How a lefty can use a fountain pen

[lstarett]

With a Lamy fountain pen, and a light touch, I've never had a smearing problem when I write. I'm left handed. I use either the Lamy AL Allstar or, even better, the Lamy CP1. Both are a bit pricey, but I won't do without them.

[ProDribbler]

Thumbs up if your left handed

[dozza92]

My arm curves round to the top of the paper as if i'm opposite and writing down. Sounds weird but it works perfectly and it's always how i've written. No problem with fountain pens and you get a nice italic style to the writing.

[MegaBleachy]

ive never touched a fountain pen be4 O.O

i dun even remember seeing 1 in singapore...

[demurebrownsugar]

i feel kinda weird in the fact that i am a lefty who has never had a problem writing with a fountain pen.............what am i not noticing??? I use a flat and perhaps that is the difference um....but i have used ball point w/ no problem, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO ALL THE SAME!!!! (I write some what with my Right hand to....to beginner cursive level....hmmm....

[moonlady3000]

Your technique is pretty much basically what I learned to do in art class in High School when we started doing calligraphy. To put the nib at the 45 degree angle required and still write with it I had to turn my paper almost completely sideways to the right.

[xX6Rockin9Xx]

My pen fails XD Always skips letters and its just a hunk of plastic...

[ArcticTrees]

lefties rule

[2122121]

thank you very much...

i thought my fp is defective

[ToddWRC]

nice video. What FP are you using?  T)

[therealdianecampos]

thanks!!! this will help soooo much!!!!

[hung13nguyen]

thx for the instruction!

[itsathinline1]

I actually prefer the ink in fountain pens, as they seem to smudge less than gel or roller-ball pens.

[Unsikaubunki]

Finally someone I can relate to.

[danemaricich13]

also found that if you can pull the nib like a right hander, it is easier on the nib. If you are making a "F" pull from right to left, and top to bottom. not all letters can work that way ,though

[danemaricich13]

Thanks man. I am also left-handed. I always wanted to write calligraphy using fountain pens.

[Kat3369]

I'm a left and just started using fountain pens. I've never had an issue with smudges with fountain or gel pens because I'm the lefty who turns the paper at a steep angle.

[Lifeexplorer30]

oh yesterday a friend borrowed me his fountain pen cuz we were studying together and i was unable to write anything with that pen and i wondered why was it, i think it was cuz im left handed and i was holding the pen wrongly......oh thanks for this video & the tips

[KevSmithRULES34]

hey Im left handed

[randomrazr]

im left handed and i taght myself how to write with fountain left handed. nothing hard though my technique is differnet but whatever turns u on at night (in otherwards whatever works for u lol)(

[popogie22]

yaks pens!! i hated them during my elementary schooldays coz we only permited to use pens!!

btw i'm lefty..is it an explanation??^^

[telephone33333]

im left handed and i just found my dad's fountain pen and decided to start writing with it. i have to clean it first and stuff it's very old. Thank you i was wondering how to do this.

[nightfox1234]

why do you wear a hat ?

[lyricsruletheworld]

i heard that pens, the way the ball rolls is for right handed people. Seriously i have trouble writing with most pens! anyone else have that problem? like some pens of course are worst than others, but in general it just bugs me to use em'

[skiracer1496]

I've never even seen a fountain pen. it sounds interesting (I'm left handed)

[wetterdew]

I love pens. :3

Pencils are horrible.

[PlagueOfCorruption]

pencils are totally better than pens

[wetterdew]

I used to prefer pencils myself.

But I have been enlightened.

[psw1994]

i think its totally personall preference and what your purpose is. In school i do alot of doodling and prefer a pencil in my hand to draw but when we start taking notes or something i'll use pen. I am also lefty so my hand is always pretty dirty.

[wetterdew]

Hmm...I seem to be fluttering around pens and pencils, whichever is more accessable to me at the time.

My pens dry up really quickly, but pencils get blunt, and blunt pencils give...give me...goosebumps...*shivvvvvver­*

I have swings with pens and pencils. I can't really choose one or the other. :D

[razgriz1240]

ima lefty to and i hate smudgin everything

[lemonbus731]

I'm a lefty that writes with a fountain pen. It's no problem at all. If you're a lefty and want to give fountain pens a try, don't hesitate.

[berylium3]

Am not knocking the videos in anyway or kd5tmu for taking time to make and post the video but for human kinds sake is it not common sense its like saying " i keep banging my toe when i open the door" "can someone help please" Move your freeking foot!!! In this case angle the paper and adjust your seating posture and hold the pen slightly higher up the stem. COMMON SENSE PLEASE PEOPLE!!!

[CanItAlready]

My sister's a lefty and writes (not with a fountain pen, though) pretty much the way you demonstrate here. It's like the mirror image of a righty.

You've got nice handwriting, btw.

[kd5tmu]

Thanks! Yes, the mirror image approach. Maybe she can begin to enjoy the amazingness that is Fountain Pens.

[kingcr3b]

your handwriting is very good i mean wow i use to have good handwriting but now it looks like crap. if only it was as good as yours!

[iMiNdIeDeAdOnArRiVaL]

@CanItAlready

i'm a lefty and that's how i write. I used 2 write the way lefties normally do but two years ago I read somewhere that it's bad for your joints so I changed my style of writing....

