As a programmer and techie I’ve spent most of my life typing super fast. I’ve recently rediscovered journaling, writing and sketching as a mindfulness practice and it’s been amazing for my mental health and happiness. Fountain pens have been a nice addition but they make me very conscious of the fact that my handwriting is atrocious and barely legible. Writing legibly requires slowing down, and writing quickly with a pen is already agonizingly slow compared to typing. My thoughts move at least twice as fast as I can write, and if I take the time to write legibly it’s half again as fast. I’m so eager to write faster and cleaner at the same time, but it’s a losing battle. People with neat handwriting just write slower. It comes with the territory. I mentioned writing with a pen was a mindfulness practice for me, so perhaps learning to slow down is just another step on the mindfulness journey. I still struggle with the idea that a thought could pass before I’ve had an opportunity to write it down. So I wonder if neat handwriting is all that important to begin with. As long as I can make it out when I go to reference it later, is it good enough? Or is the time it takes for neat handwriting a worthwhile filter for the thoughts that actually matter? Who knows.
I had a computer science instructor tell the class that practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes permanent. I believe he is right since my handwriting is no better now than it was 40 years ago. However, I did learn to take notes by listening to my instructors and only writing down the important things that were not in the book.
No, the right words are: Establish the right skill then practice to make it perfect. That's why you need proper training to gain the right skill first.
There are several components to handwriting improvement . One plan I found which successfully combines these is the Secret Smart Scripter (google it if you're interested) definately the most helpful remedy that I've seen. Look at the great information .
Donna G Partially true. If you keep bad habits in your writing, they will stay with the rest of your life and get ingrained . You have to unlearn the bad habit in your writing, and that takes a long time. Practice makes perfect if you keep practicing the right habit. It’s the same with art. I draw a lot, and if you practice wrongly, that bad habit will stick on you forever and your art will not improve, I follow art classes now and they had to unlearn me first from my bad ingrained drawing habits. But you unlearn it from learning the right way of drawing or writing and after a while you start to improve.
The best advice in this video is "practice." Practice! Practice! Practice! Usually, I hold ball points with a death grip. Mostly it is just to get the danged things to flow ink and write. That tight a grip is totally unnecessary with a fountain pen. The fountain pen's liquid ink flows smoothly. I learned to use a fountain pen when penmanship was still taught in schools, back in the 1950's. Odd, we were never told to relax our grip on our pens. I wonder why not? The grip on the pen is also something to be practiced. Speed is a killer - on paper as well as on the highway. I had to draw my letters - literally DRAW them - to build muscle memory. After practicing at length, I could then add some reasonable speed. To this day, my signature looks like a signature (and not a scribble). Don't forget also to enjoy the fountain pen. Writing with this venerable mature technology is fun. 🖋 😊
Absolutely. To this day, I practice the basic alphabet by d-r-a-w-i-n-g my letters carefully. Then I add some reasonable speed for writing. It helps tremendously. Happy writing, my friend.
"Those who write well are those who want to write well" - Alfred Fairbank. I had that quoted at me by a bona fide Master Penman, who thought (rightly) that I was getting a bit slapdash. His point was to slow down, consider every move and make sure that the marks you make are exactly as intended. The flipside of this is that you have to know your chosen alphabet inside out, so the other truism which really counts for people who want to write well is Louis Madarasz' "study as much as you practise".
Love the great tips provided here - particularly for the left handed writer. I've just resumed to write calligraphy script for a few months despite using a fountain pen regularly as my favorite note-taking tool. And Yes, I just keep write on and practise to find the stroke I like. Big thanks for the tips sharing!
All good tips. I prefer writing on plain paper and have guide sheets with various line spacings for different nib sizes. The guide sheets also have slanted lines. Having the guide sheets makes everything so much easier.
I wrote cursive since 3rd grade. I used to be surprised there are adults who print, but now I realise it's quite common to at least have some half printed style. I think if you write all the time as part of your hobbies, you will get good without trying too hard over the years. If you don't write much, even deliberate practice might be discouraging and slow to show results. You sort of want to combine lots of opportunites to practice with a few spurts of deliberate learning. That's the funnest way to get good at anything. Otherwise you're spending time trying to get good at something you rarely use, or aimlessly staying at your current level even tho you do something everyday. The first one is school for most people, the second one is cooking lol.
I recently (re-) discovered fountain pens after I started challenging myself to learn Engrosser‘s Script using a dip pen (with a Leonardt #41 nib). My current daily users are a Lamy Studio as well as a Pelikan M200 Classic. Strangely, although both allegedly have a medium nib, the Pelikan seems more controllable for my relatively small handwriting. 🤔 Maybe that is just in my head, though.
I must say that i love your videos and I am a pen-maniac for decades. I have a large collection of fountain pens that i used in school, university and daily. I also love to draw with pens, mostly fountain pens and art pens. (I used the Rotring Art pen F and EF for a long time, but I don't like the ink that's used with the pens. The best pen I ever had and still have is a strange one; It is rather heavy and looks like a Montblanc pen, but it was a very cheap one I bought in a sale. It has an iridium point and writes smoothly like no other pen I ever owned.I always carried that one for years, until my cat got interested. On my drawing table were several pens, brushes, roller-balls, ... But he was very sure that that particular pen was important, so he pushed it from the table, attacked it and it went missing for over two years. We searched and searched .... two years later i saw the cat playing with it .... cats and pens ...
