Starting Handwriting Lessons

[John Von Wuggz]

Hello Gentlemen, Ladies,

I am not desiring to get into FP at this point because of all the extra learning that will take. I am sure I will begin the FP journey down the road though.

What I am looking for is a pen that will help me through my hand writing lessons. To this point I have just used basic Bic pens or whatever I've had laying around. I've heard the Pilot G2 and Uni-Ball 207 are good but I have nothing to base it on.

Any suggestions (obviously a YMMV request) would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time,

JVW

 

[Rockminer]

You probably don't want to hear this but you should pick up a cheap fountain pen, IMO. You might as well learn with one if you are heading that direction eventually anyway. You can get a pilot metropolitan or pilot 78g for $15 or less. You can just use cartridges and forgo the ink bottles and fillers, then you wouldn't have any more maintenance than changing a cartridge for a roller ball. I think you'll find that you like the fountain pen and if you don't, you're not out much cash.

 

[RichieRich3902]

What extra learning do you speak of?

 

[John Von Wuggz]

What extra learning do you speak of?

I never learned cursive in school and a career life of business and finance has left me with terrible writing. Added to that is the fact that almost all my correspondence and notes are done on computer or iPad. I am taking instruction to learn overall technique, cursive, and anything else I don't know that I don't know. I also intend to learn calligraphy if I am teachable at all.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

You can get a pilot metropolitan or pilot 78g for $15 or less. You can just use cartridges and forgo the ink bottles and fillers, then you wouldn't have any more maintenance than changing a cartridge for a roller ball.

I never looked at it from that perspective. I am not against FPs but I didn't want to learn everything that came with it right away. A FP that does away with all of the maintenance could be a good idea.

 

[rickcharles606]

Honestly you can pick up an inexpensive, but high quality FP like the Pilot Metropolitan or 78g and not have any more trouble using it than any other pen. Put the ink cartridge in and the pointy end on paper and you're good to go Especially if you have any intention of learning calligraphy, you'll want to get familiar with fountain pens. If I can do it, anyone can. Not to mention, if you're into finance, this is more cost effective than "disposable" writing implements

 

[purerockfury]

I just picked up a Lamy safari and I am loving it so far. I am not taking lessons but trying the free online help sites I have found. I am glad I am doing it with the Safari and not some other pen. Where did you find to get handwriting lessons from?

 

[RichieRich3902]

I was talking about the proposed extra-learning with a fountain pen, I have found that their isn't anything extra to learn past rotating the nib correctly to write. The fountain pen will likely help your handwriting more than anything, it really helped mine. A decent fountain pen is better than a great ballpoint every time.

 

[rickcharles606]

I was talking about the proposed extra-learning with a fountain pen, I have found that their isn't anything extra to learn past rotating the nib correctly to write. The fountain pen will likely help your handwriting more than anything, it really helped mine. A decent fountain pen is better than a great ballpoint every time.

^^^This^^^

I'd even say that a mediocre fountain pen is better than the best ballpoint.....

 

[whavens]

I have a Pilot Metropolitan and it writes like butter. Smooth and crisp. Actually I don't think I have it anymore, my girlfriend, on the other hand has a Pilot Metropolitan.

 

[celestino]

You probably don't want to hear this but you should pick up a cheap fountain pen, IMO. You might as well learn with one if you are heading that direction eventually anyway. You can get a pilot metropolitan or pilot 78g for $15 or less. You can just use cartridges and forgo the ink bottles and fillers, then you wouldn't have any more maintenance than changing a cartridge for a roller ball. I think you'll find that you like the fountain pen and if you don't, you're not out much cash.

+1 Get one of the Pilot 78g with a Broad nib and you will see how beautiful your writing can be!

 

[syngent]

A parker jotter is a great BP pen, myself I have looked at some offrrings from Monteverde as well as pelikan.

I like a lot of monteverdes looks though, goldspot had most all of the Monteverde lineup

 

[Craig9802]

+1 on the Parker Jotter, though I found they had a remarkable tendency to walk away from my desk. I also have a great Caran d'Ache ballpoint and a Retro 51 Tornado rollerball that I enjoy a lot, but they're a bit more than the least expensive FP's. When I first started working on my penmanship early in my career, I found a Fountain Pen was a great investment. It helped me mentally separate from work, so my mind and arm could slow down and develop different habits. Eventually, when I started taking FP's to work, my "better" writing came along with it. I'm guessing most people don't need such a crutch to make the transition, but it may help.

 

[Snargle]

Not to mention, if you're into finance, this is more cost effective than "disposable" writing implements

Cost-effective? BWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!!

 

[rickcharles606]

Cost-effective? BWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!!

shhhhhh....you'll scare him off, jeez

 

[Toothpick]

I'm curious...when you say taking lessons...do you mean a real person is teaching you?

or are you taking them online somewhere?

I only ask because I would like to take lessons too. Everything I've found online so far wasn't very helpful. And I don't think the local college offers a class in handwriting.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

I'm curious...when you say taking lessons...do you mean a real person is teaching you?

or are you taking them online somewhere?

I only ask because I would like to take lessons too. Everything I've found online so far wasn't very helpful. And I don't think the local college offers a class in handwriting.

I started with an online resource (iampeth or something but I didn't click with it) and then contacted my local university, Arizona State. I talked to the linguistics, journalism, and English departments among others assuming I'd find someone who could do what I was looking for. With their help I tracked down someone who had the skills I was looking for and was interested in helping me.

 

[Toothpick]

I started with an online resource (iampeth or something but I didn't click with it) and then contacted my local university, Arizona State. I talked to the linguistics, journalism, and English departments among others assuming I'd find someone who could do what I was looking for. With their help I tracked down someone who had the skills I was looking for and was interested in helping me.

That's cool you found someone to help you. I checked out iampeth a while ago. It's to much for me. there is to much there, to many links. I need something simple, and a step by step guide I think. a real person with homework would be ideal.

Good luck to you! show off your writing too.

 

[islandshaver]

For everyone that wants to improve there hand writing, there's a web site Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting. A book available, Write Now: The Complete Program To Better Handwriting By Barbra Getty & Inga Dubay My 2 cents

 

[the_edski]

If the FP route isn't your thing, a Retro 51 is a very stunning rollerball and a pleasure to hold in the hand. Won't break the bank either, $20 w/ super saver shipping on Amazon.