[BloodyDracula]

Impressive! Check out "The Official Fountain Pen Inventor" on Youtube!

[soupy1957]

I'm a fifty-year-old guy who has been writing with a fountain pen, off and on. I currently own a Waterman and a Sheaffer, and I prefer the "Sheaffer" incidentally, for its lack of "skipping" when I write with it.

I'm not a lefty, but I appreciate your video and advice.

-Soupy1957

[Yusupov1887]

awesome video, i'm left handed too, and plan on getting a fountain pen one of these days, they look fun haha :D

[thisismyblog]

That was awesome! Thank you for posting that as a video response!  I'm gonna have to try that!

-Nick

[kd5tmu]

I saw your lefty vid, and knew that I just had to post this vid I've had up for a while as a response. Thanks for the comment.

[GarageBoy]

Are you a badgerandblade forum member too?

[WaterNai]

I'm not LH, but has anyone tried angling the paper towards the R, instead of L as RH people do. It seems a more natural angle for the left hand and thus more comfortable. I wouldn't want the paper angled down and towards my hand when writing. It also seems that you would also be less likely to drag your hand through your recent writing because you can more easily hold the pen forward and slightly up as kd5tmu suggests. I hope someone will try tilting the paper towards the R and post results.

[Grasshopper257]

what is the brand and model of the one in the video

[kd5tmu]

I'm not sure of the model, but the brand it Yafa, and I believe that the gift giver purchased it at Office Depot.

[Grasshopper257]

no i ment the one your using in the video

[kd5tmu]

Check your local Office Supply Store.

[Grasshopper257]

aproxametly how much you gues your pen cost?

[kd5tmu]

My fountain pens that I make tend to start around $50. Generally that includes shipping. If you don't mind a gold nib then $50 is the price. If you want a silver nib, I'll have to go a little higher as they are more expensive. Email me and we'll work something out.

[Grasshopper257]

i dont want to spend a lot like 150$ is there any fountain pens that are under 50$?

[kd5tmu]

Ummm... email me and I'll see what I can do for right around $50 (plus shipping) if you're interested. Check out the straight razor place off topic forums for "A few custom pens" and you'll see some of the work I can do. More coming soon.

[Shangas]

There are lots of good fountain pens that may be bought for just a few dollars. I believe Sheaffer is the company for you, if you're looking for cheap, but reliable fountain pens.

[kd5tmu]

I agree that Sheaffer does make a good pen. The only reason I offered to make a pen was that I enjoy making something that people can enjoy. I have had many people satisfied with my pens.

[Shangas]

You make pens, huh? A nice occupation. Hard to sell fountain pens these days, though. Not many people use them, fewer people have even seen them, and the rest don't know what one is. We are a dying breed of scribes...*Fountain pens perform a 21-nib, ink-squirt salute*

[kd5tmu]

Well, most of my work is done on a commissioned basis. By that I mean it's usually people asking me to make them a custom piece, or me offering. I will post a video soon as I am getting my own lathe. I buy parts in a kit, and turn the wood or other material on a lathe to the desired shape, then assemble. I use fine German parts for fountain pens. Keep an eye out for a video soon.

[Grasshopper257]

whered you get that pen, how much, how much are refills

[kd5tmu]

I got that pen as a Christmas gift from my girlfriend, now my fiancee. Refills can be pretty cheap, like $5 for 10 refills, or you can spend a few more dollars on a twist converter and use bottled ink, the messier but more economical choice. I also make custom pens (video showcasing them coming soon), if you're interested in something one of a kind, harrythepenmaker (at) gmail (dot) com

[jenluv37]

You have very nice handwriting! It looks like it should be a font on a computer.

[kd5tmu]

Thank you! I can make it nice, but if I'm just jotting notes, it's like a doctor. The fountain pen definately helps one think and slow down and use nice handwriting. Thanks for the commment!

[banjosnotbombs]

Great Video(! Stupid youtube didn't show me that you posted it!). Ballpoints suck :) Hope you're alright, haven't talked to you in a while. Take care!

[Shangas]

Very interesting. As a right-handed fountain-pen user, I've never had this problem, but I find it interesting, nonetheless. I agree, foutain-pens ARE fun. And much better than ballpoints. Easier & faster writing. Less hand-stress and...they look classy & cool. Nice video!!

[kd5tmu]

You are so correct!

[penjim]

Thanks for posting this- I have lefty friends I have been trying to convert to Fountain Pens!

[kd5tmu]

Just remember, stress the lightness of the touch. Lefties can easily grind a nib because the the direction the pen must be held. A lot of lefties prefer an italic nib. It's all in the feel.

[Shangas]

I agree with that. Fountain pens are NOT to be jammed into the paper. You do that, you stuff up the pen. It should be held naturally and comfortably, with the nib so-rotated that when used for writing, it's nice and smooth.

[BirdValiant]

I thought about getting a fountain pen once, until I realized that I A: don't have anything good to write about, and B: don't want an ink explosion in my backpack.

[WaterNai]

I have used fountain pen throughout my high school and college years. I use them to take all my class notes. I've carried them in a backpack, purse, and bookbag. The only time I've ever had leakage was on the couple occasions where I didn't put the cap on. The resulting ink-blot would have happened no matter what kind of pen I'd done that with. So go ahead, buy a fountain pen and use it with pleasure!