alpha1
Fellow
I have been asked to make a left handed fountain pen not something I have done before any one got any advice as to how I would do that.
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Left hand fountain pen.
- Thread starter alpha1
- Start date
DuncSuss
Full Member
There are two schools of thought: one group (including some fine penmen/calligraphers) says the same fountain pen can be used left or right handed; the second group says that the tines of the nib should bend around to the left, making the last few millimetres of the nib hit the paper at the same angle a right-hander would with an un-bent nib.
Many years ago, Osmiroid made "left handed fountain pen nib units" like that - you can still find them (new old stock) for sale on eBay.
But back to your reason for posting: it depends 100% on whether the person who asked you falls into the first or the second camp. It's a bit like Big-endians versus Little-endians in Gulliver's Travels - you really have to know what the person expects so you don't inadvertently start a holy war. It's probably best to ask them why they think a normal fountain pen won't work.
Many years ago, Osmiroid made "left handed fountain pen nib units" like that - you can still find them (new old stock) for sale on eBay.
But back to your reason for posting: it depends 100% on whether the person who asked you falls into the first or the second camp. It's a bit like Big-endians versus Little-endians in Gulliver's Travels - you really have to know what the person expects so you don't inadvertently start a holy war. It's probably best to ask them why they think a normal fountain pen won't work.
Gadget-UK
Fellow
Duncan, that is the best reply to this question I have ever read.
Beaufort ink sell left handed nibs, which are ground differently to cater for the angle lefties hold the pen when writing.
In basic terms the issue that some left handers have is that, due to the angle of the pen to the paper, they tend to push the nib into the paper which creates resistance causing it to become scratchy, whereas right handlers drag the nib along the paper so there is little resistance and you get a smoother writing experience. Left handed nibs attempt to get around this by grinding an angle on the tip to offset the issue.
Having said all this my wife is a leftie and I’ve made her several fountain pens and she uses normal nibs quite happily. So it does come down to the individual. If you can I’d get them to try out a normal nib first and see how they get on.
Cheers
Ash
In basic terms the issue that some left handers have is that, due to the angle of the pen to the paper, they tend to push the nib into the paper which creates resistance causing it to become scratchy, whereas right handlers drag the nib along the paper so there is little resistance and you get a smoother writing experience. Left handed nibs attempt to get around this by grinding an angle on the tip to offset the issue.
Having said all this my wife is a leftie and I’ve made her several fountain pens and she uses normal nibs quite happily. So it does come down to the individual. If you can I’d get them to try out a normal nib first and see how they get on.
Cheers
Ash
Both answers above are great....I used to use a guy who was a nib grinder( yes it's a thing) and he explained it to me...its basically as Duncan has said, it's pen presentation, how it touches the paper,
Some of us lefties overhand write, some underhand, some drag and some twist the paper and write up the page...that's why some nibs will suit other better...
Also if you have a label cast blanks or engraved barrel it needs to be the other way for south paws....
Some of us lefties overhand write, some underhand, some drag and some twist the paper and write up the page...that's why some nibs will suit other better...
Also if you have a label cast blanks or engraved barrel it needs to be the other way for south paws....
Yes they’re often called “Nib Meisters” and I’ve used them in the past too, but then I learnt how to do it myself as they charge anything from £30 to £60 to grind a nib. And it only takes about 5-10 minutes!
All you need is a Dremel with a few different heads (grinder and polisher), some micromesh and some powerful magnifiers and you’re away. It takes a bit of practice and I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I can grind a very acceptable cursive italic (wide downstrokes and thin cross strokes ) or an architect nib (opposite to a cursive italic). It’s actually good fun and the queue for these guys at pen shows is usually out the door. So anyone on here who’s got a bit of patience and enjoys getting inky fingers (it is quite messy) could learn how to do it and posssibly make a few quid.
Cheers
Ash
Oh and click here for the link to the Beaufort left-handed nibs.
Hi, I think you can purchase a left handed kit from that firm that make left handed bottles.
In other words I think you are being taken for a ride.
Please see photo of my left handed pen.
Attachments
Unfortunately he is not and left-handed fountain pens are a thing....sorry an all that. As explained in my post even when you have image /printing on biros it should go the other way if it's for a south paw!...
Sport recognises people that are left-handed, golf clubs, cricket bats, rifles and shotguns....
Yep! I made that very mistake with the engravings on my Cave Art pen. The images are upside down to a right-handed user. Sold it to a leftie in America.
geordie0928
Graduate Member
Well I never knew that you could have a pen for a lefthanded person. No wonder I got the cane so much in the infants, my wrighting was the worst in the school. Thank Mr Bic you saved my life.
Adal6
Graduate Member
New to me. But would love to see the end product
alpha1
Fellow
Beufort ink sells left handed Bock nibs. It is possible to make a left handed pen. I will be giving it a go.
DuncSuss
Full Member
They've been around since before I was in juniors (we weren't allowed ink pens when I was in infants, probably a wise decision). I don't know exactly when Osmiroid started making these, but I'd have to guess before mid-1960s when my best friend got one. (Not sure it helped him any though!)
geordie0928
Graduate Member
The School went to it was stuck a time of the 1890s, very out dated we had tip into ink wells. I had ink all over the place. Yes this was in 1955-1959.
Well there you go, always glad to learn and thanks for the update.
The pen in my photo is left or right handed as you will already be aware. No offence ment by the way. Kind regards
DuncSuss
Full Member
Similar story - we had to prove we were competent with a dip pen (metal nib pushed into a painted wood holder) before we were allowed to bring our own fountain pen to use at school. Ceramic ink well set into every desk in the classroom, filled from a jug of ink on Monday mornings. This was in 1965-66-67.
Curly
Graduate Member
Grade 2 or 3 (1961 or 1962) were introduced to dip pens but could buy a ballpoint shaped exactly like the dip pens from a vending machine in the hallway for 10¢ or 25¢. Dropped out of the thing in a cardboard tube, I assume to keep from jamming. Moved to another school and they didn't use the dip pens but the desks had the hole for ink bottles. Can't recall anyone ever using using fountain pens until I was in high school.
Pete
Pete
Phil donated a pen with a left handed nib + standard pens when I made pens for the Duke & Duchess of Edinburgh.as the Duchess is Jeff handed. It’s 8 years on Friday since I presented those pens. Time certainly flies.
Left-handed writers fall into two groups - those who write below the line, the same way that right-handers do but obviously with the left hand, and those who write above the line, with the paper at a jaunty angle to avoid smudging.
The tip of a left-handed nib is ground the opposite way to a right-handed nib.
The first group will almost all get an obvious benefit from a left-handed nib, since they are holding the pen at an opposite angle to a right-hander. The second group may or may not get a benefit, although most of them will, and that will depend on the angle at which the pen is held - some left-handed overwriters hold the pen at the same angle as a right-hander and push the pen, and some hold it at an opposite angle and pull the pen.
It is not the pushing or pulling that makes the difference, since a nib is supposed to be able to write smoothly in all directions, it is the angle at which the pen is held.
The tip of a left-handed nib is ground the opposite way to a right-handed nib.
The first group will almost all get an obvious benefit from a left-handed nib, since they are holding the pen at an opposite angle to a right-hander. The second group may or may not get a benefit, although most of them will, and that will depend on the angle at which the pen is held - some left-handed overwriters hold the pen at the same angle as a right-hander and push the pen, and some hold it at an opposite angle and pull the pen.
It is not the pushing or pulling that makes the difference, since a nib is supposed to be able to write smoothly in all directions, it is the angle at which the pen is held.