"Practice Make progress" and it is true. I have started to practice cursive writing and now my writing is getting better. It is quite difference than I used to write and I never knew I can do this before. You also have to sit down and look at your progress mentally too and practice and practice until your brain get what you see with your fingers to hold the instruments comfortably and the muscles of your forearm to lead the moment of the constant flow to draw the writing. And the last thing is you have to be very criticise of your your own letters of the consistency and the forms and must see them together in line with the inspirational writings of others people's work. Knowledge about the writing styles as cursive type and old business writing (Spencerian origin) style can give you and Idea to choose a type of wring level you want to achieve into your kind of style as your goal. This is how I am doing and it works but "PRACTICE MAKE PROGRESS " and that you have to remember. All about the pens on this video is another important point too and My few cents here is valid just as a grain of sand in the the desserts.
Im back to fountaine pen after over 20 years of pen/pencil and keyboard only. Brings me back the memories of school, possibly the best period of my life. I cant change my character of writing, but at least im trying. I love fountine, its an "daily art" ritual for me. My pen is fun-taine pen :) I hope there will be more of Us, "fountainers" in the future, thats a great hobby! Thank You for vid and excuse my English.
I'm the weird ambi/lefty who uses board/stub/flex nibs and thrives with them, but I'm also an underwriter. Current EDC is a Lamy Al-Star Broad (I've found Lamy nibs run broad as it is), but I also have a TWSBI Eco Stub that I really enjoy. I've found that you have to go even slower with flex and stub than you would with the more regular nibs. My only F/EF pen I currently have inked is a Platinum Preppy EF, which rarely gets used.
Thanks for the tips! I get a lot of inspiration from Jake Weidmann. Before the interview with him, I had never even heard of a Master Penman. Now I'm trying things I never thought I could do! Thank you Goulet team and Mr. Weidmann!
I'm left handed and I slant my paper and write from above it works way better for me that way also honestly I hated writing before I started using a fountain pen now I love it feels much smoother writing with one for me and my handwriting has improved a lot since I've started practicing I've been doing it for about a month now and it has become kinda of a hobby
Great video but what about writing quickly? I'm a university student that loves his sonnet but because of the pace I have to write at I end up with really illegible chicken scratch. Should I switch to my urban 5th? Or is there a way of writing quickly with a fountain pen that doesn't end up looking like a dictionary threw up on your page?
Jpavlack jr that thought crossed my mind earlier. I’ve only ever had Parker for 10ish years in the form of a sonnet. I’ve also own a jotter before that and loved them, then realized what actual love is with the sonnet. Recently I’ve sadly had to replace my sonnet as it was taken from me at Uni so an excuse to upgrade from a 2013 sonnet to the 2017-18 model. I also picked up an urban 5th at the same time. Back to the point though, stepping out of Parker I may buy a preppy to try something else.
I love this ahaha. The struggles of the left handlers, I feel you guys ;-; Also are there any affordable forms of flex nibs. Before I convert my jinhao to use the zebra g flex nib
Noodler's is definitely the place to go for an affordable flex nib option. Between the Ahab/Konrad/Creaper, great options under $25: www.gouletpens.com/noodlers-writing-instruments/c/130 - Colin
I write with slanting the copy/ paper towards me. Does that help you? Cause I’ve written with ink pens for at least 6 years and I don’t smudge at all unless I accidentally smudge my writing with my right hand.
@@safala I do that too, but it's harder if I'm at a small desk with a binder, so I'm either forced to have the binder hand off the side, or to write with the paper not slanted.
I'm not quite in the same camp, being right handed, but I also tend to smudge my writing a bit if I write down more than three lines or so, since I actually tend to have my hand just a little bit above my pen on the paper. It's very difficult to try to transition to having my hand below the pen without my writing getting all slanty.
Much good information. As a lefty I am pleased you offered helpful suggestions for us. Please explain why lefties should use finer nib, drier ink, and more absorbent paper. Looking at my handwriting truly I know I need all the assistance I can muster.
Basically, it's all about avoiding smudge! Finer nibs lay down less ink, drier ink can mean a quicker dry time, and the paper absorbs the ink faster so it isn't just laying on the top of the page. All of those contribute to less smearing. - Colin
As a left handed writer I'm curious what are considered to be faster drying inks? Also I always find that a broader nib was better since it lays down more ink and smooths the pushing motion I use which is opposite the pulling motion that right handers use
I use dip pens, not fountain, and use Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black as my go to ink. I just use regular notebook paper with it and it seems to dry fast enough. Am a pretty quick cursive writer, but despite being a leftie, that ink almost never smears on me. Good luck!
Your comments on flex vs stub nibs are quite interesting . . . and possibly, advice that I should have gotten before. Since I'm not sure which of the two I wish to advance to, may i suggest taht a "Flex vs. Stub" comparison would be good for a future video.
That's a good idea, could be something we tackle in the future! In general, I think Flex takes more practice to get the hang of it, but looks better when you do. Stub is pretty easy out of the box. - Colin
With large, flowy writing, I may have to stick with a medium or broad nib (thanks, Rachel) and maybe try that flex nib, too. You will sell me a lot of ink in the future, I'm okay with that!. Hope you get enough Conklin Duraflex in this time!
