Originally Posted by
azkid
Like many here i have many, many pens (almost all are inexpensive, most vintage) and I find it interesting how easy it is to write neatly with some pens and not others.
I haven't quite sorted out why yet so i cant predict, for me, which pens to select, but I have noticed a few things along the way.
I find it a little harder to control extremely smooth pens than those with some feedback or drag on the page. Maybe I can get used to it (experiment forthcoming).
I find that very wet-writing pens feel out of control probably because I feel rushed to write faster. And I find it very hard to write both quickly and legibly. So I either use a dry ink or tune the nib or both to achieve a less generous flow.
I like finer nibs (F, EF, posting) as my e loops are usually unduly cramped if I am not concentrating closely. I might be able to fix this muscle memory tendency with some handwriting drills.
I theorize, but have yet to conduct an experiment to confirm, that the distance of natural grip to the nib and thus the angle of the pen matter to me. Pens without a defined grip position tend to be the pens i write best with (e.g., Parker 45, 51; Montblanc 221, Jinhao 51A, Sheaffer Signature w/ Triumph nib). But this isn't universally true (exceptions include: Pilot Stargazer, Waterman Hemisphere)
Related to this (i think?), I notice that I have a hard time writing lower loops (particularly g, y z) with some pens but not others. On some pens they come out too short, are hard to slant correctly, and feel awkward to write. Arm writing helps to some extent. I often write with hand/wrist rather than arm, though.
Pens that are too heavy (above about 30g) are harder for to control and maintain a consistent grip position especially if the grip is too smooth with a continuous contour (Lamy Studio, chrome section). I find most pens awkwardly unbalanced with their caps posted. This is a less often true for shorter pens and/or pens with light caps (Pelikan M205, Sheaffer Balance).
Ergonomics play such an big role for me that I prioritize finding a pen I naturally write legibly with over price and brand. I have pens ranging from $10 to $150 and there is no clear correlation between cost and hoe well I write or how much I enjoy it. There is absolutely a correlation between price tier and fit and finish. (For vintage, I mean original price tier not used prices).
So in short it would be worth trying some differently shaped, sized, and weighted pens of varying flow and see what works beat for you.
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