View Full Version : lefty wants a pen
My interest are peeked. I am sure I am headed down an all to familiar road. Started wet shaving. Went out today and got a french press and a burr grinder. Now I want a fountain pen. MY WALLET THANKS YOU!!!! My question is are you able to write with a fountain pen if you are left handed or does it just spread the ink. I usually write with my hand on the paper.
Rorschach69
02-25-2011, 11:49 AM
I am a claw-n-drag lefty with a nice Namiki FP. I don't use it every day but years ago I did for work. This is what I learned:
1. good ink. I use Aurora blue and it worked, also Namiki's ink was quite serviceable (but nothing dries as fast as say, Pilot G-2 gel)
2. buy some blotter paper and cut a small rectangle to put under your palm pad that touches the paper. Stick this in your journal as a bookmark when not in use. Also it can clean up blobs.
3. write slowly and mindfully
Good luck!
Price
02-25-2011, 12:04 PM
Oh buddy you are headed down a familiar path! Just don't stray too far down the "Forums" page or you'll soon find yourself pairing Montecristo #2's with 12-yr old Jameson (a not altogether bad idea for this evening now that I think about it...).
My wife got me a fairly inexpensive pen from a place called Anything Left Handed: http://www.anythinglefthanded.co.uk/acatalog/pens_cartridges.html
It let me figure out that my gnarl-fisted writing style just doesn't get the job done with a fountain pen. If you're one of those "turn-the-paper-and-write-vertically" kind of guys, though, you should be fine. Those points listed above do seem to make sense, though, so maybe I'll have to look into...
kelebekcc
02-25-2011, 12:26 PM
I have Lamy Safari with lefty nib. Inexpensive but quality. Good for everyday or students.
http://www.luxurypensblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/lamy_safari.jpg
Awesome intel guys. I think that I may just buy one somewhere and see what I think. Maybe staples or office depot?
Price
02-25-2011, 01:02 PM
Awesome intel guys. I think that I may just buy one somewhere and see what I think. Maybe staples or office depot?
Doubt you'll find a suitable "lefty" nib, but maybe. Good luck!
Groat
02-25-2011, 02:24 PM
Awesome intel guys. I think that I may just buy one somewhere and see what I think. Maybe staples or office depot?
When I ordered my first FP, I couldn't wait to use it. I ended up going to Staples and seeing a Cross FP there and snatched it up. Honestly, it wasn't worth it. The price was way too high, the quality of the pen wasn't particularly good and the pen doesn't even take a converter. You're not likely to find anything decent at a big box store.
Just for reference, at the Staples I paid around $45. That's more than the far superior Lamy Safari costs on jetpens.com costs with a converter AND a bottle of ink (shipping included).
wimbouman
02-25-2011, 03:07 PM
You so need a new Pelikan ;-)
http://www.interpens.de/en/images/gallery/pelikan/pelikan101_1.jpg
Seriously, one of the smoothest writing pens on earth!
penmanship
02-25-2011, 03:40 PM
I am too & I do with ease...................:thumbup:. Use one everyday. I write (for a lack of better term) under the script, so as not to drag my hand through the ink. I don't really have too much trouble doing it that way. Beside's us lefties are use to tricking things made for righties into do what we want.
My interest are peeked. I am sure I am headed down an all to familiar road. Started wet shaving. Went out today and got a french press and a burr grinder. Now I want a fountain pen. MY WALLET THANKS YOU!!!! My question is are you able to write with a fountain pen if you are left handed or does it just spread the ink. I usually write with my hand on the paper.
Go West Young Man
02-25-2011, 04:29 PM
http://c1305352.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/peanuts.1967.04.25.jpg
LuckyR
02-25-2011, 04:42 PM
My interest are peeked. I am sure I am headed down an all to familiar road. Started wet shaving. Went out today and got a french press and a burr grinder. Now I want a fountain pen. MY WALLET THANKS YOU!!!! My question is are you able to write with a fountain pen if you are left handed or does it just spread the ink. I usually write with my hand on the paper.
Beyond the lefty nib, I would concentrate more on a quick drying ink (preferably one that washes off of your hand easily), than the pen. As far as FP use in lefties, some flip the paper around such that their hand is above the line that is being written on (such that they are almost writing backwards from the perspective of their wrist).
Do you guys think I should just leave it alone. I have always enjoyed a good pen and guard it until my wife gets it and then.....GONE. I don't drag my hand through the script, but I usually like a large ball point and not anything to sharp as I tend to put a lot of pressure on my pen.
bob.e
02-25-2011, 06:30 PM
I love my namiki you learn to compensate as a lefty just take your time and you'll get it down
penmanship
02-25-2011, 06:34 PM
Nope !
do you guys think i should just leave it alone. I have always enjoyed a good pen and guard it until my wife gets it and then.....gone. I don't drag my hand through the script, but i usually like a large ball point and not anything to sharp as i tend to put a lot of pressure on my pen.
DunEdinRanger
02-25-2011, 06:35 PM
Noodler's makes a very fast drying ink, that won't smudge. I forget which one of their many colors have this feature, but it will say in the blurb - I think the "Polar" inks may be quick drying.
The Chinese Jinhao X450 Fountain Pens are probably the best FP value out there right now, as you can find them on E-bay for under $10, shipped.
Good Luck on your journey down the Primrose Path.
Plano
02-25-2011, 06:41 PM
I am left handed and use a FP everyday. If you go with the Lamy Safari (cheap and damn nice pen for the money) then I like the lamy brand ink. I have yet to smudge anything and I drag my hand across the paper when I write. I also would suggest a fine or extra fine point to start and you can see what you like from there.
checked out the Lamy site the Safari looks like a nice pen. Would the medium or broad point work alright?
I'm a lefty (except in school when I had to write on the blackboard and then I was a righty) and I use fountain pens much of the time. But I tilt the paper to the left, which I suspect is unusual for a southpaw, and my hand and the pen tip are above the line I'm writing. The plus side of this unorthodox method is the ink is dry by the time I get to the next line (and drag my hand over the previous line). Good ink means no smudges for me.
demerson
02-28-2011, 01:33 PM
Lefty,
Have a look at 'oblique' nibs. They come in left-oblique and right-oblique varieties, with a nib tip that is angled. Any good pen vendor can guide you to the right match for your hand.
Good luck in your search.
rickboone1
02-28-2011, 01:58 PM
lefty,
have a look at 'oblique' nibs. They come in left-oblique and right-oblique varieties, with a nib tip that is angled. Any good pen vendor can guide you to the right match for your hand.
Good luck in your search.
+1
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