You can use anything as a left handed person! Tilt your paper to the right, it'll be more comfortable, easier and not messy as your hand will be below your writing. You'll be writing or drawing at an angle, but one that feels very natural for your whole arm.
@@miyounova I appreciate your reply, but unfortunately, I've been an overwriter all my life. I was told to turn my paper to the left and that's what I did (lefties were ignored in the 60's). I have tried writing the way you suggested, but it is a completely way of writing. I can write almost as good backwards as that way:)
No, flex nibs are regular-shaped nib that can spread and close. That creates wider and thinner strokes, respectively. If you want to chat about more stuff as you begin your fountain pen journey, our team would love to talk to you! Email us at info@gouletpens.com and we'll take good care of you. - Drew
I write normally at hight speed and letters look good. Try write ever with fountain pen and you handwritting will be beauty by itself. Ahh if something don't you like, correct it and make it better.
I’m left handed and write small. I’m going to get fast drying ink and a fine nib. I knew to do those two things from the start. Everything else was very informative though.
Hi guys, have you ever done videos on left-handers using stub nibs or flex nibs? I've trained myself to be an under writer, after years of the damage school did to my writing, but I'm nervous about whether us lefties can use stub & flex without having to find some leftie speciality nib/pen brand. Any help would be great.
I just tested the stub and flex nibs I have on some Rhodia paper I have and they all work left-handed. With the stubs, you want to write a little slower than with other fountain pens (my TWSBI and Pilot Metropolitan both have sweet spots that can be a little finicky to find). With the flex nib (the one I currently have inked up is an FPR ultraflex), you have to write even slower than that.
Question: what is the opposite of a stub nib? I hold the pen more or less parallel to the direction of writing yet would like to achieve the same results as when using a stub nib in the regular manner. Do you have such a pen/nib combination, or is there a pen you can recommend?
Hi, fairly new to the Pen world, which pen and nib are you using from 0:52 to 1:00 , and is the point the same as the one from 0:18-0:30, I like finer tips so I was just curious. Thanks in advance.
Those are actually two different pens/nibs. The one at 0:52 is a LAMY CP1 with an Extra-Fine nib (www.gouletpens.com/products/lamy-cp1-fountain-pen-black?variant=11884847988779 ), the other one is a Pilot Metropolitan with a Fine nib: www.gouletpens.com/collections/pilot-metropolitan-fountain-pens - Colin
thats a pretty impressive Ahab/Konrad nib there. I think most of the railroading is avoided though by writing very slow and having a rediculously wet ink which just isnt practical in real life use.
Wet ink can be practical but depends heavily on the paper, but in general, flex writing isn't the most practical type for everyday use either! But going slow and deliberate with your strokes definitely cuts down on the railroading. - Colin
@@kingprone7846 generous feed is the key, my Waterman is railroading quite a bit but I have a lot of luck with MontBlanc Irish Green, no railroading whatsoever :-)
That is a Noodler's Ahab Clear (www.gouletpens.com/products/noodlers-ahab-flex-fountain-pen-clear?variant=11884728909867 ) with Monteverde Sapphire! - Colin
This is a very good article and some of the handwriting is absolutely beautiful. As handwriting is back one the school tests in the UK, it has started some very interesting debates. I wonder if some of your viewers would like to look at my recently published book, Alli Can’t Write. It is a crossover book wit the first section a children’s storybook and the second part discusses practical ways to help overcome these difficulties. You can find it on Amazon. I am an international author on special educational needs.
0:01 What nib was that on the Pilot Metropolitan? I can't figure out which nib to chose. F or M. I tried your www.gouletpens.com/pages/nib-nook but in case of Metropolitan the samples came out almost identical. For reference (regular printer paper on hard smooth surface used) I've got: Pilot G-Tec-C4 (rolling ball stick pen) as slightly too narrow (it's wet), the generic yellow BIC ballpoint as slightly too narrow, Rotring Tikky 0,5 with pentel 2B lead (full diameter, vertical) as very slightly too wide. I've got a fountain pen that puts just about a perfect width but it's a no-name.
I bought a fountain pen recently , I bought a cheaper one to practice with before I decided I want to use a expensive one, it doesn’t right that smoothly , any tips? I am very new to them and know barley anything about them
What pen did you go with and nib size? Could be worth cleaning out as that can cause some flow issues. Make sure the tines aren't misaligned (pinching in). - Colin
so I've got some questions regarding specific letter combinations... Something like cursive "b" to "r"... generally the letters that end high and start high are my problems... any advice on that?
I think in general, it's whatever works for you or makes sense. Usually on the upswing to end the 'b' I use that as the beginning of the 'r', not making 2 separate upstrokes, if you can picture that! - Colin
Guys I'm a fast writer because I'm a Student and i have to write fast in order to solve questions or copy something... I I'm having problems like skipped and that rail thing... But I don't write that fast I guess but it happens I have washed my pen many times... Flushed the ink though the pen and many other things so... I don't know what to do now.. I'm using Pierre Cardin MICRA.. So can anyone suggest me some tips to fix that thing.... Please.... This will help me a lot... 🙏
True, but in my experience, you get what you pay for. It's quite possible that Noodler's has greatly improved their products since I used them 2-3 years ago. I'm glad that you're enjoying them.
