middle finger rather than my index finger and the choke hold of death. I've since rectified that with a proper grip (or at least I've now begun to attempt a proper grip), but my writing is way worse. Whereas before my writing might look like that of a middle schooler, it now looks like a kindergartener's writing. So my question is: how long does it take before my handwriting improves and is the ceiling on my penmanship now way higher because I'm using a higher quality instrument with a proper grip?

Thanks everyone and have a nice day!

 

[phattonez]

Ah, I forgot, I should at least give you details on the pen.

Sheaffer Prelude Fountain Pens with Cartridges, Black Matte Finish with 22K Gold Plate Trim (SH/346-0)

 

[Groat]

I too found that once I started using a 'proper' grip that my handwriting looked a bit worse. However, after a couple weeks that style of grip felt like second nature. I helped it along a bit by practicing my writing, even by copying down whatever I could find on the internet. The content wasn't important, as it was all for practice. I also began writing primarily in cursive when using a fountain pen, which I would consider a superior experience all around.

 

[the_edski]

The same as with shaving, hold the pen with just enough pressure to control it. From there, make a conscious effort to write slower and try and write from the shoulder (i.e. move your arm slightly instead of moving just your hand and fingers). Practice, practice, practice. Buy a journal or just use a note book, but free write every night if you can and you should improve!

 

[Huy]

Sorry to break it to you but just because you have a fountain pen, it will not automatically make your penmanship better. Once you get used to writing with the pen your writing will probably settle back to what it looked like previously.

You will really need to practice your penmanship if you want it to look nicer. It will take a very long time to change your writing so just keep at it until you get it where you want. Now that you have a fountain pen you will probably enjoy writing and that will help with practicing.

For now you can add character to your writing with the ink and the type of nibs.

 

[N2theBreech]

I don't have one, but I've heard the Prelude is a nice pen. She did well.

Like you, I've been working on improving my writing since I got a fountain pen. I looked at different style scripts on-line to find something that I would be proud to say came from my hand. I noted aspects of it that I liked... and started writing, and writing, and writing. Some just pure practice, a line of a's, a line of b's and so on, others actual words. I agree with Edski, free-writing is great. Just start writing, imagining how you want your writing to look, and letting the content go wherever it wants to line after line. Free-writing can relieve stress, and improve your penmanship at the same time.

(BTW - once I started writing the script that I decided suited me and started practicing it, I realized it was very similar to the script I learned in 1st grade back in 1960! I felt a bit foolish, but it's slowly coming back now)

 

[Andy]

Nice pen!

 

[Dave258]

Congrats on the pen, it is nice! As far as penmanship, listen to what these guys said, practice practice practice! Slow down your writing, and think about each character you are writing.
I don't have the best penmanship, but it isn't bad, and a fountain pen did help to improve it. It is not magic in the pen, but when I write with one of my pens, I enjoy writing with it so I do not rush through it. I also write much more now then I have since high school!

 

[Unkas]

To the people saying it will take a long time, that may not be entirely true!

I used to have awful handwriting, like really bad but I got myself a fountain pen and started writing and practicing cursive and when my cursive got better then my script also did. I'm about three weeks or a month into owning a fountain pen but lots of improvement already!

 

[Stevew443]

My handwriting is horrible no matter what instrument I use to create the scrawl. As long as I can read what I have written then I am happy. My writing is usually for me, and when it is ready for public consumption, I will type it out. You will most likely find that your fountain pen writing will come to look like your normal writing once you learn the capabilities of your pen.

Sounds like you got a great anniversary present. I have a very inexpensive Neomisine which has given me excellent service.

 

[nemo]

Welcome to the Nib -- nice pen, Sheaffers are great! Congrats on the three years too.

 

[Krona Kruiser]

Nice pen. I'm waiting on a few fountain pens myself and have been practicing my cursive with my Varsity FP while I get my first "real" pen.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Nice pen. As others have said, only practice will make your hand writing better. That being said, I wanted to improve mine, and used fountain pens as an incentive to work on it. Mine is much better now, but there is always room for improvement (unless you are strop )

 

[phattonez]

Thanks everyone for all of the nice notes, I really appreciate it. I have 2 question:

1. I don't often wear shirts with pockets, so where should I store my pen for use? I move around a lot, and the box it came in isn't very practical in terms of maneuverability.

2. Recommendations for inks? I like blue ink, but I was looking for something dark and bold. Any suggestions?

 

[Groat]

1. where should I store my pen for use?

2. Recommendations for inks?

1. Numerous companies make pen cases. As a matter of fact, simply typing in 'pen case' on Amazon comes up with a few in the $10 range. I use a leather pen case to bring my pens with me.

2. There are several ways to go here. I'm running under the assumption that you've got a cartridge converter and therefore are ready to use bottled ink. You could get some ink samples to try out and find which one(s) you like best. The Goulets (vendors here at B&B and great people) have sample packages of inks. Here is a dark blue package and here is a royal blue package. You can also select individual ink samples to try out.

You could also simply get a bottle of ink that you think looks nice. Personally, I've had very mixed results with that method. There are a few bottles in my drawer that rarely (if ever) get used because of that. On the other hand, I've found a couple great inks that way as well.

 

[Dave258]

When I carry a pen in pants pocket I use an Aston leather single pen pouch. I think I paid 12 bucks for it, and it fits everything including my B&B 2012 Monster Herald Grande. For some pens, I use it so they don't get scratched in my pocket, for others, I worry about ink in my pocket(which has never happened). My new got to pen in my pants pocket though is an eyedroppered Kaweco Sport. And I carry that loose on my pocket.

For inks, like Ryan said, it is a matter of trying different inks that you think you will like. My favorite blue-black id Sailor Jentle Blue Black, and B&B's Noodler's BBB.