For all the left-handed people, tilt your paper to the right! I've always done this naturally, it I know some schools didn't let kids do this or didn't encourage it. Your hand will be under your writing, which will ensure you can see what you're writing, you won't smudge anything, and your arm and wrist will be in a comfortable position to write and manipulate your own with more ease and precision. And that goes for any writing tool, not just fountain pens!
Is that Rachel writing the super nice script? If so, she is the only person in the world that I have seen that holds a writing instrument the same way I do!
Agree with the Triple Tail. Beyond that, Conklin/Monteverde have an Omniflex nib option on most pens that's a decent option. That's featured in this video. - Colin
Cool video. The person at the very beginning writes holding the nib sideways. I've never seen anyone do that before. Is there any benefit to doing that?
It's not "proper form" or anything. It's just one of those unorthodox grips that some people have used since childhood, and doesn't really have enough drawbacks that would make the hassle of adopting another grip worthwhile. (I tend to hold my pens choked back like someone sketching with a pencil, so my nib will sometimes gravitate towards that sideways positioning if I'm not careful. :) )
Ah, that makes sense. Yeah, I can't see it being a problem unless using a stub nib, in which case that grip would make a stub act like an architect nib with wider cross strokes and thin downstrokes. With writing, as with so many other aspects of life, I don't think there's any proper form -- whatever works! It definitely does sound like a great way to avoid ink smudging as well if that becomes an issue.
As a programmer and techie I’ve spent most of my life typing super fast. I’ve recently rediscovered journaling, writing and sketching as a mindfulness practice and it’s been amazing for my mental health and happiness.
Fountain pens have been a nice addition but they make me very conscious of the fact that my handwriting is atrocious and barely legible.
Writing legibly requires slowing down, and writing quickly with a pen is already agonizingly slow compared to typing. My thoughts move at least twice as fast as I can write, and if I take the time to write legibly it’s half again as fast.
I’m so eager to write faster and cleaner at the same time, but it’s a losing battle. People with neat handwriting just write slower. It comes with the territory.
I mentioned writing with a pen was a mindfulness practice for me, so perhaps learning to slow down is just another step on the mindfulness journey.
I still struggle with the idea that a thought could pass before I’ve had an opportunity to write it down. So I wonder if neat handwriting is all that important to begin with. As long as I can make it out when I go to reference it later, is it good enough? Or is the time it takes for neat handwriting a worthwhile filter for the thoughts that actually matter? Who knows.
I’m left handed and I tend to write too fast and small. These tips helped me tremendously. Thanks for posting.
Me too
Same bro
I am also lefthander
So much happy to meet you all
Me too
Doctors have left the chat
Sahi bole
I can confirm
😂
🇲 🇾 🇦 🇳 🇩 🇼 🇷 🇮 🇹 🇮 🇳 🇬 🇮 🇸 🇼 🇴 🇷 🇸 🇪
Underrated comment.
I had a computer science instructor tell the class that practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes permanent. I believe he is right since my handwriting is no better now than it was 40 years ago. However, I did learn to take notes by listening to my instructors and only writing down the important things that were not in the book.
Donna G meh... worked for me. I write again and again and then it turns out nice
No, the right words are: Establish the right skill then practice to make it perfect. That's why you need proper training to gain the right skill first.
My sensei used "perfect practice makes perfect", and emphasized that sloppy practice just makes bad habits harder to break. So practice carefully.
There are several components to handwriting improvement . One plan I found which successfully combines these is the Secret Smart Scripter (google it if you're interested) definately the most helpful remedy that I've seen. Look at the great information .
Donna G Partially true. If you keep bad habits in your writing, they will stay with the rest of your life and get ingrained . You have to unlearn the bad habit in your writing, and that takes a long time. Practice makes perfect if you keep practicing the right habit. It’s the same with art. I draw a lot, and if you practice wrongly, that bad habit will stick on you forever and your art will not improve, I follow art classes now and they had to unlearn me first from my bad ingrained drawing habits. But you unlearn it from learning the right way of drawing or writing and after a while you start to improve.
The best advice in this video is "practice." Practice! Practice! Practice!
Usually, I hold ball points with a death grip. Mostly it is just to get the danged things to flow ink and write. That tight a grip is totally unnecessary with a fountain pen. The fountain pen's liquid ink flows smoothly. I learned to use a fountain pen when penmanship was still taught in schools, back in the 1950's. Odd, we were never told to relax our grip on our pens. I wonder why not? The grip on the pen is also something to be practiced.
Speed is a killer - on paper as well as on the highway. I had to draw my letters - literally DRAW them - to build muscle memory. After practicing at length, I could then add some reasonable speed. To this day, my signature looks like a signature (and not a scribble).
Don't forget also to enjoy the fountain pen. Writing with this venerable mature technology is fun. 🖋 😊
Mine improves if I simply slow down and concentrate on each letter as written.
Absolutely. To this day, I practice the basic alphabet by d-r-a-w-i-n-g my letters carefully. Then I add some reasonable speed for writing. It helps tremendously. Happy writing, my friend.
@@jasondaniel918 And to you also !
"Those who write well are those who want to write well" - Alfred Fairbank. I had that quoted at me by a bona fide Master Penman, who thought (rightly) that I was getting a bit slapdash. His point was to slow down, consider every move and make sure that the marks you make are exactly as intended. The flipside of this is that you have to know your chosen alphabet inside out, so the other truism which really counts for people who want to write well is Louis Madarasz' "study as much as you practise".
Love the great tips provided here - particularly for the left handed writer. I've just resumed to write calligraphy script for a few months despite using a fountain pen regularly as my favorite note-taking tool. And Yes, I just keep write on and practise to find the stroke I like. Big thanks for the tips sharing!
All good tips.
I prefer writing on plain paper and have guide sheets with various line spacings for different nib sizes. The guide sheets also have slanted lines.
Having the guide sheets makes everything so much easier.
I wrote cursive since 3rd grade. I used to be surprised there are adults who print, but now I realise it's quite common to at least have some half printed style. I think if you write all the time as part of your hobbies, you will get good without trying too hard over the years. If you don't write much, even deliberate practice might be discouraging and slow to show results. You sort of want to combine lots of opportunites to practice with a few spurts of deliberate learning. That's the funnest way to get good at anything. Otherwise you're spending time trying to get good at something you rarely use, or aimlessly staying at your current level even tho you do something everyday. The first one is school for most people, the second one is cooking lol.
thank you for the bit on lefties. very, very considerate. kudos
I WAS GOING TO WRITE APPLE CIDER AS MY NAME, HOW DARE YOU STEAL FROM ME, CHANGE IT NOW
I recently (re-) discovered fountain pens after I started challenging myself to learn Engrosser‘s Script using a dip pen (with a Leonardt #41 nib). My current daily users are a Lamy Studio as well as a Pelikan M200 Classic. Strangely, although both allegedly have a medium nib, the Pelikan seems more controllable for my relatively small handwriting. 🤔
Maybe that is just in my head, though.
I must say that i love your videos and I am a pen-maniac for decades. I have a large collection of fountain pens that i used in school, university and daily. I also love to draw with pens, mostly fountain pens and art pens. (I used the Rotring Art pen F and EF for a long time, but I don't like the ink that's used with the pens.
The best pen I ever had and still have is a strange one; It is rather heavy and looks like a Montblanc pen, but it was a very cheap one I bought in a sale. It has an iridium point and writes smoothly like no other pen I ever owned.I always carried that one for years, until my cat got interested. On my drawing table were several pens, brushes, roller-balls, ... But he was very sure that that particular pen was important, so he pushed it from the table, attacked it and it went missing for over two years. We searched and searched .... two years later i saw the cat playing with it .... cats and pens ...
I through the railroading was very pretty.
Ambur Williams me too 😅
I know! I was like, that actually looks really cool, but it’s probably bad for the non though
Loved it too! Added so much character to it! Hahaha railroaders are trailblazers. :P
Ambidextrous here. It means I can write equally badly with both hands.
"Practice Make progress" and it is true. I have started to practice cursive writing and now my writing is getting better. It is quite difference than I used to write and I never knew I can do this before. You also have to sit down and look at your progress mentally too and practice and practice until your brain get what you see with your fingers to hold the instruments comfortably and the muscles of your forearm to lead the moment of the constant flow to draw the writing. And the last thing is you have to be very criticise of your your own letters of the consistency and the forms and must see them together in line with the inspirational writings of others people's work. Knowledge about the writing styles as cursive type and old business writing (Spencerian origin) style can give you and Idea to choose a type of wring level you want to achieve into your kind of style as your goal. This is how I am doing and it works but "PRACTICE MAKE PROGRESS " and that you have to remember. All about the pens on this video is another important point too and My few cents here is valid just as a grain of sand in the the desserts.
Im back to fountaine pen after over 20 years of pen/pencil and keyboard only.
Brings me back the memories of school, possibly the best period of my life.
I cant change my character of writing, but at least im trying.
I love fountine, its an "daily art" ritual for me.
My pen is fun-taine pen :)
I hope there will be more of Us, "fountainers" in the future, thats a great hobby!
Thank You for vid and excuse my English.
I'm the weird ambi/lefty who uses board/stub/flex nibs and thrives with them, but I'm also an underwriter. Current EDC is a Lamy Al-Star Broad (I've found Lamy nibs run broad as it is), but I also have a TWSBI Eco Stub that I really enjoy. I've found that you have to go even slower with flex and stub than you would with the more regular nibs. My only F/EF pen I currently have inked is a Platinum Preppy EF, which rarely gets used.
sharing tutorial writing is very useful...👍
Thanks for the tips! I get a lot of inspiration from Jake Weidmann. Before the interview with him, I had never even heard of a Master Penman. Now I'm trying things I never thought I could do! Thank you Goulet team and Mr. Weidmann!
Very helpful, as I'm both a lefty AND new to fountain pens.
I'm left handed and I slant my paper and write from above it works way better for me that way also honestly I hated writing before I started using a fountain pen now I love it feels much smoother writing with one for me and my handwriting has improved a lot since I've started practicing I've been doing it for about a month now and it has become kinda of a hobby
Great video but what about writing quickly? I'm a university student that loves his sonnet but because of the pace I have to write at I end up with really illegible chicken scratch. Should I switch to my urban 5th? Or is there a way of writing quickly with a fountain pen that doesn't end up looking like a dictionary threw up on your page?
jonathon edwards /glances forlornly at the chickenest of chicken scratch thats supposed to be bio notes/
I second this question. Overwhelmingly so.
Yay another science student that understands my polite.
Stenography, or shorthand writing, it's going to be your fastest; but this also means you have to learn a "new" language. So maybe not ideal.
Jpavlack jr that thought crossed my mind earlier. I’ve only ever had Parker for 10ish years in the form of a sonnet. I’ve also own a jotter before that and loved them, then realized what actual love is with the sonnet. Recently I’ve sadly had to replace my sonnet as it was taken from me at Uni so an excuse to upgrade from a 2013 sonnet to the 2017-18 model. I also picked up an urban 5th at the same time.
Back to the point though, stepping out of Parker I may buy a preppy to try something else.
Try writing with a wet nib - the pen will glide faster over the paper
I love this ahaha. The struggles of the left handlers, I feel you guys ;-;
Also are there any affordable forms of flex nibs. Before I convert my jinhao to use the zebra g flex nib
Noodler's is definitely the place to go for an affordable flex nib option. Between the Ahab/Konrad/Creaper, great options under $25: www.gouletpens.com/noodlers-writing-instruments/c/130 - Colin
Noodlers or find a bargain on vintage pens at Ebay
Just information I was looking for, but kill the music!
Thank 🙏 you for making such a important video 📸
Try keeping a constant 45 degree angle when using a stub or italic nib! :)
Are those the ones with the flatter tops? I think I may have bought those on accident instead of the flex nibs oops lol
Im a lefty, literally just learned to keep my hand below what i wrote. Though, its not as comfy.
I'm still trying to figure out how that works :)
I write with slanting the copy/ paper towards me. Does that help you? Cause I’ve written with ink pens for at least 6 years and I don’t smudge at all unless I accidentally smudge my writing with my right hand.
I'm a political leftist.
@@safala I do that too, but it's harder if I'm at a small desk with a binder, so I'm either forced to have the binder hand off the side, or to write with the paper not slanted.
I'm not quite in the same camp, being right handed, but I also tend to smudge my writing a bit if I write down more than three lines or so, since I actually tend to have my hand just a little bit above my pen on the paper. It's very difficult to try to transition to having my hand below the pen without my writing getting all slanty.
Love these shorty videos💝
Much good information. As a lefty I am pleased you offered helpful suggestions for us. Please explain why lefties should use finer nib, drier ink, and more absorbent paper. Looking at my handwriting truly I know I need all the assistance I can muster.
Basically, it's all about avoiding smudge! Finer nibs lay down less ink, drier ink can mean a quicker dry time, and the paper absorbs the ink faster so it isn't just laying on the top of the page. All of those contribute to less smearing. - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company Hello Colin, thank you for your reply. Appreciate your advice, it makes much sense.
I realize that this is an older video, but do you know what ink is being used at [:16]? It's beautiful! Thank you.
Sir can you pls suggest low cost flexible nib pen
Thank you very much for this video
A most excellent video. Thank you GPC peeps.
As a left handed writer I'm curious what are considered to be faster drying inks? Also I always find that a broader nib was better since it lays down more ink and smooths the pushing motion I use which is opposite the pulling motion that right handers use
I use dip pens, not fountain, and use Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black as my go to ink. I just use regular notebook paper with it and it seems to dry fast enough. Am a pretty quick cursive writer, but despite being a leftie, that ink almost never smears on me. Good luck!
Is the Flex Nib fountain pen you used Noodlers?
Could you tell what is the Flex Nib fountain pen with blue ink you wrote beautifully!!
Your comments on flex vs stub nibs are quite interesting . . . and possibly, advice that I should have gotten before. Since I'm not sure which of the two I wish to advance to, may i suggest taht a "Flex vs. Stub" comparison would be good for a future video.
That's a good idea, could be something we tackle in the future! In general, I think Flex takes more practice to get the hang of it, but looks better when you do. Stub is pretty easy out of the box. - Colin
With large, flowy writing, I may have to stick with a medium or broad nib (thanks, Rachel) and maybe try that flex nib, too. You will sell me a lot of ink in the future, I'm okay with that!. Hope you get enough Conklin Duraflex in this time!
When a started using cursive for the first time it looked like chicken scratch. And my favorite ink colours red and apple green
what’s your favorite kind of ink to use?
What is that blue ink? Lovely colour.
TH-cam should put a love button to use it on videos like this!
So beautiful :)
thanks for tips .... nice info.
Would you ever suggest a flex nib for lefties? I mainly want a pen for drawing, but I may try my hand at lettering too.
You can use anything as a left handed person! Tilt your paper to the right, it'll be more comfortable, easier and not messy as your hand will be below your writing. You'll be writing or drawing at an angle, but one that feels very natural for your whole arm.
@@miyounova I appreciate your reply, but unfortunately, I've been an overwriter all my life. I was told to turn my paper to the left and that's what I did (lefties were ignored in the 60's). I have tried writing the way you suggested, but it is a completely way of writing. I can write almost as good backwards as that way:)
One of your best videos ever!
Which fountain pen is this flex pen please?
Which flex-fountain pen is the best for a beginner to try it?
What is the music playing here? It's very nice.
Practice makes progress!!! Love it!
Yoooo can you share the last page in the outro
That handwriting looks finee
Very nice video! Love it
Cool video for a new fountain pen convert. Let me ask, though, is a flex nib the same as a "bent" nib?
No, flex nibs are regular-shaped nib that can spread and close. That creates wider and thinner strokes, respectively. If you want to chat about more stuff as you begin your fountain pen journey, our team would love to talk to you! Email us at info@gouletpens.com and we'll take good care of you. - Drew
👍
...and find the right pen, the one which fits Your hand/fingers, and the right paper also!
Can't wait to get my pen I ordered from you guys. HURRY!
Thank you so very much for the support! - Drew
I write normally at hight speed and letters look good. Try write ever with fountain pen and you handwritting will be beauty by itself. Ahh if something don't you like, correct it and make it better.
3:14 looks awesome!
Which pen had you used? Kindly tell me the name so i can purchase it........ In Pakistan
Who else likes railroading? It makes it unique
I’m left handed and write small. I’m going to get fast drying ink and a fine nib. I knew to do those two things from the start. Everything else was very informative though.
Nice video and good advice. Thanks
Hi guys, have you ever done videos on left-handers using stub nibs or flex nibs? I've trained myself to be an under writer, after years of the damage school did to my writing, but I'm nervous about whether us lefties can use stub & flex without having to find some leftie speciality nib/pen brand. Any help would be great.
Am a leftie. I use dip pens, not fountain, but I love love LOVE stub nibs, they work great for me. Good luck!
I just tested the stub and flex nibs I have on some Rhodia paper I have and they all work left-handed. With the stubs, you want to write a little slower than with other fountain pens (my TWSBI and Pilot Metropolitan both have sweet spots that can be a little finicky to find). With the flex nib (the one I currently have inked up is an FPR ultraflex), you have to write even slower than that.
From around 0:10 to 0:15, what hand/style is being used?
Question: what is the opposite of a stub nib? I hold the pen more or less parallel to the direction of writing yet would like to achieve the same results as when using a stub nib in the regular manner. Do you have such a pen/nib combination, or is there a pen you can recommend?
You may want to try an architect nib which provides the opposite line variation of the stub nib. Thin downstrokes and wide cross-strokes. - Colin
Hi, fairly new to the Pen world, which pen and nib are you using from 0:52 to 1:00 , and is the point the same as the one from 0:18-0:30, I like finer tips so I was just curious. Thanks in advance.
Those are actually two different pens/nibs. The one at 0:52 is a LAMY CP1 with an Extra-Fine nib (www.gouletpens.com/products/lamy-cp1-fountain-pen-black?variant=11884847988779 ), the other one is a Pilot Metropolitan with a Fine nib: www.gouletpens.com/collections/pilot-metropolitan-fountain-pens - Colin
Very good
...Thanks Brian...I needed that...🗣🖌✒️🖋✒️ ore ... 🙏🙏🙏
Is it the same blue pen being used in the video? If so, what kind is it exactly?
What is the flex nib pen used in the video?
I want a fountain pen with a flex nib but its to expensive
As I suggested to another commenter (above) why not try gong to "The Fountain Pen Network," a chat site. You might find some useful suggestions there.
That fast writing had a pretty cool effect 😂
thats a pretty impressive Ahab/Konrad nib there. I think most of the railroading is avoided though by writing very slow and having a rediculously wet ink which just isnt practical in real life use.
Wet ink can be practical but depends heavily on the paper, but in general, flex writing isn't the most practical type for everyday use either! But going slow and deliberate with your strokes definitely cuts down on the railroading. - Colin
overfeed + dryest nonfeathering ink (waterman) is imho the way forward.
@@kingprone7846 generous feed is the key, my Waterman is railroading quite a bit but I have a lot of luck with MontBlanc Irish Green, no railroading whatsoever :-)
@@MilanRegec these noodler pens (i.e. neponset) can get a width of easily 4-5mm. You simply cannot support this with a normal feed.
What is the specific pen being used at the 1:56 mark? It's a flex nib and blue ink...
That is a Noodler's Ahab Clear (www.gouletpens.com/products/noodlers-ahab-flex-fountain-pen-clear?variant=11884728909867 ) with Monteverde Sapphire! - Colin
Is there a sheet or something to practice the style at 02:20?
Your handwriting with your left hand is mine with my right. And I'm right handed. Lol.
Great observation. According to me too tip no 4 and 5 are more helpful. Liked it..you got a new friend here.
0:06 - 0:12 gorgeous
Sir maybe you have umm? pilot crocodile fountain pen because i have also😁
Can you please talk about fountain pen paper?
what paper did you use in the video?
That was Rhodia (www.gouletpens.com/rhodia/c/240 ). - Colin
This is a very good article and some of the handwriting is absolutely beautiful.
As handwriting is back one the school tests in the UK, it has started some very interesting debates. I wonder if some of your viewers would like to look at my recently published book, Alli Can’t Write. It is a crossover book wit the first section a children’s storybook and the second part discusses practical ways to help overcome these difficulties. You can find it on Amazon. I am an international author on special educational needs.
0:01 What nib was that on the Pilot Metropolitan? I can't figure out which nib to chose. F or M. I tried your www.gouletpens.com/pages/nib-nook but in case of Metropolitan the samples came out almost identical. For reference (regular printer paper on hard smooth surface used) I've got: Pilot G-Tec-C4 (rolling ball stick pen) as slightly too narrow (it's wet), the generic yellow BIC ballpoint as slightly too narrow, Rotring Tikky 0,5 with pentel 2B lead (full diameter, vertical) as very slightly too wide. I've got a fountain pen that puts just about a perfect width but it's a no-name.
I really liked this video.
What is the flex fountain pen you're using to write cursive?
That is a Noodler's Konrad (www.gouletpens.com/collections/noodlers-konrad-fountain-pens ) - Colin
Please suggest me some flex nib fountain pen....😢😢😢😢
0:06 This Pen Is Of Which Company...What Is The Name Of This Fountain Pen ???plzzz Plzz also 1:56
Woohoo 100k soon!!!
I bought a fountain pen recently , I bought a cheaper one to practice with before I decided I want to use a expensive one, it doesn’t right that smoothly , any tips? I am very new to them and know barley anything about them
What pen did you go with and nib size? Could be worth cleaning out as that can cause some flow issues. Make sure the tines aren't misaligned (pinching in). - Colin
It’s kinda funny to think that I, a lefty with small handwriting that are closer together, write with broader pens and ink that do not dry as fast.
Well, the video did say to find what works for you. If you are comfortable writing and your pen hand is legible, you have what works for you. Enjoy!
so I've got some questions regarding specific letter combinations... Something like cursive "b" to "r"... generally the letters that end high and start high are my problems... any advice on that?
I think in general, it's whatever works for you or makes sense. Usually on the upswing to end the 'b' I use that as the beginning of the 'r', not making 2 separate upstrokes, if you can picture that! - Colin
kinda sorta... if you could provide an example, that would be amazing. I've had junk writing since I was a kid, and now it's time to fix that.
Guys I'm a fast writer because I'm a Student and i have to write fast in order to solve questions or copy something... I I'm having problems like skipped and that rail thing... But I don't write that fast I guess but it happens I have washed my pen many times... Flushed the ink though the pen and many other things so... I don't know what to do now.. I'm using Pierre Cardin MICRA.. So can anyone suggest me some tips to fix that thing.... Please.... This will help me a lot... 🙏
@gouletpens which ink was used in the Noodler's flex pen? Also, is the pen an Ahab or a Konrad?
Thanks
Matt Kniser it was an Ahab I think
Glennhkc for 20€, the Noodler's are amazing! Not everyone wants to spend hundreds of dollars
True, but in my experience, you get what you pay for. It's quite possible that Noodler's has greatly improved their products since I used them 2-3 years ago. I'm glad that you're enjoying them.
Glennhkc thank you, have a nice day:)
Glennhkc I agree with you but the Ahab or Konrad is what I recommend to get used to flex nibs. Starting out on a vintage can be really hard
For all the left-handed people, tilt your paper to the right!
I've always done this naturally, it I know some schools didn't let kids do this or didn't encourage it. Your hand will be under your writing, which will ensure you can see what you're writing, you won't smudge anything, and your arm and wrist will be in a comfortable position to write and manipulate your own with more ease and precision. And that goes for any writing tool, not just fountain pens!
Write on!
Where do you get your ink
I’m just waiting for the day when the doctors decide to collectively troll the pharmacists with this handwriting.
Is that Rachel writing the super nice script? If so, she is the only person in the world that I have seen that holds a writing instrument the same way I do!
That was actually one of our photographers, Sarah! - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company your photographer Sarah deserves to be in the vids cuz we love her handwriting
Where you get the flex fountain pen I’ve been going everywhere and could only find one pen 🖊 but that pen smelled funny the plastic was cheap
Try noodlers triple tail. It has no smell.
Agree with the Triple Tail. Beyond that, Conklin/Monteverde have an Omniflex nib option on most pens that's a decent option. That's featured in this video. - Colin
Excellent I’ll look into buying one thank you 🙏
3:25 it happens to my pen alot, due to compulsion from peers to write fast.
I'm left handed so mine looks like #28 seconds in,though I've discovered left handed knibs,so its improving
Cool video. The person at the very beginning writes holding the nib sideways. I've never seen anyone do that before. Is there any benefit to doing that?
That was me. My Metro was in the middle of a leaky disaster, so I didn't want to hold too close to the nib! Just ignore that one... - Colin
Rob P. I write like that as a matter of habit. I suppose the biggest advantage is that it keeps your hand away from the ink as it dries?
It's not "proper form" or anything. It's just one of those unorthodox grips that some people have used since childhood, and doesn't really have enough drawbacks that would make the hassle of adopting another grip worthwhile.
(I tend to hold my pens choked back like someone sketching with a pencil, so my nib will sometimes gravitate towards that sideways positioning if I'm not careful. :) )
Ah, that makes sense. Yeah, I can't see it being a problem unless using a stub nib, in which case that grip would make a stub act like an architect nib with wider cross strokes and thin downstrokes. With writing, as with so many other aspects of life, I don't think there's any proper form -- whatever works! It definitely does sound like a great way to avoid ink smudging as well if that becomes an issue.
I write in a similar way, but by kinda twisting my wrist rather than holding the pen differently. Can confirm it makes stubs interesting to use
Helpful thanks
What nib are you using?